Valentine's Day Lush Haul

Hello lovelies!

It's a little late, but better late than never! We had a little "treat yourself" moment (once again), and purchased a few goodies from the Valentine's Day collection at Lush! Actually, I wanted to surprise Serena with a bath bomb after she came back from her month of travelling, and then I saw the massage bar and was sold! Serena was given the rest as a birthday gift, and they just happened to match perfectly!

Prince Charming Shower Cream: This scent is sweet without being overpowering. Containing marshmallow root, vanilla pod, grapefruit oil and pomegranate juice, it is sweet with a citrus feel. It makes your bathroom smell so good too.

'Love You, Love You Lots' Soap Bar: Full of roses, as most of these products are, this smells so great! I'm not the biggest fan of soap bars because I never really feel clean after using them, and I don't like the feeling left on my skin after. This was is super pretty though, does feel slightly more moisturising than your average soap. Probably not something I would actively purchase, but simply because I don't use soap bars!

The Kiss Lip Scrub: This is such an effective lip scrub! It's great to use just after you get out of the shower, and just before applying lipstick. It's really pretty as it's pink with glitter and mini hearts.

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner: My all time favourite product from Lush so far, I have repurchased this a few times. It smells like Turkish delight! Most importantly, it actually leaves your skin feeling super soft. You don't even need body lotion after, and you will smell so good. Seriously, such an amazing buy, especially during the winter months when my skin gets dry.

Rose Bombshell Bath Bomb: This is a triple rose threat! Containing rose oil, rose absolute and dried rose petals, this creates a pretty pink bath littered with petals. I am a huge fan of rose scented products, so this was such a great bath bomb for me. I was a little concerned with what the aftermath would be like in terms of cleaning, but it was surprisingly (and thankfully) fine! There was a slight pink ring around the tub, but it was easily wiped off, and the petals sort of disintegrate into the water and just go straight down the drain.

Love Spell Massage Bar: I was immediately drawn to the hearts and was sold as soon as I got to try it with a free hand and arm massage (so, so, SO relaxing haha). It has a sweet, slightly chocolate and rose scent to it and is so hydrating as well! As it is pure cocoa butter with essential oils, it does leave you with a rather oily finish, so I personally would only use it in the evening before bed :)

Well, there you have it! A brief run down of some of these little treasures from Lush. Have a lovely weekend everyone, and don't forget to spend some time on yourself!

xo Sara

DIY Rose Garland Decor

Hello lovelies!

So it was Serena's birthday a few weeks ago and I bought her some beautiful red roses to celebrate, as they are her favourite flowers. It's always so sad when fresh flowers start to droop and reach the end of their time. I always feel so bad throwing them out, because even though they don't look nice enough to display, they're not really dead yet either. This time I thought about what I could use them for instead of just throwing them away, and found this DIY from my favourite, LC. I was so inspired, I had to try it!

All you have to do is cut off the heads of the flowers, and tie them up along a piece of string - or twine if you like that vintage look. It's so simple and looks really lovely, plus it helps them dry out faster so you could then use the dried rose petals for another DIY!

It does give a romantic feel to the room, and adds a lovely scent as well. I think it would be a great idea for a Valentine's Day party. The colour doesn't really match my room very well, so I think if I were to make another one I'd pick different flowers, but it's such a good idea to make use of the flowers instead of just throwing them out.

The only thing I have to point out is that as it dries, it will shrink to give more of a rosebud look, which is still very pretty, With these red roses, they darken a lot so they give off more of a gothic sort of look hanging up! Other than that, they're still super pretty!

I hope this served as a little piece of inspiration for Valentine's day!

xo Sara

5 Tips for Getting Organised

Hello lovelies!

It's been a little while! We've been busy travelling Japan :) Now that we have started a new year, it's the perfect time to get organised for the coming year.

1. Buy a planner .
Write down any important events so you can be prepared for anything! This weekly diary is the cutest way to keep track of things. It comes with gold stickers too! So much love.

2. Declutter your life.
This is a huge task, so I would recommend separating this into visible clutter and hidden clutter. Visible clutter is simply getting rid of anything you didn't use or think about last year, and reorganising your space. Hidden clutter is more of a deep clean of all the things you tend to hide away in drawers or cupboards - you've got to go through them at some stage! Also, don't forget your tech items - removing unused apps from your phone, or files from your laptop or computer.

3. Go through your kitchen.
I'm guilty of buying random ingredients and products in the moment, only to completely forget about them after! Make sure to remove anything that has expired, and tidy up. You may just find yourself getting inspired to use up some of the things you find!

4. Create time-saving habits or routines.
Some people (like myself) find themselves way more productive following a daily routine. It helps me to remember to complete mandatory tasks, and settles me. Others prefer writing out to-do lists, or just create handy habits. For example, wiping down the counters after preparing a meal, or doing the dishes straight away. It's the little things that count!

5. Share your schedule with someone else.
It's great having your own planner, but it can be helpful to share your schedule with others. Serena and I use Google calendar to share our personal schedules, so we always know when the other is busy. Weekends can get pretty busy during the year, so it can help to prevent any double bookings if you share your calendar with your family.

These are a few little tips to help you start getting organised for the new year :) Please let us know what other tips you find useful in staying organised.

xo Sara

Wishlist: Pink & Gold Ballerina Edition

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is to watch a ballet in December and this year it was fittingly the Nutcracker. It was such a beautiful performance and a treat to see some of the younger ballerinas dance as this was the first performance I've seen with children characters. The costumes were beautiful with lovely fur coats, beaded dresses and the stunning, sparkly Sugarplum fairy costume. As Christmas draws near, I've compiled some ideas for last minute gifts or your wish list *wink wink* for anyone who loves anything girly, pink, gold or ballet inspired. Tulle skirts are so twirl worthy but can be hard to put an outfit together without looking too over the top ballerina. The rose gold accents add a modern twist to a feminine outfit and ties in my two favourite colours: pink and gold/rose gold!

1. Repetto perfume (eau de toilette) 
From the well known French ballet shoe company, comes this graceful perfume which is the perfect thing to spritz on your way out to the ballet. The floral, woody musky fragrance opens with a sparkling burst of pear, cherry blossom, satin rose, orange blossom with final notes of amber and vanilla in a pretty pink bottle.

2. Kate Spade on pointe ballet slipper pendant
A dainty gold necklace to flaunt your love of the ballet.

3. Luna di seta silk camisole (champagne)
A delicate camisole made from the renowned Italian silk company 'Luna di Seta'. The v-shaped neckline showcases the necklace while the adjustable straps and the feminine cut ensures it will accentuate most figures.

4. Amara knee length tulle skirt
The perfect party skirt that adds a bit of whimsy to your look.

5. Ted Baker: Dian bag
The prettiest pastel pink bag you ever did see! The rose gold miniature bow details and clasp make this the perfect accompaniment for any cream, light coloured outfits. It also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap so you can wear it as a bag or a clutch so it's like two bags in one.

6. Essie polish: Satin Slipper & Essie polish: Lace Me Up
I have always loved the quality and pastel colour selection of Essie polishes so when they released the ballet nudes collection, I just had to include them in this gift guide. Satin slipper is a champagne ivory and Lace Me Up is a light rose pink.

7. Miss Guided gold heels
To complete the modern ballerina look, these satin pointed toe heels in a shimmery gold hue will add a sparkle to your step.

Serena

The Petite Pair Christmas Tag

We love Christmas tags and have compiled a list of festive questions to let you get to know us a bit better Christmas style.

1. Favourite christmas movie 
 Sara: The ultimate Christmas movie for me has to be The Polar Express. It's just so magical! I also like watching the new Hallmark Christmas movies for the year.
Serena: Polar Express for sure, it's the ultimate Christmas Eve movie.

2. Favourite holiday treat 
Sara: Gingerbread men.
Serena: Cookies! Especially shortbread ones like sugar cookies.

3. When/how did you learn that Santa wasn't real? 
 Sara: One Christmas when I was maybe 5 or 6, I noticed Santa's handwriting looked exactly like my mum's...
Serena: I don't remember ever finding out that Santa wasn't real, it just didn't seem possible.  But I didn't let anyone know until I was older because I still liked participating in the Christmas magic.

4. Favourite Christmas song 
Sara: Let it Snow.
Serena: Have yourself a very merry Christmas

5. Best gift you've ever received
Sara: That's so tricky! I like all my gifts, but the most memorable one was probably last year when I received a full year's subscription and tickets to the WA Ballet for the year.
Serena: That is hard! One of them is my Breville stand mixer which replaced my vintage hand held mixer that made me dread any recipe that said 'now beat for 10-15 minutes'.

6. Your favourite tree ornament
Sara: Pretty, vintage looking fairies, snowflakes and other intricate ornaments.
Serena: Nutcracker or ballet inspired ornaments.

7. Most memorable Christmas
Sara: So many for all different reasons.
Serena: All the ones we've hosted just because I love event planning and scouring Pinterest boards for inspiration.

8. If you could be in any Christmas movie, which one would it be?
Sara: A Christmas Carol but the Barbie version. The normal one is slightly creepy.
Serena: The Nutcracker as Clara of course!

9. Easiest person to buy for
Sara: Serena.
Serena: Sara. Her presents are basically my wishlist.

10. Favourite holiday scent
Sara: Pine and gingerbread.
Serena: Gingerbread and sugar cookies.

11. Favourite Christmas tradition
Sara: Waking up early on Christmas day, seeing what Santa left us in our stockings and enjoying a leisurely breakfast in our pyjamas.
Serena: A Christmas picnic with family and friends.

12. Wrapping paper or gift bags
 Sara: Wrapping paper!
Serena: Wrapping paper. Gift bags make wrapping so much easier because you don't have to wrap at all but it takes away the element of surprise.

13. Favourite Christmas book
 Sara: Oh, I'm not too sure... maybe Little Women?
Serena: Nutcracker by ETA Hoffman

14. Real or artificial tree
Sara: I've always wanted a real tree, but I've not had one yet! One day... 
Serena: Artificial but it has to be a traditional green. Love the idea of a real one but it seems like too much work.

15. Best gift you've given
Sara: I'm not sure... I just hope everyone likes their gifts!
Serena: Can I say all? I'd like to think I give pretty great gifts haha. Probably a heart locket necklace.

16. Hardest person to buy for 
Sara: Dad.
Serena: Guys.

17. Would you rather live in Santa's workshop or a gingerbread house?
Sara: Santa's workshop.
Serena: Same. If I lived in a gingerbread house, I'd be homeless in a couple of days because seriously who could resist that if your whole house was edible.

18. When do you open gifts? 
Sara and Serena: Christmas morning!  

19. Favourite stocking stuffer 
 Sara: Every year we get a bottle of the Philosophy shower gel in a holiday scent.
 Serena: Pastel Essie nail polish.

20. Favourite Christmas meal 
 Sara: Roast vegetables.
 Serena: Dessert, obviously.

21. Do you travel on the holidays? 
Sara: Some years I do, and that's always fun! Especially when it's to places that actually have a cold Christmas!
Serena: Every year! I can only remember one time that I've not travelled during the Christmas break.   

22. Egg nog or hot chocolate
Sara: Hot chocolate all the way. Anyone who knows me will also know how much I enjoy having my hot chocolates.
Serena: Hot chocolate. Whipped cream, marshmallows and Netflix is mandatory.

 23. Your plans for christmas 
Sara: This year, just the usual. I'm hoping to attempt baking and cooking more, which will be quite interesting!
Serena: A whole lot of baking! I've been allocated desserts for upcoming Christmas events and will be baking Christmas cookies to go along with gifts. If all goes well I will share a couple of recipes on the blog.

24. Favourite Christmas Eve traditions 
Sara: Go to mass, and watching a Christmas movie with hot chocolate.
Serena: Christmas movie with the family then having a sisterly chat in the living room with only the glow of the Christmas tree lights.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our answers and we tag everyone to have a go.

If you do complete the tag, please leave a comment below so we can read your answers!

The Petite Pair

xx

Dining with the Pair: Vans, Cottesloe

Walk into Vans and you'll see that this is not the usual Napoleon St café.
Fake butterflies hang off wires stretched across the ceiling in an unexpected decor move and the breakfast menu continues this subtle otherworldly vibe.  It has an interesting mix of spicy, sweet and classic brekky dishes with Asian flavours worked in such as mango and coconut chia pudding, son in law eggs and a Indonesian fried egg dish with lap cheong and sambal.



Our food:

Buttermilk pancakes with apple and strawberry compote and whipped maple butter ($19)

The pancakes unfortunately lacked flavour and were drenched in maple syrup. Now I'm not averse to a good drizzle of maple syrup but there was so much syrup that the pancakes had begun to disintegrate in its sogginess. The sweet strawberry purée and honeycomb butter made this a sugar overload even to me and my love of sweets. A small carafe of maple syrup or perhaps some cream instead of the purée would have toned down its sweetness.

Mushrooms on toast with Fremantle life cycle mushrooms, goats curd, 63 degree egg, truffle oil and grilled gluten free sourdough ($24)

The mushroom dish was executed well and had a good combination of textures with the crusty bread. They thoughtfully supplied us with a sharper knife for this dish to cut through the harder sourdough.

Open egg white omelette with stir fried blue swimmer crab, broccolini, pea tendrils, coriander, green chilli nah jim ($26)

The whipped egg white elevated the normally hearty omelette into a very light and fluffy dish. The crab meat portions were generous and well spread so you got a good chunk of juicy crab in each bite. The cilantro, chilli and oil gave off Thai flavours but perhaps a lighter hand on the oil would have made this perfect as it got slightly too greasy near the end.

We didn't take photos of our drinks but the hot chocolate would have been a real winner if only it had been served at a hotter temperature. The milk was not hot enough to melt the dark chocolate and marshmallow leaving a clump of solid chocolate at the bottom. The chai latte was brewed with real chai tea and unlike the majority of tea leaf based lattes it actually had a good balance of mellow sweetness provided by the honey.


Overall
The service although slow was friendly. Not including the pancakes, Vans is worthy of another visit but I'd probably stick with the savoury options.
Dishes for next time: Roast cauliflower and manchego fritters with romesco sauce, soft poached egg, endive and avocado.
Rating: 6/10.

Until next time my fellow foodies,

Serena

Notes

~ Breakfast, lunch and dinner available

~ Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available

Vans

Open 7 days a week

1 Napoleon St, Cottesloe

http://www.vanscafe.com.au/#welcome