Momma's Day Brunch. And leaves.

Melbourne turns a beautiful shade of reds and yellows at this time of the year, a beautiful reminder to appreciate the simple wonders of nature. Hoping they stay this way for a wee bit longer to snap more pics before the trees go bald..

Sunday brunch/lunch with mom at the Coin Laundry - Spiced Chicken Couscous Salad and Coin Laundry Breakfast. It's one of my fave cafes for two reasons: seriously delicious dishes and a chill, laidback space. I am aware that not many people jump at the sight of couscous on the menu, but combined with pine nuts and good chicken it is so wonderfully flavorsome I swear it's no ordinary couscous! Also they do a beetroot relish, and you can be guaranteed that your poached eggs will come to your table with a runny yolk - always a winner with me ;)

Happy Momma's Day!

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Instagrammin' Week

If you follow me on Instagram (@nicoletj) you might notice that all I find worthy of a quick iPhone snap are clothes and food. I hope you lot have enjoyed the previous shoots/features on Violet and I and Mossman and to be honest I don't quite know how to follow on from there. So I present to you my week in Instagram snaps, a little disappointing I know.. but we'll deal with it for now.

I have rekindled my love for online shopping via the ever so addictive ASOS. Floral jeans have arrived and they are superb, fit like a glove and are surprisingly comfortable! They get me so ridiculously excited. Also on the topic of ASOS, I recently got a Fashion Finder account (yes, more ways to procrastinate) and was absolutely flattered to have been featured on the home page, if only for 24 hours!

Masterchef, which by the way used to be one of my favourite shows, is also back on TV. Got my cook on with some blueberry muffins and banana bread! I didn't make those mini soft tacos above but intend to make a visit to one of the many Mexican joints around Melbourne soon..

Also that's a picture of Susie Bubble. I was at her talk last Friday and she was very likeable, though different to what I'd expected of her. All in all, very interesting, inspiring, and insightful. I'm on a roll with my alliteration.

Finally I present to you the print-on-print trend, which I have been absolutely taken by in recent months. I think it's amazingly creative and exciting what can come out of a decent print clash, and will definitely be experimenting with it throughout winter in an attempt to avoid the lazy all-black cold weather ensemble!

Friday nights make me ramble a little more than usual. Happy weekend x

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Violet & I: Into the Woods II

1. V&I Margherita Jumpsuit, Evil Twin Furry Knit, Jeffrery Campbell Platforms 2. V&I Flamenco Skirt, Mossman Crop Top 3. V&I Kindred Spirit Cropped Jumper, Portmans Skirt, Tony Bianco Boots 4. V&I Blazer, May Dress, Tony Bianco Wedges

So I present to whoever's interested out there, a series of images from my first ever 'proper' photoshoot. Aptly (or unoriginally) named 'Into the Woods', we decided that somewhere in the heart of Mount Dandenong would be the perfect backdrop to complement the outfits I had in mind. These Violet & I pieces are a mix from current and previous collections, featuring a range of printed silks, chunky knits and simple well-tailored blazers. I love how there's something special in the design of each piece, yet they remain so wearable and easily styled - here I have dug into my own wardrobe to complete each individual look.

We had ventured onto a gravel road that seemed way too narrow to be a two-way path and really, there was no turning back once we were on it. Not to be a total girl but I hate creepy crawlies and trust me there were a ton of weird and wonderful creatures out there! Anyway, sometime during the shoot this black thing (a leech perhaps) made its way up the open-toe of my wedge which left me swatting and screaming in horror. Also I almost took a forward tumble off the rock up the top; my 5 inch platforms didn't quite leave me much room to react to save myself. I was rather traumatised. 

Nevertheless, I'm so glad to see that the shots turned out beautifully, if I might say so myself ;) Let me know what you think? x

Thanks Thomas and Eric for being such perfectionists with the photos.

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Violet & I: Into the Woods

Violet & I Mandala Skirt; H&M Top; Tony Bianco Shoes

I'm glad to finally be able to show you what I got up to with a number of beautiful pieces by Melbourne-based label Violet & I, as earlier promised!

These are a few of my favourite shots from a shoot up on Mt Dandenong. This skirt from the current AW 12 collection reminds me so much of a ballerina tutu and the days when I actually did dance as a young girl. With a simple low-backed tank and a dash of red, I really like how they come together with a girlie innocence.

There was really something magical about being the midst of all these impossibly tall and skinny trees, so far out into the woods that our phone networks were out of reach. We had been mapping our trip on our ever so trusty iPhones and to be honest felt lost and secluded when our connection dropped and had to use paper Melways instead! First world problems..

Plenty more to share x

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