Movie Star Crush: Rachel Bilson

I wanted to share with you all my movie star crush on Rachel Bilson. I absolutely adore her style. Whether it be her day to day looks or red carpet ensembles, I want to wear everything she wears. I'm particularly loving how she is styled on her new show 'Hart Of Dixie.' Her character Zoe is often seen wearing sexy chic shorts with buttoned up silk printed blouses with fitted blazers. I'm in love with the show as much as her style. 

I'm obviously not the only girl who admires Rachel's sense of style as she is seen at every top fashion affair as well as being asked to collaborate with top labels including her own designed collection titled Edie Rose for DKNY jeans. Rachel has also launched her own shoe label  ShoeMint where she works with fashion stylist Nicole Chavez as well as the shoe genius Steve Madden to produce a month by month collection of shoes exclusively sold to members online. I have just signed up myself! Check out how it works here: 

For those of you who share my love for Rachel I have styled some looks based on selected Rachel Bilson looks. I have tried to include some affordable options in each look for those of us who don't earn her movie star salary.

To begin with I have styled my own Rachel Bilson inspired look. I'm wearing a Sunny Girl shirt, vintage sequins top, Forever New blazer and high waisted black shorts. 

ASOS Ponti Blazer With Notch Lapel $69.85

 Urban Expressions:The Frenchy Bag in Black, $63.00

Dorothy Perkins Multi polka-dot flared dress $80.40

ShoeMint Spring 2012 Collection 'Chloe' $79.98

LORIKEET Open-Front Cropped Blazer $95.96

Zara DRESS WITH APPLIQUÉS AND LACE TRIM $96.95

RAY-BAN Wayfarer Sunglasses $190.00

SUPER ORANGE MARY JANE HEEL $78.00

2nd Day Foo Black Jacket $390.00

CACHAREL Strapless folded top dress $333.30

Alexander Wang : monique lizard boot $230.00

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Hamilton textured-leather tote $377.10

JK2 Faux-Fur Fleece-Trim Hooded Parka $62.00

TARYN ice coloured heel $90.00

Beyond Vintage Natasha dolman tunic top $230.00

MOTO High Waist Jamie Jeans $78.00

Below I have selected my favourite Rachel Bilson looks. Enjoy!

 All images of Rachel are courtesy of People.com

Thanks for reading!

xox

People.com

Cooking in style...

For some reason I woke up yesterday morning yearning to be creative in the kitchen. This is a rare feeling for me as cooking isn't my favourite pastime. I did a Google search and came across the most basic recipe with such an adorable and delicious result... Tea Cup Biscuits.  You could be 4 years old to follow this recipe, so it was very well suited to me and my cooking skills. These delicious Tea Cups  can be served at any afternoon tea gathering or with coffee/tea after a dinner. Also a great idea for kids birthday parties or events.

I have prepared step by step instructions for you below. I have also sourced some adorable cooking accessories to help you cook in style at the bottom of this post. 

Cristina Re

Prepare all of your ingredients:

STEP 1:

Cut each Life Savers piece in half.

 STEP 2:

Boil water to mix with a small amount of icing until a thick  paste like consistency is made.

 STEP 3:

Use a knife to spread icing on the base of the marshmallow.

 STEP 4:

Gently place the marshmallow in the centre of the Tic Toc biscuit and press down.

STEP 5:

Use a knife to spread icing on each end of the halved Life Savers.

STEP 6:

Place the halved Life Savers on the side of the marshmallow to resemble the handle of a cup. Be sure to apply pressure for a few seconds to ensure it sticks.

 STEP 7:

Spread icing onto the flat side of the Freckle.

STEP 8:

Place the Freckle on top of the marshmallow.

You're all done! 

See how easy it is? 

They look amazing displayed in a group.

Happy Cooking!

Carolyn's Kitchen

Below I have selected my favourite aprons from Carolyn's Kitchen. 

Carolyn's Kitchen is an online store providing vintage inspired aprons, dish gloves amongst other feminine and unique accessories. You almost feel like a pin-up girl when wearing her incredibly chic and sexy aprons. 

Carolyn draws inspiration from 1940's patterns and reinvents them with her own modern interpretation. Carolyn says of her collection "I wanted to bring back the glamour, sexiness, and cuteness of a bygone innocent era. The gloves and fabrics are new and nicer - it's a new and improved version of the '40's."

 I've ordered from her before and the quality and craftsmanship is exceptional. 

I encourage you all to visit her online shop! 

1-Rock N' Roll Pink/Green $39.95

2-2-Rock and Roll Pink Green Dish Gloves $22.00 Rock and Roll Pink Green Potholder $12.00

3-Daisy Apron Red $39.95

4-Marilyn Apron $29.95 Bandeau - Red $18.00 

5-Bandeau - Pink $18.00   Sweetheart Glove $22.00

6-Navy Petite Dot Party Apron $56 & Navy Petite Dot Party Garter $14

7-Teapot Apron Full $42.00

8-Teapot Gloves $22.00 Teapot Garter $14.00

9- Hawaiian Pinup Apron $39

Below I have sourced some fun and quirky cooking utensils to help make cooking an enjoyable and creative experience.

1-Mini Panda Skillet $36.00 

2-Animal House Monkey Peeler $7.14

3-Fred and Friends Oh Snap Cheese Cutter $9.97 

4-Heartbeater Whisk $14.00 

5-Fred Hot Heads Insulating Mitt, Frog $10.00

6-Heartbeater Whisk $14.00 

7-Talking MOO Mixer $22.00 

8-Wilton Silly- Feet Silicone Baking Cups $10.13 

9-The Hungover Cookbook $11.00 

Happy cooking! 

xox

HAPPY EASTER

Happy Easter Holidays everyone! I want to wish you all a happy and safe Easter break. I hope your Easter Sunday is filled with love and laughter as well as some damn good chocolate. I have selected some of my favourite rabbit themed fashion items below. It doesn't have to be Easter to enjoy them. 

But first, check out my Easter outfit for tomorrow! I love any opportunity to dress up in theme.

 

How cute are these Bunny nails from NailsShine?

1-1-Disney Couture Jewelry: The Alice in Wonderland Rabbit Ring $34.00

2-Maison Michel Heidi Rabbit Ears $490.00

3-Warehouse Stripe rabbit jumper $61.45

4-Leather Rabbit-Accent Flats

5-MARC by Marc Jacobs Rabbit Earmuffs $47.00

6-Wolf and Moon Perspex Rabbit Brooch $11.00

7-Pretty Zoo Miss Rabbit Necklace $59.00

8-"Cute Rabbit" Sneaker, $33.00

9-KAREN WALKER Rabbit stud $60.85

10Rabbit Pattern Sweater $57.00

11-Pretty Rabbit Necklace $4.70

12-Rabbit Earrings $27.00

1-Wolf and Moon Perspex Rabbit Necklace $13.80

2-Brown Bunny Rabbit Slippers $24.95

3-Rabbit Umbrella $12.00

4-Tea For Two, $29.00

5-Monty Python Killer Rabbit Slippers $36.95

6-Peter Jensen Rabbit Backpack $190.00

7-HOFF INTERIEUR 2 Rabbit Set $19.00

8-Rabbit iphone case $35.00

9-Woodland Bunnies Lolly Makers $7.60

HAPPY EASTER!

See you soon!

xox

SARY'STYLE

My Styling Diary- Day 4: Date Night

Well, the Easter break is almost here. One more sleep before our long weekend begins and only three more sleeps until the Easter bunny spoils us with delicious chocolate eggs. I cannot wait!!!

My husband and I like to have a 'date night' at least once a month. The date involves a fun filled night with good food, lots of laughs and often ends with a game of Air-Hokey at Intencity Games Arcade. Yes, we are 30 going on 16.  I know how much Dustin loves it when I surprise him with a cute and quirky look. I also know how much he loves when I wear red. I tried to tick all of these boxes with my look for tonight. 

I hope you (and he) like it! 

Day: Thursday

Temperature: 28°c- Sunny!!! 

Outing:  'Date Night' with the hubby!

  

Like always, I have styled a similar look to my 'Date Night' look from online shops below. 

1-Sportmax Black Azzorre Snail Ruched Jersey Top  $190.00 http://www.my-wardrobe.com (To be worn over the tie tie-neck blouse).

2-Raoul Silk Tie-Neck Blouse  $250.00  http://www.neimanmarcus.com

3-Lucille Ring, $96.00 http://www.amritasingh.com

4-Nine West Jewel Note Clutch $67.00  http://www.ninewest.com

5-River Island Floral Short  $32.44 http://www.asos.com

6-Detamble Shoes $87.00 

Thank you so much for sharing my Styling Diary with me over the past few days!

xox

My Styling Diary- Day 3: Styling Appointment

Hello again! Thank you so much to those of you who have been following my Styling Diary.

Today I have a styling appointment with a new client. My outfit needs to be professional whilst defining my personal style. I also don’t want to dress too formal as it is a daytime appointment. The best way to determine my true style is by wearing one of my own designs. So I have decided to wear my Queen Of The Sky dusty pink and black dress. It has a matching coat but due to the warm weather I have decided against wearing it. I added black tights to create a more professional look.

I hope you like it!

Day: Wednesday

Temperature: 25°c- Early fog then mostly sunny

Outing:  Styling Appointment

If you are interested in purchasing the Queen Of The Sky Dress or coat contact me for custom made orders: 

You would have noticed I am wearing a black belt in my above look. The dress can be worn with or without the belt.

See you tomorrow!

My Styling Diary- Day 2: Breakfast Date with Mum

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Monday. I shall continue on with my 5 day Fashion Diary.
Today, I had a breakfast date with my gorgeous mum. It's not often that mum and I can escape our daily duties and sneak away for a date so when we do have the opportunity, we do it very well!  I always like to surprise my mum by wearing some of her vintage pieces. It automatically brings a smile to her face and takes her back in time where she shares a story associated with that piece. So, today I wore her vintage yellow blouse which she had tailor made in the mid 1970'a. She told me she used to love wearing it underneath an olive suit (jacket and skirt).
 My outfit today shows the clash between street wear and chic by teaming my ripped denim jeans with a cute heel and refined top half of the outfit. Here it is!

Day: Tuesday.

Temperature: 26°c - Shower or two clearing

Outing:  Breakfast 
I have a breakfast date with my gorgeous mum.

Below I have sourced items from online shops for you to create a similar look to mine. 

Happy shopping!

1-DKNY Cropped jacket, $210.00  http://www.theoutnet.com

2-Equipment Brett tie neck silk blouse, $360.00   http://www.harveynichols.com

3-ASOS Felt Roll Brim Bowler Hat $35.81  http://us.asos.com/Women-Accessories-Hats/umt2b/?cid=6449#parentID=-1&pge=0&pgeSize=-1&sort=-1

4-GILMORE Contrast Toe Points  $115.00  http://us.topshop.com

5-J. Crew Vintage straight jean in old relic wash  $171.99 http://www.jcrew.com

5-THE CHERIE BAG BY MARC B** $69.55 http://www.topshop.com

See you tomorrow with my Wednesday look!

My Styling Diary: Day 1; 'Me' Day!

Hi Dusty Petals Followers. For those of you who don’t know, along with being a blogger, stylist and designer I am also a primary school teacher. I know, odd combination right? I have just finished a very hectic term and am ready to begin school holidays. I thought I would use this opportunity to share a styling diary with you all for the first few days. This diary will display my outfits chosen for the specific daily outing.  So we begin with Day 1:

Today was the first Monday in a long time that I was not awoken by my ear piercing alarm.  The morning is so beautiful at 10am.  I have decided to dedicate the first day of my holidays to ME.  So the plan for the day is, eyebrow maintenance, banking (withdrawing money out of my husband's wallet), coffee & magazine date and finally some retail therapy. 

The outfit I have chosen for today is casual yet chic. I always like to dress up even when doing some basic errands. It makes whatever I do feel more important and anyway it's just jolly good fun dressing up in the morning! So here it is.
 Be sure to visit Dusty Petals tomorrow for my Tuesday look. 

Day: Monday.

Temperature: 26°c - Mostly sunny

Outing:  ‘Me' Day
Shopping, coffee/magazine date, banking & eyebrow maintenance.

I have sourced similar items from online shops for you to replicate my above look! Happy shopping!

1-DAY Birger Et Mikkelsen Black Day Wool Felt Hat, $64.00 http://us.asos.com/Women-Accessories-Hats/umt2b/?cid=6449#parentID=-1&pge=0&pgeSize=-1&sort=-1

2-Day Birger et Mikkelsen Night Striped Top $ 61.80 http://www.the-dressingroom.com/item/Day-Birger-et-Mikkelsen/Night-Striped-3-4-Sleeve-Top-Natural-and-Black/2JET  

3-Musical Themed Rock and Roll Suspenders $15.20 http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Music-themed-Mens-Rock-and-Roll-Suspenders/4466596/product.html

4-FRANCESCO MORICHETTI Ballet flats - Item 44402441  $150.00 http://www.yoox.com/item.asp?cod10=44402441&tp=11227&tskay=3FD17CD7

5-angel eye Womens High Waist Plain Black Shorts  $38.60 http://www.vanmildert.com/womens-2/shorts-156/angel-eye-womens-high-344411.htm

5-Cambridge Satchel Company Black Patent Leather 15" Exclusive To Asos Batchel  $248.88  http://us.asos.com/Women-Bags-Purses/rsrpk/?cid=8730#parentID=Rf-200&pge=0&pgeSize=200&sort=-1&state=Rf-200%3D4  

See you tomorrow with my Tuesday look!
xox