I actually don’t mind cooking, when the notion strikes me. Yes, surprising as it may seem (given my close, personal relationship with my microwave) sometimes having pots bubbling away and the oven whirring is quite a comforting scene and as we head into the cooler months, I feel like it’s something I should probably be doing more of. Especially now I have someone to cook for (even if he does prefer getting pizza).

So it was extremely convenient that The Green Kitchen should land on my front doorstep last week, trumpeting the benefits of a meat free diet and just how tasty vegetarian can be. After a colleague had participated in Meat Free Week, and I’d eaten my weight in steak in Paris, the timing was perfect.

David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl the authors of the Green Kitchen Stories blog and now the proud owners of this book, The Green Kitchen. The book features 100 of their favourite recipes that combine everyday pantry staples with fresh, in?season produce. David and Luise tell the stories of their family kitchen, affirming just how easy it is to create nourishing, well?balanced dishes on a daily basis.

And its a beautiful book, the kind you want to keep on display in your kitchen when friends come over (unlike my sad state of affairs which is usually an oil stained printout from taste.com or a sauce splattered laptop).

So what kind of recipes are in the book? How about a herb and asparagus frittata for breakfast, fennel and coconut tart for lunch, and beet bourguignon for a supper to share with friends. Dessert isn’t forgotten either with frozen strawberry cheesecake, summer berry pancake cake and delicious spirulina chocolate truffles.

And if you find the meat eater in your house just can’t bear to go without, why not whip up one of the yummy veggie dishes for you both, and sinply add some poached chicken or grilled lamb cutlets to their meal?

David and Luise are really proud of the book they have put together, hoping it will inspire others to have a go at making their diets less meat based and experiment with the variety vegetarian can offer. And did I mention that most of the recipes are gluten free?

You’ll find me in the kitchen…..

The Green Kitchen
David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl
Hardie Grant Publishing
RRP $49.95

Whenever someone uses the words ‘vintage fashion’ and ‘Laurent Perrier’ in the same sentence, I get giddy. Is there really anything better than those things together?

Well actually, there is. Throw in celebrity stylist Philip Boon, a fabulous luncheon at the divine Circa in St Kilda and a salon fashion show – and all for a wonderful charity, Prahran Mission – and you have one hell of an event.

Philip Boon Presents will take place on April 17, and showcase the stunning collection of vintage fashion, owned by fashion buyer and collector Mary Lipshut. ML Vintage includes pieces by Pucci, Missoni and Courrèges (oh my!) and us lucky fabulous nobodies get the chance to see them over a glass of Laurent Perrier. Swoon.

The fabulous Philip was inspired by Bill Cunningham and his eye for style at any age, styling Mary (who is 88!) for a fashion shoot to promote the event. Mary bought along a few of her girlfriends (and I can just IMAGINE the fun these girls would have had!) to be photographed in vintage pieces from Mary’s collection against the backdrop of a delightful apartment which has not been changed since the 1970’s.

From top: Lola Schattner, Shirley Strauss and Mary Lipshut (Images thanks to photographer Marnie Haddad)

All the proceeds from ticket sales of this salon show will go to Prahran Mission and the opportunity to meet and mingle with fashion history (in real life) is one not be missed.

I can’t wait to attend this luncheon (although I do have a meeting that night so I better be on my best behaviour!) and see all the magic of the ML Vintage fashion archives. Hope to see you there too, supporting Prahran Mission!

Buy your tickets here.
Wednesday 17th April 2013 12pm sharp
Circa, The Prince, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda
$120 includes luncheon, wine and show

In a word, wow doesn’t even come close to describing the creations that made it to the catwalk on Saturday night at LMFF – a sumptuous collection of bridal couture, enough to melt the heart of the most single of girls.

Tulle, lace, silks and beads were woven together in exquisite detail, with traditional bridal and a more modern take seamlessly coming together to showcase the best of Australian designer wedding attire.

My personal favourite was Gwendolynne – the magic of her dresses blew me away, while when it comes to a full skirt, Rachel Gilbert wins hands down.

Marry me?

My thanks to Jennie and Matt at Mirar PR for these images.

Ella Hooper sings

Collette Dinnigan

Collette Dinnigan

Collette Dinnigan

Collette Dinnigan

Gwendolynne

Gwendolynne

Gwendolynne

Rachel Gilbert

Rachel Gilbert

Rachel Gilbert

Maticevski

Maticevski

Maticevski

Harper’s Bazaar Red Carpet Runway

When faced with a week of LMFF events, fashion parades, business seminars and intimate dinners with friends, the age old question of what should I wear is raised to new heights.

While a change of shoes and a new pair of earrings can reinvent an outfit, nothing beats having something shiny and new to bring out of the closet – especially when the eyes of the Melbourne fashion community are upon you.

With limited funds and a taste for Aussie designed labels, I was just a little bit excited (jump up and down and dance around the room excited) when GlamCorner got in touch and suggested I rent my dresses for the week.

I’d seen rental places in the past – the Sex and the City movie made renting designer a part of our lives with some loaned LV and a whole lot of attitude – but had always thought that renting would be too hard when the time came to part with the fabulous items.

But as I scrolled through the fabulous frocks on offer at GlamCorner, and the who’s who list of designers (Alex Perry, Jayson Brunsdon, Nicola Finetti et al) I conceded I wanted something new to wear and this was the place I was going to find it.

I selected three dresses (an Alex Perry, a Sara Phillips and a Nicola Finetti) and sent through my submissions to the team at GlamCorner. Within 2 days, the dresses had arrived on my doorstep and even the packaging was exciting. The Australia Post box was big enough to keep the dresses in immaculate (ie – no need to iron or steam!) and with gold ribbons and special samples of perfume to pretty up the deal, my excitement at having three gorgeous new frocks to wear was pretty obvious.

                     Sara Phillips Animalia Dress, Mimco clutch. Image thanks to Jennifer Estrada.

But then I tried on the dresses and – shock, horror – two of them didn’t fit! The stunning Alex Perry and equally elegant Nicola Finetti were too big and all of a sudden my excitement at having new dresses was now the scary realization that I had to find other things to wear in my wardrobe.

           Grace & Hart Savannah Dress. Vintage clutch and Tony Bianco Heels. Image thanks to Jennifer Estrada.

A quick call to the team at GlamCorner and their attention to detail and ability to please was quickly evident. Alex and Nicola were back in the mail on their way to Sydney and within 24 hours a new set of dresses was on its way to me – a second Sara Phillips, a replacement Nicola Finetti and a new label, Grace&Hart.

    Sara Phillips Undercover Dress. Clutch from Myer, shoes by Ksubi. Image thanks to Matthew Raabus.

My fashion week had begun and the Sara Phillips Animalia dress made its first appearance at the David Jones Opening Night parade. I wore my own Jolet Paris print dress on Day 2 before the new dresses arrived, and strutted my stuff in the Grace&Hart Savannah on Day 3. Sara Phillips Undercover made an appearance on Day 4 while the Sara Phillips Animalia dress had a second outing on Day 5. I rounded out the week in the Nicola Finetti Insert Pleat dress – a favourite – for the final day of the festival.

                 Nicola Finetti Insert Pleat Dress. Shoes by Tony Bianco. Image thanks to Breece Gevaux.

I didn’t want to send the dresses back come Monday. But I did. For free. Because part of the GlamCorner offering is free delivery, and free returns. Did I mention they also have a fit guarantee, a try-on service for just $30, free $100 damage insurance and they supplied Hollywood Tape! They really have thought of everything.

I’m seriously considering hiring dresses week to week just so I have something fun to wear while sitting on the couch watching the footy and eating Thai on a Friday night. At prices as affordable as GlamCorner, you really can justify wearing designer all the time.

Red hair is seemingly the style de jour for the coming season, with the models from the Cosmopolitian Runway rocking wigs, while gift bags that adorned the VIP rows featured L’Oreal hair dye in an equal vivacious shade. 

Labels whose names might not be so easily recognizable stood out when capped with red, ensuring anyone who didn’t already know their name, now will.

Images with my thanks to Anne Brandt Photography and Mirar PR.

Rodeo Show

Rodeo Show

Rodeo Show

Rodeo Show

Lucette

Lucette

Cylk

Cylk

Cylk

bless’ed are the meek

bul

bul

bul

bul

WxW

WxW

WxW

The Harper’s Bazaar Runway bought Friday night to a standstill, with stand out pieces from Christopher Esber and Ellery. Clean lines and cool colours were the order of the day – these designers are not for the shy or quiet types.

While I didn’t make it to the show on Friday night, there are many looks in this set I think I would love.

My thanks to Jennie and Matt at Mirar PR for all images.

Christopher Esber

Bassike

Ellery

Christopher Esber

Karla Spetic

Arthur Galan AG

Bassike

Christopher Esber

Ellery

Sass & Bide

Karla Spetic

Easton Pearson

Ellery

Bassike

Ellery

Sass & Bide

Elegance and sophistication was the order of the night on Wednesday, when eveningwear by Aurelio Costarella and Jayson Brunsdon made its way down the catwalk. Alannah Hill was positively demure while Flannel’s simple ice cream and sorbet shades were good enough to eat. 

Images with my thanks to Jennie and Matt at Mirar PR.

Flannel

Flannel

Flannel

Jayson Brunsdon

Costarella

Hardwick

Megan Park

Alannah Hill

Alannah Hill

Costarella

Jayson Brunsdon

Costarella

Alannah Hill

Costarella

After all the running around of a day at the Business Events at LMFF, and then a night watching the models strut their stuff, it seems only fair that one should finish the evening with a cool drink, and when you have drunk enough champagne to sink a ship, a cider goes down nicely.

Rekorderlig were in residence at Central Pier last week, hosting the Rekorderlig Fashion Lounge after the Opening Night runway, and offering tired fashionistas their new Passionfuit cider, alongside favourite flavours Pear, Strawberry-Lime and Winter cider.

The very chic party featured a fashion installation by four up-and-coming designers, who were inspired by the seasons and its respective Rekorderlig flavour.

The spring theme and outfit created by designer Cylk used Rekorderlig Pear Cider and the colour green as inspiration; for summer, Rekorderlig Strawberry-Lime and the colour red used by designer Jason Hewitt. Autumn was created by Leonard St and revolved around Orange for Rekorderlig Orange-Ginger Cider, and blue shades of winter with Rekorderlig’s vanilla and cinnamon infused Winter Cider inspired Limedrop‘s design piece.

‘A Cider for all Seasons’ was communicated along one wall, featuring stunning Swedish imagery, while behind the bar, fashion inspired designs on canvas were displayed using Rekorderlig bottle caps and styled in the shape of fashion centric items.

The whole space was heaving with people and I heard rumor the cider was going to run out, but while I chatted with a Rekorderlig heir and sipped on refreshing passionfruit cider, these kinds of worries were miles away.

A little runway mishap always keeps things real so when a model in Ksubi closed Michael Lo Sordo, you just had to have a little giggle and remember that these things happen. As a seasoned fashion festival vollie, I’ve seen what the pressure backstage during a show is like and understand how hard everyone works. 

Runway 3, supported by the now defunct Grazia Magazine, featured plenty of print. J’aime. 

All images with my thanks to Jennie and Matt at Mirar PR.

Ginger & Smart

Alice McCall

Alice McCall

YB J’aime

YB J’aime

YB J’aime

Michael Lo Sordo

Michael Lo Sordo

Michael Lo Sordo

LIFEwithBIRD

LIFEwithBIRD