Since Saturday

This weekend we had Mum & Dad's Christmas dinner as it's the year away for those of us that have interstate families-in-law.

On Monday a knock on the door rendered my new summer espadrilles.  I shopped in one of the US sales over at 6pm.com and to quote my friend Tamma, "they were practically free".

I had them shipped by new mail forwarder US to OZ

I also whipped this cake up for Mister B to use up some almost way overripe bananas and didn't let the fact I had no eggs deter me.  I know.  Just call me Martha.

Monday night was my little niece's first ballet performance, they put on Pinocchio.  It was beautiful and the little theatre was filled with teary members of las familias.  The other sisters cried at the matinee performance on Sunday so I knew to come prepared with boot loads of tissues :)  Very proud.

Getting in early.

Then Tuesday it was off to lunch with my lovely friend Ash and her Evan and my three little gatecrashers. Followed by some quick retail therapy and a slight misstep in this afternoon's smooth running that caused me to be roped into my first EVER Santa photo.

Just because the chilens asked.  Supreme sacrifice on my part but haven't yet learned how to say no to them :(

FYI, his holiness should be the only red blob in a Santa pic.

Then quickly, you know I never like to miss a Duchess of C moment and since Saturday there have been two.  First, wearing Alexander McQueen at the Sun's Military Awards and then in chic Ralph Lauren at a homeless shelter today.    Some of you will say she's too thin I'm sure but I for envious one, think she's looking great.  Naturally the press wasted no time drawing the never exhausting comparisons between the evening dress and one Diana wore once.  Naturally no one else ever before has ever worn a black, sweetheart neckline.  It's mind blowing stuff.

 

Images from here

Well I think that covers it my lovelies.  I certainly plan to come back and wish you all a Merry Christmas before Sunday but just in case I don't, MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Hope it's the best one yet!

Nicolex

PS  If you didn't already know the January issue of Vanity Fair is out and I love that this is the cover circulating in December.  So festive.

Fashion Friday

There's nothing like the Duchess of C wearing a new frock to help you out on Fashion Friday! Last night she and Wills hosted a charity dinner for the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal. Kate wore a silver-grey Grecian style gown (speculated to be Alice Temperley) and I'M SURE those are the same choos we saw her in here.  Yep, it's only a glimpse but I can tell.  I'm gifted like that.

Images from here

Images from here

I think she looks fabu-rous!

Nicolex

Royal Round-Up

You know I never miss an opportunity to bring you another Duchess of C moment so here she is yesterday rocking out in red (L.K. Bennett, boy has she put this label on the map!) with Princess Mary and Princess Frederik in Copenhagen.

I usually think of 'our' Mary and Fred as being quite tall so it's funny to see them cast as 'shorties'.  Useless piece of information - Wills is 6' 3" and Kate is 5' 10".

Nicolex

Royal Tour Fashion: Day 11

Well as enthralling as it has been following the fashion minutiae of the royal tour to North America you will be relieved to know that it finally drew to a close yesterday and Will & Kate are safely back home in the UK (I only wish I had the pictures to prove that less you fear these tedious fashion posts go on forever).  

A quick review of Kate's many fabulous outfits and what I should have done in the first place - a grand collection of pictures at the end.

 

All images from here

Go in peace,
Nicolex

Royal Tour Fashion: Day 10

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a charity polo match in Santa Barbara earlier today.  Kate is wearing a hand-painted silk dress by Jenny Packham.

 Image from here

It was LK Bennett again for the shoes (this time the Sliver Sandal in dark taupe) and the now quite familiar Natalie clutch.

                                                                                              Image from here                                                                               Image from here

Two different versions of the Jenny Packham dress on the catwalk last year.

                                                                                  Image from here                                                                                                       Image from here

I thought Prince William deserved a special mention here as he does look rather spiffy in his polo gear, don't you think.

 Image from here

Then in the evening Kate wears Alexander McQueen to a Bafta event at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles.  

  

  Image from here

 Image from here

The well-heeled sparkle provided by a pair of silver Jimmy Choo Vamps is bound to silence the the naysayers who have been seriously distressed with some of her mummsy shoe choices to date.  Just for good measure, the Ubai clutch is Jimmy Choo as well.

Now, for those of you who are as exhausted as I am with my royal tour fashion posts (as much as I do love the fashion, it is seriously changing me reporting on this everyday!), rest easy as the tour is almost over!

Phew.

Nicolex

Royal Tour Fashion: Day 9

Kate arrived in California wearing a grey Roksanda Ilincic dress which beautifully complimented the red, white and blue posey handed to her by the Governor's wife when they arrived.

Image from here

Image from here

For a reception at the home of the Consul General she changed into easily my favourite outfit of the tour so far - a gorgeous lawn Maja dress by Diane von Furstenberg.  Loved it so much, if it had still been available in my goal (dream?) size I would have bought it tonight here.

 Image from here

100% silk woven with flat gold-brushed buttons down the back.

 

Image from here

Was momentarily tempted to buy it in an even smaller (but available) size (forget dream size we're talking fantasy size) but was fortunately jolted back into reality by the sane thought that it was perhaps a little too much money to put down for a dress I may never (nor should I!) fit into. 

Nicolex