Happy New Year

Here's wishing you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR filled with peace, health, love and prosperity!

What I Wore

1  W O R K

Zara Shirt | Zara Trousers | Witchery Blazer | Nude Shoes Heels | Mulberry Bag

2  B B Q

Shakuhachi Dress | Sandals (Bali market stall) | Michael Kors Watch | Sportsgirl Clutch

3  X M A S  P A R T Y

H&M Dress | Zara Heels | Vintage Beaded Clutch (not holding in the photo)

Dreaming of a Glam New Year's Eve

Well Christmas has been and gone - I do hope everyone had a lovely time with their friends and family. I've eaten my weight in ham, turkey, pudding and chocolate and have been left feeling a little bloated. I'm having to pull back a little on the chocolate if I hope to fit into my clothes for New Year's Eve.

Anyway, better eating aside, as far as I'm concerned, New Year's Eve is one special occasion that requires you to party like a rockstar. If my plans called for a fabulous dress (and allowed for an unlimited budget), I’m pretty sure this is the look I’d be going with to ring in 2013…

Moschino Cheap and Chic Dress | Marni Earrings | Bottega Veneta Clutch | Diane Von Furstenberg Heels

Blogshop

Last weekend I attended Blogshop Melbourne. If you haven't heard of Blogshop, it's basically an intense two day Photoshop workshop for bloggers that shows you how to improve the look and feel of your blog.

Blogshop creators, Bri and Angela, who have run sold-out workshops all over the world, ran the Melbourne workshop (they are so so cute btw) and made it super easy to follow - starting with the basics and working up to more advanced techniques like animated gifs. I already knew my way around Photoshop but I'm new to Mac so it was great to learn Mac shortcuts and tighten my skills so I can do things in two steps rather than fifteen (which is great when you have a full time job and blog in your spare time). Plus, I got to meet a whole bunch of lovely new bloggers along the way!

If Blogshop are coming to your city, I highly recommend you take the workshop. You'll use the skills you learn every time you open Photoshop.

Christmas Cookies

This is Donna Hay's basic vanilla butter biscuit recipe that I now use all the time as it produces really delicate snap cookies. They're gorgeous plain, coated in chocolate, sandwiched with jam or dusted with icing sugar. I've made them numerous times over the last few weeks for Xmas parties and I've even boxed some up as little gifts.

250g butter

3/4 cup caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg yolk

2 1/4 cup plain flour
1 cup dark chocolate melts, for decorating

Preheat oven to 180°C. Beat the butter and caster sugar with an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Add the vanilla and egg yolk and beat well to combine. Add the flour and beat until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic and place in the fridge for 15 minutes. Divide the dough into 3 sections, roll out each section between 2 sheets of non-stick baking paper to 5mm think. Use cookie cutters to cut out the dough. Place onto a lined baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes until light golden. Cool on a wire rack. To decorate, melt the chocolate and pipe onto the cookies.

Currently...

1 Wearing: Summer dresses and sandals - when the Melbourne weather turns it on! Just bought this gorgeous Zimmermann dress for Christmas day.  I thought it was a little festive looking and light enough if it's a scorcher of a day.

2 Watching: Sons of Anarchy Season 5 - Jax Teller...swoon!
3 Reading: Cookbooks - particularly loving Small Plates and Sweet Treats by Aran Goyoaga. Fresh, vibrant recipes and beautifully styled food photography.
4 Buying: Christmas presents and gift wrap supplies
5 Drinking: Way to much at all the Christmas parties. January will see some serious detoxing.
6 Wishing: for an Hermes enamel bracelet
7 Eating: Shortbread
8 Listening to: Christmas Carols

What I Wore

1  W O R K

Vintage Dress | Sportsgirl Belt | Siren Heels | Mulberry Bag | Michael Kors Watch

2  W O R K

H&M Top | Zara Pants | Nude Shoes Heels | Mulberry Bag | Michael Kors Watch

3  D I N N E R

Topshop Dress | Nude Shoes Heels | Unbranded Clutch (Old) | Michael Kors Watch | Ebay Necklace

Double Braid

This is a relaxed boho-style double braid - very messy but suprisingly easy to re-create if you can master a basic braid. This look will work best on hair that hasn't been washed for a day or so as it will be easier to keep the hair in place with bobby pins.

STEP 1 Make a deep part and separate two sections at the front of your hair (section with butterfly clips or pull to the front of your head to keep separate from the hair at the back)
STEP 2 Separate the back section of your hair into two parts
STEP 3 Twist the first section and secure at the back of your head with a couple of bobby pins
STEP 4&5 Grab the other half, twist and secure at the back of your head with pins
STEP 6 You should now have the back section pinned in a messy 'bun' at the back of your head and be ready to start on the front of your hair
STEP 7 Section the side with the most hair into two pieces (these become your braids)
STEP 8 Braid the section closest to your forehead and pin it into the bun at the back of your head
STEP 9 Braid the second section of hair, again securing into the bun with a pin
STEP 10 Twist the final section of hair on the other side of your head and pin it into the bun at the back
STEP 11 Look at the back and pin any additional fly-aways into place and set with a mist of hairspray
STEP 12 The finished look from the side

DIY Christmas Wreath

I made one of these last year after seeing it on Minimoz and my mum liked it so much I thought I'd make her one this year. They are so easy you can literally make them while watching TV. To make one yourself you'll need:

1 wire coat hanger or wire/metal hoop (from a craft store)
Wire cutters or pliers
Fabric (I got 6 different fabric off cuts)
Scissors
Christmas decoration (for the centre)
Ribbon

Push your wire hanger out to form a circle and cut the hook off with wire cutters. Cut your fabric into strips approx 2" x 9". Tie the fabric onto the hoop and continue, alternating the fabric until the entire hoop is full. Push the fabric tightly together as you go. Next tie your Christmas decoration to the wire with ribbon. Finally, tie another piece of ribbon to the wreath and form a bow so you can tie it to your door.

Xmas Gift Guide

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas! I am mad for the decorations, the carols, the food, the smell of the tree, the busy shops (yes I’m crazy), and who doesn’t love presents!! Christmas is a lot different in Australia than it is in the UK (where I’m originally from) for one thing it’s usually a stinking hot day, so making a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings can prove difficult, but still, no matter what the temperature, I insist on making a roasted Turkey, a glazed ham, roast potatoes and chirstmas pudding with brandy custard – it just doesn’t feel like Christmas without it. And to this day, my mum calls me - no matter where I am in the world - to read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ before I go to bed. Now don’t get me wrong, we know it's silly and that I’m way too old for it (I’m 33), but if she didn’t call we would feel like a part of Christmas was missing. So until I have my own kids, we continue with the tradition. I hope you’re all getting excited for the holiday season. I would love to hear about your family traditions.

Seeing as I love shopping, I thought I'd provide you with a Christmas gift guide with a number of gifts at various price points. Happy shopping!!

1 Apple iPad Mini $369 | 2 Diptyque Candle $99 | 3 Jonathon Adler Zebra Dish $24

4 J.Crew Bracelet $172 | 5 Anya Hindmarch Clutch £300 | 6 Origins Hand Treatment $29

7 Chanel Nail Polish $49 | 8 J.Crew Statement Necklace $190 | 9 Paul & Joe Make-up Case $44

10 Taylor Swift 'Red' $20 | 11 iPhone Case $35 | 12 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals $33

Bar Carts

I know it's nothing new but I'm totally obsessed with bar carts! Yes, I love a cocktail, or two, but I also love the idea of making a well stocked bar a feature of a room - just like these colourful vintage looking carts above. I don't currently have the space for one, but as soon as I get a place big enough I'm pulling all of my booze out from the cupboard above the fridge and moving it onto one of these babies. With some fancy decanters, bottle stoppers, cocktail shakers and the lovely collection of eclectic glasses that I've collected along the years I'll be all stocked up and ready for entertaining.

The Madison Mixer (top image) from Society Social is at the top of my wish list, comes in custom colours and can be ordered online for Australian delivery at Ada & Darcy.

Just looking at these makes me thristy!!


*Images via Pinterest

Zucchini Fritters

Last week was a little hectic, leaving me with little time to cook. I try to avoid take-away so I made a batch of these zucchini fritters that could be eaten over a couple of days. These are one of my favourites - so tasty and extremely easy to make. It's a bonus that they're as equally nice served warm or eaten cold the next day - I'm usually eating them cold whilst standing in front of the fridge!

500g zucchini (about 4), grated
1 teaspoon sea salt
6 spring onions, finely chopped
125g feta cheese
1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil, for shallow frying

Put the zucchini into a colander and sprinkle with salt and stand for 30 minutes. Squeeze out the excess liquid and pat with with paper towel. Combine the zucchini, spring onion, feta, parsley, mint, egg, flour, salt and pepper and mix well. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Drop heaped tablespoons of the mixture into the oil, flatten slightly to form small patties. Fry in batches for 3 minutes on each side, or until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towel. Serve with lemon wedges and yoghurt sauce. Makes about 16.

Yoghurt Sauce
Mix 125g plain yoghurt (or sour cream) with a minced garlic clove and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

What I Wore

1  W O R K

Dorothy Perkins Dress | Madewell Heels | Coach Bag | Michael Kors Watch

2  L U N C H  D A T E

Witchery Tee | ASOS Skirt | Nude Footwear Heels | Balenciaga Bag | Michael Kors Watch

3  R U N N I N G  E R R A N D S

Saint James Top | Zara Jeans | Sambag Flats | H&M Necklace | Burberry Bag

DIY Glitter Vase

I'm a massive fan of reusing old jars for vases, lanterns (see my DIY Old Jar Lanterns post) glasses and storage. Since seeing a number of glitter vases on Pinterest I've been dying to pimp some of my old jars so gave it a go with some bronze glitter this past weekend.

To make one at home, you'll need:

- Old jars
- Glitter
- Glue that drys clear (I use Mod Podge)
- Brushes
- Masking Tape
- A paper plate or something wide to hold your glitter in

STEP 1 Put some paper down to protect your work surface (I did this outside as glitter can get everywhere)
STEP 2 Stick masking tape on your jar to mark out where you want the glitter to finish (you could do the whole jar but I wanted glitter 2/3 of the way up)
STEP 3 Brush a moderate amount of glue under your masking tape and roll your jar in the glitter (if you have any gaps, simply brush on a little extra glue and re-roll it)
STEP 4 Turn your jar upside down and leave it for 30 minutes to dry completely

Beaded Headband Updo

I love the step-by-step hair tutorials on Pinterest so thought I'd start doing some of my own. This look is surprisingly easy - start with a messy ponytail, add a headband, secure loose ends with bobby pins and finish with a bit of hairspray. Here's the step-by-step guide to making a boring bun effortlessly glamourous. 

STEP 1 Tie your hair up into a high ponytail at the back of your head
STEP 2 Put your headband in. I pulled my hair out a little at the crown to create height and add texture
STEP 3 Grab two sections of hair
STEP 4 Loop these sections of hair (one at a time) and use bobby pins to secure in place
STEP 5 You are left with a section at the top and the bottom
STEP 6 Loop the bottom section of hair under and secure with pins
STEP 7 Loop the top section under and secure with another pin
STEP 8 Check the back and secure any loose hair with pins. Spray with hairspray to hold
STEP 9 The finished look

October In Instagram

Cocktails at Potato Head | Bali sunset | Wedding do | Coach Legacy Penny

Villa Alice Bali | Fresh flowers | You are my sunshine | DIY Glitter Vase

Poolside | Caramello Koala | The wedding | Double Braid

Cupcake Class | Tan accessories | New outdoor setting | Early Xmas shopping

What I Wore

1  W O R K

Zara Shirt | Whistles Skirt | Basque Heels | Balenciaga Bag

2  W O R K

Topshop Dress | Madewell Heels | Coach Bag

3  C A S U A L  F R I D A Y

Witchery Tee | Zara Pants | Madewell Heels | Balenciaga Bag | Michael Kors Watch

Perfect Brows

As a natural blonde with almost invisible eyebrows, I hadn't given my brows much thought since I started plucking them in 1992. That was until I recently visited a beauty salon and the therapist asked me who had been touching them and whoever it was should stop! I knew they were on the thin side but she said 'makeover' and 'hideous' and, well you can imagine how I felt. Anyway, I stopped plucking immediately and googled eyebrows to find out all I could. I discovered that caster oil naturally promotes growth so started massaging this on to my brows each night before bed. The first 4-5 weeks were extremely difficult, but by week 7 they were looking much better, if not a little unkept.

At this point I needed a brow specialist to shape and tint them. So I visited the Brow Bar. I figured that a salon that only does brows would be best and I wasn't wrong - my fury brows were waxed, plucked, sculptured and tinted into perfection and have since become a bold new accessory!

I had underestimated how essential eyebrows are at framing your face. My tips for making the most of your brows:

1. Find your natural arch - it will instantly give your face a lift. If you've plucked your brows to buggery, I recommend not touching them for 8 weeks and visiting a professional to help reveal your natural arch.

2. Go thicker. Eyebrows become thinner as we age and thin brows can actually show our age (if you look at girls in their 20s, they don't have the 90s 'Sharpie' style brows that were popular at the time). Thick brows look more youthful and add definition to your face. Be patient, it will take 7-8 weeks before you can see a brow expert and up to 3 months before they're truly at their best.

3. Length. The beginning of your eyebrows should not extend past the indent above your nostril - too close together and you're verging on a monobrow and too far apart and your face will be off balance. Likewise you don't want your brows to stop too short either.

4. Tinting. If you're fair like me, it looks better when brows are a little darker and more defined. It's important the colour of your browns compliments your hair and skin colour so don't go more than one or two shades darker than your hair colour. If you're scared of tiring, fill them in with a light shadow or brow pencil - again a few shades lighter than your hair colour. Something with wax like Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil works really well as the wax helps keep them manicured and in place.

5. Clear mascara or eyebrow gel. Always brush hairs upward with clear mascara to hold and enhance shape.

Find A Good Tailor

I'm a big advocate for tailoring. Nothing makes cheaper priced clothing look more expensive than having them tailored to your shape. I have a brilliant relationship with my tailor - they know my style, shape and what looks good on me. I recently purchased this Tigerlily jumpsuit on sale, but as you can see in the before picture, the huge palazzo style trousers did no favours for my short legs and made me look stumpy. I loved the material, the top section fit lovely and I knew it would be perfect for summer with a little help from my tailor. So I had them taper the legs and remove some of the volume and now they work for my shape and lengthen my legs.

French Apple Tart

This is an easy take on the classic French Apple Tart. I use store bought puff pastry which I find almost as good as homemade for this particular recipe. The result is a light delicate tart that's delicious served immediately or at room temperature. You will need:

1 sheet puff pastry
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, halved and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon butter, diced small
2 tablespoons apricot jam
2 teaspoons rum or water

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with paper. Trim the edges of the puff pastry and place onto the lined tray (I made my sheet rectangular by cutting off one side and adding it to the top). Place overlapping slices of apples onto the pastry. Sprinkle with sugar and dot with butter. Bake for 40 minutes, or until pastry and the edges of the apples have browned. (I rotate the pan during cooking). Heat apricot jam and rum together in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, then brush the apples and pastry completely. Serves 6.

What I Wore

1  B A L I

Rosemin Maxi Dress | Vintage Bag | Wittner Sandals 

2  W O R K

Zara Dress | Zara Heels | Balenciaga Bag

3  C A S U A L   F R I D A Y

Shakuhachi Dress & Belt | Vintage Bag | Wittner Sandals

I'm Back

I'm still attempting to get back into the swing of things after an incredible week in Bali! I promise not to go overboard with photos from the trip, but I thought I'd at least share a few that you might appreciate.

We had the most amazing time - tanning and cocktails at our villa by day, afternoon massages (you MUST try the 'Body Bliss' at Bodyworks - two people massaging you in unison, wow!), a little shopping (I came back with way too many dresses) before getting ready for dinner and a night of cocktails.

Then there was the wedding. It was absolutely beautiful , the bride breathtaking, and I feel so blessed to have been part of the special day. One of my favourite details from the wedding - our bridesmaid hair! I'm not giving away any more photos from the beautiful day though - I'll leave that to the professional photographers.

Alas, I'm back to reality and a very full inbox of emails! Yep, I'm back!

Carry-on Essentials

A well-stocked carry-on not only helps make a long haul flight bearable but it also assists in freshening up before landing. This is what I'm taking...

1. Tote or Handbag – Roomy enough to hold all your carry-on goodies. This Longchamps one is great as it folds right down.
2. Passport – You can’t go anywhere without it!
3. iPad/iPhone – To browse the net, watch moves, read, play games etc. And don’t forget earphones so you can listen to music and give yourself a break from the crying babies
4. Lollies – I always pack some lollies, not only for my sweet tooth but to prevent my ears popping on take-off and landing
5. Magazines & Books – New glossies or a novel will help pass the time
6. Cardigan or Jacket – It’s always freezing on the plane so keep chills at bay with something you can layer. Also great if you're going to/from a different climate.
7. Cleansing Wipes – Even if you’re not wearing make-up, these are great for cleaning your face and freshening up before landing.
8. Moisturiser – Planes dry you out. Keep ultra hydrated with a good moisturiser. I lather it on as soon as I’ve cleansed my face.
9. Lip Balm – Keep you lips moist with a good lip balm
10. Toothbrush & Toothpaste – Nothing beats fresh breath during the flight and right before landing
11. Sunglasses – To glam up and/or cover up puffy tired eyes
12. Eye Mask – Allow you to sleep at any time throughout the flight
13. Underwear – I always take a spare pair just in case my bag is lost/delayed (it’s happened to me before!)

What I Wore

1  W O R K

John Lewis Dress | Wittner Heels | Balenciaga Bag

2  W O R K

Zara Shirt | J.Crew Knit | Topshop Pants | Zara Heels | Balenciaga Bag | Michael Kors Watch

3  R U N N I N G  E R R A N D S

COS Dress | COS Long Sleeve Top | D.Co Copenhagen Boots | Vintage Bag

Bali Bound

On Wednesday I’m finally off to Bali for the wedding and some fun and sunshine with my lady friends. Packing the perfect ingredients for a girly summer holiday are simple – bikinis, shorts, dresses and sandals will be the daily uniform. I will also take some shirts to wear over the bikini, a maxi dress, some slinky cocktail dresses and heels for night and a few accessories to have a little fashion fun. Now it’s back to cleaning before I start packing my suitcase for the beach…

1 Zimmermann Maxi Dress | 2 Zimmermann Dress | 3 Zimmermann Tee  

4 Topshop Shorts5 Zimmermann Clutch | 6 Sambag Sandals

7 Zara Heels | 8 Zimmermann Bikini | 9 ASOS Necklace 

Double Denim

J.Crew Shirt | Zara Jeans | Michael Kors Watch | Sambag Ballet Flats | Mulberry Bag

Living With White

If I were forced to decorate in just one colour it would have to be white. It's timeless, classic, great for maximising light and can work in just about any home. As it is, the majority of my furnishings are white – walls, dining table and chairs, bathroom and I favour white for nearly all of my crockery and dinnerware. The perfect blank canvas, white always looks clean and bright and allows you to play around with colour and texture. These rooms successfully mix different shades of white to create warmth.

*Images via Pinterest

September In Instagram

Lunch at Chin Chin | Picfx close up | Red suede shoes | New runners

A little flower arrangement | Caesar salad | Still loving these Topshop pants | Mentone Beach

Charcoal tights | Healthy snacks | Leopard Belt | Doggie cookies
New bathroom print | Hens | Beet and bean salad | A nice drop

Currently Coveting

I haven't had much exposure to Coach, but from what I have seen, the shapes and the loud signature  monogram prints on their bags haven't been for me. However, I'm in LOVE with the Legacy Penny Shoulder Bag (no monogram and all soft buttery leather) and cannot wait to get my hands on the carnelian (reddy/orange) colour. They're pretty affordable at US$198, just really hard to get hold of in Australia - sold out everywhere!

This Weekend

For the first time in months I have a weekend with nothing planned so I’m going to give myself a little break, indulge in some of my favourite naughty foods (chocolate, cheese and cake), cook up a storm and stay in bed until after 10am (a rarity these days). Have a great weekend!

Horlicks Doggie Cookies

These cute little doggie cookies are my go to when I attend children's birthday parties. Kids love them and they're so easy to make. The original recipe is quite unique in that it doesn't contain sugar or eggs, but I add 25g of icing sugar to mine for a little sweetness. These are also made with Horlicks, but I've made them with Milo just fine, you just get a darker dog face.

To make about 25 of these cookies, you'll need:

200g plain flour
25g cornflour
25g milk powder
25g icing sugar (optional)
180g butter, softened
80g Horlicks (or Milo)
100g chocolate chips
Chocolate sprinkles
Nestle Milo Cereal (for the ears)

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.  Sift flour, cornflour, milk powder and icing sugar.  Cream  butter and Horlicks with an electric mixer on low speed for about 3 minutes (do not overbeat). Add sifted ingredients and beat for a further minute to form a soft dough (you may need to knead it together lightly if you use the icing sugar). Divide dough into small balls, placing 3 chocolate chips in the centre of each. Insert two pieces of Milo cereal to form the ears, a chocolate chip for the nose and chocolate sprinkles for the eyes. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.

What I Wore

1  W O R K

John Lewis Dress | Madewell Heels | Mulberry Bag

2  W O R K

John Lewis Dress | Wittner Heels | Mulberry Bag

3  C A S U A L  F R I D A Y

Zara Tee | Silence & Noise Cardigan | Sparkle & Fade Skirt | Madewell Heels | Witchery Clutch

Floral & Jewel Statements

ASOS $43 | J.Crew $266  | Anton Heunis $412

A statement necklace is my favourite way to add a little flair to an otherwise boring outfit. My advice is to the keep the rest of your look simple, avoid earrings and other jewllery, and let the necklace make the 'statement'. These necklaces have just the right mix of chunky chain, floral and jewelled embellishment at prices for all budgets.

Classic Caesar

I love a Caesar salad - so deliciously creamy with the added crunch of croutons. Not great if you're watching what you eat, but my philosophy is quality over quantity so I'd rather have a smaller portion of this salad than a large bowl of something less flavoursome and 'no-fat'. To make this Caesar you will need:

Small baguette, thinly sliced
2 baby cos lettuce, washed and torn
8 slices prosciutto
8 anchovies
Shaved parmesan
Poached eggs
Olive oil

Dressing
1/2 cup whole egg mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons water
Sea salt and cracked black pepper

Place the sliced baguette on a lined baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and bake at 160°C for 12 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool. Grill the prosciutto until crisp, cool and tear into strips. Arrange lettuce, prosciutto, anchovies and baguette on a plate, top with the shaved parmesan and eggs. Drizzle with dressing and extra cracked black pepper, if desired.

To make the dressing, place the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice and water in a bowl and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

What I Wore

1  W O R K
Asos Dress | J.Crew Heels | Mulberry Bag

2  W O R K
John Lewis Dress | Wittner Heels | Balenciaga Bag

3  H E N S  N I G H T
Topshop Dress | Topshop Heels | Chanel Clutch