Eat Drink Chic

The cold weather is well and truly settling in and I'm getting very 'nesty' again.

In the evenings, I've found myself adopting all those Wintertime clichés - reading a good book (or flicking through mags) curled up on the sofa under a blanket... candlelight softly flickering in my peripheral vision... dog curled up at my feet. Well, there's nothing like the classics, right?

As a result, I've become increasingly obsessed with scented candles. Yes, I'm one of 'those' people now. I used to think they were over-priced nonsense but I've converted. (Ok, I still think they're over-priced nonsense, but it's become a tiny bit of a guilty pleasure). 

For those interested, I'm currently loving the 'Quince' scent from the Palm Beach Collection. And, yes, I'm aware that sounds posh.

I'm also making use of the 'dimmer' switch on our ceiling lights and stringing fairy lights around the place. I think I've upped the 'cosy' factor quite significantly. 

"Wow, it smells... girly... in here." is my hubby's reaction to my newfound fancy.

In the creative department, I've made these cloud magnets. You like? It was actually really easy. Kaisercraft actually sell wooden cloud embellishments which I simply decorated with paint and glitter, then stuck magnets to the back.

My lunches these days have become 'bitsy'- I'm a huge fan of variety. I also make no secret of the fact that I'm no cook so we've been stocking up on pre-prepared goodies from Leo's. We try to make sure the majority of what we buy is made from natural ingredients and preservative free, sometimes even organic. I really enjoy Darikay pumpkin soup. It contains no onion which is good for my irritable tummy. It's kind of sweet so I add some paprika to spice it up. I also like overloading my soup with parsley and Solomon's Sippets and occasionally the green parts of a spring onion. If I could handle onion better, the asian in me would also appreciate adding crunchy fried shallots to the mix. Yum.

And now to my next obsession- colourful, patterned socks. Yes, I'm not entirely sure where this one came from as I don't even wear socks. Clearly, I've been missing out and must start immediately. (Socks from Happy Socks, Hansel from Basel and Gorman)

And finally, I've started to print out some photos of us, our wedding and of Sukie. We don't have any photos up around our house yet so I think it's well and truly time. It makes the place more of a 'home'.

Bring on the Winter...

You may think you can eat this jewellery.... but don't.

From Calourette.

Mini me { envelopes } from Typo

La sardinia beach editions { camera } from Lomography { via design work life }

Bamboo { salad servers } from sunnyLIFE

Pink iced { donut } from Donut King ( my regular thursday afternoon treat!)

Barry M { nail paint }

Anita 3/4 sleeve stripe { dress } from Alice + Olivia

Mirror mirror { vanity } from Urban Outfitters

Vintage { Harpers Bazaar } cover

Free downloadable { candy } party favour boxes (by me!)

Cristina Re signature { teacups }

1. Eco-friendly wooden ice-cream spoons with stripes from Room 6

2. DIY Pixelated pop-up card from Minieco

3. Yeah! Notecard pack from Ship & Shape

4. Happy Pop from Happy Lab

5. Birthday Bling Embellishment Card from Typo

{ outfit } by des petits hauts ( via designlovefest )

{ necklace } by apres ski

x ochre { cushion } by ponyrider. (they appear to be sold out but i also spotted it in this shop.)

fun in the sun { tote } by alphabet bags found at everything begins

{ pink gingham folder } from typo

artisan { pops } by liana raine

dali pink { espadrilles } from soludos

{ tote } from salt

{ purple heels } from gorman

striped painted paper mache { ornament } from luna bazaar

'toe the line' idiom { bangle } from kate spade

{ outfit } from suno resort 2012

{ looking sharp } apothecary soap from izola

{ stripy headband } from topshop

gallery of { exercise books } at hi + low

{ yellow ring } from kate spade

'budino' { tart } from fruute

'on your toes' { yellow flats } from anthropologie

You may have already seen Rachel's beautiful blog Elephantine... Have you also seen her beautiful new online shop? Take a peek!

I'm intrigued by this buttered popcorn ice-cream recipe by Trotski and Ash. I'm sure it would make a great addition to a movie night with friends.

While you're there check out all their other cute recipes accompanied by the gorgeous photography of Lauren Bamford.

{ photo by Lauren Bamford }

I spotted Happy Lab recently at Chadstone Shopping Center and was immediately enticed by the cute packaging and creative store design. Beakers and test tubes filled with colourful candy and chocolate line the walls whilst staff parade around in lab coats. If the sugar doesn't make you happy, the colours surely will. Don't you just love great packaging?

{ photos from Happy Lab and Westfield websites }

When I was a little girl I watched 'The Sound of Music' at least 300 times. The songs were a staple in our household, making regular appearances in shower solos and impromptu hums.

Despite possessing the highest regard for this beloved musical, I never related to the song “My Favourite Things”. This is mostly due to the fact that I found Fräulein Maria's list of 'favourite things'  somewhat lacking (and, not to mention, rife with the 'cheese' factor). Sadly, “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” did absolutely nothing for me.

In addition, I found that prancing around in my bedtime garments and belting out the phrase "schnitzel with noodles"  helped little in the event of sheer, blinding terror.

I realise now that perhaps my indifference to Mr Hammerstein's lyrics is also due to one profound and glaring omission: green and black's 85% dark chocolate.

The stuff rocks. Buy in bulk.

{ photo by Amy Moss }

It has recently come to my attention that the combination of pretty novelty chocolate, shiny+glittery hats and a collection of colourful felt balls = happy!

So, if you're out and about in Melbourne and you're looking for some cheering up, here's where to go:

• Simón Coll Umbrella Chocolates from 'The Department' ( a new and interesting concept store) in Prahran
• Glitter hat from Woolworths (pick up some munchies while you're there) in Kew
• Felt balls from The Colour Lab ( lots of pretty colourful things ) in Prahran
• Happy Birthday candles from Daiso ( could spend hours in this cute japanese store. everything is $2.80! ) in Westfield Doncaster.

{ photography by Amy Moss }

Spotted these on Pinterest today- the cutest cookies you ever did see.

Confetti Programs by Martha Stewart... Cute dresses from Dear Creatures Spring 2011... Gorgeous fabric tapes from Love My Tapes... Pastel Ice-cream cups from Sur la table { via Love from the Oven }...  Cute pic of paint dipped pencils by Tokketok- Photography by Lisa Warninger and Styling by Chelsea Fuss { via Simplesong } ... British Baking book by Peyton & Byrne from Amazon...

I visited Miette when I was in SF last year for my honeymoon. Simply the most gorgeous cakes I have ever seen!  And now there's a book !!  Must have now!

{ photos from Miette website }

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Note: This post contains a link to 'Miette: Recipes from San Francisco's Most Charming Pastry Shop' on Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate which means that I receive a small percentage of any sales made when readers click on this link. This helps to keep this website alive. However, please note that I would only ever review and suggest books that I personally recommend.

Liking these 'Synthetic Foods' limited edition screen prints by C.S. Neal

{ via freshlyblended }

Dress from Anthropologie

"Don't Forget to be Awesome" art print from Super Swoon

Chair from Serena and Lily

Flower Tote from Mar Y Sol

DIY Twig Lamp by Better Homes & Gardens

Hummingbird Cupcake recipe by Annie's Eats

'Tartine Bread' Book by Chad Robertson from Amazon

Mug from Mr Kitly

Stila's Convertible Color at J.Crew

Pink Flower Hairclip from Seed

Floral Fabric 'Keisarinna' from Marimekko

Cloud Mobile from The Butter Flying

Dress from Orla Kiely

'Love my mum' mini memory book from Kikki K

'Hello' Card from 55 Hi's

Chair 'Montparnasse' from Coco Republic

DIY Ice-cream Cake from One Charming Party

What a frustrating week! First a nasty computer virus then an erratic server- so sorry for the lack of updates thus far! Anyway, better late than never right?

I'm currently tempted to pay a visit to Hare & Grace- a Melbourne eatery and minibar designed by the talented Joost Bakker. Judging from their website gallery both their food and interior look equally delicious!

{ photos from Hare and Grace website }

Wedding Style Guide magazine's latest issue (which features my wedding!) also includes a mint green version of my Ice-Cream Parlour cups as part of their 'retro green machine' spread (pg.78). The cup wrapper can be downloaded for free from their website!

(Print onto glossy photo paper for best results!)

a  Stamp Rugs officially licenced by The Royal Mail { via Adore Home }

b  Happy Easter gift tags from Kikki K

c  Handmade candy by Selfridges { via hooray }

d  'It's OK' banner from Secret Holiday

e  Lavender Lorne Button Back Chair from Early Settler

f   Sweet collages by Bird in a Bunny Suit

g  Missoni Mare Swimsuit from Net a Porter

h  Custom designed typographic wood puzzles- "Nuzzles" by John Christenson

i  Coral Leather Bow Make-up bag from Topshop

j  Teal confetti from Kristina Marie

k  Pink Suede 'Meow' shoes by Jeffrey Campbell from Solestruck

l  Pintuck Velvet Pillow from Urban Outfitters