Anzac Biscuits

Traditionally made on or around Anzac Day, these biscuits are a big favourite in this part of the world. Although it's not April, I woke up the other morning and, a notorious comfort baker, decided to make some Anzac biscuits. They're so easy to make, and I was really happy with the results.  First of all, preheat your oven to about 160, and line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Sift one cup of plain flour into a large mixing bowl, adding one cup of rolled oats, one cup of desiccated coconut and three quarters of a cup of soft brown sugar.

Roll the mixture into small balls and line up on the baking tray about 5cm apart. Press down gently with a fork to flatten slightly. Bake for about ten minutes, or until golden on top. Try not to overcook them as you want them to be soft and chewy inside, rather than crunchy all the way through.

Once out of the oven, let the biscuits cool before you run a knife underneath them and remove from the tray. I like to pile mine up and put a ribbon around them to give as gifts - they will be happily received by your loved ones!

Enjoy,

Joanna

In Full Bloom

Yesterday, Melbourne was cold and pouring with rain.  I rugged up warm and braved the weather to meet a lovely friend of mine for breakfast.  As I walked into the cafe, I saw he was already there, with a beautiful bunch of pink and white tulips waiting for me.  Inside the wrapping paper, he had slipped his RSVP to our wedding.  It was such a lovely touch, and made my day.

Flowers are one of my favourite things.  They come with so many meanings, and can change the feel of a home completely.  My mum will always have fresh flowers in their house; little sprigs of lavender on the bedside tables in the guest room, roses in the kitchen.  Flowers can tie decorating themes together, or add colour to the most neutral of rooms - and best of all, they lift even the heaviest of hearts.

 

Flowers give you a fun way to get creative with your interior decorating, particularly if you're on a small budget.  I save any empty little bottles I come across, and put a few stems in each as a makeshift vase.  You can have one on its own, or line them up along a windowsill or mantlepiece as I have done.

For parties, baby or bridal showers, an easy project is to hollow out eggs and rinse them, putting them in an egg cup and stuffing the top with little flowers.  You can even spray the egg shell as the same colour as your flowers to tie in a colour theme.

Fresh flowers can tie in with a room's floral theme, creating a contemporary country feel.  I love the splashes of light and dark purple in the above room - a lot of the theme coming together is due to the fresh flowers.

Think outside the square with what you put your flowers in.  The container itself can also become part of the theme of the room.

Ikea have a good, inexpensive range of little white pails and pots.  It can be a nice change from a glass vase to display your flowers in one of these. 

If the maintenance of fresh flowers doesn't appeal to you, there are some very realistic looking faux flowers available that are guaranteed to leave your admiring guests none the wiser.  The happiest place on earth, Pottery Barn, is the home of my favourites.

As a child, I always admired my mother's faux hydrangeas in the bathroom. I was ecstatic to pick some up in LA recently for my own home.

 

If you have a green thumb, you can always pick fresh flowers from your own garden to put inside.

My favourite part of planning our wedding (aside from choosing my gorgeous Vera Wang dress!) was picking the flowers.  It was a difficult task as we're having a winter wedding and not a lot of my favourites will be in season.  I've learnt a lot about winter flowers as I have been guided through the process by our clever florist, and am now in love with what I have chosen.  But you'll have to wait a month or so to see pictures of them!

As always, thank you for reading,

Joanna

Adorned on the 4th of July

Never mind the fact that she went to jail for insider trading, Martha Stewart is my idol.  Her brand was mostly unaffected by her time inside, and continues to thrive as an exceptional example of American interior design and DIY 'good things.'  She is distinguishable by hues of Hyannisport holiday homes, as well as a touch of upper class conservatism.  This is something that is replicated in homes all over the country.

Taking the sting out of house arrest: Martha Stewart's home in Maine

In celebration of today, the 4th of July, I'm looking at my most favourite style of interior design.  Think Jackie Kennedy holidaying in the Massachusetts, Balboa Island on Memorial Day, clean lines and clever accessorising - even Rachel and Monica's apartment on Friends.  The style is easily identifiable, and mostly very accessible - thanks to the amazing American shopping (South Coast Plaza, I love you.)

All American: The Kennedys holidaying in Hyannisport

Obviously a chain store, but none the less loved by the masses, is Crate and Barrel. Americans are high consumers, and this in turn keeps the prices down and makes homewares very accessible. Crate and Barrel are clever about moving with fashion, but also manage to retain a classy feel. Their range of furniture, home decor, outdoor living as well as accessories, is enormous and reasonably priced. The stores are set out immaculately - not only just selling you the wares to make your house a home, but also showing you how to set it up the best way.

For Americans, interior design is not just kitting out your home as well as you can. It's about lifestyle, making your home smart and user-friendly, as well as aesthetically pleasing. Another store which I think does this extremely well is Pottery Barn. Storage and organisation are not run of the mill - they too can compliment your home.  Decoration is simple, smart and beautiful.

Spice jars

Storage over the back of the pantry door

Something as simple as a hose reel can tie your decorating scheme together

American culture is intertwined with celebrating, and their homes reflect this.  I adore the way they go over the top decorating for the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or Halloween.  Both Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn take online orders and ship internationally, so now it's even easier for us on the other side of the world to have access to the United State's fantastic example of interior design and decorating.  The key is to keep it clean and simple, injecting a few classy and creative twists. 

Happy Independence Day,

Joanna