The Weekly Digest #28

1. Prize winning books by women you need to read NOW!
2. How much of a book addict are you? Buzzfeed has the answer! Let me know what you all get (I ticked 43 boxes - so basically I have a problem...)
3. The newest Time magazine with Beyonce leading the 41 other women mentioned (think designer Pheobe Philo, Hilary Clinton, Natalie Massenet aka Ms Net-A-Porter and Miley) as the world's most influential people. What's great though (and why you should get a copy) is that each bio was written by a close friend of the entrant. Sheryl Sandberg wrote on Beyonce, Stella McCartney wrote on Philo and J.Crew's Jenna Lyons wrote about Massenet. And that's just for starters. 
4. Brooklyn based Helen Levi's wonderful ceramics. The pitcher and mug sets are top of my list
5. A little while ago Book Depository released their list of the 100 best books ever, and now they've released the top 100 as voted by their customers. Check it out - you never know what you may find.
6. Olivia Burton watches. Just perfect. 
7. These recipes for strawberries from Saveur. How I wish they were in season, but alas, I'll just pin them for later.
8. Gorman's winter harvest quilt needs no explaining.

The Weekly Digest #27

I know, I'm sorry! Its been such a long time and you've all probably moved on by now... But alas, I have been busy reading, reading, reading - such is the life of an English student! That does mean I'll have lots of great reviews for you very soon (though not to soon as if you look at my Goodreads profile you'll see I'm currently in the middle of 21 books...).

I have for you a Weekly Digest though (or should that be monthly? Its been awhile...)

1. This fantastic reversible shopper from Marcs. It comes in number of colour combos but my pick is the classic black and cream.
2. The Coveteur's chat with the remarkable and wonderful Iris Apfel. There are many pearls of wisdom here including: "I have all of these lovely things that I've collected over the years that are just sitting there and are very hard to part with. I finally decided that it was ridiculous and that people should enjoy them." and "My father told me once not to expect anything from anybody so I wouldn't be disappointed. If somebody was nice and did nice things for me I should be overjoyed, but I shouldn't go through life expecting it, which is very good advice." 
3. Book Depository's 'Best Books Ever' list. Can't say I agreed with all of them, but you can suggest you're own. Check them out. 
4. The Royals. Mostly baby George and those ridiculous cheeks of his, and of course the Duchess. I mean could she be any more perfectly dressed? Nails it every time. 
5. The Life Picture Collection on Art.com. There really is something for everyone - from quirky images to monumental moments in history. 
6. I'm reaffirming my love for the Manrepeller with these latest gems: The 30% Theory, FODO,  and The Alarming Similarities of Lena Dunham & Kim Kardashian (I know, but read it & be amazed).
7. This stupid easy tin can DIY. You don't even need the paint to be honest! And the freezing tip is brilliant. I've started saving cans. 
8. These letter planters would make a great cheap & easy, yet impressive DIY gift. The blog Henry Happened is my new favourite thing.

The Weekly Digest #26

1. The Co autumn/winter collection. I know, so last season, but its cooling down here so I'm after inspiration. See my picks on Pinterest.
2. Blankets. Piles and piles of them! I'm so keen for cooler weather (ghost white skin doesn't agree with summer sun unfortunately). I want this one from Country Road, and these ones from Hard to Find, the In Bed Store, and Fenton & Fenton.     
3. So in a bit of shameless self promotion, I'm selling some things on Ebay! Yay! So head over, so whats there and if anything takes your fancy put in a bid! There are many bargains to be had (I'm talking 99c auctions on Isabel Marant!).
4. Gillian Jacobs' wardrobe on the Coveteur. Please can it be mine? 

The Weekly Digest #24

1. The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet - WATCH IT. I think its so important for women to have the conversations she is having. Yes, there are celebrities, but they are all intelligent women. Lady Gaga has some particularly enlightened things to say I thought, and Diane von Furstenberg should be our model for ageing. And it isn't only celebrities - there is a senator, writers, magazine editors. Anyone who is female with something to say. This is a show for and about women - it's everything we talk about between ourselves on a bigger platform.
2. Country Road has me pining for cooler weather. There are the cosiest knits, perfect ankle boots in every shade and some fantastic jackets. And then there are the spotty accessories and the homewares strike a perfect balance between cosy and modern. The menswear looks pretty good too. 
3. Flora Waycott offers up cute and quirky prints, which you can hang on your wall or dry the dishes with. You can even share the love with her greetings cards. 
4. I find it hard to get lovely bed linens in quality cottons that are still simple enough to please my boyfriend. I think Fictional Objects just might be the key to fixing all my problems. There splendid pieces come in all shapes and sizes, and aren't over priced. A Queen sized doona cover will set you back $190, and it's reversible so think of it as 2-for-1! 

Book Review: It

It by Alexa Chung
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

You'll love it or you'll hate it. There is no real in-between. Like your reaction to it, the book is very no nonsense.

Having read Man Repeller by Leandra Medine just prior to this, I can say that Alexa's efforts pale in comparison. I don't think its meant to be wordy though, its more art book than anything else. Stick it on your coffee table and let people think you're stylish, as it's very nice to look at.

I get the sense though that whatever your opinion of the book itself, it very much reflects Miss Chung. I feel it perfectly reflects the author. I imagine her as a slightly eccentric, endearingly scatty type and thats what the book is. I liked it and I'm glad I bought it, even if it took me an afternoon to read.

If you're a fan though, read it - if only to find out how she does her hair (NB. I love her hair).

The Weekly Digest #23

1. UK brand Boden for knits. Affordable & high quality, I came across them via blogger Liberty London Girl (some of my favourite finds have been from here, from clothes to books and homewares). They're having a sale, and these are sitting in my wish list: honeycomb stitch jumper in navy or silver birch, stripy stitch jumper in navy/emerald,  Chelsea jumper in navy and the Westbourne jumper in every colour. It is $20 shipping, but I've paid much worse....
2. The film Howards End is much under-appreciated. Such a cast:  Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter & Anthony Hopkins. Thompson won an Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA for her efforts.
3. Nigella Lawson circa 1979. It is everything. See it here. 
4. Tucker spring/summer collection. So pretty, so wearable, so needed. I feel like it was made for me. 

The Weekly Digest #21

1. The Michael Kors spring/summer 2014 collection. It's how I want to dress when I grow up. 
2. Christmas goodie bags. The easiest & most enjoyable gift to put together that's sure to please everyone. I go in for retro treats (recipes to come later this week), but choose whatever suits you best. Try these easy recipes: ratatouille chutney, fairy cakes, ricciarelli, choc-dipped sugar cookies, spiced orange choc-chip cookies, salted caramel shortbread, cream cheese hazelnut brownies, pecan pralines and white-choc lemon truffles.
3. Interesting roasts. Turkey is all well and good for Christmas dinner, but maybe we should spice things up a little this year? Try these festive updates: Guinness & honey glazed pork, beer & black pepper beef, Moroccan spiced chicken, maple-mustard pork and bacon & rosemary lamb.
4.  Are you a master Instagrammer? Wondering if those snaps can be put to good use? Why not have them printed up by kikki.K to use as highly personalised stationery. 

The Weekly Digest #20

1. Kaelen's spring/summer collection. Adore the graphic prints on quirky, sporty shapes. Coveting everything - from the easy basics too the special printed pieces. 
2. Lace table runners. I saw a picture on Pinterest and my heart was stolen. Etsy, Ebay and Vinnies will be the place to find one I feel. And hopefully just in time for my Christmas party this weekend.
3. And that brings me to my next major thought this week: Christmas! I admit, my tree has been up for weeks (I got excited) and I have been wholeheartedly planning a Christmas party. I have endless lists and ideas...
4. Passionfruit. Maggie Beer's banana & passionfruit pavlova in her new book started it. Since then I've become a little obsessed with the stuff. I've unearthed endless recipes! These would be some favourites that I can't wait to try: coconut meringue sandwiches with passionfruit ice cream, coconut rice pudding with passionfruit & banana, passionfruit puddings, passionfruit eton mess, passionfruit tart, orange & passionfruit yoyos, and passionfruit & ricotta cheesecake.  I know, long list.
5. The December issue of (Australian) Vogue. Arizona Muse is to die for.

The Weekly Digest #19

1. The five rules of feminist cooking. Inspired by Nigella of course.
2. J. Mendel's spring/summer 2014 collection. The mix of hard, edgy lines and lace is a perfect match.
3. Cleansing Oils. They're the new it-product in skincare and I'm hooked! I've started using Nude Skincare's Perfect Cleanising Oil (available at Mecca Cosmetica) and after a fortnight I can really feel the difference. It's a strange way to cleanse, and I'm still getting used to it, but I really love it.
4. Pecans - I love them and try to include them in lots of my baking (from simple cookies to luscious breakfast muffins). I challenge you not to do the same after trying out these recipes: pecan cream cake, pecan pie ice-cream pie, poppy seed & nut granola, blackberry & pecan biscuits, and triple-choc pecan cookies.

 

The Weekly Digest #18

1. I added these to my Goodreads list this week: A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle, What Would Grace Do? By Gina McKinnon, Bold Palates by Barbara Santich, and The Cazalet Trilogy by Elizabeth Jane Howard.
2. J.Crew in the English countryside is bliss.
3. I'm strangely drawn to animal print. Usually I despise it! See here: clutch, blouse, and heels.   
4. Pristine living spaces in whites and pale greys. Its another new look for me.      

The Weekly Digest #17

1. I'm loving pearl barley! Its very old-school, and a wonderful way to bulk out stews, soups and other such things. My pick of the bunch at the moment: porcini, chicken & barley stew, braised lamb, barley, pumpkin & sage risotto, beef pie and 4-grain salad.
2. Enamel-wear. Also very old-school, its wonderful as a baking dish for pies and crumbles, there's some really cute teapots & jugs, plus I really like the buckets as they're both functional and nice to look at! Check out the Exchange Store if you fancy some. They've got some other wonderful bits and bobs too like metal tea caddies, soaps and retro watering cans. 
3. Honey. I have some creamed honey in the pantry at the moment & it's amazing! So, here are some other honey treats I'm craving: French honey cake, honey-berry roulade, lemon & honey Anzac tart and raspberry & honey tart.  

My summer outfit of choice.
ADEAM Spring Ready-To-Wear 2014

Book Review: Man Repeller

Man Repeller by Leandra Medine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I found out the Man Repeller was writing a book I was so excited! I love her blog, so why wouldn't I love her book? Of course, the answer to that is obvious in the 5-stars I gave it. So, if you're a fan, you won't be disappointed. Don't worry if you're not a fashion person though. There is fashion in the book, but the book isn't 'fashion-y'. Its all tld so wonderfully, you won't even care what she's writing about! A warning, it is addictive & you won't be able to put it down. I had an impressively quick turn around with this book. Its short, sweet & punchy.

Medine writes wittily, making the everyday seem extraordinary & the extraordinary seem everyday. Its a very female book (see the chapter on period panties & ensuing discussion of 'feminine mishaps'), told from a (very) female perspective. And in no way is this a bad thing. Its really part of Medine's philosophy: for women, and only women, always. We could all learn a lot from the Man Repeller's approach to life, and we'd most likely be much happier for it.

The Weekly Digest #16

1. Purple vegetables. Who eats he usual coloured stuff anymore? Purple is where its at. I've got purple queen beans and shiraz peas at the moment. Try these: purple sprouting broccoli, purple swiss chard, purple cauliflower, purple basil, dwarf bean purple queen, shiraz pea, sweet purple asparagus, and purple podded dutch pea. 
2. Alexa Chung's It. I just ordered my copy.
3. Fashion Month - I'm torn between being more inspired by the runway or the street style? Which do you fancy most?
4. With the warmer weather, our waistlines rejoice (sort of, its also prime ice-cream eating time). I love a good salad and can't wait to try these out: roast beef salad platter, pea, broad bean & ham hock, bean, zucchini & goats cheese, green bean & avocado quinoa salad and smoked chicken salad.

The Weekly Digest #13

1. These classic sleeveless silk blouses from Uniqlo. Perfect. Now they just need to open a store/ship to Australia!
2. Slow Magazine is all about living life in the slow lane, and taking the time to appreciate things. Sounds like a good idea to me. Check them out if you fancy changing pace. 
3. How gorgeous are these geese-shaped measuring cups? Not sure how practical, but I want them nonetheless! 
4. No-churn ice-creams. No more needs to be said! Try these ones first: basic ice-cream, raspberry ripple, blackcurrant ripple,  pomegranate, and margarita. 

The Weekly Digest #12

1. These quirky newspaper blackout poems. Might give it a go over my weekend paper...
2. Maxime Simoens autumn/winter 2013 collection. Why I have only discovered it now I don't know, but I can tell you it is the ultimate combination of ladylike and fun. 
3. How adorable is this Paris necklace? I'm not normally a jewellery person, but I'm desperate for this piece!
4. Old school desserts with a twist. I'm talking a proper English-style pud spiced-up. Try these this week: arctic roll, pear & blackberry cobbler, baked apples with hazelnuts & maple cream and gingerbread puddings with salted caramel sauce. 
5. Winter ice-creams. I firmly believe there is an ice-cream for every weather. My winter picks would have to be these rich and creamy options: rhubarb & pistachio, lavender & chocolate, brown butter, peanut butter & honey with choc chip and malted condensed milk.    

Blog Roll: Liberty London Girl

Reading this blog is like taking a little step inside the fashion world. Just a little one - a taster, a teaser. Sasha Wilkins is a witty writer who doesn't feel the need to be over the top and endlessly posting about what fabulous designer piece she wore today. Its a little more intelligent than that. I liken it to reading Madison - its got fashion, food, lifestyle, design, books, travel, health and technology (plus some more). I love the diversity of it, and also how it just flows naturally.

She started her career at Conde Nast and began blogging in 2006, and LLG became her pre-occupation around 2009 after finishing as the executive style editor at The Wall Street Journal's 'WSJ' magazine. Now, she's a conbination of "writer-blogger-journalist-broadcaster-editer-stylist-brand consultant". Nice if you can get it!

And you must fllow her on twitter too - the wit continues.

Follow her through my blog roll or at http://www.libertylondongirl.com

The Weekly Digest #11

1. These quirky artworks and other things from Little Circus Design (a.k.a. artist Madeleine Stamer.) I love the 'Blue Girl' print, the giant bird wall motifs, this babushka dolls print and this dove print.  
2. I'm a Keira Knightly fan (and even more so when directed by Joe Wright as she is here). And even if you don't like her that much, you need to watch this video she's done for Women's Aid on domestic violence. Its 2 minutes of your day that you really should be spending on Youtube. 
3. The quaint little decanter-inspired porcelain vases from Shan Annabelle Valla. I'll take a triple set please!
4. I'm really liking Moroccan-style prints at the moment. Like the one on this Oscar de la Renta dress or skirt, and these pieces from Asos: tile print pants, shift dress, scarf print dress, and mini dress.   
5. These quirky cushions. Since moving in with Mr Boyfriend, there have been some decorating issues - I am a girly-girl and he, well, obviously isn't in to that so much! I think Zana offers just the right balance (that is, he can put up with these ones, but not these incredible floor cushions from Bonnie & Neil)
6. Neil Barrett's autumn/winter '13 collection is a masterclass in good coat-wearing (and one of his is probably a good place to start). 

The Weekly Digest #10

1. Kate Upton. Yeah, um, wow. She's had 4 Vogue covers this past year. Not bad for a swimsuit model with boobs (yes, you read right. The vogue model has boobs). See her latest for Vogue Brazil here. 
2. These photos of old London superimposed onto photos from today. Looks cool.
3. Mag Nation's cool new foodie quarterly 'Diner Journal' fresh from Brooklyn USA. Its ad-free and beautifully bound. More a book than a throw-away magazine. Collect and treasure! Pick it up here.
4. This snappy observation from Coco Rocha (here). I agree - how can you be a 'style icon' if you aren't actually picking the clothes? Food for thought.  
5. Running. I've gotten (well, getting) back into it and am realising why I took it up in the first place. Download the Couch-to-5k app and read these tips from Refinery29 to get you started.

The Weekly Digest #8

1. This list of books to read before they become movies. I'll be getting a start while on my uni holidays!
2. Art.com's collection of Life Magazine photos. My favourite would have to be the ballerinas. 
3. I'm always on the look out for new and exciting teas. The Loose Leaf Tea House goes back to basics - all the classics are there. They also have some great hampers that would make fantastic gifts for someone a little tricky to shop for, or for tea-brewing beginners. 
4. The Great Gatsby soundtrack. No words.
5. Stocktake sales are on now. Its really the only time to shop - bargains to be had! And bonus, both Myer and David Jones are offering the same deals online! (And a heads up - some of the best savings are to be had in the underwear department). Just try not spending!

The Weekly Digest #7

1. Matches Fashion's best dressed list. With the likes of Cara Delevingne, Alexa Chung, Joan Smalls and Diane Kruger, there's no reason to argue!
2. Co-ords. I need to get a head-to-toe look happening! Would make dressing in the morning wonderfully simple and obvious! 
3. Sale time! Myer & David Jones are in the midst of stocktake sales, and their are some amazing bargains to be had.
4. Stews and casseroles are the essence of winter as far as I'm concerned. I have a regular rotation of favourites, but I've also been tempted by these ones: chicken potato and spinach curry, lamb white bean and marjoram casserole, braised pork with cider and parsnips, and pesto chicken stew with dumplings. 
5. The other thing I like to do in winter is bake. I mean, I do it always, but it seems even more enjoyable in winter. There is nothing more wonderful the curling up with a good book, hot tea and one of these delicious goodies (which I plan on trying asap!): brown sugar and lemon mascarpone muffins, Portuguese tarts, sour cream doughnuts with lemon curd, or mars bar slice.  

Cara Delevingne & Alexa Chung.