Travel Essentials

As you may have read in previous posts, I am back in Brisbane. Even though Brisbane is my home town I am staying with relatives and have only a limited amount of belongings with me. Everything else is either in Melbourne or storage. I thought that I would share some of the items I have found essential during my two weeks (going to be four or more weeks) in minimalism-traveler mode. 

Mid-Monthly Loves

I have been intending to do a monthly favourites post for what feels like a year and a day now. However every time the start of the month rolls around I seem to get distracted and I don't remember until the middle of the month. Today I just decided that the fact that it was the middle of March didn't matter I was doing a favourites post. 

Lady Power, Lady Love

Lady Power, Lady Love from aroseandapeony on 8tracks Radio.

OOTD - Dressing Up

Home-grown Basil Pesto

Before I left Melbourne I stocked up on recipes to share with you so that I wouldn't feel guilty about not cooking while I was job hunting. This is one of my favourite things to make and it only happens every so often. Occasionally, the basil my mum loves to grow becomes fairly overgrown and starts to flower. It's normally at this stage that she recommends a pesto making session. I've used a few different recipes over the years and some are better for cooking with while others are better for dipping. This one is half-way between but if you're not a huge pesto fan, I'd recommend putting this version in other dishes rather than using it as a dip. And just as a heads up, you'll also need a food processor for this recipe.

Passion for Fashion Competition

I think it comes with the territory of being a fashion blogger that you're addicted to shopping. Sadly for me basic necessities like food and phone bills often get in the way of my addiction. When I heard about Money Supermarket's competition on the lovely Olivia's blog I knew it was the perfect way to satisfy my shopping itch and not spend a dime. Here are the three outfits I've designed below, if anyone fancies entering it is open internationally (link here) and I would love to see your fantasy outfits in the comments.

Crop River Island £35 / Denim Crop River Island £30 / Maxi Skirt Topshop £20 / Socks Topshop £4 / Boots Topshop £70 / Casio Urban Outfitters £28

Total Spent = £187

Down under it is just cooling off after a long, steamy summer so this outfit is perfect for autumn (or an English spring ;)). I am currently lusting over the entirety of the Rihanna for River Island collection. I've never been a big fan of Rihanna's music but after this collaboration I definitely have a bit of a style crush going on. The turtleneck has a split down the back which I think is a really nice detail and the denim crop is the perfect way to wear denim in the warmer weather. Maxis make an awesome staple year round and the side splits allow everyone to see the most important part of your outfit, the shoes (duh). I have been loving patterned and colourful socks of late and have been snapping them up off eBay left, right and centre. They add a delightful pop of colour to my rather neutral wardrobe. Finally the Casio, once you start wearing a watch regularly you can never go back. I feel slightly naked if I ever forget mine and a Casio is a affordable alternative as Michael Kors wasn't quite within the £200 budget. 

OOTD Life's More Fun in a Maxi

Pink Floral Maxi Dress - Thrifted, Green Socks - ASOS, Boots, R. M. Williams, Sunglasses - Sportsgirl, Lips - Over by Illamasqua and Raspberry (02) Superbalm Moisturising Gloss by Clinique

Wow! Two OOTD posts in a row! It probably (definitely) has something to do with being back in Brisbane near my photography-loving-friend Tara (she took all these photos by the way). Today we took up a trip up to Mount Cootha, near her home, for some lovely scenic shots at the look-out and in the Botanic Gardens.