Melbourne Cup Day at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney

The first day and first Tuesday of November, also the day of the race that stops a nation. Melbourne Cup Day celebrations at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney. Apart from Christmas, it must be a day where businesses are at their quietest with staff going on leave or disappearing quietly in droves.

The fashion at the races had its usual showings - while some were outstanding, some looked kindda sad. Whatever it is, most people did look like they made an effort but the usual fashion faux pax were there for all to see. Ladies, always remember to take a good look at yourself in the mirror - front and back please, before you step out of the house. There were awkward visible panty lines as well as ugly bra straps on display. Dresses that were more suitable as boob tubes, with those cheeks you should keep covered rather than let hang out for the world to see. If you have to wear a dress with plenty of straps holding it together, please don't cut off your circulation and tie yourself up too tightly like a rice dumpling and keep back fat in check. Dress your shape. Dress for the season - clunky ankle boots - not the best match with gorgeous light summer fabrics. I know some of you like dressing for comfort but nothing like a pair of ugly strappy flat sandal to kill a good outfit.

It was a busy day at Randwick this year. It's the first time I didn't touch a drop of alcohol at the race. I just couldn't be bothered rubbing shoulders with hundreds of other thirsty punters just to get a drop of alco.

I managed to find some very lovely fillies in the throngs of crowd - well-groomed & well-presented. Not to be outdone, many blokes did very well, many with their smart outfits, ties and some very quirky, stylo mylo numbers - thank you for making the ladies proud of stepping out with you.

Enjoy photographs of these beautiful people found at Randwick yesterday...

....frockqueen

Above: Our very own beautiful Sarah Jayne from www.trashbaggery.com.

This picture and the next featuring the gorgeous girls from Tourism Australia spruiking The Seven Wonders of the World campaign.

Paddington Antique Centre, Brisbane

I visited the Paddington Antique Centre in Brisbane recently. Although I loved the old building and its vibe, the vintage clothes which I was more interested in left me rather underwhelmed. I was not inspired to try on any items. The fact that I pulled out a dress by Miss Shop was enough to make me vomit and walk right out of there. Sorry but Miss Shop does not qualify as vintage. As do any modern day brands. Come on people, vintage is not just any smelly old second hand item. They have to be at least 20 years and more to qualify as vintage and that's already being very generous. I'll be checking out the Sydney Antique Centre at South Dowling Street in Sydney soon. Come on, Sydney, we can do better, I'm sure. With some of my favourite vintage sellers peddling their wares there, I already know we'll show Brisbane up... heh heh heh. Until then, check out some of the antique offered at Paddington Antique Centre.

Carpets for Communities

On Saturday, 24th September, I had an appointment with Cambodian charity organisation, Carpets for Communities at Paddington Market. I was there to talk to Stall Manager, Sarah about volunteering at the market, selling carpets handmade by Cambodian families. Every carpet you buy helps them to break the cycle of poverty and keep children in school where they belong and not end up victims of exploitation. Every lovely carpet comes with a photo of the family that made the carpet. Carpets are made of bright, lovely coloured cotton tee-shirt offcuts woven on to rice bags.

I have always been against human trafficking and child exploitation and so supporting this cause feels right. Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to give some time to help the underpriviledged in some way. As I will be visiting Cambodia next April, I have been looking into doing some volunteer work to give my trip more meaning and to give something back from my very blessed life. Big or small, even a little effort goes a long way to helping this cause. The organisation welcomes volunteers so if you feel this is something you would like to be involved in, drop me an email so that I can pass on the contact. Next time you visit Paddington Market, look out for Carpets for Communities. It is run by a team of wonderful volunteers. Be sure to stop by and say hi.

Check out wordpress.carpetsforcommunities.org

Picture: Michelle, Kenneth, Aleesha

Singapore & Boracay. Yet again...

Ok, I'm a predictable kindda girl. Sometimes. I can't believe I've made two trips to Singapore and Boracay in the same one year. I have to admit. I had such a great time with my girlfriend, Irene in Boracay that I felt that it was necessary to bring my family there for our children's July school holiday. Boracay, my favourite tropical island paradise. And yes, you've guessed it, we stopped over in Singapore. But of course. And right again, if you thought I shopped up a storm. I came home with almost 10 dresses - I'm not called frockqueen for nothing. And almost as many pairs of shoes! Shoe freak? Perhaps but any woman worth her salt would not leave Singapore without any shoes. Charles & Keith, you did it again. My daughter is determined that I should start a Charles & Keith shoe store in Sydney.

Clothes wise, Zara - you mean the world to me. I adore your gorgeous clothes. I'm like a kid in a candy store when I enter your largest store in Singapore at Whee Lock Place. My eyes light up, my pupils dilate, my heart beat picks up speed and I'm light headed. The wave of pleasure washes over me before I take a deep breath and head towards the racks and start my hunt for my next Zara "treasure".

With all the popular international fashion labels in Singapore, one is truly spoiled for choice. Chain stores like Mango, River Island, Topshop, Promod, Thomas Sabo, Guess to luxury brands like Coach, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Channel, Gucci, Fendi, Ferragamo, Dior, Ralph Lauren, the choice is endless. Walk down the street of Orchard Road and your eyes are assaulted with the bright lights and colourful windows of stores of every genre and budget. My favourite shopping pilgrimage is to start from Zara at Whee Lock Place and then to Borders - I also happen to love books and books in Singapore are cheaper than Sydney - and then use the underpass to Ion Orchard. The food court there is superb. Yummy local delights with cheap prices consumed in delightful clean environment. Plenty of wonderful, enticing stores, of notable mention is La Senza, one of my favourite lingerie stores. From Ion, you can continue walking, following directions to Wisma Atria where more stores await. From the basement of Wisma, you can walk to Ngee Ann City which, amongst major labels, also houses japanese departmental store, Takashimaya. From there, you can cross the road to Paragon Shopping Centre and follow the flow of traffic all the way to Centrepoint, another major shopping centre. It is truly an endless array of shopping centres. Then from there, you proceed to Plaza Singapura and follow the direction of the traffic which will take you to Raffles City and cross the road to Suntec City and from there, there're Marina Square, Marina Bay. Confusing? Well, put it that way - should you be heading to Singapore for a holiday, just email me for more information. Sound confusing? Just take me along as your personal shopping and food guide. :-) Can't wait. Come on, what are you waiting for??

frockqueen