Rose gold manicure...

Rose gold is gorgeous. I've always loved it, but until recent times the only rose gold options were generally of the 9 or 18ct variety. Imagine my happiness when every second brand started producing rose gold costume jewellery and various other accessories!

Recently I decided to extend the look to my nails...

I have so many polishes though that I can't justify buying new ones, so it was time to improvise. I was actually really happy with the results!

The first two coats were Sally Hansen "Pennies for Heaven - 679", which is a nice high shimmer copper/bronze. By itself this isn't a bad polish and wears well for a metallic (which usually chip on me terribly). 

Next, a coat of Revlon's "Sparkling - 261" which is a mid pink glitter. 

The best part is that it wore perfectly for a full week without chipping or wearing away. As with any kind of glitter mani though, the "fun" part is getting the damned stuff off ;)

Unite in White...

May 1st is the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation's ("OCRF") White Shirt Day. We are encouraged to wear a white shirt to raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer. They have also partnered with Australian fashion brand Witchery and since 2011 they have released a range of white shirts for this campaign. From the sale of these shirts, 100% of gross proceeds are donated to the OCRF to fund research.

From the OCRF website:

Ultimately the Foundation's goal is to ensure that an early detection test becomes as readily available and habitual as a pap smear or breast mammography in every woman's regular medical.

As there is currently no early detection test, women are usually diagnosed in the late stages of the disease - when the cancer has spread to other organs in the body. 

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are generally vague and may not be obvious, but the following may occur:

• Vague abdominal pain or pressure

• Feeling of abdominal fullness, gas, nausea, indigestion different to your normal sensations

• Sudden abdominal swelling, weight gain or bloating

• Persistent changes in bowel or bladder patterns

• Low backache or cramps

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Pain during intercourse

• Unexplained weight loss

The majority of women who experience these early symptoms do not have cancer. However, it is important that you seek medical advice if the symptoms persist.

Although there are risk factors, 95% of all ovarian cancer occurs in women without these risk factors and many women who have risk factors do not develop ovarian cancer. So there really is no way of predicting who may be at risk. 

If you have ovaries... you are at risk. 

If you have ovaries and/or have loved ones who do, this is an issue that needs your attention and support. 

This year, I chose a gorgeous off white lace shirt with a collar and cuffs from the Witchery collection... 

Lace and pearls just always seems right to me, and my old Chanel pearls always seem right with everything. 

If you would like to purchase a shirt from the collection, they can be viewed here http://www.witchery.com.au/her/OCRF-white-shirts 

Our office also held a little fundraiser of sorts to raise some much needed cash for the OCRF. You don't need to buy a Witchery shirt to contribute to this Foundation. You can donate cold, hard cash and wear whatever tickles your fancy. Just visit this link: 

https://secure4.everydayhero.com.au/event/ocrfdonate/donate

I write this hoping that in the next few years the research has achieved its aim and this day is used purely to remind women to go and have their early detection test!

Instant Karma...

I used to be an early adopter. Then I reached "a certain age". So I've only just discovered Instagram! I'm not very imaginative, so my username is lilianharlow.

I now have about 1,000 photos of interior design ideas (and plain old inspiration and admiration) saved and will probably never buy a home decorating magazine again. It's a veritable treasure trove.

It's also wonderful to see regular updates and photos from some of my favourite bloggers.

Unfortunately I fear it's just another avenue for me to prove what a poor photographer I am, but it's still fun! Below are a few of my recent Instagram photos (trying out various filters too, sorry).

One of my favourite necklaces (a cheapie from Sussan from many moons ago) and matching green nails. The colour is more emerald in real life and less Kermit. This photo makes my hand looks frighteningly large (and pudgy). 

I love breaking out my scarves as the weather cools down. Worn with my fav Samantha Wills earrings (a special wedding gift from my niece). 

Loving the autumn prints such as this one from Sportscraft. Another bargain Sussan necklace. 

I've had these Nine West heels for years, and they are the perfect colour combo for most of my autumn wardrobe (and comfy to boot!). 

I love a little colour for the office. 

I don't own a lot of rose gold, but this necklace is a favourite. 

Melbourne's Royal Arcade. 

Cold weather = comfort food. Yum. 

This was an improvised dinner. Ricotta, smoked salmon, capers, dill, leek, white wine and gnocci. Absolutely delicious, but incredibly ugly! 

A token shot from a recent AFL (football) game. My MIL and husband are avid supporters of the Richmond Football Team (whose flag is featured). 

I'd never watched a game until I met my husband, now I sit there with the masses in my little striped scarf and try to clap at the appropriate moments. It's actually quite a lot of fun. My family find it endlessly amusing to think of me going to the football and wearing the regalia. 

True story: I went to my first football game 7 years ago when I met my husband. I joined him and his parents at the game after work. I was wearing head to toe Alannah Hill (think sequined lacy cardigan, plaid skirt with bows, pink frou-frou and silk trimmed coat, dark pink high heels, patterned tights) and carrying a large pink ruffled umbrella and toting a pale pink lambskin Chanel. I garnered a lot of strange looks as I walked into the stadium, but none so strange as those that greeted me when I reached my future husband and in-laws.

I further embarrassed myself when I asked how long the game would go for. When I was told we'd be there for almost 3 hours I asked if there would be an intermission. I think the three of them laughed for about 5 minutes solid. Apparently to call it intermission and not "quarter time" or "half time" was hilarious. I am still teased about this and to this day when we go to the theatre my husband insists on calling the break "half time". 

I bet they never imagined I would become a part of their family *laughs*. I have since adapted to the dress code (somewhat) and the nomenclature. 

Lamb shanks...

Today marked the end of Daylight Saving here... which means that winter is nigh. I love this fact on so many levels. I decided to cook one of our favourite winter recipes to herald the arrival of cooler autumn evenings.

A few years ago my sister bought me a lovely pink cast iron casserole dish, which prompted me to start looking for suitable recipes. The first I tried was lamb shanks and my Boy was so pleased that I tried a variety of recipes and this is our favourite.

First I choose some nice Frenched lamb shanks, season them with salt and pepper and brown them off thoroughly in the pot with a little oil. 

Then I mix the following in a jug: 

- Juice and zest of 2 lemons

- 10 whole garlic cloves (skinned)

- Fresh rosemary (4-5 sprigs, leaves only)

- Fresh thyme (4-5 sprigs)

- 1.5 cups of chicken stock 

- Salt & pepper 

I add this to the pot and stir to cover the shanks.... 

Pop the lid on and cook in a 160c oven for 1.5 hours. I turn the shanks once in the middle of this time. 

I then partially steam a giant bunch of green beans, add them to the pot and remove the lid to cook for a final 30 mins

. 

The end result is delicious (if I do say so myself) and is a nice fresh variance on some of the really rich and heavy shanks recipes out there. My husband has his with a big ol' dollop of mashed potatoes. I usually try to stick to the beans myself, but I'd be divorced if I skipped them entirely.

Do you have a favoured lamb shanks recipe? I'm always keen to try more during the winter months!

The long, long weekend...

At the moment I feel as though my life is only lived on Saturdays and Sundays... with Monday to Friday being a blur of stress and exhaustion and not much else. I really need to find a way to balance my longer work days and demands with some semblance of a happy life. Organisation and preparation is only doing so much right now, but I'm working on it.

Last week I opted to take my first day of annual leave since starting my new job, to turn the Easter long weekend into a 5 day festival of BLISS. My husband and I escaped after work on Wednesday and drove to my parents house for a long weekend of family fun.

It felt like a mini Christmas break and it really did so much to restore my body, mind and soul. Cuddling babies and spending time with your loved ones will do that - as will extended sleep ins HALLELUJAH!

We enjoyed quality time with my parents, as well as a couple of wonderful family gatherings at my sister's property. It's always been wonderful getting our family together, but now that my nieces and nephews have little kids of their own (I have 7 great nieces and nephews, with an 8th lil great niece due in June!)... it's really magical. I wish I could share their cuteness with you.

We also had a lovely morning at a little farmer's market and enjoyed breakfast and bought delicious local produce. I enjoyed lots of cooking and baking. Of course, I didn't capture any photos of this... so you'll just have to trust me!

There's nothing like time with your family to make everything feel "ok" again. And to put everything into perspective. For me, as we drive back to the city and our current reality... it also makes me wonder if we're really making the best use of our time and energy at this point in our lives. I did come home feeling refreshed, but probably with more questions than answers. 

I hope you all had a wonderful break as well (even if it is a distant memory now). 

March Madness...

Actually, thus far it's just plain old 2013 Madness. 

Life has been so busy lately. I feel as though today is the first day I've had to simply sit quietly on the couch and catch up on my favourite blogs for months! That's one good thing about a long absence... there is so much content to enjoy. It's a veritable feast of wonderful news (particularly in the baby department), amazing stories, beautiful outfits and general goodness. 

Unfortunately I don't think there will be much of the above from this lil blog for a while. My role has me working 12-14 hour days as though it's just the fun thing to do. I think not. Our weekends have also been frantic, with more guests than I can even accurately remember. That can of course be lots of fun, but it can also be completely exhausting. 

Fortunately Melbourne's heat wave appears to be over and today is cool and gloomy and I couldn't be happier. Although we don't have the house to ourselves (my husband has a colleague from the USA staying with us for the next week), I'm choosing to take some quiet time for myself and recharge. Then I think we'll head out and have a nice cosy lunch somewhere. 

It may be random, but I have to share this gorgeous little echidna with you. I saw him waddling alongside my sister's driveway in the country recently and jumped out of the car to meet him! I love these little guys. 

I hope that life is treating you sweetly and I hope to resume normal programming (in terms of both living my life and sharing it on the blog with you) soon! 

And the award goes to...

Thanks to the wonders of random generators, one gorgeous little customised diary will soon be on its way to our winner...

MISSY WOO

Congratulations! I hope that you have a wonderful time creating your very own customised diary.

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition! I wish that I had one of these for every one of you. Unfortunately I don't. But Personal Planner did offer me one of these for myself. I've been so excited about creating mine, but then I read Miss T's comment/entry saying that she would love one to give to her Nanna. It's no secret how much I adored my late Nanna and this particular entry tugged my heartstrings. So we have a random winner and I've decided that we now also have a not-so-random winner...

MISS T 

Personal Planner will be emailing your $45 vouchers to you both at the email addresses you used to enter. I've also emailed you at these addresses, so if you haven't received my emails please contact me to ensure that I have your correct details.

Thank you also to David of Personal Planner who so kindly offered me the opportunity to host this competition. But most of all, thank you to everyone who has ever taken a moment out of their day to stop by my little old blog!