Wahey! We've got one more week until Spring; which means no more coats, no more layers and best of all: no cold toilet seats! Bring on the heat. Still, I'm going to miss the quiet romance of winter, cosying up to your significant other and braving the bitter wind... Hope everyone makes the best of their week :-)
Double-breasted coat: Sisley Leather leggings: Sportsgirl Boots with silver hardware: Zara Tweed bag: Portmans Earrings: Colette Rings: St Kilda Market Follow me on Instagram: @paintingrachelred for more updates. I've always thought that the whole hype around turning 21 was a crock of bullshit; until, well, I turned 21.
Perhaps it's not the case for you - I don't know, but I can speak for myself when I say that things were a little different this year, and I'm not sure why. For starters, I started thinking more sensibly. My parents actually told me to pick a gift for my 21st, and I ummed and ahhed about it for a couple of months and eventually gave up. Normally, I would've jumped at the chance to pick something -- oh, and I'd pick something really good.... *wink* -- but this year, there just wasn't anything that I wanted. I was really mostly happy that I got to spend time with my parents, while they were in Melbourne, and to just enjoy each other's company. Turning 21 wasn't so much of a personal milestone as it was a testament of how blessed I've been to have such loving parents, and that's all I wanted from the day itself, I guess. I still haven't picked a gift yet, and frankly I'm not sure if I ever will - I haven't found a bag out there or a pair of shoes that fills me with the kind of contentment that being with family brings, and I'm just at this point where I don't feel like I need anything more. I feel like I'm in a really good place right now, and I just kind of want to let it sink in a bit. I've always managed my finances reasonably well, but this year I wanted more: I wanted to find out about investments - how to invest, what to invest in, and maybe getting a basic understanding of how to become financially independent. Financial independence is such an important issue, and yet it's an issue that still isn't addressed enough to women. Most women's idea of financial stability is to pray they'll marry a man who can manage these things and hope for the best. But that's just not enough - not for a woman, in this day and age. So where does one learn these things?! Is it time to pick up a copy of Personal Finance for Dummies? Are there any other women out there who feel the same? Let's share resources, if you know of any. Perhaps it's not so much the age itself, of being 21, as it is the knowledge that I'll soon be growing up, and getting a job, where I will be expected to get my shit together and act like an adult. So here I stand: not quite a girl, and not yet a woman...on the cusp of adulthood; and guess what? I am so excited for all that's to come. xx Follow me on Instagram: @paintingrachelred for more updates. Hiya all :-) Thought I would share some pictures from my 21st birthday luncheon at NSHRY, a beautiful restaurant by the bayfront, near Albert Park. My parents and extended family flew into Melbourne to celebrate this milestone with me, and we got together with a few of my friends as a resounding "Whoop!" to my newfound adulthood. So, we settled on the ultra cool NSHRY (pronounced 'Noshery') with a killer ambience and a view to match. It stands resolute, a glasshouse by the seaside; fusing modern Australian fare with Japanese influences -- think Umami burgers, fluffy omelettes with shiitake mushrooms and lightly cooked in truffle oil....mmm. Here's what it looked like: Check out these tempura-battered fish and chips, lightly sprinkled with seaweed, sesame and wasabi flakes (above). And some spicy buffalo wings! Chorizo slices, with gooey gruyere cheese, spicy cassoulet, topped with a poached egg and served with a chilli sourdough. Oh, and here comes the baked eggs, but with a twist - it included teriyaki eel slices, along with smoked rainbow trout in creme fraiche gravy. Yum. Here I am, ripping into the gift Eve and Jan got me :-) Thanks for all the parcels and gifts, guys. I really, really appreciate it. Follow me on Instagram: @paintingrachelred for more updates.
Keen for cake? Head up north to Miss Marmalade, one of Brunswick's most charming little establishments. With a wide array of delectable treats on display, choosing just one to sink your teeth into might prove to be a bit of a challenge. I visited with my friend Rebecca to catch up before we delved back into the school grind, and we were hoping to try their main menu but arrived slightly after their kitchen had already closed. Damn. But cakes are as good a consolation as it gets, so I'm not complaining. Guess that gives me an excuse to visit again next time! ;-) Carrot cakes are my Kryptonite. They're so underrated, in my opinion -- forget the fancier cakes; the ones that boast complicated pairings...a good carrot cake is like the typical girl-next-door. One that's actually a total babe, which you only realise after seeing her at the prom. She's wholesome, homely and a motherflippin' classic. What's not to like? The Miss Marmalade crew have nailed this recipe. The frosting was perfect - not too sweet, and not too oily. I like my cakes moist and dense, and this was just that. As for the chocolate earl grey cake, it was smooth, rich and incredibly well balanced - the earl grey flavour was just right, subtle without being overpowered by the cocoa. The coffee here is reasonably good - not quite as robust as I would have liked, but it complimented the food and allowed the cakes to take centre stage. Good, friendly service, wonderful value and a huge piece o'cake (which was a meal in itself, trust me) at Miss Marmalade: so, SO worth the trip down to the 'burbs. Get on it, folks! Miss Marmalade 126 Union St Brunswick, VIC 3056 Tel: 03 9388 8202 Follow me on Instagram: @ieatheartsxo for more updates.
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