Today's the big day!

This looks delicious!

Lovely ideas

The black and white Paris map paper in frames is one of the most cost effective ways to decorate a plain wall. Looks fantastic.
And MJ Bale had a great mix of old pieces of furniture, ladders, etc to help merchandise the new store on Queen St.

Big ticket item

Popped over to Neutral Bay to have a little play at HR. Tried on the most amazing Oscar De La Renta shoes, yummier than lunch at Pier!

With labels like this to choose from it is quite overwhelming: Alan Hannan, Beverly Lister, Jenny Packham (think Elle McPherson), Monique Lhuillier (think amazing!), Oscar De La Renta (think Carrie), Suzanne Neville and of course our trusty old favourite Vera Wang (think everyone).

We didn't get a glass of bubbles but it was a fabulous experience, fabulous service and Helen is nothing but professional with a wealth of knowledge and advice.

Helen Rodrigues
7, 211 Ben Boyd Road,
Neutral Bay, NSW 2089, Australia
t 61 2 9904 5700

Lunch at Pier

Delicious lunch at Pier the Cones of Kingfish – King Salmon – Ocean Trout – Yellow Fin Tuna were the highlight of my day!

594 New South Head Road, Rose Bay

www.pierrestaurant.com.au

Moet at 10:30am.

Being Jacs' birthday and trying on a special frock apparently equates to champagne in the mornings. Well, we happily accepted as I pranced in and out of the fitting room.

We were absolutely delighted by Collette Dinnigan's new store on Queen Street. Only a week old, and an absolutely stunning space. Beautifully merchandised and decorated with furniture and prints from Collette's house. Very beautiful.

The windows were decorated with enormous branches from her brothers Jacaranda tree! Must be fate, since I love the Jacaranda City.

Found Jacs at Phamish.

Off to Phamish for the most stylish Vietnamese local that's always packed and always delicious. The yummiest salt and pepper squid.

248 Palmer St,
Sydney NSW 2010

Quick trip to Sydney

To buy a dress for a very, very special occasion. Was collected at the airport by LV and then we collected LV junior.

Headed to Wine Library for a lovely glass of wine (or two) and sensational charcuterie list, choosing the delicate chicken liver & vin santo parfait with toasted sourdough. And for two, the embuditos y quesos – a selection of cured artisan meats and cheeses served with pan con tomate – a lovely little snack after pizza shapes on the airplane!

18 Oxford Street
Woollahra 2025
(02) 9328 1600

Having fun in Melbourne!

One of my friends attended the opening of The Millswyn this week in MElbourne. Formerly Lynch’s, the site has undergone a name change (reflecting its location - it is on Millswyn Street) and an overhaul by Melbourne design studio, Hecker Guthrie (Sensory Lab). But just to keep it fresh here’s the twist- the food is French Brasserie, in a Nordic inspired setting.

Just across the road from the leafy Royal Botanic Gardens, detailed research went into creating the right European feel interior watch out for plaited mops, white tiled walls and Italian porcelain lights. I looks clean and fresh and fun. I hear the honey and lavender caipirinha's are fabulous!

Thanks for the review Jacs!

Selfridges - just plain jealous!

The new Selfridges "Shoe Gallery" - definitely art!

Thank you L!

Liberty of London

One of my favourite clients happens to be in London at the moment and snapped a little photo of the new Manolo Boutique at Liberty. Ooooh a little bit envious that I am not there with you! It looks gorgeous.

Liberty of London

I was lucky enough to work just blocks away from the Liberty of London department store, so was able to pop in once a week to admire the amazing building and gaze longingly at all the beautiful products. I would buy hankies there for Nana and Daddy as little gifts to post home. Jacs sent through a link to a limited edition "White Silk Illustrated Shoe Shelf Scarf", designed by Manolo Blahnik for Liberty. It is so fun.

http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/View-All/White-Silk-Illustrated-Shoe-Shelf-Scarf,-Manolo-Blahnik-for-Liberty/57839

Bridge the Gap

Very excited - Gap is opening its first store in Sydney at 9:30am this morning! Very curious to see how it looks and cannot wait to pick up some basics - my very favourite white crew neck t-shirt.

Gucci Cruise

Was admiring the styling of the new Gucci Cruise line by the Saks Fifth Avenue online team. I would be very happy with a wardrobe full of these outfits. Everything looks flawless.

Special Occasion, or just need help?

Monday in Alstonville

Quick trip to Alstonville yesterday for a little Winter buying. Such a spectacularly green piece of countryside after all the rain over the last few weeks.

Popped into Gingerlilly which is a cute little shabby chic store with lots of little bits and pieces to admire. Worth a trip!

Saturday in Bangalow

A quick trip through Bangalow on our way to a delightful wedding in Murwillumbah at the beautiful Tweed River Art Gallery (thank you Marty and Alana).

Was so excited to be walking down the main street of Bangalow toward the pharmacy (the best pharmacy I have ever encountered, it's my favourite store in the whole town), to come across a carpet of rose petals! It was a temptation to turn left into the weekly farmers market and visit the beautiful rose farmer. So simple, but so effective, and of course I walked straight in!

Friday in Yamba

The Clarence Valley Council have a series of "Clarence Food" events this month, including the sensational Gate to Plate in Grafton.

On Friday across the road from the store we were lucky enough to have the "Edible Garden" on display and it was fabulous. (Well done Alicia). Very, very groovy.

King Karl makes a statement.

Karl Lagerfeld adds weight to the trend of unconventional models by choosing Ines de la Fressange, 53, for the Chanel catwalk. Ines de la Fressange, 53, who was Chanel's house model during the 1980s, returned to the Chanel catwalk, 21 years after parting ways with the Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/middleaged-model-wows-paris-20101005-165ln.html

Drool....

The new Ralph Lauren campaign. Ralph, I love you!

"Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life"

This divine little book by Mary Carter arrived in store yesterday, and from cover to cover it is filled with little gems.

This lovely book celebrates living beautifully and happily, not messily. Lavishly illustrated with intimate photographs of different living spaces, Carter exalts in the beauty of imperfection and in living perfectly in our "imperfect" homes. Life isn't perfect--why should your house be? If only we could make it look that easy!

"Every journey began in Africa"

My attention was drawn on Friday to a beautiful ad in the Fin Review magazine. An incredible collaboration, celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz photographed U2 frontman Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson – founders of the ethical fashion line Edun – for the latest Louis Vuitton Core Values advertising campaign.

The ad which reads "Every Journey Begins in Africa", features the humanitarian duo arriving in an African grassland.

This is the first time another brand has graced Louis Vuitton's ads with Bono and his wife wearing their own ethical fashion label Edun.

The ad coincides with Paris Fashion Week’s Africa Rising Exhibition, where contemporary African art will be sold alongside Edun’s Spring collection.

Both Bono and Hewson donated their appearance fee to charity organizations that promote growth in developing countries. A portion of the profits from their new co-designed LV bag will also go to charity.

It is visually beautiful and worth checking out: www.louisvuittonjourneys.com

DKNY NYFW

At the DKNY Spring New York Fashion Week show it is all about the scarf, the bow belt and red shoes. What more could a girl need really. A beautifully styled show with real accessibility.

Thanks Jacs.

Hermes Brisbane

Terribly excited to see the ribbon wrapped front of the new Hermes store on Edward Street on Friday morning. Snapped to few shots to make it "real".

The new store will cover 234 sqm across two floors and forms part of a wider strategy for Edward Street to be home to a number of international luxury brands.

There are plans to further develop Edward Street with updated buildings, footpaths and surrounds, further establishing Brisbane as an international shopping destination.

I currently have the new book in store "The Hermes Scarf History & Mystique" it is too gorgeous for words.