GO SEE THE 'HOLLYWOOD COSTUME' EXHIBITION AT ACMI.... I went today. So good. Marilyn Monroe's waist was smaller than my 9 yo daughters. Crazy. Audrey Hepburn's iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's LBD. Divine. She too was teeny. Be a little cultural. Catch the train to Flinders street, grab some ramen noodles at Chocolate Buddha and even stay & watch one of the old Hollywood classics showing in conjunction with the exhibition. Hitchcock's 'The Birds' or 'Some Like it Hot' (Marilyn's costumes were designed by an Aussie!). The boys will love it too. Batman, De Niro, Rocky & the Terminator have all made an appearance. 
www.acmi.net.au

Wednesday 24 April - Sunday 18 Aug 2013 

Open daily 10am - 5pm (Thursdays until 9pm)

ANZAC Day (Thu 25 Apr) open from 1pm

View the exhibition trailer

GET A LITTLE CASHMERE INTO YOUR LIFE.... Im a lover of cashmere. Its so luxe. So special. Gorgeous to feel, touch, wear, sleep in, lounge in, shop in....you get the picture. Yes it's expensive (the good stuff is VERY), but see it as an investment! It lasts ages if cared for & wont date. Iv had pieces I still wear for years. Trust me there is nothing like it. Its light & super warm. No need for layers. Im a fan. My kids even wear it. Quality means alot to me. You only live once, what the heck. Here are some of my fav pieces of this chilly season. Find them at Eugenie Cashmere (online or instore) and Banjo & Matilda (online).  

EAT AT ATTICA AND VISIT THE WORLD's No.21 FINEST RESTAURANT.... Attica is in Ripponlea, Melbourne. It is a business relationship based on the love of food. Chef Ben Shewry is a master of unique and exquisite food creation. Its artistic. Scientific. Innovative. And most of all original. Dinner is a 5 or 8 course degustation. Matched with wines if you like. So I called and asked for the first possible reservation and I was very politely told it was September 5th and I was most welcome to get on the wait list. Imagine if I was after a weekend visit. But I want to go. Need to go. MUST go....and so should you. And I LOVE that its in the burbs. This is an experience. Something special. Book ahead for your birthday, anniversary or just because. First in best dressed. 
Bookings: meet@attica.com.au
Address: 74 Glen Eira rd, Ripponlea. 

BUY NEW BOOTS TODAY.... Remember Midas shoes? They were the best. Then the worst. And now, the best again. Growing up in Melbourne when you needed the best quality, best range and good prices for fashion forward & on trend imported shoes, you went straight to Midas. All my shoes were from there, until something went wrong. Wasnt good, so I stayed away. But recently I'v been back & wow! Now the only negative is which pair to buy today? Tomorrow? Next week? How many shoe boxes can I hide in my boot. You get the picture. Check out these gorgoeus styles. All high quality & beautiful to feel & wear. All under $300, yes. Here are some of my fav's and recent purchases (sshhhh). Hope you love. 

HEAR WHAT JENNY BANNISTER HAS TO SAY ABOUT REAL WOMEN.... 

Is anyone listening?

You asked. You demanded. You pleaded. Iconic Australian womenswear designer Jenny Bannister returns - and it's a corker. 

The over 40s womenswear market $$$$$$$

IS ANYONE LISTENING?

Attention all retailers and designers of womenswear: ever wondered why you are not making great sales?

Did you know that Mummy owns her house, drives a prestige car, drinks empty calories and loves fashion but you are only offering her unstylish polyester landfill to clothe her body?

What an insult!

Mummy's waist, thighs and knees look hideous in the upmarket youth attire, found in the big stores that are moaning about slow sales. And the staff can't help her when she visits, which infuriates her more.

I know some women who spend $76 an hour with a personal trainer twice a week, so they can actually wear good clothes. Money is not the problem.

You buyers out there, who think the fatter the customer, the less money she has to spend, look at Gina Reinhardt and Red Bond you lot.

Enquiring around my 40s to 60s women friends of many backgrounds; I know exactly what they want and the acceptable price point.

Dresses, got that!

Quality, mainly natural fabrics in interesting and flattering colours. Beware, pale colours make us look bigger.

Classic styling and tailoring with stylish on trend touches. No frills or asymmetric hemlines, she hates all that cheap jersey muck.

Sleeves of all lengths are a must!

Cover the knee, we can always take the hem up if our knees are still great with a flared or A-line skirt, thank you.

This forgotten market segment needs this dress for daywear, to wear at work, lunch and dinner. 

And they think those "big size shops "are DOWDY. In my survey, Feathers and Etal were the only labels discussed with love.

But we need more, this market segment is growing like the cupcake craze.

CHECK OUT THIS TOO COOL DUDE.... Wow. This is one seriously stylish dude. Each outfit, perfect. Each look, right on the ticket. So thrown together, yet so very stylish. I love this. A mature fashionista male. You can tell how much he loves & appreciates cut, construction, style & fashion. Id love my hubby to rock it a bit. Be a little adventurous, wear a bit of colour, texture and print. Im thinking this Mr. is spending more than me on his wardrobe, and that says alot!  Anyhow, when I saw these images I thought he definitely deserves recognition for his efforts and a slap on the back for looking so damn great. Whoever you are....HOT. 

MAKE APPLE CRUMBLE TONIGHT.... The nights are getting chilly. Autumn is setting in. Its definitely apple crumble time. I love it. The kids love it. And its quick. Some Granny Smith apples, a few basic pantry staples & voila....dessert. Serve it with a big dollop of double cream or warm custard. Yum. Its even better the next day for brekky, well thats if there's any leftovers (not in my house!). 

apple crumble

•  6 Granny Smith (green) apples, peeled and chopped
•  ¾ cup (135g) brown sugar
•  1 teaspoon cinnamon

topping

•  1 cup (150g) plain (all-purpose) flour
•  ½ cup (110g) caster (superfine) sugar
•  50g butter, softened

  Preheat oven to 160ºC (320ºF). To make the topping, place the flour, sugar and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Set aside.

   Place the apple, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and mix to combine. Spoon the apple mixture into 4 x 1 cup-capacity (250ml) ovenproof dishes or 1 large 1litre baking dish, sprinkle over the topping and bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden. Makes 1 large or 4 individual serves.