My Very Own Polka-dot Puffball

Polka-dots! Puffballs! Pink! What dress more fit for a self-proclaimed non-princess to reminisce fondly on?

Oh, I am so happy that I kept this dress – possibly the only relic from my teenage years. What a pity that I long ago threw out the stretch corset-belt; the lace fingerless gloves; the rah-rah skirt; the pastel mesh tank tops… need I go on? Yes, I was a teenager in the glorious, tacky 80s, when fortunately no-one could tell if you had good taste or not.

I wore this darling dress with white patent court shoes (of course), and – the pièce de la résistance – a spiral perm!

Yes, I was a teenager in the glorious, tacky 80s, when fortunately no-one could tell
if you had good taste or not.

And if you need further proof than my word, here I am (left) on New Year’s Eve, accessorising with pearl necklace, pink button earrings, wavy plastic white bangle and a white shell ring. I am glowing with youthful spirits and a tan courtesy of the Queensland sun.

Thank you puffball dress, a good many years have passed, but you still put a smile on my face.

Change, anyone?

It’s been a long time since Australians used any copper coins, but that’s what my fingers smell like when I handle this necklace.

I bought this Baroque-style pendant as an art student from a second hand shop somewhere, when funds were scarce. I am sure I paid mere pennies for it too. That was in the days before everyone was scouring op shops for treasures cradled amongst the dross; when jewellery was piled in a heap, not hung on proper shop fittings.

Then, I loved its intricate curlicues and textured surface; the warm tone of the copper. Because it was made from an inferior metal, I imagined it was made by a jewellery student. I liked that notion: a first year student’s piece inherited by another impecunious art student.

In those days I wore it often (and found it dirtied my tops); now it resides in a jewellery box waiting for a renaissance.

Penny Grows Up… But is Still Lost in Space

Sunday 16 August, 2009

Dear Mom,

I am still stuck on the planet Zog, but I am excited to report that I was finally able to update my wardrobe and get into the 21^st century. Those matt fabric pastels Judy and I used to wear are so passé. By the way, has she forgiven me yet for stealing Donny away from her?

We’re doing pretty well here, although Don’s had to learn to multitask and cope with menial household chores while he looks after the kids – but that’s how things are done here on Zog. I’m usually out and about, hunting for the table, or for scrap to go on Don’s pile. He keeps talking about building a new ship so we can get out of here, but what with changing nappies and so on, Zog knows when that day will come! At least he’s stopped complaining now when I go out for a beer with the girls.

I do hope that Dad finally stowed Dr Smith away in the brig after that last stunt of his that saw me and Donny stranded here?

And how is dear Will going? How many kids do he and the Green Lady have now? Eleven is it? Who knew she would give birth to a litter every time. I reckon cosmic rays scrambled her ovaries what with all that wafting about in space she did before she settled down.

Well, I hope you are in good form. Love to Dad, and hope to hear from you soon.

Love,
Penny

Plastic Princess

Hmmm, for someone who professes she is so not a princess, I seem to own rather a lot of tiaras. But this one, I might argue, could be dubbed (to use a queenly term) a glorified headband.

It is from Mimco, made of plastic, and inset with diamantes. It retailed for about $99. I hardly need state that I certainly did not pay that inflated price: I bought it from the sales store in Richmond for much less than half the amount. I think it looks like a blinged-up ice-cream waffle.

I think it looks like a blinged-up ice-cream waffle.

At the time when I bought it there was another design in (faux) tortoiseshell that I preferred, but it was broken in parts. It would have stood out a bit more against my dark hair than the navy, but I thought it was so cute I had to have it anyway.

Have I worn it out yet? No, of course not. It’s a tiara!

What I actually wore #0022

Serial #: 0022
Date: 03/02/2009
Weather: forecast 31°
Time Allowed: 5 minutes

Another hot day, and another easy, comfy dress. This is not a shape I generally go for, as I think the silhouette is a little unsophisticated, but in this climate you can’t go wrong.

It was really the print that attracted my eye: it is almost like a giant snakeskin pattern, hence the high sandals. The straps are black patent leather, but the sole and heel are snakeskin in black, brown and white tones. The spotty pattern also influenced my choice of earrings: a pair of chandeliers made from seed pearls.

It was really the print that attracted my eye: it is almost like a giant snakeskin pattern…

And those agnès b sunglasses! Last year I went to Dubai, and did not realise I had stupidly forgotten to take some sunglasses with me. As it happened, shortly after my arrival X and I decided to go on a balloon flight over the desert, and booked places for the next morning. “But I don’t have any sunglasses with me!” I exclaimed in panic. What a good excuse to go to Dubai Mall for a shopping trip that night!

What a trip it was. I have never seen a car-park that enormous, and the mall was only one-third finished. It even has an aquarium, and an ice-rink if one should tire of shopping. But we were on a mission and had two hours to complete it.

I was after Calvin Klein sunglasses, but no-one seemed to sell that brand in Dubai. We trawled all over the unfinished mall, trying to decipher the multi-page map just to follow the convoluted walkways. Everywhere there was bling, bling and more bling! No wonder no-one sold CK eyewear – it’s too minimal.

Finally I tracked these sunglasses down in agnès b., but of course I couldn’t buy them immediately, as we hadn’t yet scouted all the stores. After endless traipsing and trying X’s patience, we returned at last to the boutique and I handed over my credit card.

The next morning they perched glamorously on my head the entire balloon trip. The sky was so hazy I didn’t once need to shield my eyes from the rising sun!

Items:

Dress: Ink
Earrings: Portobello Lane
Ring: Roun
Sunglasses: agnès b.
Shoes: Zoe Wittner
Watch: Kenneth Cole