Melbourne Cup in the bush

You may have realised it already, but out here we don't knock back the opportunity to don a frock and have a grand old time, and Melbourne Cup is just the perfect excuse to do both.

In previous years the kids and I have made the arduous trek down the the local pub (some 400m down the road) where of course both fashion and fun was in high supply. This year, some friends down the road on a property decided that they would host a little do, and so we decided to go to their place for a change of scenery and catch up with everyone.

The kids were happy with this choice as it meant they got the day off school. Of course we had to have the obligatory "we're clean and tidy and dressed up" shot before we left: (badly angled photo provided by the kids..either teach them to take better shots or teach myself to pose in a more flattering manner?!)

 

Husband was in attendance but declined to be photographed.

The homestead is perched on the edge of a man made dam/lake and has a sprawling shady lawn overlooking the water. Just gorgeous, and the breeze coming off the water was sublime. Thankfully not the hottest day of the year, we were sheltered by marquees on the lawn, under which were white clothed tables decorated with flowers and trophies from race days long gone.

Luncheon was served on the deck of the house (having not long put in sprinkler systems the lawn wasn't at it best, but no one really cared!) and the bunting and lanterns strung up have really inspired me for Christmas this year.

My new sister in law was there, squeezing babies (he was a very happy squeezable baby)

And my old ;-) sister in law was there too, with the chubby niece that doesn't like me. First baby I have met that doesn't and I am taking it hard. I think I have lost my touch.

And these lot had a grand old time, doing kid stuff and not wearing their hats.

  As you can see, it was a lovely setting and we had a marvellous day chatting, eating (I did not take a photo of the food, lest they think me totally barmy, however the fancy salads and cold meats delicious, and the deserts (simple but stunning trifle, and a tiramisu concoction) divine.

We even watched a horse race. Somehow managed to buy a horse in the Calcutta without making a single bid (who needs enemies when you have larrikin mates!) who ran at the back of the pack. (but what a great race it was!)

And as the sun was starting to lower in the sky, we decided to head home, where we had noodles for tea and the kids melted into bed.

Who'd want to live anywhere else?!

Melbourne Cup

The race that truly does stop the nation, even in north western Queensland!

I wasn't going to go up to the pub where they have a little luncheon, run a sweepe and generally have a good old fashioned country style time. But then I decided to go, after the publican, juggling a baby and catering for the crowd, asked nicely if I would sell the sweepe tickets for her. Not as easy as it might sound with $2, $5 and $10 tickets being sold!

I ratted through my wardrobe and put this ensemble together, with the criteria that I be able to use my cream bag and new (to me, thanks ebay) shoes.

The boy took this shot before we left...

...managing NOT to get a pic of my lovely shoes, but including the sheep and the overgrown garden. And let me say this, those wretched sleeves drove me batty. I hate floppy sleeves, and I tend to, without fail, roll things up to my elbow (except for work shirts, but they are a different matter). ANYHOW, I had to share the shoe joy:

A somewhat dodgy photo of my yummy new shoes (ignore the freaky looking feet!), that have quite a high heel but I was able to walk around easily and comfortably in them. The slightly granny Naturaliser brand really is comfortable!

The boy didn't miss out, he had to wear his newly purchased fedora style hat (which will feature again this weekend at the local race meeting)

A bit of a sharp dresser, is he not?!

We had a lovely couple of hours out, and I drew 3rd place in the $2 Sweepe, winning a total of $9.80.

What did you do for Melbourne Cup?   

Yesterday

Was Melbourne Cup Day, if you didn't know already!  And we really celebrate in style up here in the sticks!  Locals met at the local pub where our very glamorous publican presented us with a lovely chicken and salad lunch, and where I managed to win a sweep for the first time ever!

The boy and I dressed up: The pity about this rather bad photo taken by my SO not a photographer husband, is that you can't really see my orange shoes and handbag - nor the little orange touch in my fascinator to bring it together.

Well, I thought it came together nicely, but that might have been just in my own mind!  (that's where it counts, I guess!).  I now no longer like my black shirt because 1. I burnt a hole in the back of it, and although mended, its only just, and 2. every time I moved it shifted and ended up sitting funny, with wierd darts, and 3. I had to safety pin the front shut as it gaped big time.  Now cleavage is good and all when appropriate, but not THAT much!

Anyhow!  the principal walked the kids down from school, and the girls dressed up as well.

Another startling great photo! Daughter #1 insisted on the flower being placed just so - and although it was not purchased to match her skirt, it ended up being the perfect colour.  She did let me take another photo of her...

Love my 50mm lens for picking up those freckles (these shots SOOC as I am too lazy to edit them now I have Live Writer!)  I will tidy up this shot one day for sure and use it in a frame or scrapbook page.

I took a heap of other photos of the ladies all dressed up, and will burn a copy for them all in their finery (its possible that we dress up more for Melbourne Cup than our annual race day, as race day is a busy-run-off-our-feet-day).

Thinking about Fashion

So Melbourne Cup is rolling around again, and while we don't sip champagne and rub shoulders with celebrities at Flemington, we do celebrate the race in style (oh, how I wish it were a national public holiday!)

And as much as I love to stay at home and watch the action on TV, I also enjoy going down to our local pub where we all dress up and have a lovely afternoon out. And don't worry, just because its not Melbourne, doesn't mean the fashion isn't as cutting edge or stylish!  (especially our publican, who would not be out of place on the Melbourne Fashions of the Fields).

You may remember I did purple last year.  It was quite comfortable and cool actually.  (although I need to find a nice purple cardy thing if to wear that outfit again...I have decided that I Need Sleeves).

After trawling through my wardrobe this morning on a whim, I then went searching on ebay (where else?!) for the perfect accessories....

I started off with a nice plain black shirt (with sleeves!) and a white and black skirt, and then out of nowhere ORANGE appeared in my head, and I thought how nice it would be to throw some colour into my black and white.  I don't own any orange at all (red another matter!) so what a perfect excuse! ;-)  And I found a black and white skirt as well (six bucks!) which I think will work better than the white and black I have...and decided on a black fascinator instead of orange (remembering I am a red head!) which will be more versatile.

What do you think? Too much? Stay away from orange? Does anyone else enjoy rounding up these fun little details? (living closer to real shops might make my job easier!)

Too much?

Quick post in between chores - no rest for the wicked, as they say!

Our local hotel, run by a very fashionable young-ish couple (remember the gumboot/fairy lady from our bike ride?) is running a little "do" for Melbourne Cup - nothing too flash or big, but still a nice get together of locals. And of course, being quite a few girly girls amongst us, we have to dress up.

My question is this, ladies,  as with your scrapbooking eye for colour - is this TOO much of a good thing?

I am not normally a skirt person, but loved this a line white and purple number (not normally one for purple either!).  I found a simple little sleeveless (bugger the fat arms, its HOT!) cotton tshirt, and then on ebay - a purple fascinator AND shoes!  (love the shoes, cute little flats, just what I needed to wear with jeans etc)

Obviously, they are all slightly different shades of purple, but when on, they are far enough apart not to notice.  BUT, is it all too much? Perhaps not the purple T, but a white one instead?  Or loose the fascinator? Or  save the skirt for another occasion and go back to my old favourites, the white linen pants?

Oh, the descisions that I have to make!  Lordy, hopefully this will be the biggest and most stressing decision I will have to make for awhile! 

Oh wait. I forgot.

Root Canal or Extraction?  Now there's a decision just lurking around, waiting to be made.

But until then - is too much purple too much of a good thing?