March Fashions 2011

I loved the pictures from the main shoot in last month's Australia Vogue. Vibrant colours complimented the Bondi backdrop, with Abbey Lee taking centre stage.


Chanel's Autumn 2010 show turned into a winter wonderland. Yeti's, mittens and 'chiseled pieces of ice' bags.

Bakerella

Easter is fast approaching, and while most of us will prepare to spend some quality time with family, Easter is also a time to indulge in some sweet treats. For something a little different from a traditional Easter egg, why not give an Easter cupcake.

I really do like cupcakes. And I really do like extra cute cupcakes.

A perfect combo of icing, chocolate and visual sweetness.

www.bakerella.com

Chocolate Cupcakes

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 eggs, room temperature
1 1/4 c milk, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare cupcake pans with 36 baking cups.
With a wire whisk, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
In a mixer, cream sugar and butter.
Add eggs one at a time, scraping down sides with each addition. Add vanilla.
Add flour mixture to the creamed butter in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions. (flour, milk, flour, milk, flour)
Bake for about 15 minutes or until done.
Cool and frost with green icing, lollies and easter chocolates.

For a different take all together, try these:

XOXO a little hot gossip

There isn't much to not love about Gossip Girl. Teens played by ridiculously perfect-looking actors, oozing with all American strength, sprinkled with steamy sex appeal and lots and lots of drama.

a UK gem

www.asos.com

Affordable fashions that are always on trend. ASOS also produces an online magazine, complementing their available fashions.

From the words of Nigella; What it feels to be 'A Domestic Goddess'

The trouble with much modern cooking is not that the food it produces isn’t good, but that the mood it induces in the cook is one of skin-of-the-teeth efficiency, all briskness and little pleasure. Sometimes that's the best we can manage, but at other times we don’t want to feel like a post-modern, post-feminist, overstretched woman but, rather, a domestic goddess, trailing nutmeggy fumes of baking pie in our languorous wake.

So what I’m talking about is not being a domestic goddess exactly, but feeling like one. One of the reasons making cakes is satisfying is that the effort required is so much less than the gratitude conferred. Everyone seems to think it's hard to make a cake (and no need to disillusion them), but it doesn’t take more than 25 minutes to make and bake a tray of muffins or a sponge layer cake, and the returns are high: you feel disproportionately good about yourself afterwards.

This is what baking, what all of this book, is about: feeling good, wafting along in the warm, sweet-smelling air, unwinding, no longer being entirely an office creature; and that’s exactly what I mean when I talk about ‘comfort cooking’.

Part of it too is about a fond, if ironic, dream: the unexpressed ‘I’ that is a cross between Sophia Loren and Debbie Reynolds in pink cashmere cardigan and fetching gingham pinny, a weekend alter-ego winning adoring glances and endless approbation from anyone who has the good fortune to eat in her kitchen.

The good thing is, we don’t have to get ourselves up in Little Lady drag and we don’t have to renounce the world and enter into a life of domestic drudgery. But we can bake a little - and a cake is just a cake, far easier than getting the timing right for even the most artlessly casual of midweek dinner parties.

This isn’t a dream; what’s more, it isn’t even a nightmare.

- Nigella Lawson

Love Lady Gaga

MAC Viva Glam Lipstick

Lady Gaga has joined forces with Cyndi Lauper to fight against AIDS and HIV through emphasising safe and smart seduction.

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Can you say Cupcake? Cookies and cream variety....

For those bakerellas, whip them up yourself:

Cupcake:
2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 1/2 c white sugar
200 grams of butter
2 eggs
1/4 cup of milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
12 Oreo cookies

Icing:
1/2 pound of butter
1 cup of Icing sugar
Milk/Water to adjust consistency
cookies and cream sprinkles (if you can find them!)
6 Oreo cookies

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Line 21 cupcake tins with cute patty pans, or use a silicon cupcake tin; I have one in heart shapes. Take 12 Oreo cookies and break into chunks. Combine flour, baking powder, and sugar. Whisk together. Add milk, butter and vanilla extract. Mix on medium high for 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs. Fold in Oreo cookie chunks. Fill the prepared 21 cupcake tins. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

Whizz up the butter and icing sugar, gradually adding milk or water to make the icing easier to spread. Crush the remaining cookies and cookie cream. Ice cupcakes when they are cool, and sprinkle of the cookies and cream sprinkles.

A spectacular concoction of cookie and cupcake, delighting with every bite. The rich cookies chunks are gooey surprises in every little cake.

Judith Wright

I remember reading Judith Wright's poems when I was in primary school. Borrowing her books of Australian poetry from the local library, my mother encouraged me to read Judith's works and I am glad I did. Growing up in the same towns as I have, in Brisbane and Sydney, Judith really got Australian values. Her connection to the land and its' people was intertwined through her writing. She tackled issues of Ingigenous people and early settlers and beautifully wrote of the unique Australian flora and fauna. Learning Australian history and how our country became the Australia we know today was made all the more real by reading Judith's poems. Judith became an ambassador for the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island, and she was involved with Aboriginal land rights.

Judith's infinitely strong character produced equally powerful poems, and her passion for Australia and its conservation was an inspiration to me and many others.

My favourite is Woman to Man.



Woman to Man

The eyeless labourer in the night,
the selfless, shapeless seed I hold,
builds for its resurrection day---
silent and swift and deep from sight
foresees the unimagined light.

This is no child with a child's face;
this has no name to name it by;
yet you and I have known it well.
This is our hunter and our chase,
the third who lay in our embrace.

This is the strength that your arm knows,
the arc of flesh that is my breast,
the precise crystals of our eyes.
This is the blood's wild tree that grows
the intricate and folded rose.

This is the maker and the made;
this is the question and reply;
the blind head butting at the dark,
the blaze of light along the blade.
Oh hold me, for I am afraid.

By Judith Wright

Chanel, Cheap or Chic?

While anything branded with a designer name can instantly become a chic fashion creation, some items are up for question, think clogs, which are attempting a resurgence. Fake transfer tattoos are most likely reserved for fancy dress occasions, or for 12 year old rebels. Despite tattoo transfer's absence from the fashion world, Chanel has released a line of faux tattoos as part of their Spring 2010 line. Already in high demand, Chanel seem to have taken cheap to chic.

Body art and accessories is not a new concept in fashion, and elaborate make-up and embellishments feature in runway shows and international campaigns. However, how does this translate to the real world? For those obsessed with fashion's elite, branding your body with luxury labels is not unheard of, in fact, some have permanent versions. Really. One voguer commented that she is so consumed by Chanel, she would probably wear the tattoo on her forehead. For those who flirt with the idea of getting a tattoo, perhaps this is the chic solution. Well, it is Chanel. And it is removable. And Lara Bingle wore them.

Oh wait.

I Love Japan

Japanese culture is beyond fascinating, and their devotion to the glitzy world of advertising, bright lights and all things crazy is alluring. Many companies are recognising the potential for product success in a society craving constant innovation and spectacular creativity. Understanding the traditional aspects of their culture is an important key in capturing the demanding Japanese market.

Nestle has conquered one of the most competitive markets in Japan, snack foods. Visiting a convenience store in Japan is a breath-taking experience, lustrious packaging, inventive and umimaginable foods and endless choices can mind-boggle any who enter. Yet Nestle's faithful chocolate bar the Kit-Kat has a dedicated aisle. Away from the fridge of over 30 different flavoured coffee drinks, and behind the section of Pringles, available in winter barbecue and garlic flavours, Kit-Kat tempts with bright and cute packages. Upon a closer look, visitors will meet Kit-Kat in a stunning array of flavours, from soy sauce and sweet corn, to salty caramel and blood-orange, Kit Kat has something for everyone. Or something for someone rather doubtful.

Over a decade, Nestle has produced more than 200 Kit-Kat flavours to suprise and delight. Kit-Kats undeniable success in Japan is almost comical considering Kit-Kat's modest representation at corner store's here in Australia. Yet Nestle have cornered the chocolate bar market by creating a cleverly targeted marketing campaign. In 2005, Nestle released an advertisement linking Kit-Kat to the Japanese phrase Kitto Katsu, meaning 'you will surely win'. Promoting this message to students, Kit-Kats were soon adopted as lucky charms, resulting in Nestle's sales skyrocketing. One advertisement depicts a student taking a rhinestone emblazed Kit-Kat to an exam; one quarter of Japanese students now do the same.

Endless flavours mean constant consumer pulling-power, and flavours are on a 2 month rotation. Some flavours are traditionally inspired, such as pickled plum, mashed edmame and red azuki bean. Others capitalise on particular seasons in Japan, such as the cherry blossom Kit-Kat, only sold in Spring. Some Kit-Kats are sold in specific regions, the potato Kit-Kat is sold in Hokkaido, which is famous for producing spuds. Selling Kit-Kats as limited edition or specific to a region is an excellent marketing strategy as Japan's 'omiage' or gift-giving culture encourages travellers to collect items to take home for friends, family and collegues. Kit-Kat have even introduced mail versions of the chocolate, specific for partners, friends or family. The chocolate bar comes with an address label perfect to fill out and send to your special someone to give them a thoughtful lucky charm.

While it is impossible to list all the Kit-Kat flavours, let your tastebuds imagine these: pineapple, green tea, chestnut, caramel macchiato, apple, espresso, pumpkin, muscat grape, watermelon, vegetables galore, sweet vinegar and beef! Beef?!

Russell James

Growing up in Western Australia, Russell James would have never imagined his photography would be displayed in National Galleries worldwide. Still maintaining his surfie looks, Russell has worked with high calibre celebrities to become an internationally renowned fashion photographer. Admitting that he grew up with unintentional bigatories, Russell is now working on an Indeginous project to conceptualise Australia's apology to the Indigenous people.

Russell grew up in a town where Australians with different skin colours (white and black) were seperated, and he knows first hand how many barriers there are in attempting to overcoming Australia's past. Leaving school at 14, Russell tried his hand at some creative works in sheet metal but following his father's footsteps, he decided to become a policeman. During his stint as an officer, Russell started trading on the stockmarket from some tips from high profile business friends he met through the police force. But ultimately, Russell lost it all, recovering Russell ventured overseas to earn some cash modelling. Travelling the world with his healthy Australian good-looks, he met a Swedish girl with whom he shared a baby. When he become more settled, his friend introduced him to photography. He saw how photos were made, and he had his epiphany.

Struggling to gain any attention for his passion, a common woe of the creative professional, he persevered. Narrowly escaping his nightmare of returning to metal works, he got an offer for W magazine to shoot a 10-page fashion spread. Shortly after, he shot Tyra Banks for Sports Illustratated. All of a sudden, he became a New York phenomen. Fearing he would be discovered for 'not actually being a real photographer', Russell rided the wave of success.

Russell was on the top of his game. After his first relationship deteriorated, he met Ali Franco, who is his partner of ten years. Her constant support over his many years of vibrant and illustrious success was welcomed by Russell, who travelled endlessly. However, caught in the commotion of realising his creative dream, Russel's personal life became somewhat comprimised. His daughter, Emily, then in her early teens, succumed to drugs and alchohol; a downward spiral that Russell blames himself for allowing to happen. To help his daughter recover, he sent Emily to a spiritual camp to regain her control. Feeling the pressure of the destructive situation, Russell accidently and frightenly overdosed on sleeping tablets and alchohol. Unintentionally brushing death, Russell woke up to his reality. Giving up alchohol and sleeping tablets, he supported his daughter in giving up everything they used to escape the world. His daughter graduated from her camp, and the family felt renewed. Russell was overwhelmingly relieved to have his daughter back.

When Russell felt all was back on track, he spent some time with an Indigenous family close to his heart. His bond with the Indigenous people meant the apology from Kevin Rudd was all the more significant. Russell reflected on his own childhood, and his own neglective treatment of aboriginals. He felt compelled to fuel the work to invest in breaking down barriers between disadvantaged groups and common society; he created Nomad. Backed by celebrities, like Donna Karen and Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas, Russell wants young people from all backgrounds to feel inspired to achieve their dreams. Richard Branson and other donators have helped fund the successful community project.

Far from the world of glamourous photography, Russell puts his community works first. Stylishly tackling community issues. Nomad Two worlds will open in August in Berlin.