Blush is the new black

Have I been sleeping under a rock?

Blair Waldorf is getting married?!

I nearly choked on my cuppa tea when I got my XO Vera Wang update today.

Looks like I've got some heavy duty couch time coming up with some Gossip Girl downloading a serious priority over the next week or so. How could I be so out of touch!?

Oh that's right, I moved out of Mum and Dad's and as a result, farewelled Foxtel!

Back to the main issue here . . . the frocks.

Love love LOVE the Vera Wang blush rose pink bridesmaid dresses. Gorgeous gorgeous colour. Tough competition for my all time favey champagne colour. Can't wait to see Serena in all those marshmallowy layers.

Congratulations on 100 episodes, Gossip Girl.

"Ex oh, ex oh"

Est is good

Hmm, no surprises what I'll be getting up to tonight.

After Zumba, of course . . .

Est

Blog crush

Classy Girls Wear Pearls.

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

A bite of the little apple

Safe travels to the gorgeous Bree and darling Miss Grace who are setting off for a year-long island adventure tonight.

Okay, probs sounds a bit more glamourous than it is but Bree's hubby has been shipped down to Hobart for a year as part of his orthopaedic surgery studies so Bree's been busy packing up their cute Melbourne digs for a Tasmanian exchange.

Can't wait to visit - I don't know the first thing about Hobart.

Any must see/dos, people!?

xo

Pinterest

Puppy love

Headed to Strathalbyn for work last week and jumped for joy when my boss suggested we check out the antique shops on the High Street.

Strath is known for its antiques and I was impressed by what it had to offer. It wasn't all high end pieces of ridiculously overpriced furniture, it had some really quirky affordable finds and I'll definitely be back there with a bigger car boot very soon!

Anyway, the point I'm getting to is that I've fallen in love with Staffordshire dogs. I'm not sure how it happened nor why, but I'm overcome with a love for the little creatures. 

I think I have Anna Spiro to blame. She incorporates them into a modern vignette so effortlessly and with such fun.

And once you've got something in your mind, it's all you can think about. I searched high and low for a pair  on High Street and found a few potential candidates. I think I'll have to take Jourdanne for a drive to help me adopt some puppies of my own. This seems like her sort of thing. Knowing my luck (and complete lack of design knowledge), I'll probably come home with a set of cats if I'm left on my own!

Pics here and here

Excellent export

Happy Australia Day!

Who better to celebrate with than Hugh Jackman!?

xo

Pinterest

Pears and Bears

There's something about American fashion.

You guys just do 'classic' and 'preppy' and 'fun' so well!

Emma found this amazing designer for me and it was love at first sight.

Kayce Hughes | Pears and Bears

Am currently trying to work out how to ship internationally.

Heart doing somersaults over that geometric frill shirt dress.

It's the most wonderful time of the year . . .

If only this photo was better.

Today was the first day of the Adelaide Test Match and my most favourite day of the year.

I love love love love the cricket - the Pimms tent, the sprawling lawns, the picket fence, the baggy green, the boys in loafers . . . I digress.

Unless you've experienced the back of the Members for yourself, you can't even start to imagine how much fun it is. As a friend's Dad once said in reference to her membership payment "it's the most expensive entry fee you'll ever pay to a pub".

But oh, it's worth it!

Today I went with my Dad and actually watched most of the afternoon session. As much as I love the fun and frivolity out the back, I do insist that I watch some live action out the front on the first day.

Australia Day on Thursday though . . . that's a whole other story!

Pimms anyone?!

Hermes-ing

1. Shoe bags

2. Hmm, which to choose?!

3. Polka dot happy!

4. Hermes Managing Director Karin Upton Baker

5. Sandcastle

6. Say cheese!

Hermes is at it again.

Their third annual beach party was last Wednesday and photos are slowly leaking out from the who's who of Australia's A-List.

Features of the night include a 'shoecierge' who took your shoes and stored them in gorgeous little Hermes shoe bags; a giant 'H' swingset; and a mystical mirrored entrance which made for some fun pics (see April Rose Pengilly for her take on the mirrors)

Oh what I'd do for an invite!

Pics here: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Paula's pad

Have you lovelies ever stumbled across pics of Paula Joye's pad?

I found her blog for the first time tonight (yes, home on a Saturday night - savour the moment!) and really loved her unpretentious, simple, "lived in" home.

The photo wall (shelves) and gorgeous blue couches are the stand outs for me. Also love her styling of the palm fronds - they're a cool British Raj vibe (is that right, Emma?!)

See the full gallery here.

Elements of Style

For someone like me who aspires to be an effortlessly chic gal about town, this new Saba wheel has me excited.

Saba's Elements of Style is an easy way to break down the key components of your wardrobe.

Focus on key staples in each of the octagons and bam! You have a simple yet versatile wardrobe that can take you from day to night, casual to glam in a second.

Check out more here

Power to the pony

Having worked in a top tier law firm, I am well aware of the woman who wants to be one of the men.

She wants to be seen as an equal, given the same opportunities and rewarded on her merits.

She even shakes hands like a bloke.

But in doing so, are we 'betraying our girlhood'?

Clementine Ford poses this question in a thought provoking article here.

I'm a girly girl, there's no doubt about it. Bows, pearls, ponytails, pink lippy and frills.

And I think it's fair to say my fellow bloggers are girly girls too.

But what's to say a girly girl can't kick goals in this big scary world of ours? Look at Quentin Bryce for example. She's the epitome of style and success. And she's a lady.

So let's embrace it, don't hide it, and be kind to our friends who feel the need to squash their penchant for pink.

They'll thank you when they discover the perfection of a ladylike cup of tea out of fine bone china (once they get over the rose print!).

xo

Pic from Pinterest thanks to Daily Cup of Couture

move, eat, learn

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

I've got the itch.

I need to travel.

Again.

Loving this new viral 60 sec film by a group of Aussies . . .

3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food ....into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films.....

= a trip of a lifetime.

move, eat, learn

PS. Did anyone else recognise the guy in the film as Chase from Rescue Special Ops? He's a bit gorge, hey!

Meat your maker

The meat-eater in me is having a 'beat my chest' proud moment again.

Came across a fabulous article on the urban grocer that listed the top five butchers - sorry, 'meat boutiques' - in the world.

Yay for Victor Churchill in Sydney that was rated #1

"In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a new rock star in the culinary world: the butcher. For years this trend has been on the rise as increasingly demanding foodies pass on the pre-boxed supermarket pork chops and look towards sustainable offal and locally-raised meats where they can indulge on everything from nose-to-tail."

When's the last time you actually went to the butcher for your meat rather than picking up a polystyrene tray wrapped in plastic from the supermarket? 

It's actually a really rewarding experience - butchers are nice blokes! And they're so helpful. I don't know my shoulders from my fillets from my backstraps (sorry Dad - I've failed you as daughter of a meat wholesaler!) but ask the jolly old man over the counter and he'll be sure to point you in the right direction - complete with cooking instructions and ideas for great marinades or accompaniments.

Head to your local 'meat boutique' this Australia Day and like Sam, celebrate the tradition with Lamb . . . "it's fantastic!"

(Is it just me or are these Lamb ads getting more outrageous every year?! What will they think of next!?)

Some light relief

If anyone else is like me, you're looking for some fresh, light food to help escape the oppressive heat and spring back from a far too indulgent festive season!

I made a scrummy salmon and couscous dinner the other night - but I have to confess I pan friend the salmon (in the lightest spray of olive oil) rather than steaming it (which I know is so much better for me) but I was craving the crunchy outside and soft middle of the lusciously pink fish, so frying it was.

As for the couscous, I made a fab salad for a BBQ with friends on Monday night and enjoyed the leftovers the next day. A simple but packed-with-flavour take on the versatile accompaniment.

Summer couscous

Serves 4-6

1 cup uncooked couscous

1 cup boiling water

handful of craisins (dried cranberries)

handful of pistacchios, chopped

zest of one orange

juice of one orange

1 tspn dijon mustard

1 tbspn olive oil

1 tbspn red wine vinegar

handful of coriander, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1. Put the dry couscous in a bowl and pour the boiling water over the top. Cover with a tea towel and set aside. Leave for 5-10 minutes then fluff with a fork to make sure water is absorbed and grains can be separated.
2. While couscous is still warm, pour half of the orange juice over the couscous and mix through with fork.
3. Add coriander, pistacchios, craisins and orange zest to couscous and mix through.
4. To make the dressing, combine the olive oil, rest of the orange juice, red wine vinegar and dijon mustard in a separate bowl/jug and season to taste. Adjust amounts according to your own preferences.
5. Pour dressing over couscous salad just before serving and mix through. Serve with extra coriander springs on top.

Wicksteadly wonderful wedding

Be still my beating heart.

Is this the most perfect wedding you've ever laid eyes on?

The fabulously gorgeous Daily Cup of Couture featured this spread from Vogue UK which celebrated London-based designer Emma Wickstead's Tuscan nuptials.

The champagne coloured bridesmaid dresses had me at hello.

And the pearl beading on her dress, which she later swapped for an elegantly simple Givenchy inspired number, was perfection.

And that skirt!

Instant new girl crush.

Emma, do you have a brother?!

See Daily Cup of Couture for the low-down and of course check out the full gallery at Vogue UK

Pics care of Vogue UK

life.style

She's back . . . and as entertaining as ever!

Loving Kate's life.style blog on AdelaideNow

A bright, sunny and oh-hells-it-hit-forty-on-the-thermostat-so-quick-it-took-my-breath-away hallo to you all life.stylers! I hope your time away (if you were an escapee like me!) was stupendous, if a little sweaty. But it’s a new year now, and I’m back with a bit of a blog about good shiz that I have seen around the place, and where you can make like a truffle-hunting dog and, um, sniff them out.

Read the rest of her post here . . . she manages to make 'fripples' and 'strung hams' and 'phone cards' very entertaining!

Dear Kate

The gorgeous Miss Kate turns 30 today.

Didn't she look elegant in her Alice Temperley gown on the red carpet last night at the premiere of Steven Spielberg's War Horse? I can't wait to see the movie, but fear it'll be another Marley & Me, Red Dog tearjerker.

Anyway, as my big 3-0 draws closer (17 months and counting), I thought this little article in The Telegraph was a lovely little reflection on what it means to enter your fourth decade.

"Dear Kate Middleton, the best is yet to come

As the Duchess of Cambridge turns 30, we ask 15 wise women for their advice to a girl embarking on that important fourth decade. (No pressure, then, Kate.)"

 

I love Jilly Cooper's flashback - only she who indulges in high society scandals in her fabulously decadent novels - could wish she'd 'gone to bed with half of London'!

Read the article here

. . . and then take a deep breath and realise everything will be okay.

Pic

If you can't handle the heat . . .

There's something special about homemade pizzas in Summer by the pool. 

I was over at Mum and Dad's last weekend during the heatwave in the Rads. They have a pool, airconditioning and Foxtel. What more can I say?

After a long afternoon watching movies in the air con and interchanging from the couch to the pool and back again, the clock ticked over to 5pm which signalled happy hour. Every week Mum and Dad's next door neighbour pops over for end/start of week drinks. His wife joined in the fun this week as well, so Mum and I sat out with them on the lawn and sweltered over a few ciders (Dirty Granny is our tipple of choice at the mo).

Noone felt like cooking so I offered to try and replicate the fabulous pizzas that Ad knocked up on Kangaroo Island. Light, easy and quick.

Check out Ad's recipe here.

They were easy as pie to whip up as I used pita bases. Ready in no time.

We had good intentions of sitting by the pool and dangling our feet while we feasted . . . but it was too hot to sit on the pavers so we stayed inside!

Oh the joys of an Australian Summer!

Birthday boy

Sam, Mum and me admiring Granny's gorgeous Christmas tree in 1986

Sam and me with Dad. Gosh, he used to have a good head of hair!

Sam (in the yellow) with me and our cousins. I LOVED my outfit!

Happy birthday to my little brother, Sam!

You know you're old when you start saying things that begin with 'I remember when . . .' but I can't help it!

I remember when I was the 'big girl', the grown up, the more mature one . . .

And now here he is, 27 today and all growed up - complete with gorgeous wife, great job, big family home, three dogs, caravan and a perfect baby daughter.

And I have a hangover.

How times change!

Happy birthday Sambo xo

Ring a ding ding

This is how I rang in the new year.

With cosmopolitans and guava champagne cocktails.

With bite sized canapes and exploding Lindt balls (hello 44 degree weather!)

 And with fabulous friends . . . including two month old Harrison.

What a total sweetheart. Gush!

Hope you all celebrated in style! 

Happy 2012 x

Triflelicious

I've long been a fan of trifle, but so many of my friends cringe when I own up to this penchant.

They tell me it's so old school, stodgy and blah.

So thrilled to see that Mrs Lilien is putting the sexy back into trifle this Summer!

And a rhyming trifle with GLITTER? Well, now that's something special!

Desperate for a dazzlingly decadent dessert revival? Look no further than my sumptuous raspberry-glam trifle! Nothing screams nostalgic quite like this delicious showstopper; the ultimate grand finale after dinner chart topper! This trifle is a great alternative to something predictable and chocolaty; that, and the presentation is rather resplendent when executed properly. At your next formal dinner gathering you ought to place my trifle on the table, then proceed to watch your guests lick their glittering plates all gluttonously and grateful!

Mrs. Lilien's Raspberry-Glam Trifle

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup seedless raspberry jam
4 cups raspberries
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup mascarpone
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 pounds pound cake
1/4 cup gold edible glitter

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small saucepan, bring 1/2-cup sugar, 1/4-cup water, and lemon juice to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool.
2. 2.In a small bowl, combine jam with 3 cups raspberries, mashing slightly. In a large bowl, whip cream, mascarpone, vanilla and 2 tablespoons sugar to stiff peaks.
3. Slice pound cake 3/4 inch thick; brush both sides of slices with lemon syrup.
4. Fit 1/3 of slices snugly in the bottom of a 4-quart trifle dish or other glass bowl, trimming edges if necessary. Gently spread top of layer with 1/3 of raspberry mixture, and then 1/3 of whipped cream.
5. Repeat to make two more layers; garnish with remaining cup raspberries and sprinkle with gold edible glitter. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Found via the Glitter Guide

A day on the high seas

What better way to sign off your Christmas holidays than with a gorgeous day on the high seas?

The fabulous Sally and Tim played Captain and Crew for Kimberlee and myself last week with a fun-filled afternoon on their boat, Salambao. 

Oh, and don't forget Able Seadog Wally. Good boy.

We ate and drank ourselves silly with yummy sandwiches (yes of course, the classic chicken sandwich was on the menu, plus Christmas ham and wholegrain mustard, and smoked salmon with cucumber and cream cheese) as well as cheese and dips and wine spritzers and bellinis and zucchini burgers.

Best. Day. Of Summer.

Oh, and I wore my seasick bracelets. And felt fine. Yay for me!