Category Archives: Life Style

The Pursuit Of Emptiness

I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to be able to finally write this. Rather than stressing about an overflowing inbox and a lengthy to-do list, which in all honesty has consumed most of my downtime over the past few months (year). I also had the misfortune of this site completely crashing last month. And after loosing all of my draft posts and what felt like months of work I decided it was best to just leave it for a little while before picking up where I left off.

It’ll be a year this month since I left Sydney and moved to LA. I won’t sugarcoat it. The first few months consisted of loneliness, deadlines, late nights, no social life and self-doubt, but twelve months on I’m so grateful to surrounded by the most incredible support network and know that I’m doing exactly what I should be right now. Every day is a lesson and a challenge in the best way possible.

There’s still so much to achieve but when success happens (and I stress that ‘success’ has a different definition to all of us) it’s one of the most incredible, exhilarating, rewarding things you will ever experience. And I think I know why; all those late nights, all that self-doubt, all the work no one ever sees… and all of those mistakes you promised to never make again. Without them, success just doesn’t happen.

As for the biggest lessons learnt in the past year? Oops, is better than what if and success is always going to be a work in progress. We are never done. There is no finish line. And that is exactly what should keep us going.

Photos are not my own. Source Vogue.

Start Every Morning Over

Start Every Morning Over

I’ve been sitting here for the last week or so trying to write an eloquent and witty opening paragraph for this post. About how I’ve been terribly absent for the last twelve months because I’ve been preoccupied with work and other things. But then I backspaced and just deleted it all. Because small talk along with a long list of excuses just seems so futile…

The truth is the past year has been so much more of a journey of self discovery than I ever could of imaged. And although it’s hard to pinpoint what the single most defining moment was, I’ve stumbled across something buried deep inside me that has seen everything start to fall into place.

As for the future? I’m about to embark on an exciting new adventure, follow my dreams and move to the other side of the world. For that reason alone I know that my greatest achievements are still to come. While I would love to share more about my big move to LA, it’s actually way past my bed time. And I promised myself that I’d start getting to bed at a reasonable hour. So until next time…

Photos are not my own. Source Sonya Esman x For Love And Lemons.

Chanel Christmas Gift Guide

All I Want For Christmas Is Chanel

Chanel Christmas Gift Guide

You’re sure to have a luxurious Christmas with this edit of can’t-go-wrong presents and dream-ticket gifts. Because let’s face it. Receiving Chanel for Christmas is hands down the most exciting thing that could ever happen to a person in their adult life. If you need to purchase a gift today than my advice would be to visit your nearest David Jones store.

Once you’re there simply head straight to the Chanel counter where they will not only give you the best advice on gifting. But they’ll also send you on your way with a beautifully packaged gift that anyone would love to receive on Christmas Day.

If you can wait until after the break than there’s no need to battle the Christmas Eve traffic in-store. Simply click on the name of the object from my Christmas gift guide below to head directly to the item online.

Left to right :

Chanel Earrings. There is nothing quite as beautiful as OOT jewels and these gold earrings are a perfect addition to any jewellery collection. Not to mention an ideal finishing touch to any New Year’s Eve outfit.

Chanel Gabrielle Fragrance. The bottle is as Iconic as they come. It also smells so good, it’s the gift you’ll want to buy for yourself.

Chanel Boy Pouch. The Boy Pouch bears all the distinctive characteristics of the brand’s iconic design. Made in grained calfskin with gold metal hardware.

Chanel Huile De Jasmin. If you want to give the gift of perfect skin this year nothing quite beats Huile De Jasmine Oil. Composed almost entirely of naturally-derived ingredients, It smooths and nourishes the skin, while delivering comfort and suppleness.

Chanel Classic Card Holder. As someone who can never locate a business card amongst  all the other items in my bag this would be the very perfect Christmas gift for me!

If you don’t have the luxury of time and you can’t visit the shops today than a virtual gift card is the perfect last minute present. My favourite online shopping destinations; Honey Birdette or The Undone Store.

Photos are not my own. Source as stated above.

The Perfect Paris Packing List

The Perfect Paris Packing List

The Perfect Paris Packing List

Paris is a place that I have dreamt about visiting all of my life. A place where the stars shine brighter, where your heart beats faster and where the summer days seem to last a little bit longer. For as long as I can remember the allure of Paris has always been there.

In July I finally had a chance to visit the worlds most romantic city for work. I have to admit that when I first found out I would be going on this trip, I immediately began to research the cities best croissants and macaroons, before making a start on a rather comprehensive plan for the small amount of free time I would have once all of the work was done.

A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower. But there were so many other beautiful places which I had to see; From the Palace Of Versailles, the original Chanel Boutique on Rue Cambon and the newly refurbished Maison Chloe gallery. And than once my schedule was complete I began putting together a detailed and very long packing list.

Luckily I was flying Etihad who so kindly provide an additional bag allowance for fashion industry travellers. There’s no denying two suitcases are better than one! The first was filled to the brim with new lingerie samples which were for the new Honey Birdette campaign shot on location in Paris. And the other, filled with the following essentials which I couldn’t live without…

The Classics.

Or better referred to as my every day wardrobe; Lots of different tops; Including a classic black Country Road silk shirt, Tuchuzy silk singlet, Zimmermann silk t-Shirt, Bassike classic vintage t-shirt and my Bassike long sleeve vintage t-shirt. I also packed my very favourite black knit from Seed Femme. As well as my Top Shop Cropped Cigarette Pants which go with everything.

I don’t go anywhere these days without my Camilla And Marc classic bomber jacket or my Chanel bag which is perfect for any occasions. At the very last minute I also decided to pack my new and very glamorous Aje Embellished Sheer La Pella Top (pictured above), just incase.

A Statement Dress.

It’s always a good idea to have at least one really special dress in your suitcase. As far as romantic silhouettes go, a loose fitting, effortless little black dress remains as timeless as it is dreamy. It’s also just as likely to be to be found on a Parisian street after dark, teamed with appropriate jewels as it during the day with a pair of Chanel ballet flats. On this particular trip I couldn’t go past my favourite Camilla And Marc LBD.

Beauty Products.

I only ever pack my absolute skincare essentials when travelling and tried and true products. I can always count on Alpha H skincare to tame my sensitive skin. And I have recently fallen back in love with Chanel’s skincare range. In particular La Nuit De Chanel, a serum which soothes and repairs skin during the night. I picked this up by complete accident in LA and have used it ever since. It is skin-saving on long-haul flights.

No matter where I’m travelling one of the first things I always pack is a red lipstick. It’s the easiest way to instantly update your look, or make a casual outfit appear more glamourous. And best of all, it’s almost as light as a feather. I also couldn’t go anywhere without at least one beautiful fragrance. Right now I am obsessed with Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris. All perfectly packed in my Chanel cosmetics bag.

Photos are not my own. Source as stated above.

Zimmermann The Marley Collection

Zimmermann RTW Maples Collection

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Those of you who follow me on Instagram would have seen that I’ve had a busy couple of months. And although I’ve never been one to complain about the trials and tribulations of working in such a fast paced industry, there’s no denying that certain parts of my life have been neglected as of late; This blog included.

At the same time, I’ve been feeling enormously grateful. I have recently had the opportunity to visit some incredible places. Work with an incredible team both in New York, Paris and at home. As well as meet some beautiful people along the way. All of which has made the jet-lag, sleepless nights and an additional five or so kilos well worth every moment.

For the past few days I have tried to grab every rare and spare minute I could find to try and create some exciting travel and fashion content for this blog from my recent overseas trips. Yet I’ve still been too distracted to finish any of them. In fact there are some draft posts which I have been meaning to publish since the beginning of this year (like my LA and NYC travel diaries). Hopefully I will be sharing some of these in the very near future.

In the mean time I’ll leave you with the unbelievably beautiful Zimmermann RTW Maples Collection. Which perfectly combines deconstructed lace, fluid floral prints, pleated paneling, shearling, leather and luxe enamel earrings to create every girls dream winter wardrobe. Mine included!

My favourite pieces from the collection; The Maples Embroidered Robe Coat (if only I had a spare $3000) . The Riot Jacket . Boudiour Mini Dress in black lace. Supportive Dress in black lace. Smock Dress in black . Flounce Camisole in black silk and the Supportive Skirt in black lace. To view the entire Zimmermann RTW Maples Collection and buy some effortless and ethereal pieces for yourself, visit their website here.

Photos are not my own. Source Zimmermann.