In The Schedule

Hope this week has been a pleasant one for you all... here some links I found during some scouring over the web -

+  Awash with warm breezes and sunny skies this lovely editorial of lots of white, sunwashed and pale hues from the Spring collections features the beautiful Joan Smalls - via WSJ here.   If it was warmer here, I think I'd be wearing alot of these pale looks too.

+ Jimmy Choo has launched an interactive website where you can upload your look of the day (featuring a piece of Jimmy Choo of course!) and join dozens of gorgeous girls from Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Sydney and other places proudly pounding the pavement in their Choo's!    Style is very global!  View some images and get ready to share your look here.

+ Just admiring the look of this not so traditional Hampton's home via Elle Decor.  The light fixtures are amazing and that backyard is too!  A little bit vintage, a little bit designer and lots and lots of money later - this renovation is just so sophisticated.   I think it looks like a movie set ...

+  If perfume and fragrance is your thing and a trip to Versailles is on the cards, you much check out this 'perfume paradise' called Jardins des Senteurs.  Visit the fragranced garden and 'learn about the work of the noses behind the jus'; caress limited edition by four luxury fragrance brands only found here; taste a floral inspired macaroon, enclose your hand in a perfumed glove from Maison Fabre or sample the exclusive Guerlain scent in homage to Marie-Antoinette.  I think this might be the perfect trip for a ladies day out right?  More details via Vogue Fr here.


Enjoy your weekend... and may the sun shine wherever you are!

Layer upon layer

What do you wear when you leave the house and its 5degrees outside?  While the weather might appear just refreshing and cool to some of my northern hemisphere readers... for me, it's tipping on freezing!

Remember when Garance mused on the effects of taking your blanket everywhere and wearing it as a cape (nice idea!)... but a little impractical behind the wheel of a car right?

Layers and layers, that's the only thing you can do.   So today I left the house with warm socks inside my suede booties, my black jeans tucked into my boots, a few layers of short sleeve tshirt, long sleeve top and long knit jumper, a collared cable knit wrap held together like a jacket with a thin belt and for the first time this year gloves!  And keeping all these textured layers tonal (grey, charcoal, black) makes all those different angles and silhouettes come together nicely.

But what about when you want to amp it up a little and play on colours, themes, textures?  Just like in this editorial for the May issue of Vogue Germany, keep the colours rich and vibrant, add majestic jewels and a bold lip and channel a little Kahlo/Boho/Folksy/Artsy/Gypsy swagger to your day.

(Okay, so maybe not ALL at once for a school drop off, right?)

How's the weather holding up in your part of the world?

Love this A.F. Vandervost shawl ... and those rings are amazing!

Loving this bib necklace and those bangles

Photos Giampaolo Sgura
More Images via Fashion Gone Rogue

Home Style, Warmth & Authenticity, Denmark

I was just admiring these photos of Danish photographer Franne Voight's home online, and after linking back to his website (here), it makes sense that such a delicate and precise (but not precious)  looking home should be in keeping with his aesthetic.

Yes, the walls are white, yes, the rooms are sparsely filled, but warmth and authenticity resides in the floorboards, the artwork and the furniture.  Just like Franne's editorial and portrait photography there is an ease and comfort in the lines and a sharp punch of colour and movement that jumps out at you.

There is a certain simplicity devoid of flourish and busy-ness that appeals to me... After all, simplicity is key isn't it?

Photos MagsMogensen

More images via Bo Bedre.dk

Getting back

I'm back... kinda like Christy Turlington.  Well, Christy is back to modelling and I'm just back from a little interstate getaway - but the sentiment is the same I guess.

And just like Christy glows in the image above taken by Dan Jackson for Harpers Bazaar US, softly tanned skin, cheeky knowing grin, hair mussed up just so and wearing something new from the latest Calvin Klein range - I like to think I mirror that image... well the mussed up hair and cheeky grin is all I can match today paired back with layers to keep out the cool and rain!   

It's all about the eyes... and those curves!

The look is refreshed, recharged, natural and city cool... and that's what I'd like to carry with me back from my trip.  (Read an interview with Christy here).

I've been in Sydney for the last week, basking in warm sunshine, enjoying delicious food and exploring the city.  And with t-shirt and jeans weather, I've even managed to get a bit of a sun-kissed glow to my complexion (speaking of which, it was the first time ever that I didn't over pack for a trip away!  That's amazing for me!).

From the typical ferry ride to Manly beach, to a day long trip to Taronga Zoo and a cable car ride to the top of the hill with amazing views back towards the city (man, that place is steep!), enjoying some delicious breakfasts in the mornings at local cafes, and shopping in the city, it was just great to get away from the stormy skies of Melbourne for a few days.

You just can't go past a ferry ride in Sydney... it's like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel tower - it's gotta be done no matter how many times you visit.

Sometimes it's fun to play tourist don't you think?

Yep, I'm feeling refreshed and recharged again.

The postcard photo... yes the sky was that blue over the Sydney Opera House

Obligatory Ferry ride

The view from Taronga Zoo looking back to the city

Sky Safari at Taronga Zoo - so much fun

Brekky... demolished corn fritters at Bills in Surry Hills (mmmmm)

Note to self... take better photos next time!

Home Style... Cool Elegance in Milan

A cool designer filled apartment in Milan today.  

Castiglioni, Flos, Dixon, Saarinen, Eames, van der Rohe  - iconic pieces placed throughout the home working together in synergy against a backdrop of neutral greys, stone and wood to give this home a really cool, sophisticated and elegant vibe. 

I love the black glossy kitchen cabinets and the set up in the corner under that angled ceiling - perfect for me, I'm not that tall!   And the rawness of that timber shelf below - adding a warmth and tactile element in this small apartment.  There's even a secluded balcony to enjoy your aperitivo in the evenings.

Nice.

 

Photography Giorgio Possenti

More images via Casa Vogue

Anyone for Dessert?

What a way to start lunch... a glass of Prosecco, a feast laden table of Herb Roasted Lamb and Vegetables, Baked Salmon, salad, silky smooth mash and plenty of laughter & converzatione!

My dessert had something to live up to... well I think it rose to the occasion!

Lemon Tart and a Choc Mocha Parfait topped with raspberries ... (the Chocolate Yoghurt puddings were still in the oven so there is no photographic evidence of those!).

Mmmmm... think not of calories, kilojoules or your new firm fitting dress... this is meant for indulgence and feeding the soul!  Makes me feel good just by looking at the picture!

nom nom nom

Are you interested in the recipe?... read on and then indulge at your own peril...

Lemon Tart (Tarte au Citron)

This is the real deal; an authentic French recipe that even impressed by cousin when she tasted it last year on her visit from France.

Shortcrust pastry -

250g flour

175g butter, cut in small knobs

20g unrefined caster sugar

1 egg

2 tsp water

Rub the flour and butter together until it resembles breadcrumbs.  Mix in the sugar.  Add the egg and water and with a knife, mix it in a cutting motion until dough comes together in a ball (you might need more water).

Put the dough on a floured surface and lightly knead for a minute until it comes to a smooth dough.  (Gently does it, you don't want to overwork it).  Wrap it in plastic wrap and put in the fridge to rest for 40minutes.

Lightly butter a 25cm push up bottom flan tin.  Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and line the tin. Trim the edges and place in fridge for further 20 minutes to rest.

Filling

2 eggs

100g unrefined sugar (caster)

150ml double cream

zest and juice of 2 lemons (to taste)

50g butter 

Heat the oven to 180c.

Put the eggs, sugar, double cream in a bowl.  Add juice and zest 1 lemon and whisk mixture.  Be sure to taste as you might add more zest according to your taste (I add juice 2 lemons but only zest of 1 lemon- depends on the lemon I guess!)  Melt butter and add to mixture.  Pour this into chilled pastry case.

Place in oven for 15mins and then reduce heat to 160c for a further 20 minutes or until filling as set.  (I like a little just golden touch on the top).   Leave to cool for 1 hour before serving with thick cream or icecream.... mmmmmm!

(From 'The French Kitchen' by Joanne Harris & Fran Warde)

Choc Mocha Parfait

This delicious silky smooth dessert is a great alternative to ice cream and so easy to make.

2 teaspoons instant coffee

1/3 cup (80ml) hot water

1/2 cup (50g) cocoa, sifted

400g can condensed milk

2 cups (500ml) milk

200g dark chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup (125ml) thickened cream

Dissolve the coffee and hot water in a small bowl.

Combine cocoa and condensed milk in a medium, heavy based saucepan on a medium heat, stirring as you add in milk and coffee mixture, bring to the boil (when it boils it will rise quickly so keep an eye on it).  Reduce heat and cook, stirring, over low heat for about 15 minutes or until mixture thickens.  Remove pan from heat.

Add the chocolate, stir until melted.  Stir in the cream, then cool mixture to room temperature.

Pour mixture into a baking paper lined loaf pan.  Cover and put in the freeze until  firm.  (I leave it for at least 24 hours).

Cut into slices.  Allow parfait to soften to room temp for about 15 minutes before serving with fresh raspberries or more cream... mmmmm.

(Recipe from a magazine tear out...)

I couldn't fit in any dinner after that delicious feast... though I managed to finished off my day with a cup of green tea and just a teeny tiny bit of parfait ... again!

Anyone for seconds??

(Next time I'll have to make more of those Chocolate Yoghurt Puddings and take a photo!):)