One for a Friday. Paris diet be damned.
Happy weekend everyone!

(apologies for Americanisms and foreign units of measurement!)

Nutella Cheesecake Layer Bars

 – 8 Chocolate Ripple biscuits

– ½ Stick Unsalted Butter, melted

– 16 oz. Cream Cheese, at room temperature

– 2 eggs, at room temperature

– ½ C. Granulated Sugar

– ¼ + 1 Tbsp. Heavy Cream

– 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

– ¼ C. Nutella

 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Butter an 8 x 8 baking pan and line with parchment paper, making sure that the parchment is well pressed in the corners.  Set aside.

In a food processor, pulse chocolate graham crackers until they become crumbs (like bread crumbs).  Add in melted butter and pulse until moistened.  Press graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.  Bake crust in the center of the oven until set, about 12 minutes.  Set aside and cool.

Clean out the food processor.  Add cream cheese, eggs, sugar, ¼ C. heavy cream, and vanilla extract.  Pulse until smooth.  Put 2/3 of the cream cheese mixture in a bowl and set aside.  Add Nutella and 1 Tbsp. of heavy cream to remaining 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture in the processor.  Pulse until smooth.

To assemble, spread the vanilla cheesecake mixture over the cooled graham cracker base, being careful not to disturb the crust.  Pour Nutella cheesecake layer on top of vanilla layer and spread evenly.  Bake on the center rack of the oven for about 35 minutes, or until the center jiggles slightly.  Remove from the oven and cool completely on a cooling rack.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

When ready to serve, lift bars out of the pan by lifting up the parchment paper (it should release easily).  Slice into 16 squares and serve.

With thanks to The Moonlight Baker.

It’s over. Pause for sobbing and uncontrollable crying. Another year over and twelve whole months until the glamour and gloss returns to our fair shores. How on earth will we cope?

The L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival bought with it a week of sunshine, lollipops and rainbows – together with frocks, shocks and scarily high heels – and we loved every minute of it!

  
Fabulous fashion ?f?riends Miss E and Miss S rocking their festival glam (???M?i?s?s? ??S? ?i?n? ??K?o?o?k?a?i?,? pics thanks to StyleMelbourne)

?My week started on Monday at Fashion Full Stop, the launch event of the festival for 2011. I reviewed the event for Onya Magazine and you can read all the sordid details here, but suffice to say while the event was quite spectacular, it didn’t live up to what I was expecting.

Tuesday and Wednesday I managed the front of house at BMW Edge for the Fashion Industry Forums – Retail Detail, and eTail Detail. Both events were fascinating, providing expert opinions and views of the fashion industry and how the future looks.
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Resting at the Woolshed Pub (Friday Night, wearing Country Road, pic thanks to Cecylia)

?Runway One and Runway Two on Tuesday evening bought me right back to the very reason I love fashion. There was the return to a traditional catwalk, Melissa George and Andie McDowell in the front row and that amazing feeling I can’t describe when the lights and music start up and the girls start walking. The clothes were equally as impressive, magically syphoning cash from my credit card without my wallet even leaving my bag.

Both parades were reviewed for Onya Magazine (guess what, you can read them here!) but it was the time in between the shows that really made my night. A quick drink at the Woolshed Pub with two lovely ladies from Twitter and we suddenly found ourselves well connected and on the L’Oreal boat.

The L’Oreal boat you ask? It’s more than a boat – it’s the party to party at if you are anyone who is anyone at LMFF. There is champagne, music, quaint canapes and the people!! Sarah Murdoch and Carrie Bickmore were in my eyeline on Tuesday but below decks the real celebs (Andie!) enjoyed their champers.

With Beauty Writer for Onya Magazine, Miss K, at the GPO show (wearing Satch top and United Colours of Benetton skirt, pic thanks to Katie Found)

After having Wednesday night off, I returned to my day job on Thursday only to be whisked away on the dot of 5pm to Melbournes GPO for more champagne and the Pret a Porter winter collections. More prettiness ensued before a short walk up the road to the Tony  Bianco Melbourne Central store opening party. 3 macaroons? Don’t mind if I do! And hello to Matt and Melissa Hetherington, Brynne Edelston and Andi Lew!

I stumbled into bed, ready for a 5am start as Friday was the Herald Sun Marketing Breakfast and one of my favourite events of the week. The speakers were inspiring – I discovered I am a ‘hauler’ without even realising it – and I sat with Karen Willis Holmes, couture wedding dress designer.

Another day of ‘the real world’ job and Friday night culminated with Runway ???F?ive – spectacular – drinks with the Twitterati at the Woolshed Pub and dinner at Va Bene before a quick visit to the L’Oreal Powder Room and another night of falling into bed.

Friday night at Runway Five with Miss F (wearing Country Road, picture thanks to Cecylia)

And in case you were not tired already, Saturday morning sleep ins are not for the fashionista, it was off to the Malvern Town Hall for the Ready to Wear Trunk show starring Premier of Victoria Ted Ballieu’s daughters and the Miss World winner and runner up.

I sighed as I left my last runway, taking my earrings out on the walk to the car, and already feeling the sweet relief of a good nights sleep, flat shoes and a meal
that comes on a plate. Fashion week is never as easy as the fashionistas make it look but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I am so in love with loafers right now.

Here are three more (you might remember these few from a few weeks back), all by Nude Footwear. LOVE the cherry!

Some pictures I like from recently.

Paris friend and fabulous lady Miss J took these shots. From the top, love this Vivienna Lorikeet dress: a street snap of a girl I picked out of the crowd and me smelling the rose(mary).

Vivienna Lorikeet Look Book shoot 2011
Model: Haley Bynon
Shot by: James Ballard
Stylist: Yen Hoang
Street Shot by: Jennifer Estrada

L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival
Launch Event – Fashion Full Stop, March 14 2011
Shot by: Jennifer Estrada
Outfit by: Savers

L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival
Launch Event – Fashion Full Stop, March 14 2011
Shot by: Jennifer Estrada
Dress by: Won Hundred
Earrings: Vintage

Two nights ago I slipped on my heels and headed off to the opening event for the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre. The anticipation I felt for the week was immense – I truly can not imagine a more enjoyable (at least for me) experience!

A whole week of fashion was ahead. Now its Wednesday and we are halfway done. I feel sad already.

You can read my opening event review for Onya Magazine here but since then I have been working at the Fashion Industry Forums at BMW Edge, Federation Square. Day one, Retail Detail and day two, E-tail Detail – both featuring international speakers of the highest calibre talking about my favourite thing – SHOPPING!

While the forums were brilliant (and I will go through my notes more in the next few days), the work itself hasn’t been all glamour and VIPs. The stairs at BMW Edge have been a killer, while different gift bags for both days made for a fair bit of heavy lifting. But I’m not complaining.

There is still the thrill I get when the doors are opening and a fashion event comes to life. The pride I feel when someone recognizes me – this is after all my 6th fashion week. The sheer joy I feel simply working with a team of passionate and dedicated people, and having them feel the same way about working with me.

I have many fashion week stories to tell but they will be a few days away. For now, visit Onya Magazine to ensure you don’t miss a minute of the fashion week fun.

This article first appeared in Onya Magazine

The L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival kicks off today, and I thought it timely to pause for a moment and have a think about what the festival really means to Melbourne. Yes, the fashion is the centrepiece – it’s certainly the reason I go – but what about the wider audience? Who else comes from far and wide to see Melbourne on show?

This year, they will come not only to see the clothes, shoes and accessories but also the music, dance and excitement that makes the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival the largest consumer fashion event in the world. New creative director for 2011, Grant Pearce, says the festival is no longer just about what we will wear next season, but a celebration of Australian talent.

‘This was a small friendly event that has become a real business. We support industry and new designers but also to encourage consumers to be involved in retail and get excited about the event.’

In 2011, the festival has made a number of changes – positive ones – that allow Grant to put his stamp on the event (and a big thanks to Karen Webster for the past five years) and move with the times. This includes the spectacular launch event planned for opening night – a fusion of fashion and music with a few surprises on the way.

Enlisting the help of stylist Michelle Jank and former Vogue Australia editor Nancy Pilcher, Fashion Full Stop is touted as a fusion of music, fashion and dance. Grant claims it will be ‘huge’ and celebrate Australia like never before. Sixteen dancers, thirty models and hundreds of crew (with more to be announced) will join the likes of Josh Abrahams, ballet dancers and a who’s who of the Australian music scene for a theatrical event covering over 50 years of Australiana.

Over 7000 garments in all shapes, colours and sizes have been submitted to form part of a designer retrospective where labels whose outfits have never graced the catwalk together before will walk side by side and celebrate every era – intertwining today and yesterday – representing all of Australia with a twist.

This very different fashion experience also shows how relevant the fashions and music of the past are today while proving once again that everything old is new again. ‘It’s a pretty big show’ says Grant. ‘Actually, not a pretty big show, just a big show!’

Grant also mentions the importance of the business events to the festival and how the LMFF Business Seminar and Marketing Breakfast are now world renowned. This year the festival has again drawn a number of brilliant speakers to share their opinions and knowledge to Melbourne, including Jefferson Hack who will be talking about the future of communications – especially in the online space – and magazines.

The two newest talents at luxury label Bally will be sharing their insights and bring with them an installation of designer garments that will be displayed in the foyer of the Sofitel, allowing ticket holders the opportunity to touch and feel exactly why the Switzerland based label is as coveted as it is.

Previously known as the Independent Runway, the Offsite Runways, managed by Kate of Penthouse Mouse fame, will be hosted at Shed 4 in the Docklands – a space known for its back to basics approach (as opposed to the polished Shed 14 of Central Pier). This raw space will be transformed and feature Melbourne favourites Leonard Street, Alexi Freeman and Trimapee, together with new finds, among others. Electronic outfit Hidden Suns will provide the sounds for the event with a soon to be announced band also taking centre stage.

The final point of note is the changes to the Menswear show. As in, previously there wasn’t really one. Grant’s vision for the festival encompasses everyone – fashionistas and boys in Bonds alike – and so the Menswear show will be introduced this year with a special international guest – Helena Christenson – who will grace the catwalk in a yet to be determined ensemble.

Inspired by Naomi Campbell walking in the Dolce and Gabbana show in Milan, Grant engaged Helena (who is visiting our shores as a photographer for a Specsavers campaign) to attract a wider audience. What better opportunity to put an international supermodel on an Australian catwalk? (And genius for the mens show!). Dancers will also be an integral part of this show, rather than the ‘filler’ act they have been in the past.

This years’ L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival is not about fashion for fashions sake – the event has a purpose and will attempt to engage more than your girl on the street who aspires to wear Chanel while settling for Cue. The audience has a much greater scope and will enthral by being a visual experience.

Super Saturday at Flemington yesterday showed just how unpredictable Melbourne weather can be… last years’ Autumn Winter races were lashed with hail and strong winds while in 2011 the sun shone on the felt hats and was the epitomy of what the races are all about – albeit in Spring.

I worked the door of the Myer Fashions on the Field Marquee, ushering people like Kris Smith, Rebecca Judd and Hugh Sheridan, as well as fashion writing royalty Janice Breen Burns (The Age) Emily Power and Anna Byrne (Herald Sun).

Kris Smith and Rebecca Judd – looking barely pregnant In Arthur Galan AG – were the beautiful people on the day, with special mentions to Ashley Hart (Jess’ little sister) and one of the Home and Away girls (I have no idea who she was!) in a very cute Parisian inspired 20s dress.

The sun shone and there was champers all round (Mumm, in case you wondered) but ultimately I watched on while manning my post at the door in all kinds of feet pain. Wrecked my nude Tony Bianco’s but still so worth it in the end just to be there and smile at the beautiful people – and to have them smile back.

That’s right, it’s Friday. Phew!
And now it’s just THREE sleeps til LMFF!

I’ll be at Fashion Full Stop on Monday, the Fashion Industry Forums on Tuesday and Wednesday, Runway 1 presented by Grazia, Melbourne’s GPO VIP Show on Thursday and the Herald Sun Marketing Breakfast on Friday, finishing up with the Ready to Wear Trunk Show on Saturday.

Hopefully will get tickets to a few more in between all that but will see how we go for time! Remember to visit Onya Magazine for reviews by the whole fashion team!

Before I spend a week showing you people with their clothes on, here is some eye candy for your Friday, courtesy of Todd and Terry, stylish mens underwear, swimwear and sleepwear.

Get your sleep this weekend kids – it’s Fashion Festival time!