Waxing Lyrical on the Vintage Band Tee

The ubiquitous vintage band tee raises some issues with integrity. I have some conflicting feelings about faux-vintage, but with its proliferation on the high street, it's almost inescapable. I think the general rules to follow are:
1) Does the design match your usual aesthetic?
2) Is it EVERYWHERE? Ramones tees circa mid-2000s, I'm looking at you...
3) Can you name at least some of their discography?

I think the above shirt certainly fulfils criteria one and three for me. Time will tell if the producers of this top will render criteria two true. I like my tees thin and soft enough to sleep in but cute enough to wear out for impromptu picnics.

Warning: Haters gonna hate. You'll have those hardcore members who believe you're only legitimately allowed to wear a vintage band tee as long as your mother bought it from the merchandise stand at the concert in '78 where she met your dad before they eloped... or something equally contrived. I've definitely been guilty of tossing around the "poser" tag, we all have, right?

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Would You Rather: Art-Deco Rings

Some things I'm doing to mentally prepare for The Great Gatsby premiere:

• Listening to the soundtrack on repeat
• Lusting after every sequined, scalloped, velvet and fringed item of clothing I've seen
• Picking out which Art Deco ring I wish were mine.

Which of these two appeals to you more? Oxidised Platinum + White Gold + Circular Diamonds = Be Still My Beating Heart.

Images: one and two

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Ladurée Macarons

For my birthday this year, a few friends and I made a weekend trip to Paris - as you do when studying in Europe. A must-see/taste was definitely a trip to Ladurée. The famous macaron store is as much a visual feast as it does quell your appetite for something sweet. The array of flavours and colours and the perfect packaging makes it the perfect little luxury.

I enjoyed it so much that we found another outlet the next day just so I could try one of their delicious pastries - the photo below shows me enjoying it just a little too much.

With the Australia's Biggest Morning Tea coming up on the 23rd May, perhaps you could make a batch to share with friends?

Images: one, (two and three my own images),  four, five, six, seven, eight, nine

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I Do Like My Spots

 Images: one, two, three, four, five, six

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Kiera Knightely Gets Married in Chanel

Oh, to be married in Chanel with flowers in my hair and ballet flats on my feet in the south of France. Kiera Knightley shows us how to nail the intimate wedding.

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Blooms

The Great Debate: Peony v Hydrangea

Fresh flowers are the most beautiful little luxury you can buy yourself. Whether it's the full bulbous blooms of peonies, or the voluminous pastel colourings of hydrangeas, flowers are my favourite little treat to buy when having a blue day or feeling like the world is an ugly place.

The shot below was taken on an early Saturday morning when riding back from Canberra's Epic Farmer Markets. These three colours are complemented perfectly by the brown butcher's paper, and kept me company for a solid week in a tall, cylindrical, glass vase.

Images:one, two, three,  four, five.

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The Delicious Miss Dahl

Sophie Dahl, an all-rounder if there ever were one. The grand-daughter of Roald Dahl, she writes, she models but I enjoy her cooking prowess the most. Her recipe book-turn-memoir Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights (and its follow up From Season to Season: A Year in Recipes) and subsequent TV series The Delicious Miss Dahl are informative, entertaining and visually - just stunning.

Her recipe for Rhubarb and Rosewater Eton Mess is firmly on my to do list. Whether embellished with crystallised rose petals or pistachios, this treat is so beautiful. I envisage whipping this up on an easy Saturday afternoon in preparation for a dinner party with loved ones.

Images: one, two, three

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