Green Suede Sandals

So I fell in love with these green suede sandals the second I saw them on Viviana Volpicella via The Sartorialist a few weeks ago. After some online searching, I discovered the exact Gianvito Rossi Suede Sandals had sold out, so you can imagine my absolute delight when I noticed Siren Shoes have created an almost identical sandal called Yolanda. They come in several different colours and for only $129.95, I've already snapped these babies up in Mint and Black!

*Images via The Sartolialist and Pinterest

Vintage Storage

I love mixing old furnishings with new. Vintage meat safes, old painted cupboards and armories are both practical and charming and work perfectly with contemporary spaces. I’ve recently acquired two vintage meat safes that I’m going to strip down, paint white or a soft grey over white and sand back to give a more relaxed rustic look. Hopefully they work out so I can share some before and after images. I plan to use them in the bathroom or entrance hall for additional storage. I’ll keep you updated on how I go but in the meantime take a look at these beautiful storage solutions.

*Images via Pinterest

Guacamole

When I have a cozy movie night casually eating on the couch, I like to make Guacamole. On these lazy nights, I serve it with corn chips (sometimes store bought, sometimes homemade pita-style chips) but this easy chunky guacamole is perfect for any Mexican meal.

2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce (optional)
3 tablespoons coriander, roughly chopped
Salt

In a bowl, use a fork to mash avocado, lime juice, Tabasco and a pinch of salt. Once mashed, stir through the coriander and serve.

Note: To make pita-style chips, simply cut pita bread into triangles, sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt and bake on a lined baking tray in a moderate oven for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container to keep them crisp.

DIY Rose Wrapping Paper

Making pretty custom wrapping paper is easy. Over the years I've used anything from sponges and buttons to vegetables and leaves. This weekend I got a little crafty with celery and was very pleased with the results. To create this this pretty ‘rose’ print wrapping paper you’ll need:

Plain paper (I’ve used recycled craft paper)
Paint
Something to hold your paint in (I used an ice-cream container lid)
Celery (Bok Choy works well also)

Simply cut the stalks of the celery, leaving the base (this becomes your ‘stamp’). Cutting them as cleanly as possible is key to a neat finish. Next dip the stalks into the paint and press onto your paper (you may want to paint a little on to ensure you have an even application). Repeat until you’ve covered your sheet. Leave to dry completely (speed up with a hairdryer on low heat if you need to). Now you’re ready to wrap.

Holiday Ensembles

In a few weeks I’m off to Bali for one of my dearest girlfriend's wedding, so right now - even though it's freezing in Melbourne - I’m all about getting some beach inspired ensembles together! I haven't included swimwear as I think it deserves a post all of its own.

Johnathon Saunders Dress | Chinti and Parker Top | Acne Shorts | Ray-Ban Sunglasses | J.Crew Tote | Sambag Sandals | Essie 'bikini so teeny' Polish

Currently...

1 Wearing: Statement necklaces. I’m hoping this trend stays around a little while longer as I’ve acquired a few over the last year or so and love how they bring the dullest outfits to life. I've been trying to get my hands on this chain and tulle necklace from Zara.
2 Watching: Puberty Blues. Growing up in Australia in the 70’s seems so romantic, easy and carefree – surf culture, no mobile phones, real boobs, sneaking out of bedroom windows, Cheezels eaten off fingers and sunburn! Great cast, fabulous acting and lines like ‘Rack off, moll!' - looking forward to episode two.
3 Reading: September issues – Vogue (British, Paris and US - Gaga looks A-mazing on the cover) and Elle UK – cannot get enough of these thick glossies.
4 Wishing for: A holiday to somewhere exotic. I’m off to Bali in October and it can’t come quick enough!
5 Drinking: Baileys and milk. A little after dinner treat in place of dessert.
6 Buying: Summer dresses for my Bali break. A little premature, I know, but I can’t resist the northern hemisphere sales – ASOS, NAP and Shopbop and it makes it feel like summer isn’t too far away. This yellow belted shirt dress will look great with a tan.
7 Eating: Chilli Chicken Stir-fry has been on the menu regularly the last few weeks, sometimes twice a week.
8 Listening to: Birdy. What a voice, so young and so talented.

The Perfect T-Shirt

I’m always on the hunt for the perfect t-shirt – not too clingy or tight, not too baggy - getting the right size, cut, sleeve length and fabric is key. I’ve got a huge pile of them in my wardrobe (white, grey, and black) in all different sizes (S, M & L).  I wear more fitted tees for layering and tucking into skirts and looser styles for a more casual look with trousers and a blazer. Dressed up or down the tee is a truly a wardrobe staple. I love J.Crew and American Apparel (try AA's Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Women's Track T above). What brands of t-shrits do you like?

*Image via American Apparel

Chambray

The chambray shirt - so soft and comfortable - has been around for years with celebrities and fashionistas alike embracing this style in a big way and wearing it with everything – white denim, coloured denim, double denim, sequin skirts, maxi skirts or even layered as a lightweight jacket. I personally like wearing them tucked into skirts. The chambray shirt is a trend that doesn’t seem to go out of style – making it a wardrobe staple. My most recent addition is the J.Crew number.

J.Crew Cotton-Chambray Shirt | ACNE Wave Denim Shirt | Marc by Marc Jacobs Chambray Shirt

Double Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are a classic and Donna Hay’s Double Chocolate Cookies from her Simple Essentials Chocolate cookbook are my absolute favourite - with colossal amounts of chocolate, they're a real crowd pleaser.

100g unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour, sifted
¼ cup cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
125g dark chocolate, melted
280g dark chocolate, extra, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 160°C. Beat butter and sugar for 8-10 minutes or until light and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for a further 3-4 minutes. Stir through the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and melted chocolate. Add the extra chopped chocolate and stir to combine. Roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls and place on lined baking trays, allowing room for the cookies to spread during cooking. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slight cracks have formed. Cool on a wire rack.

Dream Bedroom

We spend so much time in our bedroom that I tend to favour rooms that are comfortable yet luxurious, with soft lighting, plenty of pillows and the best quality sheets I can afford. I like neutral palettes with little pops of colour so when I look to revamp my bedroom in the coming months I'll be seeking inspiration from these beautiful rooms.

*Images via Pinterest

Little Black Lace Dress

A slight twist on the LBD is the LBLD or Little Black Lace Dress. The last few years has seen a LBLD epidemic on the red carpet (Emma Stone, Blake Lively, Kate Middleton to name a few) and the trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down with a number of lace dresses featured in this season’s collections. Whilst I’d love the Dolce & Gabbana number below, the Whistles dress is a much more affordable option.

Dolce & Gabbana Macramé Lace Dress or Whistles Victoria Lace Dress

My Beauty Essentials

I am by no means a beauty guru – I hardly even wear make-up – but I do have a few beauty products that I cannot live without...

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish
My all time favourite cleanser, creamy without being oily it removes all traces of make-up (even mascara) and the muslin cloth provides gentle daily exfoliation without harsh abrasion. I use this nightly before applying moisturiser. It’s not available in Australia or online so I rely on family and friends in the UK to send it to me.

Clarisonic
Believe all the hype, it’s amazing – improving skintone and reducing the size of pores. I have the Mia, which is one speed, one button and takes only one minute. The head is like a big electric toothbrush with 300 movements per second, gently cleaning and clarifying the skin like nothing else. You can use it with the Clarisonic cleansers, or any other non abrasive or foaming cleanser (I use Cetaphil), in the shower - yes it’s cordless and waterproof! The Mia is $149 and Available at Myer and David Jones.

Cetaphil
The cheap, simple, gentle skin cleanser developed my dermatologists. It’s not soap based so doesn’t dry out or strip my skin like some cleansers can. I use on my Clarisonic in the morning.

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder
I literally look like death without bronzer and I’ve tried a few but have been using this one for 10 years. It’s creamy and velvety and never orange or dirty brown (you know the ones) and it has no glitter at all which is a rarity with most bronzers. I use it with the Guerlain Terracotta Retractable Kabuki Brush.

Amcal Fake Tan
I know it’s not good but I love a tan – I look and feel better with a golden glow. When I can’t get the real thing but want some colour that’s never streaky or orange I use Amcal Fake Tan. Yes at $9.95 for a huge tube it’s cheap but I’ve tried all the expensive brands and always come back to this. If you’re after a real looking, golden tan this is the product for you.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
A cult product that I am late to adopt. My mother swears by it and maybe it’s that I never needed it before, but now I’m older (and ashen and dull most days) it gives me skin and instant radiance. I use with and without foundation on the days I need to look awake (you know the ones).

YSL Touche Eclat
Another cult beauty product, this iconic highlighter brings radiance to the dullest of complexions. A must for every make-up bag!

Carmex Lip Balm
Dirt cheap but moisturizes my dry cracked lips. I get the cherry flavour pots from ASOS and have one in my make-up bag, one in the car and one in my drawer at work.

Klorane Dry Shampoo
I have been using this miracle product for years, between washes and to give my clean hair tons of volume.

OPI Privacy Please
A lovely pale pink colour that’s perfect for both fingers and toes. Understated, polished and natural it goes with everything.

Perfect Porridge

I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day but I don’t usually have the time for it mid-week but come weekends I love nothing more than a hearty bowl of porridge. It well and truly warms me up on these cool winter mornings and being low GI, wards off hunger pangs and keeps me going until lunchtime. For a basic creamy vanilla porridge you’ll need:

1 cup rolled oats
2 1/2 cups milk
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
Pinch of salt

COMBINE oats, milk, salt, vanilla bean and seeds in a small saucepan
COOK over medium-low heat, stirring regularly until thick and creamy and oats are tender (10 mins)
REMOVE the vanilla bean, spoon into bowls and serve immediately

You can add toppings to your porridge. Some I like:

• Drizzle of honey 
• Cinnamon and brown sugar 
• Yogurt, nuts and honey 
• Banana and honey