In my many years as a fashionista/shoe officiando/architect of awesome (Note, I’m not actually an architect of awesome but I have always wanted to use that phrase), I have accumulated a great many pairs of shoes. Too many, some would say – ‘some’ being my mother and boyfriend.

Birthday candles One – Two – Three
Birthday candles just for me!
Last year three — this year FOUR!
Birthday candles, I want more!

Happy 4th Birthday, Sarah’s Style Emporium!

If I had an actual human baby, it would be walking and talking and generally getting on my nerves, but my blog turns four today and I’m not sick of it yet. Sarah’s Style Emporium has grown up and from day one, when I posted recipes and the outfit you should cook it in (what was I THINKING!!), it has become a little patch of the web where I can share all manner of lifes up and downs, frocks I like and food you should try.

After 773 posts (I know, right!), I think I’ll aim to coincide post number 1000 with year 5 and have a big shindig to celebrate the whole lot. Any excuse for a party right? And I’ll be 30 (gasp!) next year too. Party all year?

Meanwhile, I do like to take this opportunity to thank the ridiculous number of people who invite me to events, take photos, regularly attend things with me and those who move in the same blogger/twitter/social networking fashion circles and make doing all of this worthwhile. The friends I have made through the wonderful world of the web are some of my very best friends and they enrich my life everyday. I am inspired by the success of you all.

There are of course more exciting things to come – last year I was on the verge of leaving the security of any kind of ongoing paid employment, and this year I’m planning for the next 12 months, including a shiny new website and a greater focus on my Melbourne lifestyle – with a possible treechange. 

Watch this space.

Sarah xxx

Over the past few weeks and months, I’ve spent a fair bit of time in places that are cold and/or wet. Being very much an ‘indoor’ girl, the outdoors is an almost foreign landscape – a place where I can’t feel my fingers and toes; a place where my hair frizzes; a place where mud seems to creep under my fingernails and attach itself to my car, before it appears to ‘jump’ onto the back of my jeans.

So I’ve decided to be proactive. Apparently the outdoors isn’t going anywhere, so it’s time I bought some shoes that are more appropriate for the outdoors. Shoes that will keep my feet warm, and dry, and comfortable. As much as I love my ASOS ankle boots, the synthetic leather just isn’t making the grade.

It’s time to buy gumboots.

Check out these babies by Hunter. 

We came. We saw. We ate.

The food was again the focus at the annual Eat Street event at the Sofitel and even though my food intake in the past weeks has been at an all time high, I wasn’t going to let that stop me from enjoying all that the best restaurants in Melbourne had to offer. I’ll start my diet next week.

Many thanks to Sarah aka Little Miss Melbourne, for being my date (hope she enjoys her silent auction purchase!) and Cecylia for posing with us in this happy snap! 

With so many amazing foods, drinks and DESSERTS to try, I couldn’t possibly attempt them all so here are a few favourites.

Hot Tip: If food comes in trends as clothing does, then Pork is the dish of the day. Bon Appetit! 

It doesn’t have the same ring to it as One Night in Bangkok, but one night in Queenscliff is just as enjoyable and probably a little closer to home for most of you (except Marissa).

After a spectacular afternoon at the Jack Rabbit Vineyard (yes, I will keep going on about it. Had the Pinot last night. Divine.), we continued on to Barwon Heads for a quick look in the shops (Annie’s Provodore was a favourite, as was the Kiitos – Living by Design homewares store) before checking into our accomodation for the night, the Big4 Bellarine. 

Kiitos – Living By Design @ Barwon Heads

Our blogging group was split into two households – Marianne and Iolanthe making up house one, while Leeyong, Sarah and I bunked in house two; gorgeous little cabins right next door to each other. Complete with deck (and table and chairs), kitchenette/living, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, our home away from home was super cosy and comfortable.

Sarah and I outside our cabin at the BIG4Bellarine. Image thanks to Leeyong and Style Wilderness

Sophie and her husband Tim, owners of the Big4 Bellarine, made us feel right at home, with magazines specifically choosen for our tastes on the kitchen counter, together with a welcoming note and a breakfast basket. With the heater on and a cup of tea, we were all quite happy to curl up on the couch and have some ‘me’ time, until our stomachs got the better of us and the thought of a gourmet dinner at the Vue Grand enticed us out into the cool night. 

The Vue Grand is a beautiful building right in the heart of Queenscliff, a historic hotel and restaurant quite famous locally and beyond for their boutique beers and exceptional food. We certainly had a dining experience and a half, with Sarah and Marianne opting for their five course tasting menu, while Iolanthe, Leeyong and I ordered from the a la carte menu.

Greenvale Pork Shoulder, Loin and Belly with Pickled Rhubarb, Cider Gel and Crackle

The dining room was opulent and luxurious, the kind of place couples celebrate wedding anniversaries or friends toast a promotion. The experience was indeed, grand.

For entree, I ordered the Zucchini Flowers with Drysdale Haloumi, Barberries, Pistachio and Spicy Onion and this was served with quinoa to accomodate my dietary requirements, and for main, the Greenvale Pork Shoulder, Loin and Belly with Pickled Rhubarb, Cider Gel and Crackle. Yummy, although I probably could have used something green to accompany all that meat!

We left after the rest of the girls enjoyed dessert (I was stuffed!) and when we got back to the Big4, I fell asleep just as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The Big4 Bellarine has some great Winter specials for couples and families. Check them out! 

As someone who rarely likes to wait for anything, being invited to a venue named The Waiting Room makes you wonder what exactly it is you will be waiting for, and more importantly, will it be worth it?

The Waiting Room is a beautifully appointed bar and lounge in the foyer of Crown Towers, Melbourne. Having been there for cocktails previously, I knew the space was quality and was looking forward to the launch of Afternoon Tea. Being promised ‘an indulgent experience’, I donned a fabulous fifties skirt (perfect for afternoon tea) and headed to Crown.

The opulent surroundings of the Crown Towers, together with a jazz duo, welcomed us and within minutes, we were handed champagne, shown to a beautifully decorated table and seated with a group of people equally in awe of all things cake. Amusingly enough, our table of five featured four girls named Sarah.

A three-tiered silver stand of gluten free decadence was presented to our table so that Sarah (Little Miss Melbourne) and I could enjoy the Afternoon Tea as much as the others, and gourmet finger sandwiches, cake, cheesecake and shortbread designed by Executive Pastry Chef, Roberto Molleman sat before us. It was all I could do to start with dessert, or enjoy the delightful finger sandwiches first.

A lovely way to pass a Friday afternoon, I can see The Waiting Room being popular with brides to be and low key birthday celebrations. And it was definitely worth the wait. 

Service is offered from 12 noon until 5pm daily and is accompanied by:
Jing Tea and Vittoria Coffee for $49 per person
A flute of Chandon Brut for $59 per person
A flute of Louis Roederer Champagne for $69 per person

How good is cake?

And, in my humble opinion, cake can only be improved by being served with champagne. On a boat.

Last week, as part of our getaway to the Bellarine, my fellow bloggers and I were invited to attend High Tea on the High Seas, an offer of cake and champagne on the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry that seemed a perfectly lovely outing for a Sunday morning. Until Sarah and I got distrated in the Queenscliff shops and after a rather brisk run, only just made the boat before she took off across Port Phillp Bay.

Served in the Portsea Lounge, our table was weighed down with finger sandwiches, cakes, scones with jam and cream and of course, excellent sparkling wine (to my delight, the Jack Rabbit sparkling!), tea and coffee. While the wind outside was chilly, the lounge was homely and the perfect spot to watch the world go by – all the way to Sorrento and back!

Spoilt as we had been the entire weekend, the team at Searoad Ferries had pulled together a platter of gluten free goodies just for me, so I felt it was my duty to finish everything on the plate.

After a leisurely time on the water, we headed back up the Queenscliff main street, popping into stores to see books, homewares and art. A gorgeous place to spend a few hours strolling – although the rain got the better of us on the day!

New ASOS dress love. And it arrived today and I love it even more in real life! Have a couple of 30th birthday parties coming up and this dress will be paraded for all to see. Get yours: Closet Tie Back Dress with Pockets in Jewel Print $75.13

I like wine. No, wait, I love wine. 

I can still remember my days as a fan of vodka and alcopops, when the suggestion of wine (or coffee) was both considered ‘old’ and far too posh for the likes of me. But then I grew up, discovered the subtle joys of holding a wine glass and I was forever transformed. Whether it’s a champagne flute or a full goblet – I’ll even drink wine out of jam jars – if someone offers me the fruits of a vineyard, who am I to decline? 

Which is why I was so excited to be invited to lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard this past weekend. There would of course be wine, but also a wine area I was not familiar with – the Bellarine. Having grown up in the vicinity of the Yarra Valley, there are many other regions I am yet to explore. My eyes were open.

And they saw the most lovely views, from the Bellarine back to Melbourne CBD. Across to the You Yangs. Further around to Geelong. The vines were magnificent in their Autumn glory, and the cliffs and rolling paddocks that stretched for as far as the eye can see had me falling in love with Jack Rabbit before I’d even taken a sip of wine.

We were met by Lyndsay whose passion for wine was clearly evident in the way she spoke and educated us while conducting the tasting. This was no ‘try this and take a sip’ tasting. This was going to be an experience. After explaining the heritage of the estate, Lyndsay started with the Jack Rabbit Single Vineyard Sparkling Blanc de Blanc. Fancy name, fancier wine. This was my favourite and why I’m going to go on about it for at least a paragraph.

This sparkling could be the best I’ve tasted – and I’ve drunk champagne in France. It’s fab. The tasting notes describe it as a sophisticated cool climate sparkling displaying delightful citrus sorbet palate and delicate yeast characters. I describe it as the perfect accompaniment to anything you are doing that requires a drink. Yummy.

We moved through the Moscato, Sav Blanc, Pinot Grigio ad Riesling (the Chardonnay was sold out!) and then onto the reds – a Rose, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Cab Shiraz. The Merlot also enjoys being sold out – clearly a favourite.

It’s not often you will like an entire range from one winery but suffice to say I pretty much bought the entire collection and happily moved into the dining room to enjoy a well earned lunch (feeling slightly tipsy after all those tastings!)

The food was just as amazing as the wine, and I ordered the Thai Beef Salad, together with a glass of the Pinot Grigio on Lyndsay’s recommendation. I wasn’t disappointed and as the sun shone above us, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute we sat on the deck at Jack Rabbit House.

The winery is currently rebuilding their restaurant space and hope to open a 120 seat restaurant and function space in November. Whether you take the chopper down the coast or arrive via the meandering country lane, Jack Rabbit Wines is definitely worth a visit. I’m already planning my next trip to the Bellarine, perhaps even to enjoy their weekend breakfast!

I can have sparking wine with toast and eggs, right?

A few weeks back, I had a spectacular day being a model for the latest Be. Wines campaign. Featuring fresh, breezy and luscious looks from Rodeo Show, I was transformed from girl about town to (by my own admission) supermodel.

Having spent so many fashion shoots being the ‘lacky’ – fetching coffee and taping shoes (and LOVING every minute of it!) – I discovered being the model was just as much, if not more fun. Getting your hair and make up done? Having others fetch coffee and heaters for you? Someone bending to do up your shoes? People complimenting you every time you turn or smile? This is the stuff the dreams of the ordinary girl are made of. My 14 year old self was in her element.

I had already choosen my fresh looks from Rodeo Show and arrived at the shoot location slightly nervous but super excited. Everyone was fully aware that I was no model and the day was going to be all about having fun. It started almost the minute I arrived. I met the team (photographer, assistant, client, PR, hair and make up, assistant) and was shown the clothes (amazing!).

I started by playing dress ups with the looks I had selected. Dresses, tops and pants, evening dresses and skirts. The team oohed and aahed and I paraded one outfit after the other. With the votes in, my two looks choosen and time ticking away, it was time to get onto hair and make up.

My hair and make up guru, Monica, consulted on what look I was after, then got to work on transforming me, while her assistant set to painting my nails. Total celebrity moment while sitting under the lights, with so many people focussing their attentions on me!

It takes a little while for the kind of hair and make up required for photos to be complete, and about 40 minutes later, I was ready to frock up. My first outfit, the blossom print pantsuit was accessorised with my own Zu shoes and I was shown the studio space where my photos would be taken. Clint, the photographer, and his assistant Patrick, explained the kind of looks we were going for and then it was time to smile!

And smile. And smile. We shot outfit one for a while, before I changed into the second look, and smiled some more. Clint told me I was a natural, but I bet he says that to all the first time models. I didn’t care – I was having the most fabulous day. Between the false eyelashes and all the laughs we were having, I didn’t think I would ever want to go home.

By lunchtime, I was starving and my cheeks hurt but I was ready to sign on the dotted line – when could I do it again?

My fellow models, Cecylia and Jess, turned up for their shoots in the afternoon and the resulting shots of the three of us can be seen on the Be. Wines facebook page, where you can win a $1000 Rodeo Show wardrobe!