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Luscious photo galleries

Loving all our luscious photo galleries on Facebook? Keen to find something specific?

Then you can either scroll through our categories such as Fashion, Shoes and accessories, Interiors and architecture, Beautiful people or Beautiful places in our main LUSCIOUS PHOTO GALLERIES page.

Or you can press CTRL+F to use the FIND option in our BASIC GALLERIES INDEX, listed in approx order of when the gallery was posted. Just type in the word or phrase you are looking for, eg. LOUIS VUITTON.

 

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Martini musing

It’s the drink associated with class, style and sophistication, but how did the famous Martini come about? That story still remains a mystery, yet there is no denying this drink has become a staple in lives of the beautiful and luscious. There’s only one cocktail James Bond orders and there is a reason for that!
 
While there is no exact story as to where the Martini came from, it is believed it was derived from a martini called the ‘Martinez’. The Matinez is made from two ounces of Italian sweet vermouth, one once gin, two dashes of maraschino liqueur, one dash bitters and naturally, served shaken with a twist of lemon. This cocktail was created around 1862 in a hotel bar in San Francisco. Others believe the Martini of today was named after the bartender that first shook it up in a bar in New York City in 1911.
 
Today, the martini takes many different forms, from the fruity apple martini to the sweet chocolate version. We at luscious can’t help but stick to the original and here’s a recipe of the classic.
 
Classic Martini Ingredients
75ml (or approx 2.5 oz) Gin
15ml (or approx 1/4 oz) Dry Vermouth
1 green olive OR a twist of lemon peel
6 ice cubes

Classic Martini Directions
Into a mixing glass, toss a handful of ice cubes and pour in the Gin and the Vermouth.

Stir well (or like Bond, we take ours shaken, darling). 
Strain and pour into a martini glass.

To finish, either drop in the green olive or garnish with a twist of lemon peel on the edge of the glass.
Remember, a martini must always be served in a martini glass!
 
Whatever the origin or how you drink your version of this gorgeous cocktail, this drink helps create an image of sophistication whether it shaken… or stirred. So next time you are in a bar, order your specialty, sit back and enjoy the luxury of this famous drink. 
 
Here are a few of our favourite Martini moments of James Bond and a commercial by the equally delectable George Clooney. So cheesy and yet, so delicious!
 

 

 

Domestic goddess: Homely inspiration

Whilst we don't advocate that you become a 1950s housewife, we do embrace luscious living at home and some of those whose job it is to entice us to be better cooks, gardeners, housemates, family members, entertainers and homemakers.

We take inspiration from many people and places, including beautiful hotels such as the Covent Garden Hotel in London (pictured, right), and cooks such as Nigella Lawson, Martha Stewart and Julia Child.

Read more in our Luscious Lists.



Other spaces to make you drool:

Chateau Marmont bar, Los Angeles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dorchester Hotel - Spatisserie, London

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designer Cynthia Rowley's home in Elle Deco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gramercy Park Hotel, New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gwyneth Paltrow's Hampton's house

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica, California


Bathroom from Elle Decor


Inside Tommy Smythe's Canadian apartment


Sarah Richardson - Sarah's Farmhouse kitchen

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Peonies and roses


When you need cheering up, a surefire solution to encourage happy thoughts is to buy yourself some roses and peonies.

And if it's not the season, then at least you can browse some delicious photos, order some seeds online, and start thinking about how to surround yourself with them in the future.

It works for me! And it's thrilling to see the first ones coming into bloom in my Red Hill garden.

Learn more about peonies and roses.

Here is some "peony and rose porn" in our photo gallery to get you started.

See also:

Check out some of my other favourite things

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More photos here.

Domestic divas: Martha Stewart and Zac Posen

It has been documented in previous articles that I am a little lack-lustre when it comes to domestication. I’ve never scattered a cushion in my life. But praise where praise is due, Martha Stewart, I admire you.
 
And it seems I’m not alone. Designer Zac Posen recently placed a winning bid of $3500 to secure himself an internship with the domestic diva! 
 
The designer ponied up the money at a charity gala for The Martha Stewart Centre for Living at Mount Sinai Hospital in order to spend six weeks learning from Her Majesty of Home!
 
We can’t wait to see how this internship might inspire his next collection … channeling Martha and all!
 
After he won the internship, he was a little overwhelmed by the lusciousness of it all, tweeting: “I’m so happy that I won a 6 week internship with @marthastewart. Whatever will I learn?” 
 
What will he learn indeed? Here’s what we would like to see on the agenda!
 
Week one: General note taking on being fabulous
While this is Martha’s time to shine…to talk business, empires, and general admiration of one’s achievements, she might also encourage Zac to perform a presentation as a ‘get to know you’ session.  

Week two: Scrapbooking skills
If one thing can be said for Martha, it’s that she is organized! Zac could learn a thing or two here about keeping his inspirations for up-coming collections in order. Martha will probably encourage Zac to “glitter at whim”.
 
Week three: Fun with feathers
Zac loves feathers, and Martha has no shortage of ways to work them. This mutual interest will surely see them bond in their third week.
 
Week four: How to weild a glue gun 
Martha finally feels Zac is ready to pull out the big (glue) guns. They will practice with sequins and buildup to rhinestones. Could this be a sign of glitterati in his next collection?
 
Week five: Outlandish seasonal décor
Topics include scattering of cushions, stenciling projects, colour palettes, floral arrangements, beds and bedding and homemade.
 
Week six: A Martha Stewart Thanksgiving
In order to say thanks to her protégé, Martha dabbles in teaching entertaining etiquette, and also how to cook a turkey! Impressive!
 
 
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Create your own Martha Stewart room


Seeking some arts-and-crafts inspiration? Why not get into the spirit of it by sorting out your space and materials.

In our Red Hill house, we were fortunate enough to have a dedicated space, known as "the Martha Stewart Room", where we stored all our crafty supplies and easels. Now that we've moved to Mt Martha, the "Martha" room has three times the space and a brick "splatter friendly" floor, so we've fitted in a lot more, as well as having lovely big tables to spread out onto.

I knew I wanted shelves so found three large bakers racks for $9 each on eBay and they have been a great success.

It means I can store items in multiple containers of various shapes and sizes, as well as being able to keep large size papers and fabrics either laying flat or rolled up, without the fear of being crushed.

And I’ve hung a removable metal bar to create an easy-to-use ribbon rack. And borrowing an electronic labeller from the office has made it easy to label boxes professionally.

We also have a beautiful French provincial kitchen table (on loan from a friend who has moved to a contemporary-style house) which provides a fabulous workspace.

See our Luscious photo gallery of images we've collected from other workshops, studios and craft rooms which may inspire you.

Here are some photos from Martha’s own workspace at her Canitoe Corner property in Katonah, Bedford, Westchester County, taken from the marthastewart.com website.

Specifically, there is a "Martha's organizing solutions" feature relating to her own homes, plus an entire Crafts sub-section, of course, including a photo gallery of "your most creative craft rooms".

See our complete Martha Stewart photo gallery on our Luscious on Facebook page. It's a combination of images from her current and former homes and offices, including Turkey Hill, Canitoe Corners, Skylands, Manhattan (apartment and office).

 

 

See our complete Martha Stewart photo gallery on our Luscious on Facebook page, and our workshops, studios and craft rooms gallery which may also inspire you.

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Luscious gardening: Look the part!


Here are some ideas to look and feel luscious when getting stuck into the garden.


Le Chameau Boots Ladies Vierzon Air Wellingtons are available from Philip Morris & Son in the UK. Features include:

  • breathes as you walk as it generates air flow in and out of the boot
  • expels moisture so the wearer experiences hours of dryness
  • air cushioned comfort. 

 

A range of other shoes and boots are also available in good solid natural colours.

They also stock Barbour country clothing, such as this Barbour Hat Ladies New Trench Wax Hat.

 

 

 

The Garden4Less website has these divine Violet Gloss Hunter Wellies (available in other glossy colours) - see left.

Another good looking accessories is this Spear & Jackson Transplanting Trowel (plus other hand tools) - see right.

 

 

 

 

Iconic French gardenware suppliers, Le Prince Jardinier, have a range of luscious goodies, including this Jute bag in cream and burgundy.

It would be good for carrying a few smaller garden tools such as twine, scissors, seed packets and plant tags.

 

 

 

These soft full-grain leather gardening gloves, from Le Prince Jardinier, are washable with soap and water, retaining their flexibility after drying.

 

 

 

 

This charming galvanized iron and brass bucket, also from Le Prince Jardinier, is perfect to take with you when cutting flowers for your vases.

 

 

 


These protective leather knee pads from Bradley's The Tannery, are size-adjustable and fitted with elasticated velcro straps.

 

 


Buy this sweet-but-sturdy, floral linen apron, from Bradley's, to complete the look! Also available in Duck Egg blue, gold and green. Size: 38cm x 30cm, with adjustable webbing belt and buckle.

 

 

 


Le Vase d'Avril
contains 20 glass test tubes (each able to hold a single stem), which have been clipped together to form a flexible line that can be curled up to form a rough ball shape, or spread out in a curvy line.

This one is from The Conran Shop. Thanks to our friend, Lovely Liz, for the inspiration.

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Biddy Bags

So it turns out nana is a fashion genius! The latest craze in accessory fashion is being made by grandma’s and nanna’s around Australia in the form of Biddy bags! 

While Samantha Jockel came up with he idea of knitting fashionable bags, she did not have the skills to pull of her ideas so turned to her gradma and elderly neighbour for their help and skills.
 
Since 2007, Biddy bags have grown into both a fashion and social statement as each product is hand-made with love by a real person!
 
With so many things mass-produced these days, its comforting to see an real person behind the product. In fact, each piece purchased from the Biddy Bags range includes the story of it’s maker-creating a face-to-face connection for all those involved and assisting in developing healthy, connected communities. 
As a completely non-profit company, you are not only purchasing a statement item, but also supporting the maker directly. In fact even Sarah Blasko is keen supporter of this new, inspiring company and the women behind the label are working to design a bag dedicated to her for all her support.
 
Photo: 4 cup strawberry tea cosy
 
The products available range from gorgeous vintage style bags, oh-so-cute tea cosies and even iPod covers! Each piece can be purchased from limited stockist around Australia or simply buy directly from their website. As vintage styling moves to the forefront of fashion, these items are a social and styling must!
 
So get your ‘kitsch’-on! Support the friendly, honest faces behind Biddy Bags and make the world a closer place.
 
Visit the Biddy Bags website or Facebook page for more information.
 
See our Tea time photo gallery.
 

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David Downton Guest rooms

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Laundry day: Cotton Candy

Laundry day.

While it’s clearly not the most tempting of terms, I have to admit I find it quite a therapeutic chore, particularly due to the pleasant fragrance of crisp linens and washed woollens.

Now I can fake it with a Clean Cotton candle from The Grove Perfumery!

Notes of thyme, tarragon, lavender, Moss and musk create an aromatic illusion of freshly washed sheets hanging on the hills hoist.

Available from www.peeptoeshoes.com.au

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Should old acquaintance be forgot…

New Year's Eve: The time of year when you can say you are going to do things and almost believe that you will do them.

I am still yet to learn French, stop biting my nails when deadlines loom, send my extended family Christmas cards or train to run a marathon.

Seriously Anna, what were you thinking that year?

I have now vowed to instead follow my Grandmother’s beautiful midnight tradition.

At the stroke of twelve every new year, she opens up the backdoor of her house to let the old year out, then opens the front door to let the new year in.

That seems like a much better tradition to stick to – with no guilty side effects, such as those experienced when you resolve to buy only the shoes you need to survive! 

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Pigeage your pillows

I tried something a little different the other day: Pigeage.

Pigeage is a French wine-making term that describes the technique of squashing grapes with your feet.

I didn’t do it with wine though, I ran a warm bath with a little detergent and fabric softener then threw in my pillows and stomped on them with my feet.

The result was beautiful fluffy pillows of a luxurious hotel resort standard, perfect for sweet dreams.

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