L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

Last night I was lucky enough to attend two shows as part of Fashion Week.  The first show featured a mix of designers: Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Gwendolynne, Megan Park, Thurley and Yeojin Bae.

I took some photos but they are typically awful (worst photographer ever) so here are some more professional shots of my favourite looks of the night:

Black and well cut from Yeojin Bae

Sparkle pants from Thurley

Gorgeous pants from Bianca Spender

Typical classic perfection from Carla Zampatti

Amazing detailing from Gwendolynne

Love the way this Jayson Brundson dress falls

Show number two was Dita Von Teese and her lingerie range for Target.  This show was amazing.  Dita opened and closed the show, and models of all shapes and sizes showcased her designs.

Dita closing the show

As you can see her designs are actually really nice, and as they are sold at Target, I am sure they will be quite affordable.  The crowd certainly shared my opinion, she received a standing ovation.


PS to prove I was actually there, here is a super poor quality video I shot of Dita opening her show :)

All images from the LMFF Website by Lucas Dawson and from the Herald Sun

Jewels and Quartz and Chanel

I think i gasped with delight at the images of Chanel's Paris show earlier this week.  The pillars of amethyst and quartz were truly beautiful, but I expect nothing less from Karl.

Guardian

Fashionista.com

I also love this image of street style from (i think) the Paris shows.  Jewel overload where more is definitely more!

SnobFashionSource

Inspired by these images, I was drawn to this piece from one of my favourite etsy-ers, Freidasophie.

Freidasophie

Wouldn't you just love some amethyst bookends like these from Dovecoat-Westport?

Elle Decor

Or a bejeweled dress from Topshop?

  

This graphite stone print from thepairabirds at Etsy is stunning and would make a beautiful addition to a wall of mixed prints.

 And for an easily interchangeable and inexpensive ode to all things jeweled, Stila's range of gorgeous jewel toned eye shadows are too beautiful!

Stila Eyeshadow in Pearl

Etsy Finds - Honey Pie Designs

Lana from Honey Pie Designs makes custom cushions, bags and iPad covers.  Based in NYC, her style is cute, functional and modern.  Her cushion designs are very versatile, would make fab gifts, particularly for someone decking out a nursery.

Cute right?  And remember her items can be customised to have your favourite colour or name printed!

The Coveteur covets Lauren Conrad

One of my favourite websites, The Coveteur, has focussed this week on Lauren Conrads Chanel filled closet.  Check out these beautiful pictures.

Visit The Coveteur to see more images from Lauren's closet!

Whilst I am here talking about LC, lets just give a quick shout out to her style.  PS this post may make you want to go out and splurge on a Chanel 2.55 bag, some skinny jeans, a cute sweater and a perfect blow wave :)

Images from starstyleinc, laurenconrad.com and weheartit.

Wine Tasting

No blogging yesterday because I went straight from work to a wine tasting course at Armadale Cellars.  The one and a half hour course focused on Chablis and I can say that I am a little bit of an expert on this French wine now!  Well maybe not an expert, but I thoroughly enjoyed tasting 7 varieties that ranged from a starting price of $42 a bottle, up to $150 a bottle.  Now I like a good wine but I have never splurged $150 so it was lovely to taste a wine of this quality.  My favourite, however, was the 2008 Domaine Moreau-Naudet Premier Cru Forets. Phew, what a mouthful.  Its around $70 per bottle.  Maybe for a super super special occasion!

Armadale Cellars offer a range of wine courses for beginners to experts and they are thoroughly enjoyable so if you are interested in wine and live in Melbourne, you should check them out.

But one exciting item I did purchase were some used wine crates.  After spying a gorgeous image of herbs being grown in used wine crates, I knew I just had to pick some up.  They were $10 each, but that's cheaper than I found them on eBay.

LLH Designs

I think this project will keep me busy this weekend.  If you want to copy this look, the original post and how-to is over at LLH Designs!

Accessorised Kitchens

I am a fan of kitchen spaces that are not too clean.  That is, they have stuff in them, they are used, they have a bit of style or some unusual touches.  They are dotted with unusual ornaments, bright paintwork, cute accessories, rugs, flowers, Smeg coloured fridges...i could go on.  A recent pinterest trawl yielded some fantastic finds.

There is a peacock on that there fridge.

CountryLiving.com (design by Bjorn Wallander)

Lots of white, pops of colour, bits and pieces everywhere. Love.

Ariannabelle.com

Loving the retro clock on the wall.

homeklondike.com

Yep, it's a whole lotta green.  The cookbooks and orange cutlery holder give it character and make it beautiful, not awful!

House Beautiful

And this one is oh so cute.

Ashlina's NY Kitchen via theeverygirl.com

Some of my kitchen essentials:

1. Kitchenaid Mixer (an ornament as much as it is functional)

2. Savon de Marseille handsoap (did hand soap ever look so good?)

3. Cute retro canisters (West Elm also have some perfect glass ones)

4. Unusual Tea Towels

5. Cookbooks that have great recipes and also look great!  These ones are by Bill Granger and Masterchef Australia contestant, Marion Grasby.

6. Eclectic plates and bowls

Currently Coveting - Leopard

I have a bit of a thing for leopard print.  These items all make me quite happy.  I am not sure if I could pull off an entire dress of leopard, although I love the look on others!

1. Alexander McQueen Scarf

2. Topshop Bag

3. Parker Wrap Dress from Shopbop

4. ASOS Ankle boot (on sale)

5. River Island watch

6. Witchery Bette Wallet

I am also a fan of leopard appearing in an interior space.  It is no longer the tacky rock and roll den/strip club look, but rather a welcome addition to modern spaces.  In other words, it doesn't need to look like someone vomited leopard up all over the place.  Subtle is key!

You can hardly tell this is leopard until you look right at it in Aerin Lauders' apartment.

Source: Elle Decor

Or it can be incorporated as a subtle cushion in a colourful and bright space.

Image: Cocokelly

Lastly, a dramatic staircase in a clean and white interior, lush.