Meet Me At Ruby's

Megan & Luke Engagement Shoot

2009-11-30T05:09:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share with you the engagement photo shoot I did for Megan and Luke on the weekend.

Enjoy!

My Engagement Party

2009-11-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

Daniel and I celebrated our engagement/birthdays a week ago with a 50s themed party.

It was a lot of fun. Most guests dressed up in 50s attire. We had karaoke, old movies playing on TV screens. We had the party catered and had gourmet retro diner food: chilli fries, mini hamburgers, mini hot dogs, ribs, southern fried chicken, etc. Mum also had her backyard decked out and dressed by staging people. It was amazing.

Here are some pictures from the night taken by our wonderful friend, Nadine.

Ivanka Trump Wedding

2009-10-27T22:36:00.000-07:00

Ivanka Trump is a personal inspiration for me. She's a gorgeous, articulate, smart and a savvy business woman. I'm crazy about her.

Congratulations to Ivanka for her wedding on Sunday to Jared Kushner.

Doesn't she look amazing?!

Pics from here

Amy Benjamin Photography

2009-10-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't been around much. I've been so busy getting together my photography website and teaching makeup classes and doing uni work and running businesses and planning my wedding.... *takes a deep, relaxing breath*

I wanted to share with you some photos I took at Summer's little girl's 1st birthday. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone.

Mum's Birthday

2009-09-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some pics with you that I'd taken at my Mum's birthday earlier this year.

I threw a party for her at my house. Coincidentally, her birthday also fell on Easter Sunday. I felt so honoured to be cooking for the family on Easter, normally this is Mum's or Grandma's domain!

From memory I served:

Champagne with guava juice and raspberries
Potato pancakes with smoked salmon, guacamole, capers, rocket
Roasted vegetable frittata
Asparagus tarts
Turkish Delight cupcakes with rosewater icing
Chestnut puree cupcakes with chocolate glaze

Hope you like.

Bakerella- Wedding Favour Idea

2009-08-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Check out Bakerella's adorable cowgirl cookie jar gift idea. I thought it would make a great wedding favour or party gift.

Go to her website for all the details on how to make these and for a downloadable pdf for the sticker labels.

A++ to Bakerella for this one!

Pics via Bakerella

Dita Von Teese

2009-08-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

I had the extraordinary good fortune of seeing Dita Von Teese perform at the Crazy Horse in Paris on Valentine's Day this year..... a good fortune.... aaaaand it cost a small fortune too! (I'm still paying it off!)

Daniel and I left our Paris apartment near Pont Neuf in the Latin Quarter to make our way to dinner in the early evening. It was about 5 degrees celsius, but I couldn't go past red lipstick, a 50s style floral skirt, back-seam fishnets and peep-toe heels. We struggled to find a taxi so headed toward the club via the Metro.

We had booked dinner and show tickets. We had champagne, pumpkin and pancetta soup and asian fusion fish for dinner, rose water and chocolate mousse for dessert. We then made our way across the road for the show. We were seated with two other couples in this tiny booth in the packed Crazy Horse with a bottle of champagne between Daniel and I. We sat impatiently and waited for the show to begin.

There was an interesting mix of people there that night- some fetish enthusiasts, goths, vintage clad twenty somethings, lots of men yet mainly women. The Crazy Horse was everything a burlesque bar should be- red, plush, seedy, quaint. The dancers were stunningly beautiful, the staging perfect. And then Dita...

She was exquisite. She moved like a pinup. She stripped for us and yet concealed herself from us. The epitome of "teese". She did 4 numbers throughout the show and was greeted with woots and cheers from mainly the ladies in the audience.

After the show we walked across the Seine and found a taxi. In my baby French I directed him to the apartment. When we got upstairs, Daniel and I got ready for bed, hopped in and snacked on Laduree macaroons before falling asleep infront of the tv, snuggling.

What an amazing night.

Andy Bull

2009-08-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

A very very very talented.... (and might I add GORGEOUS).... friend of mine, Andy Bull, has just released his first record, We're Too Young. If you love him, please support him by buying his album or a song from iTunes or from his website.

Oh, and if you're wondering why he looks familiar, he was one of this year's Cleo Bachelor of the Year contestants, and has been featured in Harpers Bazaar as well.

Etsy- Tush Tush

2009-08-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

I just bought these gorgeous paintings from Etsy store Tush Tush. I can't wait to receive them.

More wedding inspiration

2009-08-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

I'm desperately seeking a photographer in Sydney with an aesthetic like this. I like the day shots from one photographer, but not their night shots, or someone takes good still life shots and horrible people shots.... argh! I'm seriously considering flying in a photographer from overseas!

Anyhoo.... enough of my little rant... here is a wonderfully gorgeous photoshoot by Lisa Lefkowitz for Brides Northern California. For the full list of vendor details see below.

Pics via Ritzy Bee Blog
Vendor details via Style Me Pretty

Wedding Inspiration

2009-08-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

I had a lightbulb moment watching this video for Miss Dior Cherie.

Sarah Blasko

2009-08-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

My fave album purchase this year.

Sarah Blasko's, As Day Follows Night, is dreamy, ethereal yet skilled and solid. I have nothing but respect for this artist. My favourite song is Down on Love and We Won't Run.

90s Beauty

2009-08-14T05:30:00.000-07:00

I love the matte makeup looks of the 90s. Porcelain skin, dramatic smokey eyes, nude lips. So elegant.

I love the classics.

Josh Goleman

2009-08-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

You have to check out the beautiful photography and cinematography of Josh Goleman.

I was so taken by two weddings that he had photographed, for Adam + Hali (in a post below) and the wedding of Ed + Ginny.

Watch this video he put together for Ed + Ginny. It's beautiful.

This is a very special wedding.

Photos via OnceWed
Video via Josh Goleman's blog

Wheels and Dollbaby!!!

2009-08-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

Wheels and Dollbaby have just launched their new website.... and it's about time!!!

Go and check out their beautiful wearable pinup/retro styled clothes.

Love love love!

Let Them Eat Cake

2009-08-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

There are few movies that are a huge inspiration to me stylistically. One of them being Sofia Coppola's, Marie Antoinette.

I love the colour palette for the whole film, the clothes, the shoes, the Laduree cakes! I've seen this film a million times and I'm not about to stop!

Above are some images that add to the Marie Antoinette theme.

Images via Vi.sualize.us

Beautiful brunettes

2009-08-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

A little eye candy for your Monday.

Do parties get prettier than this?

2009-08-07T18:58:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across a beautiful pink party for Sharnel's little girl, of My Life- My Loves blog.

I love the consistency of the colour palette, Amy Atlas inspired dessert buffet, Martha Stewart-esque pom poms and the beautiful photography of Leanne Stamatellos.

A+ for your stunning work, Sharnel!

Photos via My Life-My Loves Blog.

I'm ENGAGED!!!!

2009-08-03T16:57:00.001-07:00

What more can I say than I'm GETTING MARRIED!!!!

My beautiful man, Daniel, and I have been together for 6 years today and it couldn't be a more special day.

Lisa Mitchell- Coin Laundry

2009-07-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

Lisa Mitchell is the cat's meow!

If you aren't familiar with Lisa, she was an Australian Idol contestant back in 2006. She's releasing her new album, Wonder, in a couple of days. Here is a glimpse of what's to come. If you can't wait, you can buy this single on iTunes now.

She's adorable. Love the clip.

*Noice.... different (ala Kath & Kim)*

Faire Frou Frou

2009-07-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

‘I love it when you can go about your daily business with the knowledge that you have a little secret of your own on underneath. Lingerie shouldn’t be something you just put on for your lover; you should do it for you. It’s not about seducing men, it’s about embracing womanhood.’

-Dita Von Teese

I found this beautiful online lingerie shop, Faire Frou Frou, over the weekend and am in love! Some of the pieces can be expensive, some reasonable and some cheap. I am looking for a couple of undergarments to complete a Showgirl/Burlesque costume I'm piecing together for a photoshoot. Above are a few of the pieces that have me swooning today.

Pics from Faire Frou Frou

More Etsy Purchases...

2009-07-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

I am just wild about Etsy. It's soooo much more trustworthy than Ebay and you're supporting small business.

Here are some of my latest purchases.

Corset from Labelle Fairy
Headband from The Bungalow
Popcorn Bags from HeyYoYo
Paris Gift Tags from Petite Paperie Shoppe
Romper from Maisy Brown Repro Retro

The BEST wedding prize goes to...

2009-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is the vintage carnival themed wedding of Adam and Halli (photography by the fantabulous Josh Goleman). I'm so glad I stumbled upon these photos.

I'll let the images speak for themselves. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

For credits for their wedding details click here.

Images by Josh Goleman via Once Wed.

A little crazy!

2009-07-14T08:00:00.001-07:00

There's a lot going on at the moment.... I'm helping Mum move house, it's end of financial year, started a new photography class, refreshing my French before semester 2, fixing old Ask Me Makeup videos...

Today, I'm all about embracing the craziness.

Photos via The Selby.com

Woot for Tahnee!

2009-07-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited that Tahnee Atkinson has won Australia's Next Top Model.

I love her athletic body, her beautiful face and that uber fierce catwalk strut.

Fingers crossed for Tahnee's future.

It ain't easy being green...

2009-07-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Today, I love green.

P.S. I have no idea where I got these pics from. My sincerest apologies to anyone who owns them.

Ugly Sundays

2009-07-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

The beast.... the Ugly Sunday.

I have a terrible habit of making no effort on myself on a Sunday. Take today for instance, I sit on the couch wearing an old t-shirt with house pants I wouldn't dare wear outside. My hair is in a terribly messy bun atop my head... in fact I don't think I've done it since getting out of bed. I have a niggling feeling of needing to clean the bedroom and bleach the bathroom. And the strong sense that I should do more than just sit on the couch and make something of my day.

It's because of Ugly Sundays that new diets are promised for Mondays, and goals are set for the week. For years I have fought the Ugly Sunday and yet find myself lounging with it every weekend.

(You win this weekend, Ugly Sunday. But watch out.)

Picture via Vi.sualize.us

New photoshoots

2009-06-27T05:28:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share some pics with you of a couple of photoshoots I have done this week. I'll upload them soon to my photography website.

Have a wonderful weekend.

The last time I saw Paris

2009-06-23T16:23:00.000-07:00

It's days like this that I want to escape to Paris.

I'd wake up and get myself ready for the day. I'd wear a cherry dress and espadrilles, my hair would have a wave to it. It would be effortless. I'd take my journal and have breakfast at Deux Magots. I'd write poems, I'd draw, I'd absorb the energy of all the great minds that had sat there before me. I'd then walk down Boulevard Saint Germain and up to Rue Du Bac, make my way to Rue Bonaparte and eventually find Laduree. There, in my best rehearsed French, I'd order 20 macaroons. They would be handed to me in a beautiful box that I'd be too afraid to open.

I would then walk along the back streets of the Latin Quarter taking photos. I'd see beautiful produce, well placed shop displays, interesting smiles. I'd stop for late lunch somewhere along the Seine and have tuna nicoise salad. I'd read Anais Nin, hilight my favourite phrases, think about writing.

I'd make my way back to my apartment, baguette in arm, for an afternoon nap. As I'd fall asleep, there'd be the lull of French I barely understand on the streets, and the faint sound of a gypsy band making their way to the metro.

I'd awake as it turned dark find myself at Vanguarde for dinner. I'd be ushered to my table by cheeky waiters who'd make small talk as they offered me a drink. I'd have an onion soup starter, pear and duck for main and chestnut puree for dessert. I'd be content.

After a slow stroll back to my home, I'd make myself a cup of tea and take delight in openning the Laduree box. I'd open the french doors onto my balcony and perch with guitar, tea and macaroons in hand. I'd sing to Paris, to anyone who'd want to hear. I'd sing everything I knew and I'd end with the slow songs. I'd say goodnight to my city, and fall into bed, cuddled by crisp white sheets and a fluffy doona.

I can only dream of Paris.

Photography by me

Snap Snap

2009-06-22T02:40:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a photography class at the moment and was given an assignment 2 weeks ago. We have to take a series of pics based on themes like shadows, reflections, patterns, repetition, colour, etc.

Here are some of the pics I've taken playing around for this project.

Bake it Pretty

2009-06-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered Bake It Pretty, an online baking supplies store. Ooohhh... I love it all!

I'm doing a pin-up photoshoot soon and was looking for some retro popcorn boxes and stumbled across these guys. All their products are retro and cute and fairly cheap. I bought a whole lot of cupcake liners and boxes and tags and cost me much less than it would in a store in Sydney.

They also have a blog with beautiful inspirational pictures of their work.

I'm so happy I've found these guys!

How to apply bronzer

2009-06-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've uploaded, again, these two pages from a previous Frou Frou magazine on how to apply bronzer.

I've been mentioning around the place to go lightly with bronzer and being asked how to apply it, so here are my tips.

The important thing to remember about bronzer is when used as a blush, it can make the cheeks look dirty and muddy, especially if it doesn't have a sheen to it.

Just click on the images above and you'll see the larger readable file.

Pinup Costumes... Ooh La La

2009-06-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I love vintage pinup art! Love love love.

I am planning on doing some new pinup photoshoots with my Ask Me Makeup models soon and spent most of last night scouting around for costumes.

So... here are some great ideas for all you pinups out there, including my Vintage Pinup Girl Makeup tutorial.

My video! at Askmemakeup.com
Brilliant pinup photography at 666 Photography
Sailor and cupcake costumes from Pinup Girl Clothing
Bell hop/cigarette girl hat from Etsy store Topsy Turvy Designs

2009-06-13T04:39:00.000-07:00

In this issue of Frou Frou Magazine:

Meet Summer's baby girl, Madison Rose, in a Mother and Baby special
Teen beauty masterclass
How to cheaply organise and store your makeup
How to turn your bedroom into a boudoir
Inspirational interview with young successful business woman, Catherine Smibert
And more pages of fashion, beauty, lifestyle online finds

Hope you enjoy this issue as much as I have had preparing it for you.

Click here to go straight to Frou Frou Magazine

Man's Space

2009-06-11T02:02:00.000-07:00

The only room left to decorate in my house is my partner's space.

I wanted to do an English men's club style room for him. I am looking to buy an old armchair in auction to cover in a vintage flag. And I think I'll paint his room in navy blue.

Here are some pictures I've been collecting.

Images from top:
Chair from David Met Nicole
Photo via Girl Meets Glamour
Ben Sherman store photos via Ben Sherman
Marquee Light from Urban Outfitters

You don't need the Wheels to make me your Dollbaby

2009-06-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

One of my top 5 Australian labels has to be Wheels and Dollbaby.

For my birthday a couple of years ago, Mum took me in for a little splurge. I was having a fancy dress party and was told by the fancy dress hire people that someone of "my size" could only wear a caftan or mu-mu (spelling?). I had been sick with 2 bouts of tonsilitis and gastro for a few weeks so was feeling terrible about myself. Then God shone a light on Wheels and Dollbaby...

A Wheels and Dollbaby dress instantly makes you feel sexy (it also helps that in the change rooms are a beautiful pair of Louboutin shoes to try with your dress). You stand tall in their dresses. You love your curves where other clothes have made you wish for liposuction. You feel like a WOMAN in the clothes.

These dresses are keepers.

Images via Wheels And Dollbaby

Etsy... Etsy... Etsy

2009-06-09T05:56:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the latest things I have purchased from Etsy.

Etsy Stores:
Apron from The Domestic Dame
Petticoats from Pure Vintage Clothing
Hair pieces from Baroque And Roll

Donna Hay General Store

2009-06-08T23:40:00.000-07:00

I went to the Donna Hay General Store on the way home to buy some cupcake making things, and much to my surprise Donna Hay was in the store!!!

I am a huge fan of Donna Hay. I particularly like her styling work. She has a beautiful eye for detail.

I was too excited and too shy to bring myself to say hello to her. Next time I will!

I have bought some beautiful things from the store over the last couple of months. I have bought a whole lot of the egg cups you see above with the beanies, bamboo cocktail food sticks, wooden plates and cutlery, pop-up placemats, cupcake papers..... *continues to list things*

Images via Bondville

Let Them Eat Cake

2009-06-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

There really is nothing like homemade cakes and sweets.

Being gluten-free (can't have most grains like wheat, barley, etc), making my own sweets came out of necessity more than a hobby. Slowly over the last 10 years, I've gone from not being able to make a packet cake to ONLY baking my own from scratch.

I collect sweets recipe books like shoes. Above are some pics of my fave books.

Books:
Top- Cupcakes: A Fine Selection of Sweet Treats - Murdoch Books
Middle- The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook
Bottom- Frankie Magazine Afternoon Tea

Also... for your Queen's Birthday

2009-06-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

I made these last weekend after watching the Masterchef Masterclass.

I used my usual pancake recipe, did the caramelised apples as they demonstrate and added some honeycomb icecream. The apples cut through the sweetness so beautifully.

I heart Masterchef!!!

Joyeux Anniversaire

2009-06-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

Long weekends should be made of this.

Happy Queens Birthday long weekend.

Photos via Vi.sualize.us

A little late...

2009-06-07T06:53:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you know I'm going to be a couple of days late with the magazine.

I've spent the weekend bed... well couch... ridden.

If I can get it up any earlier, I will!

Photo via Flickr. Click here.

La Maison

2009-06-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

I have spent a large part of the last 6 months slowly decorating my home.

I love colour, pattern, texture... I must be surrounded by it, but at the same time I go through favourite colours like a pair of shoes. So deciding how I'd decorate my home became a long and hard decision to make. I read endless blogs, bought all the home magazines that were available, googled any inspirational snippet I'd seen on tv... so you can understand how difficult it was for me to decide on one particular look.

I am inspired by Paris. I love the way the French can make something opulent, elegant and at the same time sleek and neat. I had found the Catherine Martin wallpaper for Porters Paints and fell in love. I was going to go for a lighter colour theme but Mum convinced me to go for the black and cream and I'm so glad she did.

Anyway, here are some pics of my tiny home! I hope you like it.

New life, new site, new blog

2009-06-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

There's something about new starts that I'm addicted to.

I am the kind of person who likes to start fresh on a Monday- diet starts on Monday, new goals on Monday, procrastinate to a Monday.

I like to start writing on crisp new sheets of paper. I like to start new idea scrapbooks with new projects.

I've been away a little while (which I write about in the next issue of my mag) and have come back with renewed vision for Ask Me Makeup and my career.

So I've started a new blog.

As I am a bag of tricks, this blog will be about all the things that inspire me. It will be about fashion and makeup, about interior inspirations, about photographic inspirations, lifestyle inspirations... I want this blog to be a journal of the things that catch my eye, that I dream about, that I ponder on.

And in doing so, I hope I can be a good read for anyone who stumbles across this blog.

I would love to hear what you have all been up to and what new starts you've had.

Image via vi.sualize.us