Rainy day at Barossa Valley

Right now

Sunday night

• reading Vogue
• playing with the Nars duo in Rajasthan
• writing a birthday card and wrapping gift
• admiring my new Amrita Singh earrings (as worn by Serena in the Gossip Girl season finale)
• painting nails Essie Chinchilly
• filing my fashion journal with outfits I want to wear this week

Tomorrow I'm going to study.. I promise!

Recipe: Creme Brulee

Creme Brulee is without a doubt my favourite dessert.  When it's my turn to choose a restaurant, I'm always swayed by those that have creme brulee on the menu.

I've recently learnt to make it myself using a very simple Masterchef recipe.  It literally takes about 10 minutes (plus baking and setting).  I recommend making it the night before and leaving it to set overnight.

Remind me to get a torch to caramelize the sugar.  It's just not the same without snapping the caramel with the spoon, is it?

The mixture

Even divided into ramekins

Ready to "bake" with boiling water half way up the ramekins

The finished product - minus the burnt caramel....

Zara Melbourne - Preview & Store Opening Party

How lucky am I to have been invited to attend the preview of the very first Melbourne store?

I was lead on a tour through the store with a small group of bloggers, enjoying a glass of champagne and  shopping before everyone else!

Each section was explained in detail by the head office staff and I learned some facts along the way -

• the Studio collection at the entry of every Zara store is the iconic pieces of the season, the best sellers and also the best quality merchandise
• Zara has catered for Melbourne's love of black and included lots of black stuff just for us
• Zara is all about colour this winter, even if Melbourne doesn't love it
• Black and grey colours means playing with texture, especially for the guys.  I was very impressed with the men's section.  Men's high street fashion is virtually non existent in Australia and Zara had a full floor of well priced, up to date fashions for the man in your life.
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The store itself is huge with great street frontage and is thankfully not cluttered.  I've been to many stores around the world (isn't that the highlight for Australians when heading overseas - to go to EVERY SINGLE Zara store since we've been so deprived for so many years???) and some stores, while having the entire range, are tiny making it a painful experience of rummaging.  The store here is logically set out and a pleasure to peruse.  Everything is styled perfectly and trends and occasions have their own little spots - the casual, the layering pieces.. the party pieces.  And there's plenty of winter and summer items on offer.

It's been weeks since the Sydney store opened and apparently the crowds are still insane, so I really enjoyed the opportunity to browse and try things without crowds.

I did find the prices $10-$60 higher compared to international Zara online store, but that seems to be a trend in Australia.  Still plenty of things under $100, including dresses and shoes.

I must admit I did find it strange walking down the street with a Zara bag.

I tried lots and lots on, but in the end only walked out with the above blouse (I really wanted a similar one in orange but wasn't brave enough).  I tried to steer clear of the "very Zara" pieces for fear of wearing the same thing as every other girl this winter.  I'll let it die down a little bit... right?  $119 for 100% silk.

And in case you weren't following my every step on Twitter while I was there tonight, here's some iPhone photos.

Crowd control!

First glimpse

I almost felt like I was in Europe

The orange top was calling my name... $139.  The coat was $220.

Gorgeous accessories - the leopard clutch was $159

Men's floor.

Some more men's

Brights, butterflies and champagne

Can anyone explain to me why Zara scarves are some of the most expensive items?

LBD

Colour blocking

Ballet flats for little girls... too cute!

June giveaway

Pardon my disappearance from the face of the planet over the past 10 days.  What with a trip to visit parents, the busiest time of the year at work plus biased news reports to fight, ambassadors to meet and life which all means I haven't been home before 10.30pm and to bed before 1am in days and days and days.

Tomorrow night I'm giddy with excitement to be attending the opening of Melbourne's first Zara store and shopping before the crowds.  I'll blog as soon as I get home, I promise.

I received two copies of my US Vogue this month and have some goodies left over from Fashion Week so I thought I'd run a giveaway.

Open to everyone around the world (however I doubt I'll be able to send the hairspray overseas).

Closes 30 June at 11:59PM AEST.

Additional entries for blogging or tweeting about the contest - just make sure you leave an additional comment.

To be in the draw just leave a comment, no need to be creative!

US Vogue - June 2011 issue

Loreal - Glam Shine Lipgloss in 208 Unlimited Fuchsia

Loreal Elvive - Colour Protect Reflecting Serum

Loreal Elnett Satin - Hair spray

Loreal - Telescopic Explosion Mascara in Black

Ladylike

One of the best editiorials I've seen in a long time (and I look at plenty of them on a daily basis).

I wish blogger would fix the comments issue - I feel a void not being able to comment on all your blogs!

Vogue Hellas

Model: Charlotte Cordes

Photographer: Koray Birand

Styled by: Michalis Pandos