Friday's Fancies

Happy friday everyone. I cannot believe a week has passed since the kids and I arrived in Australia. The weather has been miserable. We caught the tail end of winter and it's been a nonstop mix of rain and wind ever since. It does gives me a good excuse to wear all my new fall items that I probably won't get to otherwise. I can't wait to share more photos of this city with you once the weather warms up enough to venture out. Hope everyone had a great week and a great night out at FNO.

I love using ordinary objects in unexpected ways. Like this three tiered afternoon tea platter, it's the perfect way to display jewelry and nail polishes that I'm currently using. 

This photo was taken the day before we left for Australia. You know it's time to migrate to warmer shores when the birds start leaving in flocks.

Catching up on my all time favourite magazine, Monocle. This is a great read for anyone interested in design, international affairs, culture and fashion. The July/August edition is particularly good as it ranks the top cities in the world. I do love reading about cities. 

My first coffee back in Melbourne, Australia. Although the latte art is nothing spectacular, but after living in a place where the only coffee options are Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, this was heaven in a glass. 

Three coloured manicures are perfect for days when the sky is grey and the air is chilly. I'm loving the combination of Essie Mink Muffs (taupe), with Essie Nothing Else Metals (chrome) and Essie Nice is Nice (lavender).  

Wardrobe Diaries: Silver Accents

As much as I love gold jewelry, sometimes it's nice to take a break and wear head to toe neutrals. I'm really loving silver accents for fall this year. The sweethearts at Karen London sent over this gorgeous hammered silver collar and I may or may not have been wearing it religiously ever since I got it.

Actually neutrals and I go way back. There was a time when all I'd wear were shades of grey and black and white. Architects are known for dressing head to toe in black. Being the young eager Architecture student that I was, I didn't want to upset the stereotype. These days I'm much more open to different styles and shades. Though neutrals will always have a special place in my heart, there's also a little room for brights.

{ paul & joe sister dress worn as top also loving this and this . zara leather skirt . zara sandals old . collar necklace thanks to karen london . r+j clutch . chain bracelet thanks to karen london . ariel gordon thin bangle . jgood cable bangle . michael kors cuff . longines watch . diamond necklace and bracelet gift }

Friday's Fancies: Storage Solutions

I'm always interested in seeing how other people organise their beauty products and accessories. Everyone has their own creative and unique approach. The most interesting and pleasant solutions I find usually turn out to be the most simple and low tech. Today I thought I'd share with you some of mine. Happy friday everyone!

I keep my nail polishes and lipsticks in little fish bowls. Everytime I stick my hands in to pick out a colour, I feel like a kid at a candy store. That's why it's only fitting to also keep some real candy alongside. 

My husband bought me this tiny wooden elephant in Thailand. It was one of the first real vacations we went on. I keep my wedding rings on it when I'm at home. 

My proudest piece of furniture is this makeshift shoe rack from an old cd/dvd rack. The unique shelving for cd's makes it perfect for housing heels. I keep my occasional wear shoes on this rack, and keep my day to day shoes on another shelf in the garage.

I once read that a pair of birds in the bedroom brings peace and happiness to the marital pair. Now I am far from being superstitious but figured if I was going to decorate anyway, it might as well be with pieces that are meaningful. Plus these birds are really good are holding my watches and bracelets.

The most pragmatic solution of the lot is how I keep my costume jewelry. They hang from velcro pieces on a specially designed jewelry holder I picked up from The Container Store. This simple, inexpensive purchase makes picking out accessories so much easier. Plus my kids love to look at all the bright shiny things. The velcro pieces are surprisingly strong too and have deterred my kids more than once.