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 #25

1. Easter is coming around again (I know!), and I have just discovered a genius idea: hot cross bun loaf! I like mine toasted, but those buns are hard to fit in a toaster so this could be my new favourite thing.
2. These simple-as guide for boiling the perfect egg from bon appetit. For something so simple, its incredibly difficult.
3. DIY painted pots. Because sometimes terracotta is just so drab. 
4. And this idea from E.A.T. blog for reusing olive oil tins. I've always cut out the top, but this is genius. 
5. Brownies with stuff swirled through them. I made a batch with dulce de leche from the latest Delicious magazine, but these goats cheese & raspberry ones look amazing. Or you could just bung in some chunks of mars bar...

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! 

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 #22

1. Claudia Pearson's Etsy shop. Very cute foodie illustrations on everything from calendars to tea towels. 
2. This up-cycled glassware made from old glass bottles. I like the blue glass tumblers and green vase.  
3. I love jam. I love it most when its homemade (I don't think I've ever actually bought jam in a supermarket...). The Jam Bandits are a creative pair based in Surry Hills who've come up with something I wish I'd though of - homemade, local in every way, small batch jam. Brilliant. See their site for info on where you can pick up a jar or two. Their Instagram is super cute too so get following. 
4. It's Mariah & Buble. Singing together. All your Christmas dreams come true. Watch it.

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

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 #15

1. Want to start a little garden on your balcony/courtyard/windowsill/kitchen bench? But Bunnings scares you? (Personally, I think its a heavenly place...) Well Urban Gardenista is for you. They've got a range of boxes filled with carefully chosen plants to get you started. They've got edibles, herbs, succulents & colour co-ordinated flowers. No Bunnings trip required!
2. I'm a literature nut, so when I found out about Samantha Hahn's new art book Well-Read Women I was over the moon. Hahn has created 50 portraits of literature's most famous heroines, from Anna Karenina to Daisy Buchanan, and they're printed alongside some of their best known lines. It launches in a few days, and you can pre-order online at Book Depository or Amazon.
3. Party food. Spring is just around the corner & outdoor entertainment can begin again! Featuring on my platters will be bacon jam & goat's curd pop tarts, avocado hummus, baked garlic & thyme brie, spinach babaganoush, and rosemary sweet potato chips.

The Weekly Digest #14

1. This is a fantastic idea - personalised recipe tea towels. Pick a recipe, fill in the details and order! 
2. The adorable artworks and quirky gifts from Alice Tait (available here). I'm coveting the portobello road print, her city maps, and a spring day in Paris print.  
3. Wall art from Not on the High Street. And yes they do (mostly) ship internationally. Plus they have a million other things to tempt you too, from tableware to novelty sweaters. I mean, you get a personalised sketch of your house done! Now thats a housewarming gift. 
4. Bread. I'm becoming a baker! Kneading can be wonderfully therapeutic, but an electric mixer and dough hook make it easier! Start with a simple pizza dough (no worries if it fails to rise then), before progressing to a white loaf and then a wholemeal or multigrain. Once you've mastered those try these for something different: malted walnut seed loaf, honey wholemeal, rye ale & oat, raspberry, chocolate & hazelnut breakfast bread, sesame seed buns, and blueberry brioche.     

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.    

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 #9

1. Feminist Taylor Swift. Whoever thought this up deserves a medal or something. Check it out on twitter NOW!
2. I'm a wallpaper fan. Are you? If you aren't you will be after visiting Mr Perswall's! These are truly stunning and they have an incredible range. I love this bookshelf print, this lovely silhouette,  and my absolute favourite is this incredible faded floral. 
3. Shoes shoes shoes! What ones are you coveting this week? My list is endless: classic Emilio Pucci strappy heels, Chloe block heels, nude Gianvito Rossi pumps, Tony Bianco boots, Dolce & Gabbana floral slippers...   
4. Want to be one of those cool farmers market shoppers but can't be bothered/too hungover to get out of bed on a Saturday morning? Have no fear, a solution is here! Give The Local Harvest Collective a go: "the local harvest collective as a way to be self-sufficient, proactively support a food system I truly believe in and to provide the opportunity for busy city living people in my area to nourish themselves in a completely positive way". 
5. The new issue of foodie mag Sprout is out. Its a special issue on all things pickled and preserved, plus I found out where all the best winter food events are for the next couple of months.