Through My Eyes...

I haven't worked in the Sydney CBD for coming up to 3 years.  Shit, time flies.  Not working in the CBD has meant not waiting up to 20mins for a bus down Oxford Street and instead, a 7 minute commute to work in the comfort of my own car, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Today, work was in the CBD and I did the old walk down Oxford Street, through Hyde Park and winding through the Sydney CBD Streets.  I loved it!  See the walk through my eyes.

The commute (and yes I have a flat battery)

Sydney Autumn Leaves

Not without my cup of joe from Paddington Grind @ Oxford Street

Spot of window shopping @ Kalindra's Closet on Oxford Street. 

All I remember is that there were Louboutins in the window. 

Further investigations will take place. 

Will report back!

Sydney DIY Rainbow still going strong (outside my favourite Thai Sydney Restaurant Thai Nesia)

Check out the DIY Rainbow FB Page (over 20k likes)

Tory Burch Shoes (for the walk)

Outside Victoria Barracks, Oxford Street

Hyde Park - beautiful as usual & elicits many memories with The Boyfriend

OMG...Hello

Is it a suitcase? A handbag? No, it's a mobile cupboard...no wait, it's a handbag.  You decide.  Williams Handmade are gorgeous.  I love their structure and craftsmanship.   Why does something so perfect need to be defined.

Arch Case - Cherry Red

Satchel - Cream Suede

Travel Trunk - Cream Suede

 

Gwen - Cream Suede

Monday Mood Board

Today I have travel on the mind.  Unfortunately, not the vacation type of travel.   I'm heading to Brisbane this weekend to see family (counting down) and then straight to Melbourne for four weeks for work.  I miss Sydney already!   I have travel essentials on the mind this week.  Here are my top of mind travel pieces.  What are yours?

1. DVF Scarf (have)

2. LV Luggage (need)

3. Latest Vogue (must buy - better than reading a contract on the flight)

4. Melbourne Luxe Guide (must buy or I can rely on my brilliant Melb friends?)

5. Longchamp Luggage Tag (have)

6. Miu Miu Travel Wallet (need)

7. Mac Hydrating Mist (have)

8. Sleeping Mask (channel Holly Golightly) (happy to dispose of all my others and replace with this one)





Two Random Monday Morning Thoughts...

1. FB - Resonate?  Do you FB stalk your ex?

  

2. Hilarious - Think Martin Place, Sydney, Monday morning.   

Mothers Day Gift Inspiration

Mothers Day is fast approaching (Sunday, 12 May).  As usual, I am disorganised.  If you don't live in the same City as your mother (like me) it takes extra organisation to purchase and arrange shipping.  You can always order online and have it shipped direct (just ask for the receipt not to be included).  I'm always at a loss as to what to get the woman who has inspired me to be brilliant and who has guided me through life and remains my best friend.  No gift is ever enough.  Here are some pieces which I think would make beautiful mother's day gifts.



1. Every mum needs a good designer bag.  This Fendi is perfect.

2. I love T2 cups and saucers. 

3. My mum loves Jane Fonda (think 80s aerobics videos).  A book by Jane for mum's in their prime.

4. You can't go wrong including a Haigh's chocolate frog with your gift. 

5. Jo Malone's room scents are a sweet gift (in pomegranate - yum).

6. My mum loves candles - this Charlie Brown scented candle with python print is gorgeous. 

7. Every mum needs bling - love this necklace.

8. Take your mum away for a girls' weekend.  Quality time with your mum on a mini holiday is priceless.

9. I love these beautiful scalloped Chloe flats - softest leather and stylish. 

10. Aesop products are always a winner with my mum.  Check out this hand balm.

Sunday Baking

Today, I imagined I baked these pancake cupcakes.  They look delicious.



What

1 cup milk
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. orange zest (optional)
1/4 cup butter, melted

How

Preheat oven to 204 degrees

Blend first six ingredients (milk thru orange zest) in a blender.  (Any flour clumps should be well-blended)

Blend in butter a little at a time in order to temper the eggs

Grease muffin tins well and distribute batter evenly between 24 tins

Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top

Serve with your favorite toppings (e.g. ice-cream, vanilla bean powder, fresh berries). 

Friday

I really love Autumn in Sydney.  Little rain, lots of sunshine - perfect weather all around.  It's set to be a beautiful warm Autumn weekend in Sydney.  The final days of enjoying a crisp white wine in the warm afternoon sun.   I am spending the weekend with family, enjoying the weather and doing very little.  Whatever you choose to do, have a great weekend.

Some of my favourite links from the www this week:
# Just love this cat
# Words
# Time Machine
# I don't want to talk about Coney Island
# Everything is Fucked, Everything is OK
# I want these heels
# Love this corkscrew
# Aggressive

Fashion Update

I wrote about Schiaparelli relaunching its fashion house earlier this year.  Well, finally a designer has been "appointed" to design the first collection. Who better than the legendary French designer Christian Lacroix.  Lacroix is designing a 15 piece couture collection that will hit the Paris runway in June this year.  I am so excited, can't wait to see it.  I love that there will be different "artistic directors", kicking off with Lacroix, until a permanent is found.  It's a great strategy for resuscitating a unique brand.  I wonder which couture designer will get the permanent gig!  Check out some of Lacroix's work below.  What do you think?  Can Lacroix do Schiapparelli proud?

 

Interior Design

Harriet Anstruther is a British interior designer.  I love her work and I absolutely love the way she has decked out her C19th London town house.   The outcome is an eclectic, minimal, colourful, fun, traditional and simply gorgeous home.   As The Boyfriend is a builder and will only buy a house that is in desparate need of restoration - I am constantly looking for renovation and interior design inspiration!   I would let Harriet Anstruther run wild decorating my home - and that's saying a lot because I am a control freak!   Check out some of the rooms in her London home. 

 

I love the print and the candelabras on either side of the fireplace

Black and white stripes, chandelier and side tables - adore

Minimal, clean and love the communal table look

Love the light and the wall art

Check out the bust, treasure chest and that wallpaper (more chandelier action) - nice

Pink skylight in the master bathroom - sexy genius

What a powder room.  How amazing is this basin and wallpaper!!!

I love everything!  The white ottoman, the colour mix of the couches, the chandelier...bliss

Would you...

1. Wear a yellow suit?



David Bowie Style @ Emerson Fry

Wear these rainboots?





Friendship (Pins)

I don't know why, but I remembered friendship pins today.  Remember friendship beads on safety pins?  If you aren't a child of the 80s you may be confused.  Let me explain.  You take a small safety pin (silver or gold) and string beads on it (dropping many tiny beads in the process but persevering), then you give them to your friends and you just make a heap for yourself ready to exchange (with your friends - only best friends and new best friends were entitled).  I remember spending hours creating friendship pins.  I used to slip them through my (leather) watch band until you could see no leather - only beads (does anyone wear leather watch bands nowadays?)  The colour of the beads ranged from multi-colour, black and white, gold and black, red and blue - you name it.  It's amazing how much time and patience you have when you're young!  Are the kids into it these days?   I'm sure it's totally uncool - but, for me (a child of the 80s - the late 80s that is) it bring back many pleasant memories.   See what I'm talking about.



Outfit of Choice

Over the weekend I was chatting to my auntie (think early 40s auntie) about catching up at a family BBQ in early May.  The focus of the discussion was predominantly around what we would wear.  I suggested a pair of PJs with some killer heels.   I was serious and am still considering it.   Could you pull it off?   Here are some pieces which I think you could sensibly wear to a Sunday BBQ (with heels of course).



Esprit Nightshirt

Smythe

Stella McCartney (maybe not to a family BBQ)

3.1 Phillip Lim

Calvin Klein



Kate Hudson pulls it off beautifully

Put It On Paper

These little numbers are made of paper.  How beautiful are they?!  They are part of a photo series by Iban Montero called Limited Paper.  The designs are by Ane Lopez.  They are super elegant.  I love them.  Initial thoughts included: what about the paper cuts, can you sit in these, so easy to rip off (sexy), what if you get caught in the rain and "do you have a pen"?



Monday Mood Board

1. Louboutin (on my want want want list)

2. Barbie's Anatomy

3. Fun necklace

4. McQueen - my King

5. Trash

Happy Monday! 

Two Random Monday Morning Thoughts...

1. Bubble Gum Lamps - These are pretty funky.  Would you hang them in your home?  In the kitchen maybe?  I think they would be perfect for a kid's bedroom. 

2. Revenge. Nothing further.

Sunday Cupcakes

I don't bake.  I rarely "cook", unless making salad is cooking?   It's not that I can't bake or cook (edible food) it's that I have no time and little inclination to do so when I find some spare time on my hands.   It's fun to imagine spending a Sunday in the kitchen baking.  Today, I imagined myself baking these little babies.  Yum! 

White Chocolate Cupcakes



Yay It's Friday!

I have spent the last three days interstate for work in back to back meetings.   I'm exhausted!  I did get a couple of hours down time each night and got the chance to catch up with old friends.  I am counting down to stepping out of the cab tonight and into my front door.  I am ready for a few Friday night drinks with The Boyfriend!   These cool jewels ice cubes are making me thirsty!  Not long to go now (just an entire day of meetings).  Have an awesome weekend whatever you choose to do!



Links I managed to find time to enjoy this week:

# Random

# Ridiculous song from the 90s that gets sporadically stuck in my head. 

Click it to hear it!

# Remember these 3?

# Who said colouring in is just for kids?

# Turd Circus. Love the name, love the products.