Snippets of my weekend at home...

Cupcakes at Cream

Coffee & breakfast at Campos Coffee

Mango fruit salad made by dad

An unforgettable visit to the Valentino Retrospective

Gelato at Caffe Milany

Endless amounts of reading in the sunshine in New Farm park

Delish Italian at Il Posto

.. and a return to cold Melbourne...

We miss you

As this scheduled post goes live at about 8am this Friday 15 October I am in the air flying home to spend the weekend with my family and also to be marking the very sad one year anniversary since my grandfather passed away.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  It was a Thursday night a year ago and I'd just come home from work when dad called me.  My grandmother called my dad and said that my grandfather wanted to speak to him as he felt like he was about to pass away.  Which he did while my dad was on the phone... he passed away at home, on the coach while watching Novak Djokovic play a tennis match!  Watching TV and reading books was his favourite thing to do since dad can remember.  He was a few months away from his 75th birthday.

He had never been sick, never spent a day in hospital, never taken any medication.  He'd lived a full life.  Always worked to live, not lived to work.  Always carefree, taking trips to Paris to visit his cousin every chance he got.  Spending his money on the things that made him happy, as he always said that it didn't matter, the next payday wasn't far away.  He was a bit of a free spirit who found it hard to commit to something... About 15 years my family lost everything and as we left for Australia, my grandparents, then in their 60's started again.  My grandfather worked, bought a farm and built an extension on the house.  He hated depending on anyone.  He shaved every day and demanded to wear a clean, crisply ironed shirt each morning.  He and my grandmother were married for 51 years, had 3 sons and 2 grandchildren.  He tried to hold on to see my brother who planned to visit in a few months after finishing school, but he didn't make it... He hadn't seen my brother since he was a little boy in 2001, but I was blessed to spend a long winter in 2005 with him and a few short summer days in 2008.  And of course the first 12 years of my life.  Going to their farm was the best part of being a kid - doing whatever I wanted... chasing chickens... and even riding on the donkey because I was tired while my grandparents carried the wood for the fire on their backs!

3 generations - myself, dad & djed in 1985

My grandparents in 2008.  He didn't have a grey hair in sight but the lines on his face told a million stories.  I don't fear aging if I can age like that!

Shorts for summer - how original...

I know I harp on about Olivia a lot, but really, how well does she wear shorts!  She perfectly dresses them up or down with heels or flats and always looks so chic.  Loving these looks.

image sources linked.

So naturally when I stumped upon these in the season's hottest shade, I couldn't resist.

shakuhachi utility shorts AUD140 from mycatwalk.com.au

Marija Vujovic for Marie Claire UK September 2010

After overcoming many demons, it's good to see the former Victoria's Secret angel back.  And it's a very different look for her.

via http://fashion.gatag.net/

Pilates

I have been doing pilates on and off for a number of years now.  It is the only exercise that I don't dread doing for an hour and which does not make me look at the clock on the wall once!  I went back to class tonight and I had honestly forgotten how good it makes me feel... lean, long, calm and energised!  And not to mention the muscles I got to use that I'd forgotten had existed!  I stopped going earlier this year as the instructor was not teaching me anything or motivating me.  The new girl tonight was fabulous.   I'll be going back for sure.

Gisele putting me to shame... via google images

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more” Anthony Robbins

There are many people who have but not as many who give, so it's with great delight that I tell you all about Mia's eBay auction, with all proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Network.  Mia is auctioning off 48 amazing Gucci, Dior, Chloe, YSL, Stephen Sprouse LV, Sass & Bide, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang etc etc etc items for this worthy cause, with items added daily.  Everything is 100% authentic with prices starting at $0.99.  There are items especially purchased for the auction during Mia's recent trip to Paris. 

Not only will you be giving, but you'll also be getting a lovely designer item in return. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women in Australia and the number of women diagnosed each year is unfortunately increasing with one in nine women diagnosed with the disease before the age of 85.

October is breast cancer awareness month.  Do a self assessment, see a docter if something doesn't look or feel right and help fight the disease.

Happy bidding!


Link to Mia's auction

Monday night

Tonight it's all about Madam Flavour tea, chocolate moon biscuits, Vogue and trip planning.  High tea at the Tiffin Rooms in Singapore.. booked!

Eat pray love...

The book has been sitting on my bedside table, unread, ever since I found out they were making a movie.  The book is always better than the movie, so I didn't want to spoil it.  So with zero expectations and nothing to compare the film to, I saw it tonight with the girls and mostly enjoyed it.  Apart from the bit in the middle that dragged on a little bit....

My favourite scene was Liz in Italy, buying a navy blue, lace slip (for herself), wearing it and sitting on the floor of her apartment in the sunshine, reading the newspaper and enjoying "the sweetness of nothing" with a plate of food in her lap - asparagus, prosciutto, eggs, peaches.. all her favourite things.  She figures out what she likes and she enjoys it guilt free.

If I were to enjoy a life salad on a plate of my favourite things, they would contain - a clear beef soup, burek, feta cheese, tomatoes and olives, roasted chicken and a creme brulee... What would your life salad on a plate contain?

Lover blazer

Witchery tank

Silk Scanlan & Theodore trousers

ASOS clutch

Scanlan & Theodore heels

Sportsgirl bracelet

Chanel necklace

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark manicure

Orange is for... Hermes?

Nearly at 100 followers...giveaway!

It's been a fun year of (regular) blogging and without the readership, comments and followers and the interaction and friendships I've formed with so many people none of this would be possible!  Thank you all so much!

To celebrate almost reaching 100 followers (and the fact that I get 3,000+ unique readers a month), thanks to our friends at Harper's Bazaar Australia I am giving away a copy of their "Gold Class" shopping book (RRP @19.95) as well as a copy of the November issue of the magazine, which will feature the winner and the runner up of Australia's Next Top Model which was recently, and contravercially announced.

You can choose the cover you like!

Hopefully by the time the give away winner is announced I will be at 100+ followers! YAY

Now the simple rules are as follows to be in the running for the prize

- leave a comment on this post and be a follower via google or bloglovin'

- tweet and/or blog about the competition and leave a comment letting me know you did so for an additional entry

Enties will be open all month, closing October 31 at 12:59 AEST.  Open to everyone around the world!

Good luck and thanks for entering, I'll be back later this week after I complete a dreadful assignment! x

Anja Rubik for Giuseppe Zanotti AW2010/2011

I can't even tell you how much I love Anja & Zanotti shoes.  And the two of them together are perfection.

Sunday in the sun

I woke up on the 4th day of my flu feeling the worst I've felt yet but I didn't want to stay in bed feeling sorry for myself so I met with my girlfriends for a 5 hour (YES FIVE HOUR) lunch and gossip session at Campari by the water in the sunshine.  No need for a scarf or layers! Bliss.  Melbournians were out in force, anywhere beach side was bumper to bumper traffic.

Got these lovely flowers at the markets yesterday.  They smell divine.

J Crew ruffled shirt

Supre leggings

Witchery metallic flats

Anna dello Russo - Vogue Paris Anniversary Ball

Someone who has fun with fashion and whose life affords her the ability to.  Custom Pucci dress & Gareth Pugh head piece. le sigh

via jak&jil blog

via vogue paris