If I were a “real” fashion blogger I’d be putting up lots of outfit posts, you know, like every other day. But trust me, if I did that you’d be seeing me in a house dress and thongs EVERY OTHER DAY. And that could get very boring, very fast.
The Model and Me posts are something else again. These posts are designed to encourage you to try on a dress or an outfit you wouldn’t normally have picked up off the rack.
So, when I get the opportunity to glam it up a little – or a lot – I’ll drive my family mad by making them take photos of me in all my finery. They usually roll their eyes but are getting used to my requests that usually come minutes as we have to step out the door. In which case the eye roll is usually accompanied by a disgruntled mumbling.
Last Friday night it was my husband’s MASSIVE office Christmas party.
No photocopier in sight. Just 1500 people in a room that could fit two Olympic swimming pools and a circus theme that reduced grown men to taking close-up photos of an extremely flexible young lady doing things in a Swarovski-encrusted leotard. As you do … when the wine is plentiful and the DJ goes by the name Sparkles.
Anyways, enough about the party and on to the outfit.
I chose this Sacha Drake dress and played around with the halter top ties to strap “the girls” in a little more securely. Seriously, this dress is all kinds of wonderful. It’s stretchy (so I had no problems accommodating the Moreton Bay Bugs AND the duck confit from the lazy Susan buffet in the centre of our table), it creates a magic shape and those tiered layers? They sit over two other layers, working in unison to hide the bits I like to hide.
Sacha Drake Rosalie dress $369 | Samantha Wills Greta Garbo earrings $165 | Mezi bracelet | Mogil clutch | spray tan: Lime Health and Beauty | hair: suite three hair | shellac nails (iced coral layered over cream puff): suite three beauty
I wanted to get you a close up of the earrings because they are just so AMAZING. And really not too heavy to wear. So I attempted this “selfie” in the car on the way to BrisVegas. Shame my son takes his role as the family photo-bomber apprentice so earnestly.
So, while waiting for the cab to arrive when we got to Brisbane, I got my daughter to snap this one:
… then many rounds of festive cheer later, the earrings feature again. I was standing in line at the tattoo tent (I did mention it was a circus theme, didn’t I?) and thought to myself, what would Eden do when faced with a choice between a frangipani, dolphin or SpongeBob SquarePants tattoo? So, I Tweeted her (as you do) for advice. Before she could Tweet back, I spotted this:
And I knew she’d approve.
The only disappointing thing is that the tattoo tent lady told me I’d get two weeks out of it – now it’s just a black smudgy mess that if I scrub off will also remove the tan.
Damn it. I so thought this was the perfect addition to my recycling this outfit on Friday week for the red carpet walk at the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards in Kuala Lumpur. Eden, maybe I need one for reals?
Comments 92
I am rather obsessed with the red statement dress right now. I had to find one for my work Christmas party as the theme was red and white and when I tried one on I was in love! They make such a statement, I now have 2 and they never fail to get compliments!
I actually think now my hair is more blonde they suit me more!
Love this dress on you!
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Oh, thanks Miss Chew … and yes I do love a splash of red!
Wow! Gorgeous!
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Thanks Sylvia!
OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD.
THAT DRESSSSSSSSSSS.
Wow – knockout, lady. Knockout. You are so so so beautiful. Love your photobombing son, your earrings, your EVERYTHING. And well picked on the tatt … my god you got it goin’ on. If you ever decide to get one for reals, I’m your man for moral support. Heck, I’ll even get one just while I’m waiting while you get one! I LOVE YOU.
XXXXXXXXX
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Oh, Eden … you know how to make an old girl’s day xx Love you and yes, if I’m ever to go down that track, I would not do it without you x
You look amazing. Seriously. All of you – face, hair, body… Amazing. That dress does give a beautiful shape. And I’m going to comment on your boobs – they look fantastic. I love it Nikki!!
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Thanks Carly! They were strapped in and not going anywhere!!
Seriously amazing knock-out look Nikki!!!
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Thanks Tess x
+1 – you look amazing Nikki, no surprise but wow lady, wow! x
thanks lovely lady … did you Top Shop tonight?
I sure did – a really great launch and so far the price points are more affordable than zara. More casual pieces than work-appropriate pieces for the ladies but still some more tough competition for our local retailers!
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Can’t wait to see for myself!
I also have that dress (thank you for introducing me to the brand!) – in black though. The red looks much better!
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I would love to have one in every colour!
Superb Nikki – those Sacha Drake dresses are incredible.
By the way congrats on the Sunday Mail article – when I saw they had a blogging piece I thought Nikki had better be in this & there you were.
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Oh, thanks Jacky … on both counts!!
You look gorgeous as usual … and that dress is divine! You wear it so well!
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Thanks Bron!!
The dress is lovely, but from the neck up is perfection – makeup, hair, smile and those earrings are stunning.
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Oh, Kirralee … thanks so much x
Hi Nikki
Do you have any idea if Sacha Drake dresses are stocked over here in WA? I would love to try some of them on!! You absolutely rock them so fingers crossed I can too 😛
M
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Hi Mel … the stockists page lists quite a few: http://www.sachadrake.com.au/index.php?Itemid=49&option=com_content&view=article&id=35&state=WA&page=fashion I’m sure you could rock them!
You look so beautiful. Love it ALL.
would love to see the shoes too!
x Marnie
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See, if I was any kind of fashion blogger there would have been a photo of the shoes. They’re three years old – Sachi silver platform peep-toe sling backs – I’ll get them photographed when I wear this again for the awards in KL.
Oh lala! You look fantastic but your smile is the best. xx
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Not the tat? x
You wear red very well Nikki. Love the dress. thanks for sharing.
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I do love a good red 😉 And in clothes as well!
The dress and earrings are stunning and suit you so well 🙂 Enjoyed the played down description about the office party – just enough to make me chuckle and imagine!
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Thanks Johanna … it was a bit surreal walking into a room set up in circus theme with 1498 people I didn’t know but a very fun night all the same!
One word Nikki – Stunning.
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Thanks Jodi xx
Joining the chorus of hawt! hawt! hawt! That dress is gorgeous on you.
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I think I surprised even myself with this one!
Omg loving the dress, absolutely hot momma!!
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Hahaha … thanks xx
Wow check out those boobs and that waist!
I mean, the eyes. Yes, wonderful eyes.
You seriously make fashion and styling look so easy. I know it’s not.
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It’s all in the clever cut of the dress, Miss Pink … that’s what makes it easy for me x
Ooh, I do love an adaptable outfit, and I’m a big SW fan too.
You look gorgeous. Your apprentice photobomber is also a bit cute. I have one of those too!
And the blue pots – I have the exact same ones in that shape, plus every other variant they had, in my garden in an attempt to create a theme!
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I think every family needs a photo bomber … and apparently blue pots 😉
looking good
plus love your blue pots haha
x
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hahaa re the blue pots … they’ve followed us around a bit but always seem to fit in. And the dress … you’ll see me in it real soon (I’m your chief NAPBAS cheerleader remember?!)
how could I forget! looking forward to meeting you in ‘real’ life
and ahem right now I still dress-less for KL, which is kinda not so funny and funny at the same time
x
You are the bomb dot com. That dress is worth every cent.
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Oh, Madam BP, flattery will get you everywhere. You’re very welcome to borrow this number! And yes, cost per wear will be halved in two weeks time and it will continue down from there!
Love, love, love that dress Nikki, you look stunning!!
I REALLY want to buy it but as I’m on my weight loss mission after my last baby I don’t want to buy the wrong size!!
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It’s stretchy, so it’s one of the few things I’d suggest it’s safe enough to buy at the size you’re aiming for … and it will still look good. Sacha also makes this in a strapless style in different colours – called the Madison. It’s a cut she does most seasons so you’d be able to wait too.
So HOT! Definitely red carpet worthy, with or without the tat:)
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Hehee, thanks Annabel!
Lovely outfit! And so much more stylish than the costume I was wearing on the same night…
You should do a series – the Real House Dresses of Suburban Australia. Representing Perth, today I’m sporting a cotton Sportscraft circa 2009 house frock. Will be changing soon to go out, it comes back on later when we get home!
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Oh, Paula … what did you go as? And I like the idea of a Real House Dresses series. And I like the sound of your house frock too.
Cleopatra, there’s a pic of my eye makeup done at Mecca cosmetica on my on my instagram feed if u want a laugh!
House dresses are an essential.
The dress looked great, the girls looked great and the earrings are to-die-for.
Knowing me, I would’ve chosen Spongebob, especially after wine 😉
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Cate … I nearly did LOL.
Nikki, looking great!! What a fantastic colour and love this time of year with the opportunity to dress up for work Christmas parties. I would love to see what your readers wore to thiers… I’m sure you’ll inspire a few outfits from this effort 😉
x
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Thanks Carys … I’m hosting a “virtual” Christmas party just before Christmas on Twitter and on my Facebook wall so hopefully people will dress up for that!
Love the dress, you look stunning, and I am writing down the name of that lippy. Love.
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I blogged about that lippy earlier in the year – it’s not on the Napoleon Perdis website any more but do check in store – hope you can find one. I’ll be devastated when it runs out!
LOVE the dress, Nikki. You look absolutely stunning in that colour. Now, regarding your tattoo – no need to scrub the leftover bits, just get some sticky tape onto it – works a charm. Wouldn’t imagine it would remove your tan as well, but I make no guarantees.
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Oh, Sally … thanks for the tip, mind you with this weather my tan’s not even being seen at the moment!
you look amazing Nikki – as always.
I showed my partner that dress… and told him that if money was no object I’d go and buy that dress… until he saw the price tag he was all I’ll get it for you hunny… oh well – a girl can dream hey?
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Yes, a girl has to dream … and you’ll be seeing me a lot in this dress. It’s a classic style and I’m not afraid to wear something more than once. In fact, I wouldn’t have bought it except that I knew I had the Nuffnang Asian Blogging Awards coming up as well and could wear it there.
In the very unlikely event that it will turn up on sale… I will be watching that dress like a hawk. Its not very often that I see something and think OMG I have to have it… If its meant to be, it will end up in my wardrobe….
Now that I have the link for their website I have been lusting after a few other “frocks”… sigh…
Looking fabulous Nikki, very inspirational!
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Thanks Rosemary x
beautiful dress! I love it.
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Thanks Rhonda!
You look gorgeous and festive that colour is very flattering, hope you had a Wonderful time at the Dinner.
Jacki 🙂
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Thanks Jacki … how did the lycra go?
You looked lovely. I particularly like your understated makeup with that bright red lipstick. You rock that! Your hair looked super gorgeous too.
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Thanks Lorraine … I like to keep it simple if I go a bright lip colour.
You look amazing! That dress is just so beautiful!! Sounds like you had a fun night. Love the photo bomber 🙂
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My little photo bomber is HILARIOUS. Thanks x
You rock that dress!
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Thanks Sarah!
Wolf whistle! HOT!
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Ok, blushing right now! Thanks.
Wow Nikki, that dress is gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing your outfit for KL!!!!
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It will be the same outfit! I’m a big believer in taking dresses out to play more than once – and I’m quite open about that.
Simply stunning Nikki. The dress is to die for!
As for that tat? C’mon, you know you want to rofl!
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I think my kids would not stop ROFLing if I did go down the tat path!
That dress is just stunning (as are you)!
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Oh, thanks – would be a perfect style for you!
What a surprise to see you there Nikki! Your dress looks so awesome in real life. Hope you recovered from the meat coma. I’m still dreaming about the Waygu!
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Was a spin out – small world! And those beef cheeks … Yum!
Stunning Nikki! That dress is just gorgeous!
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Thanks Louisa! So easy to wear.