Note To Self

image source: here

My Week With Marilyn

I finally got my hands on a copy of the film "My Week With Marilyn" starring Michelle Williams (I know very behind the times). This film is based on Colin Clark's (British Documentary Film Director and Writer) memorable and private week with the Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. At first I thought this film would be another movie about the starlet herself - the glitz and glamour - but I was mistaken. It showed a more intimate fragile side; a very human side. Of first love, of her casual style, her innocence, her welcoming of others and above all else her dream to be simply understood and loved for who she really was; not for the glamourous starlet that she portrayed herself to be; after all being Marilyn Monroe was her most difficult role / character. Michelle Williams hands down was brilliantly moving in this role. She captured Marilyn's essence all the way down to her beauty mark; the resemblance was uncanny but more importantly her performance was believable. She certainly deserved the Oscar nominations!

"beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world"
- Marilyn Monroe

image sources: here & here & here

Paris Is Always A Good Idea

This time last year I was in France. Missing her tremendously! If you've ever been to France you'll know what I mean. To inspire you to one day experience her beauty I thought I'd share with you these photos I took in Paris last year. She truly is magnifique! 

photographer: © EllynSheyr

Sirromet

Wine & Cheese with your girlfriends is always a good idea. A few weeks ago a few of us went to Sirromet for a spontaneous day trip for wine tasting and sunshine. It's amazing how after making the decision to move away from Brisbane you miraculous find yourself in the places you've been meaning to explore but took for granted. Sirromet was one of those places; a beautiful winery just on the outskirts of Brisbane {Mt Cotton to be exact, just about 30 mins from the CBD}. For $5 you can do a tasting and enjoy the scenery. Enjoy some delicious food over wine while listening to live music; maybe see a wallaby or two. We were so lucky that it was one of the sunniest days we've had during this autumn/winter season! It was so sunny I was tricked into thinking it was spring/summer.

all photos taken by my Olympus PEN Lite EPL-2 {both by me and my friend Lara}

One Year of Daydreaming

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAY DREAM BELIEVERS. My blog turns one today! This time last year I was eagerly and stressfully getting myself packed for my first trip to Europe {my first solo trip ever}. What better reason to finally create something I'd been dreaming to do for a long time - a personal online diary to post the photographs I planned to take during my epic euro trip; a much easier version than a scrapbook style diary in a notebook. It would be my platform to express and share the things I hold dear: style, travel and photography. 

Now as twelve months have passed, I am again running around getting things organised for another epic euro trip. Though this time round I have surprised and shocked all the people around me by making the exciting {yet equally scary} decision to move to the UK. When July 22nd comes around I will be getting on a big jet plane and saying goodbye to my home of eight years {Brisbane} and all those familiar faces and places. So, here's to the next 12 months in which you'll be seeing more and more of my travels to exotic places; hopefully inspiring you, my beautiful readers, to step outside of your comfort zone and start living the life you want to lead. 

Below is a picture of the girl who started it all - Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage {whom I'd love to meet one day}. Her beautiful shot photographs and exciting adventures inspired me to finally do the things I've always wanted to do but too scared to actually do it. Thank you Nicole xx

image sources: here & here

The River City

South Bank. Brisbane

With my impending move to London I have been making the most of the time I have left here in Brisbane. This beautiful, relatively young city has been my home for the last 8 years. I have a lot to be thankful: I grew here, I found lifelong friends here, I became me. Sadly I have taken her for granted; expecting that I would have endless time to explore all of her wonders and secrets. But never fear I will be back, eventually, but for now I have bigger fish to fry: Europe! In the mean time I'll miss the art, the theatre, the cafes and restaurants.  The simple life of the river city.

all photos were taken by me on my Olympus PEN Lite EPL-2

Coco & Marie

Chanel Resort 2013

Karl Lagerfeld has done it again! In the beautiful surroundings of Versailles, Mr Lagerfeld himself has refreshed our love affair of Parisian beauty from the Antoinette era, with a twist: punk rock youth with a slice of Sofia Coppola. This collection feels so familiar, as in you still feel the core values of Chanel: femininity, strength, and attention to detail. But you also get a dose of fun, modernity and edge. Chanel successfully fuses old and new to the point where the line of indifference is no longer relevant. In fact the rules are simply thrown out. Platform sneakers worn with delicate sun dresses. French footman hairstyles with a splash of funky pastel colouring through the edgy bob. The make-up worn by the models is so hypnotising that you get lost in the baby pink hues. I just want to hop on a plane to France and munch on macaroons and cake. Oui?

image sources: Chanel, Garance Dore, Studded Hearts, Vogue

The Met Gala

Camilla Belle

Each year the Metropolitan Museum hosts the annual Costume Institute Gala (aka The Met Ball); hosted by Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The red carpet evening where celebrities arrive dressed to impress is described as the fashion industry's "Night of Nights". I always get excited when the press pictures get released; going gaga over each red carpet look. However, this year there was an absolute knock out: Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren. She looked so serene, like right out of an elegant 1920s silent film. The perfect balance of skin, glamour, class and mystery {thanks to those luscious dark lips}. It's hard to fault Ms Belle. 

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 Which look was your favourite?

The Green Thumb

Flowers In Bloom

For the last nine months my mother and I have been in gardening mode. I recently had my small courtyard re-landscaped so keeping the plants alive and thriving has been a challenge. I'm no green thumb but thankfully my mother is a horticulturist, landscaper, and plant whisperer in disguise. Talk about wonder woman! We spent our whole Sunday afternoon plant positioning, replanting, and weeding. Well, to be honest, mum did. I learnt that I was great at supervising and daydreaming about what this will all look like in spring.

Here's a sneak peak {have you noticed how beautiful the colours blend together in flowers? I'm not surprised to see so many floral prints in both today's streetstyle and runway trends}

all photos were taken by me on an Olympus PEN Lite EPL-2

Anna Dello Russo

Accessories Collection for H&M

Say what?? 

Yep you heard me! I checked my emails today and found this piece of wonderful news! Anna Dello Russo (ADR) is partnering up with high street label H&M. Her loveable personality, her daring flare, her over-the-top sense of style will be available to H&M customers in the form of jewellery, sunglasses, shoes and bags. What more could a fashionable girl ask for. You will be able get your own piece of ADR glamour in your pretty little fingers from October 4, 2012 (marking that one in my calendar). 

Head over to the H&M website to read up on the press release announced today or follow her blog:

image source: H&M News

image source: H&M News