Oatmeal & Raisin Cookies

What better way to unwind on a particularly spring like Tuesday than to bake? And bake I did. I made these delightfully sweet cookies and the batch makes 24 so it's perfect for visiting friends or relatives without showing up empty handed.
1) Preheat oven to 180C and line 2 large baking trays with baking paper.
2) Beat 150g unsalted butter (Nuttelex in my instance) and 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar with electric beaters until thick and pale.
3) Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 egg and beat until well combined.
4) Sift 1 cup plain flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder and a pinch of salt into butter mixture and beat slowly until well combined.
5) Stir in 200g rolled oats and 1 cup raisins.
6) Spoon mixture on prepared trays and bake for 12 minutes until golden. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container for 3-4 days (if the last that long).
These little treats are addictive, you've been warned.

Missy Rayder

Trenery is following in Ororton's recent footsteps by signing a well known international model to front their campaign.
Missy Rayder has always quietly graced many a catwalk and photo shoot, with her doe like gaze and sharp cheekbones. The most current campaign for Trenery keeps the vision and philosophy for the brand in good stead, with relaxed weekend styles for the more mature Country Road customer.
Missy Rayder is also featuring in Diane Von Furstenberg's new collection look book and when we first stumble over the fact that DVF has shot her range (only a recent development), we find Missy in a completely transformed role. It's definitely like acting, taking on new characters for the purpose of expressing the clothes in a particular way.
Not to deny Australia's own successful international model expats, Catherine McNeil has been flying the Bonds flag proudly and it's great for raising the profile of a struggling company.
It's an exciting time for Australia's global expansion in the fashion world. Looking forward to seeing what brands book which international model next.

Emmy Premiers Cinq

The great joy that comes with selecting the top five looks that I think emerged from the Emmy Awards is the fact that my all time favourite (and it was a tough choice) would have to be the fresh, fun and unique approach that our very own Toni Collette came up with. Her painted skirt keeps the frivolity associated with fashion alive, and even though they style is quite simple, the application of surface print in an unexpected way allows us to appreciate her choice.
Keri Russell also dazzles, looking innocent with her vintage gown. There's a trend to show of the footwear at the moment and this does it ever so elegantly, she looks simply comfortable.
Also appearing to love the asymmetrical style for her most recent red carpet turns is Emily Blunt. With delicate surface design and a soft pastel to match, Blunt is true to her style and shows that Christian Dior is still pure glamour.
January Jones gave us glamour too, with a modern edge. Versace blue in a hue to excite only became even more exciting because of its texture and interesting detail. There weren't as many full skirted styles on the red carpet at this event, and to stand apart from her peers, she certainly achieves every goal in this dress.
Saving the show-stopping ensemble til last, Claire Danes in Armani Prive finally gives us Hollywood glamour without an inch telling us we should think otherwise. Her hair is right and the make-up is light for a winning combination. She continues to out do her last look, and the future is looking bright.

The Grace Of Lace

To overwhelming joy, lace has emerged from the Emmy Awards as the fabric of choice. Its graceful elegance and feminine connotations make it the perfect selection for a show stopping gown, and with colour and black combined, the possibilities are limitless.
Many have shunned lace for tighter and brighter styles for the last few years, so the change up is unimaginably a result of the appreciation for a more feminine silhouette that's also caused a commotion when it comes to exuding femininity in general.
The 50's influenced many of the catwalks last season and to great delight, styles that would only suit androgynous models are now turning about face and appreciating all that it is to be a woman. Marc Jacobs Louis Vuitton collection was titled 'And God Created Woman', something of which I can applaud these red carpet selections along the same lines. Elegance personified.

On the surface

It's no surprise that I've previously mentioned these celebrities are subject to an invasion of privacy, only to be critiqued when they appear in public, falling into step with the territory that is their chosen path. We don't really know these people, as much as we like to think we do though.
The Emmy's took place in Los Angeles today and it was such a delight to see many of the gowns had surface embellishment. There's no denying that American favourites include the brilliance that is Oscar De La Renta and the beauty that is Carolina Herrera.
From all over beading to a simple metallic detail, ruffles and pleats took center stage to delight for the sake of fashion. This is why the fashion world keeps spinning. And spin at warp speed it does too.
We can get caught up and swirl in the fantasy that this kind of event conjures. We can live vicariously through our favourite celebrities. We can imaging their picture perfect (most of the time) gowns on ourselves if we want to, and to sad reality come crashing down when we criticize wardrobe disasters.
It's an open slate made all the more accessible, but with praise, I'm glad risks were taken.

Coup d'etat

Like boarding Noah's Ark, these pairs have long walked two by two for all the world to see from the end of a paparazzi lens. There's the secret couple, the split parents, the physical and playful pair, and even the jet-setting pair, and it's so rare to see some of them out in public together. This selective bunch normally shun the public glare to escape serious analysis and fodder for the glossies. Those named glossies are the bread and butter though, and they'll buy a future story from one of these celebrities for millions in the future, I can guarantee it.
There's no gossip here though, that's right, I'm not saying a word. It's just like being at the zoo. And we're all privy to a little oggling from time to time. So here stands the chance. Do with it what you will.

Summed Up

If you had to write your own food or fashion biography, where you were to sum up your life in 10 distinctive moments that relate back to the meal consumed or outfit worn, which one's would you choose.
There's great significance in the choices we make and when it comes to fashion, this is something even Ian Thorpe uttered in the (sydney) magazine when he said that "we get dressed everyday, I may as well take an interest in it." With food in mind, there's cakes for special occasions too. Take for instance your favourite cake that you had when you were a child, hopefully one stands out.
There are significant moments for those who suffer alergies, when they discover there's a long lost favourite that they can now devour (at warped speed) to their hearts content. And there are special memories stored in a food bank when they remember all the delights they used to indulge in. I'd have to go with mint slice, or a banoffie pie, or baked ricotta cheesecake from Pasticeria Papa's, or peanut M&M's, or triple choc fudge brownies, ok Tegan, take a breath. Oh, the list is endless.
Same goes for people who part with certain pieces in their wardrobe for different reasons altogether. Say you don't fit it anymore, but sentimentality lets you hold onto it for just that little bit longer, it can be like saying goodbye to a cherished friend.
Think about it, it's your 'walking signature', what 10 delicacies and drapes define your past to date.

Rouge

Whether it be in small doses or firey for all eyes to see, red is creating an allure for the senses from day to night.
Reese Witherspoon and Emma Watson pick up on red tones with their simple and casual outfits, there perfect weekend looks keeping things fresh and fuss free.
Rachel Bilson on the other hand, dons her favourite denim shorts and atracts all the rouge attention for all the right reasons. Effortlessly genius.
January Jones does her best to stay away from her Mad Men character's housewife image, and always keeps the crowd pleased (not that it should be about that) with her fashion forward and confident choices. These red brogues are a perfect example of giving us a snippet of her personal style and witnessing that she's another successful actress, it's just costumes at the end of the day.
Always one to never shy from public affection, Eva Longoria Parker rarely makes a dishevelled appearance in public. Far from it this week, she is wearing a bright red dress and perfectly tones it down with the addition of nude heels. The brilliance of a nude shoe is that accessories can either make the statement or keep it in check, and here, Longoria Parker carries off both aims with ease.

Going The Distance

No stranger to a premier, these leading ladies are taking the fashion stages up another notch. Drew Barrymore is expertly sporting Australia's very own Camilla and Marc pants. At the premier she has a striking Malandrino dress on. She's looking considerably slimmer than she has in the past and that's a worry, she was always such a good role model for self esteem and showing that if you're healthy and happy, life is good.
Christina Applegate is another to don burgundy (no pun intended for her spectacular turn in Ron Burgundy) as a mother to be. Cate Blanchett and Jessica Alba have paved the way before her, but to stunning effect, she joins their group.
Malin Ackerman is another who hasn't shied away from print on this promotional tour, proving that the summery frock is here to stay and perfect for giving our southern hemisphere winter a little ray of sunshine to look forward to.

Turning Style Back On Itself

For many, a night out might constitute a cocktail dress. For others, depending on the seasonal setting, it could mean a great pair of pants. It's safe to say, and this is something I've discussed frequently of late, that there is no distinctive style of the times. We're not living in an era like the 20's, where women's liberation embraced a freer style of dressing. Nor are we living in the 50's when status and wealth, or how tightly your corset could cinch your waist depicted your social place. Need I say more when it comes to the distinctive styles of the 60's, 70's and 80's? Perhaps not. We're no longer all dressing similarly.
There's been an overwhelming reflection on the female form and shapes that came out of the 50's and Matthew Williamson is the next designer to conform. Jessica Lowndes is wearing his cinched look with ease and has chosen a fool proof style for a red carpet turn.
When it comes to show stopping glamour, Jennifer Lopez on the other hand shows that short and tight is the way to go. It's not everyone's first choice, but it works for a night out dancing with friends if so inclined.
Cynthia Rowley, and American designer who hasn't quite tapped into the Australian market yet, but continues to produce beautifully shaped pieces in even more beautiful fabrics. She's out in her trousers and pulls of effortless ease in style.
When it comes to curves, America Ferrer knows how to show them off best. Her colourful choices of late have excited critics who want her to push the limits away from black. This is a stunning look for her, and as always, her belt finishes the outfit with aplomb.

Memories

It's been a while since anything in the fashion industry got me this excited. Grace Coddington, creative director of American Vogue, is an eclectic and knowledgeable bundle of fabulous energy. Her next project is to pen an autobiography and she says "I'm hoping it's going to be very rich in fashion history. It's more than just about me." With the help of former Men's Vogue editor-in-chief Jay Fielden she will put a proposal together for the autobiography. The book will cover Coddington's early life in Wales, her days as a model in the Sixties, the car accident that impacted her career direction and her work at both British and American Vogue.
Always memorable, always strikingly creative. Get out your dusters, your coffee table must be ready.