She's making a list, and checking it twice . . .

Is it that time already?

You'd better believe it, Christmas season has well and truly arrived.

In Adelaide, my family always kicked off the festivities with the Christmas Pageant. Only then were we allowed to start talking about the big man in red and the upcoming holidays. Mum put a stop to decorations though - we had to wait until 1 December to put the tree up and then of course, there was the opening of the first advent calendar door that was always a special occasion.

I'm going home this weekend for the cricket (my favourite time of the year) and can't wait to put up the Christmas tree with my niece and nephew at Mum and Dad's house. Then I have to come home and work out how I'll deck out my new little pad - I move into a new flat in two weeks and can't wait to style it up. Pink as far as the eye can see . . . and noone to complain :)

Moving house is always a good excuse to ditch the old and invest in the new. I am sick of living like a uni student in a share house and want to start enjoying the finer things in life. I'll be dusting off my Kate Spade plates and Laguiole cutlery and start living like a grown up for a change! The timing is also perfect to put in some sneaky requests for some home related Christmas presents from the fam.

And so we begin Kate's annual Christmas wishlist. As self indulged and spoilt as it must seem, it's so nice to pretend that money grows on trees!

I'd love a cool new doormat for my new flat. I'm up on the first floor and there are two other doorways in my little alcove so I want to make sure mine is the best dressed! The Woodsfolk have a great range, but there are so many cutesie ones out there.

I've been coveting these Celine sunglasses for a while now and am trying to get Mum to cave and buy them for me before Christmas so I can wear them to the cricket this weekend. She's adamant I need to wait until Christmas #firstworldproblems

Market shopping is one of my favourite things to do in the world. If I could swan around all day with a baguette and bunch of fresh flowers in my basket, I'd be the happiest girl on the planet. Lady Chatterley's Affair has just brought out the most fun Portobello Road Baskets that would make market shopping such an adventure. I've got my eye on the pink and green one (aka 'Watermelon Fizz') #hinthint

Food is always a safe bet with me as a gift. I love to give it and I love to receive it. I'm desperate to try out a famous Lune croissant and am psyching myself up to battle the early morning crowds over Summer. I'm trying to work out the best way to get around the queues and think maybe I've struck gold - a Lune Lab experience. Did someone say three courses of croissants? Yes please!

I'm all out of perfume and I feel like a half human. Dramatic, yes. Time to restock my Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia - let's go for the big bottle this time!

I am desperate for some new champagne flutes. Now that I'll be out on my own and it will be so much easier to entertain, I'll need some nice flutes for all that cheersing! I adore the stemless variety they use at Ombra. Can someone kindly track them down for me, please? And the recipe for the eggplant fritte while you're at it!

I'm loving my Spotify beats like noone's business and am struggling with the playback through my handset. Time to invest in some proper speakers - my old ones were for an ancient iPad and my new phone doesn't fit. Apple is infuriating like that. These Bose ones will do just nicely!

My current laundry bag is . . . my bedroom floor so it's time to get my grown up on and invest in some proper storage solutions. I'm open to suggestions, but I want it to look pretty in my room. Not like the blue, white and red striped bogan bag I use when Mum and Dad come to visit (because surely that's a step up from the floor?).

And there we have it. Kate's epic wish list for Christmas 2015.

I might add a few more down the track but it's a start (are you reading this, Mum?)

xx

Material things

It's become a bit of a tradition that I write a 'birthday wishlist' every year. I even had a friend ask at dinner the other night what was on this year's - she was disappointed I hadn't yet blogged it.

I do feel very smug and self indulged and greedy putting together such a list, but it is fun to imagine what you would do if you had all the money in the world. And we all love a bit of escapism. And {virtual} retail therapy.

So I present you with this year's collection.

What Kate wants for her insignificant 32nd birthday.

2XU leggings

I've never spent money on workout gear before - instead settling for Big W homebrand leggings and singlets. But I've been doing a lot more running and yoga and even fit barre and I think it's time I invested in some quality gear. Who knows who I could run into on the Tan?

Strictly Ballroom tickets

I love Baz and I love all things bold and bright. I think this would be fun. Time to embrace some 'culture'

Dirty Dancing tickets

Noone puts Baby in the corner. See above re 'culture'.
**Ha, are you laughing that I consider these two things culture? I know it's not ballet or opera or an art gallery, but pop culture is still culture, right?!

New earrings

I get so many comments on my bling so wouldn't say no to adding to my Lady Chatterley's Affair collection. Earrings can really make an outfit - especially when I'm decked out in Melbourne all black.

Champagne flutes

I really want some nice champagne flutes. Those delicate tulip type ones. I have IKEA stems and they do the job, but I'm sick of living like a uni student, I'm turning 32 and I want nice things. I'm just not so sure my housemates can be trusted

#thejoysofhouseshare

#imtoooldforthis

Perfume
I'm all out of perfume. All my bottles are empty. And I feel kind of lost, I'm out of whack. I'm typically a Stella McCartney loyal but she's discontinued my fragrance! Devastating. I am a longstanding Romance fan, but the bottle's run dry so I feel like I should mix it up. Opportunity to try something. I've fallen in love with a friend's Jo Malone perfume {can't remember which flavour though} - is it wrong to copy her? I don't see her that often. I've sent a text off . . . stay tuned!

**Update - Sophie just messaged me back, it's Jo Malone English pear and freesia. I will be heading in to DJs this week to try it on myself.

A mini break
I need a holiday. And not just a weekend back in Adelaide. I love those trips - don't get me wrong - but they're not relaxing and I find them hard. I need to do something new and fresh. Maybe a weekend in Sydney? Or a week in Hong Kong? Brisbane! Shopping, eating and smiling.

A partner in crime.

Mum and I joked at Christmas how it was so refreshing that after all these years, I could finally leave a boyfriend off my list for Father Christmas. It was such a small thing, but I felt so secure. Well friends, put him back on this year. How quickly things change.

***

I've got lunch with the girls on my actual birthday in two weeks time. Two weeks today. Oprah tells me I need to embrace getting older.

"You're not the same woman you were a decade ago; if you're lucky, you're not the same woman you were last year. The whole point of aging, as I see it, is change. If we let them, our experiences can keep teaching us about ourselves. I celebrate that. Honour it. Hold it in reverence. And I'm grateful for every age I'm blessed to become."

Maybe she's on to something.

Egg-cellent

Did you know Haighs has an online shop?

Yeah, they do!

Have just loaded up my credit card . . . a truly horrible and unfair task on a fast day.

Shop your little hearts out here.

#sagreat

LIKEtoKNOW:IT

I love the thought of being an entrepreneur. Identifying a hole in the market and solving a problem.

Well, it's hats off to the team behind LIKEtoKNOW:IT, a new program that taps into instagram to connect consumers with retailers through the power of fashion bloggers.

It's so simple, why didn't I think of it? (Um, because I'm an IT nufty who lacks any motivation!)

What is it, I hear you ask?

Basically, you know what it's like when you see a gorgeous dress in an instagram pic and wonder 'where did you get that? Well, now you can not only find out where they got it, but get a link straight through to wherever they bought it. Brilliant!

And the best bit? They're mostly American labels which I've never heard of. It's like opening the door to a secret garden . . . so many brands at your fingertips.

You might have you noticed the little www.liketk.it URLs appearing in the description of some of your favourite instagrammers. This is gold, people. 

But how do you tap into this fabulous new world of online shopping? Super dooper easily, my friends.

The basic steps are below . . .

1. Sign up for LIKEtoKNOW.IT here
2. Like an Instagram photo with a www.liketk.it link at the bottom (ie double tap)
3. Receive ready-to shop product links via email (it'll change your world)

My inbox is FULL of emails from liketk.it,  I'm like a 'like' addict on Instagram now. It's opened up a whole new world to me - a dangerous and potentially expensive world - but a fun one.

Go forth and prosper, ladies xx

Adore-able

One thing I miss about living in my own home, is the freedom to decorate a shared space in your own taste.

I took great pride in my coffee table stack in my living room in the Rads, but my share house in Melbourne doesn't have a coffee table, nor the support of my housemates to extend my penchant for the colour pink beyond my bedroom.

So I was over the moon when my gorgeous friend Kelly (mother of the world's cutest Godson, Max) gave me the new Adore coffee table book for my birthday. It's pink and it's gold and it's fabulous.

And it's the perfect addition to my little sanctuary upstairs at home.

My friend Melissa and I went along to the launch at West Elm on Chapel Street (eeek, papped above!) and it was lovely to meet Loni . . . and enjoy a glass of bubbles or two. Kelly flew over that weekend and we joined Loni on the Adore Home Shopping Tour around Melbourne.

What a brilliant day we had discovering hidden gems in my adopted home. I was all over the shopping haunts in Radelaide, but out of the loop in Melbourne, so this was the perfect way to get my bearings and find new faves.

Lunch was also delicious!

The highlight for me was Montebello Emporium in Camberwell. Tina, you will love it here! I picked up a gorgeous box of Liberty notecards and they have heaps of Kate Spade stationery in stock.

It was a huge day of shopping and I've made lots of notes of where I want to go back - present shopping will be so much easier now that I've found my feet!

Check out the loot I picked up - and most of it was from the generous goody bags from Adore and Safari Living.

V spoilt.

Thanks for making it an Adore-able birthday, Kelly!

xx

Togs on

Mum just messaged me to say 'don't forget your bathers'.

 

It's 38 in Radelaide today after a few days of 40+ heat. Love it! Will be a nice change from Melbourne's schitzo weather. I just hope there are no ducks in the pool, Dad . . . .

 

But on the bather front, I'm a  bit nervous. Michelle Bridges hasn't really kicked in yet, but there's nothing a bottle of fake tan and a piece of underwire can't fix.

 

Yes, that's right. Underwire.

 

Enter Megan Gale's isola collection. D cup support, ladies. It's like wearing a bra in the pool . . . the girls are very happy!

 

Lady Chatterley's Affair herself was spotted in a gorgeous pair of togs on a recent trip to Noosa and further investigation (aka stalking) led to the discovery she was coveting the isola brand.

 

So I hotfooted it into DJs (on a card members night, thank you very much for the discount!!!) and secured my own fancy one piece.

 

 

 

Will look fabulous with my new LCA hat, oui!?

 

Keep cool, kidlets!

 

Disclaimer: This is NOT me modelling. In my dreams!

 

 

All wrapped up

 

I love Christmas!

 

And I applaud a brand that embraces the season tastefully and in style.

 

Enter Jo Malone.

 

Is this campaign just beautiful!? So subtle yet aspirational.

 

On a side note, how good is online shopping? I have just bought five presents for my loved ones in my lunch break. Plus (clever me), I'm getting them all shipped to Mum and Dad's place in Adelaide so I don't have to lug them home in my suitcase.

 

Note to my mother: Do not open any of these parcels!

 

What are your go-to online shops for Christmas inspiration? I can't share mine on here just yet - I tend to buy from each brand directly so would spoil any surprises if I shared, but I do have to say that David Jones is great at the moment, free shipping for orders over $50 (which isn't hard to reach!).

 

Ready, set, SHOP!

 

** Update: I have since purchased another four presents online overnight. Talk about efficient! My life saving solution to all the world's problems is Lady Chatterley's Affair - from my best friend to my Godson to my sister-in-law, Tina has the answers. I've also indulged in some Brown Button Trading fun for my work KK present. Other winners I can share without spoiling any surprises include Mecca Cosmetica, isubscribe and Jurlique. hard to find has also been a goldmine and I'm popping into Burch & Purchese in my lunchbreak today to grab a few sweet treats (I decided to pop into the store rather than buy online because they give out free samples in store. Cheeky!)

 

I think it's safe to say I'm singlehandedly keeping the economy afloat.

Oh, and I drive a Holden.



Make me a match

It's happening again . . .

"Kate, write a list otherwise I won't know what to get you!"

Remember my birthday instructions for dear old Susie Q? Well, she did well and I ticked a few things off my carefully curated list.

And now it's Christmas and I'm kind of stuck for inspiration.

Until, that is, I got an email from Matchbook magazine last week announcing the launch of its boutique.

 Ah-mazing is an understatement.

I'd be happy with one of everything, oh to live such a charmed life!

Shop for yourself here . . .

PS. And Mum - in case you're still hunting for inspiration, there are some options left on my birthday list that are yet to be ticked off, namely my Longchamp, coffee machine and frying pan (hint hint) xo

hard to find but easy to read

I love a new online magazine find!

Hats off to the team at hard to find - their marketing is fabulous and they have certainly got my attention.

If it's not the beautifully presented catalogues that come in my monthly mag, then it's the daily email updates I get that brighten my day.

Their styling is awesome and their offerings so fresh. 

So it was no surprise that their latest venture is so spot on the mark.

htf. magazine is truly beautiful. And clever. Sure, there's lots of product placement but they've done it so intelligently. It's not all 'look at us, we're so great', it's more subtle and classy and I'm impressed.

Click here to read their launch issue.

Pop goes the weasel

Have you heard?

It's so exciting!

Brown Button Trading is going 'real life'!

The gorgeous Kimberlee is holding a Pop Up Shop in a few weeks' time, perfect lead up to Christmas.

She'll have all the BBT goodies we know and love, pre-wrapped to make your life easier.

And did I mention there'll be bubbles!? Perfect.

If you're in the Adelaide hood, drop Kimbo an email and she'll send you through all the deets so you can head along.

Spring in my step

Spring is in the air, can you feel it?

Went for a walk on the weekend to buy some supplies for winetime and struggled to find a bag suitable to carry my groceries home in.

Settled on my bagladies Adelaide bag (which I love because I can wear it over the shoulder) but it's a bit deep and hard to find your keys and phone at the bottom!

I dream of looking oh so effortlessly chic on my weekend shopping adventures. Like a Parisienne, with a baguette poking out the top of my shopping basket, plus a big bunch of flowers, possibly a bottle of bubbles . . . and even a little puppy if you so desire.

Enter Lady Chatterley's Affair and her totes gorge shopping baskets. AND they're environmentally friendly. Score.

I have ordered the pink one and am desperate for it to arrive so I can take it blossom hunting with me. Found some good solid trees on my weekend walk and it would feel far less criminal in the dark of the night with my scissors at the ready, if I had a pretty pink basket at my side!

Get one for yourself here

Pics here and here

Green and gold

Do you think Country Road's hero image is subtly paying tribute to our Aussie athletes in London?

I am love love love loving their fresh Spring looks.

Lots of pastels, lots of classics and lots of golden oldies with tailored shirts, gorgeous denim and pretty dresses.

Go the green and gold!

Seriously spot-on

I'd like this to be my uniform for The Polkadot Pantry.

Oh so chic.

And the perfect shade of not-too-red lippy.

TGIF!

Get your hands on this J.Crew pretty here

Watershed

Stumbled across a new artist today thanks to Camille Styles and her pins.

Love this work by Katie Rodgers of Paperfashion. Her watercolours are beautiful.

What a great idea to do iPhone covers. And I love that you can buy her original paintings as well as prints. Art is something I really want to start investing in. Wish I had more walls to decorate. I've failed miserably with my cluster wall and am still yet to hang my For Like Ever print. 

Anyone good with a hammer and nail?!