If pastel floral prints, french lace and ruffles bikinis melt your heart, you’ll for sure fall in love with Zimmermann. Sophisticated feminity, flattering fabrics and vibrant splash of colours are the soul of the iconic Australian brand Zimmermann, founded by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann more than two decades ago. Brisbane fashionista, rejoice! The long-awaited Zimmermann sale event finally returns to Brisbane on 18th and 19th April 2013 at GPO Hotel Fortitude Valley. So grab your BFFs and be prepared to meet these drop dead gorgeous!

Most of the sale items will be from the their recent collections of 2012. Below lovelies are from my Zimmermann wish list, some of them are straight off the catwalk from this month’s Sydney’s fashion week, while some other pieces are from their recent collections and are simply timeless.

So dear readers, tell me what’s on your wishlist?

The lovely Nicole Warne in floral prints Zimmermann dress (Image courtesy: http://fellt.com/garypepper)

Zimmermann Warehouse Sale Brisbane 2013

Location: GPO Hotel

740 Ann Street

Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

Visit http://www.facebook.com/ZIMMERMANN.Sydney for details.

Our first stop was Stomp Espresso on Holland Rd for our caffeine fix, and their coffee is seriously good. In my opinion it’s the best on this side of town. There is a small selection of food available, but really it’s all about their Veneziano coffees. We grabbed a latte and a cappuccino and hit the road again.

Next we went to the IGA at The Marketplace, Greenslopes on Logan Rd. AK had stumbled across this little grocer while I was away and was dying to bring me back – they have a huge range of organic and gourmet products, lots of gluten free goodies as well as a sweet little florist, a butcher, bakery and barbershop. It has only been there for a couple of months and according to the website, ‘the store has been custom-built to meet a host of environmental performance indicators to produce a sustainable supermarket’. Quite impressive really. The lovely girl at the checkout also asked for our feedback on the products we liked and what we wanted to see in store. In comparison to the usual supermarket experience, it was an absolute treat.

We stocked up on some organic veges, freshly made falafels and hummus and delicious flatbreads to make our own DIY kebabs for lunch. I’m attempting to really clean up my diet in the next three months to improve my mood, skin and hair before the wedding so this was the perfect place to pick up some groceries. I’m not planning anything extreme like shake diets, cutting carbs or only eating foods that begin with K, just trying to eat food that makes me feel great.

On the drive home we spotted the darling little vintage shop Can You Keep A Secret? and stopped in for a browse. I know I’ve only arrived home and shouldn’t be shopping already, but I couldn’t resist a look at this kitchy little store inside an old Queenslander home on Logan Rd.

It’s full of beautiful clothing, homewares, knick-knacks and furniture and more than that, the owners really seem to want to create a positive, fun environment – hosting events, bands, sewing groups and pin up photo sessions. Each room in the beautifully renovated house is themed, including a men’s room, a kitchen and a tiki sun room – my personal favourite.

I picked up today’s dress for a bargain $15 – their prices are very reasonable and nothing like the outrageous prices you find at other inner-city vintage shops.

Boots – Episode in Camden. My friend Leecee brought me to this treasure trove while I was visiting her and I seriously could have spent all day and all my money there. Their collection of clothing, shoes and accessories is to-die-for and with very tempting prices.

Hair – I used Frannie’s ballerina bun tutorial, albeit with a messier result. But if I can do it, anyone can!

Anyway, my point is the whole Holland Park/ Greenslopes area seems to be really starting to pick up, with young couples and families moving in and lots of cute places like these springing up. If you find any darling local haunts, please feel free to share – I’d love some suggestions.

Here I am, amidst Week Thirteen and in the case of Boy Wonder, it’s all about regurgitation. Eat. Throw up. Repeat.

A high proportion of my pants have some kind of milky masterpiece perma-stained into the fabric. White shirts have become off-limits. Not that I’m a huge fashion champion of velour, but if I were a little more J-Lo in my choice of attire, el chico would certainly put paid to the plushness with all things he brings forth at meal times!

Yet, in the style of hapless positivity that envelopes me as a new mumma when something in my infant is slightly awry, I’m looking on the bright side. Every vom-vom brings forth an opportunity to explore how “advanced” my baby is. So Advanced. Yours too? Heh. We are procreating a world full of genius, protege, genetic masterpieces aren’t we?

So Advanced.

And what to make of Boy Wonder’s latest act of self-expression? Perhaps it is that Hubby and I have produced the next generation designer of “custom print” mummaswear?

Because it couldn’t possibly just be a spewy phase!….right?

In order to explore where other creative genius might hatch in brisVegas and like any good parent trying to ingratiate herself into the life and style of child rearing I recently wheeled down a fantastic avenue of self-expression that might nurture and encourage my own three month old’s gift. Where did I land?

Young Designers Markets, Little Stanley Street (1st) Sundays. What do they hold in stall for your creative genius-in-waiting?

The Young Designers Markets! The first Sunday of every month (weather permitting) Brisbane City Council closes off Little Stanley Street to traffic and singles, couples, mummas alike can explore the latest in young and emerging design talent in the fields of fashion, homewares, jewellery, small furnishings, accessories, bric-a-brac and other random collections of colour and vibrancy and spesh. We were both impressed and I reckon I could make out the Kid taking pointed mental notes for projections in his own range.

Boy Wonder-rated highlights include (as pictured in the newly-mastered slide-show feature of my blog – who says we aren’t all learning and growing):

ties&whimsy by alisa newey. Stuck wearing plain cotton-dyed tees that won’t show up drool and milky patterns? Alisa’s range of vintage, hand-me-down necktie accessories add a cool punch of inspired colour and creativity to even the most banal mumma outfit. Seriously impressive talent.

Mishee-Moo: self-professed “handmade goodies for Mums and Bubs” – Laura Worth creates outstanding unique dribble-proof jewellery and handbags. I can’t see a kid teething through a keyboard necklace anytime soon. That’s a whole new level of “advanced”.

Francesca Rockette “Baggery Hub” (ok – I made that “last bit” up) But, Francesca, it’s yours if you want it!: She’s got a whole new world of nappy-bag style just waiting to be embraced by brisVegas mummas city-wide. From onion or flour bag totes to hand stitched leather goods and the cutest little make-up bags that easily double as a pacifier and teether pouches, Francesca’s collection is eco-cool and uber-stylish!

the whimsical blossom: Can I just quietly say – ADORABLE!!! If the delightful little kiddy-kimonos adorning the stall at the whimsical blossom aren’t enough cute for mummas and bubs out in this city then I’m not sure what to say. I almost out-squealed my boy when we discovered this gorgeous range of unique chico-couture on sale.

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Boy Wonder’s eyes did not blink for the full hour of colourful stall-browsing. So it was in the Week Where Everything Changes. And, can I just say as an aside: at the end of the day… my 13-week old spit-up fashion protege slept like a “regular infant” after our little pram-venture into creativity.

Don’t forget to pop down to Little Stanley Street on April Fools Day. Weather or fools permitting.

Until next time my glorious readers – keep strollin’!

mummaV xxx

Wind and water

The event will showcase the latest in fashion, handbags, jewellery, shoes, homewares, children’s and lifestyle products from some of Queensland’s unique and emerging brands. 

Jessica.T

With the latest in seasonal trends on offer, you can find that perfect outfit, complete the look with every accessory available and find something perfect for your home or the family

Shopaholics Day Out

If you would like to be involved in this fabulous event email your interest to shopaholicsdayout@hotmail.com. You can also follow their facebook page for regular event highlights.