I’ll have a half strength de café mocha latte – Nah just a coffee thanks

As the weather turns its no real surprise that I go in search of coffee, cake and tea. Plus having my best mate in town to hunt out the yummy treats was a bonus and ensured I found something new. We have a habit of wondering to see what is down alley ways and the phrase “lets just try here” gets used a fair bit.

So in our wondering we found ourselves in the theatre district looking for late night cake and hot chocolate, which brought us to this place. Now I don’t remember the name all I can say for sure is its an experience. Essentially, its just two counters. One facing a mirrored wall and the other the staff, but has a real vibe. Almost 1940’s New York dare I say it. There is no pretention here, just good honest food.

So we ordered and enjoyed. It reminds me of why I love this city, as you never know what gem’s your going to find.

Love - Adventures in Toyland

I have been hunting for a new scent; something that is wearable everyday and has a nice playful touch to it. Normally my perfume collection consists of classic’s that have a modern twist. Currently I wear ……

Chance by Chanel, Lau de Issey by Issey Miyake, Cool Water Eau De by Davidoff and Agent Provocature by Agent Provocature. All amazing scents but I felt like it was time for a change, something a little younger that reminds you of your youth. I also love the scents that Sohum make which include buttercake and pink frangipani, but I digress.

So off to the perfume counter I went. I admit I am a sucker for a nice bottle to grab my attention before I smell or even read the label. Of course the staples like romance by Ralph Lauren were an option, and in the pretty bottle stakes there was Vera Wang Princess and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely or maybe Covet. In the back of my mind I really did know what I was after, but I wanted to be sure hence the testing of lost of options.

Finally I made my way to the ‘new’ perfume section, filled with pop stars and new clothing lines designer fragrances. Normally I wouldn’t go here but there was one little bottle calling to me (well one of five). It was the collection released a few years ago by Gwen Stafani called Haijuku Lovers and in particular the scent called Love. So spraying and smelling ensured and after much discussion my little doll came home. There is just something right about this scent and the bottle raised the stakes. Plus as there is a new limited collection out at the moment they are doing free gifts. I ended up getting these super cute mobile phone/key ring charms and some ‘scratch and sniff’ stickers. And yes I am a sucker for the phrase “free gift with purchase” hence my rather large collection of tote bags.

All in all a very successful perfume trip; and a big thanks to Kendiedoll who was dragged around countless perfume counters to help decided with me even if it was a forgone conclusion.

Doll house Photography

Ok so in the last few months/years I’ve amassed quite a wardrobe of retro items including lingerie, dresses, skirts, hat’s and even aprons….but what to do with them all. Yes I wear them out most days but I fancy doing something different. That was when it was suggested I visit the website of Helen McClean . Wow is all I’ll say.

Helen offers Pinup photo shoots where you get to play dress-ups, have your hair and make up done, then get to pose like a pinup for some amazing shots. So after looking amazing you also get a nice collection of photos. Now for anyone wanting to do this but don’t think you have the wardrobe Helen also offers her collection to you to try on and find your style. And guess which dress she has in her collection (as if I needed anymore of an excuse to book a session)

Yes that’s right the dress I’ve been hunting for from Bettie Page clothing. So I’m going to book in and I will post the results when I get them.

So grab a fork because a little cheesecake is coming your way.

Sweet Dreams Princess

Every so often it is good to update your bedroom and make it a sanctuary that we often need to escape to. I once was given a list of ways to make your bedroom a retreat and place of romance. They compared the average bedroom to a hotel and why you so often feel more relaxed and/or amorous when staying in one. Their main points were the lack of clutter, high quality bedding and clear sense of what the room was for. These days so many of us have a pile of books by the bed, clothing around, TV’s or laptops and all our personal life around the place. The main key to sleep is to remove everything that can distract you. Not to mention the fact that may current room is a mix of furniture I’ve collected or inherited, so I thought it was finally time to create the space I’ve always dreamed of to add my beauty sleep

So with that it mind I have been thinking about what in hotels rooms make me feel so light and rested, and no its not the tiny soaps although they are nice. For me it’s the clean lines, minimal furniture and lack of distractions. Next I started thinking about what I keep saying I want, but haven’t actually got up and found yet. Obviously the first thing is a comfy bed, and in saying that I have very specific wants when it comes to my bed. I like high off the ground beds, not a fan of the base and mattress set, next comes firmness of the mattress and I like to be able to sit upright in bed to read so a high back is a most. Hence the picture above.

Another thing I have gone on about for many years is having a place to do my make up. No longer balancing a mirror on my small side table or trying to do it in my small bathroom. Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted a proper dressing table so now to pick which one. One I can sit at but still need a chest of drawers or one that is both but means standing to do my make up?

I also found this super cute day bed, it only it was bigger than a single I would of jumped on it. It has also taken me ages to settle on a color scheme, I eventually caved and went white as a) I’ve never had a white bedroom b) I can change its feel by changing sheets and throws and it seemed to look the best for my budget. Fingers crossed as I go hunting for pieces this weekend I find some bargains.

I'm ready for my close up

Now I spend a large amount of time doing my make up and hair, so it is really nice to be spoilt and have someone do it for me. There are always times when having a professional do the work is worth the extra coin. So while I’ve been getting ready for modeling shots and practicing what styles we were going to do I thought about al the other times I’ve had it done.

You always have the choice of hiring a makeup artist that comes to you or going to them, or even popping instore to cosmetic retailer. Feel free to ask questions about, price and what you get for your money. Some counters in stores charge a fee that is redeemable on product which means you can walk away with your lippie and powder ready for touch ups.

If you have a particular make up brand you like go and talk to them, tell them what you already have and they may be able to use what you already have in a new way. It is also good to go and visit your make up counter every six months or so to see what new styles are in and to see if you should change any product. Personally I seem to change my foundation yearly as my skin changes. I stand by the golden rule ïf you don’t ask you don’t get” so getting asking.

Tips for choosing a good make up artist:
Be honest, if you don’t like it tell them
Tell them if you have any skin or allergies, as you want to look your best not have a reaction
Take images with you for the look your after
Ask what style of make up they have trained in, bridal, photography, glamour
Try and bring samples of your outfit colors because they may be able to suggest eyeshow that compliment or enhance your outfit.
Ask if you can either bring you own lippie or buy one as you may want to touch up as the night goes on
Remember they are artist not miracle works, and as much as we’d all love them to take of ten years it is only make up and they do the best they can.

Coffee and Music

I recently caught up with one of my favorite local artist for coffee and see what was on the musical cards. I’ve featured Barry Michael before, but a quick recap for those of you who don’t know him. Local boy with amazing talent with music that spans the genres of rock, pop, folk, blues, soul and even a little bit country. You can find his music on itunes and his videos on youtube. All are locally produced by Barry and have that great raw feel with brilliant quality.

So the main question I was interested in was finding out what his latest project was. Barry is currently working with Queensland artists Robert & Shauna Kendall on a series of relaxation and meditation cd’s and clips. You can view their work on youtube.com via Barry’s site . Apart for his normal music you will find the clips for Petals of the Heart from the album Peaceful Mind Healthy Body - Deep Alpha Relaxation" It is the music only, edited from 30 min' to 10 min (to fit YouTube). Available on ITunes and from mymeditationspace.com. It is really different area for Barry’s music career but the combination of spoken word and music is fantastic. I high suggest having a listen, chill out and regroup with this CD after a long stressful day.

I am still always a little star struck when I catch up with Barry as I’ve been listening to his music since I was a little girl and admit I know all the words to all his songs. So it was really great to talk about his work and inspiration for his music. Thanks Barry and the gang in Abbey road for afternoon tea!

Look around

Now not all art in Melbourne lives in galleries. A lot of it lives on the street, on walls, on doors or really anything that stands still long enough to be transformed. The amazing this is with the street art is that its locations are now places to go visit to see what has changed, evolved and survived. You never now what you are going to find. I have even found these little numbered felt hearts all over the city, with no reasons why their there they just are. So keep your eyes open for art that might be above, behind or all around you next time you in the city.