A New Range from Oroton

Introducing you to the new Lido woven patent collection from Oroton. It's a new release collection and it's available now.

On an impulse

We all do things on an impulse from time to time and for many women that translates to impulse shopping. On Saturday I went shopping for a few essentials (Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows on Bluray) and a new pair of ballet flats and instead bought this $250 Bless'ed are the Meek jacket from Live.

As much as I loved it, by the time I got home I was already suffering from buyers remorse. It was definitely stunning, but was it for me? Was I got to look like mutton dressed as lamb whenever I wore it or even worse, never actually wear it?

Of course, then I had to wear it immediately. So I spent Saturday night at a bar feeling very hot (and I don't mean in the sexy 'I am so hot' way but the 'I think my eyeballs are going to melt' kind of way). To my relief, I received no less than three compliments on the jacket.

So now I want to know, what impulse items have you bought lately? Did you regret the buy and decide to take it back or did it become the best purchase you'd ever made?

Guitars get Girly

Floral is quite big at the moment and you can dress up anything from your clothes to your bed, so why not your guitar? I had to share this super girly-girl guitar case by Lalé from Lark. This range is made in France and includes covers for everything from cushions and quilts to guitar cases all made from super girly vintage materials.

You can find the range at www.larkmade.com.au.

It's Bunny-licious

Looking for something different for the school holidays? Here is a fun project for the kids - baking their own Easter Bunny cake. This great cake is made using Wiltshire Little Chef Let’s Bake jigsaw cake moulds, you bake each piece separately and then put them together like a jigsaw puzzle. You can also get them in butterfly, car or dinosaur shapes.

The moulds are dishwasher, fridge, freezer, microwave and oven safe and I think they'd make a great gift. They are available now from David Jones and Myer ($19.95) and Big W ($16.95). 

Style Watch: Six Hot Trends

Now the cooler weather is finally here it is finally time to hit the shops. If you've been so busy wearing sundresses and shorts you've got no idea what's coming for the new season, don't worry! To make your shopping a little easier, we are sharing stylist Katrina Cinanni's top trend inspirations for autumn/winter. 

She's taken a practical budget-conscious shopper and picked her top trends from Centro Galleria's new winter fashion catalogue, so everything is available here in WA. There definitely something to suit every style from the bombshell to the career girl. Happy shopping!

The Bombshell 

The Mad Men inspired Bombshell collection shows off your feminine side. Old school glamour returns in the form of 50s inspired under garments, demure dresses, pencil skirts and femme fatale red lipstick. She’s the head turning, refined lady who epitomises old world, movie star glamour. 

Celebrity style: Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansen, Christina Hendrix and January Jones in Mad Man. 

Fragrance: Floral overtones with base notes of sandalwood and vanilla, Chanel #5. 

The Revolutionary 

Tough chic for tough chicks. Military inspired jackets are this season’s must have item. Khaki and army prints are big in pants, belts and shoes. Skinny cargos are giving leggings a run for their money. This girl is a force to be reckoned with and embraces life. Her clothes reflect her – they have purpose and an edge. 

Celebrity style: Angelina Jolie

Fragrance: Intense with base notes of musk and over tones of Jasmine, Hugo Boss Deep Red. 

The Career Girl 

Basic powerhouse dressing with tailored lines. The look is strong and bold, perfect for climbing the corporate ladder - this girl knows exactly where she’s heading. She’s professional, classy and stylish. 

Celebrity style: Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada or local girl Jessica Marais as Rachael Rafter in “Packed to the Rafters”. 

Fragrance: Oceanic, clean and modern smelling. Ralph Lauren Cool.

The Party Girl 

The Party Girl knows fashion should be fun. The look is leggy and long, with sky-high heels, opaque stockings and cheeky minis. This look is full of charisma, playfulness and of course sexy. 

Celebrity style: Blake Lively.

Fragrance: Britney Spears, Fantasy.

 The Action Woman 

The latest trends in sportswear. From the gym attire to trekking, camping to roller-skating looks! 

Celebrity style: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston. 

Fragrance: Fruits with Citrus undertones, Happy by Clinique.

The Bohemian 

Relaxed layers with accents of leather and lace, vests and accessories. Creative and artistic layered outfits, her clothes reflect the layers of her life and mixing looks from all eras. 

Celebrity style: Sienna Miller, Nicole Ritchie. 

Fragrance: Exotic with musk and cedar undertones, Shalimar by Guerlain.



Model: Pippa Hood, Stylist: Katrina Cinanni, Hair & Make up: Bobby Bujisic

Buys for Baby: Animal Prints

Isn't this baby bed linen the cutest? I especially love that this range is available in everything from quilts and sheets to wall stickers so with very little effort you can give your nursery an all in one theme. If animal print isn't your thing, this collection also comes in pink butterfly or blue car prints.

If you are keen to check it out this Little Chipipi range it is available from Funky Kids. Product pricing: quilt $129.95, cot bumper $119.95, 3 piece cot sheet set $139.95, cushion $39.95 and wall stickers $84.95.

When Good Muffins Turn Bad

Since I started my own business last year, one of my priorities was to find more time to cook. Not only did I want to start enjoying cooking more and try new things, but I also wanted to ensure our meals are as healthy as possible.

I am pleased to say I have had some great successes. I have managed to develop some great recipes for old favourites into healthy nutritious meals (think lasagna, fried rice, curries, etc), but this post is actually about my first spectacular failure.

Last Thursday I baked muffins. I made them from fresh apples, oats and wholemeal flour and the first one fresh from the oven was heaven. Unfortunately the next day I took a bite and was horrified to see my muffins had developed strange green spots consistently spread throughout.

While my husband was at work munching away wondering why I was trying to hide spinach in baked goods now (he wouldn’t put it past me), I hit the internet. Relieved I discovered my mistake, that extra scoop of LSA I added for healthy goodness (linseed, sunflower and almond ground) wasn’t a great idea as sunflower seeds and baking soda react together and turn green. Luckily though, still perfectly safe to eat.

Roll forward a few more days when opening the lid of the container the muffins were lovingly placed in resulting in an extremely unpleasant smell – imagine if you will the odour of socks worn non-stop for a week. Delightful. Pulling apart a muffin I discovered almost a stringy soapy consistency. It appears baking powder and baking soda aren’t the same thing so substituting soda for powder in the recipe – not such a great idea.

Oh well, we live and learn. Hopefully my next attempt will be better and my husband and I will both live to tell the tale. If not, at least I will have plenty more opportunities to entertain my readers with!

Win Tickets: Mars Needs Moms

Thought parental discipline was a skill with little demand? Apparently it is a precious commodity - on Mars. I know we have a lot of mums on WA Style so we're bringing you all the chance to win a little 'keep the kids occupied' time during the Easter holidays with tickets to Mars Needs Moms.

We have five family in-season passes (tickets for four people that you can use almost anytime/anywhere) to  give away. Entries will close on April 12. To enter just hit comment and tell us why Mars needs you! The most creative answers will win. 

Here's the lowdown on Mars Needs Moms:

Take out the trash, eat your broccoli – who needs mums, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mum (Joan Cusack) when she’s zapped away by Martians! For these butt-ugly aliens, parental discipline is the most sought-after power in the universe. 

New Range: Just Jeans Maternity

Being pregnant is hard enough without struggling to find stylish clothes that fit. I think it's great that this season Just Jeans has released a range of maternity jeans. The jeans come in three different styles and five different colours and are low ride so they sit comfortably under your belly.

Luxe to Less: Laptop Cases

A great way to add a bit of style to your business day is with an edgy laptop case that says something about your personality. Here are a few great cases do you get your imagination going. The images above are from Net-a-Porter and are as follows from right to left: Alexander McQueen skull print (£213), Vivienne Westwood derby tartan (£123), Burberry embossed patent leather (£226) and Marc by Marc Jacobs jumble-embossed neoprene (£38).

The laptop cases pictured below are - believe it or not - from Jay Jays and are quirky affordable options although more suitable for less corporate professions.