Happy Friday: Dreaming of Dior Give-Away!

So, here it is folks, the Happy Friday Dreaming of Dior by Charlotte Smith book give away! I've hinted about it on the blog and on twitter but it was pretty obvious it was the book don't you think?!

I was racking my brains about what to wear in the post and it dawned on my while I was hunting around the studio that I had my own mini Dreaming of Dior moment. Earlier in the year I inherited the two vintage dresses I'm wearing in the post, and managed to salvage a picture of my Aunt Joan wearing the pink number at a wedding in the 1970's.

In her younger years, Joan was a ball room dancer and had many of her clothes hand made especially for competitions and events. Although this wasn't one of them, the dresses are so special to me and I absolutely treasure them.


Aunt Joan wearing the dress I inherited this year at a wedding in the 1970s.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to be in the running! International readers welcome, competition ends Thursday 26th November 5pm AEST.

Vote for me for Best Fashion Blog in the 2threads Fashion Awards!Pretty please!

When the temperature just won't quit...

Last night it didn't get below 30 degrees in Melbourne, that's 86 F! Following on from ice-cream on the lawns of the State Library last night I thought I might work outside this morning, but alas I was too hot within about 5 minutes.

This is one of my dresses from Singapore, it needs some altering though, it's a little big around the waist so until that happens you'll see me sitting in it rather than standing!!

The 2threads Fashion Awards are on and this year I've been nominated. This is the first award nomination within Australia funnily enough so if you feel inclined the voting panel is to your right, or below.

I hope you aren't melting away Melbourne!

p.s- those are Peonies as someone asked the other day, I bought them at Flinders St station at the florist on the steps for $8.50.

Vote for me for Best Fashion Blog in the 2threads Fashion Awards!Pretty please!

A night out at Somewhere...

Me and Calvin who I adore from Marais

I was invited tonight to the opening of Somewhere boutique in the Block arcade. It was the usual mix of fashion and art in Melbourne, I kept looking out for Hayley but I didn't see her. I thought it would be more her crowd than mine but no doubt she made her appearance at some stage!

Somewhere is a new store just opened in Melbourne, the sister store to Sydney's Somedays stocking a similar mix of cult Scandinavian labels.

The adorable Gustav.


Jane and Jamie from Swensk Boutique with Calvin from Marais

Then it was onto dumplings at Dumpling Village and ice-cream on the lawn of the State Library.

Catching up for book club....

I lugged these flowers home from the city but I now have 3 vases filled with fresh flowers which is lovely. Who knew flowers could be so heavy?!

I picked up some new books on the weekend, one of which is Bruce Chatwin's 'Utz.' I'm trying to finish it for book club tomorrow night, I wasn't familiar with it until I had to read it but it's a lovely story. So here I am sitting in the sun blogging and finishing my book.

I've never read 'Dracula,' so that's next on the list.

And in case you are wondering, there may or may not be gin in my drink, and that may or may not be the Dior book in this week's Happy Friday give-away. Like the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books of my childhood, I'll let you decide on that one ;)

Housekeeping: Is your shop N.E.E.T Magazine worthy?

I'm contributing to the next issue of N.E.E.T magazine and this is part of an email dropped into my inbox from the editor:

'Pick 4-7 local establishments - vintage shops, thriftstores, independent fashion boutiques, independently run bars/cafes - anywhere that fits in with the idea of N.E.E.T.
We'd like a shot of the outside, and a couple of interior shots. You can be in the photos or not, the store owner can feature - it's up to you!

We'll need the full address of the place, and their website if applicable. And a few lines on each place - why you like it, what you can find there, perhaps even why the owner started the store, if they chat to you about it!'

Is this you? Do you have a hidden gem I don't know about?! I'm all into shopping challenges!
If this goes well I'll be looking to do other cities as well.

Just leave a comment of email ladymelbourne@gmail.com

I know you're out there, please don't be shy!

Our Girls Book Launch

Last week I was invited by Arcade Publications to attend the book launch for 'Our Girls: Aussie Pin-ups of the 40s and 50s,' by Madeleine Hamilton.

It was a wonderful night complete with fashion parade put on by Circa Vintage clothing, and some of the original pin ups in attendance.
You can check out all the fun and frivolity right here!


Author Madeleine Hamilton signing copies of the book

Esme & the Laneway, a wonderful reader who's name escapes me(pls correct me!) and me.

Lady Melbourne for Peppermint Magazine

I've been sitting on this for weeks, if not months now and it's almost killed me that I couldn't say anything but as the story has broken on Frockwriter, I suppose it's time I posted about it. THIS IS HUGE!!!!

I'm so proud to tell you that Peppermint Magazine chose yours truly for their summer issue cover. I'm still wrapping my head around it!

Patty Huntington wrote on Frockwriter:
'Well frockwriter can reveal that in the recent SM tradition of hot net babes who are rucking up not only traffic, but modeling tie-ins (eg Julia Frakes and Fashiontoast's Rumi Neely now repped by NY's Next Models), Phoebe Montague, aka Lady Melbourne, is due to appear on the cover of Oz eco magazine Peppermint. If some (if not many) fash mag slags are picking up content from the blogosphere, good to see a little credit finally being given where credit's due. '

Peppermint have also featured Rhiannon from Libermarlene Vintage on their Spring cover, and I love that they are ahead of the magazine pack by putting bloggers on the cover.

This is a huge honour and I feel like it's a big step forward for me, the blog, and for Aussie blogging in general. It's been an intrepid path getting coverage and pages dedicated to blogging in the Australian media, so to make the cover is rewarding to say the least.

If you don't already know Peppermint, then check out their website for stockists, it's available overseas as well as locally.

Here are details from the shoot with Jo Duck the photographer, and Fiona Middleton doing the makeup:


THANK YOU PEPPERMINT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME! I HEART YOU!

EziBuy comp winner!

Congratulations to Angela See, Angela Blog who's name was picked at random this morning out of one of my hand bags. I don't have any hats deep enough so a handbag it was!

Next weeks comp involves a book on Dior...dreamy!

Happy Friday!

Hello, happy Friday everyone, the end of another week and a step closer to Christmas.

I twittered earlier today that I had an hour or so to kill in Richmond and ended up on Bridge Rd of all places. Absolutely nothing inspired me until I was about to give up all hope and I walked past the window of Leoni and saw it calling out to me. On sale as well! I love Sonia Rykiel, it reminded me of one of her sweaters.

The inspiration for today's photos is from this Dior ad which I've been looking at all week. I think I want those sunnies I've decided. To die for, no?

Happiest Friday wishes to you, I'm off for cocktails now.
LM

x

Sweater: Leoni, Bridge Rd Richmond
Skirt: Lady Melbourne
Glasses: Kinki Gerlinki
Lips: Chi Chi lip lacquer wand in 'Ain't no other Red'