I've just returned from a fleeting child-free visit to Melbourne (under 24 hours). We were attending a client of Mr AV's Christmas cocktail party at their home in Toorak. With lots of interesting people to talk to, French champagne and delicious nibbles, it was a proper grown-up evening. I didn't take pics while there (thought it would be rude), but here is a pic of my outfit.
I was somewhat perplexed as to what to wear. Toorak parties are generally fairly conservative, so a dress was called for, but I didn't want to be either too casual or too overdressed. I went safe with this Tory Burch black crepe dress, and wore my pearls, which always makes Mr AV happy (as he gave them to me), and I wore my peacock feather shoes to show I wasn't too straight laced and boring. While my blog audience are probably wondering if I own another pair of heels, they are the perfect Christmas shoes. And they are still not exactly cheap on a cost per wear basis, but I think in around 10 years time I will probably be able to say they were a great buy. So brace yourself for further photos of them.
We had a drink/ something to eat afterwards in one of the bars at the bottom of the Grand Hyatt. It was very dark and moody, I could barely see all the young women snuggling up with their elderly fathers in the corners.....
And this morning I had a brief 1.5 hours of shopping in Collins Street before heading to the airport to catch my flight home and retrieve my children. I managed to avoid temptation in Miss Louise, but here's a snap of the beautiful colour themed windows. It's one of my favourite places to window shop. Chanel is across the other side of the laneway, you can see it reflected in the mirrors behind the display.
And finally, here is where we stay when we're in Melbourne - it's one of the Clubs on Collins Street, and decor wise the suite is a timewarp from Thatcher era Britain. All medium toned woods, flame stitch upholstery (which is now back in fashion), and tasteful prints hung on subtly striped wallpaper. It feels a bit like visiting your grandparent's, strangely homely and familiar. As for location, it can't be bettered - right smack in the middle of the nice shopping, and next to Mr AV's office.
Hopefully it won't be long before I make another trip back...next time for a little longer.
I was somewhat perplexed as to what to wear. Toorak parties are generally fairly conservative, so a dress was called for, but I didn't want to be either too casual or too overdressed. I went safe with this Tory Burch black crepe dress, and wore my pearls, which always makes Mr AV happy (as he gave them to me), and I wore my peacock feather shoes to show I wasn't too straight laced and boring. While my blog audience are probably wondering if I own another pair of heels, they are the perfect Christmas shoes. And they are still not exactly cheap on a cost per wear basis, but I think in around 10 years time I will probably be able to say they were a great buy. So brace yourself for further photos of them.
We had a drink/ something to eat afterwards in one of the bars at the bottom of the Grand Hyatt. It was very dark and moody, I could barely see all the young women snuggling up with their elderly fathers in the corners.....
And this morning I had a brief 1.5 hours of shopping in Collins Street before heading to the airport to catch my flight home and retrieve my children. I managed to avoid temptation in Miss Louise, but here's a snap of the beautiful colour themed windows. It's one of my favourite places to window shop. Chanel is across the other side of the laneway, you can see it reflected in the mirrors behind the display.
And finally, here is where we stay when we're in Melbourne - it's one of the Clubs on Collins Street, and decor wise the suite is a timewarp from Thatcher era Britain. All medium toned woods, flame stitch upholstery (which is now back in fashion), and tasteful prints hung on subtly striped wallpaper. It feels a bit like visiting your grandparent's, strangely homely and familiar. As for location, it can't be bettered - right smack in the middle of the nice shopping, and next to Mr AV's office.
Hopefully it won't be long before I make another trip back...next time for a little longer.
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About Me
- Heidi
- Architect & Interior Designer. Mother of three. A sometimes Cook, Baker, Reader, Gardener, Fashion Lover, Renovator, Writer of random things in South Australia email me on anadelaidevilla@bigpond.com
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I'm so excited to read that you too embrace the cost-per-wear system!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
:)
Unfortunately, Mr AV isn't so convinced on my Economic Theories B! xx
DeleteNow that's not cool :(
DeleteLove your pearls & your shoes....used to drool over the Paspaley window in Darwin yet so far have only come away with earrings! I too have been subjected to many a night with my husband at the Australian Club.....always giggle at the Mr & Mrs sign announcing who's staying & think ''what are the inlaws doing here?!''. Rx
ReplyDeleteI love Paspaley - anything that comes encased in one of their bright yellow shiny box's is ok in my book! And they're always lovely when you go in the store, offering champagne and a using the opportunity to reeducate you on their wares.
DeleteWe were in the Athenaeum Club, the Melbourne club is a bit stuffy about women staying, and the Aussie Club is up the other end of Collins Street and not so handy for my husband's work.... although they obviously did a job lot with the interiors of them all! xx
Oops don't know why I typed Australian when meant Melbourne.....which, you're right is in the heart of better shopping! Rx
ReplyDeleteAnd I find the whole Mr and Mrs thing weird too. I feel about 80 years old when they all insist on calling me Mrs ....!
DeleteLove the outfit. I agree that they are truly wondrous shoes and would be a bargain at any price. Also love the fact that you didn't take photos because it was rude. I would hate it if someone came to a private party at my house and put stacks of photos on the net (different if they asked permission and I knew them well.....)
ReplyDeleteHope all well with you.
I'm not sure you'd think them such a bargain at full price.... they were originally 1500 pounds!!!! I got them from the outnet at 75% off, which was a much better price, but still v. expensive in my book for going out shoes (as I don't get to go out that much.....). It's such a minefield posting photos these days - Facebook is hard enough, let alone a blog for the world to see.
DeleteOh and in regards to the Mr and Mrs thing. The man that does the heavy work in our garden has gardened for years around here. He insists on calling me Mrs .... as that is what he calls all the landowner's wives. I always think my mother-in-law must be around!!
ReplyDeleteThat's v. funny - you have Staff!! See, you are posh!
DeleteI've spent a little time at the Lyceum Club, which is the women's version of The Melbourne Club. It's supposedly for professional, successful women but I suspect it's more for the wealthy old 'Establishment' as no young, successful, professional women I know are members! But the elderly women are always lovely and incredibly gracious, and it's always a treat to see inside. It's at the back of The Melbourne Club, overlooking TMC's secret garden on Little Collins. Melbourne has so many clubs; it's very cliquey at times.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe those shoes were 1500 pounds? That's crazy! But they're incredibly beautiful. And nobody would ever think you were straight-laced and boring Miss H!
xx
My Mother in Law stays at the Lyceum when she's in Melbourne on her own, and likes it very much - says you can tell the difference of a male v's female club as they put so much consideration into guest amenities in the rooms. It's a whole time warp going into the clubs - I think the professional, successful women are too busy to go to Clubs frequently, so they're probably not the main day to day patrons, rather the bridge players are.
DeleteShoe original price was totally ridiculous, but I frequently do feel that I'm very dull and boring Janelle.... at least I was in good form at the cocktail party - some of the faux pas I've made in the past make my toes curl remembering them! xx
I need a pair of shoes like that to go with my little black dress... Or a new little back dress. Or both! Isn't it nice to have a Grown-up evening once in a while? Love the pearls, xo
ReplyDeleteGetting to play grown-ups is always a nice treat Liene! xx
DeleteLove your black dress and the shoes. That shoe and handbag shop in Melbourne looks impressive. I have never been into Chanel in Brisbane, as the security guard and queuing area make me nervous. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family xxx
ReplyDeleteNever let a guard put you off Fifi! They are not that scary - it's the sales assistants that you should fear!! They watch you like a hawk... I remember back when I was in London 13 years ago, the nice shops had doorbells and you had to ring to be let in. I didn't notice that on my more recent trip back, so maybe they decided that discouraging shoppers was not such a good idea?! xx
DeleteBeautiful elegant outfit! Perfect for the occasion I'd say. I always appreciate a little adult company those days! Letitia x
ReplyDeleteThanks Letitia, and I agree, it's always nice (and rare) to have an uninterrupted conversation these days! xx
DeleteYou look gorgeous Heidi, that club looks very much like The Treasury in Brisbane! Love the shoes. Kx
ReplyDeleteThanks K - seems like they've done a job lot on theses places then with the decor! xx
DeleteThanks for providing the eye candy from Miss Louise. I love that shop! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas Heidi.
ReplyDeleteJane xx
Oh I love that shop passionately Jane, it's just lovely inspiration. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas too, xx
DeleteDear Heidi
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas! So pleased to have discovered Adelaide Villa through Janelle's blog roll! You cover such an interesting range of topics, so intelligently and yet in such a down to earth way, generously giving us the benefits of your architectural background. Enjoy the glamour and your wicked touches of humour. From following your blog we can see it's been an eventful and at times a hard year.
Hope next year brings much happiness for you and Mr AV and your family and that your wonderful renovation goes from success to success!
Warmest wishes,
Pamela
Thank you so much lovely Pamela, I'm so glad you've found my blog too - you always have such insightful and interesting comments, clearly you have lived a very interesting life so far! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas, and a happy and healthy 2013 H xx
DeleteMerry Christmas Heidi!!!!!
ReplyDelete<3
B
Thank you B - merry Christmas to you! xx
DeleteYou are lucky Heides, you get to go to Melbourne for fun evenings, we always have to go to sort out yet another mess a member of MOTH's highly dysfunctional family has got themselves into!! You looked totally smashing, those shoes would have given those Toorak types something to be snitchy jealous about!
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
Oh yes Millie - Melbourne is a definite escape for me (from the children!). I did notice a few of the other Toorak party guests glancing at my shoes with admiration.....although they could have been admiring my ability to stay upright while my pointy heels were sliding down into the lawn instead! xx
DeleteYou look gorgeous. Glad you had a lovely trip. I love going to Melbourne and would move there in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteI loved our time living in Melbourne too, and love going back to visit, but I'm still very glad we moved home to Adelaide! xx
DeleteHi Heidi, Happy New Year. I was wondering if you could be kind enough to give some advice. I love the schumacher fabric and colour of the charcoal fabric you have used in your dressing room and would like to do the same for my daughters bedroom. We live in the country so you would not be seeing the same look in Adelaide! My question is I was going to just have a white doona on her bed and I have a blue and white wedding ring quilt that I was going to put on the end of her bed. Do you think the blue would go with the charcoal fabric and carpet or should I use another colour like yellow on the end of her bed? I am painting her room in Antique white USA so I am hoping it all blends ok. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi Leah, I'm using blue as an accent colour in the bedroom and dressing room with the charcoal, and I think it works well - the charcoal is quite soft, not too black if you know what I mean? The fabric also comes in a pale and very pretty light blue though, so that might work well with the quilt. Hope that helps! xx
DeleteOh, and Antique White USA is a good colour, but I thought I'd also mention that I used Dulux Hog Bristle 1/4 strength on the walls, which matched the background creamy white of the fabric perfectly.
Delete