Eat Drink Chic

Wow, so it took a lot longer than expected but it's finally here. I hope you like the new look Eat Drink Chic!

I'm feeling a newfound surge of inspiration. Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery...

Here are some new features that may interest you:

• A brand new page dedicated to my DIY and Freebies.
• You can now subscribe to email updates. (See left column). 
• I've finally joined Pinterest!  However, there's not much there yet... will get to it soon! 
• I've made sharing posts and images a lot easier with a social media bar at the bottom of each post and 'pin it' rollovers on each image.

If you experience any issues on the new site, please let me know! I appreciate the feedback :)

When things take on a decidedly rut-like quality, It's time for a fresh new beginning!

That is why I will be taking the rest of the month off from updating Eat Drink Chic. My plan is to dedicate this time to a complete re-design of this site. I feel it's been a long time coming.

I would also like to tackle some larger projects which, in my efforts to update this site as frequently as possible, have been continuously pushed aside in favour of smaller, quicker ones. The time away will give me the opportunity to finally sink my teeth into these!

I look forward to returning to regular updates on November 1st and diving into this holiday season with (hopefully!) a brand new site and some great new content for you!

See you in November! xo

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HOLIDAY ADVERTISING

For those interested in advertising on Eat Drink Chic, you can book a placement for any time after November 1st. Check out this page for sponsorship details.

The spring weather has finally hit in full force! And although I try REALLY hard not to completely inundate this blog with happy snaps of Sukie, I simply can't help myself! I'm a hopelessly smitten doggy parent.

Sukie is largely an inside dog. However, with all the glorious weather we've been having lately, she's spending more and more time outdoors- basking in the sunshine, playing with her beloved new soccer ball and shamelessly scamming the occasional belly rub from suckers passers by. 

Her idea of heaven is when all three activities are performed simultaneously in one epic Sukie-appreciation-fest.

The only thing that could top the experience is the inclusion of chicken.

Happy Friday all! xo

{ all photos by Amy Moss }

The weekend is almost upon us and the first project for me to tackle is catching up on some much-needed sleep! I've recently found myself trapped in a ridiculous little ritual. Each morning at some dark, god-forsaken hour, I wake to an onslaught of thoughts and project ideas for this blog and for our home.... It then takes me hours to get back to sleep.

Speaking of ideas, I recently came up with this cute and simple little DIY project... 

Believe me, nobody hates the idea of hacking up magazines more than I do but there is so much seriously beautiful photography going on in cooking mags these days (the rustic textures, the vibrant colours, the scrummy styling...) that I thought it would be great to turn fragments of these images into gift tags. Or, perhaps more fittingly, tags to attach to cutlery for table-setting decorations. 

Cut out some visually interesting segments from your magazine (in a uniform size), then stick them onto thick kraft card and cut to size. Punch a hole at the top and attach some twine. Voila.

I find the best mags are the ones that use thick, rough-textured, matte stock. Jamie Magazine is a great example.

Of course, If you're super lazy like me and don't mind spending a little extra money on the project, you can cheat and get these awesome heavy-weight kraft tags and just stick the magazine cuttings directly onto them.

Oh, and if you really hate the idea of hacking up your mag, just buy a second copy to keep!

There's a weekend project for ya.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the weekend. Apart from catching up on sleep and tackling some decorating projects I'm also intent on spending some quality time with Sukie in our (newly tidied up) backyard. She has a new toy that has actually survived an entire week. It's still fully intact and functioning. We're so proud. 

Happy Friday! xo

{ photos by Amy Moss }

Ack! It's been quite awhile since my last post. What a slacker! In truth, I was a little under the weather last week, my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates. The good news is I'm currently working furiously on some freebies for you all! Hope to get them up this week! 

In other news, I've been looking for small ways to do up our kitchen. I decided to put part of my collection of bowls on display rather than hiding them away in a cupboard. Our kitchen is grey, grey, grey and needs some brightening up and a little bit of 'colourful clutter' makes it feel a lot more homey. Also, I'm a firm believer that if you're a collector, you should display your collections prominently in your home. Surround yourself with the things you love!

I also acquired these lovely amber jars from Market Lane Coffee in Prahran Market. All my kitchen needs now is some bright and colourful artwork for the walls above- I see a fun DIY project in my future :)

By the way, I'm always on the hunt for more bowls. If you see some pretty ones, let me know!

{ photos by Amy Moss }

We love our dog Sukie, but she is a bona fide nutball.

The latest is that she's developed a phobia of the doorway to Mark's office. Yes, you heard right. The doorway.

She's perfectly fine if she's either side of it, but it's the experience of going through the doorway itself that is inexplicably traumatic. Even dog treats will not tempt her.

On the odd occasion, however, her determination will outweigh her fears and she will attempt to make a sudden, mad dash through to the other side. In a spectacle that soon becomes akin to a scene from a Looney Tunes cartoon, Sukie's claws, scurrying frantically, fail to get a grip on the polished floorboards and she is unable to propel herself forward. She finds herself suspended in some kind of comical, roadrunner-esque motion loop in the doorway for what seems like an eternity. Her efforts to expedite the traumatic experience, backfiring drastically.

This predicament has made Sukie a little glum. She usually enjoys lying by Mark's side while he works but now all she can do is poke her head around the door and stare at him longingly.

Mark also misses her company and so, in a stroke of genius, was able to come up with this clever solution: He lays down her dog bed in front of her and coaxes her onto it. He then slides the dog bed through the evil doorway until she and her bed have safely reached the other side. 

We call this the Magic Carpet ride. And it works a treat.

We know, however, this is not an ideal fix. It will take time and a whole lot of positive reinforcement to get her traversing that doorway confidently again.

Mark's been a bit down because of the situation but has, unfortunately for me, managed to retain his sense of humour.

Mark: "I hate it when I can't fix things... I don't know why but I just need to fix what's broken"
Me (jokingly):"Is that why you're with me?"
Mark:"Nah, you're not broken. You're just a little... bent"

{ photo by Amy Moss }

...our next shindig (whenever that may be), so I can show off my tumbler collection!..

... and stir up some Lemonade with orange blossom water. I fell in love with this beautiful drink after tasting it for the first time at Mama Ganoush (a lovely middle eastern restaurant in Windsor). I generally make it whenever we entertain- it's been popular with guests. Awesome with sparkling water, instead of still. Make sure to grab the recipe!

{ all images by Amy Moss } 

Yes, I did take a moment today to arrange my collection of nail polish colours into a pretty rainbow.

it simply had to be done.

{ photos by Amy Moss }

I picked up a copy of the latest issue of Real Living magazine yesterday and was excited to read about Abigail Ahern and her luscious interior styling! 

As a graphic designer, 2d design is more my specialty, so bring on the caffeine, the sugary donuts and the super-steep learning curve!  I'm voraciously ploughing through magazines and books and soaking up as much information about interior styling as I can.

Abigail has some really great tips for breaking the rules in interiors. I love her mix of quirky and surprising elements, her penchant for spray painting in high gloss colour (that desk is amazing!) and her bold use of oversized objects. She uses dark colours to achieve great dramatic effect- with layers of texture and pattern and these sudden pops of bright colour. Oh my, I'm smitten.

Watch this video where she meets The Selby and check out her gorgeous East London home! You can see the Real Living article here and more pics of her home on The Selby.

And in other news....

Yes, we bought a new couch... and it's awesome. I was in two minds about posting a pic before I had finished styling it up to my satisfaction. This is the work-in-progress version. I generally hate showing people things before I've finished, but I've bitten the bullet. I'm determined to document more of my decorating journey on this blog. As you can see you've caught the couch in a colour-crazy stage in it's evolution!

Although I'm still very much at the start of this journey and have a long way to go to complete our home, I have already learned how essential it is to only buy furniture and objects that you absolutely LOVE. Sometimes it's so tempting to buy a piece because it 'fits' well and you're eager to finish off a space but it's so much more rewarding if you wait it out until you find something that really makes you HAPPY because everytime you look at it, you get to feel that joy all over again. Imagine an entire home filled to the brim with objects that create that effect!

Feels so good to be home from our trip, despite the fact we're returning to the cold and rain.

It seems like no matter how much you are enjoying you holiday, it always gets to a point where you start to miss all the comforts and the familiarity of home.

And boy did I miss my baby...

Psst... I'm documenting our travels through Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, as frequently as I can, on Instagram if you want to take a peek...

Our first stop was Portland. We were only there for a few days but, I have to say, I've become a huge fan of Portland and all its quirks. I love the generally relaxed, laid-back feel, the rustic dining, the insanely polite drivers, the ice-cream, the donuts, the food carts... I even don't mind waiting in the long queues that constantly stream out of 'hip' destinations (while surrounding establishments remain mysteriously empty).  Oh, and I LOVE how there are so many dog-friendly hotels. Although, seeing so many dogs makes me miss my Sukie even more!

So now we're currently in Seattle... and still getting a feel for the place.

I'll be back soon with more trip related updates that will include some of my favourite cafes, shops and restaurants that we've visited along the way...

Toodles!

Mark and I are jetting off to the U.S. tomorrow! We're going to be visiting Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. We'll then be heading up to Canada to visit Vancouver, BC.

Flying is really not my favourite thing in the world, but accessoring for the journey can make things a little more bearable! The following are some items that I either a) bought for the journey or b) fantasised about getting for the journey. The majority of which, unfortunately, fall into the latter category.

Safari collection { suitcases } from Globe-trotter.

Pastel Geo { scarf } from Topshop. (Is it just me or are planes always freezing! I'll definitely be bringing a warm scarf for the journey)

Organic pomegranate { lip balm } from Figs and Rouge. (A possible remedy for all that awful, dry cabin air.)

How cute is this { laptop case } from Ted Baker?

The comfiest sequined { bed socks } from Peter Alexander. (I actually splurged on a pair of these for the trip. I believe a 14 hour flight is solid justification.)

Cute pink polka dot { cosmetic bag } from Gorman. (Gorman really needs to stop tempting me with all their pretty goodies.)

So, just so you know, although I'm away over the next couple of weeks I will still be updating Eat Drink Chic whenever I can!

I must confess, I've never been a huge fan of all this Instagram madness. I think the spurt of blurry and grainy snaps laden with gloomy toned filters initially put me off....but now, I gotta admit, I'm a little hooked! You can see my instagrams here.

I'm still in the process of decorating our house and it's ever-evolving. I am pretty happy with our little window nook where I occasionally cosy up on the button-tufted armchair with a cup of tea and some magazines. So far, our place definitely evokes an overwhelming rustic vibe, but in the future I intend to inject some different styles into the mix- perhaps some contemporary brights, a bit of glam, and a touch of mid-century. Oh, and I definitely need more fairy lights.

What are some of your favourite decorating styles?

(You can download the patterned tape strips, used in the above image, from Pugly Pixel.)

I've taken my sweet time about it but Eat Drink Chic has finally joined Facebook!

I will now be posting notifications of all blog updates on my facebook page.

Please drop by to "Like" my page and I'll love you forever.

When you're out of sugar, settle for the old-fashioned solution. Wander next door and politely ask your neighbour if you can borrow a cupful.

Never attempt to sweeten your tea with rainbow sprinkles*. Unless, of course, you enjoy a delightful, brown sludge surprise at the bottom of your teacup.

'Twas a whimsical notion, nonetheless.

* Thanks to hubby Mark who discovered this the hard way.

{ photo by Amy Moss }

So, apart from the cheerful stripes in candy hues, why is this my new favourite mug?

Oh yes, I remember now...

Happy Easter/Passover weekend everybody! xo

{ photos by Amy Moss }

I have recently added to our list of nicknames for Sukie.

Meet "Face".

I will be stretched out on the couch, wholly immersed in whatever time-wasting frivolity happens to be gracing our television when suddenly, there it is in front of me... "Face"; looming over me with wide, inquisitive eyes.
Watcha doing?
Where are my pats?

Or I'll be working intently on my computer contemplating world domination through printable jam labels or some such. I turn around and there it is looking up at me... "Face".
Hey, remember me?
I have four legs... I drink water out of a bowl...
I'm ADORABLE.
Give me pats!

9pm. Lo and Behold... "Face".
A large head. An unrelenting stare. A tail wag.
Where's my supper?

When I see "Face" I turn to mush. I must immediately grab it with both hands and move in for a mutually relished head snuggle.

What do you know? Here it is again right now...

Hello 'Face'. What can I do for you today?

{ photos by Amy Moss }

I have a particular weakness for homewares...such as, colourful bowls and interesting glassware. Shown above are the current state of my collections in the aforementioned areas. Not shown above are my vast collections of teapots, teacups, bottles and jars.

There are only two things I know for certain in this life- Firstly, that all these collections will continue to grow at an alarming rate, despite having run out of excuses for why such growth is necessary. Secondly, that I have absolutely no willpower whatsoever.

{ photos by Amy Moss }

For Australia Day, Mark and I hosted a bbq for some friends and family. About a year ago we moved into our beautiful house in the 'burbs, so I guess you could say that the occasion was also a housewarming of sorts.  I'm still very much in the process of doing up our place- finding the right bits and pieces to transform it into a warm, cosy home.

For the celebration I decorated our dining table with some brightly coloured flowers in terracotta pots. The cane chairs, I'm proud to say, were picked up at an op shop for a mere $40 (for a set of four). They add some character to our dining setting. Best. Buy. Ever.

We're looking to eventually find a large, elegant, solid wood outdoor table for our deck but couldn't find one that we liked in time for the day so we settled for some cafe style tables and stools which ended up looking quite cute!

The gorgeous glass jugs in the pic above added a touch of Mexico and were found at Market Import (one of my fave homeware shops in Melbourne). I also laid out my ever-expanding collection of colourful bowls which contained the pre-bbq munchies.

Hmm... perhaps I should have made Sangria?

{ photos by Amy Moss }

I'd like to wish everyone a very happy festive season!! Eat, drink, be merry and all that!

Thank- you all so much for reading my little blog. It's been a wonderful year. Your support means the world to me and is greatly appreciated! :)

I will be taking a break and will return with updates on January 9. Looking forward to getting stuck into some new and exciting projects in the new year!

Anyway, I might just wander off now and sleep for a week.

Toodles.

xoxo amy