Friday's Fancies: Reliving Christmas

Well Christmas may have come and gone but I still refuse to say good-bye. Those few days out of the year are the only ones where you can feast without judgement, shop like there's no tomorrow and drink like a fish, all while spending it with your nearest and dearest whom you never get to see enough of. Is it just me, or does everyone seem a little lonelier come January? The new year may have officially started but that doesn't mean I can't hold onto those moments just a tad bit longer. Especially when they remind me of such warmer weather. Note to self, spend Christmas in Australia whenever possible. I promise after this post, there will be no more mention of all this bah humbug well, at least not for the next 12 months. For now, please indulge me for a moment.  

Spending a rare Christmas together with both my sister and cousin (who's like a sister as well). The last time we spent the holidays together was well over five years ago. Though life takes us on different directions (and continents) it's good to know that we will always have each other. Anyone who's ever had a sister will understand how strong that bond is.

Ah presents, definitely a highlight. So much effort each year goes into the funding, the brainstorming, the actual shopping, then the wrapping, the embellishing and finally, the unwrapping. But you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way. There's no better feeling than watching loved ones open gifts that you've carefully hand selected and wrapped. 

Not wanting to be outdone by my scrumptious turkey (or so I tell myself). In walks my mum on Christmas morning with 4 dozen fresh oysters, 2 kgs of rock lobster and the biggest wild caught barramundi anyone had ever seen. I'm almost sure that fish was older than both my daughters combined. Needless to say, Christmas dinner was spectacular this year. 

This sign makes me giddy, don't ask me why. Every time I see it, I feel like a little kid getting cookies ready for Santa. I don't even remember how many detours I've taken last month just so I could see it. Please tell me I'm not the only one that does things like this.   

It just isn't a party unless you're wearing a paper hat. Someone really should make Christmas bon-bons (or Christmas cracker) mainstream in America and save me the trouble of ordering from the UK or Australia. 

Wardrobe Diaries: Merry and Bright

Dear readers, thank you for making 2012 so remarkable. Here's a special little outfit post I put together for the holidays. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed precariously posing on this faux balcony. Sending lots of love your way this Christmas. May your holidays be full of good food, good friends and good laughs. Merry Christmas! See you in the new year.

{ wearing: anthropologie dress . kookai belt . michael shannon pumps }

Wardrobe Diaries: Alternative Holiday Colours

With Christmas less than a week away, I'm sure most of you at some point have pondered over what wardrobe choices you'll be making for the upcoming festivities. While nothing says Christmas quite like a kitschy red reindeer sweater or body skimming party dress, sometimes it's nice to break from conventions and just do your own thing. This year, antique gold and purple is my colour of choice. It's a nice departure from your usual sparkly sequined uniform and yet festive enough to still be appropriate. This outfit is perfect for any holiday luncheon. The loose fit shirt and skirt will easily conceal that food baby you've been carefully nurturing since the start of the month. And a structured military inspired jacket thrown over will redirect any glares thrown your way after one too many drinks. After all, we all know that being smashed is well beneath any lady sporting a polished faux Chanel jacket.

Thank you to those of you who still continue to visit {camo meets couture} despite my recent negligence to the blogosphere. This month has just been a blur of nonstop events that blogging has taken a backseat. I'm looking forward to the new year and the change of pace that it will bring. So stay with me folks, {camo meets couture} will be back to it's usual schedule sooner or later.

{ wearing: zara jacket . j.crew silk shirt similar here . fate silk skirt similar here also loving this print . michael shannon pumps . tory burch bag . j.crew bracelet . david yurman sunnies }

Friday's Fancies

Phew it's been a while since my last friday's fancies post. That's what being on extended holidays does to you. These past couple weeks have been a blur of marathon shopping trips, days at the beach, catching up with old friends and now the dreaded packing for our long journey home begins. These four months in Australia have been wonderful to say the least. I cannot believe in a short two weeks we will be making our 30 hour flight back home again. In the meantime I'm going to kick back and enjoy as much sun as I can. Blogging will have to wait.

It's cookie season! I'm looking forward to sharing some wonderful holiday treat recipes with you in the coming weeks.  

Rainy day fun, playing dress up with the girls. Who knew you could have so much fun with an eyebrow pencil and a little eyeshadow?

You're probably getting tired of all my beach photos on Instagram by now, but you'll have to bear with me just a little longer. Soon I will be back in my landlocked state day dreaming of the sun sea and sand.

Loving my sister's casual chic style. Note to self, rummage through her closet next time she's out.

No other store has ever been more appropriately named than this. It also helps that they make the meanest bowl of pho. Definitely worth a visit if you're ever in town. 
    

Inspire Me: Refurbished Tuna Cans

First off, can we agree on how absolutely brilliant this idea is! Who ever thought those pesky tuna cans could make such adorable pot plants? I came across these gorgeous succulents on a recent visit to the florist. They were so simple yet unique that I couldn't pass up the chance to photograph them. 

There's nothing like a visit to the florist to heighten your senses and stimulate your creativity. I always come away brimming with new ideas. It all began back in Architecture school. After spending hours and hours trying to find an elegant solution to whatever design problem I was working on, I would give up in despair and drive off to the nearby 24-hour flower shop to clear my head. Why on earth would a 24-hour flower shop even exist is beyond me, but I'm thankful that they do. Years later I still find myself wandering into florists regularly for inspiration and a little creative pick-me-up.

If you are stuck on holiday gift ideas, these succulents would make excellent stocking stuffers. I'm feeling inspired to create my own, but instead of a pastel hues I'm thinking something sparkly and gold for the holidays. 

Almond Crescent Cookies with Italian Hot Chocolate

'It's the most wonderful time of the year...'. Okay maybe not yet, but hey November is almost over which means we are officially in holiday season right? Gauging from that last sentence you can probably tell my level of excitement about the upcoming holidays. Christmas really is the best time of the year. What's not to love about a season that's associated with family, festivities, singing and general jolliness?

Today I thought I'd share one of my favourite holiday recipes with you. Note, the term 'holiday' is applied very loosely here given that I consume these cookies all throughout the year and rarely ever on the holidays. Vanillekipferi (or crescent/horseshoe as they are more widely known) is a traditional Austrian sugar cookie made with nut flour. These cookies have such an impressive history that they are even accredited to being the fore-bearer of the popular French croissant. The cookie was first introduced to Paris in 1839 when an Austrian Army officer founded a Viennese Bakery. It is said, the french chefs were so inspired by his Austrian fare that they re-created the cookie in a flakier form, creating the croissant.

Now, no cookie is complete without a piping hot beverage alongside. And what better to pair these almond crescents with than a decadent mug of Italian hot chocolate. Picture your regular hot chocolate but in a rich, thick, silky texture. It's such a luxurious drink, I'm not sure if I'd even still classify it as a beverage. Actually, Italian hot chocolate and I go way back. I always associate it with cold winters spent in University cafes agonising over design dilemmas (ah the glamourous life of a starving student). It's amazing how food conjures up some of our fondest memories. What will you be eating these holidays?

 

 

Traditional Almond Crescents

250g unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 cups almond meal
2 cups plain flour sifted
2 tsp vanilla extract
icing sugar to dust cookies

1. Preheat oven to 180C degrees, line tray with baking paper.
2. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla till you get a smooth consistency.
3. Add the dry ingredients and fold till combined. This step can be done by hand with a spatula.
4. Let dough sit in a cool unrefrigerated place for 30 minutes. Cover with tea towel.
5. Shape cookies by rolling mixture into 1 inch balls, then slightly flatten. Holding dough between your index and thumb lightly squeeze until it takes on a crescent shape. Place on baking sheet and smooth over with fingers for an even finish.
6. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden.
7. Once cooled, sift icing sugar over each cookie. Coat liberally.


Italian Hot Chocolate

120g bittersweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp corn flour
dollop of cream

1. In a saucepan over low heat, add chocolate and a tiny bit of milk. Stir with wooden spoon till melted.
2. Dissolve corn flour in milk, then slowly add to chocolate and mix to combine.
3. Continue simmering over low heat until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat the back of the wooden spoon.
4. Add sugar to taste. Serve with a dollop of thick cream.