Anzac Fruit pie

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a beautiful weekend! I sure did.
Yesterday we celebrated my brother inlaws birthday with a delicious family lunch.


I made this Anzac pie, a take on fruit crumble, one of my favourite Autumn desserts.
I had bookmarked the recipe in the April issue of Gourmet Traveller  so it was great to get the chance to bake something warm and delicious for a group of people....my people!

The recipe used Granny Smith apples - I used a mix of apple and pear, I stewed them up and then made the gooey topping, baked it until warm and bubbly...
To see the recipe head on over to the
Gourmet Traveller 
website - give it a go!

You'll be pleased!

Health Elixir

I spotted this Health Elixir recipe re-created by TV Chef,
Pete Evans in the latest Coles magazine.
Pete was recently in Bali on a surfing trip where he first tried the drink.
I thought it sounded delicious and wanted to give it a try...so I did!

Healthy Elixir
Serves 1
1 orange - juiced
1 lemon - juiced
1/2 cup filtered water
1cm fresh tumeric - peeled and grated (use gloves otherwise it'll stain your fingers like smokers stain - gross!)
1 teaspoon manuka honey (or any honey you have on hand)
Pinch of ground cloves

Mix it all up - stir in the honey, grated tumeric and clove
serve!
and feel so gooood!!!
Oh Yeah!!!
 

Arranging my Coffee Table

I really enjoyed this article in the latest 'Country Living' magazine - an easy 'step by step' instruction
how to arrange a beautiful coffee table.

Our coffee table needs to be replaced actually (as does our couch!) - we've had the same table for so long and it takes a daily beating from the sunshine since our back room gets a lot of exposure from the light.
Its scratched and dented (lets blame little boys...) and has an impressive split in the middle but its still quite solid and hanging in there!

Anyway back to the article - I played styist today and gave the instructions a go!
4 steps.
1. Start with a Tray - I opted for a serving platter in white.
2. Zero in on the remaining corners - books, magazines and game boxes did the trick for me - I love to be surrounded by books!
3. Just add personality - sure! why not?!
4. Finish off with something organic - I added a bright pink flower cut from a neighbours tree...I  like the punch of colour too!
Give it a go - that was easy and fun and an easy way to make a quick change!
 

What goes around comes around...

This lovely ladies is how to do vintage chic!!
... the look is very 1970s Chanel
but its actually from the latest fashion pages  - fashion styles and shapes just go through a spinning cycle - what goes around comes around.

From the streets of Hollywood to the rocky Greek hills, this Summer dress looks perfect for whats going to be a steaming hot few days ahead in Melbourne...soft and billowy (yes, that is a real word - I checked), cool and light just like a parachute, floating over the hot pavement  - what a fabulous shape!
Only for the daring fashionista!
*Ps.  dont forget the sunblock...

I'm trying to figure out what to pack in my tiny carry-on.  Its a short family trip but I need to ensure I don't over pack - I think I'm old enough to know better by now...I never seem to learn!
My bag needs a little empty space in case I do a little retail therapy - the sales are still on!...

*Top image by Camilla Akrans for Harpers Bazaar and bottom by Mara Desipris for Vogue Greece

Life*Style

I absolutely fell in love with this gorgeous feature in last month's 'Inside Out' magazine - photographed by Fabrizio Cicconi,
...this lovely Italian family exudes what I think is the perfect LifeStyle - family close by, food cooked and prepared with love and shared with laughter
and a beutiful home set amongst the beauty of nature all around.

Their home is nestled on the edge of a forest with stunning views of the Alps...they wanted to be connected to the changing seasons...their home is only a short drive from a bustling city but its their hidden oasis amongst the trees!
A perfect LifeStyle choice!

* beautiful styling by Francesca Davoli - the colours in this feature are earthy, organic and the styling simple and practical yet so appealing!

The City Bride

Last week I blogged about wedding season and beautiful images of a Country Style wedding ,
today I wanted to share a little  glamour on this cold and wet Tuesday night...

The City Bride - a fun layout from STYD magazine.
Elegant, sophisticated
and radiant wedding styles.

a Country Style Wedding....

Is there such a thing as a Wedding season?
I know many couples choose a date during the warmer seasons but we've just started Winter in Australia so it's strange that all the fashion magazines out this month have a Wedding & Bridal supplement...
Vogue Australia has a special Brides issue and there is also a new Australian Wedding magazine out on the shelves,   'Hitched'  - it has a lovely creative feel to it and the illustrated cover is gorgeous...its more like a beautiful book than a magazine!
Country Style magazine has a gorgeous wedding layout in its latest issue.
Photographed by Corrie Bond and styled so beautifully, by Lara Hutton  here are some of the images - lovely!

Love-ly
I thought it would be nice to celebrate all things 'LOVE' on my blog this week.
Its become a bit of a yearly tradition but since Valentine's Day is 3 days away I thought, why not?  Love is a beautiful feeling!

I'm home today - I'm feeling a little under the weather so its me, a cup of weak tea and a pile of magazines.  I came across this lovely LOVE spread in
Marie Claire magazine...I enjoy fashion layouts that portray a story, a mood...emotion (with beautiful clothes too...)
Sweet.

*images by
 Corrie Bond for Marie Claire.

Frankie magazine  - 50th Issue!

I had a couple of hours to myself this afternoon so bought myself a coffee, a custard bun from 'Bread Top' (weird fluffy dough?! is it even real??) and the latest Frankie magazine,

its 50th issue!  Hoorah Frankie!

The cover stood out against the rows of glossy magazines...its just so lovely with a embossed texture depicting delicate embroidered bits and pieces ...so whimsy, creative, a little nostalgic and nanna-ish in a delightful and cozy way...everything Frankie is!

There's a great cake recipe section (shall I put the kettle on luv?)

and I adored the feature asking 5 illustrators to draw their creative desk...love it!!!

Congrats to Frankie on its 50th issue, keep sharing the art/craft/home/life love - here's to 50 more!!

* to see pics from Frankie's 50th issue bash click here*

A Girl called ilona
Its time to meet another Creative girl!
This month I'd love for you too all meet Ilona,  a talented fashion & lifestyle stylist.  Ilona started her creative career working for 'Marie Claire' magazine and is now a freelance stylist producing beautiful stories for magazines!  

Welcome Ilona!  Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you?

The summer! When the sun is shining,  Holland is at it's best. 

Especially after a bit of rain when everything is green and sparkling.
I love my morning walks with our new member of the family 'Mees' our Jack  Russel.

 We live in a small village, just outside Amsterdam, so enough space to  wander and explore.

 Name 3 things you couldn't live without right now?

 My family (dog & cat included), summer holidays and a tall latte in the morning

 Can you define to us your personal style?
 My personal style is more like "aqua & sapone', simple & pure.
 I love  my blue/white Breton stripe shirt -  I have lots of them.
 A friend of  mine, who designs for a new Dutch label called 'Ruby Tuesday'
 even named a striped shirt after me :-).
 I love my denim shorts and  flip flops in the summer, but I do love my boots, jeans and chunky  knits for upcoming winter as well.

Do you have a favourite colour (or colour combinations)?

I love all the grays.
I love all shades of blue, I love all the greens.
Actually, I also love bright colors, but only for my stories and styling work.
I would never wear them or style them in my own home.

What about fragrance, do you have a favourite Smell?

I wish I could catch that  smell of sun & salt on your skin after a long sunny day on the beach,  in a bottle...perfect!

What do you love about your City/Town?

Most of all I'm a city girl. 
Born and raised in Amsterdam.
About five years  ago I needed more space to breath and to live.
I do love the village  where we now live, it's small and quiet.  I love my garden but sometimes I  really need to escape to the big city. 
Having a coffee at Krull, my  favorite cafe near Sarphatipark, or buying fruit & flowers at Albert Cuyp  Market.
Infact, I just got back ;-)

Do you have a favourite quote you would like to share with us?

' Do all things with Love'.

Thanks so much Ilona!  To see more of Ilona's work head on over to her Website and her Portfolio and Ilona is also on Pinterest

a Retro yellow Kitchen!
I love this kitchen makeover, its so sunny and bright!  The dutch couple decided to keep their 1950s kitchen cabinetry but gave the whole room a new look with some new flooring and great use of yellow and white paint!
refreshing and a cheap way to update!
They also painted the back-splash tiles and used graphic patterned oilcloth on the benches!
What do you think?
images via Boligmagasinet

A Girl called Illanique...

Food Glorious Food!  

Id love for you to all meet Illanique, a creative and talented Food stylist from South Africa.

I met Illanique over on Pinterest and adore all her inspirations and pins, she has an awesome eye for beautiful details and it can be seen in her styling work!

Welcome Illanique!!

Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you?

I’m a real bookworm and a sucker for a pretty magazine.

International cooking magazines are my kryptonite but I get so much inspiration from browsing recipes, trends and décor ideas.

I love getting on Pinterest and finding new and exciting images – truly addicted!

Browsing small markets and antique shops also does wonders when I lack creativity and need some inspiration for photoshoots.

Name 3 things you couldnt live without right now?

My Blackberry, my dogs and coffee machine.

Can you define to us your personal style?

Keep it simple and feminine – I definitely go for the less is more approach.




Do you have a favourite colour (or colour combinations)?

Grey and Duck egg or Turquoise and Coral.




What about a favourite Smell/Frangrance?

If there’s one smell I would love to bottle it would be the smell of bread baking in the oven. As far as fragrances go I love those with citrus and flowery undertones like Mango Delirium or anything from DKNY.

 

What do you love about your City/Town?

Down here in Cape Town there’s hardly a day that we don’t see the sun.

Having so many cultures in one city means that you can drive 5 minutes into town and have a wide selection of local, Italian, Chinese, French, Mexican or Jamaican food. 

I live right at the foot of Table Mountain and only a few kilometers away from the winelands – the perfect spot to be in Cape Town.

I have travelled to so many different countries and even after all those amazing trips I still get emotional when I arrive back at Cape Town International airport.

Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us?

'Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life “ - anon

Thanks SO much Illanique!!!   to see more of Illanique's styling work take a look at her beautiful website 

and Pinterest pins

New issue of Toffee is out!!

Yayy!

I was thrilled to be asked to contribute some paper craft projects for Issue 2 of

Toffee magazine - the bonus printable papers are so lovely and I kept my tutorials fun and simple ...you can see a sneak peak below.

The latest Toffee magazine is another fantastic issue and only $2.99 to download to read over and over!

Lots of crafty creative projects, baking , inspiring interviews and a great read!

Get your copy today!!

the Chic Garden Shed
Wouldnt it be lovely to have a small space devoted to all things gardening! Pruning and repotting would be much more enjoyable!
I wish I had more of a green thumb, both my parents are keen gardeners growing lots of vegetables, fruit and pretty flowers
and my sister does so well growing beautiful plants.
If only i had more of an interest ....maybe its because my father in law does our gardening - bless him! we never ask him to do it but he pops on over whilst we're at work and so we come home to perfectly manicured lawns, weed free garden beds and hydrated plants - he does have a whine at us for neglecting the garden and the poor plants so dry and thirsty....shaking his head.

This months issue of Country Living has some inspiring features of country home and beautiful green spaces - its such a gorgeous issue!
it even has an article on how to create an instant Garden Shed - you can see it on
their website here
all you need is a spare wall!! looks so chic and very organised....







top image - Laura Moss for Country Living
Middle - Francesco Lagnese
Bottom - Dana Gallagher for Country Living

Toffee Magazine!
Have you all heard about Toffee magazine?
Its a FAB new e-mag and the first issue is out now!!
This issue includes a toffeelicious craft filled center with extra 24 pages of high resolution printables
patterned papers, vintage paper dolls, embroidery patterns, sewing patterns, knitting patterns, an amazing advent calendar and other Christmas crafty ideas...and so much more - a real bargain at only $2.99!!!

I super excited about Toffee magazine as I was a contributer in this issue, sharing 3 Paper craft projects that you can make with the free papers that are included - so much fun!!....Grab your copy today!!