Sylvy Earl - understated elegance in millinery

It was a few years through the Instagram-vine that I discovered Adelaide-based milliner Sylvy Earl, and her beautifully understated yet elegant style immediately caught my eye.  Every hat and headpiece that she designs is handmade by Sylvy in her beautiful studio behind a gorgeous blue door.  Her work has featured in Vogue Australia, Vogue Brides Australia and Elle Australia, as well as on the runway for Melbourne Fashion Festival and Adelaide Fashion Festival. But what most resonated with me is that her meticulously crafted creations combine element of fine detail, delicacy and simple lines that create hats and headpieces that are understated, and perfectly balanced.

As soon as a project called for some special millinery (watch this space), I immediately seized the opportunity to team with Sylvy, and got to visit her at her gorgeous studio, so I just had to share some quick snaps I took while I was there (which reminds me, I never shared the pictures I took when I visited Maison Michel's ateliers when I was in Paris years ago! Please remind me to do so):

When Sylvy asked me to look out for a blue door to find her studio, I didn't realise it'd be this gorgeous, how sweet is her studio front?

I interrupted Sylvy (who is oh-so-lovely and patient) who was busy preparing her orders that were going to David Jones shortly after.  What a treasure trove!

 
Left to right: Helix Crown (available at David Jones), Twisted Gold and Pearl Crown (available at Sylvy Earl), Pearl headband

 
This 'Oyster Draped Straw Hat' is so so beautiful! Not pictured is an oversized pearl in the fold of the hat, I have a better picture of the hat (sadly ruined by me under it, haha).
Hayley Frayed Straw hat in black

Both available at David Jones.

Wave Straw Hat in powder blue and pale pink - available at David Jones

 

'Orbit Mesh Headpiece' - 

available at David Jones

The talented and lovely Sylvy Earl

From top to bottom:

'Hayley Frayed Straw Hat' in Honey

'Orbit Mesh Headpiece'

'Baby Rose Vine' in black

'Baby Rose Vine' in Gold

Available at David Jones

Available at Sylvy Earl and David Jones

All images taken by me.

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Smile giveaway (make that a WonderSmile - with invisible aligners)!

Breaking my radio silence on my blog because I was genuinely beyond excited when @WonderSmile contacted me last week offering me the chance to giveaway a full #WonderSmile invisible (clear) aligner treatment to a lucky follower to have their smile straightened.  I immediately said yes, as I’m so happy with the results I have been getting so far (I am just over halfway through with my bottom teeth and have a little longer for my top teeth - and have wanted to straighten my teeth ever since I was a teenager) , and would love to share the love! What better gift is there than to receive a lifetime of confident smiles?  

I will be sharing more about WonderSmile when my treatment is finished, but in a nutshell, with WonderSmile, you straighten your teeth with invisible aligners, without braces (for a fraction of the price too) using orthodontist-designed custom clear aligners. 

So far, I am astounded as to how quick I see results, how there is only one visit to their office required (after a 3D scan using super cool technology they send you your whole treatment to your doorstep! Love that! As a mother of three*, this helps me immensely). The aligners truly are clear, most people I've spoken to about it didn't notice I was wearing them until I pointed them out.  I also thought the process would be painful, and it really hasn't been! You can see my experience thus far (which I will keep updating as I go) on the WonderSmile Highlights Stories on my Instagram Profile page. 

So, enough chatting, for a chance to WIN a full #WonderSmile invisible aligner treatment to straighten your smile (valued at $2390) you must do the following:

1. Follow @wondersmile & @brigadeirochoc (on Instagram)

2. Like this post on my Instagram

3. Tag 3 of your friends (or more for better chance of winning) and comment on why you want to transform your smile. 

Don’t need teeth straightening yourself? Tag or share with someone you know would love to!

WonderSmile have smile centres Australia-wide, see HERE.
 (sorry, this competition is open to Australian residents only). 

Winners will be chosen ‪in 9 days‬ from now (the competition started yesterday and I only thought of posting it here today, sorry!) so make sure to submit your entry before midnight 22nd ofJuly. 

Winners will be contacted directly by @wondersmile and will be announced on my Instagram stories. 

Best of luck to all who enter!

Music: "You're never fully dressed without a smile" by Harry Connick Jr.

*PS. Yes, sorry everyone! Between this post and the last I had a third lil' Brigs (Part of the reason I've been away - although definitely more active on Instagram)!!!

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A POP of colour

Looking back, I am surprised at the amount of colour that has creeped into my wardrobe in recent years...Bright yellows, plenty of red, even pink - I seem to have an affinity for colour after all, especially primary colours, which is a surprise to someone who at one time solely wore navy, grey and black.

Even though for the longest time my answer to 'what is your favourite colour' was 'navy', I realize that I have a slight obsession with red. I mean, how many people can say their wedding gown featured some bright red (and not in the form of a sash)?

One of my favourite way of adding a pop of red on a daily basis is with lipstick. I love a clean and minimal face worn with a bold red, especially a blue-red like Clinique's Lip Pop in 'Cherry Pop'.  Although I'd love to wear it as a bold lip, usually I end up patting it on with my third finger as a lipstain.  Maybe because after so many years of mostly wearing 'nudes', I feel a little shocked when I see full colour on my lips.  I particularly love Clinique's Lip Pop range because it is a primer + lipstick in one, and my lips are always in an embarrassingly dry state (seriously, I once popped by a Clinique counter, and the lovely SA was so horrified, she layered almost an entire tube of lip treatment on me, determined to restore my sorry lips to life - I have been trying to diligently use this lip treatment to avoid this scenario from occurring again).

Another way I love wearing my lipsticks is by layering them, especially after learning a trick from my favourite makeup artist Lisa Eldridge: patting on a bright-coloured lipstick (like Clinique's Cherry Pop), one that instantly makes you look brighter and livelier (and that perhaps you would normally save for evening), and then layer a favourite 'nude' over it (like Clinique's Mocha Pop).  This technique works especially well when the nude layer worn on top has a moisturizing formulation, so Clinique's Lip Pop is perfect for this.  The result? I 'bright nude' of sorts (or nude with oomph), some colour but still easy for day (although there isn't usually much of a difference between my day and night looks - except perhaps a few more layers of lipstick or mascara).

This way I have managed to incorporate more colour on my face, whilst staying within my more pared-back and 'easy' makeup look I feel most comfortable with.

What is your favourite lipstick? And what is your favourite way of wearing it?

Earrings: Céline, Chocolate: Sweet Stone,

Bag: Cult Gaia (available for pre-order at Moda Operandi, Need Supply, Bergdorf Goodman), Scarf: silk pocket square for GM2NY (this beautiful flamingo print silk scarf also comes in a gorgeous large size)

This post was written in collaboration with Clinique.
Thoughts and opinions are my own. 
 All images are my own also. 

Lipsticks in all images are from Clinique's Lip Pop range.

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Waltzing (or rather singing and dancing) Matilda - the Musical

I am finally back from back to back to back travel, and have some overdue posts for you! Apologies for going MIA again!

Firstly, I wanted to share with you my recent (and first ever!) trip to Perth, during which I had the privilege of watching the amazing Matilda The Musical, a  multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by the one and only Roald Dahl.  An international hit, it has won seven Olivier Awards in the UK and five Tony Awards on Broadway.

The musical is written by playwright Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin, and directed by Matthew Warchus.  It tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take stand and change her own destiny.

I won't spoil the story for you further other than to say that the music, sets, cast, ensemble, costume, singing, dancing everything, is just A M A Z I N G ! ! !  It is a definitely a must-see and I cannot wait to take lil' Brigs to see it (she LOVES singing and dancing, but has yet to watch a proper musical), there were emotional scenes and laughing out loud moments, which even Mr Brigs enjoyed immensely!

I also got the chance to go on stage the following day and also backstage to meet some of the cast, and as a huge fan of musicals, that was such an honour and treat!

The musical has since moved from Perth to Adelaide having just opened this weekend, and will run until 16th of July at the Adelaide Festival Theatre, with evening and matinee sessions as well.

I suggest you run to see this musical, don't walk!

You can book your tickets here.

 Bookworming my way backstage

 Making myself at home onstage...

 Swinging my way on stage...

Heartfelt, emotional and with plenty of funny moments, this show is for anyone and everyone!

 Having fun backstage on 'Mr Wormwood's scooter, complete with fluffy dice

Left: The costume uniforms with emblem taken directly from the illustrations of the original Matilda books written by Roald Dahl.

Right: On stage with Lucy Maunder who played Miss Honey the night of the performance I watched, stayed up with her 3 month old baby during the night, and was then about to go back on stage for two more sessions after this picture! I am in absolute awe, and take my hat off to her!

Images of Matilda the Musical from their official website, 

all other images are mine.

Thanks to JP Bolton for the incredible experience of going to Perth to see this show and going backstage.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Growing older, getting smarter...

Bag: Gucci mini Sylvie (at Gucci, Farfetch, Net-a-Porter, and MatchesFashion)

I recently realized that next year will be my 10 year blogaversary, which means in the almost 10 years since I first started my blog, a lot has changed in the last (almost) 10 years:  I have gotten married, had not one, but two children, gained a pound (or twenty), changed careers (more than once), it has been quite a ride, thanks to those who have been riding with me!

Last year I celebrated a milestone birthday, I won't tell you which one, but you can gather I am definitely not 21 (yeah, not even close, haha), ahem...moving on.  Thankfully (for me) I have never been one to panic about birthdays or getting older, I think it is because I see how young and sprightly my own mother is, and how neither of us really think of who we are in terms of how our age.  Age truly is just a number, really.

Having said that, there are areas that have started to think smarter about, about how to take better care of my body and myself:

Diet
I gave up eating two macarons for breakfast every morning when my daughter told me: "Mommy, when I grow up, I'm going to eat macarons for breakfast just like you". Eeps, talk about role model! I have tried choosing better fuel for my body, despite my love for food (I love healthy and unhealthy foods, I'm just trying to stay on the healthier side most of the time), not only because I then feel better (in the last few years my body has been increasingly telling me to eat better, as I certainly don't feel good when I eat too much refined sugars and such). And of course, being a role model to my children.  I am so diligent about teaching them good eating habits, I should follow what I preach, so that is what I'm trying to do now.

Exercise

Ok, I used to love exercising before I had children, and I know having children is not an excuse not to exercise.  But for the past 7+ years, I have not set foot in a gym, did 3 pilates sessions last year (and didn't follow through), and now my body is paying for it (and I don't even mean the many pounds I've gained), my back (and shoulder!) have finally said: enough is enough, and now I need to change my ways.  All those years of carrying kids with one arm, and bending over to take flatlay shots have not treated my body well, so I am determined to start moving again, and strengthening my back with pilates again.  I also want to start cycling regularly, I prefer incidental exercise as opposed to pounding a treadmill...

Skincare

I have been blessed somewhat in that I have never done much with my skin, and have gotten away with it.  My mom has nice skin and both my grandmothers did too.  In fact, my beloved maternal grandmother's favourite skincare product was simply Clinique's 'yellow moisturizer' (as I called it, now referring to its proper name: Dramatically Different Daily Moisturizer), which was a staple of hers for decades, proving that it is a bestseller for a reason.  In addition to using Clinique's 'yellow moisturizer' (DDDM) as part of my 3-step skincare regime I also love their 'Smart' serum and moisturizer (and treatment oil - not pictured below), because these products understand the particular needs of my skin, even before I even know what those needs may be.  It is a multitasker, whether you need to visibly erase wrinkles, even skin tone, firm or hydrate, it does it all, so I don't have to sit down and figure out the 1001 different products I need to use (it also anticipates a breakout before it happens - so smart!)

Tee: Uniqlo, Bag: Valentino (avail. at Farfetch and in black at Matches)

Fashion

Ok, this is one area I have never quite changed because of my age, and that is probably because I dress for whatever shape I am in, and not so much the age.  My love for wearing Mickey Mouse shirts and overalls has not changed, but I do find myself dressing for comfort more and more each days, even though I do love dressing up now and then.

What have you found yourself doing as you grow older, I mean, smarter? 

x

Post written in collaboration with Clinique Australia.

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Cooking (and eating) with Miele...hard job but someone has to do it

Those who know me, and/or have followed me here or on Instagram for a while, will know of my deep and serious love for food; some eat to live, I live to eat...

I recently had the pleasure of attending a 'Miele Kitchen Experience' complimentary pre-purchase class at Miele's Experience Centre, and boy, was it an eye-opener! Literally! My eyes were seriously as wide as teacups throughout the entire 90 minute cooking demonstration, as my mind was being blown away by how innovative their kitchen technology was! I am a long-time fan of Miele appliances myself, having previously bought a dishwasher (which is sadly now in my old house - I miss it dearly), and have just recently purchased their washing machine and dryer, which I both love. But...I never knew that kitchen appliances could be so amazing and technologically advanced.  Every Miele kitchen appliance and accessory (e.g. their pans, probes, etc.) has been to designed to help make things easier for the home cook: easier to use, easier to cook, easier to clean.

The 'Miele KitchenExperience Class' is primarily intended for those who are considering investing in a Miele kitchen or appliance, so they can see firsthand these innovative appliances in action, watching delicious dishes being cooked right in front of their eyes with said appliances.  I was one of 6 attending this class, which was both a relaxed and enjoyable experience.  The other 5 attendees were either renovating their kitchen or building a house, wanting to find out which appliances would best suit their needs.  Just like when you buy a car and take it for a test drive, when investing in kitchen appliances, it's important to experience what you will use everyday for most of your life.  This is an ingenious way of witnessing these appliances in action, rather than simply reading through brochures and listening to Sales Assistants (as helpful as they may be, nothing beats seeing things in action, right?).  The Miele Experience Centre also offers post-purchase (owner) demonstrations for when you have already purchased your appliance, and want to learn how to best use your shiny new toy.  This is something I promptly informed my mother-in-law, who recently refurbished her kitchen with Miele appliances, but was not aware of these demonstrations.

But onto my 'Miele Kitchen Experience':

Miele's Wall of Fame (sorry, I just coined that), but Miele's incredible range of built-in appliances, which includes a Steam Combination Oven with Moisture Plus (an oven that can burst steam onto whatever you are cooking, without having to open the door oven while it cooks!), a Speed Oven, a Pressure Cooker, Sous vide, and this Vacuum Sealing Drawer:

Miele's Vaccum Sealing drawer for their Sous vide appliance.

 Turning simple ingredients into something spectacular...

'Miele Home Economists' Daniel and Clare in action - have both previously worked in commercial kitchens and work full-time at Miele to share their expertise (even if not during a demonstration).

The best part of the cooking demonstration? Eating the food after it is cooked! Although this heirloom tomato salad may look relatively simple, the flavours were other-worldly, thanks to the Basil sugar syrup that was vacuum sealed in Miele's Vacuum Sealing Drawer and Sous Vide in Miele's Oven on Sous-vide setting, which was later vacuum sealed in Miele's Vacuum Sealing Drawer once more, this time with the green tomatoes, for maximum flavour.  The Sous vide method ensured he basil remained vibrant in colour and flavours are intensified into each little piece of green tomato.



Chive Japanese milk bread - cooked in the Steam Combination Oven with Moisture Plus function, with one burst of steam released during baking period without the oven having to be opened.

 The steam helps conduct the heat, giving it that beautifully golden brown crust...

The best thing about Miele oOvens is that they mostly don't even require pre-heating, as the ovens reach and maintain the required temperature very quickly, which is absolutely brilliant (I personally hate waiting for the oven to pre-heat)!

Shio koji chicken in the making - these amazing Miele Ovens not only have a touch screen, but can also save several settings for each favourite recipe you may have! It gives you instructions of each required step (e.g. insert wireless probe, etc.), and does all the controlling for you, amazing!

Shio koji chicken with summer vegetables cooked in Miele's Steam CombinationOven to perfection with the greens coming out a vibrant green, due to the air being expelled when the door closes before steaming...amazing! The chicken was cooked in a Steam Combination mode, which allows you to control the moisture (70% for this chicken), core temperature (70 degrees - with a wireless probe!) - yes, my jaw dropped with this one.

Blueberry and pecan galette baked in the oven with the 'Intensive Bake' setting for the ultimate pastry crust...

Served with crème fraîche whipped up by Miele's Culinary Experts by using the Steam Combination Oven! Is there anything they cannot do in this kitchen?

Miele collaborate with professional chefs like Shannon Bennett and Maggie Beer to create recipes, exclusive to Miele, and have over 1000 recipes on their website.  They even have cookbooks with recipes created especially for Miele appliances.   In his role as Miele ambassador, Shannon has trained a team of Miele Culinary Experts, sharing his cooking techniques, recipe suggestions and passion for quality. And it is this knowledge that is than shared with us attending the Miele Experience classes.

Thank you Miele for the eye-opening experience and for feeding me (thank you Daniel and Clare!).

This post is written in collaboration with Miele, thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

All images by me.


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A quick study in Geometry... Celine's Trapezoid Mules

More often than not, my love for fashion extends beyond the fact that it is simply clothing, shoes or accessories...On occasion I view of them as art...Whether it is a beautiful embroidery or embellished piece, a beautiful textile, or exquisite tailoring, fashion can be art...

Case in point: these Céline Trapezoid Mules, I could just stare at its lines and get lost in its geometry, isn't it a work of art?

Also love the simplicity of this square bracelet by Italian jewellery designer Caterina Zangrando, it can also double as a desk accessory, don't you think?

Also wearing Lemaire's latest range for Uniqlo's UniqloU range (which I absolutely LOVE! Might deserve its own blogpost, I think)

Top: Uniqlo, Pants: Uniqlo, Shoes: Celine (still available in a few sizes at Yoox Asia Pacific, Yoox UK/US currently 25% off! Run, don't walk!), Bracelet: Caterina Zangrando

Are you following me on Instagram? I post there daily if you want to follow me there.

T-shirt: Sincerely Jules (available on Shopbop, Nordstrom and Revolve)

Happy International Women's Day!

All images by me.

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