Melbourne Dining Review – Zingara Cafe Thornbury

Posted in Dining by melbournedarling

Zingara Café is an understated gem in High Street, Thornbury. It was recently closed for renovations over the Christmas period and reopened with a new, brighter interior space, a woodfire pizza oven and a gelato display freezer. While they made some exciting additions to the menu, thankfully they still serve up the much-loved, popular dishes that keep their customers returning time and time again. While I haven’t yet tried their gelato, I can say that their wood fire pizzas were delicious. Thin, crisp bases, loaded with a wonderful selection of traditional Italian toppings. Everyone’s favourite was the ‘Panna e Pancetta’, a cream base with Marscapone, Fior di Latte Mozzarella, Pancetta, Mushrooms and Sundried Cherry Tomatoes.

In addition to the woodfire pizza, I find it hard to go past my top three ‘must-have’ dishes which I highly recommend at Zingara:

Arancini:

I’m biased because I will always rate my own Nonna’s Arancini as the best every single time, however, these Arancini are one of the closest I have so far found to be up there with the best. The breadcrumb crust is fried perfectly, light and crispy and not greasy or thick, just enough to hold the rice ball together until you are ready to cut it open and make way for the oozing hot explosion of cheese and Bolognese risotto inside. The Arancini balls are served with an intense, rich Napoli or Bolognese sauce and flakes of Parmesan cheese to add an extra dose of the sharp tastes from this dish.

Arancini at Zingara Cafe

Calamari:

There is no stringy, chewy calamari here! Photos simply don’t do this dish justice, because despite my best attempts at tryign to make thiI can confidently say that Zingara serves up THE best calamari I have tasted in Melbourne so far. The strips of marinated lemon and pepper squid are incredibly tender and so buttery soft they simply melt in your mouth which each savouring bite.

Risotto Amaretto:

The description of the pumpkin risotto on the menu sounded like nothing special, if anything, at first it sounded a little odd, ‘butternut pumpkin cooked in a butter & cream sauce finished with crumbed amaretto, coffee & parmesan crisps’. However this is one flavour experiment that sounds so wrong but works to make it so right. The creaminess of the pumpkin and cream sauce with the sweet, sugary crunch of the amaretto biscuits set off by the aromatic smell and bitter and toasty twist provided by the sprinkle of coffee beans is a flavour combination that risotto lovers have to try at least once!

Risotto Amaretto at Zingara Cafe

Open Monday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch as well as Wednesday to Saturday for dinner, Zingara serve up a variety of both traditional Italian meals (particularly recipes from Venice) and popular, modern favourites that are great for sharing. That is, only if you can fight the urge to consume the whole plate of calamari yourself!

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17Apr2014

Ask Melbourne Darling: Best place to shop for Mother of the Bride dresses in Melbourne?

Posted in Shopping & Sales, Style & Beauty by melbournedarling

Dear Melbourne Darling,

Where can I find the best Mother of the Bride dress?

A mother of the bride outfit can initially seem like a daunting outfit to search for. In my previous styling experience I assisted a number of Mother of the Brides and after a while I would tend to hear the same things:

No white
Preferably not a black dress
Something that won’t clash with the outfits of the bridal party
Above all, something that is flattering and elegant

This may seem like you have already ruled out some of your favourite options but I want to show you that you can most definitely find a stunning outfit if you know where to shop in Melbourne!

Similarly to my post on finding wedding shoes in Melbourne, just like a mother of the bride outfit or any special outfit for that matter, when first embarking on a big shopping quest for the perfect outfit, I would always suggest not dismissing Myer and David Jones as your starting point. I find the department stores to be the quickest and most effective way to firstly get a sense for the prominent trends, styles and designer collections currently available. The exposure to a variety of different designers in the one place also makes the department stores the best first stop to allow you to start hitting the fitting rooms. Try on as many different styles as you can, as sometimes it’s the best dresses that don’t look great hanging limp on a rack but do wonders when slipped on the body!

I also want to point out that you may not want to wear a dress, and that’s absolutely fine too! Whether you decide on a perfectly paired two-piece suit, mix and match coordinates, prefer a feature skirt with a simple top and blazer or a gorgeous top and simple black pants set off by a remarkable pair of shoes, you want to choose something that you will be comfortable in and will make you feel and look your best!

After a visit to the department stores, you may want to check out the stand alone stores of the designers you liked the best as they may have a larger selection of new styles or matching coordinates and accessories in the same collection of the pieces you liked. Below are my top suggestions to get you started with the retailers I believe are reliable in regularly stocking a wonderful assortment of styles that can be beautifully suited (pardon the pun) for a mother of the bride outfit. Keep in mind, it will also depend on the personal taste of the individual, so I’ve tried to cater for some different tastes:

Coast London

Coast is still fairly new to the Australian market, only arriving to our shores in 2011. This actually works to our benefit, as Coast has saturated the UK market to the point that I have heard if you were to go to a wedding in the UK and wear a Coast dress, it would not be uncommon to see another wedding guest wearing the same outfit as you! However, it tends to be the opposite in the Australian market where their smaller presence works to our benefit. I still like to refer to Coast as the best kept secret when shopping for occasion wear in Melbourne, with their more traditional yet versatile range of fancy and feminine occasion wear pieces. (Check out their gorgeous collection of mid-heels! Comfy and funky!)

Put simply, Coast London was made for weddings and special occasions. They are a popular destination for bridesmaid dresses and create cleverly designed garments to flatter different body shapes with sizing ranging from a size 6-18. Many of their dresses also come with added practical features like detachable and adjustable straps, boning in the bodice, secret pockets and design features to allow you to wear one dress, multiple ways. Coast London in Australia is hard to find online, but I can tell you that they do have a stand-alone store in Melbourne Central (click here for more details) and a concession store in Myer Bourke Street. You can also buy Coast online at their global website and on ASOS.

Karen Millen

If Coast London is the girly, sweet girl next door, then Karen Millen is her sleek and sophisticated, seriously on-trend sister. Karen Millen, sister brand to Coast London, produce beautiful, ultra-modern floral and graphic patterns and statement prints in dresses and coordinates, usually created with perfectly matching clutches and shoes crafted from the same material.

Cue

Cue has become quite similar to Karen Millen with their focus on modern, sharp tailoring and darker colours for a more edgy yet refined style. Cue pieces sometimes appear to create a more corporate look, so offset this by adding some extra sparkle with statement accessories like a headpiece, cuff or necklace from Mimco.

Review

If you are after something more suited for a day wedding, or something a little more casual or girly, Review is a great option for floral and colourful vintage inspired pieces. Accentuate a very soft and feminine look with accessories from Alannah Hill.

Charlie Brown

For something a little less structured but still makes a statement, Charlie Brown create spectacular patterns in comfortable stretch fabric that can be more suited for day weddings. They particularly produce outstanding maxi dresses too.

Anthea Crawford

Anthea Crawford stock an extremely sumptuous collection of striking dresses with delicate and ornate detailing. They make enough of an impact on their own so all you need to add is a simple pair of shoes and you’re done! Perfect for those who like to keep their accessories to a minimum.

David Lawrence

Alternatively, when less is more head to David Lawrence for more classic, understated pieces and understated coordinates. You can always dress up a classic with some fun accessories and keep it for years to come, creating an entirely new look with the help of on-trend accessories each time you wear it.

Now I wouldn’t be a Melbourne Darling if I didn’t appreciate how to wear a little black dress just as much as the next Melbourne girl, but if you do opt for black or a simple and classic style, don’t underestimate the power of a pop of colour using clever and playful accessories. If you are up for some colour, jewel tones like purples, blues and greens tend to suit most skin tones and make for stunning evening wear options. Alternatively, pastel colours, graphic prints and florals are wonderful choices for daytime, garden themed or more casual weddings.

Don’t forget about comfortable footwear too! For a long day ahead in heels, try a supportive stack heel, a mid heel or choose a shoe with lots of inner support such as the Airflex brand heels. Otherwise prepare to pack Party Feet or invest in a good pair of soft insoles. You’ll be thankful when you hit the dancefloor!

Here are some fantastic finds to inspire you you Mother of the Bride outfit:

Happy Shopping Melbourne Darlings!

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6Apr2014

Curvy Couture Roadshow Melbourne

Posted in Events & Happenings, Style & Beauty by melbournedarling

Curvy Couture Roadshow. Image Via.

The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) may have advertised its official dates as 17th – 23rd March, but one week later on Sunday March 30th, it was evident that celebrations of a sartorial kind were still in full swing! The Curvy Couture Roadshow was not only a series of outstanding runway shows, but the plus-size fashion runway event was the first of its kind as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Cultural Program.

With a focus on showcasing a high quality selection of independent Australian plus size designers, the Curvy Couture Roadshow not only used accomplished and well known models including Laura Wells, Natalie Wakeling and special guest Hayley Hasselhoff, but also a selection of upcoming plus-size models that were quite new in the modelling industry or had never walked a runway before! What blew me away with this event was the strong and enthusiastic sense of encouragement and support from the audience for each and every design and model. I was so thrilled to have been a part of this exciting event, and honestly, even though I am not classified as plus-size myself, the fun, lively and supportive energy from all those in attendance, as well as the many well designed, genuinely flattering and unique pieces that were on display made this event my highlight of the VAMFF.

I honestly think that everyone in the fashion industry can take something away from this event. The Curvy Couture Roadshow truly captured the spirit that essentially, fashion should be more about, something that goes beyond whether you are plus size or not. Above all, fashion should be a fun way to celebrate bodies and the different shapes and curves it comes with, by adorning them with well made, stylish and flattering pieces that makes the wearer feel confident and beautiful.

Here is my run down of my favourite pieces from the Curvy Couture Roadshow, including some very spectacular names and brands in the plus size fashion industry to look out for!

Robyn Lawley Swimwear

Almost French Underwire Maillot One piece

The entire range of stunning swimwear by international model and body confidence advocate Robyn Lawley in collaboration with Bond Eye Swimwear were created with quality fabrics, great structure and cleverly designed shapes and cut outs. However, the favourite was always going to be this exquisite one piece. As worn by Miss Carter herself, in the famous shot of Beyonce in Brunswick (Melbourne represent!) as well as in her film clip for ‘No Angel’.

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Robyn Lawley Swimwear – Almost French Underwire Maillot One piece. Image Via.

Beyonce in Brunswick wearing Robyn Lawley Swimwear. Image Via.

Lucabella

Flocked Detail Merino Jumper (100% Merino Wool)

When it comes to getting dressed in Winter, there is always at least one time when you are left weighing up between warmth and style. That is why I loved this jumper from the moment I saw it! It allows you to get the best of both worlds, perfect to keep you warm whilst looking very chic indeed.

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Flocked Detail Merino Jumper Image Via.

17 Sundays

Take Me Away Sequin Trimmed Jacket

Because whoever said all denim jackets look the same and were created equal was wrong! This is the most stunning, flattering denim jacket I have ever come across. This cleverly designed jacket is made in a stretch denim that hugs the body and creates the ultimate flattering fit with gathered sleeves and a slight cinch towards the waist line to provide a more hour glass shape. The added touch of the studded detailing provides a distinctive edge to a classic.

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17 Sundays Take Me Away Sequin Trimmed Denim Jacket. Image Via.

Meri By Design

Gigi Silk Cape

Meri By Design was all about sophisticated yet easy to wear and simplistic designs that make maximum impact. I loved how each piece made a statement on its own yet could easily be dressed up or down to suit many different occasions. Keep an eye out for their luxurious rabbit jackets and capes that made an appearance on the runway, (shown below) and will be available online and in stores soon.

Meri By Design

Putting together a striking outfit becomes as simple as slipping on this silk cape, making clothing coordination so damn simple. Every woman should have one of these versatile silk cover ups readily available to add wow factor to any outfit. Throw on top of jeans and a cami or a LBD as your running out the door to take your outfit from So-so to HELLO! It comes in a variety of colours and patterns that make it super simple to match with many of your existing wardrobe pieces.

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Meri by Design Gigi Silk Cape. Image Via.

Misty Belvidere

Clairvaux Blazer

This blazer was exceptionally well made, from the flattering cut to the beautiful lining inside and the added quirkiness of the unexpected colours that worked to deliver one show-stopping blazer. I’ll admit, you can’t do this blazer justice until you try it on to really see its magic. Add a completely revamped, amazing new touch to your existing outfit, whether it be with a dress, pants, jeans or a skirt, this design really offers a remarkable new spin on a classic wardrobe staple.

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Misty Belvidere Clairvaux Blazer

Iridis Cosmetics

Another thing that stood out, apart from the clothing was the makeup on all the models. Peta Gai, founder of Iridis Cosmetics was the make-up artist behind the gorgeous looks. In particular, I loved the intense smokey eye she created for Hayley Hasselhoff as well as the choice of lipstick worn by Laura Wells, the colour is called ‘Plateaux’, a rich, high gloss berry toned, burgundy hue.

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Hayley Hasselhoff and Laura Wells Makeup by Iridis Cosmetics

Iridis Cosmetics Lipstick Plateaux Image Via

That was my top five picks from the runway fashion, but there were so many more great designs on display. For more information on other designers that were at the Curvy Couture Roadshow, check out their websites below, or keep up to date with the Curvy Couture Roadshow and their plans for next year at curvycoutureroadshow.com

Embody Denim

Beyond the Sea Swimwear

To witness some fantastic snippets from the day, have a look at this brilliant video put together by Danielle “Danimezza” Melnyczenko of danimezza.com

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2Apr2014

Luk Beautifood’s Lip Nourish Lip Balm Review

Posted in Style & Beauty by melbournedarling

‘A lipstick so natural you can eat it!’

That is the line I eagerly begin with when telling someone about Lük Beautifood’s Lip Nourish. My first experience with lip balm was in early Primary school when I managed to find myself in ownership of a Watermelon flavoured Bonnebell Lip Smacker. I can remember quite clearly it smelled so delicious, in fact, it smelled good enough to eat… and yes maybe I did try to test out that thought but don’t deny you’ve thought about it too, a quick lick of the lips and your tastebuds get a bit too excited over the hint of strawberry in the lip balm you’ve just applied!

As ‘delicious’ as most of our favourite lip balms smell, we often overlook the fact that majority of popular cosmetics contain a number of nasty, toxic ingredients. While the trend of superfoods and clean eating has made us become more aware to make smarter choices with what we put inside our bodies, most people would not think to reconsider the harmful chemicals and toxic ingredients we put on our bodies through our make-up and cosmetics, particularly our lips. There are debatable claims over the average amount of lipstick women consume in their lifetime, but basically, there is no argument in the fact that it is a substantial amount, substantial amount it’s a large amount of chemicals and harmful ingredients entering your body with each swipe of lipstick!

That’s where Lip Nourish offers a fantastic new offering in cosmetics. Created by food scientist Cindy Luken, Lip Nourish is a 100% natural, Australian made lip balm using real food ingredients. Staying true its perfect choice in name, The product that stays true to its name, there really isn’t a better word to genuinely describe this lip balm than beautifully nourishing. Lip Nourish contains natural substitutes for many of the usual ingredients in lip balms and lipsticks such as the use of sesame seed oil, avocado oil, honeycomb and spices.

Luk Beautifood Lip Nourish

I tried two variations, ‘Lemon and Mint’ and ‘Orange and Juniper’. They say old habits die hard so of course my first instinct led me to remove the twist top to smell the lip balms and I was delighted with the divine, zesty and fruity fragrance. Lip Nourish comes in a number of shades, all which contain a very subtle hint of colour that when applied, create a lovely sheer appearance that is not overly glossy, but provides a very natural gleam.

Lip Nourish Shades. Image Via Luk Beautifood.

The texture is soft, creamy and rich but never sticky or too heavy. The product leaves lips well moisturised, but for those who have become used to the feeling a heavy coat of lip balm, you may find yourself frequently re-applying, as Lip Nourish quickly sinks well into the lips, leaving them soft, smooth and velvety.

The packaging needs to be pointed out as a feature in itself because it is absolutely adorable. Reminiscent of the care and nurturing that Cindy has proudly placed in this product’s creation and development, each Lip Nourish is carefully packaged in a colourful, reusable microfiber cloth that unravels to reveal it’s not so secretive, full disclosure ingredients list and an uplifting message from Cindy on recommendations for usage.

Luk Beautifood Lip Nourish Packaging

Lip Nourish Packaging Unwrapped

Lip Nourish is perfect for soothing your lips with moisturising goodness every day. The broad range of easy to wear, soft and neutral shades will suit a large spectrum of skin tones, to allow individuals to easily find a perfect shade to accentuate and complement their own natural lip colouring.

Lip Nourish is an effective, natural alternative to your daily lip balm, or a fantastic substitute to lip stick for those that favour nude and neutral lip shades. At the mid-range price point of $24.95, it is a high quality product that can also make for great gift for younger girls being introduced to lip balm, or those that wish to get their eager hands on their first cosmetic product, due to the absence of the chemicals normally found in cosmetics, and the subtle colour and shine. I honestly am a fan of Lip Nourish because of its natural benefits and I loved the way it left my lips feeling well moisturised and velvet like. As a result, Lip Nourish is a product that has quickly cemented itself as a daily essential in my hand bag! Now I’m not encouraging everyone to start chomping on their lip balm like a Twix bar, but I will say that with Lip Nourish, your lips never tasted so good!

Lip Nourish is available to purchase online for $24.95 including free shipping Australia wide via the following link:

For more information, I found this video to provide great insight into Cindy Luken’s inspiration and development of Lip Nourish:

Disclosure: The products featured in this post were provided to me for consideration but this in no way influenced my review in any way. As always, my reviews are my 100% honest opinion.

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19Feb2014

Melbourne Dining Review – Third Wave Cafe, Prahran

Posted in Dining by melbournedarling

Nestled in Cato Street, a side street off Commercial Road in Prahran is Third Wave Cafe. Don’t be discouraged by the side street location and the exterior design of this restaurant /cafe. I wasn’t sure what to think as I approached the dark, modern, flush exterior design of the café, until I was pleasantly surprised to step inside a modern yet cosy, warm and inviting space. The rest of my experience at Third Wave Café can basically be summed up by saying it really was one pleasant surprise after the next. The menu is fantastically extensive. Third Wave not only serves an array of your staple breakfast and lunch items, such as egg dishes, focaccias, burgers, pastas and salads, but also specialises in Russian cuisine and American BBQ dishes as well. In addition, there is a page of the menu solely dedicated to Paleo dishes. Usually, I approach a menu that crosses over into too many different cuisines with a bit of caution, a restaurant that tries to do too much. However I am so glad to find that this is most definitely not the case here. It does appear to be quite an odd combination to see such an extensive range of dishes listed side by side on the same menu, but upon tasting the dishes, it became clear that this crazy combination and choice of specialisation works brilliantly at Third Wave Café.

Latte at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

The coffee was great, very smooth and each cup was served with a delicious biscuit too (yes, that’s right, a free biscuit that was actually worth eating!) I highly recommend the Russian Sampler Plate for those who are up for trying some new and a little different. The Russian Sampler Plate came with a Russian salad (a cold potato, roast chicken, boiled egg and vegetable salad with a creamy Dijonaise dressing, which I wasn’t sold on by the menu description, but the tastes came together wonderfully), two varieties of blintzes (Russian filled crepes), which I got to try the Mushroom blintze and a Meat blintze, a small bowl of Pelmeni (Russian meat dumplings) and Syrniki (savoury pancakes). I found the standout was the Mushroom blintze which was very full and rich. I also really enjoyed the dumplings that had a thick texture that was chewy but not rubbery. I found the savoury pancakes were a bit of an acquired taste. The small, thick and very dense pancakes of ricotta, cinnamon and nutmeg were not as sweet as pancakes in Australia are traditionally served, but it was wonderful to sample all the different textures and flavours, and I think The Russian Sampler Plate worked really well on the menu, even in comparison to ordering one of the Russian dishes alone, and I would very likely order it again.

Russian Sampler Plate at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

The Zucchini fritters were fantastic. Made from Zucchini and Buckwheat flour and fried in coconut oil, served with house made smoked bacon and a cherry tomato confit, a poached egg and dukkah, the elements of this meal just worked so well together. The bacon was incredible, laced with a delicious smokey flavour, the bacon was thick and meaty so you could really sink your teeth into it, whilst also being very lean with just enough fat for added flavour. Based on the taste of their house made bacon, I look forward to tasting their American BBQ dishes next! The tomatoes were extremely flavoursome and I am happy to say the egg was poached to perfection which is something I am always on the lookout for! This dish is also available on the Paleo menu, and I highly recommend this dish on your visit. Overall, Third Wave Cafe was a fantastic dining experience and I cannot wait to return!

Zucchini Fritters at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

I dined as a guest of Third Wave Café, but I honestly am already planning my next visit, as I would happily pay for their reasonably priced meals and look forward to bringing my friends here too. I highly recommend Third Wave Cafe, a brilliant venue for breakfast, lunch or dinner, that would also serve a group of diners well, as the wide menu selection is bound to cater for everybody. Third Wave Café shows a lot of pride and a lot of heart in their menu and their carefully prepared, delightful dishes do not disappoint! For the daring, or super hungry, follow the link to check out their American BBQ Ribs Eating Challenge!

Check out their menu online

Disclosure: Melbourne Darling was invited to dine as a guest of Third Wave Cafe. This in no way influenced my review and as always, I maintain a promise to provide my readers with content that is my 100% honest opinion.

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6Feb2014

The Lindy Charm School Vintage Styling Workshop – Review and tips for attending!

Posted in Events & Happenings, Shopping & Sales, Style & Beauty by melbournedarling

A wonderful Vintage Styling workshop that gets girls back to class!

Practising hairstyles during The Lindy Charm School for Girls Class

For every girl who is inspired and influenced by the likes of Miley Cyrus, Kesha and Kim Kardashian, it is reassuring to know that there are, dare I say, just as many young girls and women who instead, are inspired by the old world glamour and elegance of the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Veronica Lake.

The Lindy Charm School for Girls offers vintage styling workshops, covering make-up, hair, clothing and etiquette tips to help you achieve old-school glamour. These workshops provide simply fabulous, insightful and hands-on lessons in perfecting your vintage inspired looks and reviving the beauty, fashion and charm of women as they lived in decades gone by.

I attended a day of workshops in Melbourne, which included two classes, the Introductory Workshop and the Intermediate Vintage Hairstyling Workshop. You could attend either just the first 3 hour class for $85 or just attend the 2 hour second class for $100 per person. Alternatively, you could stay for the whole day at a price of $150 for both classes, which was the option I went for. The workshop I attended was held in an exclusive room at the Shopping Town Hotel in Doncaster (opposite Westfield Shoppingtown). The room was set up with tables arranged in a big ‘U’ shape set up like a class room, where each place was set up with a ‘Workshop Manual’ booklet, a pen and a flower clip. The Workshop Manual was great, as not only did it allow you to jot down notes throughout the class, but it provided you with extra instructions and tips to take away with you and help you brush up on your vintage styling lesson at home.

All set up and ready for the workshops!

In addition to what is provided, it is suggested to bring the following items to the workshops:

Your own make up, particularly mascara, eye liner, foundation, blush and lipstick
Hairbrush
Comb
Bobby pins
Stand Up Makeup Mirror
Hairspray
Curling tools (eg. hot rollers or curling irons – optional but recommended)
2 Slide Combs (matching your hair color)

Additional items I would also recommend bringing:

Eye makeup remover wipes or pads – Definitely came in handy when practising the notorious winged liner.
Bring as much make up as you are comfortable to use. I like to have a variety of make-up to choose from and I found it beneficial to use my own products while learning Headmistress Chrissy’s techniques as I found it easier to go home and recreate the looks using the same products. However, if you don’t own or plan on owning too much make up, it is also perfectly fine to jsut bring what you have, in fact, it is encouraged by Headmistress Chrissy to keep makeup simple, revealing she only regularly uses a handful of make up products herself!
Make up brushes
Liquid Eyeliner (the best type for applying the winged liner look)
Brown eyeliner or eyebrow powder / pencil (for creating a lovely set of shapely brows!)
Pink blush
Red lipstick
Lipliner
A stand up make up mirror with lights – If you have one, it would have made a big difference in the room we used as the lighting in the room was terrible (however this was at Shoppingtown Hotel and workshop venues do change).

If you would like to purchase heat curlers /rollers, Headmistress Chrissy recommended these cheap but efficient Remington travel size rollers. Keep in mind this set only comes with 10 rollers, so you would need to buy at least two sets to curl a full head of medium to long length hair. I also saw someone using these Remington Silk + Ceramic Heated Clips and Rollers that worked a treat.

In my experience, I originally went out to buy hot rollers like the ones mentioned above but ended up buying a Muk Curling Stick. This was my personal preference. I liked the fact it comes with three interchangeable heads to allow you to create different sized curls and I find it easier and quicker to use this curl stick than the rollers. To use the Muk Curling Stick (or a curling wand) to create the same effect as rollers, you want to curl the sections of your hair as you would with rollers (as Headmistress Chrissy instructs) and then use pin curl clips to secure the curl in a loop, in place until the hair cools down and sets. Use the links provided in this article to view the products, but for the cheapest deal, I suggest you visit your nearest Hairhouse Warehouse, Price Attack or Priceline store. It is of course, personal preference as to which method or curling you prefer, and the lovely Chrissy and her helpers are skilled at assisting you to create wonderful curls which whatever curling tool you have available to bring along on the day.

If you do forget anything, there are some lovely items for sale including a fantastic ‘Essential Hair Care Kit’, a range of make up, a basic yet effective hair setting solution, also known as The Lindy Charm School “Rocket Fuel” in addition to various different clips and hair accessories specifically designed to create the vintage looks. I found their Hair Setting Spray to the be best I have used so far, because the simple and gentle yet effective ingredients add strong hold to your perfect vintage hairstyles, but it also easily brushes out, allowing you to re-style easily without leaving your hair in a sticky, crunchy mess. Other items on sale included dolly pegs, hairstyling sponges, pin curl clips, snoods, do-rags, panty hose, vintage sunglasses and adorable felt hats (also all available for purchase on The Lindy Charm School for Girls website).

The classes are run by Headmistress Chrissy, vintage styling extroadinaire (and who was Melbourne Darling’s Muse of the Month in November). The Introductory workshop is a 3 hour course covering vintage make-up and hairstyles through the 1920’s-1960’s. It also briefly covers vintage fashion and the importance of undergarments with some fascinating insights into the history of some of the most popular beauty and fashion items, and how they were originally used.

The class started with Headmistress Chrissy introducing herself and her knowledgeable and friendly helpers Miss Sammy and Miss Kelly. To commence the class, all attendees were asked to stand and recite The Lindy Charm School Oath. This included the pledge ‘Thou Shalt Endeavour To Always Wear Red Lipstick’ and my personal favourite, to promise ‘Never To Wear Socks with Heels!’ (That’s an F grade for you Alexa Chung!) the Introductory course went through the importance of good posture and undergarments (where one cannot fully appreciate the magic of a corset until you have seen one demonstrated!). Chrissy followed on to explain the importance of tailoring and how to wear vintage clothing. The make-up tutorial was next, with the class voting on the type of decade inspired look they would like to learn. We went with a 1950’s look but Chrissy also pointed out tips to change the look to suit different decades along the way.

The beauty of this class (pardon the pun) is that it was perfectly suited for both complete beginners as well as those who are a little more skilled in make-up application and hair. There was an abundance of knowledge shared, along with clever little beauty secrets and historical insights into vintage styling (you will never guess what product Marilyn Monroe used to attain her flawless and dewy skin!) Everyone in the class was free to follow the steps at their own pace while Headmistress Chrissy and her wonderful helpers were always more than welcome to assist those who asked for a little extra help with particular techniques. We learnt everything from correct blush application to perfecting the perfect pout and mastering the winged eyeliner look. Keep in mind this is not a comprehensive and complete make up application class, but what you will learn is how to apply modern day make up with the tips and tricks to help you recreate vintage inspired looks.

Following on from make up was hair, as we were talked through setting curls in our own hair. While Chrissy and her assistants were happy to lend a helping help, it was great that the workshop was so hands on, so everyone was encouraged to try the techniques themselves, which was the most beneficial for everyone to be able to recreate the techniques themselves at home. After our hair was set, we learnt how to style our hair with pin curls into cascading, soft, ‘Veronica Lake’ style curls.

Miss Sammy demonstrating how to create a1940′s hairstyle

After an hour break, it was back for the second class, the Intermediate Vintage Hairstyling Workshop. Using the set of curls we had created to style into pincurls, this workshop was used to demonstrate how you could use the same set of curls to recreate a variety of different hairstyles throughout the decades from the 1920’s to 1960’s. The transformation between such different looks was amazing! We learnt how to create a variety of styles from a Bettie Page fake fringe, victory rolls, Bridgitte Bardot quiffs and a Betty Grable ‘peek-a-boo’ updo style. After the great introductory to curling hair and learning about different hairstyles in the Introductory workshop, the second workshop was a more practical and thorough opportunity for everyone to perfect their skills and recreate the different looks that most appealed to them. If you are looking at doing the first class, unless you are definitely not interested in creating vintage hairstyles, I would recommend doing both classes if you can!

Just as a classy and elegant woman of the mid century would possess, I really admired the wise words and lessons Headmistress Chrissy instilled throughout the workshop on matters of beauty, fashion and grace. Chrissy encouraged the importance of being kind and how to give and receive compliments. She also stressed the underlying importance that when it came to make up, not only should it be striking, but to always keep it simple, easy and quick (after all, busy women in the forties did not have the time or the money to spend simply on their looks!). It was refreshing to hear Headmistress Chrissy give beauty advice that was honest but also based on a much more minimalistic approach than we are used to hearing in modern times. Above all, through her advice and knowledge shared, Headmistress Chrissy and her assistants always stayed true to the times they described and spoke of being appreciative of the women in previous decades who managed to create these very same looks using such limited resources.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day. It was fantastic seeing a class containing such a wide variety of individuals in terms of age (13 to 50+) and appearance, and how everyone in the room came together through their appreciation of vintage style! Many ladies attended the workshops alone, and everyone in the class was genuinely friendly and supportive of eachother. It was also such a pleasant surprise to see everyone’s end results and how perfectly suited and striking everyone in the room looked once they were transformed by the magic of vintage styling! The most popular accessory I saw all the ladies leaving the workshops with that day was not bouncy pin curls or perfect red pouts, but big smiles, straight backs and confidence!

The lovely Heather showing off her gorgeous vintage inspired look!

*To all the lovely ladies that attended the same workshops as me on 9th November 2013, you can find all the photos I took from the day on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/melbournedarling

I highly recommend The Lindy Charm School for Girls as a truly fabulous treat for women of all ages. The workshops make for a fun filled and engaging experience, a perfect idea for a hen’s night, special birthday, or even as a treat for yourself!

If you or someone you know would like to book in for an upcoming event, the next Melbourne Vintage Styling Workshop will take place on Saturday, 15th March. (click the links for bookings and more information). In addition, the very first Mother and Daughter Charm School, running on Sunday, 16th March will highlight etiquette, poise and posture and allows for mothers to book a spot in to the workshop and bring their daughters for free! The Lindy Charm School has also announced their latest collaboration with Fossil Vintage to announce the launch of their very first ‘In Styling Night‘, a private shopping night and Vintage Styling event on Friday, 14th March, held exclusively inside the Fossil Vintage Warehouse. Shop til your pin curls drop with a grand selection of their quality wholesale vintage garments on sale as well as getting the opportunity to receive personal styling advice and beauty and hair demonstrations from Miss Chrissy and the girls of The Lindy Charm School.

See the flyers below for more details of the mentioned upcoming events or for a full listing of future workshops and events held around Australia, Head to The Lindy Charm School for Girls website to find out more information or sign up for an upcoming workshop being held in your area!

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29Jan2014

Spotlight On: Sarah Liu – Little Girl Big Dream, Founder and Director

Posted in Spotlight On by melbournedarling

Sarah Liu

Melbourne Darling is shining a ‘Spotlight On’* Sarah Liu for her dedication to not only inspire, but encourage and motivate young business women to dream big and take action to follow their dreams.

Sarah Liu is the founder and director of Little Girl Big Dream, a community offering networking and professional development events and programs designed to empower, support and develop young professional women into becoming the next generation of professional leaders. Sarah Liu has also published a book called ‘500 Words of Wisdom’ a collection of candid reflections and encouraging words of advice from a selection of Australia’s most successful female business leaders, including Pip Marlow, MD of Microsoft, Kate Burleigh, MD of Intel, Catriona Noble, CEO of McDonalds, Kristina Karlsson, Founder & Creative Director Kikki K, Maryanne Shearer, Founder of T2, Janine Allis, Founder and Managing Director of Boost Juice and Lorna Jane Clarkson, just to name a few.

I have read a number of books featuring collections of interviews or profiles on female entrepreneurs and business women but I found that ‘500 Words of Wisdom’ was a real standout. It is such a beautifully presented, uplifting read where each of the women featured came across as though they could express themselves freely and contribute what they believed to be most important and most worthy of sharing.

Instead of being a collection of interviews of successful women recounting a typical day in their lives or how they struck lucky, what I really found of value in the book was the genuine and heart felt responses that the women shared. The book read in an open and thoughtful way as though the women were passing on their words of advice to their own daughters or their sisters. I think this greatly captured the sense of sisterhood that I admire and that I believe the Little Girl, Big Dream association and its supporters (namely the high profile female business leader contributors of this book) strive to achieve.

You can purchase a copy of ‘500 Words of Wisdom‘ via the Little Girl Big Dream website, or at T2 stores and Kikki K stores nationally.

Image Via

In addition to this exciting read, Sarah has also just launched the Little Girl Big Dream Membership program – The Dream Collective. Specifically designed to support young and ambitious, professional women in Australia, The Dream Collective membership allows individuals access to valuable learning, development and network opportunities designed to assist individuals to achieve career advancement and the steps to fulfill their aspirations of leadership roles. The Dream Collective membership includes access to the upcoming Little Girl Big Dream Think Tank Series, exclusive business and career coaching with high profile female business leaders. Starting from just $1 a day, see the Little Girl Big Dream website for more information on membership options and inclusions.

Before Sarah embarks on what is to be a very busy and exciting year ahead for Little Girl Big Dream, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ask Sarah some questions about her own journey and words of wisdom for young women chasing their dreams:

What inspired you to start up the Little Girl Big Dream?

I have always been passionate and ambitious, always searching for opportunities to develop and grow professionally as soon as I entered the corporate world. However,I was confronted by the lack of resources and support networks available to young professional women. That’s when I decided to take it upon myself to create such platforms and founded Little Girl Big Dream, a community where like minded young women can connect in a professional forum and be empowered and equipped to pursue our dreams. Where we can support, encourage and collaborate to achieve success and where we can be mentored and guided by high calibre leaders in Australia to realise our potential.

Did you always aspire to be a successful leader in Business or was it something that became of interest later in life?

I have always had a clear vision and aspiration to be a career woman – no matter what industry or sector it may be. I knew I wanted to be in a position of leadership and wanted to develop professional excellence and achieve career success.

My interest in Business was developed later as I gained more experience and exposure in the corporate world. I have a Marketing and Branding background and it has been pivotal in informing and influencing the direction of my career thus far.

Who have been your personal and/or professional mentors along the way?

Oh where do I start?! Too many of them! I have had formal mentors as well as informal mentors whose generous sharing and guidance have shaped the way I think. In addition, learning about the work they do has inspired and motivated me to stay determined in achieving what I am passionate about. These have included all speakers, contributors to our program, in particular Ghazaleh Lyari (Founder of Ghermez Cupcakes), Catriona Watson Lamb (Marketing Director, Bendon Lingerie) and Megan Dalla Camina (former Director of Strategy at IBM and author of Getting Real About Having It All) just to name a few.

Having said that, there’s one mentor who played a pivotal role in helping me navigate the way through my career and business and that’s my boyfriend Glen. Successful in his own right, he never seizes to inspire and open my eyes and thinking to new realms. He not only provides practical guidance, experience, sharing and know-how to the challenges I face, but most importantly, he always challenges me to stretch beyond my comfort zone, to dream the audacious and to achieve the unthinkable. One thing Sheryl Sandberg said in her book “Lean In” was that the best career decision a girl can ever make is the partner she chooses – and I honestly cannot agree more with that.

Can you share a hardship or challenge you faced and were able to overcome during your career?

The reality is that challenges are never ending. The one day I don’t see a challenge ahead is the day I tell myself to step up the game. Many people see challenge and hardship as difficulties to get through, but I would encourage everyone to view it as an opportunity to grow and stretch beyond your comfort zone.

I run into road blocks that most people would also face, including limited resources to grow my business quickly as an entrepreneur, or having to deal with terrible bosses who put me through hell on earth. I have learnt that the only way forward is to calm down, rationalise the situation/problem at hand and decide whether it is a battle worth fighting, because sometimes it actually isn’t!

Life is too short, so focus your energy on what’s worth fighting for! Once this issue is decided on, believe in your decision and tackle the problem head on, but don’t get overly emotional. My advice is to see every challenge as an opportunity to grow. I know it sounds easier said than done, but trust me, it will make the journey so much easier and that’s the only way you will be able to come out of it stronger than ever.

What are your words of wisdom for the young women who aspire to become the future generation of female business leaders?

Believe in the power of your dreams! This really isn’t as cliche as it may sound. Successful people start on their venture and journey because first they had a dream. A dream of who they want to be, what they want to achieve, where they want to be and why they want to do it. Have a dream and make sure you commit to realising it too. Last but not least, giving up will always look like the best option because negativity requires no effort. Remember that, and that success is sheer hard work repeated day in and day out!

What has been the most memorable piece of advice or words of wisdom given to you?

“Go that extra mile – because it’s never crowded” – The road to career or business success is often a lonely and difficult journey but if you don’t challenge and stretch yourself to go that extra mile, you may never experience what that opportunity truly has to offer.

Where are your favourite places to go as a Melbourne Darling?

My favourite places in Melbourne would have to be Laurent Boulangerie Patisserie on Little Collins Street, Brother Baba Budan on Little Bourke Street, Nobu at Crown Southbank and Izakaya Den on Russell Street!

Sarah Liu

*The ‘Muse of the Month’ feature has been renamed as the ‘Spotlight On’ feature

Disclaimer: Melbourne Darling received a reading copy of 500 Words of Wisdom for review purposes. The opinions shared in this article are based completely on my own honest and personal views, thoughts and experiences.

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23Jan2014

The Shadow Electric Open Air Cinema Melbourne – Review and tips to help you plan your visit

Posted in Events & Happenings by melbournedarling

The Shadow Electric is an independent open air cinema nestled amongst the quaint grounds of The Abbotsford Convent. Back for it’s third season, running from 21st November 2013 until 9th March 2014, the movie program features a selection of cult classics and art house flicks.

The Shadow Electric Openair Cinema

Open six days a week throughout the warmer months, the movie screenings commence each night at sundown. The cinema area is located in The Abbotsford Convent, in a courtyard area hidden around the corner from the Lentil As Anything restaurant. As soon as you enter The Abbotsford Convent from St Heliers Street, there is clear signage that makes the cinema area easy to find. It is strongly recommended to pre-purchase your tickets online, before attending. Tickets are generally priced between $18-$21 plus a booking fee, but also keep an eye out for special $10 screenings on Mondays.

All tickets are general admission so it is advised to arrive earlier to find your seats. I also recommend this, as it is a great opportunity to explore the grounds of The Abbotsford Convent, visit one of the interchanging food trucks on site, grab a drink at the bar or play a game of table tennis on one of the many ping pong tables located next to the bar area! It is helpful that all the deck chair seating is provided, so there is no need to pack your picnic rug and pillows! On that note, I would still advise you to bring a jumper and/or a blanket if you tend to feel the cold easily, especially with the unpredictable Melbourne weather! The choice of food truck changes on a rotating basis, and the popular not-for-profit Vegetarian restaurant Lentil As Anything is situated around the corner from the cinema space within the Abbotsford Convent. If you are more interested in sweets or other movie snacks, you can always bring your own food and drinks also. It is important to note that The Shadow Electric is a licensed venue and all movie screenings are strictly for audiences aged 18+ only.

Ping Pong tables at The Shadow Electric Openair Cinema

The grand 12 m screen was wonderful to watch. The picture quality was great, although I did worry a little when the wind picked up. The sound quality was also clear and strong. If you do pre-purchase tickets and are worried about the weather conditions, do keep an eye out on The Shadow Electric’s Facebook and Twitter pages on the day of the screening as movies can be cancelled due to bad weather conditions. The night I attended, the surrounding streets experienced a power failure which caused the screen to turn off during the screening. I was impressed with how the situation was handled, staff were quick to explain the situation to the audience and resumed the movie in no time. In fact, I even enjoyed having an intermission in what was actually quite a long movie!

The Shadow Electric’s laid-back atmosphere and beautiful environment makes for a very relaxed and enjoyable movie experience. The Shadow Electric is an excellent open air cinema to visit, particularly if you prefer their alternative movie selection over the new releases playing at mainstream cinemas. To find out more information on upcoming sessions and ticket bookings, visit The Shadow Electric official website. http://2014.shadowelectric.com.au/

The Shadow Electric Open Air Cinema

21st November 2013 – 9th March 2014

Abbotsford Convent

1 St Heliers St
Abbotsford 3067

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16Jan2014

Lygon Street – Si Parla Italiano movie review Melbourne

Posted in Events & Happenings by melbournedarling

If you only thought of Lygon Street Carlton as the place to get a plate of pasta and cannoli, then you need to head to Cinema Nova to watch the next screening of the movie ‘Lygon Street – Si Parla Italiano’.

Lygon Street – Si Parla Italiano Movie. Image Via.

The wonderful movie ‘Lygon Street – Si Parla Italiano’ restored my hope in Melbourne’s beloved Italian precinct. Just as I started to believe Melbourne’s Little Italy had begun sacrificing its vibrant offering of cultural dynamism in exchange of heading towards a gaudy tourist trap, this fascinating documentary reminded me to see past the few annoying spruikers and handful of over priced pizzerias. Instead it encouraged me to recall the classic Italian delis and food stores, the number of restaurants still serving traditional Italian dishes, the old buildings and the fond memories I have walking past each of the changing shop fronts through the years.

From the arrival of the first Italian immigrants to the arrival of the Australia’s first espresso machine, this charming documentary narrated by Anthony LaPaglia uncovers a truly rich history that may have otherwise been lost through the generations of families, shop owners and development changes that have occurred in the area. The intimate and detailed interviews, stories and personal photos provide the audience with a highly engaging and insightful trip through time. Sharing stories of hardship and success, of assimilation and inspiration, this movie will provide you with a fresh perceptive of this iconic cultural and social hub.

Even if you were not there to experience the sentimental stories first hand, there is much to take away from this enjoyable viewing. This movie provided me with a newfound appreciation of what has become a great deal more than just a popular Melbourne street. ‘Lygon Street – Si Parla Italiano’ not only allows you to relive the moments when Italian people migrated to Melbourne, but the moments when Lygon Street migrated to become a solid and special place in the heart of our city of Melbourne. ‘Lygon Street – Si Parla Italiano’ is now showing at Cinema Nova on Lygon Street, Carlton.

Lygon Street – Si Parla Italiano

Movie sessions now screening at Cinema Nova

380 Lygon St Carlton

Click here for session times

Click here for official movie trailer

Click here for official movie website

Official movie Facebook page

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9Jan2014

The Kooky Kraft Klub Fashion Bazaar

Posted in Shopping & Sales by melbournedarling

The beginning of a new year always makes me feel eager to inject some freshness into my wardrobe!

If your wardrobe is in need of some stylish new additions but the repetitive offering of high street stores and Boxing Day sales have left you feeling uninspired, than you’re going to want to head down to the Kooky Kraft Klub Fashion Bazaar!

On Saturday 19th January, the Kooky Kraft Klub in Yarraville will be transformed into an impressive fashion marketplace to help you kick off the new year with some unique fashion finds! At this one day only event, you can discover a fantastic array of stalls selling quality second-hand, designer, brand name and vintage treasures including women’s clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories.

The event is free entry and stalls are cash only. Changing rooms are available onsite as well as a nail artist who will be available for bookings on the day!

RSVP to this event on Facebook here!

The Kooky Kraft Klub Fashion Bazaar

Sunday 19th January, 2014

10am – 4pm

83 Gamon Street, Yarraville

RSVP to this event on Facebook

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