Leaders in Heels

Leaders in Heels

If you know me, you will know that I love planning and lists, so much that I blogged about it back here.

Part of the pleasure in the planning and list making process is, of course, having the just right diary, planner, journal or notebook to inspire the process. The just right book is such a personal thing and something I often agonise over at the end of each year, sometimes visiting several stores in my quest to find that just right book.

I recently spent a great deal of time online looking for an organisational system that would suit the many facets of my day to day life that when I came across Leaders in Heels.

It goes without saying that I was immediately attracted to the whole prettiness of the Leaders in Heels website and felt that Kasia, the owner of the site spoke to me directly through the motivational and empowering messages on the site. I really, really liked the layout of the planners, journals and notebooks, the different schemes available and that you can have your books monogrammed! That's right MONOGRAMMED, just like your towels and bed linens!

Phenomenal Woman Planner

I bookmarked the website, subscribed to the mailing list and started following Leaders in Heels on Instagram. Kasia posts the best motivational messages for women and uses the best graphics!

You couldn't possibly imagine my excitement, well maybe you could, when I found out that Kasia was developing an affiliate partnership programme just as I was ready to launch my online shop! I applied to become an affiliate and lucky, lucky me, my application was accepted.

Make Your Mark set

I'm really looking forward to using the Make Your Mark set, monogrammed of course darling!

Thanks for reading!
Rachaelxo

All about Carpet Bags

Velvet Carpet Bag

Yesterday I gave you a little history lesson on the origin of the word 'lingerie'. Today, to continue with educating you, you're welcome, here's a little lesson on Carpet Bags.

The carpet bag was invented as a type of baggage light enough for a passenger to carry, like a duffel bag, as opposed to a wooden or metal trunk, which required the assistance of porters. It was a good travelling companion: in 1886, the Scientific American described it as old-fashioned and reliable: the carpet bag "is still unsurpassed by any, where rough wear is the principal thing to be studied. Such a bag, if constructed of good Brussels carpeting and unquestionable workmanship, will last a lifetime, provided always that a substantial frame is used." Its use implied self-sufficiency: in Jules Verne's 1873 novel Around the World in Eighty Days, Phileas Fogg and Passepartout bring only a carpet bag as luggage, which holds a few items of clothing and a great deal of cash.

Carpet bags used to be made of Oriental rugs or the Brussels carpet referred to above, meaning one with "a heavy pile formed by uncut loops of wool on a linen warp". Carpet was the chosen material because it was a popular domestic accent piece and the "remainder" pieces were easily bought. In a sense, the carpet bag was a sustainable invention because it used remnants of materials which otherwise would have gone unused.

Carpet bags sometimes also served as a "railway rug", a common item in the 19th century for warmth in drafty, unheated rail-cars. The rug could either be opened as a blanket or latched up on the sides as a travelling bag. From Robert Louis Stevenson's Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes (1879): "... my railway-rug, which, being also in the form of a bag, made me a double castle for cold nights." Wikipedia

I first read about carpet bags in my most favourite book "Gone with the Wind" and have loved the name and bags ever since. My Mum has a gorgeous carpet bag which I think she bought in Turkey. I secretly covet her bag, shoosh don't tell her!

Now not only do I love carpet bags but I love velvet, no history lesson on velvet today though, disappointing I know. So, carpet bags and velvet, velvet carpet bags. It was a given that when I found a supplier of velvet carpet bags I would stock them in my little boutique. Not only have I got carpet bags but also the most stunning velvet totes. My uni friends might remember I had a chartreuse velvet tote that I absolutely adored. Sadly the supplier didn't have bags in chartreuse. Chartreuse, such a beautiful description for a colour!

Anyway, there lies today's history lesson. Pop on over to www.roseroomnz.com and check out my velvet bags, a carpet bag included, they are simply divine!

Thanks for stopping by!

Rachael xo

Vintage Lingerie

www.roseroomnz.com

Etymology

The word lingerie is a word taken directly from the French language, meaning undergarments, and used exclusively for more lightweight items of female undergarments. The French word in its original form derives from the old French word linge, meaning 'linen'. Lingerie as a word was first used to refer to underwear and bras in 1922. Wikepedia

I love vintage lingerie. Actually, let's be real here, I love more than just vintage lingerie. Vintage lingerie though, it's feminine, it's pretty, it's olden day womanly.

You know, set hair, drawn on brows, Coty powder and red lips and then the lingerie, light, soft, silky, floaty.

Not at all like the anything goes today look. Not at all like my t-shirt and undies to bed look.

Perhaps I should be leading a more authentic vintage life, let me just go and powder my nose, let you just go and check out my lingerie...

Thanks for stopping by!
Rachaelxo

BREAKING NEWS!!!

roseroomnz.com online store has just opened its virtual doors.
https://shop.roseroomnz.com/

Stocking gorgeous jewellery.

Stocking Mavala, Switzerland Eyelash & Brow Serum.

Stocking Mavala Switzerland nailcare products.

Gorgeous Halfmoon bags, rattan bags, straw bags and boho clothing due mid-September.

Pretty vintage clothing and linens available this week.

Thanks to the Cowboy for building my online store and to the Princess for her support and encouragement.

Please, please go and have a look...

right here, right now!

https://shop.roseroomnz.com/

Rachael xo

Spring

She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head,

And whispered to her neighbour:

"Winter is dead.”

 (A.A. Milne)

Lightning Chicken Recipe

If you have read my recent This and That blog post or follow me on Instagram you will know that I have set myself a weekly 'cook a new recipe' challenge.

One of my lovely ex-mothers-in-law, don't judge but I have had a few, suggested I try Chelsea Winter's Lightning Chicken as it is quick, easy and delicious.  She was right on all counts.

So without further ado, here is the recipe!

Lightning Chicken With Thyme Cream

Why "lightning" chicken? Because it's as quick as lightning to prepare! The trick is to make sure you get a good golden colour on the thighs when you sear them, because it's that colour that creates the flavour of the sauce - Chelsea Winter

Prep time: 5 minutes / Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1kg chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless)
• Neutral oil, e.g. grapeseed, for frying
• 25g butter
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• ¹∕³ cup white wine
• ½ cups cream
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves

To Cook:

1. Remove the chicken from the fridge 30-60 minutes before cooking. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season on both sides with salt and pepper, being quite generous.
2. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan over a fairly high heat. When very hot, add the chicken (skin-side down if it has skin). You may need to do this in two batches – don't crowd the pan or the chicken might start stewing.
3. Leave the chicken to fry without turning until it has turned a deep golden brown colour on one side. Turn over and brown the other side. You can turn the chicken back over a couple of times to get it looking browner and crispier. Also, the more crusty brown stuff that builds up in the bottom of the pan, the better.
4. When both sides of the chicken are lovely and brown, set aside on a plate or roasting tray.
5. Tip any excess oil from the pan and replace over a medium heat. 
6. Add the butter and garlic and swish it around for 30 seconds. 
7. Add the wine, increase the heat to high, and let it bubble rapidly for about 30-60 seconds to evaporate the alcohol – it should reduce by about half.
8. Stir in the cream and thyme, then add the chicken and any resting juices. 
9. Reduce the heat to medium-high and let everything simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced down to a nice consistency – not too thick; it's quite a rich sauce. If it becomes too thick, simply add more cream and simmer again until you're happy with it. 
10. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
11. Serve with steamed greens and mash, new potatoes, pasta, bulghur wheat or rice.

not the nicest plating but everyone was starving so it was a quick serve!

I didn't quite have a full tbsp of fresh thyme but aside from that, it was delicious. The Cowboy and I loved this, the Princess liked the chicken but not the sauce. The recipe made enough that the Cowboy and I also had it for dinner last night.

I sourced the recipe from here.

Enjoy!
Rachael xo

La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Skincare Review

I recently reviewed La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Foaming Gel and La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Duo Plus for beautyreview.co.nz.

Both products from this skincare range impressed me and if you have oily or blemish-prone skin they will impress you as well.

The cleanser, La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Foaming Gel comes in a generous 200ml tube. The packaging is simple, giving the product a 'dermatological' feel, while the blue and white colour scheme has a fresh and cooling vibe.

The gel is simple to use, only a small amount is needed and it massages nicely into the skin. It leaves the skin feeling clean without the tightness that other cleansers sometimes have. Although, I did notice my skin didn't feel as soft as it usually does when I use my normal cleanser.

During the first week of use, my skin became very flaky and I had more breakouts than normal. Other reviewers also found this. The breakouts dried and cleared very quickly and by the second week, my skin was smooth and even looking.

From the second week of use on, my skin settled down and I noticed I did not suffer from the hormonal breakouts around my jawline and chin that I would normally have.

Overall, I was impressed with this cleanser and would happily recommend it, especially to those who have oily or problematic skin.

The moisturiser, La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Duo Plus comes in a 40ml white tube and like its buddy the foaming gel, the packaging has a fresh 'dermatological' vibe.

It applies and absorbs nicely into the skin but I do find I need to use a generous amount to cover my entire face which seems disproportionate to the size of the product.

The La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Duo Plus promises to correct imperfections and it certainly lives up to its promise. Before using this product,  I was on the verge of going to a dermatologist regarding the under skin bumps around my jawline. Since using this product the smaller bumps have disappeared and the large ones are reducing in size. I have noticed blemishes dry and heal quickly. Overall, my skin is smoother, I feel my pores look more refined in appearance and my skin tone is even and clear.

My only complaint about this product is that it does not seem to be particularly nourishing as my skin doesn't look as plump as it normally does. It is a minor complaint given all the positives about this product and it is possibly due to my skin type being combination rather than oily skin type the product is designed for.

However, I'm thrilled with this little miracle in a tube and have continued to use it as a topical moisturiser on my problem areas in conjunction with my regular moisturiser. I can't recommend the La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Duo Plus enough!

Overall, I believe the La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Duo to be a very good skincare range. If you would like to read other reviews about the La Roche-Posay® Effaclar skincare range check out beautyreview.co.nz here.

La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Duo delivers much for an affordable price point. La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Foaming Gel has a RRP of $27.99  and La Roche-Posay® Effaclar Duo Plus has a RRP of $32.99, available in selected NZ pharmacies.

If you would like to find out more about the brand, La Roche-Posay, beautyreview.co.nz have a really great, behind the brand, interview with Sam, the Assistant Product Manager of La Roche-Posay, check it out here or visit their website here.

And finally, beautyreview.co.nz are always looking out for reviewers of all ages. It's a fun and friendly website, has great articles, reward points and it's so great to be able to trial and review full-size products for free!

Thanks for reading,
Rachael xo