Summer Tip: Wine Wraps

Next time you're invited for an impromptu summer barbecue, wrap your favourite bottle of rosé into one of those beautiful fabric wine wraps that Jen cleverly came up with. I promise, they will make the most thoughtful and personal little summer hostess gift. Here is the full how-to.

Pretty, aren't they?

P.S: The wine debate...
P.P.S: And how to pack wine in your suitcase.

(Photos by Katie Jameson via/for The Effortless Chic)

Stranger Danger Dinners

Would you go to dinner with strangers? Potential new best friends, passable acquaintances, or possible murderers? :) The last one, not really...or at least, let's hope so:)

So, if you're lucky enough to live in the sunny Perth, Australia and if you're short on friends (which adult isn't?), you should consider joining Stranger Danger Dinners. It's essentially a group of people (usually seven) with common interests and a similar vibe, who meet for a meal, chat and maybe, just maybe find a new friend or two.

Since there is no host, for the shyer bunch, you can get those conversation cards to get the evening rolling...

As much as I find meeting new people very awkward (introvert alert here!), I love this idea! It's basically giving yourself a chance to spend a few hours with potentially interesting people, who are there just for a laugh.

Would you do it?

P.S: The wine debate and a chat about having dinners with friends...
P.P.S: Remember this?

(via The Kitchn. Photos via Stranger Danger Dinners)

Fresh Cherry Candle

Top tip: next time you are about to put a whole box of store-bought candles on top of a birthday cake, instead, get a single fresh cherry, soak its stem in a bit of liquor and use it as the loveliest birthday candle alternative.

Nifty, isn't it?

P.S: Also, wine cork candles and those genius lemon candles.
P.P.S: Plus, the scientific way to cut a cake.

(Photo by Photisserie)

Festive Ice Shot Glasses

Speaking of festive (boozy) goodness, how brilliant are those mini ice shot glasses? They would make the most charming addition to any Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas party. Not to mention, they are super easy to create. Here is the full how-to if you feel like trying something new this Holiday Season.

P.S: Also, those ice cubes, that challenge and these hot chocolate spoons.
P.P.S: Plus, a dash of festive countdown...

(Photos by Sugar and Charm)

Spike it!

There are days when a regular cup of coffee, a steaming mug of tea or a hearty hot chocolate just simply won't do. So, if by any chance, it seems like one of those days, here is a list of hot chocolate recipes that might just - for a few short minutes - make now a dash more bearable. Starting with the scrumptious whiskey hot chocolate, above...

Boozy pumpkin white hot chocolate with Kahlúa...

Broiled Bailey's hot chocolate...

Hot chocolate with dark rum...

Boozy hot chocolate with vanilla bean whipped cream and bourbon...

Orange hot chocolate spiked with brandy...

Marshmallow vodka spiked hot chocolate...

Hot chocolate with cinnamon and Cointeau...

And spiked peppermint hot chocolate...

Which one tickles your fancy?

P.S: Also, let's not forget my favourite hot chocolate with red wine...
P.P.S: And, this festive gem.

(Photos by Amanda K. by the Bay, Minimalist Baker, My Dish Is Bomb, The Almond Eater, Momtastic, Erinnish, Jelly Toast, Amelia and 40 Aprons)

Weekend Jollies

Cheers to the weekend! What are you up to? Tomorrow night, Balazs and I are going for a Halloween party and I'm in charge of a spooky cocktail, any recommendations? Btw: have you seen the new Bridget Jones film yet? If you haven't, you totally should! It's hilarious, heartwarming and witty - exactly how it should be! Anyway, wishing everyone a spooky weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday morning, but before you go, how about checking out some awesome reads below? Enjoy!

Love in the age of big data.

Have you been to Buffalo's botanical gardens?

Banana milk coffee anyone?

Have you entered our beautiful GIVEAWAY this week? Don't miss it!

Habit tracking...

3 mantras to get you through anything...

What's your Monday morning ritual?

Ha!

5 ways to make your Halloween pumpkin last longer.

Speaking of...

'My friend Sam...'

Make a jar! It's SO good:)

What a beautiful flat.

Thoughts on balance...

How to hack your tiny kitchen.

This is what it's actually like to live as an anxious person.

And fancy a blast from the past?
- Five years ago today.
- Four years ago tomorrow.
- Three years ago today.
- Two years ago today.
- One year ago today.

P.S: How about a bit of chit-chat? Join me on Instagram, Facebook and even Pinterest.

(Photo via Kinfolk by Gunnar Sverrisson)

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Have you tried Matt's baked mozzarella sticks yet? Months ago my friend, Amy made them when we popped over for a drink and ever since then, I've been making all kinds of excuses to whip them up myself.

Yup, they are that good! So, if you're a cheese person, like myself, you'll love the comforting gooey-ness this gem brings especially when dipped in honey mustard.

Did it tickle your fancy? If so, here is the full recipe.

P.S: Remember this bloomin gooey cheese bread? It's something else!
P.P.S: Plus, cheese with a coffee twist and this green goddess grilled cheese sandwich.

(Photos by Matt Robinson)

10 Summer-Ready Takes on Watermelon

It's 92% water, contains lots of vitamins that help maintain body temperature and ease digestion - this round red fruit is what summer is all about - at least in my book! So with the Holiday weekend just around the corner, here are 10 incredibly satisfying, nifty, delicious, surprising (hello jam!), cooling and festive watermelon recipes that have summer written all over...

Staring with those amazing oysters served with pickled watermelon rind mignonette...

Watermelon chiffon pie...

Summer bliss juice with watermelon (of course!), cucumber, basil and rose water...

Watermelon rind jam...

Watermelon fruit pizza...

Spicy watermelon and lime popsicle with Ancho...

Watermelon rind pickles...

Thai watermelon salad with ginger and Asian fish sauce...

Watermelon and pineapple smoothie...

Halloumi + watermelon +mint...

Any favourites? How you like to eat your watermelon?

P.S: And let's not forget those watermelon melts:)
P.P.S: Plus, a few jazzy takes on water you might want to try.

(Photos by/via Renee Kemps, Ambitious Kitchen, Domino, Scaling Back, Earthy Feast, The First Mess, Watermelon, Honestly Nourished, Bobbi Lin for Food52 and The Hungry Hounds)

A Nifty Mimosa Summer Twist

Is there anything more satisfying than sharing a simple glass of chilled Mimosa on the rooftop with friends after a long day?

I’m not big on Champagne, but when mixed with orange or grapefruit juice, it's a whole different story! So, next time you fancy an evening drink, instead of premixing the Champagne with orange juice, freeze your favourite juice in ice cube trays and pop them into glasses before pouring the bubbly. It will not only keep the drink cool but also make it extra delicious. (Here is the full how-to). Cheers!

P.S: Ice, ice, baby :)
P.P.S: And a few non-alcoholic ice cube goodies to try as well.

(Photos by Anna Reynal for Glitter Guide)

A Nifty Hostess Bathroom Prep Secret

Spring means the beginning of endless get-togethers when people invite friends over for a glass of wine on the balcony, host spontaneous grilled pizza nights in their backyard or overindulge on homemade spritzer with their best pals. Yet, the hostess is always the one that gets the shorter end of the stick, no matter what!

If you're anything like Victoria or myself, you probably have the unfortunate hostess habit of spending too much time prepping everything for your guests' arrival instead of leaving yourself enough time to get ready. Sounds familiar? If so, here is Victoria’s nifty little last minute bathroom secret that I can’t wait to try out myself.

This is what she does:
In the early morning before the hustle and bustle of the day ahead, 'I gently wash the shirt or dress I plan to wear to the party. I hang it in my shower with the bathroom window open. The fresh air dries my outfit and gives it the BEST feeling and smell. No matter how stressed I was moments before, putting on a freshly air-dried top quickly transforms me into a relaxed and ready party hostess. There’s a strange luxury in the fabric of clothing dried by a fresh breeze...'

Hmm, simply perfect! Will you try it?

P.S: And let's not forget about this one or that one!
P.P.S: Dinner with friends?

(Photo via The Coveteur, Green Wedding Shoes and Bathwater)

Confetti Manicure

Yay! If you’re battling a bad case of winter blues, treat yourself to a confetti manicure asap! That should cheer you up in an instant and to be honest just looking at those nails makes me want to get up and dance. Ha, and if that’s not enough, they are super easy to make too. You just need 2 coats of white polish, some leftover confetti dots from your last New Year’s party and an extra clear top coat. You know you want to, go for it:)

P.S: Also, those and these.
P.P.S: Making memories...

(Photos by Mary Costa for Studio DIY)

Party Season Beauty Tweak: Smudged Lipstick

This Holiday season it’s time to forget those perfect pouts and let yourself be a bit imperfect with an offbeat, smudged lips look instead. Red Magazine swears by embracing the blurred and a bit snogged technique that actually looks effortless, pretty feminine and extremely natural to me.

All you need to recreate it is your fingers for dabbing, patting and smudging. Ta dah! I’m all for a bit of imperfection this season, you?

P.S: Also, how to make your lipstick long wearing and last year's saucy holiday party duo.
P.P.S: Fancy a stunning necklace? Don't miss our GIVEAWAY this week!

(Photos via/by Oracle Fox, The Beauty Model and Red Magazine)