Summer sun

The surprisingly festive, snow-less Christmas trees of Federation Square

Mrs Doubtfire's Christmas gift-guide

This is one of my favourite posts for Clinique so far...Which could have lot to do with the fact that the products are absolutely beautiful, it was a relaxing afternoon and the sun was shining while I was filming it. Something about being all propped up on cushions having earnest discussions also makes me giggle a bit. It's like "Mrs Doubtfire does makeup", but without the monkey, the wig and the prostheses.

Image from: robin-williams.net

Have you done something new with your...head?

No, I wasn't caught in the middle of a fire evacuation at the hairdresser. Nor did my hairdresser collapse mid-way through chopping my locks. I'm just experimenting with lop-sided-lock-iness...(and I love it!)

"SURPRISE!! I cut all of my hair off!!"

"....Just kidding!!....(I only cut half of it off )"

Double shift

Current obsessions:

Contrasting collars
Loafers with tassels
Tuxedos (still)
Teal nail polish
Ruby lips

Summer deliciousness

Sometimes I feel like things can get a bit "work, work, work - sleep, sleep, sleep" around here, with nary a spot of fun in-between.

However... Summer is a time for play, and the call of the warm evenings is irresistible. Unless you're a millionaire with a private jet, warm weather is a once-a-year occasion, and it needs to be enjoyed. So, set a slacking-off regime and stick to it diligently. I've provided a few suggestions to get you started:

1. To watch:

David Attenborough's "Frozen Planet"

Nobody wants to watch a documentary after a long day squinting at a computer. Accordingly, I was loathe to get stuck in to David Attenborough's latest offering. However, beneath the boring (nay, frosty) exterior is  gorgeous, heart-warming, heart-breaking and engaging arctic tale. It's a serious must for animal-lovers, dog-lovers (seals do look a bit like pups) and anyone who's forgotten that there's a big wide world out there. (Especially recommended for a good laugh and cry after a hard day, with a glass/bottle of wine).

Our Idiot Brother

Another heartwarming tale - this time of the cinematic orientation.
I don't want to say any more in case I ruin it.

2. To eat:

$6 baguette at Rue Bebelon, Melbourne

This little baby hasn't changed price, or deliciousness, in about 5 years. Choose your filling (I like pastrami) and the friendly staff will stuff it into a delicious and huge, chewy baguette. In the middle of a work day, it feels like some kind of brown-paper-wrapped victory. Yum!!

Snags done extra special

Heralded by the beer-and-BBQ at Riverland, Melbournian eateries seem to have been slowly won over by the humble sausage sizzle.

The rumblings reached a climax this sunny-season, with the introduction of The Snag Stand from Sydney, as well as the mobile Le Sausage.

However, if you remain a steadfast traditionalist, maybe try a sausage roll at your local petrol station...Or not.

3. To drink:

Iced coffee

"Skim milk latte" you say?

No more!!

These days, I prefer my coffee with ice, sugar and a dash of milk. It's like a holiday-in-a-cup. Probably a bit worse for you - but so much more funnnn!!


4. To wear:

Boy-meets-girl

I have a confession... I had a fling this spring.

It was just for few hours - mere minutes even - in the womenswear section of Myer.

=Sigh=

Fine, fine....It was DION LEE.

I COULDN'T HELP IT!!

But we met, we mingled and then we parted ways. Let's just say that my savings plan and the gorgeous, deconstructed business shirts just couldn't have a long-term relationship. (Have a look at their website here - the show in the very distinctive Sydney Opera House is mesmerising).

Eventually however, I found long-term love with Cue, whose boyish pointed collars and fine tailoring won me over. Long term.

Prim collars and tea, please

5. To do

Build some brain

Let's face it: we don't know everything and we never will. On the plus-side, that leaves a lot of things to learn, many of them very fun.

I started a short-term course at the Centre for Adult Education in Melbourne this week and I think that I'm addicted.

Some other short courses that I've been eyeing off in Melbourne:

Sewing classes at the Thread Den;
Paddleboard lessons;
Swedish massage (mmmmm...)

The Five Stages of...Home Improvement

This is the outcome of a lot of paint, tape, Paul Newman movies and daytime television. Yes, McGuyver had a beautiful baby (if I may say so myself).

Sharks with Lasers

When I think of lasers, I think of two things: sharks with lasers, and business presentations from the '90s. Now I have a third reference to add to my list: Clinique's beautiful Repairwear Laser Focus Foundation.

This month I had a close encounter with lasers of the Repairwear kind. I also had a lot of fun playing with my five favourite Clinique products, which will get you summer-ready and glowy. Have a look at my review here..

You beauty

One of my gorgeous friends used to joke that 'beauty is pain' whenever we wanted to justify silly things like wearing painfully high heels or heading out in small dresses when it was freezing cold. Times have changed a bit since then, and while I still dabble in the high heels, I no longer (even jokingly) accept a high price for beauty  (personally, financially, or environmentally). Focusing on the financial for a minute, here are a few pretty finds that won't break the bank.

Friends with Benefit

What can you do with 15 minutes, some hot wax and a pink wig?...Create beautiful brows, apparently.

And that's just what happened a couple of nights ago when I visited the Benefit Brow Bar in Myer Melbourne.

Above: before the treatment, and one day afterwards.

Merci Clinique!

I'm in Paaarrisss! And there's bronzer! Two of my favourite things, as it turns out. Check out my new summer trend review for Clinique, above.

Leave it all behind...

I've just returned from two-and-a-half weeks touring London, Berlin, Paris and Copenhagen. It was a lovely trip and a great opportunity to see old friends, meet new people, see some sights and generally eat, drink, read and chill. I've returned home very relaxed and inspired (not to mention jet-lagged). Pleasingly, I'm also looking forward to getting stuck back into work and exercise, with refreshed plans to learn a language and maybe re-arrange my bedroom. All that in only 16 days!

"Here's my mummy-card. Call me"

I have to admit - the concept of motherhood remains quite novel to me. So my surprise at the concept of a 'mummy card' comes as no real surprise. However, these cards, from "Minted" are just so romantic and gorgeous that I couldn't go past them. I also secretly love the idea that if I'm ever going to leave lawyering to follow the yellow brick road of reproduction, I can still pretend to be all organised and together-ish while I have kids dripping off my arms. Book me in for a latte tomorrow and we can discuss more. Here's my card.



(Oh...Not yet in the business of breeding? I see that they also do other card-type stuff as well. Or you could just get a few Play-Date cards to hand out at parties.)

Bicycle Beauty

I'm a long-time bike commuter, and over the years I've learnt a trick or two to help keep the trip lovely. Beauty-wise, a sunscreen and a few simple, no-fuss beauty products will get you to where you're going looking polished. As you'll be out in the elements, a waterproof mascara and a long-wearing lip & cheek tint will take you through any wild weather with ease. I always like to carry a scarf to put over my hair in case things get windy, and it makes a pretty bag decoration when you're not using it.

A pair of well-fitted shoes is a must. The other day I lost one of my less-than-snug flats in the middle of the road and had to brave a mad dash back to get it. I don't mind wearing heels on the bike (as you only push the pedals with the balls of your feet anyway) - but getting off can be a bit more unsteady. If you don't have a basket, a shoulder-bag is crucial to keep your hands free for important stuff like braking and steering. And if you get really serious, some Ortlieb panniers are worth the investment to keep it all dry and looking good.

Happy riding people - and stay safe!!

Bicycle beauty by melmck featuring hermes scarves

Stella McCartney rain coat, $419
H&M ballet flat shoes, £7.99
ASOS leather handbag, $16
Hermes scarve, $580
Leather glove, $40
Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara, $24
Benefit Benetint Cheek And Lip Tint 12.5ml, £25
Smashbox Lip Treatment SPF 15, $16
Eyeshadow – waterproof eyecolour base by Lancome Canada
Dring Dring Bike Bell, $18

Buffing Terriffic

Purple, blue, green, white, gold, silver - my nails have seen it all in recent months. The most laughable moment in this parade of colour was convincing my manicurist that I did want yellow on my fingernails - and then watching her visibly flinch as she applied the colour. However, following exams and the ensuing temporary deterioration of my care factor for things like nail maintenance, I found myself with totally naked nails.
I decided to capitalise on the novelty factor by shaping them and then buffing them with the old trusty buffing block. Brands like Manicare have been making these for ages, and they tend to loiter in the nail section of pharmacies and the like. I've long held a fascination for the way that they work (which always seemed like the ultimate fusion of nail-magic and nail-science).

Makeup Ads Banned for Excessive Airbrushing - from Beauty Bets

Makeup Ads Banned for Excessive Airbrushing | Beauty Bets

I don't normally like to cut and paste from other blogs - but kudos where it's due. This is good news. Thanks Beauty Bets!

I heart Tattly

I would love a tattoo, but my indecisiveness makes any permanent decision seriously ill-advised. Enter Tattly: unique temporary tattoos. I've already tried 'Colour Burst' and I love love love Mr Rabbit here. And the best thing? You can change your mind as much as you want - no laser removal required.

Does my brain look big in this?...I've been working out...

Exams are finally over, and I am ve-ery ready for the movie + couch + computer marathon-coma to commence. In the meantime, here are a few snaps to document the days of intense brain activity. Really. I generated enough energy to power my apartment with that baby. Go brains.

Brain food and a welcome distraction, chasing the Beatbox Kitchen to Brunswick West on a Saturday night.

I may have been stressed out of my little brain, but I still had the presence of mind to appreciate the simpler things in life. (If only it had been a double-rainbow).

Nail polish in 'The Full Monty' by Butter London (which is also free of Formaldehyde, Toluene and something called DBP which sounds rather sinister). Painting my nails is one of the many ways that I distract myself while studying.

Another great distraction: making friendship bands. Hours of non-studying fun combined with the dizzying impression that you're back in fifth grade and Suzy is about to drop in with some sherbet lollies and the latest Babysitters Club book.

I want this cup. It effortlessly deals with  such a diverse range of challenging situations/conversations/scenarios. Especially exams.

Wait, what? Did someone mention fifth grade, sherbert lollies and...technicolour icecreams?

Alba back

I've been a little inactive on the blogo-sphere of recent days on account of a few (read 6) pesky exams which are coming up. However, I have to drop a little note about Alba Botanica which has keeping me nice and relaxed (and scented) during my study hell.

It's a Wonderful Life

Tonight we watched the American classic, It's a Wonderful Life. It starts fairly mundanely enough, with a spattering of slapstick and romance - then takes a rather unexpected and paranormal turn...I love a bit of random crazy thrown in for good measure and maximum emotional effect. I won't give away the twist, save to say that it starts around about the scene with the quotes: "Look Mister, we save hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast and we don't need any characters around..." and "Aaah shuuddup! Cut it out! You're crazy!!"

Before things got a touch on the strange side, I was rather inspired by the softly-lit tan tones of the makeup and the fawn-coloured, coiffed hair. The swimming pool scene above is a classic. So, have a look and get your Charleston on, because it's a wonderful life people.

A blast from the past...

The other day I found this eyeliner tutorial, which I had produced in Summer and quickly forgotten about. It was my first ever makeup tutorial, created as my entry into the Clinique 'IT Girls' competition. It gets points for nostalgia as it won me a trip to Sydney and it was also created at the tail end of my much-loved (and missed) undercut. Also of note is the uncommon appearance of my orchid, Stick.

Stick acquired its unflattering name as a result of its unflattering appearance, which for most of the year is decidedly stick-y. But every year without fail, Stick pulls out the goods in the form of beautiful white flowers. This was such a time. Go Stick.

Winter observations

New Clinque goodness

My new review for Clinique: this month is the Milly compact, consisting of four eye colours and a blush, and a Milly Pink gloss. My favourite bits: the goldy-pink blush and the long-lasting gloss. The blush  gives you the subtlest shimmery glow and has a gorgeous mid-pink colour without any hint of brown. Just perfect to give you a hint of subtle blush, or build it up for super-powered colour that still looks natural. Also, big ups for the SPF 15 gloss. Perfect for summer! My not-so-favourite bits: the palette was gorgeous, but it took me a while to get around the colours - pink, brown and white. I mixed the white with moisturiser to soften it up and used the brown with a tawny highlighting lotion to create a cream colour. Because my skin goes quite pink when it is dry or irritated, I have to remind myself that a pink colour is pretty! It might take a bit more working to get used to, but I do like the way that the colours blend together. Check it all out here:

My aurora

Just a quick note about the best spa. Ever.

Last Sunday I packed up my tired, stressed-out self for a visit to Aurora day spa in St Kilda. Now, I'm a fan of a relaxing beauty treatment on any day of the week, but this deserves a special mention for all-out awesomeness.

But first, some background: to get us through the winter, me and the lovely M had decided to work our way around the spa baths of Melbourne, Daylesford (and anywhere else that offered us a bit of warmth and relaxation). After discovering that they offered a mineral bath treatment, we made our way to Aurora for some lovin'.

And love it we did. I loved the way that we walked up the stairs to a separate and soothing lounge, changed into comfortable robes and drunk herbal tea in the sunshine before our treatment. I loved the way that my facialist Sara spoke to me in quiet tones about my skin concerns before my treatment. I loved the subtle and unoffensively calming environs. And I loved the way that my skin glowed after my Rose Hydration Express Facial.



Following my treatment I retired to water therapy rooms for a lemon myrtle, green clay and mineral salt bath. When I've had a hard week I can find it difficult - nay, unpleasant - to sit still and sweat in a hot room. But I was kept pleasantly occupied by the exfoliating hand mit which was provided along with the mineral salts. The bath was followed by a shower with Aurora's body wash and moisturiser (very nice!) and a good old sit-down in the lounge again. I had tried to compare notes with M, but words failed me. My mind had gone on holiday. Hallelujah.

It's all good!!

This weekend I went on a relaxing trip to the country with some friends. Between visiting wineries, cooking, reading and sleeping, we happened to start talking about sunscreen.

A bit of background about me and sunscreen: I am a sun protection fanatic. It is absolutely essential for anti-ageing, especially when you use a chemical exfoliant such as AHA or retinol as part of your beauty routine. However, my well-educated friend happened to mention that chemical sunscreens may not be as beneficial as they seem. As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out on this one (especially since it is a topic covered by the likes of fear-mongering TodayTonight) - however it did make me reconsider my sunscreen choices.

The next day, in what was an exceptional stroke of luck, I happened past an organic supermarket. In my newly-aware (and paranoid?) state, I screeched to a halt and set off looking for a 'healthy' sunscreen. The only one left on the shelf was called 'UV natural sunscreen'. There were no testers, but with the enticing statement of 'it's all good!!' on the packaging, I felt I'd found my product. Sold.

I got it home in an excited flurry and gave it a whirl. It is a pale pinky-white cream with a subtly strange (although not unpleasant smell). Unfragranced is OK with me, so I kept going. I put some on. Thick...Greasy...Hmmm. Not going so well at first blush. But I persevered. It took a little while before I could put on my bronzer (the bristles of my makeup brush were sticking to the sunscreen) but I used the time to do something healthy like morning yoga. By the time I got out of the house the sunscreen had well and truly sunk in and I was feeling ridiculously virtuous. And here is the kicker kids....It didn't become greasy. All day. Once the sunscreen had dried, my skin stayed matte for hours, which is some kind of miracle.

I have gone through many, many sunscreens: the ones with beautiful packaging, amazing claims, and big brand names. However it was the funny little Aussie one that won my heart - and you know that it's good for you to boot.

Here's the lowdown (just so you'll be enticed to go out and find some for yourself):

• Utilises zinc oxide as a physical sunscreen
• Natural ingredients
• Contains lots of great antioxidants like grapeseed oil, natural vitamin E, green tea extract and grape seed extract
• Super moisturising and non-greasy (after a bit of time!)
• A little bit goes a long way

Just for something different...

Half Moon by MelMcK on Polyvore.com

Essie Nail Polish Turquoise & Caicos
14 EUR - shopmrsh.com

dELiAs > clothes > accessories > cosmetics
$4.50 - delias.com

I'm currently loving naked moons...By which I mean that I'm rather taken with the trend of leaving the crescent moon of the nail free of polish. I tried it myself tonight with gunmetal grey polish...Not bad (if I say so myself!) For the tricksters amongst us, the crescent can be painted a contrasting colour - although my skill level isn't there yet. For a mono-coloured project, I found a photo of someone protecting the crescent area prior to painting with those little hole-punch reinforcer stickers...Good idea (however I don't think that I've seen those sticky things since high school). Give it a go kids; impress your friends with you nail-wand expertise :)

Uh-mazing

I've just discovered Lisa Eldridge: total new girl crush. Her makeup tutorials are honest and simple and she's discovered some great products. I love the fun attitude that she brings to the whole process. It's easy to get too serious about buying products, applying makeup and trying looking good. However, Lisa's bright colours and great tips bring it all back down to Earth, without trying too hard. So refreshing. Have a look!

Layer Cake

For the past few years I've been hair modelling for the truly amazing team at Yoshiko hair in St Kilda. They have taken me from short hair to a bob, an undercut and back to long again; from dark to platinum blonde, caramel, strawberry blonde and red. And every time, I find myself getting stopped by complete strangers asking "who does your hair?". Unfortunately I don't always have the time to style the old locks to their best advantage - but even then I think that they still manags to look OK... The cuts are that good people.

I've gradually become used to environment of photo shooots - but it's still a pretty exciting experience. I love being involved in the process of developing a final artwork with some amazingly creative people and watching it build from makeup to amazing clothes, hair (of course!) and photography. Standing under the lights in front of the camera, surrounded by music, observing the process of wrestling every stray lock into place - of creating the perfect image - is pretty cool. I've also been lucky enough to watch some amazing professional models - the way that they move is quite extraordinary. It involves much more hard work than I initially imagined!

Recently, I managed to capture a few behind-the-scenes shots from a hair shoot which Dani (the Director) titled 'Layer Cake'. It was so named on account of the intricately layered splices of caramel, blonde, strawberry and red in through the front of my hair. It sounds quite hideous but the results were beautiful. The cut itself was quite strong and blunt. However as the hair moved the subtle layers of fine colour became accentuated, creating a softer effect. Here's the work in progress:

 Such neat foils!! (...and the process of waiting begins: lots of magazines to read and gossip to catch up on!..)

The shoot itself was fast and simple, focussing primarily on the hair cut and colour for a competition. Dani styled the shoot herself with some strong and jewelry and sleek leather pants. Here are a couple of shots of the final stages, experimenting with a flicked-up look. This is Dani at work:

As you can see, the colour was quite bold but softened beautifully over the weeks: a sign of a good haircut!

Spring in your step

There's nothing like an afternoon of pampering to make you feel new again (and all tingly-soft and glowing)... A few days ago we jumped into the car and took the 90 minute drive North-West of Melbourne to Daylesford, in the heart of mineral springs country. It was a grey and blustery day - perfect for some warming up in a mineral bath. As I left the house, I couldn't resist a photo of the beautiful autumn treetops around the neighbourhood:

The trip through the autumn countryside was misty and gorgeous. Huge gums flashed past as we wove in and out of the forest, past paddocks and over bridges. I have such a romanticism about the country with its painted homesteads, gorgeous gardens and fresh air that brings the pink to your cheeks. Here's a 20-second snapshot of the trip:

Highlander

The other day my Asos utility jacket arrived in the mail, all hooded and enormous and cosy. I've been enjoying enveloping myself in it as the Melbourne cold slowly encroaches. I've also noticed that it's been making me see new possibilities in previously unexplored makeup colours. At the moment I'm loving the contrast of a hot pink lip or cheek against the subdued military tones. My favourite colours are NARS 'Desire' or the Stila 'Custom Colour Blush' (for a more subtle effect). Dust a small amount across the tops of the cheeps for instant snow-bunny glamour.