The Wizard of Aus

The last time I did a travel post, I was living in Bristol, savouring the last of the Summer sunshine at St Paul's Carnival. Well, in the last month, I've packed up my bags and job, and moved 17,000 kilometres across the globe to my birthplace of Sydney, Australia. It's funny how even in this day and age, with the technological advantages of Skype, email, Facebook, and the various apps on our smartphones, we can still physically feel distance. I've been back 3 weeks and already, my 12 years spent in the UK feel like a lifetime ago; at times, like a prolonged dream sequence. I've missed this place - the sights, sounds, and smells. The proximity of the ocean, the light, the lifestyle. 

This Easter, I travelled 2 hours south of Sydney to the small town of Bowral in the Southern Highlands, where my grandparents lived and where my friend's family has a country bolt hole. The climate down there is noticeably cooler and less humid than on the coast and in the city; making it perfect for walking and exploring the beautifully typical Australian landscape that surrounds it. The smells of Eucalyptus from the gum trees and freshness of the tall pine trees mix with the dry earth; bottlebrush trees shade cultivated roses and camellias. Under the pure azure of an Autumn sky, we rubbed shoulders with wombats (quite literally), explored the lush surroundings of the house, and walked through the countryside with Diesel, the beloved family pooch. Here are some photos of our adventures…

Oh hey, Elton.

Mr. Darcy, the Wombat.

Mr Darcy & Elizabeth Bennett

Wish you were here.

Love,

Belle x

Wish List Mondays #21

There's that saying that goes: "If Mohammed will not go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed." Well that's exactly how I feel about the weather at the moment. It's April, and it's freezing - "What's up wid dat?!" (South Park, 'It's a Jersey Thing'...nice.) So in a bid to bring on the warmer weather, and to give my winter wardrobe staple of black some time out, I've put together a Wish List of the brightest, Spring/Summer colours - because it looks like Spring as we know it, might have to be all in the mind this year. So go on, banish the black until next year, and splash out on some brights - Summer's just around the corner!

PS. If you were expecting an April Fool's post, it's after Midday, so the rules no longer apply. BOOYAH - playground politics.

1. Lace & Crystal Appliqué Silk Organza Top by Christopher Kane, Net-a-Porter, £965. Crystalised, here.
2. Blue Denim Pinny Dress, Topshop, £38. Pin(ny) Up, here.
3. Flower Hair Garland, ASOS, £10. Flowers in her hair, here.
4. Silk Zebra Shirt by Charlotte Taylor, Coggles, £235. Take off Zebra, baby, here.
5. Paint Effect Kaleidoscope Slim Jeans, Mango, £35. Collide the scope, here.
6. Colour Mismatch Earrings, ASOS, £8. Mis-matchmaker, here.
7. Pink Scent Perspex Perfume Box Clutch by Charlotte Olympia, Net-a-Porter, £795. Get some perspex-tive, here.
8. Jacquard Sash Belt with Embroidery, Zara, £30. Stash the sash, here.
9. Textured Nail Polish in Station Road, Barry M, £4. Mellow Yellow, here.
10. Gold Initial Ring by Chupi, Notonthehighstreet.com, £42. B the best, here.
11. Kathmandu Printed Leather Pouch by Mary Katrantzou, Net-a-Porter, £490. KathmanDO, here.
12. 'Fontanne' Blue Suede Shoe by B Brian Atwood, Kurt Geiger, £195. Don't step on my blue suede shoes, here.
13. 'Bronte' Zipper Tote Bag, Reiss, £165. Jane Eyre would approve, here.
14. 'Front of the Queue' Red Sandals, Office, £55. VIP Treatment, here.


I hope you all had a great Easter Weekend!

Love,
Belle x

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

It's Easter! Which, in my books, equals mountains of guilt-free chocolate eating. Not that I ever feel that guilty for eating chocolate, but still. It also means lots of egg-related puns. So that's egg-sactly what you should egg-spect from this post. Let's not egg-saggerate, but Easter's one of the best times of year. Not only do you get a four day weekend, but it also heralds the end of Lent and the start of Spring (or, it would, if all the daffodils hadn't been killed by the snow last week). This year may indeed be one of the last Easters I spend with my family for a while, as I am planning to escape the cold and snow in egg-schange (are you getting egg-sasperated yet?!) for the balmier climate of Australia. So I thought it only fair to 'Kodak-moment' this occasion - and obviously share it with you guys. So here you are: this is our Easter Egg-Stravaganza (that's it, I promise). 

Easter Lamb Pie

Creme Eggs can suck it.

Malachite Egg: Not For Consumption

Quiche Soufflé

Happy Easter - I hope the Bunny was good to you too!

Love,
Belle x