Who gets our vote for the most stylish woman on the planet?

Dear Readers,
we've been following this one for some time and it just has to be Giovanna Battaglia. The web is just littered with fantastic shots of her in amazing outfits, shoes and accessories - never a bad shot, always incredibly stylish.
Take the time to check her out on social media sites, other blogs and fashion shots. She truly is amazing.
For those who don't know her - she is the ulitmate style icon.
Why do we admire her so?
Well - it's quite simple her beautiful clothes are always well cut. She teams classics with contemporary. She mixes up those patterns without looking like Euro trash. (Even managed to bring back spots) She has the best accessories, but the best of all - those shoes. She really knows how to find a good shoe and make it her statement piece.
Remember readers - shoes we love since they always fit.
Sure Giovanna moves in all the right circles, but we think she deserves the accolades - what inspiration!

 Happy Styling,

Ciao from B&G

Don't you love the High Street?

Hello again dear readers,
we've been down to the High Street or is it up the High Street? One never really knows - well High Street Armadale it's been for us. This place has had so many transformations over the years and still we find it a place to meet, have a lunch and stroll for frocks! No - we always steer clear of the gushing parties of newly engaged brides to be, dragging their intended bride slaves behind them or their teary mothers as they search for the ultimate gown. For us it is much more a gentle process. Grab something scrumptious in Cooper & Miller. Have a quick look in Seed Femme, across for a top up of essentials at Aesop, then into Scanlan  & Theodore and see if you can get a shop assistant to caste a glance in your direction or even acknowledge your presence with some form of greeting! Love the ladies in Durance - always know how to greet a customer, out through Kings Arcade for a quick look around Mexican Imports and then back up the street - maybe another coffee - one more look in Skin & Threads and home again satisfied with the total High Street experience.
Despite it's age and the many shops who have come and gone, we still love this little precinct.

Ciao from B&G

Why do we love buying new shoes?

Dear Readers,
the answer is simple. At Bella & Grace Culture we have been coveting some lovely ankle boots for the coming season for a few weeks now. Tried to hang out until the sales, but just couldn't wait and finally decided on the ones in Country Road - yes at full price too! As we were paying for these lovely beauties the sales assistant made a really profound comment which has stuck with us ever since. "You know", she said, "I really love lots of shoes." Tell us something we didn't know we thought. "Yes" she continued - "they always fit!" We paid up and walked away with the purchase  - then realised what she had just said - yes - if your weight goes up or down - you clothes burst at the seams or fall off you, spoiling that look - but your shoes - always fit! She has to be the best retail philosopher that woman! Well done to her. Any you know the shoes really do fit and we really do love them.
As always,
                    Ciao from B&G

Why Join A Bookgroup? 10 good reasons

Dear Readers,
can you believe it, but we are going to recommend something you may think only your Grandmother would do - join a bookgroup. Have to say this is one monthly event that is worth looking forward too!
Join in your local area - you know how the suburbs empty each day as we hit the road for the drive to work? Well this is a really good way to get back in touch with people who live near you. If you join a group organised by the CAE, all the hard work is done. You pay an annual fee and the books with reading notes are delivered each month.
Here are the 10 reasons you will enjoy this one.
1. lovely supper in the home of the host each month - sure do love those Passionfruit sponges
2. interesting people from all walks of life - get away from the same tribe you normally hang out with
3. read books you normally wouldn't consider and appreciate them through the discussion which follows
4. hand the book back each month and don't have it cluttering your shelves never to be opened again
5. learn a little more about a few new topics and appreciate a different view to your own - yes there are some different views to your own. Still can't get over the discussion the night we reviewed Christos Tsolakis - The Slap
6. go to all types of homes in your area and meet people you probably wouldn't have got to know
7. its a pleasant night out away from the kids
8. the supper
9. the supper
10. did we mention the supper - nothing nicer than a strong hot cup of tea from a dainty china cup - now we are beginning to sound like our Grandmothers!
Happy reading. The CAE do a really good job of this one, so seriously consider it!

Picture Courtesy CAE Bookgroups

Ciao from B&G

Ladies Lunch on Saturday in Melbourne? The European of course!

Dear readers,
The European at the top of Collins Street, proves to be consistently the place for a sophisticated luncheon or a brunch. Have a glass of bubbly and something tasty before heading out to the shops! Lovely ambience always - if you can't get to Europe this week, well this is the next best thing to sit in a salon atmosphere. And of course there's a coffee too. Always consistent, always the right temperature, always the best flavour. Head away from Flinders Street and up the hill far from the madding crowds of teens exploring on their first big trip into town - it's so much nicer up the hill and we do like nice! After finding our strength to shop whilst sitting in the European, we recovered sufficiently to purchase those new seasons boots - the ones from Country Road - finally!

Ciao from B&G

Is Melbourne's Food Capital Sydney Rd Brunswick?

Dear readers, today we've been out on the road to Sydney Road Brunswick. This and some of the surrounding streets has to be the best place in town for all your gorgeous foodstuffs and some special treats too. Our favourite stop is straight to that institution Mediterranean Wholesalers. First off - coffee to brace ourselves for the journey - best and cheapest in town, then grab a trolley and stock up. Got another slab of Italian tomatoes, a hunk of Regiano Parmigiana and then over to the Pasta aisle. What choice! You can even grab a bottle of Barolo to wash it down with and a Pannettone for after with coffee. Next stop BAS Foods over the other side Sydney Rd at 423 Victoria St. These guys are fantastic and even have a Halal butcher if that's your thing. Get some of the bulk herbs and spices and of course a huge flat bread about half the price of stores over the other side of the Yarra. Next stop N.S.M. for nuts and spices. If you buy LSA or Lecithin you'll never buy it at the supermarket again, you can bug 1kg for the price of about 10g in the big supermarkets. Maria keeps those boys of hers in line too, with a few smart Italian words. Back up the street closer to Sydney Rd again and its' time for us to lunch. Ray is the place for us. Love their Pides and of course another coffee. Don't forget to drop by next door in Divali. She has some great jewelry pieces and clothing at the most amazing prices. You can never walk out of there without a little treat or gift for someone. By this time the car is absolutely packed, so it's home for us. Dinner will be superb tonight.
Ciao from B&G

What's happened to our Knees - One in the "no-one told us" series

Dear Readers,
there are definitely some things that we didn't get told when they gave us the facts of life. One of these is the degradation of our knees as the passing of time marches on. Who ever would have thought it? One minute we were all sunning on the beach oblivious to our future. Beautiful skin, beautiful knees and even elbows. No just a few short decades later the result is slightly saggy knees. Looks like we are now condemned to a life of covering - longer skirts, trousers or even worse - stockings! Blah it's so not fair! OK - at least we still have our health. Moral of the story - that sun really isn't so good for you after all. Enjoy those lovely legs if you still have them, while you can.

Ciao from B&G