I heart a Disney movie like noone's business and especially love their 'real life' adventures (not to take anything away from their animations though, of course).
Doesn't Cate Blanchett look amazing? Gorgeous costumes, hair and makeup. And Helena Bonham Carter looks like a fabulous Fairy Godmother. A bit quirky and whimsical, not the grandmotherly type that is depicted in the animation.
Did you know Kenneth Branagh is the director?
This is sure to be a hit - I need to borrow me a child to take along to the movies!
My hair has lightened. Naturally. I've done nothing to it, haven't had a colour in probably six months I reckon (and even then it was a home job) so I'm at a loss to explain how my hair looks quite light. The colour I normally go is chocolate brown and I've been known to sport a very very dark almost black colour for most of my life.
But this warmer goldy tone is working for me, I like the change. It feels more summery.
So now I'm going to take this pic of darling Rose and ask for someone to copy it. Chances of it working? Hmmm, I'm nervous. And I want more chopped off. I like it short.
Am I crazy, friends? Can someone with dark brown hair strip it and go a bit lighter? I'm not talking blonde, heavens no. Just light brown. I think my greys will be less conspicuous in lighter hair. And trust me, there are greys a'plenty.
I'm reaching out for Melbourne hairdresser recommendations - any hot tips?
Gertrude Street seems to be the go-to for stylists, but I think I'm leaning towards one in Hawthorn. Three Blind Mice. Anyone know it?
Choosing a hairdresser is hard work. Do you agree?
Have you ever had one of those ultimate weekends? Where life just can't get any better and you thank your lucky stars for all the good?
I just had one. And I'm tickled pink.
It all started on Friday night when I went to my first soccer game at AAMI Park. I'm not really into 'football' in this form, but being the sports fan I am and living in the heart of Melbourne's sports precinct, I was keen to give it a go. And Adelaide United was playing, so happy to jump on that bandwagon.
We won.
Then Saturday morning I got up bright and early and took the dog for a walk - I was housesitting in Hawthorn East which is a lovely suburb not far from my house and I cherished the opportunity to have a furry friend around. We went to get a coffee and kick start our day at 7.30am before heading over to celebrate my precious Goddaughter's first birthday with breakfast.
Love her to bits.
Her Mum Bree is a superstar and whipped up a gourmet feast to line my stomach for the day ahead. Eggs, chorizo, avocado, tomato and feta. TDF. So much fun with the kidlets.
Then it was back home to prep for Derby Day. The weather threw things into a bit of a spin and I had to rethink my hair style, but we got there in the end - thanks to a YouTube tutorial on how to do my makeup!
Looks terrible in the pic below, but it was so much fun to do and I'm led to believe it looked better in real life (albeit not much like a Victoria's Secret Angel!) . . .
Didn't Em look hot? I have such pretty friends!
Derby Day was great, we were based in The Nursery and gorged ourselves on chicken sandwiches and champagne all day. We were hosted by the gorgeous McKinnon family and I was over the moon when Clare told me her cousin reads this little old thing. Who would've thought?! I have a reader out there who isn't a blood relative or friend of my Mum's!?
Randomly bumped into my dear friend Alice on the train platform on the way home which was a gift from the Gods - I was worried we'd never manage to catch up that night.
Obligatory train selfie below . . .
Rocking the red lips, Acey!
Then Sunday was a day of rest - of sorts. I was still housesitting so indulged in a Foxtel marathon (Say Yes to the Dress is my new fave!) and then went shopping with Lill to soothe the hangover. Thank goodness for burritos.
Caught up with Alice again Sunday night for drinks at City Wine Bar then dinner at Lucy Liu's followed by nightcap at Eau de Vie.
Wow, we look tired (but so brown and gorge, Acey!)
Monday morning saw Alice get up with the sparrows at 4.30am to catch the red eye back to Brisbane and I managed a few more hours sleep before dragging myself out of bed for a run. Good girl, Kate.
Such gorgeous (and rare) weather called for lunch outdoors so Melissa and I treated ourselves to a couple of hours at Porgie & Mr Jones whilst debriefing the races. Monday night called for some serious couch time and a Breaking Bad marathon (I'm hooked - half way through Season 4. It's so addictive!).
Tuesday was a bit manic preparing for a Melbourne Cup Day BBQ with new friends - made my new favourite Ottolenghi salad (recipe to come) and drank far too much champagne. Retired to the couch for more Breaking Bad last night. I can't help myself.
And that's it! How good!? A seriously fun weekend with seriously fun people and events. Lots to add to the gratitude board.
Thank you Melbourne for your glorious public holiday (and work for the free day off on Monday!) How did your (long) weekends fare?
I particularly like the comment about her "love of quirky footwear" - a girl after my own heart . . . says me who's sitting at her desk in her terribly conservative office, rocking out in her ever so fabulous LCA twinkle toe flats. Shoes tell a lot about a girl (and a guy, mind you!)
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.
Like an Instagram photo with a www.liketk.it link at the bottom (ie double tap)
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.
Do you have some brands you just feel like you've grown up with? They're part of the furniture, your oldest, most loved, classic pieces have their names written all over them?
Remember the craze at school when everyone had to have a crew neck CR windcheater? And you went the men's style, rather than the women's, it had a band around the bottom and was a much better fit (I had both, I loved them so much!). It started with the good ol' navy and then I added olive green and cream to my collection. I think there was also a mustard and a maroon in the range? Maybe a sky blue?
Or what about CR beach towels? Having a pool in our backyard at home, we've been through our fair share of towels over the years. They are huge, and very absorobent!
And quilt covers. And coffee mugs (a staple for birthday presents for a while there - complete with box of Haigh's hot chocolate and packet of marshmallows).
It was also where I got my first ever job! I was Christmas Gift Wrapper at the Metro store at the end of 2000. I went on to have a casual sales role there into my first year at uni. The discount was great! And the training was a great platform for future jobs.
So I get the warm fuzzies when I see that they're celebrating 40 years this year. I'm not quite of the same vintage, but close, and I just loved this celebration of their 'look and feel' over the past four decades.
I have to admit though - and I don't think I'd be alone - I prefer their playfulness of the 90s compared to their modern approach in the noughties. What do you think?
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.
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!
Love Olivia's take on the bridal gown. Okay, so it's not what I'd go for, but I love it all the same. The touch of blue, the luxe fabrics, the perfect pony. Oh, and the gorgeous handbag in hubby Johannes Huebl.
She's opening her doors tomorrow . . . in Melbourne. Yes, Melbourne. Where I live!
After much anticipation, Emporium is throwing open its doors and welcoming a bucketload of international designers to our shores. Uniqlo, Zoo York and Brooks Brothers are just some of the big names to be settling into my 'hood.
So much fashionable fun to be had in Melbs of late. I haven't even been to H&M yet, and am still in 'tourist' mode whenever I walk through Zara's doors. But Kate Spade? My mecca, my safe haven, my happy place. Only 15 mins away from my office and home. Too much. I'm giddy.
Such good timing with my birthday only two weeks away. Friends and family, you know what to do.
Seeing her rocking the red makes me want to experiment with this colour more.
But is anyone else as alarmed as me by how loose her engagement ring is?
Girl, get a grip on that thing! You don't want it sliding off!
And George. Gush. How exciting for the little cherubs who get to play with him today - well, exciting for their mothers at least.
Can you imagine the stress over what to wear to this play date? I bet there's not a sneaker nor trackpant in sight . . . although, it is New Zealand (he he he, that's just for you Lou and Bridge!)
xx
PS. Are you following the Royals on Facebook? I am loving it sick, as it's all the official pics. So formal and fabulous!
Okay, so we've all seen it already but I couldn't help myself.
I do get a bit gushy with a gorgeous country landscape. Just wish dear old Isabel had a gorgey brother we could perve on. Nothing like a bloke in RMs, moleskins and an Akubra to get the heart racing.
I digress.
This is my pick from the collection. My friend Alice had already emailed it through to me before the Country Road email landed in my inbox. We are on the same page, this Alice and I.
I want to get a felt hat for Winter. I think it will be very 'Melbourne' of me - but I don't want to look like a try-hard. The name on everyone's lips is lack of color (the spelling annoys me, especially because it's an Australian brand) so I'm keen to invest and experiment. Surely black is safe and I'll totes look the part? Yay or neigh, friends?
Speaking of hats and looking the part, think I need one of these beauties for the footy (don't mention Sunday's game, but we can talk about the Showdown for a bit longer yet can't we!?)
Question is, which colour? Isn't Tina a scream? Couldn't ask for a better model for Lady Chatterley's Affair than the pretty lady herself.
Beat the rush and get your mitts on a beanie yourself here.
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.
I'm always on the hunt for clever ad campaigns and love what Burberry has done with Google recently.
Maybe it's because I'm a romantic at heart, or maybe it's because I'm a proud owner of a new Burberry trench (which I must add, I got dirty with makeup today - any tips for how to get it off the collar? Grrrr!)
Check this out . . .
Isn't it sweet?
You can read more about it on the Google Blog here or check out the Burberry Kisses website here.
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!?
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.
I love food. I love entertaining. I especially love the colour pink. So The Polkadot Pantry is a collection of all of my favourite things, all wrapped up in a pretty bundle to inspire and entertain.
Magnolia Bakery, steak on the barbie, candlelit dinners, Sunday roasts, Croatian summers, Pimms at the cricket, Notting Hill markets, Maggie Beer ice cream. This is me and the things I love.
