Updo Shupdo

 

So this is the thing…. I do not have the best hair in the world but with the wonders of the internet I have been able to procure a little “piece” to add fullness to my locks when required.  I can now go to my hairdresser this weekend with my little offering in my hands to see if she can create a minor miracle and give me a soft updo at the nape of my neck.

These pics are my inspirations. I’m not asking too much am I? I can look like Jessica Alba or one of the Olsen twins… Cant I? Maybe??? 

If you want to follow my blog click on one of the links on this page. Then you can leave me comments.

The Black Blazer

I have been looking for the perfect black blazer for a little while now and even though I have tried on a few I have found the matching pant hasn’t been right.  Much to my surprise I found the perfect boyfriend blazer at Sportscraft.  The pants fit perfectly and are not too low rise, which has been a bit of an issue for me. The fabric is Italian wool and is very fine gauge. The jacket has a peak lapel, which is very neat and converts well for evening use.  I love the striped lining in the sleeves, which looks great when the cuffs are folded up.  Good tailoring is a passion of mine and Sportscraft have a well deserved reputation.

There are so many looks that can be achieved with this wardrobe staple.  How have I coped without one for all these years? 

You can find the jacket here 

I’m still obsessed with nude shoes so I added these Witchery pumps to my stable.  Apparently the pointed shoe has made a bit of a comeback. I love the lowish heel.

You find the shoes here.

Moroccan Tea Party

I had the notion the other day that I needed a Moroccan teapot.  The idea came to me as I sipped Long Island Tea at The Brass Razu in Mornington.  Some of my best ideas come to me under these circumstances.  Of course I had to source the little colored Moroccan glasses as well.

Now that the teapot and glasses have arrived I have put them to good use making fresh mint tea. I picked the remaining  clumps of mint from the herb patch and and then made the tea.
Here are the instructions gleaned from a few different sources on the internet.

 Looks a bit sad this old herb patch!

 Boil the water and fill the teapot three quarters full. Place over a low flame. Put a teaspoon or a teabag of Green Tea into the pot.

 Then put in two teaspoons of sugar and at least 1 cup of fresh mint leaves. Seems like a lot but you need the flavor. Allow to simmer for a minute and then take off the heat and steep for several minutes.

Grab a pot holder as the handle will be burning hot.  Pour the tea from a little height so as to create a froth on top. Pour this back into the pot and repeat. Do not stir the mint in the pot as this bruises it.

 Now pour your glasses of tea again from a little height to ensure each glass has a frothy bubbly top.

Enjoy with some of the lemon syrup cake!

I'm happy about....

Here in Melbourne we often experience all four seasons in one day and this week has been a whirlwind of  rapid cycling weather mood swings. At least I got to wear my suede booties one day and my new black patent wedges on another day.

Here are some of the things that have made me smile this week.

 

I made the lemon syrup cake again using lemons from my neighbour’s tree. Thanks Max!

Pink and white camellias from my garden.

 

My new black wedges from Nine West.

Inspiration for my next sewing project.

 This beaded and sequined dress almost made it into my cache of dresses but it was a bit more cocktail dress than old school Ball so I had to let it go....
You can find it here
http://www.witchery.com.au/dresses/embellished-shift-dress/w1/i5814054_1001236/

Autumn in the City

 

I ventured into the CBD this week so that I could have a look at the sales.  The shops all looked like jumble sales and did not ignite my enthusiasm.   Luckily lunch with my son was a highlight.  We went to a little haunt up some stairs in Somerset Place – Captains of Industry.  It contains three workrooms  - a shoemaker, a barber and a mens outfitter as well as the main dining area. It is decked out in old wares that all looked like they came out of my childhood.  The old Singer sewing machine that perched on our table made me feel I was in my natural habitat. 

Sailing on the Bay

The weather was perfect for  a sail on the bay - easterly winds of 10 - 15 knots with sunny skies. I am not a sailor but my husband is an old salt and loves to race his Sydney36 yacht out of Mornington Yacht club in Summer and Hastings Yacht club in Winter.

We occasionally have a non- racing day and invite friends and family to share some sandwiches and wine on a leisurely sail.  Its leisurely for me because I make sure there are plenty of strong young men to do strenuous things like haul in ropes and grind those winches.

I whipped up this Lemon Syrup cake to have before we set sail.  I love the tang of lemon with a hint of sweetness.  Anything lemony is tops with me.

http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Lemon-Syrup-Cake-L6262.html 

The sandwiches were my imitation of the chicken mix from my favorite Deli in Mount Eliza.  They combine roasted chicken, finely chopped celery, dill, mayonnaise, finely chopped spring onion and shredded iceberg lettuce between slices of multigrain sour dough bread.  Thanks for the idea Mr Wigg!

I likee......

I am oh so tempted to revisit the seventies and don these little beauties from Topshop.  I love the clogs from the Swedish brand Hasbeens.  Sort of sums it up I suppose! I can see the top with my Country Road maxi but maybe I will leave the gorgeous knitted dress to those for whom it is the first time around for the free spirited look of crochet and fringes. Sigh....

You can see the range here

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208525&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=20&beginIndex=0&top=Y#catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208525&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=20&beginIndex=121&top=Y

Good bye Bali

 

I always look forward to coming home after a little escape.  It was especially good this time, as earthquakes and tsunamis have shaken the world this week. In Bali we had a quake that registered 6.3 magnitude and shook for several seconds. Then the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan with such devastating consequences.  There were disturbing reports of the radiation risks to Japan and the Asian countries that followed.  I’m so sorry for all those who have lost so much this week.  I am grateful to come home to ground that doesn’t shake.

I didn’t quite get through my novel “Cutting for Stone” as the girls were avid shoppers and there were many massages and dinners to be had. 

I had a little shoulder bag made and I’m very happy with the result. Thank you Wayan!

What a special week we had together. 

I'm Happy About

  

 Bali just makes me happy but here are a few things that have been stand outs this week. 

Sharing good times with my sister and our gorgeous girlfriends has been wonderful.

Learning about the Balinese way of life. They are very spiritual and have many rituals to ensure good luck and that evil spirits are kept away. 

 

Pouring vodka into my water bottle and and then ordering fresh pineapple juice to mix it with. 

Mmmm -  perfect with satay sticks on the burner and Balinese peanut sauce.

 

Lemongrass tea that we bought up in the hills.

Foot massage on the beach.

Silver jewellery finds.

Bali Bike Ride

 

 

When in Bali I rarely do anything more active than walk from Kuta to Seminyak popping in and out of various shops but this time under the influence of my sister we went on a mountain bike ride up in the hills. We started at the volcano and rode for miles, mostly downhill at breakneck speed to Ubud. Our guide Wayan told us many things about the offerings and Hindu ceremonies we passed along the way. We rode through villages each with their own specialty production going on.  It was a great way to see a part of Bali that you miss if you just visit the resorts on the beach.

We certainly deserved our sunset drink which we made with local limes and our duty free liquor. Our version of Long Island tea is equal parts of gin, white rum, vodka, a half measure of Cointreau and half measure of Malibu , lime juice to taste and a splash of coke with heaps of ice. It has truly medicinal properties!

Our Stash