Luff!

Now, we all know the wonderful Faux Fuchsia has impeccable taste, which now of course extends to purchasing wonderful items for the impending birth of her bebe.

Now I don't have a baby yet, but when I do I'll DEFINITELY be buying one of these:


It's an elephant nightlight. If it's good enough for FF's baby it will be on my list. But between you and me, I'm thinking of buying this one for my bedside table:


I'm not afraid of the dark but I'd pretend to be if it got me a kitty nightlight. Who wouldn't?

ikaboo nightlights are available from UrbanBaby (which, by the way, has so much amazing baby stuff - it had me entertained for hours looking for the coolest presents) for $39.95.

Kitty

The winners of Miss Kitty's fantabulous competition!

Apologies on the delay for announcing the winners of my competition. I had the wonderful magnificent idea of involving Millie (my Blue Burmese cat) in the selection process by screwing up each of your names and throwing them all and getting her to select the winners by bringing one back to me at a time. She loves playing fetch. Usually. Unfortunately she hasn't been in the mood this week so it took until last night to entice her to select the winners...

So, without any further ado, the winners are:

Glee Cards and lip balm: Sydney Shop Girl

Leopard Scarf: The Mummy

T2 Tea: Semi Expat

Grown Handcream: Ms Curious

Hot Chocolate: Louise from North Queensland

Elk Brooch: Maxabella

Congratulations ladies! If you could send your names and addresses to sian@sweetieput.com I'll get your prizes in the post!

Kitty

The cuteness!!!

Browsing etsy this morning and look what (or who) I stumbled across. If you think your doggy needs a rabbit hat, you can buy one here.

Kitty

Another esty find: Lirola

I have been lusting after this dress from the etsy shop of Lirola for at least a year now. It looks so comfortable and I love you can choose your colour. I love that the materials seems so soft and easy to wear. I love that she - like many etsy artists - makes to measure.

Israeli based Liron, the designer and shop owner has, for the past 3 years, been designing womens clothing. With more than 1000 sales on etsy alone, I'm clearly not alone in my adoration of her simple classic style.

I think I might have to purchase this beautiful dress once the spending ban is over. The only question is - in which colour?

Kitty

Miss Kitty's favourite things: cosmetics

Inspired by the ever inspirational Cclarebear and her recent shout out on basic cosmetics under $100, I was rummaging though my cosmetics over the weekend and realised that of the bags and bags of make-up I own, I really only use the same ten or so things on a daily basis. Sure, if I'm going out I'll make a bit more of an effort, but those tried and true "holy grail" items seem to be the ones I come back to time and time again no matter how I try to try other things.

Here are my picks for my must have items:

Perfekt skin perfection gel: This is my HG primer. It's light and melts into the skin providing a flawless base for your foundation. I discovered it about 2 years ago in the US and nothing I have tried since compares. It claims to be a gel but it has a slight waxy feel to it (it's not unpleasant) and it's really hydrating. It lasts all day and leaves my base looking as good when I get home at night as it does in the mornings.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser: I'm not a fan of wearing foundation every day. I find it's too heavy and my skin doesn't like it. If I wear it two days in a row I start to break out. Tinted moisturiser is my best friend - light and sheer enough to let my skin breathe yet enough pigment to even out the tone it's the best case scenario for me when it comes to a base. And Laura Mercier's offering is the best of the best. For a ling time I used the Stila TM but the Laura Mercier blends a lot easier and has a softer cast than the Stila, plus it lasts longer through the day and the finish is far more superior. It's not a cheap option but I think the investment is worth it. For when I need a little more coverage I opt for Giorgio Armani's Lumionous Silk - it's more a nightime product for me or when I need to look super glam!

Perfekt eye perfection gel: In my eternal search for a concealer that doesn't cake and crack like Miss Havisham's wedding cake, or slide off my face half way through the morning, I stumbled across this amazing product. It's hydrating enough that I don't need to wear eye cream underneath and it creates a flawless base for my concealer. Some people can wear it alone as a concealer - my dark circles are too bad to be able to do that - but it's a great base for me and I'd be lost without it.

Diorskin nude skin perfecting hydrating concealer: To go with the eye perfection gel, you need a really light concealer. I find this liquid concealer from Dior to be the perfect match. It's quite highly pigmented and a little goes a long way but it's sheer and hydrating enough not to go cakey and dry half way through the day. I used to use The Balm Time Balm concealer but it's really quite thick and dry in comparison. I still use it on weekends when a polished look isn't as important as it's a more cost effective solution and it's a one step process rather than two which makes a difference!

NARS Loose Powder: this triple milled loose powder is the best on the market in my opinion and the colour match to my skin is fantastic. This powder provides sheer, ultra-natural coverage to set makeup, soften color and smooth the texture of the skin for an overall radiant complexion. The silky-smooth texture blends undetectably into the skin, absorbs excess oils and maintains fresh looking skin with an imperceptible finish thoughout the day. Perfection.

NARS highlight blush duo: So this is a bit of a cheat - it's two products in one, but most days I only use the blush not the highlighter, which I more often save for evenings or special occasions. I find NARS blushes to be the best on the market and my colour de jour is Sin. Orgasm, the colour that most people adore, is just a bit too coral on my skin. The Albatross highlighter leaves a shimmery dewy glow on my cheekbones and temples, which looks fantastic as an evening look. You have to be really light handed with it thouh or you end up looking a bit Disco Barbie.

Stila eyeshadows: Of all the eyeshadows I have tried, I prefer Stila for everyday use. I find many other brands (NARS, MAC etc.) have too much pigment in their shadows for daily use. I love them when I am doing a "going out" look but for me they can be a bit overbearing. I generally use three: a sheer shimmery base, a bronze and a plum to create my day look but have experimented with silvers and greys too which are really nice. I like that you can use them with a light hand and create a really sheer look or amp it up a little for an evening event. They are solid multi purpose shadows and a good investment. My current colours are wheat, holly golightly and barefoot contessa.

Stila Smudgepot: I don't actually wear this every single day anymore but when I do, I instantly feel more polished and refined. It's the ultimate liner for me - you need a steady hand and a good fine brush but when you master the application it's better than any pencil you can buy. It makes your lashes look thicker and fuller and frames your eyes beautifully. It's not easy to master though - a steady hand and patience are required.

Korres Deep colour mascara with rice bran oil: For a very long time I had been a devotee of Diorshow. It thickened and lengthened my lashes and didn't clump but it looked very "mascaraey" if you know what I mean. On the hunt for something a little more natural looking, Cclarebear recommended the Korres mascara to me. I have blogged about it's fantasticness before so I won't repeat myself but I love it and still use it everyday.

MAC lipstick: I have tried a lot of lipsticks and this for me is the absolute best. Great staying power, good pigment level, not too drying (well depending on what variety you get, some are better than others) and loads of different colour options. I've been using MAC for almost 15 years and have no reason to switch. Everytime I have tried a different brand I have been disappointed. My favourite colours are Twig, Craving, Captive, Viva Glam I and Brick-o-La.

Some of the ones that didn't make the top 10 are still some of my favourites but because I don't use them every day they just didn't make the cut. Case in point: NARS lipgloss. Not too sticky, great pigment, pretty colours. Talitha is my favourite colour of all time - just a ridiculously perfect pink on me. I also love Rose Gitane and All Night Long but because I wear gloss about once a week it can't go on the list.

So there you have it. My top 10 cosmetic products - the tried and tested few that make the grade time and time again.Do you have any holy grail make up products?

Kitty x

Advice from Mae West.

I think there's a little something in this for all of us, isn't there? For me, it reminds me I need to try different things rather than follow the status quo, rather than doing things the way I have always done them.

Life's certainly a little more fun that way. Well, that's what I think.

Have a wonderful week people, and remember to take the road less travelled. It's worth it.

Image: Urban Nest Design

Don't forget my fantabulous giveaway!

Don't forget about the fantabulous giveaway happening on Miss Kitty-Cat goes to Town!

If you haven't already entered, start typing! If you have entered, enter again!! Entries close on Sunday night!

K xx

Miaow!

I know I've blogged about Helkat Design on etsy before, but I love their cushions...

My favourite at the moment is this beauty. It's got cats on it. They are playing with their things. I think the Kitties would adore it - it's an homage to their day.

Mr Kitty would not like it. He would say that by buying it I'm flagrantly breaking my self imposed spending ban. Unfortunately I'd be forced to agree with him.

It's very cute though. And really quite reasonable.

Kitty

Miss Kitty loves: Incy Interiors...

One of my very good friends Kristy has just started her own children's furniture business, Incy Interiors. Noticing a gap in the market for high quality furniture at great prices, she decided to start her own business designing and manufacturing these great pieces. There's everything from cots to beds and chairs and artwork. She's a mum and instinctively knows what kids and parents love as well as what is practical.


Kristy's personal flair and sense of style is evident in every piece. All the furniture complies with Australian and New Zealand safety standards. My personal favourite is the egg chair pictured above - tres chic!

If you are on the look out for some great kids furniture, visit www.incyinteriors.com.au for more information.

Kitty

The perfect accessory... An ode to the pearl.

Janet over at The Gardener's Cottage blogged about her favourite accessory: the perfect black flat. She asked everyone what their favourite accessory is.

Now I like a good flat shoe but for versatility, I don't think you can go past a strand of pearls. What I like about them is that they can be even and smooth, all regular in size and shape or they can be mixed with other gems and beads to create something modern and interesting. You can have different sized pearls to create a strand with interest. There's nothing predictable about the pearl.

Mr Kitty often asks me why I like them so much (read: why do you buy so many pearl necklaces? You really need another one? You already have so many!). I love them for the simple reason that they go with everything. You can throw on a strand of pearls and feel like Jackie O or Grace Kelly. Glamorous. Simple. Understated. Chic.

They are classically elegant. They are not as expensive as other gems so, Mr Kitty, I can own far more of them. Fake ones often look as good as the real thing, in fact, Jackie O's famous triple strand of pearls was actually made from glass. And you'd never know.

Pearls are versatile - you can wear then to christenings, weddings and funerals. You can wear them to business meetings or on dates. You can wear them with a little black dress and look like Audrey Hepburn or with jeans and a cardi and still look like Audrey.

Pearls are definitely my ultimate accessory. What's your favourite accessory?

Kitty

Image is of the Manhattan Glamour Choker available at Mimco, RRP $299

Kindle me happy: the verdict.

I am 110% happy with my kindle purchase. It arrived last Thursday - three days after purchasing it. I was impressed with the shipping speed but I am even happier with the product.

It really is just like reading an actual book. It's heavier than a small format paperback but lighter than a hardcover book. The responsiveness when you flick between pages is great. It's really easy to read in full sunlight and there is no glare to read by the light of a lamp in the evening. I am about halfway though my first book on it and I have to say it's one of the best purchases we have made recently.



In addition to the kindle, I also bought a cover - the burgandy leather official kindle cover. I'm not known for being easy on my possessions so this was a must for me. The cover doubles the kindle's weight but I love that it makes it feel more bookish, and the built in light is fantastic for travelling. I love that purchasing is also practically instantaneous. You can buy from your kindle anywhere (I have a 3G version) or from your computer and it arrives at your kindle in seconds. The experience is great.


Although I'll always love reading old style books (the ones made from paper) this is a very practical solution to my travelling and hauling 10 books in my carry on problem. And it's great for reading on the bus etc. I'll still buy the occasional non-digital book but I'd say this has replaced at least 80% of my purchases. Sorry Dymocks and Borders, the experience just can't be beaten.

If you haven't already got a kindle and you are a voracious reader like I am, I'd highly recommend looking at one. The reduced price of eBooks means you'll likely cover the cost of the investment in 15 or so books, depending on the cost of the books you purchase, plus there are loads of books you can get for free. The 3G kindle costs $189US plus express shipping.

Kitty

The Gigantic Fantabulous Miss Kitty-Cat Giveaway!

I thought it was about time I had a giveaway on Miss Kitty Cat goes to town! So many of my favourite bloggers do them regularly but in the year and a bit this blog has been going I haven't given away anything. Not a thing. Tragic. So I decided to rectify that and present to you the Gigantic Fantabulous Miss Kitty-Cat Giveaway!

There are six prizes (items?) and what you need to do is leave a comment below saying which item you'd like to win and a little about what you like about this blog. Pretty simple huh? Don't worry if you haven't posted before - I'd love to hear from you!

When thinking about what I'd like to give away, I gravitated towards sharing some of my favourite things. Things I love. In some cases, things I can't live without. So I present to you the following items:

Lindt Hot chocolate:


For me, Lindt is the creme de la creme of hot chocolate. Chocolate flakes you melt with hot milk, this makes a rich unctuous drink that is perfect for the cooler weather we are starting to experience. It makes the perfect hot chocolate with a hint of bitterness to temper the sweetness. This one is milk chocolate but you can also buy dark chocolate if you'd like to try it yourself!

T2 Melbourne Breakfast Tea Bags:


It's no secret I love a good cup of tea and of the Australian producers I think T2 makes the finest tea. Melbourne breakfast is a medium flavoured balck tea with a hint of vanilla. Perfect for first thing in the morning - or anytime during the day for that matter! I decided against loose tea because the silk bags make things just a little easier. No mess, no fuss.

Sue Sylvester notecards and Kiehls Cranberry lip balm:


Like many people on the interwebs, I am a huge Glee Fan. When I came across these cards they made me laugh so much and I thought i would share them with you, my readers! The set includes 6 notecards with quotes like:

"I realize my cultural ascendance only serves to illuminate your own banality. But, face it, I’m legend. It’s happened."

"I’m gonna make it a habit to not stop and talk to students because this has been a colossal waste of my time."

"So you like show tunes. It doesn’t mean you’re gay. It just means you’re awful."

"Your hair looks like a briar patch. I keep expecting racist, animated Disney characters to pop up and start singing about living on the bayou."

And to top this prize off, I am also including a tube of Kiehls lip balm - it's one of my HG beauty products. I can't live without it and often have two or three tubes on the go. It's a "limited edition" (which means it's not available in Australia but you can buy it anytime in the US). I'm sure Sue would approve.


A leopard scarf:


There's no way we could have the inaugural giveaway on Miss Kitty-Cat without a leopard item and what better than a gorgeous scarf leading into the colder weather? This fabulous piece will jazz up any winter wardrobe - and the real benefit is that's it's huge. Massive. Perfect for wrapping yourself up in on a cold day. And everyone needs a little more leopard in their life in my opinion!

Grown vanilla and orange peel hand cream:


This - for me - is the best hand cream on the market. Better than Jurlique, better than Crabtree and Evelyn, better even than L'Occitane (although Mr Kitty prefers L'Occitane because of it's neutral smell). Grown is organic and the fragrance is incredible. It's edible. It's moreish. It's a small tube (60ml) which is perfect for your handbag or for travelling.



Elk Wooden Bird Brooch:


It's no secret I'm a huge fan of Elk Accessories and it's my great pleasure to present to you this final item: an Elk Bird Brooch. I wear mine all the time and if you are lucky enough to win it, I'm sure you will too. It's made from blackened wood and it would be perfect on a cardigan or coat. You'll become a devotee of Elk's crisp sharp design too.

So here's the deal. As mentioned above, leave a comment below stating which of the items you'd like to win and a little bit about what you like about the blog. The more creative the better :) You can enter once per day for as many items as you like (but only one entry per day full stop).

The giveaway closes next Sunday 20th February at 10pm! I'll post back here next Monday with the winners. Good luck!

Kitty xx

Edit: will definitely post overseas - so please enter overseas readers!

Leona Edmiston AW2011 Collection

Now it's no secret I love Leona Edmiston. The lady, the frocks, everything. Over the years I have amassed a large collection of her dresses - all are stylish, most are timeless and some are my favourite dresses of all time. A big call given the number of dresses I own.

Her new collection is no exception - filled with gorgeous dresses and gowns, each more beautiful than the last. The first few drops of the season are already in story and I can confidently say that this collection will not disappoint. All the dresses so far are gorgeous.

Here are a few of my picks of the season:

Brandy: I love the gorgeous floral print - it reminds me of a Renoir painting. The style is very chic and I see this as a frock that will last well into the Spring with it's pretty rosy pattern. The shape is likely to be very flattering also - the bell sleeves are classic and the deep V neckline is subtle enough for the office but sexy enough for a dinner for two.

Sunny: I'm a sucker for a Maxi dress and this is an absolute winner. It's in store already and the combination of the scoop neckline and the floral hem rising up the dress makes for a stunning piece. It's selling fast so I'd get in soon if you are interested. There is a shorter version (with a boat neckline - Uma) but of the two I think this is the nicer dress.


Olivia: the same print as the Brandy, this dress is a perfect addition to the winter wardrobe. It's feminine, stylish and the cowl neckline is super flattering. It also comes in a pretty fuchsia colour.


Fern: another dress that is already in store, this 1940's throwback comes in the gorgeous moss colour you see here and a pretty dark red (rust). Both are stunning. The cinched waist, scooped neckline and full skirt make for a very flattering silhouette.


Vita: This dress isn't one that is going to suit me I don't think but I adore it's McQueen-esque print and the pretty flared skirt. It's a definite work of art. A showstopper. People will talk when you enter the party in this outfit and it will all be positive.


Tammy: A classic Leona design, the flared skirt and boat neckline will suit most people. The plain black is thrown into relief by the unusual but pretty lace insert. I can't wait to try this one on.


Jessica: Probably my favourite dress of this season. I adore it's homage to Mad Men. Very Joan Holloway-Harris. The colour is divine, the style very sexy secretary. Perfect with a strand of gumball sized pearls, a satin clutch, bright red lipstick and a martini. Chin chin darling.

Of course this isn't the full list of the dresses I love - just a smattering of the creme de la creme. For more of the collection visit Leona's website.

Kitty

All images from the Leona Edmiston website.

The spending ban, take 2

Remember last year I was on a spending ban?

I am thinking about repeating it.

I've done pretty well with saving money recently but I have managed to also buy quite a few things. I've gotten back into my old habits of popping out at lunchtime and buying a few things.... Just small trifles, but they do add up. Substantially.

There's not a lot I really need. A couple of knits for winter, maybe a pair of ankle boots and that's pretty much it. I finish up work in a little over three weeks so I won't really need a lot of work style clothes. I can probably make do with what's currently in my wardrobe... ooooh, for a few decades.

So here's the plan. I'm going to make a list of the things I rationally need and how much I am prepared to pay for them and limit myself to just those things. I am allowing myself one Kindle book a week and my usual manicures et al. And that's it.

The plan is to see how long I can make it. I am currently aiming for the beginning of May. Three months, 12 weeks. Last time I almost made it to a month with no purchases.

And if I do last without too many transgressions I'll buy myself the Alexis Bittar necklace I have been lusting over. That's a nice reward I think.

Kitty

Damn you Alexis!!

I love this necklace. I love it to bits. I love the pearls, the sparkles, the modern rhodium spacers...

The only thing I don't love is the price. $675... US... That's pricey even by Kitty standards and I'm not what you'd really call a price sensitive shopper. I love me a bargain but if I want something bad enough I'll definitely stump up the readies...

The necklace is made by Alexis Bittar. I first saw some of his beautiful jewellery at the V&A when I was in London last year. Every piece is a work of art. It's divine. But there's no way I'd spend that kind of cash on a piece of jewellery I couldn't try on.

Luckily he has a shop in Venice (LA, not Italy) and guess where we are going in May... There is also a Hollywood store but we tend to stay Santa Monica/Venice. It's a lot more fun.

Perhaps if I save my pennies and don't buy too much between now and when we go in May I might just be able to treat myself...

Kitty

Kindle me happy...

I have been resisting the urge to buy an eBook reader. For a long time I was convinced they weren't really me. I love the feel of a proper book in my hands. The turning of the pages. The ability to flick back and forth through my favourite novels and re-read the best bits. I like technology but that just seems a step to far for me.

But on our most recent trip to the UK, I took 10 books. Big ones. My entire hand luggage was filled with books. I love to read so it's important for me to have enough reading material at all times. So as I struggled to get my far too heavy bag into the overhead locker I resolved that I would trade in my love of lugging books for a more practical solution.

It's taken me four months but I am ready to do it. Finally. I have taken the plunge and ordered a Kindle. I researched all the eBook readers on the market and it's the one that best suits my needs. I was tempted by the iPad but at $799 for a device with WiFi and 3G that's a bit out of my price range. You have to download a lot of free books to get back your initial investment. Sure, the iPad can do a lot more than a Kindle but if we want to watch movies when we travel, we always have a laptop. If I want to browse the internet on the move I have an iPhone... The Kindle mimics paper the best of all the eReader devices I researched and that was an important thing for me. I spend all day in front of a computer and I don't like reading on a computer screen.

So we took the plunge and ordered it this morning. I can't wait to get it.

Kitty

Apt, no?

I saw this recently in the Kate Spade online store. It's currently out of stock but I think I might have to try and find it when I am in the US.

Very apt for Miss Kitty. Indeed.

Kitty

Harvest

Let's just get one thing clear. I am not - and never will be - a farmer.

I don't have the correct footwear, I'm honestly not a big fan of dirt and I don't like being more than a ten minute drive from the local shopping centre. Just in case I run out of creme fraiche or leopard print shoes. Or something.

The reality is that we live on a suburban block so any farming aspirations I may have are tempered by space and the desire to have a lawn. So in reality, it wouldn't really matter how many pairs of wellington boots I had, we would we limited by space.

We have a (somewhat struggling and messy at the moment) herb garden - mint gone wild (as mint tends to do), lemon thyme, rosemary and chives all flourish when we remember to water them and the days don't top 41 degrees. Occasionally, if we are around in September - which over the past few years has been rare - we plant tomato plants. In 2009 I convinced Mr K to let me buy a raspberry cane along with the selection of tomatoes. It was $10 but I figured that if we got just one punnet of fruit from it, it would pay for itself. My favourite fruit, raspberries are insanely expensive and I often have a bit of hankering for them. It was as much about greed for home grown fruit as it was an attempt to embrace thrift.

The result was woefully unimpressive. Admittedly we planted it late (mid October) and the tomatoes we planted at the same time drowned thanks to torrential late rain. We managed a scant 4 berries from the plant before deeming the experiment an abject failure. We trimmed and pruned the cane and promptly forgot about the whole thing.


Fast forward to October last year and we arrived home from our UK/South Africa/Hong Kong trip to find a wonderful surprise. The raspberry cane had self seeded and we had a flourish of growth. Raspberries gone wild!! What started as a sad, lonely plant had exploded to four healthy thriving bushes with blossoms promising an abundance of luscious fruit.


Over the past few weeks we have gradually been harvesting our crop with pride and so far have managed to get at least a punnet of berries so far with many more to come. We get 6-10 berries a day, a lovely, delicious, sun warmed snack that I look forward to every day.


It has surprised me how something can thrive with no care or attention. We've now netted the fruit (I have no desire to share my longed for gains with the birdies) and are researching how we can keep the plants going while we build the house.

Raspberries waiting to ripen!

And not only were the raspberries a happy surprise, we also had some self seeding baby tomatoes this year. Even though the last round drowned, we have a fine crop for Summer 2010-11. They are gradually ripening with the intensely hot weather we are having at the moment and every piece of fruit tastes like sunshine.

The jumbled tangle of tomato plants!

It's so wonderfully rewarding eating something you have grown. This experiment with a very happy ending had given me a renewed enthusiasm for a vegetable patch in our new house.

Now, just to find some room to put it...

Kitty

Back on the horsie...

I decided to get back on the horsie and buy something else online. After so many terrible experiences (see previous post), I didn't want to leave it too long and lose my nerve. I have a responsibility to keep the economiez going you know. I was browsing The Outnet this morning and saw this bag. For 138 pounds it's a steal. It's purple (one of my favourite colours), it's made from soft, beautiful leather, it's a limited edition and it has leopard lining. All my favourite things.

So I bought it.

I trust The Outnet. The sale sister of Net-A-Porter, I have absolute faith that this item is still currently in stock, it will arrive via DHL in a timely fashion for a reasonable shipping charge and it will be exactly the same size as the measurements say it is. It will, indeed, be a good online shopping experience.

Fingers crossed.

Kitty