Lately I seem to bring on some unseasonal weather each time I travel for events and this weekend proved no different.
When the “save the date” landed in my inbox two months ago, declaring the dress code as summer frocks, I immediately had visions of a balmy November night … and a kaftan.
As you do … when said event is to be held in the Pavilion on Australia’s most famous beach.
So there I was, in outfit planning mode with such weather in mind. Only problem being Sydney didn’t get my memo.
It did on the fine weather front, it was just a little bit cooler than what I had envisioned in my head.
At Bondi with Mr Styling You. Handy to have around on a cool, windy night when you’re pretending it’s summer.
What’s a girl to do?
Suck it up, that’s what.
I decided I’d still kaftan it up and just throw in a cotton cashmere wrap to keep me warm for the trip home that may or may not have included a stop for cheeseburgers. Which again provided more proof that this was irregular Friday night activity.
About the spring wedding outfit
I’m a big believer in regularly bringing out to play those frocks or clothes that make you feel fabulous. Especially for a special event.
This silk Sacha Drake kaftan is one of those garments. I bought it a year ago, having bought another in a similar style the summer before. It’s floaty and colourful and all kinds of wonderful to wear.
For its first outing this summer I teamed it with the Zoe Kratzmann pine lime wedges that have already been on high rotation this season. I love the colour, the tassels and the heel height that lets me stand all day (or all night) in them without needing to switch to flats.
With the kaftan and the wedges playing centre court in this outfit, I kept the accessories to a minimum … Sophie Kyron earrings from three years ago plus a Samantha Wills ring from last year.
My blogging partner in crime, Mrs Woog and I worked a smokey eye for the occasion.
About the hair
I’m blessed that one of my close girlfriends also owns a hair salon. She’s good. She gets my hair and knows most of my wardrobe.
We’ve been doing a lot of steam pod straightening of late so in the interests of keeping things fresh, she changed it up.
The result? Loose waves styled into multi braids with a messy but “done” finish.
When I posted this photo montage on Instagram, one follower said I looked about 30. Apart from posting her a fat cheque for her kind words, I also posed the question, “Are braids the new Botox?”
I think yes 
Braids are the new Botox? (Hair that travels by Suite Three)
About the nails
Yes, my special occasion outfit planning does involved added extras.
Nothing like a fresh mani and pedi to make a girl feel just that bit more special.
On the fingers: CND Shellac in Tropix. This coral colour is a summer fave of mine and my first application of the season.
On the toes: Essie Aruba Blue. Love the electric blue as a contrast to so many of my fave summer clothes colours.
About the tan
Now, normally I would have booked in for a spray tan. Having my legs so exposed early in the season would otherwise mean a neon display.
But, I’ve been using the Eco Tan Winter Skin gradual tan moisturiser I talked about here for the last two weeks and I’m completely in love with its natural honey tone.
About this event
Way back in August when we were enjoying lunch at Balthazar, our agent, the Remarkables’ gorgeous and talented Lorraine Murphy showed us a photo on her phone of the white Herve Leger bandage dress she had just bought for a song and would be wearing to her wedding. Her SURPRISE wedding.
Through my jetlagged haze I took this piece of info on board and immediately decided Mr Styling You and I would definitely be there.
It would be a chance to swap a Friday night on the couch for a party with some of my closest blogging friends … and their husbands, whom Edenland’s Eden Riley’s husband had declared, The Reliables.
So there we were on this cool and breezy night … a few of us in the know. The rest of the guests thinking they were there to celebrate two 30th birthdays.
As the cakes (yes, there were four!) were brought out and “birthday” speeches were made, Lorraine and Wade announced to their friends that they had tied the knot that afternoon on the door step of a house where they’d first met.
The looks on their friends’ faces? Yes, that credit card company could have used the reaction in their next ad campaign.
And in true blogger agent style, Lorraine had enlisted Beth from BabyMac to unleash her inner Beverley and do the flowers. And Sarah from A Beach Cottage turned wedding photographer for the day.
How bloody happy and radiant does she look?
A newly wed Lorraine Murphy
Have you been to a spring wedding this season? Got a summer wedding coming up? If you’ve got a question about what to wear, leave it below.
