Where a Girl Goes
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| Images via Cristina Re |
Shop / Cafe Review:
After reading up on Christina Re's new stationary shop and cafe I dropped in one afternoon. It's really out of the heart of things in Collingwood and would probably be more suited to Armadale but it's well worth the trip. It's a real delight with it's mix of retro glamour and sophisticated shabby chic styling decorated in pinks, greens, creams and blues. The paper section is heaven, particularly for any brides-to-be and there's lots of another pretty things to tempt you. I sat at a big communal table with a cup of tea and one of those gorgeous cupcakes while I flicked through the latest imported fashion magazines. The attention to detail is fantastic so I hope it does well for her.
La Patisserie des Reves
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| Images via La Pâtisserie des Rêves |
Shop Review:
In a city, like Paris, where bakeries and pastry shops are in abundance it is difficult for one to stand out in the crowd. ‘La Pâtisserie des Rêves’ is one that does and it lives up to it’s name ‘the pastry shop of dreams’. The design is fun, creative and candy coloured. It has a gallery like feel to it with pastries being showcased under counter-weighted bell jars arranged on refrigerated slate tablets. The interior design is as much a delight for the eyes as are the cakes and pastries themselves. So when next in Paris treat yourself!Heavenly Macarons
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| Images via Theurel and Thomas |
We all love Macarons – brightly coloured, full of flavour, petite, round, crisp on the outside, smooth and creamy on the inside but here is a treat not just to make your taste buds water but your eyes as well! 'Theural and Thomas' is the first Mexican Macaron patisserie shop - and probably the most beautiful. The styling is exquisite and innovative and I believe it sets a new benchmark for retail and café design.
Cake ShopHeaven!
Peggy Porschen Cakes must be the prettiest cake shop and cupcake café in existence. Perfectly situated in elegant Belgravia, in London it stands apart from the crowd with it's stylish pink exterior Inside it is a heavenly confection of freshly baked cupcakes, cookies and exquisite cakes made to order. I would just love to enroll in one of their cake decorating classes. I think a visit to the café for tea a red velvet cupcake would be my idea of perfect afternoon!
Credits : Peggy Porschen Cakes
Nine - The Movie
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| Images via the official 'Nine' website |
Synposis:
Famous film director Guido Contini struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother.
My Review:
I am a big fan of Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman and everyone else in the movie for that fact. I love dancing and singing so if you are into musicals, like I am, then it's sure to be a hit. Kate Hudson's 'Cinema Italiano' song anddance is a real highlight however it's Marion Cottilard that proves to be the real surprise with great acting and a great voice.
Synposis:
VALENTINO - THE LAST EMPEROR is an intimate fly-on-the-wall glimpse into Valentino's world of bygone glamour. Filmed over the course of two years, the crew shot over 250 hours of footage with exclusive access to Valentino and his longtime partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. The resulting film is a portrait of one of the world's last couturiers and his extraordinary partnership.
My Review:
This a highly entertaining and funny film as well as providing an enlightening look at behind the scenes workings of a couture fashion house. Valentino was one of the last designers to bring elegance, glamour and feminine style to the catwalk. An absolute must see for fashion enthusiasts.
The Tourist - Costume Design
Oscar-winning costume designer, Colleen Atwood, is well known for creating outrageous and theatrical costumes for films like 'Alice in Wonderland', 'Edward Scissorhands', 'Chicago' and 'Nine'. She recently has given the challenge of creating costumes for the thriller 'The Tourist', starring Angelina Jolie as British Interpol Agent, Elise and Johnny Depp as an American tourist in only ten weeks. She wanted to dress the characters in classic, contemporary clothes that would compliment and not overwhelm the breathtaking settings of Venice and Paris.
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| Images via IMDB |
Her inspiration for Angelina’s lady-like wardrobe were old Hitchcock films like 'Rear Window' and 'Vertigo'... simple and elegant. Their were only twelve main costumes for Angelina in the film. Accessories and jewellery played an integral part in Elise's classic look. Ferragamo designed all of Angelina’s shoes for the film and even created a special limited edition “Elise” stiletto that’s now available in store. Her jewellery all came from Asprey's of London.
Donna Hay General Store
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| Images via Dona Hay website |
Shop Review:
On a recent business trip to Sydney I was lucky enough to find myself with a few hours to spare on a sunny afternoon. So I jumped in a cab and headed off in search of Donna Hay's General Store. I found the quaint little corner shop in a quiet street in a leafy suburb of Sydney. My trip was well worth the effort as I armed myself with brown paper bags piled high with gift boxes full of cupcake cases, decorations, party things, yummy treats to eat and anything else that took my fancy. It was an expensive visit and it was very awkward getting all of my purchases on the plane but I had waited a long time to get there so I was determined to make it worth my while!
Fleur
Images via Fleur
Shop Review:
Fleur is the latest venture from renowned florist and event stylist Fleur McHarg. Located in a quiet part of Armadale, Melbourne a visit to Fleur's boutique is a not only a visual treat but the smell is heavenly. The concept store is both original and innovative with the most divine selection of flowers and plants. Fleur offers event and wedding styling as well as childrens' parties and a beautiful offering of fresh flowers in store. When in Melbourne - why don't you treat yourself.
The Millswyn
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| Images via 'The Millswyn' website |
Cafe and Review:
Fresh, light hearted and playful – the Millswyn is a new French style Brasserie in Melbourne. Famed interior designers Hecker Gunthrie have fitted out the café and restaurant with a minimalistic Nordic feel. After being inspired by a review in a magazine I popped in to have lunch and check it out. Set directly across from the lovely Royal Botanical Gardens the Millswyn takes over from Lynch’s which was one of Melbourne’s most iconic restaurants. The Millswyn takes on a new tempo with its bright white café, tiled walls and high marble benches. The restaurant by contrast followed a darker palette. My lunch was light and simple making the most of fresh, seasonal produce. Definitely worth calling in on.
