tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11961421980645797962024-03-14T08:26:50.455+11:00MAKEhappyMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-16221663734814899552012-06-05T13:23:00.000+10:002012-06-05T13:23:00.135+10:00Inspiration: Robin Derrick<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qOzGZnRZ7AgW4WMxS5litbw0CXHqOx3ZQUJ3xJ60YFnB04KgRK5NqMRMdD1AsW10Hj0OThwBXQtnlyz_us2VQfu3xeEJDh5usheDcryOiUliFiqBBEWk-XKOPASXJ0paMcYkGPsFaD9t/s1600/Cut+Flowers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qOzGZnRZ7AgW4WMxS5litbw0CXHqOx3ZQUJ3xJ60YFnB04KgRK5NqMRMdD1AsW10Hj0OThwBXQtnlyz_us2VQfu3xeEJDh5usheDcryOiUliFiqBBEWk-XKOPASXJ0paMcYkGPsFaD9t/s640/Cut+Flowers.png" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cut Flowers 2</i> (2008). Source:<i> robinderrick.com</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ofor6AE3sEfdWdLmc2Hk5Q4ezbCRBDOPDLhcPB3w8-BJb_bVf87icOhRhakyDy5-W1p3d3e9FwwXrYYQ-EhtDZdkpqAhxdcDZM_lEAsSDY6EIVZLkUJ-8QmjsyYvfnCUKMYWgIHPxrGU/s1600/cut+flowers+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ofor6AE3sEfdWdLmc2Hk5Q4ezbCRBDOPDLhcPB3w8-BJb_bVf87icOhRhakyDy5-W1p3d3e9FwwXrYYQ-EhtDZdkpqAhxdcDZM_lEAsSDY6EIVZLkUJ-8QmjsyYvfnCUKMYWgIHPxrGU/s640/cut+flowers+2.png" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cut Flowers 1</i> (detail) 2008. Source: <i>robinderrick.com</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUKbJjPtY5_HeYCeOp5-Wfuz-AdrRWkypQ5GsC2JTfKB0IMjkqN6zKMIKF6XyqkV_fD0wtwoyNyjsMgG-njwCMR4N5ZQcQEhlcJ9-U5YGKJZCg6d7R4DDOQDoKEvTYmQoRH2skSVfddT4/s1600/cut+flowers+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUKbJjPtY5_HeYCeOp5-Wfuz-AdrRWkypQ5GsC2JTfKB0IMjkqN6zKMIKF6XyqkV_fD0wtwoyNyjsMgG-njwCMR4N5ZQcQEhlcJ9-U5YGKJZCg6d7R4DDOQDoKEvTYmQoRH2skSVfddT4/s640/cut+flowers+3.png" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cut Flowers 4</i> (2008). Source:<i> robinderrick.com</i></td></tr>
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-12079018994324206562012-06-03T21:00:00.000+10:002012-06-03T21:00:05.757+10:00A cider called ColinHow many puns can you make with the word "cider"?..Quite a few as it turns out (but none which are worth repeating).<br />
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We discovered this on Saturday as we sat drinking home-made cider and attempting to create a bit more. This involved five people, two juicers, something called "yeast killer" and about 45 kilos of crisp winter fruit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UvNZldvtBLDuoRQf-bo1q2JHPgdW5_xi-6L_K8XlTb2oYR4hyphenhyphenQDWd5brQTtkcQt_ESPCQbF03V3vn8VML1ufaaQYvp-8TbLUd_AlqYuFwVkXF76FrbIhG-copPOyFmogCivv7GEQW7wY/s1600/Chopping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UvNZldvtBLDuoRQf-bo1q2JHPgdW5_xi-6L_K8XlTb2oYR4hyphenhyphenQDWd5brQTtkcQt_ESPCQbF03V3vn8VML1ufaaQYvp-8TbLUd_AlqYuFwVkXF76FrbIhG-copPOyFmogCivv7GEQW7wY/s640/Chopping.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Our brew is a hearty mix of two types of apples and two types of pears. The process itself was surprisingly simple, but labour-intensive. After sterilising all of our equipment, we went about the lengthy task chopping and juicing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uBN4qJ8eLe49vNIfOnXODlzI6w6j6kvbGdEg3TyLs_pnn3VWpAgsfmhQpNHUZljgWAkNdJVBJApNBO8aUyhHxLNmq6pvNmdBR-sETxbUck0850ee9tx7C2EeH-ppc8767nj9RSDnRih7/s1600/Juicing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uBN4qJ8eLe49vNIfOnXODlzI6w6j6kvbGdEg3TyLs_pnn3VWpAgsfmhQpNHUZljgWAkNdJVBJApNBO8aUyhHxLNmq6pvNmdBR-sETxbUck0850ee9tx7C2EeH-ppc8767nj9RSDnRih7/s640/Juicing.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Flash", our 1980s wonder-box juicer, in action</td></tr>
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The result was a foaming, oxidised mess of juice - which I've been confidently told will create a lovely cider in no time (with the addition of a bit of yeast and sugar). </div>
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As for our brew's name?..In the absence of anything better, I'm naming the tub in the corner "Colin". For now at least. The grand opening will be in about three weeks (when hopefully we can be inspired to come up with a better name). Happy drinking!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH50dujwEIeO2KGEZ4MF6hyphenhyphen20h8nVApAs8fS6r7zWDZanU8VlOR8yJOmc2BjY8kTTE_gE8bloTzfhXHI7PaPYdYLrTzJpWXpKtdxhZu4cW6qQzxeApQNK4KsT0ndNWcYkHR7tGrmnsOqo/s1600/Drinking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH50dujwEIeO2KGEZ4MF6hyphenhyphen20h8nVApAs8fS6r7zWDZanU8VlOR8yJOmc2BjY8kTTE_gE8bloTzfhXHI7PaPYdYLrTzJpWXpKtdxhZu4cW6qQzxeApQNK4KsT0ndNWcYkHR7tGrmnsOqo/s640/Drinking.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-55697689309114628392012-06-03T12:31:00.000+10:002012-06-03T12:31:17.487+10:00ch-ch-ch-ch-changesI'm a little ashamed to see how long it's been since I've last written. Over a month, in fact.<br />
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Since then, a couple of developments have resolved themselves. After several fraught weeks of organising and a crazy weekend of moving, I'm now out of the apartment which had been my home for the last seven years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzBc0XvtsBmuUkLG5W8eqMuS3u68Tidh7YPZhK6OjZ1gHG1tgtBMz1cphmmLgmJrblf1yHIhxZKKTrIOs4mpx3IA1oyoBKk89wuxabQay0wGDGZBE2oCXGvQ5Of20Uzvja9TbGK3ArNhX/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzBc0XvtsBmuUkLG5W8eqMuS3u68Tidh7YPZhK6OjZ1gHG1tgtBMz1cphmmLgmJrblf1yHIhxZKKTrIOs4mpx3IA1oyoBKk89wuxabQay0wGDGZBE2oCXGvQ5Of20Uzvja9TbGK3ArNhX/s640/IMG_1025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My old room, looking so bare and foreign</td></tr>
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One thing that I will never do again is reject an offer to help with moving or painting - no matter how unwitting that offer may be. I couldn't have imagined how big a task moving was (and how much <i>stuff</i> I had accumulated), so I've very thankful for the help that I did have.<br />
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During that time, I also signed a contract to purchase a new apartment, discovered that the contract was invalid and promptly withdrew my offer. I'm now technically homeless, but with most of my belongings in storage and no contracts holding me down, I'm enjoying feeling liberated - if only for a while. I've learnt a lot about purchasing real estate, real estate agents and home loans in the process.<br />
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Now looking forward to settling down for a bit, getting out and about a bit more again - and blogging more!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-13785948601820652252012-04-29T13:25:00.000+10:002012-04-29T13:25:00.495+10:00Good-Gorman: it's a warehouse sale!!For anyone who like a sale, the <a href="http://www.gormanshop.com.au/collection/">Gorman</a> warehouse sale was the bomb-diddly of all sales. Walking through the gates of what shall forever be known in my mind as "Gorman Land", I felt like Charlie entering the Chocolate Factory for the first time. A huge room and a whole outdoor courtyard were sprawled with an abundance of brightly-coloured skirts, pretty dresses, sequinned tops and high heels - all at amazing prices.<br />
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My first instinct was to run desperately into the fray and wrench a pair of delightful, high-waisted cotton-lace shorts from a student with tortoiseshell glasses and a top-knot. But I refrained. After all, there was plenty to go around for everyone. Literally, plenty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3PrpmtADarip5EVAy6WtRuOPNxd6GklTSZcOTlPrNHUDmXWOpPmi5vN_1I6ZQMRN7ejqysewCBNZZAgOz3B2I4n0O_OJkziZuopNVhm_ZHXOBug6uYhj6K2AyfJSXkcyDob1z1RSJjr4/s1600/IMG_0996%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3PrpmtADarip5EVAy6WtRuOPNxd6GklTSZcOTlPrNHUDmXWOpPmi5vN_1I6ZQMRN7ejqysewCBNZZAgOz3B2I4n0O_OJkziZuopNVhm_ZHXOBug6uYhj6K2AyfJSXkcyDob1z1RSJjr4/s640/IMG_0996%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
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A subdued tension permeated the air as hundreds of women stalked their prey, carrying bundles of hoarded items. An occasional man languished on the periphery or attempted to assist in the search for the perfect item.<br />
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I really, <i>really </i>wanted the leather platforms pictured above. In fact, I had pined for them when they first came out in-store. Thankfully my mother convinced me that an extra 10cm of height would make me, well, literally have to look down on most people. I would be a well-dressed and thrifty gargantuan-lady, but a bit scary all the same.<br />
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As the red fog of sale-panic gradually subsided, I managed to escape with only a dress, a silk onesie...and of course, those high waisted shorts. Keep an eye out for future warehouse sales on <a href="http://thethousands.com.au/melbourne/">Three Thousand</a>. I highly recommend a visit.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-5891071123040478552012-04-28T12:50:00.000+10:002012-04-28T13:27:52.775+10:00Time to move on...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8m_txAt-Xnf_93pMuvk9D24syJOIDm8w3EEMn8bPUnOOAwl8XOrq24T1YqqQrFqVuoLD28k9M0LX0ua12FsOO1l1V4BKBpM0RAKR-kxlrriphjQDHX4PXo7eDOs4kH-C4rpfJyh8g5Mx/s1600/IMG_0999%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8m_txAt-Xnf_93pMuvk9D24syJOIDm8w3EEMn8bPUnOOAwl8XOrq24T1YqqQrFqVuoLD28k9M0LX0ua12FsOO1l1V4BKBpM0RAKR-kxlrriphjQDHX4PXo7eDOs4kH-C4rpfJyh8g5Mx/s640/IMG_0999%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl in a cute outfit at the Gorman sale. She's got the right idea: keep it moving.</td></tr>
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The past couple of weeks have swept in some very big changes. Changes which, if all goes well, could be very exciting. Keep you fingers crossed for me!<br />
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In the meantime, here's a few things that have been keeping me happy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious coffee and great people-watching at St Edmonds cafe in Prahran</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23_EjiHQrK9ufHefok8KiCcPuJKWDiLOdX0jEDg4y9y_TIWDtis5gYC-_4NuBS1U6Nv4urfzBX53pwwuLlf6dywEljLpJV8RB1ldOlHEjvHpuTFrfpvLZpwkmuuWeBEUzLVt7tv0QeyeY/s1600/IMG_0992%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23_EjiHQrK9ufHefok8KiCcPuJKWDiLOdX0jEDg4y9y_TIWDtis5gYC-_4NuBS1U6Nv4urfzBX53pwwuLlf6dywEljLpJV8RB1ldOlHEjvHpuTFrfpvLZpwkmuuWeBEUzLVt7tv0QeyeY/s640/IMG_0992%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The courtyard at St Edmonds. Honey Sesame Chicken anyone?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK8bMAzpaK4fkjLI25pQPsxkVUlg-sXxC3AeTWlz992I-eUkitSthZIoNQg60eFctQqVKx7Hus9Ph-j9pbYFFhlQ1pllBh3Z3HI5HgntZAXmjvtKwRcLJ0RQUZg7mF3qWXG-3A48Bkqek/s1600/IMG_0978%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK8bMAzpaK4fkjLI25pQPsxkVUlg-sXxC3AeTWlz992I-eUkitSthZIoNQg60eFctQqVKx7Hus9Ph-j9pbYFFhlQ1pllBh3Z3HI5HgntZAXmjvtKwRcLJ0RQUZg7mF3qWXG-3A48Bkqek/s640/IMG_0978%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a guest at Russian Easter. That made me happy. The vodka shots and my champion egg (unbeaten in five bouts of egg v egg) also made me quite happy... Ha. Unbeaten.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w1DxHnJh6rk_cQoyvXdW6YlgF0vVQSOW7UikjrTEeJMV5oRDN1v11pZHhrEcoE1FJWcP4lKnDi_gMVCQ_2j5xWZyARogPTw2sWqTvwQcoEVjafsILij7mxdLi159HbQVOfSk7m66HCDP/s1600/IMG_0975%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w1DxHnJh6rk_cQoyvXdW6YlgF0vVQSOW7UikjrTEeJMV5oRDN1v11pZHhrEcoE1FJWcP4lKnDi_gMVCQ_2j5xWZyARogPTw2sWqTvwQcoEVjafsILij7mxdLi159HbQVOfSk7m66HCDP/s640/IMG_0975%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haircut!! Apologies for the shadowy photo - but here is my 'half-half' hair several months after the big chop. It's getting longer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe0X89A2l34gVDd5AW2hwUax6N4B0ZG3jDmsUDtzaxVDS-UFWWLk7diRT2oAPoo6CypD94Y2ESKeOQh12j5SLPV9chm_827VvGeq6a-4yolXHvqMLwvynkj9OarIi2O5L4o6LguY0DBlY/s1600/IMG_0971%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe0X89A2l34gVDd5AW2hwUax6N4B0ZG3jDmsUDtzaxVDS-UFWWLk7diRT2oAPoo6CypD94Y2ESKeOQh12j5SLPV9chm_827VvGeq6a-4yolXHvqMLwvynkj9OarIi2O5L4o6LguY0DBlY/s640/IMG_0971%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One final brunch with our dear friend Kai before he moved away. He took us to cafe Gaia in South Yarra. The bircher muesli was delicious, and everything else looked great too.</td></tr>
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-63574964581583915012012-04-17T22:18:00.004+10:002012-04-17T23:17:57.167+10:00Sugar can be good for you...Better than wax, anyway.<br />
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Last night I tried "sugaring", the traditional, home-made alternative to waxing. I don't have any pictures (because I was busy sugaring) - but I still have to report on the success of my experiment.<br />
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After doing a bit of reading, I started with <a href="http://www.ehow.com/way_5479075_homemade-sugaring-recipe.html">this</a> recipe but reduced it by a quarter. The recipe is so simple:<br />
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<ul>
<li>white sugar;</li>
<li>lemon juice; and</li>
<li>water,</li>
</ul>
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in proportions of 8:1:1, respectively. While it was boiling, I watched the mixture like a hawk and stirred continuously until I had a dark-caramel, sweet-smelling, bubbling mixture. To test the consistency, I dropped it into a glass of cold water and took it off the heat when it 'balled up' in the water.</div>
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When the mixture had cooled down sufficiently (by which I mean that it was not too hot when I applied it on the back of my hand - not just when I touched it with my finger) I experimented with a little bit on my leg. I used a strip of an old sheet as the backing. I think that it's best to do this in the bathroom where you can splash water around (and because tiles are easiest to clean sugar-mixture off!) </div>
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In short, I found it far less painful and much easier than traditional at-home waxing. I've you've got an extra 20 minutes to cook up a sweet, toffee-like concoction and you don't mind DIY waxing, this is definitely worth a try.<br />
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I've been doing my own touch-ups for years with wax strips, which (in retrospect) seemed to stick to the skin as aggressively as they did to the hair itself. The sugar 'wax' on the other hand, peels right off the skin with minimal pain. And the best thing; it can be washed off the skin! Once you've made yourself a batch you can also re-heat and re-use it - the only precaution is really making sure that it's cool enough before you apply it to the skin. However, if it's still a bit hot (or if you make a mistake) you can just run it under water and it melts right off. And to top it all off, it uses ingredients which are cheap and readily available. Brilliant!<br />
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If you're interested, try this recipe here: <a href="http://www.ehow.com/way_5479075_homemade-sugaring-recipe.html">http://www.ehow.com/way_5479075_homemade-sugaring-recipe.html</a> or experiment with other online variations, such as those containing honey. Just make sure to see if you like it with a small batch first. Good luck!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-36435263981060379502012-04-14T14:13:00.001+10:002012-04-14T14:16:28.860+10:00Great-Grandmother's Bad-Hair-Day FixWhen I have a 'bad hair day' I usually turn to the trusty silk scarf to hid my laziness, lack of inspiration or lateness. However, for the most extreme days, I've just discovered the 1920s classic - the turban. The ladies back then knew what they were doing - this little gem hides <i>it all</i> in mere seconds. In addition, it can also be a cute evening look with big earrings or a bold necklace. I've been zealously experimenting with variations:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8zYZvyD9hc6pI7yyglj42SvEL4C3oX2SZv4QMBi18PeW5JLNDUKRXd4nz91yWJyGJIYuVByXnlY_4YC_Qpvl-f4cXU66a1wE8umM_d5nEKJoK8dBLGRz-rNfzUJrLZe5v5QiQpnHCMfp/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8zYZvyD9hc6pI7yyglj42SvEL4C3oX2SZv4QMBi18PeW5JLNDUKRXd4nz91yWJyGJIYuVByXnlY_4YC_Qpvl-f4cXU66a1wE8umM_d5nEKJoK8dBLGRz-rNfzUJrLZe5v5QiQpnHCMfp/s400/photo+1+(1).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Everyday"...Roots? What roots?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6xDB6wDKJgCzwAu54i1nRmXjrONxi6199MP1AUceduYujmC84VpyKKlWO2qgBBdZdHqcavYp-Tw0bMIsBo7uWMPohuutC42ef2wml7lfJn3-Ne8Uo_IrB1Nb3WlrCp2vgAtERTBGJeUg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6xDB6wDKJgCzwAu54i1nRmXjrONxi6199MP1AUceduYujmC84VpyKKlWO2qgBBdZdHqcavYp-Tw0bMIsBo7uWMPohuutC42ef2wml7lfJn3-Ne8Uo_IrB1Nb3WlrCp2vgAtERTBGJeUg/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never contend with boring conversation at parties ever again. Just pull your (preferably bejewelled) turban down, smile and have another drink.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFLd3KixKFozoZoQollm5kWsdVzP6XQllT6gwn0OQHpwmvJtIzKTM0WUG_p7gvOKdD4O2c3OgUeEInz09dQ1dP-9bEc-9qPh8Pi22VnXyiPKWT1wMNRIoxDLKBZAJY_OAcBG9zhbMNcJR/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFLd3KixKFozoZoQollm5kWsdVzP6XQllT6gwn0OQHpwmvJtIzKTM0WUG_p7gvOKdD4O2c3OgUeEInz09dQ1dP-9bEc-9qPh8Pi22VnXyiPKWT1wMNRIoxDLKBZAJY_OAcBG9zhbMNcJR/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Rio"</td></tr>
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-28222873095831070462012-04-13T11:00:00.000+10:002012-04-13T11:00:00.699+10:00Rave: natural self tannerSummer or winter, I find it hard to put aside my tanner. For my skin, things just look a little bit better, bronzer.<br />
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However, I'm not so keen on the weekly application of preservatives, thickeners, slip agents, fragrances and colours. So I was delighted when I found <a href="http://www.caribbean-sol.com/Beach-Colours-Self-Tanner-6-oz-">Caribbean Solutions Beach Colours</a> self tanner - a simple, natural formulation that smells like watermelon and bronzes with the best of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB5l2iB6M6VNbdnWWw3L79Gkqenj2AAOz6mXZd9vKjdjhnJlKtl_sexpEdvk2jbdCBwR0gy_KfHj51FHaaXQzeWOtVm69GkYHTEQL4-xgkPFFGmecgAomJpZVI21xU7rWl-isVLOCyu7B/s1600/CBS-00061-2-300x300+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB5l2iB6M6VNbdnWWw3L79Gkqenj2AAOz6mXZd9vKjdjhnJlKtl_sexpEdvk2jbdCBwR0gy_KfHj51FHaaXQzeWOtVm69GkYHTEQL4-xgkPFFGmecgAomJpZVI21xU7rWl-isVLOCyu7B/s1600/CBS-00061-2-300x300+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>This product has less ingredients than I can count on my fingers, and is rated a '2' for low toxicity by the <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/254515/Caribbean_Solutions_Natural_Beach_Colours_Self_Tanner/">Environmental Working Group</a>. The moisturising, silky formula glides on smoothly, smells lovely and dries matte. Within several hours, I noticed a gentle tan developing and within two applications, I felt beach-ready. The only difference between this product and any major brand, to my mind, is the initial white creaminess that appears when the product is rubbed in - but this actually helped me see where I'd put it on, and sunk in within moments. Although the package size is fairly small, I found that a little bit goes a loooong way. It doesn't get much better in the bronzing stakes for me. Highly recommended.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-33478589863233332732012-04-11T00:28:00.000+10:002012-04-11T00:28:23.671+10:00The LatestA few quick, easy creative pieces that have been keeping me occupied.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ8dyuWsVJSg-pgDtZgWUmJVNW5PSjPJkWjqts3jP8deO8MC3Cam76IiePT8YczqnfSVT1qtBy2VBlI5jER8Nt07DCoycqPUx8rcIKEaI3lDhEv2OQMc3U2aAOjf8HKOfoYGBTZBTKrhO/s1600/IMG_0969%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ8dyuWsVJSg-pgDtZgWUmJVNW5PSjPJkWjqts3jP8deO8MC3Cam76IiePT8YczqnfSVT1qtBy2VBlI5jER8Nt07DCoycqPUx8rcIKEaI3lDhEv2OQMc3U2aAOjf8HKOfoYGBTZBTKrhO/s400/IMG_0969%5B1%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted collar-tips, inspired by <a href="http://www.cue.cc/Winter2012#page-2">Cue's winter collection</a>. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNB2e8QNjexBrfAY5PPqJayXOX_LOJ025w2Tv-llmXlvXIyOpHWfsgv9EpZs-UGuXAP88rpXAxWbvWX36wcgtN0mp8iYXK814gK0hG6e-FPhDA1UjhaN2iOFd927IlACH6kq0mFsJ7B3T/s1600/IMG_0970%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNB2e8QNjexBrfAY5PPqJayXOX_LOJ025w2Tv-llmXlvXIyOpHWfsgv9EpZs-UGuXAP88rpXAxWbvWX36wcgtN0mp8iYXK814gK0hG6e-FPhDA1UjhaN2iOFd927IlACH6kq0mFsJ7B3T/s400/IMG_0970%5B1%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stick the Orchid languishing on his new pedestal, made entirely from old Marie Claire magazines. From <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=J5Vr9Rs8fBs#!">this awesome video</a>. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWUHKvgLFIWNUgRQendNtxDQyynqNeDnZ1fgqWTfUOPhEiiyh8RfxpfPiBZ7wZhE7N31BeBE4A8vWzt1pyl_8jAoqfAehniHny5pG9OfULD_CDHM2_nJ6G3uCMMdTZa0LgOW6kRQ_N8So/s1600/IMG_0967%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWUHKvgLFIWNUgRQendNtxDQyynqNeDnZ1fgqWTfUOPhEiiyh8RfxpfPiBZ7wZhE7N31BeBE4A8vWzt1pyl_8jAoqfAehniHny5pG9OfULD_CDHM2_nJ6G3uCMMdTZa0LgOW6kRQ_N8So/s400/IMG_0967%5B1%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My starburst mirror with the addition of kitchen skewers (and painted black). If I get bored of it, I can still use it as a wonderful centrepiece for bits of fruit, or perhaps barbecued meat.</td></tr>
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-82465550160322912102012-04-09T13:00:00.000+10:002012-04-09T13:00:00.777+10:00The stylish NorthernersThere's no denying it. Those Sydney-siders know how to have a good time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhAsNttcGKytYGdOK2mf6S6nsc6ZxZwXbYDFClMopuD1LWxUVD6OOBBRr6YUS1Arcayrv3Ph3F76Wl5vlzOBnJkXw1PzFLKO0kwEQP2WQ9AoOnyKHNszBRJmF9Oc6fBZoI68BWj7Gxcc7/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhAsNttcGKytYGdOK2mf6S6nsc6ZxZwXbYDFClMopuD1LWxUVD6OOBBRr6YUS1Arcayrv3Ph3F76Wl5vlzOBnJkXw1PzFLKO0kwEQP2WQ9AoOnyKHNszBRJmF9Oc6fBZoI68BWj7Gxcc7/s640/IMG_0805.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockatoo Island</td></tr>
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We've been lucky enough to not only have enjoyed a couple of amazing trips to Sydney this Summer, but to have some newly-minted Sydney-siders show us around while we're there. I've totally fallen in love... A secret little part of me really wants to move up, get a tan, work in magazines and start wearing delicate leather sandals with white linen dresses.<br />
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I've somehow failed to end up with any evening photos from our trips (a good sign, I guess!) In the meantime, some sunny highlights...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KVfQp5EBIYSNDXtiFA4atDR5FX4TIykTtZ5-QLR_sR06CmB3FNzSwqIp-hsGd0yXCQ1RqbPUqcExIO-BNflb3c6vXePvDuNBCO-9Zt6eiHujbPngd31oyIIyumFUrQ93vk4V3b_KSi0E/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KVfQp5EBIYSNDXtiFA4atDR5FX4TIykTtZ5-QLR_sR06CmB3FNzSwqIp-hsGd0yXCQ1RqbPUqcExIO-BNflb3c6vXePvDuNBCO-9Zt6eiHujbPngd31oyIIyumFUrQ93vk4V3b_KSi0E/s640/IMG_0791.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like his TV shows: bright, a bit cheesy, but indulgently wonderful...Adriano Zumbo's sweets shop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucfk5AuwPIEhJX42FGu3qOPg5Nmm0jn74UnmcW68mVSBbf-2Mll-FhOpxfHZIaDISRtHcL_saeclnPheBrDvVYF3I4-CQqH1MXI5NekmS-qgE62FYgZl-VKCM7xj1UPB7sNiJLZyKgn4J/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucfk5AuwPIEhJX42FGu3qOPg5Nmm0jn74UnmcW68mVSBbf-2Mll-FhOpxfHZIaDISRtHcL_saeclnPheBrDvVYF3I4-CQqH1MXI5NekmS-qgE62FYgZl-VKCM7xj1UPB7sNiJLZyKgn4J/s640/IMG_0792.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A walk around Glebe with a rubiks cube and a view of the Bridge (I still haven't figured out that damn cube).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0126yphXdroUevHmAHP8S_9ABeOyPy3B-nht1FlAteO8zTrdO92DGRwdcX2hrDwOypL1nYB2YjbIa3iREpxeJ1_o_ruBjx7rqHBJfyPh3D4nmAUFECviFGOPIUmacJ0iinv0DE1V0p9ar/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0126yphXdroUevHmAHP8S_9ABeOyPy3B-nht1FlAteO8zTrdO92DGRwdcX2hrDwOypL1nYB2YjbIa3iREpxeJ1_o_ruBjx7rqHBJfyPh3D4nmAUFECviFGOPIUmacJ0iinv0DE1V0p9ar/s640/IMG_0795.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferries!! Novel. Very novel.</td></tr>
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In the company of the lovely Bron & Stu, we took a ferry to <a href="http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/">Cockatoo Island</a>, a former prison island-turned shipbuilding yard-turned fun destination. With crowds of Sydney-siders in mile-high, multicoloured heels and bright onesies, we piled off the ferry and headed down the island. I was stunned by what we found. Pizzas and jugs of punch were being served under strings of lights which danced over astroturf, deck chairs and cheerful umbrellas. I could've stayed there long into the night, sipping punch and listening to the DJ - but alas, we had to make a flight. </div>
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Next time I might consider staying in their permanent <a href="http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/stay/camping.html">campsite</a> and waking up next to the water. Lovely!</div>
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Thanks in particular to Bro, Stu, and J & J for some very memorable times up North. xMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-12432174335590751192012-04-08T08:00:00.000+10:002012-04-08T08:00:00.092+10:00Happy Easter!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it that time already?...</td></tr>
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I love that we have a holiday where we indulge in all the sweet things in life. Why not soak it up with a trip to the indulgent Hopetoun tearooms in Melbourne city...Lime tart with your easter egg, anyone?!<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-6063192711035553252012-04-06T21:11:00.000+10:002012-04-06T21:11:15.795+10:00Work/TimeThe other day I was early for an appointment. Properly, 15 or 20 minutes early. This hasn't occurred in possibly 18 months or more.<br />
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To use up a bit of time, I grabbed a takeaway coffee and went for a short stroll. While I was admiring the neighbourhood and generally giving myself a pat on the back for being so damn organised, it occurred to me how nice it was to have <i>nothing</i> to do. Nowhere to be. No-one to see. No rushing. For at least 15 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temporary tattoo from my favourite, Tattly. For some reason, this one really took my fancy.</td></tr>
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The tone of a normal day could best be described as 'churning'. Churn through the morning. Eat. Repeat. Make billable hours. Make appointments. Churn through 30 minutes of exercise. Home. Churn through dinner and stuff to get done. Sleep.<br />
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I imagine that this must be fairly normal, but it occurs to me that the enjoyment factor inherent in this routine (outside of enjoying work) is minimal. 'Joy' takes an additional effort and more often that not, it requires time. I'm not just talking about "time out", or time for a massage, or even time to chat on the phone (although these are all great). I'm talking simply about time to languish in a thought, time to finish what you're doing properly or time to wake up slowly of a morning. These things take almost no time at all, but they take the edge off the rush. I try to make enough 'me time', but I still find myself missing 'thinking time', time to waste time, and 'plenty of time'. At the moment however, I have no practical solution to this conundrum - save for the weekly slow Sunday morning - and being early to appointments a bit more often. Perhaps its time to consider a bit of a life-change...Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-45875603137155347672012-03-25T12:00:00.002+11:002012-03-25T12:00:48.009+11:00J Crew finally in AustraliaOn Thursday morning I woke up to some great news. Aussies can now get their fix of all-American style, gorgeous cashmere knits and ballet slippers in every variety from the ubiquitous <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp">J Crew store</a>. Yay!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenprint from www.jcrew.com/womens-clothing.msp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-8667341647904071702012-03-23T16:18:00.000+11:002012-03-23T16:18:00.751+11:00To do: Rock-climbing by the YarraBreathe. Hold. Stretch across. Now, up or down? Blue or Green?...Or perhaps a scenic walk by the river and a coffee instead?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking like an Egyptian / Rhesus Monkey</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>On the northern side of the Yarra river, underneath the Monash Freeway opposite Herring Island lie <a href="http://www.vicclimb.org.au/includes/file.php?id=78">three free, 24-hour rock-climbing walls</a>. I discovered these while jogging along the river one day and resolved to come back and try them as soon as I could.<br />
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Turns out that I'm not particularly gifted in hauling my body-weight around and shimmying across walls... Yet. Perhaps with a bit more practice, I'll be able to chill out on a little green rock like this guy:<br />
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In the meantime there's always Canteen cafe across the river, and their delicious post-climb pastries to keep me motivated.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-5077634895749512172012-03-21T16:46:00.000+11:002012-03-21T16:46:00.658+11:00Gritty televisionIt's been a long time since I've heard the word "grits" in the context of breakfast...Perhaps not since I read something by Dickens or Louisa May Alcott, in fact. Nevertheless, it turns out that grits are particularly delicious when eaten with pistachio and pomegranate and washed down with a glass of bubbles in the former executive offices of the Channel 9 studios in Richmond.<br />
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Every weekend for the month of March, you too can try Dickensian delicacies, or if you prefer, something savory like pulled pork rolls, in the Graham Canteen at 22 Bendigo Street, Richmond.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Important decisions being made at "Condiments"</td></tr>
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The canteen, which takes its name from the Channel 9 personality Graham Kennedy, is part of the "<a href="http://therichmondweekender.com.au/">Richmond Weekender</a>", a pop-up initiative taking place in the beautiful old Channel 9 studios. From the end of March, the studios will be turned into <a href="http://www.studioninerichmond.com.au/residences/?s=heritage-apartments">apartments</a>, so I strongly recommend a weekend visit before this happens.<br />
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If you're not feeling hungry (really?! Not even a wafer of angus beef brisket?), check out the Speakeasy Cinema - open every Saturday until March 31st. And although it's all temporary, I loved the devotion to detail, such as the Aesop hand-wash in the porta-loos and the sustainable 'Bio-Cups'. High-five to all involved.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-26661392312203720342012-03-19T17:00:00.000+11:002012-03-19T17:00:01.343+11:00"This isn't golf, ladies"No, it's indoor skiing.<br />
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It's new, it's difficult, it's fast and a bit scary - and I'm irreconcilably addicted only after one lesson.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly hungover, sweating like a beast and grinning from ear to ear</td></tr>
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Growing up in sunny Perth, the idea of snow and skiing were very remote concepts. To this day, I've never touched real snow, and until this weekend, I'd never snapped on a pair of skiis. So when a friend suggested indoor skiing lessons, I jumped at the chance to hone my technique before I hit the slopes.<br />
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We started out like a trio of awkward ballerinas at a padded, white barre. After learning the basic snow-plough (or as I like to think of it, the "thank-goodness-I've-stopped"), we moved on to turning and gradually built the confidence to move away from the barre. When I wasn't grimacing in determined concentration, I was laughing in sheer delight. After an hour we stumbled off the astro-turf treadmill with aching muscles and beaming faces. I can't wait 'til next time!<br />
<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-336669103109778072012-03-18T15:17:00.001+11:002012-03-18T16:48:59.697+11:003 more days only: Greenhouse by Joost for MFWFLast Friday we headed down to check out the <a href="http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/highlight-events/riverside-opening-weekend/melbourne-food-and-wine-festival-greenhouse-by-joost">Greehouse by Joost Bakker</a>, a sustainable bar and cafe that has popped up on the banks of the Yarra River during Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.<br />
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After a short wait, we were ushered into the upstairs bar, with stunning views of the river over recycled barrels brimming with herbs. We washed down delicious, sticky muffins with beer and a fresh white wine, all served in recycled packaging. I was delighted with the unfailing, dedicated and creative attitude towards sustainability that pervaded the whole building - from the construction to the toilets. Just a short walk from Melbourne CBD, it's worth a look before it disappears forever.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-7482577357865230862012-03-12T21:04:00.001+11:002012-03-12T21:04:51.580+11:00Rave: Inika Natural Perfection ConcealerI discovered the Inika brand a little while ago, and I've been meaning to write a review about it ever since. First though, let's let President Obama give it a crack. He sums up my feelings for the Inika and their Natural Perfection Concealer perfectly. In fact, he probably <i>was </i>talking about them.<div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />Inika ticks all of my boxes for ethical, organic and natural products that look and feel great. Their products are created to comply with stringent organic, cruelty-free and environmentally-conscious guidelines, without losing any of the finesse and sophistication of the major luxury labels. It's a win-win.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPj8aCncNSpKIis20zbA7wyzvemLu7nrlG2eJcBzzXUr1xJR77S5lQ5HVH2RqDUDfXv_gZeI3g9OpzVenDhGLOQaSUMV1rlz1xzJHJK4PR-Q-pHPtIpWFGw5SPE9o6NWe8Rtkv5RbHg7C/s1600/Inika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPj8aCncNSpKIis20zbA7wyzvemLu7nrlG2eJcBzzXUr1xJR77S5lQ5HVH2RqDUDfXv_gZeI3g9OpzVenDhGLOQaSUMV1rlz1xzJHJK4PR-Q-pHPtIpWFGw5SPE9o6NWe8Rtkv5RbHg7C/s400/Inika.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, for the low-down on their Natural Perfection Concealer:</div>
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<b>Texture:</b> liquid-cream<br /><b>Finish:</b> very natural, slightly matte finish which mimics the skin's texture beautifully</div>
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<b>Coverage: </b>fairly<b> </b>light but buildable to a medium coverage<br /><b>Colour range:</b> two shades, 'light' and 'medium'. Make sure you test your shade in-store</div>
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<b>Price:</b> $40, but can be found cheaper online<br /><b>Fragrance:</b> unscented, but with a very subtle, 'herby' fragrance</div>
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The thing that first grabbed me about this concealer was its highly natural finish. It looks, and feels, like beautified, perfected skin. Containing some quality moisturising ingredients like macadamia, rosehip and borage oils, it won't sink into (and enhance) wrinkles. Yet it still seems to smooth out pores, spider veins and sun damage. One surprise was that it doesn't fully cover spots like many other, thicker, concealers - it 'airbrushes' them so you just don't notice them so much. In my view, it creates a lovely, natural, every-day effect. Although it's getting into the pricey end of the market, I found that a little bit goes a very long way. Put it on, blend it in, and you've got yourself a keeper.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-86111853360799792112012-03-04T22:23:00.000+11:002012-03-04T22:23:03.055+11:00Oh! Oh Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XY50--DkkE4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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How did I not know about the fabulous <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Nanna Øland Fabricius earlier? She's the girl you wished you'd grown up next door to (and whose clothes you could borrow). That voice!.. Those bangs!.. Those balloons!!</span></span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-71658452967755254662012-03-03T17:57:00.001+11:002012-03-04T21:52:09.138+11:00A walk after the rain<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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The other day in Topshop I noticed a gorgeous, bright yellow men's rain jacket. I liked it's boxy, masculine cut, which would work equally well with some old jeans and a pair of gumboots as it would with a pretty floral dress, cruising around town on the bike...I'm tempted - particularly as autumn sets in.<br />
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</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-47792107654009266622012-02-29T21:25:00.002+11:002012-02-29T21:26:36.842+11:00Skin detox: saying yes to lessCaught without brightening balm? Sans serum? Or stuck overnight without under-eye cream?<br />
Don't panic. A lack of product doesn't always have to be a problem.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the time that I get through all of these anti-ageing products, I'll be 60</td></tr>
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Faced with a myriad of products for a myriad of problems, and the inevitable evolution of multi-step skincare systems, I often feel as though a simple moisturiser isn't enough. However, most nights the though of all those steps after a long day is off-putting, when it's more than enough just to take my contacts out. Putting aside the fact that I probably need more sleep and free time, I started to wonder if perhaps giving my skin a break wasn't such a bad thing. In fact, as the bf (who has lovely skin and barely puts a thing on it) pointed out - why shouldn't our skin do its job faultlessly? Sure, everyone wants to stave off wrinkles for as long as possible and keep their skin soft. But aside from that, there's really no reason why our skin shouldn't function as well as any other organ - many of which toil away unseen and unheeded.<br />
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With that it mind, I decided to give abstinence a go. For as long as I possibly could, I avoided over-cleansing, applying serums or moisturisers - and even eschewed my beloved sunscreen in favour of a hat. I applied only the barest of moisturiser, makeup and product. I kept it away from my cheeks altogether, which had been breaking-out. After just a few days of applying moisuriser only where my skin felt dry, I found that those pesky little spots on my cheeks cleared up and my skin looked great.<br />
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There's no doubt that old habits die hard - and I'll be back to my compulsive 'exfoliating-brightening-anti-age-20-step-system-to-fight-the-50-signs-of-ageing' soon. Until then, the extra sleep is doing me wonders!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-8086815785983544702012-02-19T23:23:00.000+11:002012-02-22T23:28:27.319+11:00The Lady Awaits...Put on your Sunday best and get out the fine silver, because the neighbourhood just got classy...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAy5RZEh9g2cTLn6MA4G2wMvDjsCRvcXzfT51Cw7iDzlXkpyE4QTaOXGwZUXzsbDqtqIXW3CpaWT8itMQ4DMNM0W13sBUuAYmLMIvwO_6IhA6LtalkDL9ghtvklUoeFZOxCwzUcc-xWGv/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAy5RZEh9g2cTLn6MA4G2wMvDjsCRvcXzfT51Cw7iDzlXkpyE4QTaOXGwZUXzsbDqtqIXW3CpaWT8itMQ4DMNM0W13sBUuAYmLMIvwO_6IhA6LtalkDL9ghtvklUoeFZOxCwzUcc-xWGv/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Friends who cook are awesome, for obvious reasons... Friends who cook delicious food <i>and</i> decide to open a cafe are in some kind of stratosphere of awesomeness.<br />
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It is therefore with much anticipation - nay, pure excitement - that we await the opening of Lady Bower cafe in Reservoir, Melbourne. As well as being dang proud of our mates who have developed the cafe from scratch, I'm pretty happy about the multi-tasking potential inherent in the whole situation. The prospect of seeing a good friend...who then hands you a great cup of coffee...and then asks if you want a delicious breakfast with your conversation and caffeine? Heaven.<br />
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We dropped by for a visit a couple of weeks ago and sampled the spirit of the Lady. And she was a very fine lady at that. Keep your eyes peeled for the grand opening in about a week...More to come!<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-40354790405545386712012-02-12T20:59:00.000+11:002012-02-12T20:59:33.707+11:00A relaxing ritualI'm a big fan of oil...Olive oil, fish oil, argan oil - all sorts of oil. But my favourite oil of all time is massage oil.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXjtB-K_lHm4UUL5yyVRxPkSbdgE7grnr4m5-TyfycH35XZpvwpbD80v0N42SQKcRit6dJsXWNqqlgOOEX5m9q4-gF3BzuHOr-YmCoq6przMCsiw6jcb_o8O8YBM1k5lh4aH5PJF-En4U/s1600/oil+cleanse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXjtB-K_lHm4UUL5yyVRxPkSbdgE7grnr4m5-TyfycH35XZpvwpbD80v0N42SQKcRit6dJsXWNqqlgOOEX5m9q4-gF3BzuHOr-YmCoq6przMCsiw6jcb_o8O8YBM1k5lh4aH5PJF-En4U/s640/oil+cleanse+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I keep a bottle of pure, simple sweet almond oil in my beauty cabinet and use it as a facial cleanser, makeup remover, muscle rub and all-over moisturiser. Combined with a few drops of essential oil, it becomes a mini beauty ritual of its own. My favourite scents are:<br />
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<li>Geranium to sooth the nerves;</li>
<li>Peppermint and lemon for sore muscles;</li>
<li>Jasmine to feel pretty;</li>
<li>Lemon to start the day; and</li>
<li>Lavender and chamomile to end it.</li>
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There's something insanely soothing about a DIY facial massage with lavender-scented oil at the end of the day. And as a bonus it takes off makeup and leaves your skin looking and feeling amazing. Now that's good oil.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-74467950046103453212012-02-01T15:37:00.000+11:002012-02-01T15:37:00.076+11:0028 days later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Little pleasures from December/January:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Punch from the Island Bar, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour. (More to come on that later)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiSuMabXdpzKSFFlz9IdRAXqQV0PPE6vO7nKYhMaJ2y2s7X1G17HWUypDQZ6LecX26Oyc5nC1QxuCoXfhJlGkCMIXkeF0vBJcb74Vpm_fAfZhYShAC1Jmqf1JnDT33yjZztmbJVS9hzO7/s1600/1+new+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiSuMabXdpzKSFFlz9IdRAXqQV0PPE6vO7nKYhMaJ2y2s7X1G17HWUypDQZ6LecX26Oyc5nC1QxuCoXfhJlGkCMIXkeF0vBJcb74Vpm_fAfZhYShAC1Jmqf1JnDT33yjZztmbJVS9hzO7/s640/1+new+2.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go-Go bar below Chin Chin, Melbourne City....Does neon ever grow old?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwscXgDufW1S1lQYgdvt_KICRQcBqT9K74oNPOzBF0qtPf1khYmoUv3Lzzxu-Cp1QLVvgk5nBF4qBzC8UapmJwGN34oQAQZE6nGj9xoEw5Z-g6idR_tpe3lgriYXyYQ9aJhDJ_0hwFie3/s1600/2+new+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwscXgDufW1S1lQYgdvt_KICRQcBqT9K74oNPOzBF0qtPf1khYmoUv3Lzzxu-Cp1QLVvgk5nBF4qBzC8UapmJwGN34oQAQZE6nGj9xoEw5Z-g6idR_tpe3lgriYXyYQ9aJhDJ_0hwFie3/s640/2+new+2.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home-made Fleur de sel Caramels: recipe from www.nytimes.com/2005/12/21/dining/211mrex.html via Cupcakes & Cashmere blog. Very delicious and recommended!</td></tr>
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Above: Christmas puddles. Such torrential rain through the end of December!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday dinner for my brother at the Aylesbury. Start with a drink on the rooftop, then (if you're in a pair) try and sit on the kitchen bench and watch the chefs at work. Magic!</td></tr>
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And finally, just for fun:</div>
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<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/25-pictures-of-cats-and-dogs-photobombing-each-oth">http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/25-pictures-of-cats-and-dogs-photobombing-each-oth</a>
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<br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196142198064579796.post-77443705703027463882012-01-29T13:07:00.001+11:002012-01-29T16:22:01.923+11:00More charm, less makeupA new year; a new flurry of hair/beauty/fashion predictions. It's refreshing and fun to spring-clean the beauty regime and experiment with the raft of new products and ideas hitting the shelves. However, it sometimes feels that this new year predictiveness quickly turns into new year prescriptiveness. It's suddenly irresponsible to leave the house without primer, your newfangled eyelash curler or that new eye serum. We're trading gloss for matte - wait, no now it's tangerine lips for red - and pining for things we never knew we needed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com</td></tr>
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I was therefore delighted to read the refreshing <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/fashion/imperfect-makeup-is-a-trend-for-2012.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=makeup&st=cse">New York Times article on 2012's new trend for 'imperfection'</a> and restraint in makeup. Hurrah!! (It bodes very well for my workday look, or lack thereof!)<br />
As Terry Barber quotes in the article, the look is "coming home from the party" not "going to the party". Slightly smudged, a little bit naughty and completely individual. No expensive new beauty tools required - only fingers.<br />
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This is not, by any means, a new idea - but I love that it relies less on the product and more on the personality to achieve it. It's not necessarily a colour or a texture or anything that you have to<i> get</i>. Ultimately, all you need is your own lovely face, maybe a bit of vaseline and concealer, a cheeky smudge of kohl and a colourful story about the night before. Charming.<br />
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French fashion insider and former model I<span style="font-family: inherit;">n</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">és</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">de<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> la </span></span>Fressange<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> seems to encapsulate this spirit of relaxed and individual beauty</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">. In her <a href="http://intothegloss.com/2012/01/ines-de-la-fressange/">recently-published interview with Into the Gloss</a>, she mused:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; line-height: 22px;"><i>I have tried everything. I understood very late that after a while, you have to be a bit comfortable and that people are not looking at you precisely—it’s a general feeling. </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; line-height: 22px;"><i>But it took me years to understand that they are not looking at how your eyelashes are…except maybe if they are a professional makeup artist...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><i>...I think that sometimes women do too much—they put earrings, and color, and necklace, and the lipstick, and fake eyelashes, and fake hair—it’s a nightmare. And I think it’s better to keep a bit of wrinkle here and there..."</i></span><br />
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Vive la amour propre!!<br />
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Finally, if you still need some pointers on the 'un-done' look, Lisa Eldridge has provided a video with some great basic tips,<a href="http://www.lisaeldridge.com/video/9202/kristen-stewart-smudgy-black-pencil/"> here</a>. (Yes, it's a tutorial on a 'non-makeup' makeup look, but the way she does the<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv74Y8QGYng#t=126s"> 'lived-in' eye at about 2:14</a> is just too good to pass up).<br />
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Now, go and mess your hair up or something. It's so hot right now.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299138932346604081noreply@blogger.com0