Clash & Harmony collaboration, part one.

Wearing maxi dress and unicorn knit by Joveeba. Heels by Aldo.

Photos by the lovely Cindy Ramos of Clash and Harmony.

Instant connections are rare entities. But when they do happen, it reminds you that true bonds completely transcend distance and time. This is exactly how I felt when I met the absolutely radiant Cindy from the utterly stylish blog Clash and Harmony The details of our initial contact is a little hazy now (sporadic Instagram comments and exchanges of love via email...) but the moment we met each other, it felt like a reunion of old souls and suddenly, the few hours spent on that cold Bondi morning felt like mere minutes.

Oh, and did I tell you? This amazing girl happens to work for one of my favourite Australian labels, Joveeba (you may remember my dedicated post here) of whom I have been an avid fan long before our friendship. To all the cynics out there, this is why I truly believe in sartorial serendipity.

See the edited version of her photos here.

Much love, Mandy. xx

Trouville photo diary.

On reflecting my time in France last year over forgotten images, I chanced upon these snapshots that were taken in Trouville, an absolutely lovely sea shanty of a fishing village outside Paris. Neighbours with its slightly more pretentious sister town Deauville, one can completely lose the day to the authenticity of the simple village life where bright crimson roses spill over white picket fences and verdant hedges, and traipse along cobblestoned alleys where one Euro pastries and freshly trawled seafood await. 

The slow, languorous pace and the inherent beauty of a simpler life makes it a perfect escapade for the weary traveller ... and it's no wonder that even the canine residents bask indolently in the gentle afternoon sun ...

{P.S. You may have noticed the new blog layout thanks to the creative genius that is Leap Marketing and Design. Hope you love it as much as I do!}

Much love, Mandy. xx

Neon Mermaid.

(Dress - Justine Davies from A' L'amour A' L'amour boutique; heels - Tony Bianco 'Karissa')

Photos by the exquisite Tanya Constantino. <3 

Dusk. Apparently the hour when neon mermaids emerge from the sea and converge with the land. The serenity of these images seem a world away when we are currently experiencing a pluvial onslaught in south Queensland with a high vigilance for tornado warnings. Not that this particularly phases me - there is something incredibly soothing about waking up to the sound of the rain on the rooftop and cosying in tufts of soft blankets with a warm cup of tea ... 

Stay safe, my fellow Brisbane and Gold Coast readers! 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Wardrobe inspiration : the Australian edition.

Camilla & Marc dress // Ksubi sunglasses // Witchery shirt // Zimmermann bikini // Ksubi denim shorts // Mania Mania ring // Nicholas sandals

For my international readers who aren't aware, today is Australia day so I thought I would exert a little sartorial patriotism by compiling a post showcasing all my favourite Australian designers. I think it completely encapsulates the Australian aesthetic - undeniably chic, but nonchalantly so, with a pop of audacity to make things a little more vivacious.

Happy Australia day to my fellow Australians! I'm so proud to live in this incredible country. <3 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Brighton up.

(Top - ASOS; blazer - Glam Itself from Joy Hysteric; shorts - French Connection)

Today : woke up to an ashen grey sky and ominous clouds, the perfect backdrop for a cup of warm, milky tea in bed and a good book. My natural sartorial reaction to such conditions is to counteract the dreary hues with brighter shades so I thought it fitting to post these images taken a while ago when I was in Melbourne with the lovely Sonia from Daring Coco. Don’t the vibrant Brighton boxes make you giddy with glee? Thank you Sonia for bringing me here – I had so much fun chasing the sunset with you! <3

Apologies also for the lack of posts of late – I have just finished my first week as a doctor (!!!) in Emergency and am currently in a euphoric haze of feeling like the luckiest girl in the world...

Hope you all have the most exquisite weekend!

Much love, Mandy. xx 

Chic eats : Flute Food & Wine.

I adore stumbling upon places that are purveyors of whimsical food, where the loveliness of their menu is perhaps only exceeded by the generosity of the portions. Sumptuous breakfasts at Flute practically defined my entire summer in Brisbane - there is just no more transcendent means of starting the day than melliferous caramelised banana-filled pancakes with Persian fairy floss and serial mugs of gorgeously smooth soy lattes. 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Flute Fine Food

380 Cavendish Rd

Brisbane

QLD

Phone: 3324 0999

Palazzo {an unrequited love story}.

                               (Top - Talulah; palazzo pants - Rachel Rachel; necklace - gifted by Pree Brulee)

When I choose pieces for my wardrobe, I do have a natural predilection for those that suit my body shape (fun size with ample hips). Sometimes, however, I fall desperately in love with a trend...even despite the fact that the affections are not reciprocated.

Cue these palazzo pants. 

On the right body type (vertiginous and slender...), these pants are just exquisite with their high waist and side slits that lilt perfectly with the summer breeze. They will add shape to less voluptuous figures and conceal the Christmas pudding that may still be residing in one's thighs. But alas, they make me look positively porcine! I haven't decided how to deal with our dilemma but perhaps we will have a sartorial reconciliation with a little tailoring...

Photos by Love Yaz. <3 

Much love, Mandy. xx

{Recipe} : vanilla bean panna cotta with summer berry jelly and lychee granita.

Whilst I love an Australian summer, its heady melange of heat and humidity makes dessert options when entertaining a fairly meticulous task. I have been wanting to make this delightful confection of panna cotta, berry jelly, and lychee granita for quite some time since sampling a similar version at Little Truffle because its flavours are so seasonal and light on the palate. Moreover, I am a highly visual person and I love how its presentation evokes everything I love about summer - vibrant colours, fresh berries, and gorgeously dainty florals!

For the panna cotta, I used David Leibovitz's recipe (the half-and-half version); an absolutely obligatory recipe for any discerning dessert aficionado's repertoire. Once it set, I layered it with berry jelly and then embellished them with a lychee granita I made in advance as well as a pretty scattering of red currants and edible flowers (both of which I acquired at Ferry Rd Market, but should be found in any fine fruit purveyor). The combination of the granita with the creamy tones and gelatinous lucidity of the jelly is the perfect foil to a sweltering summer's day and I'm looking forward to experimenting with even more whimsical versions of this theme (think, coconut milk panna cotta and mango granita!).

Much love, Mandy. xx

Perfunctory.

(Jacket c/o Sheinside.com; camisole - Review; skirt - Zara; heels - Aldo)

In the sweltering heat of the Australian summer, the usually pleasurable experience of meticulously composing an outfit for the day's agenda becomes a laborious task when knowing that the moment you set foot out of the house, clothes are a mere social obligation rather than possessing any functional properties. This chiffon jacket, a gift from the lovely people at sheinside.com is perfect for adding nonchalance to an otherwise structured outfit as well as serving as a somewhat feeble attempt at sun protection!

Much love, Mandy. xx

To new beginnings.

Photo by Love Yaz. <3

There are some moments in one’s life where words seem like a complete injustice in describing the inherently wonderful things it evokes. That is how I feel about 2012. This was the year I fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a doctor (a step closer to my ultimate dream of becoming an eye surgeon), explored the world (Hong Kong, Paris, London, Boston, New York, Amsterdam, East Timor, Thailand), lived the most memorable moments (including studying at Harvard and being part of the East Timor Eye Program), and of course, saw my blog evolve in a way I could never imagine possible.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to each and every one of you, my beautiful readers, for your relentless support not only for my blog but for my personal endeavours too. There have been times when my blog had to be marginalised by my primary goals of finishing my medical degree but your beautiful, sweet words of encouragement have been an endless source of light in the murkier times. Thank you also to all of my incredible sponsors and collaborators who have not only provided me with creative inspiration but also instilled so much faith into me. You are all so dear to my heart. <3

Here is to hoping 2013 will be the most sparkling, beautiful, and lovely year for all of you yet! 

Wishing you all the most love, light, and happiness, Mandy. xx