Update: Nutmeg shoes not so yay

You remember those Nutmeg Melbourne shoes I went nuts about last week? So shiny. So full of hope. So many places I was going to walk in them. Was.

The first time I wore them, they split. The patent leather cracked, and I'm not talking little cracks. I'm talking huge cracks right across the shoe. Shoes. Both feet.

On the plus side, I got a full refund from David Jones (they had sold out, so exchanging wasn't an option) AND THEN discovered the same shoes were on sale for $30 cheaper on the Nutmeg website.

On the minus (gosh, that statement doesn't make sense), if the first pair cracked do I really want to replace them with the same?

Decisions decisions. What would you do?

My brownie recipe, via Honey Honey

Are you on the Honey Honey mailing list? No? Well then, you missed out last Friday. I was waxing lyrical about bags and brownies and manicures and music in their weekly newsletter.



One of the things I talked about was my go-to comfort food – magical chocolate brownies that I make myself. Toot toot, these babies are amazing. I have been using the same recipe for years and it never ever lets me down. I had a few requests on twitter to share, so here it is.

200g butter
½ cup cocoa
2 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon imitation vanilla essence
1 cup plain flour
2 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 180c. Grease a 20x30cm tin.
2. Put butter and cocoa in a large pan. Melt gently over very low heat (careful not to boil it!)
3. Add sugar and vanilla. Stir really well.
4. Remove pan from heat. Sift in the flour. Stir.
5. Add eggs. Beat mixture well.
6. Spread evenly in tin. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

I occasionally add chopped up white chocolate into the mixture while I’m pouring it into the pan, just in case I want to turn a sweet treat into a super sweet treat (not advised for diabetics – this is coma-inducing). You can also add walnuts or hazelnuts for extra crunch. Serve them hot with ice cream or let them cool just a bit and eat them when they’re all fudgy and chewy.

Thanks to the Honey Honey girls for having me! I'll tell you about my recent HH purchase soon.

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Urban Outfitters haul post! Yesssss!

I get so excited by online shopping, especially when it’s from overseas stores. Whether it’s my own purchase or I’m living vicariously through someone else’s basket, there is a total thrill from hitting the submit button, then waiting for the parcel arrive. Then the rush of success when that box hits your desk and you piously open it to withdraw your beautiful clothes and accessories that have just come from across the ocean.

I got one of those parcels a couple of weeks ago. I had been putting off making my Urban Outfitters order for a while because it was all summer dresses, and ordering summer dresses in June just seemed like self-inflicted cruelty. But August is fine. It’s kind of like summer-lite in Sydney right now anyway. Right? Right?! (this is me justifying it to myself)

In no particular order, I bought: a sequin cardigan, bright green sleeveless dress, orange chiffon dress and some very rude cross stitch cards. I have worn the orange dress 5 times already (it’s a total keeper and looks rad with black tights), worn the sequin cardi twice and it’s slated for another outing this week, I have written one card and the green dress sits poised and ready for the warmer weather. I just can’t bring myself to wear a sleeveless dress when it’s still this cold.

My theory is by buying from Urban Outfitters I won’t run into too many people who have the same clothes as me (this is a huge problem when you shop at local hotspots like Sportsgirl or Myer). That said, I got in a lift this week wearing a blazer I bought from UO last year and the girl standing next to me had the same blazer in a slightly darker colour.

Price: (all in USD)
BDG Pleated Frock in green - $40, Pins & Needles Puff Sleeve Chiffon Dress in orange - $50, Silence & Noise sequin cardigan - $40, Go F*ck Yourself Subversive Cross Stitch Notecards - $5, Shipping $10
From: Urban Outfitters
Why you need to hit up UO: Fabulous, awesome clothes which are very affordable with the exchange rate right now.

Picture credit: all pics graciously stolen from urbanoutfitters.com

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If your pores need minimising, you need to consult a Benefit Porefessional

Anything that minimises pores deserves a gold medal. Getting into those pores to make them look smaller is not particularly a nice job, kind of like cleaning up the Domain after Field Day, or collecting abandoned trolleys in the IKEA carpark on a Saturday. All a good honest days work for an honest day’s pay, but you can think of other things you would rather be doing.

Ahhh, but Benefit Porefessional does it so well. It has a hint of tint for totally seamless blending. Do you remember me banging on about Smashbox Primer? It’s a totally amazing cult product that I am in love with and would possibly go on a date with if it were a real life person. Benefit Porefessional is like his tanned cousin. The smashbox primer is clear, while the benefit cousin comes from up north – you can always tell the Queensland cousins in family photos at Christmas ‘cos they’re the ones who are a bit more tanned than everyone else.

Very similar texture, very similar feeling when it glides on (Smashbox feels a tad more wet), very similar magical work to make pores vanish. This also means you need to clean your skin the same way – use a precleanse (I love Dermalogica precleanse) and then a cleanser to make sure you get it all out! Think about it...anything that makes pores vanish, would be filling your pores right? Well duh, you need to get it back out again so it doesn’t clog them.

Price: $53
From: Benefit stores and Benefit counters (on sale from tomorrow, Aug 28th)
Why you need it: To even out your complexion and hide pores and scars. Make up always looks better on a perfect canvas.

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Plenty of room at my table for Table of Plenty!

You know when you find a new food and you become so addicted that you want it all the time...you fall in love with a new restaurant and go there once a week, or discover a new takeaway and put them on speed dial. That’s how I feel about Table of Plenty muesli right now. SO GOOD.

I have always been a staunch advocate of ‘breakfast at any time of the day’ and this is no exception. Sure, I have it for breakfast of a morning with two big spoonfuls of Gippsland Dairy Organic Yoghurt (the wildberry is d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s), but I also have it for lunch, a handful as an afternoon snack, and I may have even had it for dinner twice in the last fortnight (I’m eating properly Mum, I swear!)

There are two flavours: Heavenly Honey and Velvety Vanilla. The honey has lots of yummy cinnamon, as well as apricots, apples, almonds and other assorted healthy bits. The vanilla mix has macadamias (!!), cranberries, sultanas and oats and grains and whatnot. It’s a blend of toasted and untoasted, so you get the best of both worlds (flavour and health benefits). Trust me on this one (I look trustworthy, right? Right?!). This stuff is so tasty you won’t even realise how healthy you’re being.

Price: $5.44 – 500g box
From: Coles
Why you need it: Whether it’s breakfast or dessert, this is an all occasion meal.

Picture credit: tableofplenty.com.au

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Slap a cheap touch of happiness onto your skin thanks to Nivea

I have been using the Nivea Touch of Happiness Body Lotion for about a month now and every time I use it I think ‘the scent really reminds me of something from my childhood, but I don’t know what!’ I then proceed to mentally catalogue every lolly, ice cream, lip gloss, soap and shampoo from my younger years to pinpoint what it is.

Finally, it hit me last week. Did you ever have to take liquid penicillin? It was a pink, sticky liquid and it had a distinctly sweet cotton candy-ish kind of smell. That’s what Nivea Touch of Happiness Body Lotion smells like. It’s not a bad thing, it actually smells nice. Plus of course, because it’s Nivea it’s super-hydrating and really nice to use.

I prefer my daily body lotion in a pump-top bottle purely for ease of use, but I don’t mind the flip top lid because it smells so good. Talk about cheap thrills.

Price: $6.25
From: The supermarket or Priceline
Why you need it: To bring a splash of joy, and an odd kind of nostalgia, to your day.

This product was sent to me for consideration

News shoes! Yay Walnut Melbourne!

You know what makes a crappy Monday better? Buying a new pair of shoes. And that's exactly what I did yesterday.



Hello, Walnut Melbourne flats. I am a little bit in love with your shiny patent leather, comfy elasticated fit and sturdy rubber sole. You have made me very happy.
(shame the service at David Jones was so crappy - no one likes snotty sales assistants)

Price: $89.95
From: David Jones
Why you need a pair: Why not? Nude and black are classic and they are a style that will never date. PLUS that's a great price for comfy leather flats.

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Food Fashion Friends from Fleur Wood - all the things I love in life

It’s really difficult to restrain myself not to post when I buy beautiful things to give as gifts. I bought the incredibly gorgeous Food Fashion Friends by Fleur Wood as an engagement present and thankfully the party is over now, the present has been delivered and I can post about it. Happy engagement J&J!

Food Fashion Friends is a beautiful coffee table tome full of all the things Fleur Wood loves in life. Whilst she is best known for her sartorial offerings, she is also a passionate cook and entertainer (the food kind, not the singing and dancing kind...or maybe she is? I dunno). The book is full of whimsical and creative ideas for dinner parties and afternoon teas – fondue degustation, butterfly shaped canapés and picnics worthy of fashion shoots.

While the recipes are bang-up top notch, the main selling point is that it’s inspirational to look at. One of my favourite features is the fact it is printed on all different types of stock. Thick, shiny stock for the dark fondue pages, matte stock for the colourful picnic...flicking through the book is exciting because each page is a visual treat and you never know what you are going to get when you turn over. Hopefully the recipients enjoy it as much as I did for the few days I had it in my possession!

Price: $59.95
From: Fleur Wood stores, Fleur Wood online, all good book stores
Why you need it: To fill a gap in your cookbook collection – this is not just food, but how to create the whole package for the perfect event

Picture credit: fleurwood.com

Antipodes week: The SPF that doesn't feel like an SPF

I have left my favourite product until last (I think Vanessa Williams wrote a song about that once) – the daily SPF. This product just makes sense to me. I know I should be wearing an SPF everyday, but regular sunscreen makes my skin throw tantrums and I don’t really like the way it smells (first world problems, I know). Obviously I persist with the SPF situation (skin cancer and all that jazz) but nothing has felt right to me until now.

Immortal Daily Moisturiser SPF 15 is a beautiful day cream that smells good AND it has SPF in it. It’s like I have tricked my skin into wearing sunscreen (shhh....let’s keep it a secret). It’s also light so it doesn’t feel like it’s clogging my pores and it is not greasy at all. Another selling point? Pump bottle. I love anything that has easy application. When I was asking Elizabeth about this product she said, “This is one of very few genuinely natural SPFs. It feels beautiful and light on the skin and it provides broad spectrum protection 15 times your natural burn time in the sunlight.” So, uh, I was on the right track when I said it was light. Would have been awkward if I had said the opposite, hey.

This nails two birds with one stone because my SPF is now in my daily moisturiser (one step ticks two boxes – gosh I’m efficient) and the lovely anti-ageing ingredients like raspberry oil, vivanza grape (there’s that Marlborough wine again) and hyaluronic acid keep my skin healthy. No wonder it's called immortal.

Price: $49
From: David Jones
Why you need it: Don’t make me give you the daily SPF lecture! This is a supernice way to cover off a necessity.

Extra bits and pieces you need to know about Antipodes: While you can currently buy Antipodes in David Jones, you will also be able to buy it from Myer from October 1st! This is excellent news if you’re into collecting Myer One points (they give gift vouchers, which gets a thumbs up from me).

Also: Antipodes has an amazing new product called Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenishing Serum that will be on shelves September 1st. I’m really looking forward to this prod because it claims it will help restore collagen, deliver natural radiance and protect & hydrate. Expectations are high! If I try it, I’ll report back.

Picture credit: antipodesnature.com

Antipodes week: Look after your hands, you only have two of them

If you have visited my other project The Nail File, you might be aware that I’m a wee bit obsessed with my hands (and if you haven’t visited, you should. It’s fun, I promise). I always have my nails painted and do my best to keep my hands looking nice, even though I think I have the world’s driest cuticles. This means I go through a lot of hand cream and you can always count on me to have one stashed on the bedside table/in the handbag/on my desk/under the couch.

The Antipodes Deliverance Kowhai Flower Hand Cream is a bit of a favourite because it smells good, feels good AND doesn’t damage my jewellery! There are a few hand creams that I really love but they tarnish my silver claddagh ring when I put them on, and that’s kind of annoying. According to my jeweller, hand creams should never damage gold (and goodness me, there must be something wrong with them if they do), but some hand creams contains ingredients that don’t mix very well with silver or costume jewellery. Quickest way to catch your man out...that ring he claimed was white gold? Yeah...

Anyway, this hand cream contains avocado oil for nourishing and hydrating, and sweet orange, tonka bean and sandalwood for an amazing amazing scent. I read a study once that you should use citrus cleaners in the home because the smell of citrus is very uplifting and energising. Same goes for your hand cream – this cream will slap you across the face and snap you to attention (although not literally slap you, ‘cos that’s not really very nice).

Price: $32
From: David Jones
Why you need it: To keep your hands moisturised, your cuticles in good nick and your spirit buzzing.

Picture credit: antipodesnature.com

Antipodes week: Work harder at night

Did you know you need a different cream for daytime and nighttime? Well...need might be a bit of an exaggeration. But, think about it...during the day you’re out in sunlight, you need SPF, you’re battling smog and pollution, you’re wearing makeup. At night you’re resting & rejuvenating, and so is your skin. Different situations, ergo, different treatments required. I’ll tell you about my day cream later in the week, but right now we’re talking sleepy time.

Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream is a beautifully thick and rich pot of slap. It deeply hydrates while you snooze, and promises to enhance the production of collagen. Personally I haven’t spoken to my collagen cells lately, so I can’t verify whether they are working overtime, but my skin does seem a little tighter. Also, this little prod contains a potent antioxidant extract from the Vinanza Grape, which helps to neutralize evil free radical damage. These are from Marlborough sauvignon blanc grapeseeds. My favourite kind of grapeseeds! Mmm...sweet Marlborough sauv blanc.

Even Elizabeth, the woman who dingin' created this product, is amazed by it. “This is our number one product, with very impressive in-vitro collagen results, placing it very firmly in the anti-ageing category of skincare.” In-vitro means the tests were performed in a controlled environment like a lab. Probably a bit more high tech than a high school science lab with bunsen burners and test tubes (and to this day, I can't say test tube without hearing the voice of Mrs. Lipari, my year 7 science teacher)

Quick hint: When I put any cream on my face, I always put a little extra on the back of my hands to stop my hands showing early signs of ageing. You’re welcome.

Price: $49
From: David Jones
Why you need it: Make the most of your sleep and use a hardworking night cream.

Picture credit: antipodesnature.com

Antipodes week: Buzz buzz...a sweet treat for your cheeks

Whinge whinge, moan moan...it’s hard to keep skin happy and hydrated in winter (gosh I can’t wait ‘til we can turn the heating off in the office!) My skin is in a perpetual state of dry and dull, which doesn’t look or feel very nice. I have been using the Aura Manuka Honey Mask two or three times a week and it has made a huge difference.

It’s the easiest mask in the world to use:

1. wash your face as you normally would before bed
2. squeeze some mask out of the tube and onto your face
3. enjoy the faint smell of honey; resist the urge to lick your face
4. read a magazine for 10 minutes
5. wash the excess off with warm water
6. apply your night cream
7. crawl into bed knowing your skin loves you.

I occasionally substitute a book for a magazine in step 4, but essentially the routine is the same.

My skin? Feels softer and more hydrated. It’s not some sort of miracle cure, but it’s definitely a little luxury to do a simple mask a few times a week.

Price: $49
From: David Jones
Why you need it: Take 10 minutes out of your day to spoil yourself and keep your mug hydrated

Picture credit: antipodesnature.com