What "Luscious" means to me

To me, the word “Luscious” conjures an assortment of different thoughts and as I try to pin down exactly what the word means for me, I begin to realize that I see it as both a feeling as well as a state of being. 

The mere mention of the word sends me off into a dreamy state visualising some of life’s simplest of pleasures along the lines of drying my hair in the summer sun’s warmth and the first delectable taste of a gooey chocolate fondant.

I see ‘Luscious’ as being an inner feeling of beauty. It is not contrived or superficial, but a beauty and happiness in oneself.  It can be created by the first smear of new red lipstick or when the bubbles from your glass of champagne tickle your nose. 

It’s a moment of self-satisfaction, not by spending copious amounts of money on a pair of Jimmy Choo’s (although there’s no denying how glorious that feels!), but rather allowing yourself to indulge in the simplest of life’s pleasures. Allowing yourself to be spoilt by others and more importantly, to spoil yourself.

Living a ‘Luscious Life’ bolts down to doing what truly makes you happy, following your gut feelings and acting on instinct.

Photos: Georgina Stojiljkovic for Atelier Versace and "Jean Patchett with map" by Louise Dahl-Wolfe

Although this is by no means, a groundbreaking revelation, what I chose to focus on is the luxury of life’s simplicities.

That may mean putting on a full face of make-up just to take out the washing, or breaking in your killer heals with daggy socks around the house. Sometimes these things may outwardly appear somewhat self indulgent or ‘over the top’, but on the inside- it feels wonderful. 

So that is what Luscious is to me, essentially, that feeling. Giving yourself permission to treat yourself and to trust your inner desires. Acting on instinct, living by what you want and deserve.

This includes stepping out of your comfort zone and starting each and everyday with your best.  Your best make-up, your best shoes, your best attitude and your best intentions not only for yourself by for everyone around you.

It is by making a personal pact to ‘Act on Instinct’, that I have been able to live a ‘Luscious Life’. I have enveloped myself in beauty, culture, food, love and life’s ever-changing rhythms.  What makes my life ‘Luscious’ is the joy I find in the beauty of it all. 

So finally, I conclude with my mother’s sound advice, for it is from her that I have learnt how to live the ever-changing, joyful life I chose to live:

“Challenge yourself to always do what excites you…and never leave home without your lipstick on.”

Something I have recently been inspired by is the beauty of French cooking.

A few weeks back I saw the movie “Julie and Julia” with my best friend and unfortunately as I got caught up in the many beef bourguignons I realised my reaction to food is scarily similar to Meryl Streep’s interpretation of culinary goddess Julia Child. 

If you have seen this movie, you will have a fair understanding of how embarrassing and vocal I can be about a flavorsome dish.  With this revelation, it is difficult to believe that my passion for gourmet delights is somewhat newfound.

Since visiting France a year ago, it would be an understatement to say that I have been somewhat obsessed with “La Vie Francaise”. 

From the moment my plane landed in Paris, I came to recognise a significant change in myself. I was intoxicated by the way in which the local people lived for food and good company and before I knew it, I was entranced by they way they lived their lives.

Yet this lifestyle adoration was obsolete in comparison to my first bite of a French cake (I can still taste the cream and lemon pastry).

So immediately upon my return to Australia I began my personal quest to cook like the French.  Channeling my inner domestic goddess (somewhat rusty after four months of backpacking and pre-made supermarket dinners), I drowned myself in recipes, ingredients and tubs upon tubs of butter. 

After flat soufflés, a multitude of burnt crepes and covering my kitchen in at least five layers of flour I have been inspired to persevere by the French’s love of simple, flavorsome meals.  I have learnt to appreciate and limit myself to seasonal produce and the desires to satisfy my increasingly demanding taste buds.  

I have been seduced by the lifestyle of enjoying a two hour lunches with family and friends (importunely limited to weekends) and enjoying every mere morsel of my meal. 

It’s fair to say that these meals are not always the healthiest, but the taste and delicacy of these feasts weigh out (most of) my guilt.

In such unstable economic and hectic times it’s essential that we take a leaf from their book.  Stop trying to impress all those we know with fancy, expensive dishes and turn back to basic, well cooked meals and indulge in the beauty of the food and company itself.

And so, with fork in hand, I have concluded that Europeans have it all worked out when it comes to eating.  Food is about joy and indulgence, but most of all (even more than butter), it is about sharing something with those you love.

Picture: Julia Child's kitchen

Here’s a small collection of some Luscious things I cannot get enough of at the moment!


Luscious fashion: Chanel Spring/Summer Collection 2010
Designed by the genius that is Karl Lagerfeld, this season’s collection and advertising are just divine!  How can you go wrong with anything Chanel? See the official Chanel website and the MakeUpBag website.


Luscious actress:
She stole our hearts in ‘The Notebook’, and now Rachel McAdams stars alongside Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes.  I’m not sure if I love her for her acting, or just insanely jealous of her!

Luscious actor:
Bradley Cooper. I don’t think I need to explain this one…


Favourite sweets:
I cannot get enough of musk-flavoured lollies and most of all the beautiful ‘Musk Rocks’ from the Beechworth Sweet Company. 

Music:
I am still completely hooked on Lily Allen, not only are her lyrics relatable for any girl, she is touring Australia this January and has even reinvented herself as a style icon by posing for Chanel’s 2009 Handbag collection.

Favourite city:
J’adore Paris…The Marais region in particular stole my heart when I visited in late 2008. 

I dream of living there and waking up every morning to the smell of freshly baked goodies from the boulangerie!

Favourite quote:
“I am a free lover. I have an inalienable constitution and natural right to love whom I may, to love as long or as short a period as I can and to change that love everyday if I please.”  – Victoria Woodhull

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