Recreate The Room

Image: Pinterest

I love this simple, clean and modern living room. The combination of white and grey, with accents of brown, is so much more cosy and inviting than it sounds. I especially love the super organised book shelf in the back ground. I like all of my stuff to have a place, preferably a place that is neat, tidy and out-of-sight, so this kind of order is really to my liking. You can easily recreate this living space on your own with the following low to mid-priced items...

Sanna Chair from Room&Board / Knuff Magazine File from IKEA / Lack Coffee Table from IKEA / Potted Ivy from Pottery Barn / Vases & Candlestick from West Elm / Jute Boucle Rug from West Elm

Weekend Style

Image of Anne Hathaway from WhoWhatWear

My style on the weekend is usually all about casual comfort, while still looking stylish. That is why I love layering basics to create a more elevated look. I love how Anne Hathaway has demonstrated this here, wearing modern basics layered together to create a look that is both stylish and warm. You can easily recreate this look using basics you already have in your wardrobe, and then adding a few other key items like black ankle boots and cats eye sunglasses. This look is proof that comfort and style can co-exist.

Jack Wills Trench Coat / J Brand Jeans / Ralph Sunglasses / Urban Outfitters Beanie / Lucky Brand Jeans Leather Jacket / St James Tee at J.Crew / J.Crew Handbag / Nicole Ankle Boots

Zimmermann: A/W 2012

Images: Zimmermann

In honour of Australia Day, I thought I would share some of the latest styles from one of my all-time favourite Australian fashion labels, Zimmermann. I have always love the way that they mix amazing colours and prints, which seems to be such a trend right now. I am especially loving the pink and peachy tones of their latest Autumn/Winter Collection. I want it all.

Happy Australia Day!

Pot Plants

Images: Pinterest

I have been wanting to fill our apartment with house plants for a while now. I always have fresh flowers around the place but they only last such a short time, so I want to add plants that have a little more staying power. The problem with our apartment is natural light. We get a lot of it in summer (along with the stifling heat) but in winter we don't get so much. That limits the type of plants that we can have, but I refuse to let that stop me. I am making finding the perfect house plant my new little project. I will keep you posted on how it goes!

Snow Day

Well we finally had our first snowfall of the year in New York over the weekend. As much as I wasn't looking forward to it, it was actually pretty great. We had a couple of friends in town from Boston so after a trip to the Guggenheim, we took a stroll through Central Park where the snow was still fresh and clean, instead of dirty slush like around the streets. It was a nice way to work off some of the indulgence that was the rest of our weekend eat-a-thon.

It is moments like these that I really feel so fortunate to be able to live in such an amazing place. To think that only two years ago I had never seen snow and now I have lived through a couple of New York's biggest snow falls on record. Granted this weekend's snowfall wasn't much (and I'm glad about that), but it is nice to feel like a bit of an old hand in such conditions. Even if I don't feel so glamorous in my practical (definitely not fashionable) North Face down-filled coat!

Pencil Skirts

Images: Pinterest, Cupcakes and Cashmere, See Jane, Pinterest

It has taken me a while to come around to the pencil skirt. Never having worked in the corporate environment that I have always associated them with, I never really gave them much thought. Having become ever so popular in recent times however, it is hard to ignore the versatility of the humble pencil skirt in any wardrobe. I think it might be time for me to invest in a couple of these classic wardrobe staples.

Merge, Purge and Compromise

Images: Brides Magazine

I loved this article I found searching for old images from Domino Magazine. It reminded me of when Michael and I first moved in together while we were still dating. We disagreed on just about everything when if came to the placement of furniture, artwork and odds and ends in our apartment. We even argued about which order the cutlery should go in the drawer. Clearly neither one of us wanted to cave. Working in fashion, obsessed with home interiors and a perfectionist (and possible control freak) I believed that the way I wanted things was what looked best, but eventually I realised that we needed to compromise because it wasn't just my home any more.

That was several years ago now and I am happy to say that our styles and taste have become much more aligned. We don't have the silent power struggle of where the {insert object} should be placed on the shelf any more, or at least not as often. You know, when you put an object on a shelf and leave the room only to return and find it moved. You move it back, he moves it again, and the cycle goes on and on until one of you caves (which in this instance is never me).

Anyway, silly memories aside, I am also very much in love with what the couple in the article (he's a theater and film director and she's a magazine journalist who covers fashion) have done with their one bedroom apartment. I love everything about it from the white walls, pale floorboards, interesting artwork, large bookshelves and colourful textiles. This is definitely a interior style that I can replicate in my own little one bedroom in New York. Let's hope the hubby agrees!

Cheese Platters

Images: 1,2,3 & 4 Pinterest / 5 A Cup of Jo

I love cheese, it is the very reason that I could never be vegan (that and I also eat meat). When we have guests over for dinner and/or drinks I always serve a selection of cheeses on a big wooden board. My current favourite is the drunken goat cheese from Wholefoods, it is amazing. The truth is though, there aren't too many cheeses that I have met and didn't like. I like them creamy, mouldy, stinky and firm. And another thing to love about cheese is the yummy wines it pairs so beautifully with.

Brown & Black

Images: 1 & 5 Pinterest / 2, 3 & 4 Refinery29

I have found myself being drawn to shoes that feature a combination of brown and black lately. The combination of brown and black is so versatile and much more interesting than a shoe in just one neutral colour. Even though winter has only just arrived in New York (and may I say it has been freezing), I am looking forward to spring so I can wear my own variation of this trend. Although, I am especially in love with the first pair, anyone know who they are by?

Here are a few pairs that I found online at Barney's, so that means they are out of my price range - but hey it doesn't hurt to look. From left to right they are Pierre Hardy, Chloe and Loeffler Randall.

Currently Coveting

Images: Refinery29 / The Sartorialist

I love a great handbag. I have my fair share of nice handbags but I always find myself wanting more. I'm attracted to all sorts of shapes, textures and colours. I do not discriminate. My most recent bag purchase was a steal on Gilt Groupe although you can also find it on sale here. I am obsessed with it. Although, that doesn't stop me from coveting these bags too.

The Home Office

Images: Pinterest

It is my dream to one day have a beautiful home office. I tend to lean toward modern and clean spaces, it could have something to do with the fact that I am an obsessive neat freak. I love organisation and order, which is why one of my favourite stores in New York is the Container Store. We are lucky that in our teeny apartment we have a built in office space near the entry, but I do love the idea of having a proper office set up complete with a stand-alone desk. One day I will.

NYC Dining

Images: The Commons Chelsea / Saxon + Parole / El Quinto Pino / 

The Waverly Inn / La Promenade des Anglais

Over the holiday period we ate out a lot more than usual. We realised that there are some very yummy new places and also some great existing places that we will be heading back to again. Here is a brief summary of each one and why you should go there:

The Commons Chelsea
A cute little coffee and sandwich cafe on Seventh Ave. There are limited tables, but if you miss out you can grab and go. I can't speak of the coffee as I haven't had one (yet) but the sandwiches are delicious. I am sure they are not good for me, but for a treat they are worth it.

Saxon + Parole
We went here with a large group on New Year's eve for dinner and the food was extremely good. So were the cocktails. The wooden bar and dining area are lively but we were in the dining room downstairs which didn't have as much atmosphere. Considering we were with such a large group though it didn't matter, although next time I will try for upstairs.

El Quinto Pino
A cute little tapas and wine bar in Chelsea. The food is amazing, so is the wine. There really isn't much I can say other than yum! This place will definitely become a regular.

The Waverly Inn
I have been here a few times now. The Waverly Inn has a cute and crowded front bar that serves very good cocktails and then there is the packed dining room, where the food doesn't disappoint. Plus we have had a very high success rate for celebrity spotting at this little gem.

La Promenade des Anglais
A great new discovery in Chelsea. This place serves modern French food in a gorgeous brightly coloured setting. I have been here twice now, once for food (delicious) and another time to have a drink at the bar (also delicious). We spend so much time in the West Village for drinking and dining, it is nice that we are finally discovering some gems in our own neighbourhood.

Pale Delights

 Jonathan Saunders / Louis Vuitton / Diane Von Furstenberg

 Hussein Chalayan / J.Crew / J.Crew

3.1 Phillip Lim / Valentino / Calvin Klein Collection

Fendi / Giambattista Valli / Tommy Hilfiger

I am loving the pale colour trend for this coming spring. Most designers went for ultraviolet colours, but the pastel contingent from the likes of Calvin Klein, Valentino and Giambattista Valli were a welcome palette cleanser. Colour-blocked sherbet shades look refreshing and new.

I plan on introducing this trend even before the temperatures begin to rise - which is fitting as they really haven't even dropped that much yet. A pretty pastel top pared with a pair of jeans is a nice departure from my usual grey-heavy winter wardrobe.

Images: Elle.com and Style.com

My Favourite Trips in 2011

I thought I would round out the first week of 2012 by looking back at my four favourites holidays from the past year. Even with the wedding back home in Australia, we still managed to get to some beautiful locations including Boston, Martha's Vineyard, Mexico, London and Sao Paulo. But, my favourite trips were to extra special locations that will stay with me for a very long time. Here they are in the order that we visited them in...

Los Angeles, March 2011

I tagged along on one of Michael's work trips to LA and I seriously feel in love with the place. I know that living in New York I am not supposed to say that about the other coast, but I seriously could move there tomorrow. It helps that we got to stay at the amazing Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, and while Michael was working I got to enjoy the amazing views from our room as well as take walks along the Santa Monica beach front. We hired a car for the weekend (you need one in LA) and spent a day cruising around Malibu and another around Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills. I am just waiting for another excuse to get back over there.

Cost Rica, July 2011

We are famous for last minute holiday bookings and this trip was no exception. We decided that instead of staying in New York for the Fourth of July long weekend, we would jet off to Costa Rica (and unlike some of our other last minute disasters) we didn't regret our decision. We stayed at the gorgeous Hotel Punta Islita (which came highly recommended by a couple of friends). It certainly wasn't cheap, especially given the last minute nature of our booking, but we think it was worth every penny. We had five heavenly days of relaxation, sun and swimming - my favourite things.

Montana, September 2011

We were lucky enough to be invited by a couple of friends to visit them in Montana, which I wrote about here. What an amazing place, we saw so many animals and wildlife, stunning scenery and had a great weekend with a great group of people. There isn't much else I can say except that if you ever get the chance - go there, you won't regret it.

Kauai, October 2011

This beautiful Hawaiian island makes the list not only because it was the location for our honeymoon, but also because it is such a stunning part of the world. Kauai is a far less touristy island than the likes of Oahu and Maui, but is is certainly not without it's creature comforts. We spent an amazing ten nights at the Koa Kea resort, which we felt was the perfect, laid back yet beautiful resort to spend our time. Kauai is a great place to soak up the sun, drink delicious cocktails, get active and spot plenty of marine life. It truly is a heavenly place that I hope to get back to one day.

I hope we get to some equally beautiful locations this year!

Missoni Home

Images: Missoni Home

I am, and have always been, in love with Missoni Home. One day (if I have a lot more money), I would love to have a house full of Missoni linen and towels. Until then though, I will just dream about how great all of these beautiful colours and prints would look in my apartment.