Creme de la Creme

It's pretty much winter now in the northern hemisphere, and instead of defaulting to wearing black, my latest colour obsession is creamy white. I don't want to say cream, because it gives me fond reminders of my grandmother insisting I wear 'cream' which to me at the time was an ugly version of white. However, now I am open to it and boy would my grandmother be proud, I'm even watching 3 jackets in this colour on eBay!

I have taken some inspiration from ELLE's Shop Darling blog as they featured Kate Bosworth wearing cool winter whites from Diane von Furstenberg's spring 2010 collection:
My favourite is the Chiffon rose vest from Topshop
Other items are: silk bustier gown, shearling vest, embroidered cotton blouse, and cowl-neck sweater dress

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D&G Wedges

I thought this was so cute/funny! In the latest issue of India's Grazia mag, the fashion feature has models wearing gorgeous D&G suede wedges in similar shape to this, but in different patterns and colours (I surprisingly couldn't find any photos on the web). I realised I have this secret obsession with wedges but have not yet brought my self to purchase a pair...
Maybe this summer in Australia, my shining moment will come when I confess my obsession...

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Paris law bans trousers for women?

A 200 year old law that bans women from wearing trousers in Paris? That is crazy talk!

I think this has unfortunately ignited my feminist streak, you know equal gender rights, women-can-have-babies-and-work-too, and all that jazz. But what makes it more crazy for me is that it's Paris, the fashion capital of the world, home of haute couture and chic. Labels such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Chloe, Balmain, and Givenchy were born in Paris, but what for when you couldn't fully embrace fine fashion to it's highest accord and wear a stupid pair of pants?
I would love to know what the consequence of wearing pants would have been 60 years ago, for I am sure I would be a repeat offender (the rebellious streak). In the many articles I have read on the topic, it was known that you had to seek permission from the police station if you wanted to wear pants, although permission would be wavered if you were at "the reigns of a horse". I don't know about you, but if I lived in Paris in 2009 my 'horse' may have wheels...four in fact. So would I still be allowed to wear pants?
Unlikely it seems that the law will change anytime soon, even with a letter by her 'royal' self Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. However, Parisian women are undeterred by this ancient ruling looming over their heads and are clearly sporting freedom and choice in what they wear. And I would hope so, it's the year 2009 and even Muslim women in more liberal Middle Eastern countries (like UAE, Qatar & Bahrain) are given a choice to wear a burka or not.
I guess the French like their women one way: slim and eternally molded into 1920s chic that sits just below the knees.

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Arniko

Check out Arniko Skateboards new video featuring it's founder Marius Arter, Jimmy Carson (my husband) and some sick German guy that does a handstand flip thing!

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For the gentlemen

For a while I've been feeling like I've been neglecting the men out there, who are our wonderful husbands, boyfriends, friends - so this post is dedicated to them ...

If you weren't aware, JT aka Justin Timberlake, released his own line for men and women earlier this year called William Rast. It's a bit country/urban but still had that JT ruggedly handsome thing happening.Ok, I just realised, maybe this post wasn't for the boys but really for the girls?!

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The World Around Us

I absolutely LOVE traveling (borderline obsessed). It's gotten to the point where my husband realised that I enjoy the trip to the airport and the however long flight as much as the destination. He even compared me to a child, because I get so excited about things out the plane window.

But anyway, when I was young I had one of those desks that had the world map on it, and instead of study my books I would study the map and circle countries that I wanted to go to 'when I grew up'. So naturally, now that I am kinda 'grown up' I want a big wall world map so I can continue to look at it and dream.

Here are some cool world map ideas...

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An artist and her tools

This quote is my new inspiration...

"Seated at the great desk, the Author opens the large book. It has no words. It has no words because no words exist. No words exist because no words are needed. There are no ears to hear them, no eyes to read them. The Author is alone. And so he takes the great pen and begins to write. Like an artist gathers his colours and a woodcarver his tools, the Author assembles his words."- Max Lucado

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Hoot Hoot!

I really really want this adorable Owl Pocket Watch by I Like You World - a Melbourne store that sells very cute stuff.
It's the cutest thing ever!

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Escaping Winter

It is absolutely FREEZING here in Kathmandu at the moment...I think we've skipped fall and have gone straight into winter. I'm so sure that my fingers are frozen as I write this!

I came across this beautiful album of travel photos of Tunisia and totally escaped the cold for all of 20 minutes and made me reminisce about our recent trip to the Middle East. But they truly are beautiful...Photos by gusgasta

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Hello November

I can't believe it's November already! Next month I will be going HOME to Australia and you don't understand how big a smile that brings to my face just at the thought of it.

It is SO cold here in Kathmandu at the moment I just can't get over it. But it the views of the mountains are absolutely MAGNIFICENT! So I guess I have to choose between warmth and the mountains...well today I choose warmth before my toes covered in tights decide to fall off!

This month I plan to do lots of baking to warm up a heater-less house. First up on my baking list is homemade bread that I will add some olives and sun dried tomatoes to.

Here is the Rachel Allen (my new baking mentor!) recipe below if you want to have a go to:

Brown Soda Bread

Ingredients

225g (8oz) wholemeal flour
225g (8oz) plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
50g (2oz) mixed seeds, such as sesame, pumpkin or sunflower, or golden linseeds (optional)
25g (1oz) butter (optional)
1 egg
375-400ml (13-14fl oz) Buttermilk

You will need a 25cm (10in) diameter tart tin, 3cm (1¼in) deep

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F), Gas mark 7.

2. Sift together the flours, salt and bicarbonate of soda in a large bowl and mix with the seeds (if using). Add the butter (if using), and rub into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre.

3. In another bowl, whisk the egg with the buttermilk and pour most of the liquid into the flour mixture. Using one hand with your fingers outstretched like a claw, bring the flour and liquid together, adding more buttermilk if necessary. The dough should be quite soft, but not too sticky.

4. Turn onto a floured work surface, and gently bring it together into a round about 4cm (1½in) deep. Cut a deep cross on top

5. Place on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then turn down the heat to 200°C (400°F), Gas mark 6 and cook for 30 minutes more. When cooked, the loaf will sound slightly hollow when tapped on the base. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

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A catch up with The Sartorialist

I haven't visited The Sartorialist aka Scott Schuman's blog in a while so I thought I'd mosey on over and be updated with street style from around the world...

I love the skirt and blouse in this photo. Oh, and the yellow cab! Captures what NYC typically is in my mind.I love this stripey top, I am yet to find the perfect one in a navy stripe...sigh...I think her laid-back vibe is what really got my attention in this photo...that and the sandals and tight mini.I love the shoes and the bag! Heck, even the bow! So chic!This photo just makes me wish I grew up in Paris...all my days of trying to convince my mother to send me to a French boarding school didn't pay off. But it just looks so fun to be a teenager in Paris!

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