Veterinarian, Blogger & Mother. Cecylia shares her musings on life and style in the same breath. She passionately believes that "every day is worth dressing up for."
You may have seen from my Facebook updates lately that I’ve been so blessed to attend the 2011 BMW Caulfield Racing Carnival. I’ve never been to the Races before so you can imagine my excitement and gratitude when I was invited to join the Pegasus Club marquee in ultra fine company with fellow bloggers, stylists, models, actors and TV celebrities. I tried to adhere to the Races dress-code of wearing a knee-length frock which covered my shoulder(s), a head piece, a clutch and heels. Of course I put a quirky and eclectic spin to the ‘typical’ Races dress code and opted for this neon yellow Roksanda Ilincic dress, which apparently was previously worn by Ginnifer Goodwin to Comic-Con 2011. I bought it as a sample from the designer (as I’m supporting Buy Nothing New October). Roksanda didn’t send me the H-shaped feather belt piece, but I had an even more special brooch given to me by my fashion mentors Dean and JC of Madam Virtue to wear.
The exquisite Lady Melbourne, in vintage and self-made hat and bangles
Phoebe’s self-made pearl bangles, I’m sporting Australian designers Paula Walden piano ring and Estelle Deve cuff
Sarah (Style Melbourne), Ben, Phoebe and I at the Pegasus Club, my head piece kept falling off because I washed my hair and couldn’t find bobby pins to lock it in, so I kept taking it off and putting it on. Here I am sporting it back to front without realising it!
Josh Koko & Phillip Boon, celebrity stylist, looking as sharp as ever
My first-time entering the Chadstone’s Fashion Stakes. I had no idea that the competition involved walking, I thought we just stood on the stage and the judges marked us. My jaw dropped as I found out that we actually have to strut…
I tried my best and was so thankful that I didn’t fall over and had moved from my Heat into the Finals. With gorgeous ladies waiting to be judged.
The 3 finalists from Caulfield Guineas Day, Laura is demure in black and white, adore her heels! Joanne reminds me of Grace Kelly in her beautiful YeoJin Bae dress. I look so bland next to these beautiful ladies, note to self: must wear make-up next week!
After the competition, we were interviewed by the Runner Up of the Face of Caulfield, Maggie, about our inspirations for our outfits. I described mine as ‘a highlighter’.
Bree, the Face of Caulfield, in Gorman, Giaan Rooney, the Ambassador of the Caulfield Races, in Perri Cutten. These ladies are simply sublime!
Last Saturday was the Caulfield Cup, I was ordered to wear the exact same outfit as I’ve been lucky enough to be in the Grand Final for the Chadstone Fashion Stakes, so I apologize for boring you with the same outfit. I learnt from my mistakes from the previous week at Guineas Day so I asked my bestie Vicki to do my make-up and had my head piece properly fitted, by the gorgeous Peter from Salon M. I compeltely forgot to practise my walk though…
My fair lady: Sarah of Style Melbourne
The ever so stylish Phillip Boon, celebrity stylist, in vintage Pierre Cardin
Bloggers Adrian Fernand of I Do Belive I Came With a Hat, Sarah and Luke of D’Marge. Told you I was in fine company. To my stylish male readers, do yourself a favour and check out these boys’ blogs!
Lady Melbourne and I, again in a self-made hat. This girl has style from head to toe.
Anna Mott, of Racing Fashion Victoria, the most amicable and glamorous personality I’ve ever met. Her dazzling couture headpiece is created by the incredibly handsome Brett Morley. I am in love with Anna’s Alexander McQueen silk clutch!
The most stylish couple: Ren and Christian of Style Sage!
Georgia Sinclair, DJ of the Pegasus Club, in Miu Miu shades and Missoni dress
Phillip and Bree, the Face of Caulfield, ladylike and classy. I think together, we have mastered colour-blocking.
Ambassador of the 2011 BMW Caulfield Carnival, Giaan Rooney, such a stunning lady.
The grand Finals of the Fashion Stakes wasn’t until the end of the day. As the hour approached, more butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Nervousness and excitement infiltrated my veins.
Just smile and walk straight and don’t let your head piece fall…
It was a surreal moment when the hosts called out my number, ‘4’. I was so honoured to attend the Chadstone Fashion Stakes and to be amongst so many gorgeous ladies, many of which were more deserving of my title. I was stoked to have been awarded 3rd place ‘2nd Runner Up’ in the competition. I never thought I would have come thus far. A huge Thank You to Melbourne Racing Club and Style Counsel for having me, to everyone who eased my nerves with your loving, encouraging words and well-wishes, to Sally (Styled by Sally) for lending me her Chanel nail polish, to Vicki for making me look awake, Salon M for fitting my fascinator, to Dean and JC for my beautiful feather brooch and to the judges for being so kind to me. I feel immensely humbled and intensely privileged.
The Caulfield Races has been an experience of a lifetime for me, from the delicious courses at the Ladies luncheons to feeling the adrenaline rush watching the horses race and seeing so many stunningly dressed Race-goers, I have been blown away by the abundance of elegance, extravagance, and ambience!
Sorry to sound like a dork, but out of all the amazing prizes, I’m most excited about my one year subscription to The Age! Hopefully it will improve my morning routine making me rise earlier, eat breakfast and increase my little knowledge of the world.
So that was my weekend, not short of epic. Hope yours was wonderfully charged with love and joy too!
His: H&M hat, Country Road suit, Coton Doux shirt, Vivienne Westwood tie, Arabella Ramsay pocketchief, Jil Sander shoes
Hers: Paula Walden Bow headpiece, vintage earrings, Roksanda Ilincic silk gazar dress, Madam Virtue feather brooch, Paula Walden piano ring, Estelle Deve cuff, vintage clutch, Chloe heels
thanks for following, I´m also following you now :)
You looked stunning – and a great write up of the events! Congrats again!
Thank you so much for having me! I felt so spoilt!
So much fabulousness in once spot I feel faint
http://www.alittleweirdom.blogspot.com
Lol I felt faint trying to write it all up!
Too much amazingness.
Congratulations! You never came back to the marquee but we all cheered :)
Are you going to enter at Flemington/Moonee Valley/Caulfield next year?
You are too kind Sair, we wanted to come back but had too much baggage and it started to rain. Missed you! Not sure…depends if I get to attend
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[…] Candidly at Caulfield Cup — CECYLIA.com The exquisite Lady Melbourne, in vintage and self-made hat and bangles. Phoebe's With gorgeous ladies waiting to be judged. I look so bland next to these beautiful ladies, note to self: must wear make-up next week! […]
Congrats Cecylia, you looked stunning!! That dress is amazing, yellow rocks! ;)
Congrats CC! You look jawdropping! I think I saw you around MC last week or the week before but I was late for work. Keep up the posts, loving them!
x Annie
so lovely to hear from you Annie!!!
Shots look amazing! Looks like you had a ball at the races!
x
Congrats Cecylia- you look amazing!
x
Michelle
http://www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com
my compliments !
you look so charming ….
ciao ave
Love your yellow dress & I think you held your own up there on the catwalk hun. Love the races…so much fun xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
Congrats hun! x
thanks Jessie!!!xx
What an amazing dress! You look great. You have had a great time!
xoxo
http://www.laflorinata.com
Thank you! I sure it! It was an amazing 2 days of fine racing
Amazing outfit dear and great blog!
Following! Follow back? <3
perfect,perfect look!!!!
kisses pretty=)
http://www.lapetiteblonde.com
Congrats for winning 2nd runner-up babe! You looked so beautiful and looked like you were having one fabulous time. You looked stunning in that yellow dress, I loved it! And your headpiece is just adorable.
Cheers,
Wi
A Single Girl’s Musings
Thank you! Designer Paula Walden makes the best head pieces!
great photos cute outfit love the color on you!
http://kc-citystyle.blogspot.com/
Looks like so much fun! Love your choice of bright yellow dress and congrats on winning second runner up :D I would have been freaked out too if I had to do a strut in front of so many people x Sushi
Hey ceycilia! Great to see you on saturday and congrats again on fashion on the field! Did you see the photos of you I did for MIMCO? X ren
Cecylia, well done thats fantastic, a very worthy winner, you looked fabulous…. as always !!!!
aww thank you Shannyn!
I absolutely love the dress you’re wearing. The vibrant yellow looks fabulous on you !
Kisses !
/U
pug-a-licious
congratulations! your dress is so splashy and fabulous just as you are!
thanks for the comment dear :D
http://www.thehiddenfairy.blogspot.com
Oh i love the yellow and black roksanda dress – stunning x
http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/
Amazing event! You look so beautiful, love your dress!
xxx
Beautiful pictures, you looked great!!
Wow! This looks like so much fun! Those are some amazing hats!
-Julia | http://www.lesaltlake.blogspot.com
The yellow dress looks so so wonderful! Really stylish. Perfect day, perfect dress, perfect girl:) Follow you now with google friend connect. Can´t wait for your next post :)
http://www.look-scout.de
http://www.look-scout.blogspot.com
That’s a tricky shade of yellow but it looks great on you – you deserve all the accolades! Thank you for your lovely words about my diy clutch.
Your blog is filled with so much eye candy! Love it!
-Nico
Haha I love your comment!
[…] the style ante. I had a ball choosing the pieces but it was no easy feat, I felt like a judge at Fashion Stakes! After much wandering around the centre and deciding, I am proud to announce these […]
[…] for having a big wardrobe, according to my dear friend Jess. Although I came 2nd Runner Up at the Fashion Stakes at Caulfield last year (beginner’s luck!), I still consider myself a rookie when it comes to Racewear […]
[…] Paula Walden headpiece was fixed onto my head. (The only downside to having a bob during the Races is that you need the professionals to help secure your fascinator or it will be gone with the wind) […]