Divine Dreaming Charity Fashion Event

One of my favourite local up and coming designer is Petra Vanessie whose beautiful designs gives a nod to the retro past, with cuts that are flattering, womanly, sexy and playful, in fact its probably best that you have a peek at her lookbook here.

I was very lucky to have been invited to a charity fashion show that Petra was participating a few weeks ago, a Divine Dreaming Charity Fashion Event. Held at the grand and stately Government House Ballroom, I rushed and changed from work to play wear in record time. 

The charity aims to promote the talents of local Perth fashion designers and artists while at the same time raising funds for the David Wirrpanda Foundation. Guests were treated to a night of fashion, music, canapes (from Red Hot Spatula, Littlesweet Baking and Jean Pierre Sancho) and bidding fun on things like signed eagles jumper, Bon Jovi signed guitar and many more. 

A couple of the auction items

Classy and with great voices too! Very much like the Supremes

This lady is donning a Petra Vanessie design and also has a nice voice

loving her songs. 

Petra Vanessie, Little Gracie, Leo & Spargo and Blair Nelson showcased their work and wears and gave us a little insight into their inspiration and creative minds. It was such a fun night and was great to celebrate the talented and creative minds of our state. The clothes being modeled by AFL players and Miss NAIDOC contestants.

Blair Nelson added a little hip hop to his runway act and his designs had leather detailing and street flair. If only bf could pull it off (wouldn't happen in a million and one years).

Blair Nelson - Creative Director

Petra Vanessie added pops of colour with her workable and wearable line. I love everything that came out. So gorgeous with great tailoring and intricate detailing.

 

 

Creative director of Petra Vanessie

The next designer's name came from a horse and a lieutenant, Leo & Spargo boosts cool casual men's wear, loving their printed tees.

 

The woman and creative mind behind Leo & Spargo

Little Gracie also showcased her floral dresses, the perfect wear for the warmer months. 

The lady behind the pretty dresses

To add the icing to the cake silent and live auctions were held to raise funds for the David Wirrpanda Foundation's Deadly Sista Girlz program, which engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls between the ages of eight and 17 years, through important mentoring, training and support programs.

“The money raised will be put to good use helping us engage, inspire and empower young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by giving them the opportunity and support to fullfil their dreams.” - Mr Wirrpanda said

Thanks Petra for the invite! My friend and I had so much fun and we sincerely loved your collection! Especially that black lace number, the bright orange trench, black and white over-sized blazer, the emerald coloured dress........ it can go on.. I wonder if any of them would be warm-ish under layers of clothing for my NYC in NYE....

Apologies for my hiatus

I've had such a hectic week so haven't had much time to sit down and post. There are some amazing and exciting news coming up soon.

But apart from that I've had the privilege of being invited to a charity fashion show by local Perth fashion designer, Petra Vanessie. 

Had two lovely bottles of wine delivered by the Wine Selectors and of course exciting new food finds. 

OH and 

I started a short beginners photography course at Tafe to oomph up the photos and make use of my dslr Chiro (Nikon D90).

The posts will be done this weekend hopefully in between appointments and work.

In the meantime keep updated on my instagram (it's updated so much more frequently than my blog simply because it's easier). 

Follow my insta @sprinklespice

xx

Leopard print for my eyes

I got some new frames so that I can see better. BAD news is my power on my left increased and my right decreased. At my age (going into the wrong side of my 20s and going up the age bracket in survey filling forms) you would think they would stop. Apprently my eyes are strained and really need to be exercised and relax them from too many screens.

Anyway.. it's a chance to get a new look and I was finally able to get some plastic frames that has a bit of a nose piece so that it actually sits on my nose. To top it of it has leopard print! And its by oroton and my health fund covered 98% (or something like that) of it and I was only out of pocket 24$! Hella yah for bargains!

so what do you think?  YAY OR NAY?

Getting over that hump day

Nothing is better than getting over hump day then starting work before 8am finishing before 4pm, hitting the squash courts before 5:30pm (and finding out it's discounted because of that!) then still having time to soak in the hot showers before layering up to go for celebratory dinner and a glass of red with a close friend, while you are at it, throw in a midweek beef dish special at The George (beef dish with a glass of red or white for $25).

We started the night soothed by the velvety red of Tempranillo, followed by the crunchy goodness of soft shell crabs with capers and aioli - the crabs were delicious the aioli was creamy goodness, capers added a bit much salt to the dish though.

The beef special was suppose to be the wagyu beef with potato and pea puree and mashy peas but the wagyu beef was sold out so they had substituted the beef for a slow cooked lamb shank. I love it how it just fell off the bone as soon as you played with it.

A hearty winter's meal to get over that hump day. And nothing says "congratulations on getting that intern medical spot at an amazing hospital" than a good meal.

To top off the night, I got to wear my two obsessions out - monochromatic and prints that clash. I've been really into animal prints, in particular of the spotty nature, mainly leopard prints. I can't get enough of them, having them in flats, in jeans and wanting a fux fur leopard jacket from David Jones (which was on sale, but alas a little too big on the shoulders unfortunately and one where my mother wasn't too pleased about it). So my dear sweet mother happened to find a black and white leopard printed blazer by the brand Seed, which has a gorgeous cut and provides decent amount of warmth for a blazer. Continuing my spotty theme and clashing prints (and my other obsession - monochromatic dressing) I wore it with my over-sized knit by Natasha Gan paired with my latest buy and an introduction I have been resisting, Black Milk Clothing wet look black tights (which are unbelievable comfortable). I have been told these are tights and not pants and should not be worn as pants and that the top half should cover the butt completely (agreed by JJ and my bf). 

I can safely say, this is the start of the end of my bank account thanks to these tights. Warm, comfortable and hella sexy what more do you want? I think I might get the licks next. Of course a pair of legs should also be shown off with heels and these velvet black "mary-jane" styled pumps by Vangoh shoes seemed the perfect match to my black and white theme, understated and yet totally hot.

And with that..

ends a hump day.. 

not long until Friday and my ONE DAY weekend. 

The Old Crow

Oh Northbridge how you have grown! From a pesty teenager rampant on god knows what to one where you've started to clean up your act and have a sprinkle of sophistication, a dash of culture and sparkle of arts and quirkiness. I've loved seeing you come of age.

Amongst all that, there will still be patches of not so niceness, but the recently revamped Newcastle street have seen increased restaurants and cafes, along with increased traffic and congestion. One of the latest addition, which JJ and I have happened to stumble on a few weeks ago (before the release of Rob Broadfield's review might I add!) is The Old Crow. 

An old heritage house refurbished and renovated to add a very modern-esque glasshouse at the front (resembling very much a greenhouse) and a rather traditional of eras gone by decor inside. Having said that I love the touches of old oil lanterns hanging on the glasshouse area and the succulents in teapots decoration.

We were here for a late lunch, but from what is written on their doors, they should also be opened for dinner. The lunch menu list isn't too large but it's big enough to make it hard to chose what we wanted. 

In the end we both settled for the slow roasted brisket sandwich, thousand island, pickled cabbage and fries. I would have preferred that JJ and I had two different meals to make this review a little more interesting, alas it was not to be and either of us was going to forgo our choices. 

Let me tell you, the sandwich is huge. We had to cut it into thirds to eat it without it going everywhere. I can most definitely share it with someone, because I didn't even get to finish mine. The brisket was slowly roasted to be tender, it was slightly sweet and the toasted bread was buttered to perfection. It was more than a sandwich it was a satisfying meal. The fries wasn't even needed but it was there and it's hot crispy crunchy chips. The homemade thousand island was a delicious creamy dip for the fries.

This meal was paired with the most satisfying long macchiato. But for those more inclined to start the day with EtOH then there is an extensive list of cocktails, wines and beers available at the Old Crow as well.

The only thing I wasn't too sure about was the black high-waisted pants with black suspenders and white shirts. It really minded me of Twiddle-dee and Twiddle-dum of Alice in Wonderland. Apart from the fashion choices of the waitstaff, they were attentive, patient and friendly. 

The Old Crow is intriguing, the menu is different from other places around Perth and I wouldn't mind checking more of it out, perhaps for dinner. I predict their dinner menu would be filled with good surprises. 

Wine and Cheese are like Ageless Companions

I have such a soft spot for the Swan Valley, it is only 45 minutes away from the city and whenever you go there you feel like you've taken a mini holiday. It has some pretty cool things to do, such as super golf, mini golf, a wildlife park in the form of Caversham Wildlife Park, not to mention the beer breweries, wineries, chocolate factories (x 2! - Margaret River Chocolate Factory and Whittaker's Chocolate), honey farms, nougat factory, ice creamery and of course a place to indulge in cheese. 

So as you know, a couple of weekends ago I went there for some R & R, well, more so because I was procrastinating doing my much needed to do list and driving around the Valley and stocking up on wines and eating cheese seemed like a better option. We stopped by a couple of wineries and then spent the rest of our time eating cheese at the Cheese Barrel, located on Great Northern Hwy. 

The Cheese Barrel is a place I've been itching to go to for ages (since it opened last year!). But alas, everytime I'm in the Valley, the place is either closed or we've run out of time to go there. Anyway, it stocks many gourmet cheeses from around the world. The purpose build cafe is behind the tranquil vineyard of Olive Farm Wines and overlooks the Susannah Brook. They have a lovely deck/patio area, which was the perfect backdrop to a lovely winter's day or better yet in the warm sunshine of spring and summer. 

The cheese display filled with cheeses from all over the world.. I wanted to buy some but decided against it in the fears that my mum and I would just consume it within minutes of it being home.

The best bit though would have to be their cheese boards and depending on the theme you go for allows you to indulge in a variety of cheesy goodness. We decided to go for their regional boards, in particular the French Cheese Board, because, well, the French know their fromage well. You can however chose to have the UK, Italian, Spanish, or Australian regional boards or hey you may prefer to have a soft cheese or hard cheese or blue cheese board instead (check out the menu here). To top it off, each of their cheese board can be paired with matching wines. Wine and Cheese the perfect ageless companions. Why would you not love this place?

Although it was crisp we decided to sit outdoors and enjoy some of the winter's sun. I love how they have turned out wine barrels into tables, something simple and yet gives it such flare. I wouldn't mind having a few wine barrels as tables for my door are one day. 

I ordered myself a chai latte to warm me up a little. It was possibly one of the nicer chai lattes I've had in a while. Not too milky and the perfect amount of chai flavours through it (usually it's too milky and no chai taste at all). 

Then the best bit came out - the cheeses. Our French Board consisted of four cheeses from four different areas of France. There was the Labuche d’Affinois, a soft white mould, cow’s milk cheese, the Rouzaire Camembert, a hard cheese in the form of Marcel Petite Comté and the Papillion Black Label Roquefort blue cheese. This was accompanied by figs (so yum!), crackers, bread and quince with macadamia nuts through it. 

I actually thought all four were absolutely divine (but then I'm cheese biased.. I love most cheeses, exception of the really smelly ones and the ones with fruits and what not in them that they don't taste like cheese but seem more like dips), even the blue cheese, it wasn't too strong at all.I would have to say though my favourite was the Labuche d'Affionis soft cheese, which was just creamy goodness. If I had more time in the Valley I would love to try their matching wine and cheese set. 

If you ever get a chance, head to the Cheese Barrel, have a cheese and wine board and just take in the fresh air and the rolling green (or it may be yellow-ish in summer) horizon of the Valley. Just make sure you have a skipper.

Goodbye weekend

Another weekend over.. so fast.. just recouped enough (maybe..) to ready myself for the many working weekends that is to come in the next few months...

We went to visit bf's family and added a little excusion on Saturday to a cidery in Bridgetown, aptly name The Cidery. Originality all the way.. at least you wouldn't doubt what they do. They do a variety of ciders.. from the dry traditional ciders to ones that has been aged for 12 years and of course the sweet ciders (with no added sugars), with their sweet ciders being naturally sweet thanks to the apples.. (the lady said they only and used pink lady apples)..oh there is also non - alcoholic ciders (so would be apple juice essentially??) available as well and is the only thing you can have (apart from water) that isn't alcoholic, there is no soft drinks).

The Cidery in Bridgetown

Had a lovely lunch there.. consisting of a cider and beef burgers. They also have an outdoor area - which was such a beautiful place, would be perfect in the warmer months to run around, climb trees or just soak the sun. Pity the weekend had patchy rain (it didn't stop the kids from climbing the trees though).

We then strolled around Bridgetown - such a cute, quaint, main strip and had dessert and coffee at one of their little cafes called the Red Panda (loved their jarrah topped tables with stainless steel legs). Before catching up with bf's brother and had a wonderful roast pork and lamb family dinner.

Pity it had to end today after a lovely breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushroom and toast. At least the drive back was nice and we had our traditional pitstop in Donnybrook for pastries at our favourite bakery - The Apple bakery. This time though I discovered a little gem of a cafe called Tiffany's Cafe (a nod to Breakfast at Tiffany's and Audrey Hepburn) -where they make great 5 senses coffee.

The Apple Bakery in Donnybrook

Toasty fireplace - love the smell of burning wood and just fireplaces in winter - its just so perfect.

The obligatory selfie in the car on the way back to Perth

Recharged just enough to tackle yet another week.