Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas


Christmas is almost here, only two more sleeps. It is not looking likely that it will be a white Christmas in New York this year and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed. We are looking forward to sharing Christmas day with a couple of Australian friends, eating lots of food, drinking good wine and laughing at each other in our ugly Christmas attire!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and if Christmas is not your thing, Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Sweet Slumber

Image from Elle Decor

Image from Lonny Magazine

Image from Lonny Magazine

Image from Elle Decor

I am loving these light filled bedrooms with their moody blue and grey hues. They are each so simple and inviting, and yet so elegant. They have such a calming and serene vibe that would be prefect for a restful slumber.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Moroccan Tagine




It is no secret that I love cooking. I love experimenting with different flavours, textures and cuisines. I love trying out new recipes as much as I love whipping up an old favourite. The more I cook, the more I enjoy it. I have grown confidence in my ability to make up a meal from scratch, and know that it will taste good.

Last night, I tried my hand at my first ever tagine, thanks to a great wedding present we received. I used this recipe for a Moroccan Chicken Tagine With Preserved Lemon and Olives. It was delicious, even if I do say so myself. I will definitely be cooking this again, as well as trying my hand at all sorts of other tagines.

The recipe said to serve the tagine with Moroccan bread to scoop up the chicken and sauce and that French fries are frequently served with this dish, and may even be placed on top of the chicken. I opted to serve mine with coriander/cilantro couscous and oven baked sweet potato fries. They were the perfect accompaniment.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Pretty Party Hair

Images from Elle.com

Looking for some New Years Eve party hair inspiration, I came across these gorgeous styles on Elle.com. After a year of growing out a short hair cut, I am finally able to get my hair up and style it in lots of different ways. While I am not blessed with too many hair styling abilities, that doesn't stop me from trying out new styles as often as I can. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they don't.

I can't decide which one I like best. What about you?

Monday, December 19, 2011

My Favourite Day...

At the same time that our wedding feels like a lifetime ago, I still can't believe that it was over two months ago now. Having finally had time to process the craziness of the weeks leading up to the big day, the amazingness of our honeymoon, and how quickly life returns to normal afterwards (although so much better, because now we are married), I thought I would share a little more of the details that made up our special day. I have already shared what I wore, so now I will focus on the rest...




We were married at St. Joseph's Church in Port Melbourne, a gorgeous little bluestone church. The ceremony and particularly reciting our vows to each other, was my favourite part of the day. It was such an intimate and personal moment, almost like it was just the two of us. In that moment I was feeling so many emotions but above all of them I was just so happy. My one last minute addition was to have a Violinist and Cellist play throughout the ceremony, and even though I heard nothing because I was so focused on the job at hand, I was told that it set the mood perfectly, just the effect I was after.

The weather was something that I had prepared for all possibilities, especially considering that Melbourne's weather can be unreliable at the best of times. The weather held out for us though, it rained on my way to the church and during the ceremony only, which they say is a sign that you will have blessings "showered" upon your marriage. I'll take it. The rest of the day was fine and mild, and the sun even came out.

Our reception was held at the beautiful Port Melbourne Yacht Club, overlooking Port Phillip Bay. We arrived just as the sun was setting over the water and the Spirit of Tasmania had departed from the nearby Station Pier. As Michael and I share a love for food, it went without saying that one of the most important decisions for our wedding day would be the food. That is part of the reason why we chose the venue, because we knew we could rely on Peter Rowland's culinary delights. Considering we planned everything from New York and weren't going to be able to try the food before the day, we decided it was best to go with a trusted and reputable source. We are so glad we did, the food and drinks were a highlight.

Our cake was both stunning and delicious and was made lovingly my my amazing brother Ben. After several trial cakes, over many months, our cake was perfection and I could not have been happier with it. Ben has said that it was his first and last wedding cake, due to the work involved. I am so grateful for the effort that was put in and for the amazing end result. I ordered the fondant hydrangea petals from Modern Luxe Events on Etsy. They are based in Los Angles in the United States, but were more than happy to ship to me in Australia.

As for everything else I knew I wanted lots of flowers so that is what inspired everything from the invitations, to the centerpieces and even the cake. Flowers were something that I was very particular about, which was quite a feat given that I planned the entire wedding from New York. I was very disappointed to learn that our wedding was going to be too early in the season for hydrangeas, my favourite flower. Then in the week leading up to our wedding my florist contacted me to say that there was a freak early crop of the beautiful blooms and I could not only have them in my bouquet but also in the centrepieces. I also wanted to tie in the venue so I added a touch of navy and cream in a nod to nautical. We went with cream with a touch of green for the flowers so everything tied in beautifully. I absolutely loved the results.

I had DIY-ed as much of the wedding as possible, to save on costs. I designed and printed all of our invitations, save the dates, guest cards, envelopes etc. My mum sewed all of the favour bags, which we filled with tea and chocolates for our quests to enjoy when they got home. I didn't worry about flowers in the church as I knew that our wedding was the last of about four weddings in the church that day and more flowers would either look overcrowded or just unnecessary, and I don't regret that decision, the Church looked better kept simple.

It was honestly the best day, and so much better than either of us could of imagined. It was filled with so much love and joy, and we were so happy to share it with so many of our friends and family. The day went off without a hitch - and if there was one, I certainly didn't notice.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Bundled Up

Images from Pinterest

You can feel it in the air now, winter has finally decided to grace New York with it's presence. I know it will still get much colder, and that we will surely get some snow soon, but this sudden drop in temperature is still a shock to the system. Layers that got me through the mild days we have been having now only keep me warm when I am indoors, outside the cold wind rips straight through.

A sense of dread is setting into this summer loving girl, we have at least four months of cold weather ahead of us. It is now time to start bundling up. Pulling out the layers - sweaters, hats, scarves and gloves - all layered with my warmest coats and boots. Four months of layering up, and layering off when in the overly heated indoors. Lucky for me, I find winter fashion so much fun. Without the beautiful fashions I don't think I could survive the winter months. Bundle me up!

What about you, are you a lover or a hater of winter?

Monday, December 12, 2011

Light up the Heart






All Images from Pinterest

People say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Well I am not sure that saying can be true in our apartment. We have such a tiny kitchen in New York that it barely fits two people in it at once. I am not exaggerating, it is teeny tiny. To make matters worse, I love cooking, which can be very difficult in my charming little nook. I think that is why I have been scouring pinterest for images of beautiful kitchens. I have found that I am particularly drawn to kitchens with lots of natural light and stunningly beautiful light fittings. Big wide benches are enough to make me weak at the knees and sprawling kitchen cupboards can stop my heart.

I am not sure that I will ever have my dream kitchen while we are living in New York, considering space is so hard to come by. But a girl can dream.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Oh Christmas Tree



 One thing I absolutely love about New York is being able to buy a fresh Christmas tree from a vendor only 200 feet from our apartment. Nothing beats the smell of a real tree, and this year I have to say we picked a winner. It is so full and perfectly shaped. We also decided to get a wreath this year. The original idea was to hang it from the front door but when this proved too difficult we decided to hang it above the window with a picture rail hook. I am actually very happy with the result.

The rest of New York gets into the Holiday spirit and there are beautiful lights everywhere. It is nice to get into it at home too. We are hosting lunch on Christmas day for a couple of friends after all!

Friday, December 2, 2011

An Artist's Oasis





Today I am bringing you pictures of the Berlin home of German artist Elvira Bach (no I hadn't heard of her either). My brother's lovely partner brought them to my attention knowing that I would appreciate them as much as he does. He has a fantastic eye for art and home interiors so is a very good source of inspiration.

I absolutely love the bold striped wall paper. It makes the home feel so formal and elegant, yet still very inviting and homey when paired with her laid back furniture and soft furnishings. I also love that beyond the drama of the living room is a very casual and relaxed entryway. While it is not the kind of place that makes me want to move right in, this apartment has some great design elements that I will hang onto for future reference. Thanks for sharing these with me Nick!

What do you think, would you dare with bold wallpaper? I think I might like to give it a try.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Step & Repeat

Zara Coat and Fur Gilet; DV by Dolce Vita Boots; Ralph Sunglasses

In London I pretty much lived in some variation of the same outfit everyday. Sweater, fur gilet, coat, jeans and ankle boots. It kept me warm, but not overheated, whatever we were doing. I especially loved the days when I had to pull out the sunglasses - because that meant the sun was out!

The only error I made was choosing fashion over comfort (and failing to pack anything in the way of a comfortable alternative). While my boots are exceptionally comfortable running errands in New York, I will say that by day three of walking all day, my feet were feeling a little worse for wear. Maybe some more practical shoes next time!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Snapshots of London

We had a great five days in London over the Thanksgiving long weekend. It was a flying visit but we still managed to pack in a lot of sightseeing and partying with friends. The weather was unseasonably warm in London for this time of year (much like New York has been), so we got to get out and explore without freezing our backsides off.

The architecture, the traditions and the history of this city is simply awe-inspiring. We saw so much and yet didn't get around to so much too. I guess it gives us the perfect excuse to get back again. Here are some pictures of what we saw while in London...



Various monuments at Trafalgar Square

Buckingham Palace

St. James Park, stunning autumn colours

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (as viewed from the London Eye)

London Eye

The top of St. Paul's Cathedral



Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

A special thank you also to our fabulous hosts, Tim and Sarah, who not only put us up but who also gave us a fantastic tour of the city. We can't wait to return the favour in New York!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Travel in Style


1. J.Crew Sweater
2. Barton Perreira Glasses
3. Gap Scarf
4. J.Crew Socks
5. DKNY Tote
6. UO Loafers
7. J Brand Jeans
8. Alexander Wang T-shirt

I am off to London tonight with the husband, to visit some friends and take advantage of the extra long weekend due to Thanksgiving. When I am flying I like to dress comfortably but without looking like I just rolled out of bed. When flying overnight as we will be, this is especially important.

Now, for the plane travel thought process... I am someone who wears jeans all the time and flying is no exception. I put on my most comfortable pair and I am as happy as if I were wearing leggings (which I only wear for exercise - I am one of those leggings are not pants people). I also like to wear a comfortable t-shirt and a warm cardigan that I can put on or take off depending on the temperature on the plane (I usually freeze). Then I pull my hair up, make sure I have a clean face and settle in for the journey.

My other necessities include a big bag that I can throw everything into, including magazines, books and a big warm scarf. When travelling for longer than four or five hours I need to ditch the contacts and pull out the specs, unless I want to land with irritated red eyes. Oh and I always take socks in my carry on, admittedly mine are special compression ones otherwise my feet and ankles triple in size. But socks are also great to keep your feet warm when the shoes come off.

---

On a special note, this is my one hundredth blog post. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and who leaves lovely comments when you have seen something you enjoyed. It is something I started not knowing where it would lead (and truth be told I still don't), but I am enjoying doing it and I hope you enjoy reading it too! 
x Kate

Monday, November 21, 2011

Wedding Details


I got my wedding photos over the weekend so thought I would share a few of the details that made up my look for the day...

I got my dress from Gabriella New York Bridal Salon and had the best experience. They were so sweet and nice, and made getting a dress so much fun. I chose an Amy Kuschel gown which I absolutely love. The original line of the dress was more of a baby doll, which is not a very flattering silhouette, so I opted to add a sparkly belt to not only change the line of the dress but to also jazz it up a little. The belt I chose was also by Amy Kuschel. All together it was a little Grecian goddess and I loved it.

I debated whether to wear a veil or not on the blog and in the end decided to go with wearing one for the ceremony only. I also added a flower hairpiece that I made myself using the fabric off-cuts from my gown (I had to redesigned the back of the dress to accommodate the belt and so had a fair bit of fabric to spare). I wore the headpiece all day, even with my veil.

My jewellery was a mixture of pieces including earrings from Jewelmint, which were such a bargain and looked like a million dollars. I was also very touched to be allowed to carry my late grandmother's hanky with me on the day. She carried it with her on the day that she married my grandfather, so it was very special to me.

It was the best day and I am so happy with how everything came together.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Decades Past

1950's
Images via Pinterest and Trendy Decor

1960's
Images via Victoria Beckham on Style.com and Ouno Design

1970's
Images via Tommy Ton on Style.com and Elle Decor

Sometimes when I am feeling uninspired by the looks on the runway or in magazines, I like to look back at trends of the years gone past, as inevitably they will come around again. This goes for both fashion and home interiors. And it not just about looking back at what people wore or how they decorated their homes in that time period, it's also looking at how people in the present translate these trends to make them modern. 

The above images are a few examples of how trends from the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's have been translated to make them fit for the 2010's. I especially love the home interior images, what do you think?

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Baubles

All Images from Pinterest

Maybe its just the time of year but lately I have found myself obsessing over big statement necklaces. I want them in every colour, metal type and variation. I have a couple of nice statement necklaces but they lack something (or maybe I am just bored with them). I have been trawling the internet and above are some of my favourite finds. What do you think, do you like to wear big bauble jewels?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Get the Look

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a fairly casual dresser. It takes a pretty special mood for me to get out of my jeans and into a dress and heels. I think that is why the below outfit appeals to me so much. It is so casual and yet there are heels involved which makes it a little more fun, even if they are casual too!

 Image from Elle.com

Where to Get the Look...
J.Crew shirt
J Brand jeans
Ralph sunglasses
J.Crew necklace and bracelet 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Plum Pout

Image from Exude Lipstick

Plum lipstick is something that I have been loving this fall. It all started watching the Rachel Zoe Project and seeing her perfect plum pout. Inspired, I have been on the hunt for the perfect plum shade.  I have found a Revlon one that I quite like, but I think I am going to have to jump on Zoe's bandwagon and try the Exude brand (which she is the ambassador for). Here are some of my picks to achieve the perfect plum lip, including Rachel Zoe's favourite from Exude...

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Bar is Open



Thanks to some very generous wedding gifts (which I am in the process of writing thank you cards for) we finally have a bar set up in our apartment. I have previously mentioned my love of bars here, so am very excited to finally have set one up. Size played a massive factor in the type of bar we chose. That's the way it is when your dining room is shared with the living room, such is life in New York.

We are not big spirit drinkers, as evidenced by our lack of spirits in the 'bar', but we do love entertaining and having a place where all our entertaining needs are contained together. The cabinet is filled with all our glasses, carafes and serving bowls, while on top we have the booze, openers and mixing utensils.

It still needs a little tweaking (and we need to fill the decanter) but we are very happy with how it has turned out. Now, time to plan a party!



Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Wonders Never Cease


I think I am a little slow on this one but I am in love with Sally Hansen's Salon Effects nail polish strips. As someone who is challenged in the area of do-it-yourself nail polish I am thrilled with the results of this quick and easy to use product. It's as easy as peel, stick and go. Well almost.

I love the fact that there is zero drying time (that is what always kills my D.I.Y. mani) and the fact that you can get all sorts of prints as well as solid nail colours. I particularly love the gold glitter effect I used on my nails. Only time will tell with how long it lasts but considering I have made it through one day without damage, I am already ahead of my usual at home manicure success (or lack of).

Have you used this product before, what did you think? If not, will you give it a try?