5 Lovely Things {Pretty Fluffy}

Hi lovelies! Today, sharing her 5 Lovely Things is Serena, from one of my favourite blogs, Pretty Fluffy. Serena and I instantly bonded over our love of our 4-legged friends, and I always love visiting her blog as I know I'm guaranteed to leave with a big smile on my face, given she writes about my 2 of my favourite topics: pretty things + adorable dogs!

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{one} Sparkle. You have to have something in your life that makes you sparkle - your Joi de vivre. For me, it’s pretty things, fluffy dogs and writing – the 3 things I combined when I created Pretty Fluffy. Without the sparkle, I get worn out, so I try to bring a bit of it into my life on a daily basis. I also don’t mind the odd bit of sparkle in my wardrobe as well!

{two} Sweet Treats. Whether it’s home made cupcakes, decadent desserts or those ridiculously oversized hot fudge brownie sundaes in Gold Class cinemas, as soon as I see a sweet treat I’m smitten. This could explain why I can barely cook a hot meal to save my life, yet I somehow know the Magnolia Bakery Red Velvet Cupcake recipe by heart.

{three} My Dog. My Border Collie, Soda, has been by my side for nearly 11 years now. She’s seen me through my entire adult life - relationships, careers, highs and lows – and still manages to make me smile every day. She’s my inspiration and my best friend rolled into one.

{four} Stella McCartney. For me Stella represents the best in cruelty free beauty and fashion. I love that so many brands like her have embraced animal friendly design and style. I wear the Stella Nude Fragrance nearly every day.

{five} My Cheersquad. For so many years of my life I was fiercely independent. But in the last 5 years or so, I’ve really learned to embrace the beautiful people in my life. My husband is my rock – he believes in me more than I sometimes believe in myself. My friends (in real life and online) inspire me on a daily basis. I love how each and every one of them is so unique and enjoy watching them live their lives to the fullest. You can do it on your own, but having people that love you by your side makes things so much sweeter.

Thank you so much for having me today, Rachel xx

***

Thank you Serena! How adorable is her pup Soda? Make sure you hop on over to Serena's blog to discover more pretty fluffy goodness!


Rachel xo

Recipe :: Organic/Vegan Carrot Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting

Hi lovelies! I've been meaning to post the recipe I mentioned here about the raw and super-healthy (!)  carrot cupcakes, so here it is - enjoy!

Prep time: 20 mins

Makes: about 12

Ingredients

Cakes:

1.5 cups Carrot pulp (from juiced carrots)

1/2 cup Almond meal (I used almond pulp leftover from almond milk I made)

1/3 cup Coconut flour

1/3 cup  Walnuts

1/2 cup  Raisins 

3  Medjool dates (I added these for extra flavour)

1-2 tbsp Coconut oil (I added this to the recipe as it needed some moisture. Add more if you think it needs it)

1 tsp Lemon zest

1 tbsp Dessicated coconut (I added this to bind and improve the consistency)

1 tsp Stevia powder

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Vanilla bean powder

Lemon frosting:

1/4 cup  Cashews

1/3 cup Lemon juice

2.5 tbsp  Coconut oil, melted

1 tbsp Agave syrup (I used rice bran syrup instead as it does not contain fructose)

1/2 tsp Stevia powder

Preparation

Cakes:

Add all the ingredients in a bowl and massage together to belnd. Shape into 1-2 tbsp sized balls and lightly press into fairy cake moulds (or cupcake patty papers). Set in the fridge until ready to frost.

Lemon frosting:

In a small blender (I used a Magic Bullet), process the cashews into a flour. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend for a few seconds. The frosting should have the consistency of yoghurt. Using a teaspoon, spoon the frosting over the top of each cake and smooth over the sides with a spoon. Decorate each cake with a walnut or leftover raisins. Place in the fridge until ready to eat.

Rachel xo

In my beauty bag

Hello lovelies, its good to be back! Last week was crazy with my day-job, but I'm hoping this week will be a little less so!

A couple of weeks back, I asked if you would be interested in finding out what was in my beauty bag, and the resounding response was "yes" so today I thought I'd give you a little peek.

All of these products I use on daily basis, with a few of them being products I have used for years (I tend to get fixated on certain products + brands). More recently I have tried to incorporate organic products, or products that have mostly natural ingredients in them, into my routine. I don't subscribe to having to spend a lot on good skincare, I rather think its more about what kind of ingredients the products contain; + pretty packaging also helps!

Anyway here goes…

{1} Grown's Rose Absolute Toner :: I'm loving Grown's products right now and their refreshing toner is exactly that - it smells lovely + is very gentle on the skin.

{2} Kiehl's Creme de Corps :: I've used this on and off for years and despite me trying loads of different moisturisers, I keep coming back to this one for the simple reason that it makes my skin feel so silky smooth + supple.

{3} Ole Heinrikson walnut complexion scrub :: I have oily/combination skin which is prone to break-outs so I love having a good scrub that makes my skin feel really clean afterwards; highly recommend!

{4} Antipodes Vanilla Pod day cream :: this is a New Zealand brand that I have recently discovered, with all of their products being organic. The day cream is incredibly hydrating and the vanilla smells so good!

{5} Dermalogica Multi Vitamin Power Firm :: this eye cream is a little gem - so rich and hydrating, it glides on the eye area so smoothly.

{6} Grown's Geranium Leaf cleanser :: another Grown product that is a recent new favourite, having switched over from using Dermalogica's Special Cleansing gel. I was apprehensive at first, after having used a few organic cleansers none of which I was happy with, but this one is a great cleanser that not only gets all traces of make up off, it's all natural too.

{7} Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant :: this is one of the products I have been using for years; it has made its way to many top beauty product lists and I have to agree, it is fabulous! I use it everyday after cleansing and it makes my skin feel so squeaky clean + refreshed.

{8} Trilogy CoQ10 booster serum :: I actually bought this when the product I normally buy (Rosehip Oil) was unavailable. This also contains Rosehip oil, along with other good stuff, but at double the price, I don't think its worth it + will be buying the Rosehip Oil next time.

So now tell me, what are your best beauty recommendations + products you can't live without?

Rachel xo 

Life lately through the instagr.am lens...

Hi lovelies, I hope you all had a brilliant weekend! I thought I'd share a bit of life lately according to {instagr.am} to give you a peek of what I've been up to...

{one} I spent most of yesterday working, but I'm loving my workspace and fresh roses sitting on my desk always make me smile.


{two} My go-to salad right now is a mix of baby spinach, blanched asparagus, cherry tomatoes + grilled haloumi + topped with balsamic dressing - so yummy!

{three} I bought a Tocca candle for the first time a couple of weeks ago and oh my goodness, it smells amazing. My favourite candles are the ones where the scent lingers in the air long after it has been put out and the Tocca Brigitte does exactly that!


{four} My sister, who is very much into raw + organic food lately, baked these yummy carrot cupcakes for us on Saturday night - these are not only raw + organic, but also sugar free + yes, they tasted delicious!

{five} I'm loving my new striped JCrew blazer + have been wearing it a lot recently, its' so comfy + I always love wearing stripes.


{six} A few glossies on my reading pile at the moment: Madison, O Magazine + Real Living.




I hope you're week is off to a wonderful start!


Rachel xo

happy weekend + lovely links

Happy weekend friends! Another week has flown by + leading us closer to winter here in Oz. The days are starting to get shorter + I've noticed the temperatures subtly starting to become cooler. I'm looking forward to seeing my sister over the weekend + have loads of work to do on the product I'm launching in a couple of weeks. Things will be a bit quiet on the blog next week as its starting to get a bit crazy on the work front. It's all very exciting though + I can't wait to share the new site I've been working on with you! 

Here are my favourite lovely picks this week....

* The Sydney home of Sally Campbell featured on the Design Files.


* A lovely way to organise + store spices.


* 16 things you can learn from Mad Men.


* Helpful ways to overcome blogger's block.


* A charming cottage with a lovely white + duck egg blue palette; styled by Shannon Fricke.


And in case you missed it....


* Currently Coveting {navy}


* I shared my Monday Inspirations over at The Peak of Tres Chic.


* Sam shared her 5 Lovely Things.

* The minimalistic workspace of Rachel Duister.

* I loved this  gorgeous editorial featuring Olivia Palermo for Lifestyle Mirror.




Have a wonderful weekend!


Rachel xo




Image credit: Unknown, please let me know if you know the original source!

Olivia Palermo for Lifestyle Mirror

Its no secret that I love Olivia Palermo + her fabulous sense of style, so I couldn't help but post about this shoot she did for LifeStyle Mirror with her beau, Johannes Huebl. The wildly decadant scenes were shot in Paris at the Le Meurice Hotel in between the shows during Fashion Week and feature the couple wearing perfectly accessorised attire, looking nothing short of amazing...

Olivia leads a crazy, but utterly glamorous life that is so much fun to peer through the lens of, don't you think?


Rachel xo




Image credits: Photographs by Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello. Directed by Robert Rabensteiner for Lifestyle Mirror. Discovered via Dreams + Jeans.

Wednesday Workspace {minimalistic}

I made the lovely discovery of newly the redesigned studio of Rachel Duister, founder of the shop Fashionology, today. I adore the industrial feel of her minimalistic workspace that still manages to have loads of personality. How fun is the swing she has set up for guests as a seat?

Happy hump day friends!

Rachel xo

Image credit: I Love Fashion News via Desire to Inspire.

5 lovely things {the peak of tres chic}

Hello lovelies! I'm thrilled to introduce you to Sam from The Peak of Tres Chic, who is sharing her 5 Lovely Things today! Sam's blog is always an inspiring read + I love her Boudoir of the Day series where she features the most glamorous bedrooms - do stop by + say hello!

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Bonjour, Little Bits of Lovely readers!  It's Sam, editor of The Peak of Tres Chic.  I am thrilled to be here posting on Rachel's blog.  She has the best taste and I can't help but love that she is an Aussie- just like my boyfriend!  There are so many things in life that inspire me, so choosing just 5 is quite a challenge.  But here is my best attempt...

1 | 2 | 3 |4 | 5

{one} Travel -- Travel is such an important part of my life and the woman I have become.  I was fortunate enough to travel internationally with my family growing up.  Seeing the world has helped broaden my perspective and generally made me a more passionate person.  

{two} Music -- Music is a large part of my life as well.  I love discovering new bands and going to concerts and music festivals.  It's amazing how a particular song can remind you of a time in your life, a person, or an event.  There is such strong emotion tied to music.

{three} Fresh Blooms -- Nothing brightens up my day like flowers.  I like to pick up a fresh bouquet for my kitchen once a week.  It gives life to my whole house!  Although I do not have a backyard or a space for a garden at my current home, I would love to have a little garden some day!

{four} / {five} Pretty Shelves + Vanities -- Well-designed shelves and vanities are one of my favorite elements in a home.  It can be hard to combine just the right amount of color, texture, and shape to make them look pretty rather than disorganized or busy.  I also love that they can provide a vignette that tells a story about the decorator.  Often times there are framed pictures, trinkets picked up along vacations or discovered at flea markets.

I hope you enjoyed my 5 lovely things!  Rachel, thank you so much for having me over. I hope you will stop by the The Peak of Tres Chic and say "Hi!"

currently coveting {navy} + a guest post

Slightly preppy, but very chic, navy is a colour I can't get enough of recently.

Perhaps its the change of season and the prospect of cooler months ahead, but I have been obsessing over everything navy lately. High on my wish list for the season are these gorgeous  ballet flats + I have just bought the classic schoolboy blazer which I'm looking forward to arriving.

Here are a few favourite navy picks...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

I'm also guest posting today over at Sam's gorgeous blog, The Peak of Tres Chic, so pop on over to see my Monday morning inspiration!

Hope you're week is off to a fabulous start,

Rachel xo

Image credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

happy weekend + lovely links

Happy weekend friends! I've been super busy in my day job this week as the project I've been working on for the past 6 months is nearing launch so it is a mad rush to finish it - I know this weekend will involve lots of latte's! I'll hopefully squeeze in time to catch up on your lovely blogs + a some long runs with Charlie to keep myself sane...

Here are my lovely picks this week...


* Nicole reveals the incredible bachelor pad she designed.


* I loved this Mad Men-editorial for US Vogue, styled by Grace Coddington. (discovered via Helen)


* Kinfolk Magazine collaborated with Etsy to create the loveliest video recipe on homemade pesto.


* Leighton Meester looks gorgeous in her editorial + cover for Marie Claire.


* Beautiful interior shots of a photographer's home.


I have also just ordered one of these lovely cushions from a new Australian Etsy store I discovered + I can't wait for it to arrive!


Do you have any exciting plans? Wishing you a wonderful weekend,


Rachel xo




Image credits: Penny Pickard, shot by Steven Chee for Fashion Quarterly New Zealand. Via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Love her style :: Emily Weiss, Into The Gloss

I've been a big fan of beauty blog Into The Gloss for a while now; I'm a bit of a beauty fiend myself and have a bathroom stacked full of products, so I always find it fascinating to get an insight into other people's beauty routines. 


It wasn't until recently, when I noticed one of Emily's street style pics on Vanessa Jackman's blog, that I had seen the woman behind Into The Gloss, but what a lovely discovery it was as her style is a perfect take on classic with an edgy twist, and so very chic. 


Here are a few of my favourite looks...

Are you a fan of Emily's signature style?

P.S Would you be interested in a peek inside my beauty bag? I've been thinking about doing a post on it for a while, but was kinda apprehensive given I don't ever write about beauty stuff...


Only one more day until the weekend. Thank goodness. 


Rachel xo


Image credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Wednesday Workspace {colourful + cozy vintage}

This colourful workspace caught my eye today and I'm loving how the gorgeous vintage pieces have been used to create such a warm + cozy space. The key focal points of the room - the yellow chair, the industrial-style pendant light + the subway sign art - really make the room visually pop... And I do love the effect those fabulous lime-wash floors have. 


What are you loving about this cozy little space?


Hope you're having a brilliant Wednesday,


Rachel xo




Image via: 79 Ideas

Tuesday inspiration :: Life's a beautiful thing

Images: 1 | 2 | 3

Side by side :: Black + White

Happy Monday lovelies! I had a great weekend and got a chance to catch up on my glossy reading, which included the latest issue of Lonny. I was thrilled to see that two of the homes featured a black and white palette - but that was where the similarities ended, as they had each been decorated in completely opposing styles: the first a Malibu beach house and the second a chic NY apartment...


First up was the cape-cod style beach house, owned by designer and boutique owner, Tobi Tobin who has decorated her home beautifully with a mix of modern furniture and antiques + vintage finds... I would be impossible not to feel uplifted + inspired waking up and staring at that incredible view every day...

The second home was that of Laura + Diego Garcia, who successfully managed to fuse together modern elegance with an edgy flair. The result is a very glam + rock-chic apartment which complements both of their individual styles perfectly...

So, there you have it: two opposing styles both using the same colour palette; do you have a favourite?


Check out the rest of the issue here.


Happy Monday friends!


Rachel xo




Image credits: March/April Lonny Mag

{happy weekend + lovely links}

Happy weekend friends! I had to share the lovely pics of Lauren Conrad's closet, as featured over at The Coveteur. I'm having a major crush over her beautiful Louis-style love seat; how charming is it?


:: Here are my favourite picks this week ::


* Make your shoes into a lovely decorative display.


* Love this pretty pink chalkboard idea.


* 3 budget-friendly home makeover ideas


* The charming house tour of Anthology Magazine's copy editor, Kate Woodrow.


* 11 ways to uncomplicate your life.


* Online glossy reading: a new look Ivy + Piper & Matchbook  


:: And in case you missed it ::


* Spotted Style


* A guest post:: Sydney City Guide


* Ada popped in to share her 5 Lovely Things


* Bright + happy workspace


 * Taylor Tomasi Hill's colourful New York apartment.


Thank you for stopping by this week; I wish you a wonderful weekend ahead!


Rachel xo






All images: The Coveteur

Taylor Tomasi Hill's New York Apartment

Taylor Tomasi Hill, Moda Operandi's artistic director + former accessories director for US Marie Claire, has the kind of apartment that I could only dream about: it's in New York to start with, but then there is the fabulous use of colour, maximised to breathe life into the all-white walls; plus the decorative mix of quirky vintage pieces. 


But what makes me love Taylor's unique style is her design philosophy that she describes as "a little bit of everything...sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but that's what makes it fun". Yep, I have to agree, the fun part about decorating is experimenting and discovering your own style...

Is that shoe collection not amazing? What are you loving about Taylor's apartment?




Rachel xo




Images via: Vogue