Live in the present.

2009 has been very good to me and I hope it was for you too.

Happy New Year!

Delightful

Don't you love borrowing things for festive dinner parties?


My aunt certainly is the coolest cat around with this explosively colourful Marc Jacobs creation sitting in her wardrobe.

Sakura Kaiten Sushi

This time of year is made for people who love eating and talking. So let's! talk! about food!

Just before I went away, P Diddy and I trundled over to Sakura to satisfy an after-work-Japanese-nibble-craving. Though perhaps not as fun, cheap and tasty as Izakaya Chuji (we'll talk about that gem another day) the sweet, little restaurant tucked away on the side of an office block on Little Collins Street sought to please... and please it did, if you don't mind some mediocrity. Most plates averaged $5.

And o hey! I managed to catch some of my food before it disappeared into my digestive tract this time. Above, some crumbed prawn sushi, red bean cakes (perhaps too sweet), mixed green salad accompanied by a mysterious, sweet and tangy dressing. On the train: salmon and mayo nigiri (which was actually pretty tasty), crumbed chicken wings (seriously), sashimi (salmon/tuna/etc),...

Where is your favourite Japanese joint?

SAKURA KAITEN SUSHI
Shop 1 Ground Floor
61 Little Collins STreet
Melbourne 3000
(03) 9663 0898

I'm sending all my love

It's the perfect time to snatch the day and enjoy it to the hilt! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, take lots of pictures, have loads of fun, be safe... be happy.


Spending the next few days with family interstates- hope y'all have a beautiful one filled with love too. Got a plane to catch!

The sun has gone to bed and so must I

Bought this huge shoulder-padded sequin top at a vintage fair in Williamstown last month- it's brilliant as a mini dress! I especially love the scalloped hem and sleeves.


G'NIGHT!

Freya Stark meets The Sheltering Sky: Kenzo SS10

The backdrop for his latest collection for Kenzo was a huge golden disc—the sun hanging heavy over the Sahara. At the finale, it literally exploded in a shower of gold filaments that rained down on the catwalk while models walked in juicily shaded chiffons—aqua, peach, hot pink—with heads wrapped like nomad princesses. It was a spectacular conclusion to a show that took as its starting point the Middle Eastern excursions of the early twentieth-century English adventuress Freya Stark, then stirred in a little of Bertolucci's film 'The Sheltering Sky'. So there was a Europe-meets-ethnic vibe to the clothes, which was so perfectly in tune with the ethos of the house that it underlined how appropriate a choice Marras was for this job. Tim Blanks for style.com.



The storyline for Kenzo's SS '10 collection is superb in that it allows for a vast array of designs, prints, colours, fabrics, textures and materials to be used- no mean feat, yet Antonio Marras executed it finely while still encapsulating the distinctive Kenzo style so wonderfully!

But Beautiful

The weather's been nothing but beautiful in Melbourne. The sunshine has had no rest! "Don your brightest hats, shoes, dresses, and pants, boys and girls," it says. I happily oblige.





Bought these babies on Friday night- I persuaded two others to purchase them too after I did. I love sharing love!

Wearing American Apparel tricot nylon leggings in coral ice, Cotton On singlet, Youlah top from 'Hello Gorgeous!', Diva oversized CZ studs, orbit shoes from Santini, new hair courtesy David from Falcone Collins St!

Yesterday morning it was all bustlin' and happenin' at Queen Victoria market.

All smiles.

What terrific weather to welcome in the weekend! Today, we spent the entire day at lawn bowls for the Christmas work party. Drinks flowed, there was much mirth and a Jack Johnson/Mayer/Leto/Mraz sound-a-like, one-man-band singing to us the entire day. Laarv-lih.

Meanwhile, just got back from a fruitful shopping expedition but I'm so sad to discover Enzo Angiolini stores have all closed in Victoria and there are very few stockists. Their shoes are so comfy and affordable!

Wearing Arabella Ramsay top, MNG jeans, Enzo Angiolini pumps, Sussan bracelets, Oroton earrings, Mouche ring, Three Horses's fringe necklace.

Wanted to share these Nasty Gal beauties with you before I sign off (hope you haven't already bought yourself a Christmas present like I have!):


Bon weekend, mon ami! (Haha!)

Apple of My Eye

Last night he made me dinner- a variant of the bucatini all'amatriciana. Naturally, I had a gentle post-dinner snooze while he pottered around in the garden.

When I woke, the smell of blueberry ricotta hotcakes fresh off the pan greeted me. With a little plum conserve, we demolished them within minutes. Naturally, I had a gentle post-breakfast-food-masquerading-as-dessert snooze.

Oink.

P Diddy gave me these books and apple-shaped Post-It notes last night too. The books are from cdwow.com, who messed the order and took almost 2 months to correct it. So instead I recommend The Book Depository which displays prices in AUD, has free worldwide delivery and is generally cheaper than Borders!

A friend who used to work opposite the accessories' store, Mouche on Lt Collins St, years ago is responsible for introducing me to the world of affordable, adorable bags and jewellery. I think of her every time I get my fix of sparkles. This is the latest purchase- it's been around in the store for a while now, but I still love it!

PS THANK YOU Walking In The Street for the mention! X

Mas Que Nada

The blazer: been wearing this Balmain-inspired number constantly over the past year- it's so sharp, smart, and figure-flattering. I got it for ~$75AUD (I've heard from friends it's a littler dearer now), including shipping, from Queen's Wardrobe (South Korea) and it arrived in 3 days!

The hat: purchased from one of the most beautiful places in Victoria- Lavendula, a Swiss-Italian farm about a 7-minutes-drive north of Daylesford. The rustic food from La Trattoria, Lavendula's cafe, is amazing and uses a lot of fresh, local produce. The tables and seats are set higgledy-piggledy amongst lots of closely planted, tall, skinny ash trees overlooking gentle grassy slopes and lavender gardens. You can enjoy your food and wine under dappled shade while little sparrows and finches twitter above and flit about at your feet. Hopelessly romantic. I was somewhat miffed that I had forgotten my camera at the hotel, but reassured myself that I'd return soon!

Wearing Queen's Wardrobe blazer, Country Road shirt, American Apparel tricot nylon leggings, Wittner heels, Napoleon Aphrodite Divine Goddess lipstick (so moisturising, vibrant and lasting!).

My definition of a perfect Friday night:
- Finishing work on time.
- Coming home for a quick nap.
- Dinner at a not-too-crowded Grossi Florentino Cellar Bar, getting a window seat, ordering the Bucatini all'Amatriciana with a side of patatine.
- Dessert: Cellar Bar's Raspberry cheesecake.


It was a perfect Friday night last night (except I was too full for dessert...but fell asleep in PDiddy's arms so that made up for it). This blog was supposed to be a food one- but I'm not very good at it. I'm always close to finishing my meal when I realise there's no photo of the food when it was on the plate. Oops.

So here is a photo of the romantic facade.

Hope y'all having a terrific weekend!

Thursday's all so sad...

'They call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday's just as ba-ad...'

I'm completely addicted to Lou Rawls smooth vocal style. Even just his name seems to promise silky tunes. Lou Rawls. Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

It's been a while since my last post. I've been saving it... for a rainy day. Hope you didn't get caught with peeptoes on!



NastyGal vintage bronze leather slouch jacket, Cotton On singlet, Target leggings, UO boots, Sussans bracelets, Mouche ring, Sportsgirl bag.
I bought this jacket before winter this year and it's oh so very warm! Things often get snapped up very quickly on shopnastygal.com, so it was incredibly lucky no one else had instantly fallen in obsession with the embossed metallic bronze pattern!

PS I am in desperate need of a haircut. Can anyone recommend a good hairdresser? rokk ebony in Toorak and South Yarra have disappointed :(