New seasons..

We are being spoilt by very lovely autumn days filled with sunshine and midday warmth.  Even though I am no fan of the colder weather, I have to admit that it does bring with it certain charms that I am looking forward to.

I'm also looking forward to sharing with you all the final results of my home renovation and decoration.  Last bits and pieces should be arriving this month. 

I'm looking forward to my very first Pascha (Easter) in the new house. Painting eggs, cooking traditional pork and baking an elaborate torte decorated by chocolate Easter eggs.  Maybe I will use the 5 day holiday to finally try to master at least one recipe from Gourmet Traveller. I'm not sure if I'm a bad home cook or if the recipes are just too hard and the ingredients far too difficult to source. Plus I'm on the wrong side of my birthday.  5 months away I know, but as September draws closer I get more anxious. You're probably reading this and thinking - crazy woman - and you're probably right.  Lock me away (until the birthday passes)

Apart from the seasonal change in colours (and leaves that I now have to sweep twice a week) cold weather brings...

Lots of cups of tea... At the moment I'm obsessed with T2 Sencha Mango.  An amazing light and sweet mango green tea.

A desire to decorate the house with flowers to give it a bit of light and brighten the mood.

The same couple of coats means a focus on accessories, shoes and bags to change up the look.

Every now and then some couch time on a cold Sunday is good for the soul.

Cashmere knee high socks.  Need I say more.

Scarves.  I can't get enough right now.

photos via tumblr/various sources.

Aviator winter

You may remember a month or so ago I contemplated an aviator jacket but worried that I wouldn't be able to pull it off?

Fast forward to this week, when I came across the below picture by The Sartorialist and I was off to Sportsgirl picking up my layby with a spring in my step.

Feeling inspired all over again

Topshop skinny jeans

Tony Bianco boots

American Apparel t shirts...

Recipe: Sape

I grew up on a very simple repertoire of recipes.  My mum had a menu Monday to Sunday, so each night you knew exactly what you were eating.  But she made fabulous desserts.  I'm sharing a very simple recipe for biscuits, called "sape" (pronounced "sha-peh").

100g sugar

100g hazelnuts or walnuts

170g flour

200g butter

2 whole eggs

Throw all the ingredients together and mix

Grease a tray

Spoon dough into moulds

Depending on your oven bake for 10-20 minutes at 180C

Monty says hello :)

Sprinkle with icing sugar and voila!  Wonderful with tea, coffee or hot chocolate

It's the weekend.

The weather was downright chilly this past weekend and the opaque stockings made their first appearance of the long chilly season ahead on Friday night when I met B for dinner at Brunswick institution by the name of Vegie Bar  - second home during lent. I dream of the Vegan chocolate truffles on a regular basis and always order two which I never manage to finish because they're SO rich.  Last year I wore opaques well into December, so investing in good ones is a must.  Wolford and Mimco are my favourites.  Actually the Mimco ones probably pip the Wolford's at the post.  They're a lot less delicate and a lot more practical for every day wear.  I treat the Wolford's with care and I'm a clutz at the best of times so the Mimco's come out on casual days.

The weekdays are meant to be warm again, peaking at 27C on Tuesday.  Not that I'd ever complain about an Indian summer.  Keep on keeping on sunshine, I say.

Lover coat

Witchery booties

Say hello to Monty.  My gorgeous 9 week old Maltese x Bichon puppy.  Excuse the stains around his mouth, he loves chewing on the raw hide treats and silly puppy mummy didn't buy the colour free ones.   He's a real hit with every single person that meets him.  An amazingly social little guy.  If you follow me on Twitter, I'm sure you're sick of me gushing about him.

For the past 18 months I've tried in vain to lighten my hair, unsuccessfully.  So in a fit of rage I coloured my own hair at 11pm on a Thursday night.

Little treat from Mimco for me - a bow hair clip.

Mum arrives on Thursday (GULP) - her bed is ready!

Sheer Genius

I am absolutely in love with the concept of the Kikki K fashion planner. So very clever and useful.

It allows you to make note of the season must haves and inspiration, create a list of items on your wish list, as well as to plan outfits.  Something like this has sorely been missing in my life.  In a haze each morning at 6.30am I always default to my favourites. And some of my favourites are not always well thought out.  Especially now that the chilly mornings are before us a bit of forward planning will do me a world of good.  We plan our weekly menus, why not plan our weekly outfits?  Anything that helps me stay sane and be organised is a winner with me.

$14.95 from Kikki K

Bali... the revisit

The natural disasters prevented me from sharing my trip to Bali with you all... I only had the internet connected last night after the rewiring.  My Macbook hasn't been turned on in 6 weeks.

You've probably seen the post about Ayana Resort but there's so much more to Bali.  It's hard to put into words.  In the west, we are taught to think that someone wants something when they're being nice.  In Bali everyone is always nice.  It takes a while getting used to.  And you can't wipe the smile from their face.

There are amazing bars, restaurants and resorts.  Sadly the Balinese architecture is making way for the modern luxuries.

5 days wasn't nearly enough.  Cannot wait to go back.