April 30, 2013
Highlighting your best features
Finding a dress that hugs your figure in the right way, or carves out curves you didn't think you would necessarily have, is sometimes a rare find. Especially if you are like me, where the top half is a different size to the bottom half, and finding pieces that are comfortable is an important factor too.
I thought this Topshop number was a good buy. It encompassed a safari print that I love, totally comfortable and strays away from the conventional by highlighting the lower back.
During this day, I had a jungle fever moment whilst scouting out locations. Not sure why I thought green on green was a good idea, but I liked the pretty ferns hah! No accessorising, just me and the dress... in a forest.
I also thought it was a good idea to climb a fallen tree that was sitting in the lake. I don't know what got into me that day, but I had fun!
Mr Lee was on stand by, bracing for me to fall in the lake. Don't worry peeps...it didn't happen hehe... but he did manage to snap some bloopers.
See the Topshop Leopard Midi Cutout dress here. This also came in a hot pink colour... but has since sold out. Always the way ey?
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I thought this Topshop number was a good buy. It encompassed a safari print that I love, totally comfortable and strays away from the conventional by highlighting the lower back.
See the Topshop Leopard Midi Cutout dress here. This also came in a hot pink colour... but has since sold out. Always the way ey?
X
April 28, 2013
These are a few of my favourite things...
So the last time I did a post like this... I didn't keep it up on a weekly basis like I initially thought, whoops! So I think this kind of post will have to be reserved for MLP's Favourite things...of the moment :) I think doing these posts helps ground me and serve as a reminder that although there are times of stress, boredom, or general lows in life, there are always favourite things to look forward to and be thankful for.
Fresh flowers to pretty up the home
... and finding ways to add more prettiness
April 25, 2013
Cinnamon brioche bites
I must admit that ever since the arrival of our icy blue KitchenAid (I've wanted one for a veeeeeeery long time), my top priority was to Christen her by making brioche bread. I'm glad I did, because this was my first attempt (eek), and it worked magically. Making it with a dough hook, and standing there watching her do the work made baking so much more relaxing! Bye bye hand held whisk... you will only be used for small small jobs :)
I followed this recipe for the dough measurements, and
although it takes a bit of patience (there’s quite a bit of waiting time involved!),
you can make the dough and leave it in the fridge overnight, in a well oiled
bowl with Glad wrap (or Saran wrap to the US peeps) covering right on the
dough. Take it out the next morning and proof it in warm area for 2 hours.
{Whoops... excuse my finger marks... I was just pushing around to see how pillowy the dough was hah!}
Proof the dough again for 20 mins until the little scrolls poof up a
bit, bung them in the oven at 180 degrees celcius for 20 minutes, at which time you will
smell cinnamon-y heaven wafting through the house.
We took these on the road for our ANZAC day vacation to
Mollymook (more on that in a later blog post), but these are definitely best
enjoyed warm, straight out of the oven :)
Happy weekend everyone :)X
{Whoops... excuse my finger marks... I was just pushing around to see how pillowy the dough was hah!}
Roll the dough out, flavour it, roll it back up and cut them half an inch wide.
Proof the dough again for 20 mins until the little scrolls poof up a
bit, bung them in the oven at 180 degrees celcius for 20 minutes, at which time you will
smell cinnamon-y heaven wafting through the house.
You get a good bit of caramelisation on the underside of these babies too!
Happy weekend everyone :)XApril 22, 2013
Easy and loose Hollywood curls
Whenever its Oscars or Emmy award time... I just LOVE ooh-ing, aah-ing and uh-oh-ing at the red carpet arrivals. One particular favourite of mine this year was Reese Witherspoon's Oscar hair. Gorgeous, Hollywood Glam and retro curls.
A lil while back I dusted off my hairstyling finger tips (and my makeup brushes for that matter... see the post here), and played around with my good friend's hair. Isn't it a girly thing to do so? I can't shake this off no matter how much older I'm getting!
Hollywood hair a la Rita Hayworth style is one of my favourites styles. But sometimes when you wanna look your best and polished, but not too overdone or not too Hollywood glamour (depending on the theme of the night), you just need to take these hair inspirations and try variations of these hairstyles. Here's my take on a looser version of the Hollywood curl that is quick and easy.
I sprayed my friend's hair with heat protectant spray (I used Tony & Guy). Then sectioned her hair in half horizontally (the halfway line reaching from air to air), and then in half again vertically (the vertical half line from a slightly deep side part that ran down the back of her head).
Leaving an inch of her bangs clipped aside in the front, I curled the rest of my friend's sectioned hair (1-1.5" slices at a time) with a 1.5" curling iron all in the same direction (for this, I curled her hair towards the right side of her head). Once each slice was curled, I kept it in a rolled up shape, by rolling them around my fingers to make a pinned curl that was 4-fingers wide, sprayed with a little L'oreal Elnett hair spray......and let the rolled up curls cool on her head while I did her makeup.
For the front bangs that I clipped aside, I curled this away from her face and pinned the curl on top of her head.
Once all the curls were cooled, I let all the pins out and loosely brushed through her curls to create volume and loosen the curls. Created a slight deep side part and swept all her hair to one side. Pinned a few inch bottom layers of her hair towards the right and at the nape of her neck, so that the hair would stay in that direction.
Then basically toyed around with the brushed out curls, either try a voluminous look by combing the curls through more, or a slightly more uniform curl look by shaping with your fingers. And then do a final spray of L'oreal Elnett to finish and set!
And here's a few closeup makeup shots :)
I promise she does smile!
X
A lil while back I dusted off my hairstyling finger tips (and my makeup brushes for that matter... see the post here), and played around with my good friend's hair. Isn't it a girly thing to do so? I can't shake this off no matter how much older I'm getting!
Hollywood hair a la Rita Hayworth style is one of my favourites styles. But sometimes when you wanna look your best and polished, but not too overdone or not too Hollywood glamour (depending on the theme of the night), you just need to take these hair inspirations and try variations of these hairstyles. Here's my take on a looser version of the Hollywood curl that is quick and easy.
I sprayed my friend's hair with heat protectant spray (I used Tony & Guy). Then sectioned her hair in half horizontally (the halfway line reaching from air to air), and then in half again vertically (the vertical half line from a slightly deep side part that ran down the back of her head).
Leaving an inch of her bangs clipped aside in the front, I curled the rest of my friend's sectioned hair (1-1.5" slices at a time) with a 1.5" curling iron all in the same direction (for this, I curled her hair towards the right side of her head). Once each slice was curled, I kept it in a rolled up shape, by rolling them around my fingers to make a pinned curl that was 4-fingers wide, sprayed with a little L'oreal Elnett hair spray......and let the rolled up curls cool on her head while I did her makeup.
Once all the curls were cooled, I let all the pins out and loosely brushed through her curls to create volume and loosen the curls. Created a slight deep side part and swept all her hair to one side. Pinned a few inch bottom layers of her hair towards the right and at the nape of her neck, so that the hair would stay in that direction.
Then basically toyed around with the brushed out curls, either try a voluminous look by combing the curls through more, or a slightly more uniform curl look by shaping with your fingers. And then do a final spray of L'oreal Elnett to finish and set!
And here's a few closeup makeup shots :)
X
April 20, 2013
Citrus Jellyshot Aperitifs
I'm not too impartial to a jelly shot or two... or just a shot of anything when party time comes around. And when I came across Lorraine Pascale's idea to serve jelly shots in fruit casings, I had to try it myself!
Limincello jellyshot wedges (alcoholic)
- 3x Lemons,halved and flesh all hulled out. Placed skin side down in a cupcake tin ready for filling.
- 135ml lemon jelly liquid mixture (made up from a normal box of jelly crystals)
- 80ml your fave limincello
- 2x gelatine leaves,covered and soaked in cold water for 5-7 minutes (I used 7cm X 20cm ones)
Steps:
1. Once you have your
lemon jelly liquid mixture done, this should still be thoroughly mixed, and
still warm before you add your gelatine leaves.
2. Pick up your now
soaked gelatine leaves, squeeze out excess water, and add to your lemon jelly
mix.
3. Whisk until gelatine
leaves are fully dissolved. Then add your limincello, quickly whisk this
through.
4. Pour into your
prepared lemon shells, place in the freezer for 30-35minutes until set.
5. Bring out of the freezer,
slice in half with the skin facing up (i.e. flat side down)
Lime jellyshot wedges (non-alcoholic)
- 3x Tahitian limes, halved and flesh all hulled out. Placed skin side down in a cupcake tin ready for filling
- 200ml lime jelly liquid mixture
- Squeeze of lime juice
- 2x gelatine leaves
Steps:
1. Once you have your
lime jelly liquid mixture done, this should still be thoroughly mixed, and
still warm before you add your gelatine leaves.
2. Pick up your now
soaked gelatine leaves, squeeze out excess water, and add to your lime jelly
mix.
3. Whisk until gelatine
leaves are fully dissolved.
4. Pour into your
prepared Lime shells, place in the freezer for 30-35minutes until set.
5. Bring out of the
freezer, slice in half with the skin facing up (i.e. flat side down)
{I sprinkled a bit of raspberry powder on this one to boost the flavour and sourness}
While I know there certainly is no need to whet my appetite before meal time, I thought these would be cute to serve to guests/friends...just to make them salivate or want dinner, that much more ;) If you wanted to make the lime wedge an alcoholic one, just add a couple dashes of tequila...Arrrriba!
Now I'm in dire need to have dinner because after taste testing these jellybabes, my stomach is whirring with hunger!
X
April 18, 2013
Flower crowns for your hair
Some would think flower crowns are typically reserved for flower girls when it comes to weddings.
And as cute as they can be, the limitation to just flower girls wearing flower crowns is so not the case! I have long admired ladies that can pull off wearing amazing flower crowns. Would you wear a flower crown for your wedding or any special occasion for that matter? Here is an inspirational round-up of beautiful flower crowns and wreaths for all types of hair and styles.
And as cute as they can be, the limitation to just flower girls wearing flower crowns is so not the case! I have long admired ladies that can pull off wearing amazing flower crowns. Would you wear a flower crown for your wedding or any special occasion for that matter? Here is an inspirational round-up of beautiful flower crowns and wreaths for all types of hair and styles.
Source credits, clockwise from top left: HERE / HERE / HERE / HERE {Love this girl; Amber! Please do check out her blog!}/ HERE / HERE / HERE
I know I know... a little crazy to wreath a dog... but come on...look how cute this liddle one is, I couldn't resist :)
(found via Pinterest)
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