League of their own

I'm back in the Rads for one of my dearest friend's Hen's Days. It's going to be a hoot - Ivy League themed. 

I might have had a little something to do with that flavour, hard to believe, hey? 

But most importantly, it totally suits the bride and I think she'll love it.

Ladies, let me indulge in some preppy deliciousness for a moment. Blazers, ties, lots of stripes, cardis over the shoulders, chambray, spots . . . do I need to go on?

Above and beyond all this fun, I've also stocked up on Lady Chatterley's Affair and Kiel James Patrick for the occasion. My suitcase is a beautiful rainbow of pinks, lemon, salmon, aqua, kelly green and navy. Still not sure what I'm going to wear on the day, but I'll be sure to post some pics soon.

Bottoms up!

Zooey good

These are my pics for the best dressed at the Emmys.

I could quite easily slip into any of them, but Zooey takes the cake in that pink number. Understated yet makes a statement, classic yet modern. Perfection!

Check out the rest of the red carpet talent here.

Sailing away

A friend of mine from work is going sailing this long weekend. 

She laughed when I sent her this photo and asked if this is the type of sailing she had in mind.

No, she insisted she wasn't just a 'passenger' and actually got her hands dirty!

What are you up to this weekend? 

I have four sets of VIP friends visiting Melbs from all over. It's a bit crazy!

Tonight is dinner with my oldest friend and and her sister who's visiting from Adelaide; then Sunday I've got golf and drinks with my favourite bride-to-be and the girls (one of which is driving up from the country and the other flying in from Radelaide); then Monday is a juggling act between my Godson and his famillia who are also over from the Rads, and a friend from school who is visiting with her little fam from Canberra.

Can't say I lead a dull life!

Happy long weekend. Thank you Queen Lizzie for having a birthday xx

Chin chin!

A dear friend of mine is living in London and I saw on Facebook yesterday that she was enjoying Pimms at the Polo.

Perfect day ever.

Then I saw Miss T's recent post featuring a high society lunch in New York, care of Ann Street Studio's blog. What a visionary explosion of prep and pretty, folks!

Exploring Ann Street Studio's blog further, I was blinded by the beauty of yet another high society event - once again at the Polo. And in New York, no less. Stunning.

Now that I'm in Melbourne, I need to start working my contacts to secure a ticket at next year's Portsea Polo. Ha, what are my chances!?

Pics from Ann Street Studio

Like sand through the hourglass

Talk about living the American dream.

Sarah Vickers and Kiel James Patrick (and their entourage) live a storybook life - if their blogs are anything to go by.

I'd quite happily swap my wardrobe for Sarah's - her outfits are perfection. Classically simple. And her hair's always effortlessly chic.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall to see what they really get up to in their everyday life. Do they lead as much a charmed life as their carefree photos suggest?

In the meantime, I'll stay fixed to the computer screen for daily updates of their dreamboat life.

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

Colour it up

Photo courtesy Mink Studio

How I love a wedding! Especially when it's a celebration of a very special union between the best of friends. We had a gorgeous weekend at the beach a few months back - affectionately known as the "Festivus" - in honour of S&B, but I'm not going to go into details of the wedding - I just couldn't do it justice.

I do, however, want to talk about the bold use of pattern in the groomsmen's shirts. I LOVE colour and pattern and things slightly left of centre and applaud the boys' use of checked shirts with their suits.

Gorgeous navy and white check. It was stunning. Beats a boring old white shirt any day of the week.

Why don't boys experiment with colour more?

Love the pink and white bowties in the bridal party below. 

Show me some colour!

Oh hello, Kayce Hughes. You heard my cries!

Look at this gorgeous collection of ties and bowties she's just released. They are droolworthy. I LOVE them! If only I had a boy to dress up - the pink and geometric one matches the shirt dress I bought from Kayce Hughes last year. How sweet! Maybe a bit OTT . . . but cute all the same. ADORE the florals!

Not many Australian boys could pull off this look, but how I wish they'd experiment with colour a bit more and take a leaf out of the American book of Prep!

Preppy heaven

I swear I was supposed to be a high pony tail wearing, petite cheerleader type, blonde, preppy sorority girl in another life!

Emma knows me too well and introduced me to yet another deliciously pink and pretty tumblr last week. 

Monograms and Manicures.

How is a girl supposed to get anything done with so many distractions!?

Look at those pretties. 

It's definitely a very American look, isn't it? We're much more casual and 'sensible' in our style down here.

Floating my boat

With Matchbook mag hot off the e-press and so many new collections arriving in store (can you tell I've just been on my lunch break and just got paid!?), I've been seriously inspired to revamp my wardrobe.

Top of the list include . . .

J.Crew Maritime Dress

Oroton essentials bow ballet flats - in pink of course

On a side note - I did try on some ah-mazing leopard print Oroton ballet flats in DJs but I can't find them online ANYWHERE! Lusting for them like you wouldn't believe, so might have to head back tomorrow . . .

Marinoni pewterware at David Jones - I want this fruit bowl so badly

And they had the CUTEST cup and saucer that I've ever seen. Not Royal Albert cute (because we all know I love a floral and tonnes of pink), but more industrial, quirky, Tuscan cute

And this Lilly Pulitzer mettalic gold bow belt

Plus a set of Laguiole steak knives.

I know, I know, I'm behind the eight ball with these. They've been 'en vogue' for years and I've given so many as wedding and engagement gifts so think it's time I spoilt myself (because there sure aint a ring on this finger!)

And I just had to throw this in because I tried it last night for the first time and it was outofthisworld.

Maggie, you are my hero!

What's floating your boat at the moment?

xo

Blog crush

Classy Girls Wear Pearls.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Ms Vickers!

Take the quiz

Have you ever wondered how to put a label on your design style?

I'm still searching for those perfect few descriptive words that encapsulate my individual style. Emma's helping me fine tune it.

In the meantime, I took the iscd quiz to see what they suggest . . .

Modular Living?

This was the first one that popped up after I completed the quiz. And it couldn't have got me more wrong.

Your space is quite minimalist.

Your living spaces are simple and unadorned.

Every space is rational and reduced to your fundamental needs.

There is no need for excess.

You have got to be kidding! Have you seen my bedroom!?

Nope, not happy with that one so I took the test again and tried to sway it.

Sleek New Earth.

You love the outdoors and bring them into your living environment.

You consider the technological side of your space.

You bring trends that complement your lifestyle into your home.

Hmm, not really an outdoors girl myself but I do love big bunches of fresh flowers, so is that what they could be referring to? Not too sure about the technological side. This is the girl who still buys CDs and doesn't have an iTunes account. Oh, and I also have a VHS player. Yep.

So let's try again.

High Street Classic

You collect key pieces over time.

Rich and luxurious objects appeal to you.

Your home is a temple to all you love.

Beloved memories fill your home.

You balance function with excess.

You enjoy the finer things in life.

Trends are integrated into your home.

Okay, now we're getting there. I still don't think it's me to a tee, but an improvement on the other two.

I think I need something with 'colour' and 'preppy' or 'pop' or maybe 'barefoot elegance'. Nope, still nothing.

To borrow from the gorgeous Anna Spiro, she describes her style as 'collected, colourful, layered, comfortable, interchangeable, interesting, unexpected.'

I like that. Something to work towards.

How would you describe your style? Go on, try and wrap it up in five words or less.

Take the quiz for yourself here and create your own Magazine Cover!

I hope you have more luck than me!