Those Valentino Shoes

Yes, those studded Valentino heels and flats. I've been dreaming about them for the past year and I still want them. I think I prefer the kitten heel version with the 3 tier straps in black, nude or the nude and black version together.

Photos via Pinterest, Heart & Bleecker, Google Images and They All Hate Us

Lamington Trifle for Australia Day

Happy Australia Day! What better way to celebrate Australia Day then an Australian themed dessert. This trifle definitely fits the bill. It won't take you long to make and tastes great. I didn't make the lamingtons from scratch. I have seen some great recipes around so I'll have to try that next time. 

Recipe from Georgina Kaveney via Iron Chef Shellie

Ingredients

2 tablespoons icing sugar, sifted

1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped

2 x 120g punnets blueberries, strawberries or raspberries (I went with strawberries and blueberries as I couldn't find any raspberries)

6 lamington fingers, cut into 2cm cubes

Quick Chocolate Mousse

1 cup (250g) mascarpone cheese

1/2 cup (125ml) thickened cream

1/4 cup (25g) good quality cocoa-powder, sifted

1/4 cup (35g) icing sugar, sifted

1 tablespoon Cointreau (optional)

Method

1. To make the mousse, stir all the ingredients in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and stir until smooth.

  

2. Gently crush sugar, mint and berries with a fork. You can serve it in separate portions or you can serve it in a large bowl like I did. Add the lamington pieces to the bowl and top it with the berry mixture and mousse.

Peter Pilotto

Peter Pilotto has really caught my attention. The Austrian designer born designer Peter Pilotto and his partner Christopher de Vos started the label in 2007. Their clothing, the prints, the shapes are like works of art. Definitely one to watch. 

Photos via Peter Pilotto Facebook Page

Paris Part Three: St Germain Markets and French Food Adventures

Oh St Germain. Oh what I would give to be a Parisan living in St Germain. One thing I enjoyed checking out is the food markets there. They are located near the Odeon metro station in the 6th arrondissement. I wish we had time for a picnic with all the great produce. We managed to purchase some raspberries. They were magnificent (insert French accent, preferably that of Garance Doré haha).

Some of our food adventures in Paris

The Laduree on the Champ Elysees was being renovated. Oh the heart break. That had a pop up store there instead.

Eclair Ispahan with chaux pastry, rose flavoured creme, raspberries and rose petals. Amazing. Can't wait until the Sydney stores starts to sell the pastries  This was heaven. My husband chose it and I didn't think it would be anything special.  

I have been told this is the best gelato in France. Loved it. 

Mr Crepe man wasn't impressed with the use of my camera. If there was one I loved in Paris, it was a simple crepe with cheese. Nothing else but cheese. The perfect French breakfast. 

Our time in Paris brought a bit of an obsession with French onion soup and steak with French fries. 

Drinks at a French pub while watching the Euro cup finals

Yes the coffee throughout Europe is a world of contrast to the coffee in Australia. I still managed to enjoy it. Check out that froth. 

I can't wait to go back to Paris. I could just go back there for the food and I would be one happy lady.