Stella... Stell -aaaa

Ms McCartney rolled into target today. I'm still grinning from my best ever Zac Posen for Target dress purchase circa 2008. Love it.

I have my eye on a few things but there is currently a "no new clothes buying till Christmas ban" in my house. And that includes Melbourne Cup day next week. There is no fine print in this contract. I checked... with a magnifying glass.

So go, be reckless for me.

You can see the full Stella McCartney for Target collection here.

That's the story of, that's the glory of love.

Image from we heart it

Sometimes we are reminded of whats important.

Family, friendship, love, integrity.

I had a reminder today. Grab onto life and dance like no ones watching.

And go get your nails done. You're a shambles.......

W is for Wedding's

Dahlia by Amsale. I die.

From Angela Wilson via theknot.com.au.

If you need me I'll be at endota. See you in 4 hours.

Don't you just love a good card?

From my sister.

Just because you're special....

That's the way my family rolls.

30 Rock

Cute invite by Nathalie at Imprintables

Bon Bon making

Beautiful Lilac

Pimms and lemonade.. Don't mind if I do.

Clearly I'm not drinking water.......

Me and my Davey..... please ignore the messy kitchen in the background.

So I'm feeling a little deflated. The house is quiet and clean. The tables are stacked, waiting to be picked up and oh yeah, I'm thirty now. The weather was not on my side as they say at tennis matches. It poured all day and was 9 degrees. So plan b involved us all squishing inside. My visions of croquet on the lawn did not eventuate. Lets just say it was intimate.

I am sharing a few pictures of my lovely soiree. I hope you like them.

I had a wonderful weekend and am truly lucky to have such a wonderful group of friends who I count as family.

Thank you to my mum and family for their help and my gal R for her expertise in the kitchen ;)

Invite by Imprintables.

Cake by hello Naomi.

Bon bons by me.

Special photography credits to S Archetti.

Shake your bon bon

This is what I'm currently doing.
Happy Birthday to me for tomorrow ;) That's right I'm old now.

Have yourself a fun weekend.

From here.

Don't you just love a good card?

You know how I feel about owls after the incident. They are popping up everywhere. I even saw some in bed bath and table. This one thankfully doesn't make any noise.

Just peachy

From here

Things are heating up (literally) here for my little party here on the weekend. Just about to start a few fun projects and do a mailout. Not so fun. I can see a lot of bon bon making in my future.

W is for Wedding's.

I was looking at a great blog by Miss Pickering, which led to a discovery of a beautiful London based photographer Polly Alexandre.

Then I spied this photoshoot which led to this website and the above heavenly dress. Isn't it perfection.

One would have to do alot of planks. That's pilates speak.

Dress by Elaine Closs.

I 'll take warm weather for ten points.

Its 7 degrees here right now. I have clearly jinxed mother nature by putting away our winter woollies and spring cleaning. I accidentally left our bedroom window open all night. I was wondering why I was cold...We had a smoke alarm issue at 5am. Turns out Bella is scared of smoke alarms. She was shaking like a leaf. Either that or she was cold too. This is a picture of her sleeping in our bed. I know its really bad but she was scared. Note the bed head look, she pulls it off well don't you think?

I am rethinking my garden party concept for this weekend. Its more than likely going to be an indoor party with the fire on, pretend your outside party. It will be cosy. I can change our pimms to mulled wine and hope everyone drinks a lot. Should be ok. My friends like to drink. I don't take it personally.

Just a little to note to my gal R hoping everything is ok and that we are thinking of her and her family. Wishing I lived closer so I could give you a hug and a bon bon. Love you x

Brown paper packages, tied up with strings...

These are a few of my favourite things...

My blogging friend Lou over at Lous boos and shoes invited me to take part in a Getting to know you Q and A. How very kind of you Lou.

Here goes.

1/ What is your favourite time of the day?

Night time. Late. I'm a night owl. I try to go to bed by ten thirty but its never before midnight.

2/ When and where did you meet the love of your life?

On my way to a mutual friends engagement party. Waiting for a bus. Almost 4 years ago.

3/ What three words would your friends outside the blogging world use to describe you?

funny

thoughtful

good cook

4/What country would you most like to visit and why?

Bora Bora. Ok that's not a country but my sister went there recently and the pictures from her trip made me seriously jealous. I have no fear of tropical holidays since surviving the trip to Fiji.

5/ What is your favourite dish to cook and why?

Bon bons. They are my signature dish and so deliciously chocolaty. I could eat them everyday.

And my Nana Junes banana cake. It rocks! I just made some today.

6/Salt or sugar?

SUGAR. Everyday.

7/What are your must have make up or beauty items?

I love this question.

I swear by Proactive solution. It has worked for my skin for over 7 years now.

I use a great lancome moisturiser. I don't know the name but its expensive and it works.

Clarins beauty flash balm for eyes. No wrinkles. So far.

I love Chanel eyeshadow's. They last all day and are a great quality. You really get what you pay for.

Touche Eclat by YSL.

I like a good coverage foundation. At the moment its a clinique one but I use a Chanel one and a Lauder one as well. Depends on where I'm going. A great foundation brush helps. I have a good one by clinique.

Lancome definicils mascara I also swear by.

My secret weapon is blusher. I am loving clinique's iced lotus at the moment. They will probably discontinue it and I'll be screwed.

Just add perfume, lip gloss, and nail polish and I'm good to go. My go to never fail fragrance is coco by Chanel and OPI dutch tulips nail polish.

8/What are your favourite flowers?

Hyacinth, peonies, sweet pea's, tulips. My husband buys me lilies.

9/What do you think are your worst vices, honestly?

I am indecisive. I can whinge with the best of them. I also eat to much chocolate and don't exercise enough.

10/ at what time of your life were you happiest and why?

When I first met my husband and when we got engaged. I was so happy to be starting a great life with someone I loved so much. It was such a special time.

Thanks Lou for including me in this!

So i did it.

I went out today and got me a fringe. Funnily enough I was reading this blog just as I was waiting for the dye (peroxide) to finish dying. My fringe was already cut.

I love it at the moment. I may not love it on Saturday morning when I have to blow dry it for an hour myself.

We will see.

Off to bed now for some zzzzzz'z. Big day tomorrow.

Big smile ;)

Happy birthday to one of my first followers Michelle. Hope you have something fun planned for the weekend!

W is for..

Have you see that show Say yes to the dress?

It combines two of my great loves. Weddings and reality tv. Some episodes are like a car crash. Why why why would you bring 12 people including your fiance's mother and grandmother dress shopping? Call me crazy.

Anyway this show is pure heaven if you love drama and tulle. Its set in Kleinfelds boutique in NYC. They have thousands of gowns. You could die in their stock room and they wouldn't find you till their next sample sale. If I was a bride I would go there. That US dollar is tumbling. This show is definately worth a look.

Happy W peeps. Off to get my new fringe tomorrow, wish me luck ;)

We ask the burning questions.

How do I look good travelling?

I have really struggled with this in the past. It may not be important to some (or alot) of people but I always feel its my duty to represent my country well. Call me patriotic. I take this role very seriously. I shudder to remember the tracksuit pants wearing idea of 2005. I am sorry Australia. I won't do it again. Or at least I will not wear them boarding a plane.

I did pull off a cute long hall outfit to Heathrow once. It involved a brora cashmere jumper and a certain attitude. It got me upgraded. I like to represent my Scottish heritage as well. If I can.

Sure I was comfortable but I feel I really need to lift my game. Hey you're not going to be comfortable unless you are flying first class so you may as well look chic. A birkin helps. Just keep that in mind.

My sister always packs a pashmina after an incident with a smelly passenger sitting next to her. If you douse your pashmina in perfume (duty free before you leave) you can breath into in if in an emergency stinky situation. Just pretend to sleep with your face buried in cashmere softness. I have unfortunately had to use this technique more than once. It works.

I think the key to a great travel outfit is a great pant and layering. A scarf. A birkin. Boots. That way you can wear socks in case you have to take your shoes off at security. That's a tip from Joan Collins.

My travel style muse is Ms Kim Kardashian. I love her. She's high maintenance yes, but god damn she can rock an airport outfit. I can see some high heeled louboutin boots in my future.

How to look good travelling? Be uncomfortable. But chic.

You're so damn fabulous

Every time I look on Kate Spade's website I think I could pull off her outfits everyday. If I had a different life in NYC with a big budget and chic places to go.

In reality, I wear tracksuits most days and don't straighten my hair unless I have to.

Its also cold enough here that I could be wearing her latest winterish accessories. Did I mention it's cold here and I don't want it to be? Lucky for me I have a tracksuit on.

These things I likey.

Velvet is underrated I think.
And I love a novelty accessory. Just ask my husband ;)

If I was...

In a position to knock down walls in my house..

Dear kitchen fairy,

I would like this kitchen. Not my usual style I know but the hanging pans are calling my name. I would reconsider the floor colour though.

I am happy to put the hard yards in and renovate till I can't renovate no more.

Just say the word. Please.

Yours and green with envy,

PS Can't you see me in an apron rolling pastry on the marble top bench??