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

J.Crew Spring Summer 2013

I am in love with J.Crew Spring Summer 2013 - brights, neons, pastels, sorbets, brocades and quirky mixed prints, all with the classic tailored J.Crew silhouette. Loving the coloured pumps (a particular weakness of mine) and I cannot wait to get my hands on the houndstooth skirt and brocade pants.


*Image via IMAXtree

DIY Old Jar Lanterns

I have been making these handmade lanterns for years, using old pickle and mayo jars. They can be used inside or out, hanging or sitting, in groups or single, and as the whether heats up they are perfect for eating outside at night as the flame is shielded from the wind and the candle won't fall over as it's steadied by the sand.

To make your own you will need:

- Glass jars
- Wire (a wire coat hanger can be used)
- Wire cutters
- Candles
- Sand (you could use sea salt)

Wash glass jars in hot soapy water and dry completely. Wrap wire around the mouth of your jar and cut allowing a few extra centimetres to allow you to twist the ends together later. Cut another piece of wire to form your handle. Bend into a U-shape and twist each end around the opposite side of your circle piece of wire. Wrap the circle piece around the mouth of the jar again and twist the ends together. Fill the bottom of the jar with sand and place your candle inside.

Found Them!

A few weeks back I posted an image of these gorgeous pink floral cushions. Well, thanks to Pinterest I found them! Whilst looking through images one night I came across the very same image and it turns out the cushions are sold only a few suburbs away from me at Fenton & Fenton. And although this particular fabric was a few years old, they kindly made these up for me in the identical fabric. Thrilled is an understatement!

Fenton & Fenton on High Street, Prahran is definitely worth a visit. If I wasn't saving I could have walked away with everything.


*Image via Pinterest

Debauchery

This Saturday night we're celebrating one of my bestest friend's Hens Party. So let the debauchery begin!

*Image via Pinterest

Totes Amazing

Whether for the beach, gym, travel or work, there are totes for every occasion. If money were no object I'd have a Céline Luggage Tote, but thankfully there are loads of gorgeous totes that fall more within my budget. I have wanted an iomoi personalised monogram canvas tote for a few years now as they're PERFECT for the beach and nice enough for work. If you haven’t already seen them, iomoi bags come in an array of sizes and the monogram options are endless. My biggest issue will be choosing a design. 

NAUTICAL BCBGeneration $78 | BEACH J.Crew $63 | SHOPPER Topshop $28

MONOGRAM iomoi $210 | TRAVEL Longchamps $120 | WORK Balenciaga $1034

DIAPER OiOi $330 | TWO-TONE Victoria Beckham $1399 | BRIGHT 3.1 PHILLIP LIM $1038

What I Wore

1  W O R K

J.Crew Knit | Whistles Skirt | Zara Necklace |Wittner Pumps | Balenciaga Bag

2  C A S U A L  F R I D A Y

Zara Shirt | Dorothy Perkins Skirt | Witchery Kids Belt | Seychelles Heels | Balenciaga Bag

3  D I N N E R

Zara Tee | American Apparel Skirt | Zara Heels | Vintage Clutch

Wedding Guest Dresses

Spring has sprung and wedding season has officially begun. I have two weddings on the horizon so thought I would put together a guide of what to wear to different types of weddings - garden, beach and cocktail. Best of all, these dresses are all available online, so start shopping!

J.Crew $263 | Dororthy Perkins $50 | Zimmermann $695

 By Malene Birger $730 | Diane Von Furstenberg $725 | Dorothy Perkins $35

Dorothy Perkins $54 | Witchery $269.95 | Girl. by Band of Outsiders $827

Father's Day

I'm sure every little girl loves their Dad. I've always been a Daddy's girl. My first word was "Dadda' and I only cried when he dropped me off during my first week of school. Such was my obession I even insisted that I take a little square of one of his t-shirts in my bag so I could smell it when I needed to! Of course I've grown out of that now but I'll forever be his little girl.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads out there, old dads, new dads, step-dads, granddads. And to my Dad, I love you Daddio, you're the greatest x