Lovely Cupcakes

One of the best presents I have ever received was from Dilemma. On Christmas night I was lucky enough to receive four cupcakes decorated in Chanel and Louis logos. They were fabulous and delicious and very very fun.

Located on Waterworks Road in Ashgrove (Qld). Sometimes the simple things are the best. A cup of tea and a cupcake!

Thank you Dilemma.
www.cakesbyjudyc.com.au

What a Doll

Have always loved Barbie, so was delighted to read of the new Barbie for the style minded, with an enviable shoe collection from Chistian Louboutin. Not only can you purchase Barbie and her four pairs of shoes, you can also download a Barbie themed desktop calendar with art direction and photographs by Louboutin documented Barbie's recent trip to Paris and her stylish transformation. Love it.

barbiecollector.com
net-a-porter.com

Aria for lunch

A lovely anniversary lunch for M&D and I at Aria. Fabulous food, view, service and of course company. D was the first to comment on the amazing orchids in the bathroom (men and ladies). Not hard to work out where I get it from.

ariarestaurant.com

A Picture Book First and Foremost

David Bromley’s only Queensland signing of A Picture Book First and Foremost took place at the Jan Murphy Gallery today, in conjunction with the launch of his new exhibition, Pin-ups and Picture Books.

I have purchased a few pieces from the Jan Murphy gallery. The staff are amazing, and the gallery space is beautiful. Looking forward to indulging in this new addition to the Bromley collection.

janmurphygallery.com.au

Black and Spiro and I want everything...

Jacs and I, and numerous friends have long been fans of Anna's blog absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com

I try to get to the store as often as possible, as it is always so intriguing to see how a huge variety of colours can work together, despite the "rules". The rule of thumb in this interior world seems to be for everything to be painted white and then everything else just speaks for itself. I have long been campaigning for the ban of coloured paint, I would love to see every wall, inside and out, painted white!

This week I would love to purchase the pink and white stripe over stuffed sofa and all the cushions, and all the lamps, and have my whole house decorated in this style. It is always good to have something to strive for!

www.blackandspiro.com.au
768 Brunswick St, New Farm, Queensland.

Coffee and the best banana bread we have EVER had!

Worked in Brisbane the other day and took M&D along for the ride. Headed straight to Campos for coffee (11 Wandoo Street Fortitude Valley). Once you get past the stinky bins that line the lane way, it is coffee heaven.

Ordered a little serving of banana bread, and it was amazing! Order two serves!

www.camposcoffee.com They have even created a Capos iphone app. I'll let you know how it goes.

Manic Monday - Melbourne V

Nudie Jeans store have a pair of jeans hanging outside in the style that you see beautiful ironwork signage in tiny lanes of Vienna, Prague or Budapest.

Next to Christine (sadly it was closed by the time I got there), is Pollen, beautiful florist, with a similar idea.

Manic Monday - Melbourne IV

Compulsory to see what is happening in David Jones Melbourne City Store. Unfortunately the top few floors where damaged due to the horrific storm that swept through there.

Still managed to spot the new Salvatore Ferragamo collection. Fabo coral, blue, white and extensive use of grosgrain ribbon. Easter present to self! Healthier than an egg.

Was intrigued to see the new coffee concept at DJs - "Sensory Lab", Little Collins St entrance, reminded me of really traditional Japanese coffee houses.

Headed downstairs to the food hall for a quick lunch. It is one of the few places where I feel perfectly happy having lunch alone with a glass of wine without any judgements.

Manic Monday - Melbourne III

Off to the city

For a roam around and a general look at what is happening.

Last week Aesop released its deodorant - so I ducked into the Flinders Lane store (which is constructed using nothing but cardboard boxes) to pick up a bottle.

Love the campaign using a quote from Elizabeth Taylor "Success is a great deodorant. It takes away all your past smells."

Manic Monday - Melbourne II

Next stop is a meeting with Anna Thomas. I'm very excited that Summer 2010/11 is going to see the introduction of Anna's label to Belinda's Store. I have been watching for the last couple of years, and am delighted with Anna's attention to detail and use of grosgrain ribbons, beautiful buttons and trims.

Please let me know if you would like to know more about Anna.

www.annathomas.com

Manic Monday - Melbourne

From a 6am flight from the Gold Coast straight to Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder for cafe au lait and croissants.

It is not often that I get to visit Stephanie's lovely cafe, but I always enjoy it immensely when I do. And the Cheese Room is still one of the most accessible in Australia.



www.rhcl.com.au

Cherry Picking Good

A friend of Jacs (we brunched in NYC one Sunday), has this week launched; Cherrypicked.com.au

From Flick - "It's an idea I've had for a while, based on a few similar publications I subscribed to in the U.S to keep me up to date on what was happening in and around New York and San Francisco.

Cherry Picked is your insider's guide to Sydney. It is a daily email delivered straight to your inbox - we cherry pick the best of the best new fashion, food, fun, trends and deals so that you can keep your finger on the pulse. From secret supper clubs to the latest bar openings and hidden boutiques, we've got you covered.

Oh and did I mention that it is FREE? "

SUBSCRIBE NOW AT: http://cherrypicked.com.au/subscribenewsletter.

Tony's Mascot

Amazing what you see at Surf Carnival's.

So excited!

My two purchases arrived yesterday all packed up in gorgeous wooden crates.

I love buying artwork. It gives my so much relatively guilt free pleasure - it is an investment after all.

This is the first time that I have bought photographic work, but when we walked into the gallery in Bondi I could not resist, and I have subsequently signed up for the daily email.

Living on the coast for me is like my fix, my mental health maintenance, and it is always lovely to know that it gives so much pleasure to so many of us.

www.aquabumps.com

Vic's Meats

One of the most innovative stores that I have ever seen in Australia was on Friday afternoon. The Victor Churchill butcher in Woollahra, is like no other butcher I have ever seen anywhere in the world. It is just beyond any expectations you could ever conjure, you will have to personally pop in to fully understand how revolutionary this store truly is.

Save it up till the end of a very busy day of shopping with your boy. If you are lucky he will choose a delicious cut of meat to take home to cook for you and your tired feet. And he will love it. I promise.

The highlight for me was the door handles in the shape of sausages! Too good!

www.victorchurchill.com

The General Store

Popped into the Donna Hay General Store for a little look and loved the idea of using wooden pegs to hold up the pricing cards. Very simple and sweet. Jumped on the Donna Hay website last night for the carmelised onion, potato and rosemary pizza (for my boys), and noticed she uses the pegs there as well. Good tie in....

www.donnahay.com.au

Spaghetti "Arrabbiata" Crab Cooked in a Paper Bag

Flew into Sydney bright and early Friday morning for two days of hard work and also lots of play. After Life Instyle headed to North Bondi Italian for a late lunch of Pimms and lemonade, and a little pasta.

Always love the people watching, particularly on a Friday afternoon, when it is not quite the weekend, but close enough.

The thing I like the most about NBI is the very clean use of colour, and there commitment to the branding in everything they do.

The only flaw was our sour waitress. Not a happy girl.