Suitcase Packing Ninja

I have learned the art of suitcase packing so that I can get 5 weeks of clothes into one medium size suitcase...with room for purchases!

I am a suitcase packing ninja.

Kiki

What are my chances?

This looks like flying in style to me.

What are my chances of getting an upgrade, about a million to one roughly?

I just checked my flight details and I'm going to be sitting in cattle-class for 27 hours! O...M....G!!!

Kiki

Outliers

These animal print shoes are so awesome! How much fun would it be to wander around leaving these footprints in your wake?

Kiki

PS...this post is dedicated to my 'little' brother.

A bit of skin

Am I a prude? Am I the only person who doesn't like to see bra straps?

I think a bit of shoulder (or back) is very sexy, but I just don't like the look of a bra strap. It's not at all sexy and ruins a perfectly good bit of skin, and looks a bit 'cheap and nasty'.

I have really warmed to the see-through blouse with a lovely bra...is that different? Maybe not. Maybe I am a bit old school and will relax somewhat on my upcoming trip to the fashon capitol of the world!

Kiki

Bellini Cocktail

Created sometime in the thirties by Giuseppe Cipriani, he christened his white peach cocktail "the Bellini" (after Giovanni Bellini, the fifteenth century Venetian painter) in 1948. 

Made with Prosecco instead of Champagne, it is nevertheless widely regarded as the best Champagne cocktail in the world. When making a Bellini, everything (the glasses, Prosecco and white peach puree) should be as cold as possible. The general rule is to use one part white peach puree to three parts Prosecco.

Use fresh frozen white peach puree when you can, but when making your own puree, never use a food processor because it aerates the fruit. (Maurice Graham Henry often uses a cheese shredder, shredding the peaches and using a strainer to collect the maximum amount of juice.) Add a bit of sugar or some simple syrup if the puree is too tart or a tad sour. And absolutely never use yellow peaches to make a Bellini.

I am soooo looking forward to sipping on one (or two maybe) of these very soon!

Kiki

Five

Women with style express themselves and their personality through their clothing choices and have these 5 things in common.

1. They are in tune with their body shape and know what to enhance and what to disguise.

2. There is a thread of consistency running through their choices in terms of shape, texture and colour palette.

3. They buy well and keep their clothes in good condition.

4. The look is comfortable and relaxed (no swollen feet stuffed into too-high, too-tight stilletos).

5. They never look as though they are trying too hard.

Kiki

Canadian Tuxedo

I think this is the first Canadian Tuxedo (aka denin on denim) that actually looks good!

Kiki

Just a little bit nervous.

I have come to the realisation that I am just a little bit nervous about my upcoming maiden voyage to Italy. At first, when I started analysing my apprehension I thought it was because it's my first time there and I don't know my way around...and then there's the language! I took Italian language lessons for a few months last year but I have completely forgotten everything I learned.

Then I started thinking about what I will pack, how much do I want to lug around the country, and how much space do I want to allow for purchases? Baggage allowance is limited on the flights I've booked so I've decided to take only one smallish suitcase. If I need...I can always mail stuff home.

So, with that decision made the next one is much harder...what to take?

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately and looking at photos of what people are wearing OS and I'm really getting worried. So many people look awesome ALL THE TIME. How on earth am I going to look great all the time on a very limited wardrobe, even while sightseeing? And the very important rule...how not to look like a tacky tourist?

The pressure is on!

Kiki

I had a hankering today...

I had a hankering for creme brule today. I've never actually eaten it before so I wasn't sure what I was in for. I've had a little taste now and again, but not a whole one myself so who knew if I even liked it? Strange I know, I'm not sure what came over me. Sometimes you just have to go with it!

So, I went out and bought myslf a blow torch and the rest of the ingredients and gave it a go. It was surprisingly simple actually, and I'm pretty proud of the outcome if I do say so myself. The only problem was the lack of butane, and I don't recommend trying to make do with the oven grill!

Kiki

Winter Style

Sometimes it is so cold outside that all you care about is keeping warm....from memory that is approximately -28.5 degrees celcius!

In sunny Queensland that kind of cold just doesn't happen (thank goodness) but there are days like today (Canadians don't laugh) where it's pretty darn cold. I think it dipped to 7 this morning, and it didn't reach 20 until atleast 10am!

If I am completely honest, I am a teensy bit emberrassed about how soft I've become. I love to rug up in snuggly jumpers, jackets, scarves and gloves but sadly I don't get much opportunity any more. If I did need to wear lots of winter clothes, they'd look like these.

Kiki

Black and White

I am a huge fan of black and white. It is clean and crisp and always flattering.

There really is nothing tricky about putting together a black and white ensemble, and so easy to add a tiny bit of fun colour (if the occasion permits). You really must consider your complexion though as white near the face can wash some people out a little. If you're at risk of this, add a necklace or lower neckline to move the white away or break it up a bit.

I've never worn white stockings as I worry about it thickening my less than gazelle-like legs, but this lady has lovely lean legs and it looks great. I wonder if darker stockings wouldn't look as good and therefore ruin this look? And I adore the gloves, they add a bit of glamour to a really lovely outfit.

Kiki

Glasgow Style

How awesome are these two fellows?

Nothin' better than an old guy in a skirt;)

Kiki

Smokey Cat Eye

The smokey cat eye is my favourite look lately, and surprisingly simple to create.

If you need a little help like I did, there are some great youtube tutorials to walk you through it.

Kiki

White brogues anyone?

You know I love shoes, often the quirkier the better...so you know I don't shy away from a bit of foot focus, but white brogues are pretty full on!

These are growing on me, certainly only a summer shoe, but with these tailored shorts or a sun dress I think they're pretty cute. Maybe next year...

Kiki

Amouage Honour

I have recently discovered, and totally fallen in love with Amouage Honour Woman Eau de Parfum. This beautiful scent is not your 'run of the mill' perfume, it's made with the most wonderful flowers and oils. It's Olfactive Family is Woody Oriental so not for everyone, but you may love one of the many others created by the House of Amouage.

Amouage was founded 25 years ago by His Highness Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud al bu Said on the request of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of the Sultanate of Oman.  Amouage was created with the intention of giving the fine perfumes as gifts to the Sultan's honoured guests, purported to reflect the cultural heritage and traditions present in Oman. Restoring artistry to perfumery by creating the most beautiful and evocatively fragrant scents possible. Amouage sources the highest quality ingredients from Oman - the rarest frankincense from Dhofar in the south of the country and the rarest rose of all, the rock rose harvested high up in the mountains of the Jebel Akhdar range towering over the Sultanate's beautiful capital, Muscat.

Honour Woman is a white floral fragrance inspired by the tragic Madame Butterfly. In honour of truth and beauty, her poetic love and sorrow echo eternally.

Head Notes - Coriander, Pepper, Rhubarb Heart Notes - Carnation, Gardenia, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Tuberose Base Notes - Leather, Vetiver, Amber, Frankincense, Opopanax

Ask for a sample at DJ's (for my Aussie friends).

Kiki

I really really want one!

I am not a rev-head but I just can't seem to shake a little crush I have formed on the Fiat 500.

How cute is this little car? I am yet to take one for a test drive because I'm scared that I will fall even deeper in love if I sit in it...smell that new car scent...feel the firm new seats under me...zip through the traffic like a crazy Italian...

Kiki

An Ode To Can

There's a four lettered word
As offensive as any
It holds back the flow
Puts a stop to the many.

You can't climb that mountain
You can't cross the sea
You can't become anything you want to be.

He can't hit a century
They can't find a cure.
She can't think about leaving
or searching for more.

Because can't is a word with a habit of stopping
The ebb and flow of ideas
It keeps dropping itself where we know
in our hearts it's not needed.
And saying "don't go"
when we could have succeeded.

But those four little letters
That end with a T
They can change in an instant
When shortened to three.

We can take off the T
We can do it today
We can move forward not back
We can find our own way.

We can build we can run
We can follow the sun
We can push we can pull
We can say I'm someone
Who refuses to believe
That life can't be better
With the removal of one
Insignificant letter.

Kiki

Coloured Jeans

I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the coloured jeans fad but am now a true convert. I love them.

I started with a tan pair late last year, then there was a lovely white pair last Christmas, and my most recent are a cheap and cheerful pair of red ones. Orange has recently caught my eye and I've tried a few pairs on, but I am just not sure how long it's going to last. I am worried about buying another pair only to wear them a few times before that dreaded realisation that your fav pair of jeans are just not cool!

I might just save my pennies for my holiday ;)

Kiki

Gelato Style

You may know that I'm going on my very first trip to Italy soon, and one of the many things I'm looking forward to is...you guessed it...GELATO!

I really love icecream, but rumour has it that until you've tasted italian icecream (aka gelato), you haven't lived. Really? I cannot imagine how it could get any better.

To date, i.e. before my first italian icecream, my favourite flavour is chocolate. Is that boring? Will I come back a changed woman? Will I fall in love with a new flavour? I've heard pistachio is to die for, and pear sounds intriguing, maybe caffe or some other crazy Italian flavour will take my fancy?

Kiki

Hair Extensions

So...what's your opinion on hair extensions?

I have seen some serious shockers lately, as I'm sure you have. If you look closely at the crown of the head you can often spot the evidence, and it's not pretty. A couple of times I actually saw the clip barely hanging on to the hair...yikes!

I have fine hair, and not a lot of it so I have to work hard and use a lot of products to get close to the look I want. I have always coveted long, luscious locks and now (if I could bring myself to spend the money) I too could have Jennifer Aniston or Megan Fox hair! Nothing else...just the hair.

Maybe one day, or maybe hair extensions will go out of style by the time I muster up the courage.

Kiki