it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... It's that time of year again, Christmas. And, just because I can I am giving away one of my hmong hand-made designs ♥ Like and share this image on your Facebook wall with the caption "On the x day of Christmas..." whichever day it may be for your chance to win. Winner to be announced Christmas day. To be shipped anywhere. Happy Facebooking!

Visit 'caterinafrancesca' musings of a fashionista, blogger and foodie' for our very first Christmas give-away.

the facial off; The Urban List

Image Source: The Urban List

It's time to start prepping now! The delectable christmas pudding, those juicy rum balls and the infamous Christmas ham plus enormous amounts of champagne and cocktails all sounds fab, but all these things jammed together in one month will take it's toll on your skin. I bring to you my round up of my favourite pre Christmas facials to get my skin and yours ready for all your pre Christmas doo's.

Read more on The Urban List...

insta update #1

 

delectable sweets @ bacchus launch brisbane / a little bit of selfy shot love

 

outfit post for bacchus launch brisbane / celebrity hangs with alex dimitriades @ bacchus launch brisbane

A few little snaps from my instagram feed; insta update #1. Enjoy!

follow me on instagram @caterinafrancesca.x

bacchus launch, brisbane

Outfit: zomp flatforms, lady petrova tutu, soot headband, louis vuitton patent clutch

Currently obsessed with flatforms at the moment, especially the ones from zomp! They have a great selection of high and low flatforms and in all different colours and styles. I thought these went really well with my dress from Lady Petrova at the Bacchus Launch, Brisbane - simple, but with that quirky edge that I love. One brand in particular that I am loving is 2 baia vista. And, how awesome is this, you are able to purchase zomp shoes online now! (not so sure if they ship internationally, but I find this incredible and also terrible for me - as a lover of all things online and a lover of all shoes, this is not so good for my wallet).

Maybe this could be a sneaky pre-christmas gift to yourself or one of your friends (if they are lucky)? Who knows, enjoy x

Image source: Bacchus, The Urban List

foxy bean & foxy drop; The Urban List

Image source: The Urban List

Breakfast by day, canapés and tapas by night is a sly little fox behind the antique centre of the Woolloongabba that definitely has not gone unnoticed. I bring to you, the Foxy Bean & Foxy Drop.

Read more on The Urban List...

sydney hangs

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Outfit: mango blazer, bimba and lola bag, vintage tsubi boyfriend jeans

Just a bit of inspiration of the boyfriend jean and boyfriend blazer when I was in Sydney a few weeks ago. Goes to show that you can be as creative as you like; colourful, accessorise the accessory and lazy with a white linen tee to simplify your look. This is a bit of an action shot so apologies for the pixelated images. I have also added a gallery of our journey here, there and everywhere in Sydney.

your new locale; The Urban List

Don't forget that 'caterinafrancesca' also writes for an around town website called The Urban List. Check out her latest post on the new cafe in Newstead, Locale.

white and bright

Outting: navy suede sandals lottusse, tan satchel, ecru white heart shaped dress rules by mary, ysl arty rose gold ovale ring jean brown, folli follie bracelet

Just a lil sneak peak of some of the fun filled atmosphere at The Golden Pig Food and Wine School opening in Newstead as well as a white and bright inspired outfit for the launch night. I know that some of the items listed may not be found on the online stores, however this will give you an indication of the style of the designers mentioned.

stokehouse sunday

Stokehouse Sunday: vintage sandals martini osvaldo, vintage denim high waisted shorts, relaxed linen tee witchery, tan satchel, ysl arty rose gold ovale ring jean brown

Sporting a traditional summers day outfit - tan and denim.

ring candy - ysl arty ring

Present to myself: ysl arty ovale ring

I thought that I would treat myself to a bit of ring candy after such hard work in my studies at the moment - to the YSL Arty Ovale ring. I happened to purchase this amazing ring from Jean Brown in Emporium, Brisbane. They did have a range of colours as well as sizes, just have to know if they have them in stock and when their next order will be!

The YSL Arty Ring is the perfect way to add some sophisticated sparkle to your look, wear it solo for the most elegant style statement or teamed with some edgy designs to achieve a more dramatic look!

welcome home

Outting: vas red envelope clutch, folli follie bracelet, sweet ballerina champagne brogues 

Nothing better than a welcome home outfit for my mama and pa sporting a new red envelope clutch that I had bought in Spain, a pair of sweet ballerina champagne brogues and my new bracelet from folli follie!

folli follie bracelet

Arm candy: Folli Follie bracelet

lady lamington, brisbane

Nothing better than an early morning sunday breakfast catch up at Lady Lamington in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley.



Poached eggs, sardines and tomato drizzled with olive oil and sea salt



French toast with poached pear







Our sweet ride on James St, New Farm.x

sunday breakfast

Sunday breakfast outfit: relax linen tee canary witchery, printed pants zara, wikvaya hmong printed bag caterinafrancesca, patent brogues zomp

spring staples + neon love

Spring staples + neon love: 1. pleat shoulder citrus tee witchery, 2. relax linen tee canary witchery, 3. high waisted jegging witchery

nyc street style with tommy ton

Some of my favourite street style shots from no one other than tommy ton. It is the best feeling when you can't actually be there but you can when screening through these street style photos. If stalking was ever legal then this would be my confession; I stalk tommy ton.





Image source: tommy ton

fleet store, qut kicks

My fleet store, qut finds: door hinge necklace izeefundano, white collared a line dress ALAS the Label + my additions cobalt lacoste satchel, 2 baia vista leopard print wedges zomp, oversized blazer mango.

If you are in Brisbane be sure to check out the fleet store, featuring designs from QUT Fashion Graduates. Closes this Friday, September 14th.

hmong printed bags have landed!

Without further ado, I would like to introduce to you to my new partner in crime - my hmong printed bags. You may have seen her featured in such showings by Supermodel Abbey Lee Kershaw spotted carrying her own Hmong bag on numerous street style blogs, Nicole Ritchie, Sienna Miller as well as Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring Summer 2010 collection.

It's the latest craze and although these bags have been around for a while, they've become a huge trend with well known celebs as well as back on the scene in many recent Spring Summer 2012 collections. Loving everything about a minimalist look, with a hint of vintage and colour ,I love how these bags pair with basic jeans, tees and accessories.

How do I get this look? The brighter the bag, the more minimalist you can keep the rest of your style. Pair any of these bags with a white t shirt and denim or a simple shirt dress for a more refined look. Style this trend with Kohlapuri Chappals, sandals or flat combat boots. And, nb. don't forget to accessorise - accessories are the key so keep it uber trendy with chunky bracelets, necklaces and sunglasses.

Where to be seen with this look? To Uni, work (if your able to be a bit more creative with your work attire) and to chill with your friends.

Fabrics are hand-stitched decorated in hilltribe ethnic style using only the most exquisite craftsmanship been carried down for generations. All bags are 100% natural up-cycled textiles, all with their own unique pattern. Not all prints will be exactly the same and due to the condition and the nature of the vintage fabrics and the handmade method of the embroidery, some prints may exhibit wear and tear and imperfections, due to its age and the quality of the fabric.

For more information on placing an order, email info@caterinafrancesca.com.

watch this space; hmong inspired designs

Image source: Pinterest

A little bit of inspiration of what is to come soon for my hmong inspired designs.

round 2; top 5 ways to dine + things to do in spain

A few things that I definitely miss about our recent trip to Spain in July 2012. And a few things that I definitely forgot to let you all know about. Round 2; top 5 ways to dine + things to do in Spain!



1. Le Mariage, Bayonne

This day would probably have to be the highlight of our trip (for me anyway!). Just a little shot of myself getting ready before my best friends big day.



2. Patatas bravas - Taberna la Piedra, Zaragoza

Although there was not much to see in Zaragoza, this quaint bar and grill, Taberna la Piedra, was hands down, one of the best grills that I have ever eaten at! For one that is not very big on meat, I quite enjoyed the meat that was on offer, which was served on a hot plate with chunky bits of sea salt (I am an avid lover of salt) and smothered in olive oil, yellow and rich in flavour. Not only was the meat ridiculously good, but their patatas braves was to die for. It was served with a gorgonzola wasabi aioli, argh - delicious. And, as you would expect the potatoes were cooked to perfection with a hectic crust on the outside and with crushed sea salt that stuck to the potatoes like glue...Mouth watering!



3. Crêperie Harmonika, Bayonne

Having frequented Bayonne last year for my friends engagement, this year, my boyfriend and I swore that we would make it to this little restaurant at least once on our visit to Bayonne (in actual fact we made it their twice!). Denika, my bestie that got married, mentioned to us last year "you have to make it to this place for breakfast, hands down best crepe ever!". Well indeed, she was right. Undeniably the best crepe I have ever eaten in my life as well as indescribable - if that is even a word. Words cannot describe the love we have for this place. A must visit if you are heading to the Basque region.



4. Petit Bayonne

For the second time on our visit to Bayonne we missed out on the Fete de Bayonne; which is a fete quite similar to the festival they have in Pamplona. Maybe next year?



5. Suckling Pig, Madrid

I am not 100% sure where this was exactly but it was near Puerto del Sol in Madrid. We happened to stumble across this restaurant on a night of hunting the streets for some authentic spanish food. And oh boy did we find a goodie! Suckling pig is a unique dish that is popular in some of the Spanish regions and to have found a little gem in Madrid was a surprise. I am sure there was not too much meat on the bones but my oh my was it tasty. Melt in your mouth crackling with just enough salt to get you going back for more is just how you want the pork to be. Ridiculously good.