the tastiest treats...

I would like to take issue with choc cross buns. And if you would be so kind, please, hear me out.

I am a chocolate fiend of the old school. It is my vice. My first love. I would cross high seas to get my mitts on a chilled Twirl. I would walk across burning coals to munch my way through a Whitmans hazelnut block. I would work my way through that forest in The Princess Bride with the creepy giant rats and sinking sands if there was the promise of a chocolate feast at the other end, instead of King Humperdinck. Although I would quite like to meet King Humperdinck. Nice castle. Although a little chilly looking. Would like to be Princess Buttercup, riding the horse through the fields in the dress. Although would most likely fall off into a mud puddle and sprain something. And then would want a hot shower, and I'm fairly sure they were still using the ice bucket method at this point. Not as soothing. Lively, though. I digress...

Choc cross buns? NO! You're messing with tradition! It's just not ok! I like my hot cross buns all spicy and cinnamon-y and fruity and warm and buttery. And if I were the Queen of the world (awesome job, I'm told), you might even listen to me. But chocolate and bread? My GOSH no! Unless it's a chocolate croissant. Or brioche. Or nutella white sliced, the healthiest treat of all. But that's beside the point. At Easter, I want my hot cross buns fruity, dammit!

And if I must eat a choc cross bun, I must. But I shall maintain to the end hot cross buns were meant to be fruity. After all, tis what Easter is all about, no?

image via taste.com

Guest Blog :: Finders Keepers

Why hello there! Hope you're doing well this wet and wooly? Wednesday. Not sure why I said wooly, but I did and I'm going with that. Perhaps because when I woke up in the dark this morning and it was just so dark and stayed dark for so long, practically till I was out the door and on the road..and it just felt so wintery and cold. Plus the rain. Ah rain. I do like you. Except for the fluffy hair factor. That, I do not like so much. Anyway...speaking of cooler times ahead, in more ways than one (yes i cringe at my own words sometimes) Finders Keepers Markets is back on again soon! Exciting! Well, it's not till May, however, this gives us all a chance to pop it in our diaries, save our pennies for something pretty to purchase AND it's nice to have things to look forward to. I like having things to look forward to.

Happy Wednesdayl!

Luce
xx


PS. I like pictures of birdies + apples.

heart

to feel free

to feel joy

to feel inspired

to feel the sun

to feel the wind

to feel the rain

to feel release

to feel quiet

to feel alone.

to feel the heart.

image via daydreamlily

dreaming...

Come to me in my dreams, and then

By day I shall be well again.

For then the night will more than pay

The hopeless longing of the day

Come, as thou cam'st a thousand times,

A messenger from radiant climes

And smile on thy new world, and be

As kind to others as to me

Or, as thou never cam'st in sooth,

Come now, and let me dream it truth.

And part my hair and kiss my brow,

And say My love! Why sufferest thou?

Come to me in my dreams, and then

By day I shall be well again.

For then the night will more than pay

The hopeless longing of the day.

Longing

By Matthew Arnold

image via lelove

so many lovely Lover's...

A few sweeties from The Harvest, from Lover. Really do love the Northern Hemisphere more. Lucky devils. Have a feeling if I wore the leotard/pants outfit I'd be a little chilly. And, uh, not look good. Darn. Will just have to remember to wear pants this year.

More lovelies at Lover...

Guest Blog :: Sweet Coffee

Hello! I’m going to level with you. It’s a day for coffee. Lots of coffee. It’s also tasting especially good today. I love those days. I love Campos too. Even though it’s not a Campos day. Wish it was though. Could someone bring me some? No, seriously. And I would dearly love for that movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to suddenly spring into being. But instead of spaghetti bolognaise or burgers, can someone be ever so kind by sending down some melting moments or chocolate bunnies?? Yeah I know, that’s my headspace and I’m sticking to it… wait throw in some Danishes too for good measure. Then things like banks and their annoyances would disappear. Surely. Yep. It’s a proven fact. Coffee and biscuits and other tasty treats make everything better. I can feel my wrinkles disappearing already. Hooray.


Oh and I haven't done anything stupid (at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it) I just like these posters. Hilarity.

I hope your Wednesdaying is travelling well.


Luce

xxx

Sweet icecream wedding inspiration...part two!

So many beautiful details! And the icecream! Boy could I eat some icecream right now. And such gorgeous photos, with thanks again to the seriously talented Lizelle Lotter. I'm also very much enjoying the pink shirts for the men folk. Hurrah for pink shirts!

xx

an icecream themed wedding...delicious!

The gorgeous Nikki Meyer Kapp from Nikki Meyer Photography was married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in sunny South Africa just a few weeks ago, all stunningly captured by Lizelle Lotter. And as some we've not had some wedding fun for a while, she's going to show us her lovely wedding snaps! All the colours of soft swirling icecream with gorgeous lace details, and even strawberry pink toes! So sweet, I do believe we'll need some more photos...

Diana went on a holiday...

I'd love to tell you where this is, but I'm just not sure. Paris? Madrid? Soho? Oh now I'm just showing off...

On le train on le way to le Edinburgh...

Covent Garden. Not a Garden.

Teen Ranch Scotland. A wonderful place.

Good morning my sweets! O have something of a treat for you this fine grey Monday morning! A photographic snack, if you will. Twas very exciting to get Ms Diana's film printed and processed, and back into my eager little paws*. And even though one roll of film didn't work (not impressed), I shall prevail! And even though I forgot to put in the other roll I had, that's just spreading the fun around! And even though when I went to pick up the photos I was told they'd already gone causing what can only be described as a small heart attack (Oh THESE ones, they're just here!), I shall return!

So I do hope you all have a wonderful start to the week, somewhat brightened by the fact that we have now only 4 days till the next weekend! OH how I miss sleeping...

* I don't actually have paws.

Itchy feet. For hair.

I'm feeling a change coming on.
What do you think?

ps - apologies for slackness of Friday posting once again, the Friday wedding is becoming veeery popular x

it's the little things...

...that we miss.

Guest Blog :: In my imagination

This is where I imagine Nicola's (fabulous) rantings appear from. Delicately positioned vase of flowers next to pretty yet fairly useless lantern causing slight glow to fall across well framed array of carefully selected instruments one needs to accompany oneself to write various important writings, ponderings and self discoveries to share with world.

That or how bout this for your blackberry wallpaper? Nic, your rants amuse me and help me greatly. You have no idea.

image credit :: iamthecrime

I need sleep. Or chocolate. Either or.

In desperate need of sleep x

ps this looks quite fun!
pps although somewhat life threatening...
ppps but fun nevertheless.


image via Spanish Vogue Bride issue

happy monday morning snaps...

two

On my way through the land of online snaps taken by lovers of all thing beautiful, I stumbled across the incredibly talented and lovely artist known as Katrina Rodabaugh. Because that is her name. And not only is she a brilliant photographer, she has climbed the lovely scale about 10 points answering these questions for us! So pop over and look at her photographs, and see all the other beautiful things she creates while you're there. Be sure to say hello for me, and don't forget to take of your shoes x

Whereabouts in the world do you come from?

I grew up in a very small town in Western New York with two barns, a fruit orchard, a garden and oodles of pets. I've spent the last decade between San Francisco, Brooklyn and Oakland though I'm still equally torn between urban and rural living.

How does colour influence your work?

I'd say colour and texture are the two biggest influences in my visual work. With my photography, I'm mostly drawn to quiet, intimate moments where domestic life pushes up against a bit of urban wildness. I'm always struck by the colours of the seasons and how the botanicals contrast the greys and browns.

so many signs of spring

How many cameras do you use/own/love?

I just went to a flea market and bought 3 vintage cameras that I haven't even used yet. So that took my overall number from 7 to 10. I mostly use digital SLR, Polaroid 600, Ciroflex and Holga. I'm saving up for a Rollieflex and more Polaroid film.

white blooms forced to age

Do you have a favourite flower?

Oh gosh. I have so many. I love the camomile and calendula blooming in our little garden right now; the cherry and plum trees are also magnificently in bloom; and I have a soft spot for Black Eyed Susans, lilacs, and orchids because they remind me of my mother.

reaching for the light

Whats your grandest adventure to date?

In 2002, I was 25, and my then boyfriend/now husband and I spent 4 months travelling across the country from CA to NY in a little red hatchback. We spent most of our time travelling back roads, taking photographs and writing poems, pausing in little coffee shops, making new friends that we would never see again, and camping in the most gorgeous places. We've done quite a bit of travelling since, but there was something purely magical about that trip. It was just about perfect.

follow me

Friday (because it's almost the weekend) beauty post!

Oh how I do love the Oscar's! All the gowns and hair and makeup, all so beautiful and intriguing. Almost like peering over the edge of a very high fence into the zoo that is 'how the famous people live'. Have to say, I honestly don't envy it at all. Once, or twice, I would absolutely LOVE to be pampered and preened and frocked and blowdried into a glossy version of myself. But to do that as a job, and to then be judged for it...no siree. Not saying that if my break into Hollywood came a-knocking I'd turn it down. My roll in the Ready Steady Cook audience was, some would say, a gripping and heartbreaking example of the ups and downs of love, life and laughter, in what can only be described as a truly difficult role. A shining light. Some would say.

But as it hits Friday night (only 6 hours and counting...) and you start to feel like you'd much rather be curling up on the couch with your Friends dvd's and some icecream instead of heading out for birthday/work/that dude that knows your friend's sister's aunt drinks, don't fret! I have the answer! As I do with all the hard questions in life! Thank goodness someone's on the ball, I hear you say. And indeed my dear readers, I am! And that ball is bright lipstick! That metaphor worked much better in my head.


Take a look at Sandy here. She's looking hot. I don't really have much else to add to that. Except when she was getting ready to meet Oscar, I'm placing bets she would have told Shona her delightfully wacky makeup artist to make her lips POP! Almost definitely. If you're after the exact shade of colour, the super clever girls at primped have done their homework and are also much more amusing than I. But do come back. I'd miss you.

Vera Farmiga most likely used the P word too when shimmying into her frills. I'm lazy (we've touched on this before) so I don't have a close up photo, but if you squint really hard you can see her makeup is a triumph...a TRIUMPH I tell you!!! And the answer to the question which wasn't actually a question? Lipstick! In shades of raspberry, coral, fushia, strawberry...go nuts my dears. It will make you ridiculously aware of your lips, and eating a messy conundrum, but your makeup routine will become immediately funner. Which I'm pretty sure is also what the UN are studying at the moment. Coincidence? I think not.

And our dear Maggie. Gosh I'd love to be her friend. Pretty sure she'd love to be mine too. Her of the nonchalant red carpet look. And what's this? Pink lipstick! I have 3 lipsticks that I have only had the guts to wear once each, and in the interests of my readers (hi Mum!) they are Revlon Matte in Strawberry Suede (which is an odd combination, if you think about it), Sephora Rouge in R13 (boring name eh?) and Benefit Colour in Nice Knickers (not so boring name). See, aren't we glad I shared?

Should I wear lip colour tonight? Who knows? As it is obviously on a high level of importance, I shall work through the pros and cons today. So many to list. And I'll let the UN what I decide to do too. It'll help their research.

Have a colourful weekend my lovelies (5 hours and 35 minutes...)! xx

My dream bedroom(s)...

If I were tidier, and if I were cleaner, and if I had much less crap...

And if I didn't have cupboards crammed to high heaven with my bits and bobs and odds and ends...

And if I was the type to dust...

And if I had sunlight streaming into my room like golden liquid pouring through my windows...

And if I had a groovy green lampshade...

Yes. I said groovy.

And if my floor was somewhat clearer of clothes...

And if my bedside table wasn't piled high with books I'm not reading and candles I'm supposed to be burning...

Well.

This is what my bedroom would look like.

With the mountains of cushions and the big fluffy throws and the stunning textures and beautiful casualness! And the big thick quilts to snuggle up in on a cold wintery night! Delightful! And my goodness but the stylist in me hearts these shots big time. Anything with old suitcases tends to do it for me. Love them. Love them in all their musty glory. That big empty frame? Love it too. Maybe I could sneak into their next shoot. Cosy up in one of their sets. Don't think they'd mind at all. Not. At. All.

Gorgeous Aura by Tracie Ellis (from top) Sheer Leaves collection, Rainforest collection and Messa Collection. Available in Myer stores nationally, at http://www.aurahome.com.au/ or call 03 9552 6090 for your nearest stockist.

Guest Blog :: Food for thoughts

Hello! I do hope you had a most enjoyable weekend. Mine consisted of eating my way across the planet. Stopping off in Thailand before hopping across to Mexico, followed by Japan. have to say my favourite was the Japanese. Why so I hear you ask? It's a combination of the delicious food that manages to delight my tummy every time and the way it's served. Neat little compartments for all the various dishes. I like. And it makes for an interesting meal time. Do I consume my meal in an ordered fashion, working my way across from one little compartment to another? Or do I cross between..jumping from tempura to sushi rolls to sashimi? Decisions, decisions!

Anyhoo, I do hope you're having a fabulous Wednesday.

Lucy.xxx

PS. What's for lunch? Not that I have food on my mind now or anything. Not one bit...

PPS. Also pretty sure the peeps above are like passing notes in class, you know before kids had iphones.

Movin' to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches...

I do like a good peach. Normally the fuzzy skin thing freaks me right out (it's a legitimate fear, thank you very much). More of a nectarine fan. It just gives me the eebie jeebies, does a peach fuzz. But it seems that due to my close proximity to peach farms and the fact that they seem to be quite prolific this time of year (which confuses me, being the peach seasonal expert that I am), I am consuming them on a regular basis. And not just biting into them like an apple (heightening the level of eebie jeebies), heavens no! All lovely and stewed, in a sweet sugar syryp by my super mum. And another favourite? Grilled with honey and brown sugar. Tasty.

So, my dear readers, my wise advice to you today would be this. Do go and buy some peaches. Preferably in an old wooden bucket from a roadside stall if possible. And cook them delicious pies, jams and whatnot. Just be sure to remove the skin *shudder* ...

wildlife weddings...

We haven't had a wedding in a little while, so thought I'd kick us off in spectacular style with some lovely pics from bride favourite greenweddingshoes. AND! Can I please point out we have a tulle headpiece featured here? Indeed. If I was any kind of committed blogger I would have links here and here where you could go to see previous references to my not so secret crush on said headpieces, but I am not, so our 'here's will remain colourless and link free until I can hire someone to do, you know, the link adding.

Now, it's fairly safe to say birds scare the me to death in only the way that rodents of the sky truly can, but I've got this strange feeling if you tried to release, say, kittens, you probably wouldn't get the same effect. So let us marvel in all that is vintage wedding style, with the birdcages, bouquets of wildflowers, beautiful lace dresses and some appropriately sepia toned snaps, and I'll leave the 'to throw a pidgeon in the air or not' conundrum brides are regularly facing in todays society of bird throwers up to you. Aren't you glad.

Happy Monday! x

sniggle time!

There is a wedding today. It's busy. Let's pretend Sniggle Time is our Friday beauty post. Yes? Yes.

couture dreaming...

dior


lacroix

I often have far fetched daydreams that will never EVER happen (unless they remake The Princess Bride and Robin Wright Penn decides they want an unknown to play her daughter/niece/cousin and she MUST be Australian with very crooked teeth). Riding bareback across mountains, surprising folk with my musical genius (what, this? Oh I play in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in my spare time. Principal Timpanist. Didn't you know?), and being a flight hostess (believe me, I've no idea where that one came from either).

But it seems like my wearing couture in a smashed out old building might be one step closer to becoming a reality! Is this not a thrilling day?! Now to contact the good people of Exude Magazine and ask them if they'll re create their shoot for me. I'm almost 100% sure they will.

Guest Blog :: Wednesday ramblings :: and the pursuit of memory, fitness and other

Hello lovelies! Happy Wednesday! I hope this week and the arrival of autumn has been treating you well. I've had to bring out the old cardigans (and new, lets face it, they're always better)

So I've totally turned a corner on the memory front. Success on the remembering to pack fitness gear... mostly...for my afternoon walks - well actually I'm working up to a jog now, and still managing to admire the scenery! Loving nature in all its naturalness. AND my special nature outings are more pleasant now, due to the cool change...ok so still sorting out my packing issues though...yesterday forgetting to pack socks of all things. Had the joggers...no socks. Tricky. AND speaking of which...why do shops seem to stock sizes 2-8 for the ladies...and not much else? Like surely there are women out there size 9? And above? It's foot prejudice, people!

Back to the pursuit of fitness.. so I’ve officially got this walking/jogging track that I have adopted, which includes what I have dubbed 'heartbreak hill' A little exaggeration? Me? Exaggerate? Pft..never! No! It entirely breaks my poor little panting heart, because there's a twist. You get up the hill - half way, think woohoo! I've made it..and now let's turn the corner, and oh hello, hill part two. Gets me every time! So on completion of this hurdle, I do feel quite pleased with myself.

Plus, there is that great sense of belonging, when you see the same runners (yes, I ‘run’ now...well..move at a faster than walking pace speed) each day. My comrade's. polite nod. I know you..and careful not to trip. on flat ground..whilst acknowledging new acquaintances. good..

Um, and back to the memory front…or lack then of, I could have cried this morning.. Tootling? along in the car merrily on my way to work – although lacking coffee – so tootling perhaps not so much.. I realised my lack of joggers in car with me. I think I need help. Or, a check list. OR to not be carrying 6 things out the door?

By the way, this is not a premeditated way of escaping exercise. I wish it were…it would be far less embarrassing.

Is there a tea which helps with memory issues? I forget. Oh how I need coffee…

Oooooh almost forgot...it seems my little weekend road trip was postponed for another time, but I soldiered on and filled in my time with other lovely things, such as treating oneself to a facial post recent birthday...highly recommend indulging oneself during such times. And Nicola, slightly jealous of all these new fandangle beauty products you have purchased during your overseas adventures!

Happy Wednesday!

Lucy.xxx

PS. Completely gorgeous picture I wish I’d taken. Photo Credit :: Irene from eye poetry. Check out her blogspot + flickr.

Today is a very good day...

a day for...

early morning phone calls...
wearing a new jacket for the first time...
excited butterflies on the inside (if they were on the outside it might be a little bit weird)...
running through the rain and not caring about frizzy hair...
not concentrating at all...
making plans...

xx

image via le love

a wintery seaside...

So the weather decided to go all 'Autumn' on us, and I was sitting here thinking... my GOSH Summer is rubbish this year... when I realised it was actually Autumn, and so the drizzly rain and blustery wind was entirely appropriate. Not so fun, but appropriate nonetheless.

Which means its the perfect time of year for wintery beach escapes! All damp, cold sand, grey and teary skies, giant crashing waves and wet clothes. Nothing like the beach on a rainy day! And I'm thinking I'd like to look like this. If not somewhat cheerier. I've always wanted to wear a turban.

images via nadinoo