Today’s outfit is a little bit work a tiny bit fantasy… all because it is something I put together for a shoot and then proceeded to have a bit of a diva moment in. The divine Bernie Dexter sent me these incredible ‘Rosie’ dungarees as, I’ll admit, somewhat of a challenge. I haven’t in my adult life worn anything like these. In fact, the last pair I owned were green candy striped with a Smurf appliqué and worn while climbing trees! Mr. SKM has always asked me about these too. Being rather partial to a more down-home kind of girl, he’s been trying to convince me to wear a pair of these for ages, but all I could think about were the bad 1990′s versions worn by teen stars in school hallways! Eeeep!

So when it came to styling these up, I found I was presented with so many choices that it is likely you’ll see them appear in multiple guises over the coming months. But firstly I had to do something entirely classic, a little Betty Grable-esque and (aside from the fabulous shoes) an outfit that is the cutest little gardening ensemble you could imagine! Happy pre-Valentines Day Mr. SKM!

Outfit Details

Denim Dungarees (or as they are often known in Australia – Overalls) – The “Rosie” by Bernie Dexter. Super stretchy and very comfortable light weight blue denim. Two simple side pockets, rear zip and button detail. Yes, they are super fitted and true to size, so if you like things a bit roomier, go up a size or two.

Floral shirt – Princess Highway S/S 2012

Blue shoes – Urban Originals many seasons ago

White bangle – Diva, many seasons ago

Yellow rose – hair flower made by me

Blue Hydrangea – real!

Beauty Note

Nail colour -”My Little Secret” by Missa

Lip Colour – Beseme Red

*All original images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest, Tumblr etc…* 

]]> http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2012/02/07/daily-outfit-inspirations-gardening-with-betty/feed/ 14 http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2012/01/24/daily-outfit-mod-nautical-military-re-mix/ http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2012/01/24/daily-outfit-mod-nautical-military-re-mix/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:00:36 +0000 Super Kawaii Mama http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/?p=8493

Today’s outfit draws on some very diverse inspirations. When I first got this red top and blue skirt ensemble from Bernie Dexter, it has obvious cues to style it up in either a military or nautical fashion. The high waist skirt, the gold button trim, the navy and blue combinations; all of these have the classic hallmarks of the cute pinup style I know and love. But when something comes with such a strong personality the challenge for me to shake it up and give it my own personal style stamp is just too much to resist.

Taking a cue from Dolce & Gabbana’s campaign featuring Madonna, as well as a good dose of 1960′s Mod style, all combined with my signature twist on cute vintage chic; I came up with this ensemble that ticked all the right boxes for me.

Outfit Details from head to toe

Sunglasses – Portmans

Silk scarf in hair -Vintage Oroton

Necklace – Crystal Dollies

Red “Venice” top – Bernie Dexter

Navy “Maria” high waisted pencil skirt with gold button trim – Bernie Dexter

Black and Gold “La Box Bag” – Estilo Emporio

Black & White cut out mod heel shoes – “Komfi” from Paragon Dept. store in Bangkok

All original images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest etc.. with linking credits.* 

Given the strong 1940′s style of the dress, I wanted to style the look with a more modern for the day, and so I anchored the light floaty fabric with a chunky hot pink suede wedge heel. With unstructured hair and a silver sequinned bag, it was perfect for a stroll in the morning sunlight, while the breeze carried the heady scent of chocolate brioche our way.

Outfit Details

Vintage Style Sadie Dress – by Trashy Diva and available in Australia from Miskonduct Klothing

Pink wedge shoes – Tony Bianco

Silver sequinned bag – unknown label and origin (picked it up at Camberwell market)

Beaded ring – handmade market find

Floral clay and ribbon earrings – Crystal Dollies hand made accessories

Diamonte crystal bangle – Chomel

Lip colour – “Frosty Berry” by Savvy @Priceline

Nail colour – “That’s my little secret” no.215 by Misa

* All original images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest etc.. with linking credits.* 

~Sophia Loren & Guess Jeans~

When it comes to high voltage casual looks, no one does it better than the classic hollywood bombshell. And nothing captures this look better for me than the iconic Sophia Loren.  When I started thinking about what I wanted to wear for today’s date to the playground with my daughter and my girlfriend, I turned to Ms Loren for a bit of inspiration – vamping up the look with some killer cats eye makeup. It was once I’d actually dressed and looked in the mirror I was drawn by the parallel between the classic Loren look and the gorgeous Guess Jeans campaigns.  This wasn’t a tricky look to achieve by any means, and was perfectly practical for a day spent in a seaside park, eating burgers and playing on the grass.

Outfit Details

Gingham western shirt with pearl snaps – Harris Scarfe

Denim stretch capri jeans – Bernie Dexter

Lucky Horseshoe necklace – Etsy

Rope soled wedges – Target (years ago)

Carved scrimshaw style bangle – Diva

Eye makeup – Inspired by Sophia Loren and a new tutorial coming soon!! (Currently in editing)

* All original images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest etc.. with linking credits.*  

~What’s Behind The Red Door?~

Today’s outfit inspiration comes from a few places. That I had had a long weekend of work and my Monday was starting early, meant I wanted my outfit to be a simple, casually elegant solution. I have also just had my hair cut to it’s shortest in a very long time, and wanted something simple that didn’t spoil the clean fresh lines of the new hair feeling. But simple elegance without a little punch is just not my style; and so it is with a daring slash of red on an erstwhile grey scale ensemble, that I went about my day.

Outfit Details

Grey scale plaid wide leg 1940′s styled pant – Retrospec’d

Cream blouse 1970′s vintage – op shop find

Pussy bow – borrowed from it’s own matching blouse, another recycled find

Black suede peep toe shoes – Target many seasons ago

Amazing red bag – “Sexy but Cute” label from Paragon dept. store

Silver glitter foil 1950′s cats eye sunglasses – by ‘ Savage’ from Miskonduct Klothing

Lips – “Rhubarb” Savvy lipstick from Priceline

* All images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions.*   

~Marie Antoinette Does Colour Blocking~

Sometime I like to put a whole new twist on my vintage dressing. Sometimes it’s less about the clothes themselves but about the stories I create with them, and the characters that emerge. Upon receiving an delightful invitation in my inbox for an occasion of historical significance (which you’ll see next week), the wheels of inspiration began to move and a whole new plan for these pieces in my wardrobe was born.

Imagine Marie Antoinette, circa 2011, taking on the colour blocking trend and taking it to the streets. And so I dressed.

Outfit Details 

Pale pink ruffled jacket – Angel Sissi

Purple velvet bow tie – 1970′s vintage find

Yellow silk blouse – op shop

Hot pink raw silk skirt – op shop

Red suede wedges – Spendless shoes

Red patent leather bag with gold chains – label “Sexy but Cute”

Floral corsage – handmade one off

Pink pearl earrings on silver bows – Chomel

Pink and silver kitten fob brooch – “Drink Me Alice” label by Melbourne jewellery designer and blogger at Sea of Ghosts.

* All images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions.*  

After a long winter and many more cold and rainy days this spring, it is sometimes hard to keep your thoughts on the up and up.  When all you want to do is soak in the sunshine and eat gelato, but the weather has other ideas, you need to inject your own ray of sunshine, your own happy making recipe into your days.

Today was a day of transforming everyday women into classic pinups with my hair and makeup magic in the studio with my good friend Helen McLean.  While it is occasionally tempting to create a working uniform, my fantastic imagination always gets the better of me (thanks goodness!) and creates something new and fun for each little adventure my days bring.

Outfit Details

1960′s gold lame capri pants – Vintage deadstock from Bonnie Rose Vintage

1960′s pink knit top – vintage fair find

Shoes – Gold rope wedges from Target many summers ago

Silk scarf – Morgan De Toi

Sunglasses – Betsey Johnson

Eyeshadow – Sephora own brand, blue glitter shadow

Lips – my own custom mix of colours.

* All images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama. – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions.* 

When I had the opportunity to go and see Dita Von Teese launch her new vintage inspired fashion label, I knew I wanted to wear something pretty but not too over the top. Of course an occasion like that feels as though it calls for the christening of a new outfit as well, so it was the perfect opportunity to take my new ‘Honey’ dress out for a spin.

The ‘Honey’ dress by Trashy Diva, is available through my wonderful sponsor who carries all manner of beautiful vintage reproduction dresses, Miskonduckt Klothing.  I have a real fondness for their pieces, not only for their retro sensibilities but also for their quality fabrics and construction.  This dress is a gorgeous scarlet polished cottoning a heavy weight, with some stretch and a side zip. It allows for a very figure hugging fit without the danger of splitting a seam in a moment of haste.  The skirt is super full and perfect for a spin round the dance floor, but my favourite hidden feature? Pockets!  There is something so wonderful about these 1950′s style dresses with pockets on both sides of the full skirts; it just makes you want to start posing around like a movie star on her day off.  And thanks to my lovely friend Helen McLean Photography, that’s exactly what I did.

Outfit Details

Dress – ‘Honey’ dress in red by Trashy Diva of New Orleans, available from Miskonduct Klothing

Shoes – Red faux suede wedges – Spendless shoes ($40!- a great find and super comfortable)

Stockings –  Voodoo “Bombshell” seamed stockings

Suspenders – (unseen) Kiss Me Deadly Vargas roll on girdle in blue.

For my all my new readers, thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you find things here to delight, inspire and help you on your glamorous journey. Make sure to follow me on my official Facebook Fan Page and Twitter to keep up with all the events and news hot of the press. You can also subscribe to my Super Kawaii Mama You Tube Chanel to be the first to see all the new interviews and tutorials.

Happy Melbourne Cup Day all!

Today’s KILLER vintage find…. this awesome leopard print coat! Spotted by Miss 7 on a random Op Shop run and hastily garbing me. For the grand total of $15; Miss 7 was well entitled to a $5 finders fee!

There have been a few unseasonable August days of late, with the sun popping out to make us all feel less like living in a cave.  It is simply amazing the difference that tiny bit of sun makes to your overall mood!  I’m feeling almost festive at the moment. So when the invitation for a friends baby shower came along, it was a wonderful opportunity to bring my own sartorial sunshine to the party.

It’s a very simple outfit really. Nothing super expensive and no time consuming hair and makeup either. In fact the whole look was put together for less than $200 and the getting ready part in less than 30 minutes. You have to be happy with that!

Outfit Details

Dress – Trashy Diva

Cardigan – Cheap import store (one of those indiscriminate ones with labels you’ve never heard of).

Shoes – Paragon department store, Bangkok – ‘Kumfie’.

Flower – Made by me

On Eyes - Urban Decay various purple shadows.

On Lips – Maybelline 24hr Stay put - Reliable Raspberry  ( Full review of this product range is scheduled for next week too).