{Jeans: Gap. Fedora: Banana Republic. Watch (similar): Michael Kors. Tee: Ann Taylor Loft}
Remember last week when I mentioned that press trips pack a lot into one day? I wasn’t exaggerating! There was so much to explore in the Gold Coast that really, there was no other way to soak up just a glimpse of it all than to pack it all in. In the morning, I treated myself to a beachside stroll and had the chance to visit the shops that dot Surfer’s Paradise. That afternoon, it was time to suit up for a stand-up paddle boarding lesson! Yes, I actually did it (I’m more adventurous than you think!).
There’s no better way to celebrate a sporty activity than with good food, a glass of wine and gorgeous views, which is what we did at our lunch spot, Oskars. There was seafood on the menu that to be honest, I’ve never heard of before but the views were spectacular and the meal quite delightful.
Of course, a trip to the Gold Coast wouldn’t be complete without Koalas. It was raining so we quickly darted in and out of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and got a few quick pics with the koalas! Turns out, they mostly sleep all day but the furry creatures were so adorable in real life!
Yes, all of those pics are from just one restaurant.
Later that night, we checked out the QT hotel where we popped by the spa, had drinks at Stingray and dined at Bazaar, an “Interactive Marketplace” (that’s a fancy term for a fancy buffet). The hotel itself is hip and retro, reminding me of Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho. But the dinner concept was a real treat. Banish what you think you know of buffets and instead, think fresh International cuisine, a chance to interact with all the chefs, wine pairings and treats galore. I’m sure it’s a new trend we’ll be seeing here soon.
In this week’s episode of Behind the Veil, I get to meet with my wedding coordinator who gives me some great tips on cute bridal shower games! I’m not a huge fan of games during showers, but I understand they can make the flow of an event a little less awkward. I got some great inspiration online on how to take the typically stale games up a few notches…enjoy!
Lately, I am obsessed with hats. The summers here are so brutal, there’s almost no room for style except to throw on a summer dress and be on your way. A cute hat and some oversize sunnies is the easiest way to add instant glam to any outfit. Even when you’re stuck in a style rut and can only think of shorts and a tank.
{Hat: The Webster at Target. Dress (similar): Forever 21. Necklace: Catherine Wetizman. Shoes (similar): Calvin Klein.}
I cook up a lot of the side dishes around here, but when it comes to meat, my fiancé likes to take over. He’s obsessed with finding and creating new meat rubs and it takes the pressure off me to make a whole meal!
This past weekend, we rotisseried a chicken and it was lick-your-fingers tasty. The perfect blend of light and savory and ultra juicy too. He asked me to call it Chicken Danomyte (don’t ask). Enjoy…
Make sure your chicken is room temperature and dry before cooking and try and season it a few hours or even a day before.
I made the mistake of telling him once that the secret to Julia Child’s cooking is massive amounts of butter. The results are below.
I admit, the butter does make it tasty. Make sure the chicken is nice and secure and rotisserie for about one and a half hours for a 5-pound chicken. You’ll get a golden-crisp crust and juicy-on-the-inside chicken! It was so good, in fact, we forgot to take more photos.
Mix rub ingredients together. Olive oil the chicken and then lightly sprinkle seasoning over the chicken. Use any leftover rub for the inside of the chicken.
Use one stick of butter for inside of chicken. Tie legs together.
Press trips are a funny thing: they seem to pack a lifetime of experiences into just a few days and push you to be open to new adventures you hadn’t considered before. My recent trip to the Gold Coast in Australia was just four days, but felt like much longer. I’ll be sharing a bit about my trip every Thursday this month so be sure to check back for more!
After 15 hours spent in Qantas business class, I arrived in Australia. This was the longest flight I’ve taken in my life. Thank God for wine, champagne, fully-reclinable seats, movies galore and even a pair of comfy PJs for me to slip into. Yes, PJs are given to everyone flying Business class. How cute is that?!
Many hours later, I arrived to check into my accommodations for the first two nights, Sea Temple Surfer’s Paradise.
Gorgeous views, modern decor and a too-spacious-for-just-me two-bedroom condo is just what a girl who has been traveling 17+ hours needs. I settled in to relax and unwind….
Later that night, it was time to gussy up for a group dinner at the hotel’s decadent restaurant, Seaduction. Catchy name, no?
There’s something about the contents of a woman’s purse that’s just so fascinating. There’s always a new product I discover. There’s always something that surprises me, and it’s always amazing to wonder how it is we fit sooooo much stuff into our bags! Here are some of my current faves that I’m lugging around lately.
{1}Urban Decay Naked Palette 2I picked up this palette about a week ago and I’m thoroughly obsessed with all of the beautiful colors! It will easily take you from day to night, has beautiful coordinating shades and a variety of finishes like matte, shimmery and glittery colors, too.
{2} Too Faced Oil Blotting Papers (similar) Every girl needs a stash of oil blotting sheets; they’re a must-have accessory for keeping face shine away!
{4} SoftlipsChapstick is one item I cannot leave the house without! Especially when you live in the dry desert, keeping your pout moisturized is super important. Try the Vanilla scent with SPF 20, it’s light, smooth and smells great.
{5} The ColossalIf I could only have one item of makeup for the rest of my life, it would be this tube of Maybelleine The Colossal. It does not get better than this.
{6} My Lifeline a.k.a. iPhone 4S Enough said, right?
{7} Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviators These are my current go-to sunglasses that seem to go with just about every outfit. A pair of chic aviators are a definite must-have.
Have you had a chance to check out the new Rebecca Taylor store that opened up at Scottsdale Fashion Square? It’s quite fabulous! I had a chat with the designer who shared with me what’s in her bag this summer and a few style tips! Enjoy.
Q. What made you want to open a store in Scottsdale?
A. It’s a huge market with a lot of fashionable women. We’re sold in department stores in the area, but I wanted to give women access to the full collection.
{Rebecca Taylor-Scottsdale Fashion Square}
Q. What do you think of the style out here?
A. I really admire the way Arizona women can put things together. It’s hard to keep looks fresh when you’re essentially dressing for warm weather year-round, so I’m impressed!
Q. Do you have any tips for surviving triple digits in style without melting?
A. It gets pretty steamy in New York in the summer, so I can relate! A great white tee, easy maxi skirts, and pretty silk tank dresses are good staples for the hot weather. And since you can’t layer clothing, invest in great accessories. In the summertime at our office, our girls wear RT silk dresses or skirts and pair them with bright shoes and chunky necklaces; it’s an easy, cool way to show individual style.
Q. What is your “go-to” outfit when you need a pick-me-up?
A. I actually am a bit of a tomboy, and am pretty unfussy about my personal style. I’m most comfortable in a great Victorian-esque voile dress in the summertime with cool flat sandals.
Have you had a chance to pop by the new Rebecca Taylor store? What do you think?
I’ve been doing so much traveling lately that I’ve been meaning to share a few posts on packing tips but in the meantime, I found this cool video on The Art of Packing by Louis Vuitton. Of course, this looks like packing for a 2-night stay (not a week in Australia) but it’s nevertheless a cute video. Enjoy!
Wanna learn more? Have fun playing with the Louis Vuitton interactive guide to packing on their website! It’s pretty entertaining. Now, if I just had one of those bags…
Enough said, right?
: Patti Smith. 
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