FLOWER CHILD

I’m a hippy chick at heart. I love the boho look and this season’s floral explosion complements it perfectly. Think skirts, oversized shirts, blazers, dresses and maxis – all in pretty floral prints.

Check out this gorgeous maxi skirt I picked up for $69.95 from Mink Pink.

Keep it simple by pairing it with a basic singlet in dusty/baby pink, khaki or white (hit up Supre for good quality singlets at bargain prices).

Throw on some oh-so-now espadrilles (Sportsgirl have gorgeous flat, strappy 'Coachella' espadrilles in white, light khaki, coral and black for only $29.95)

Top it off with a gorgeous sun hat (I insist you go to Sportsgirl and get the Waikiki sun hat immediately!).

If you’re after something less feminine but you still want to jump on the floral bandwagon, try pairing an oversized floral shirt (check out the Don’t Ask Amanda range at General Pants) with distressed denim shorts. I’m loving the trashed shorts from Jess Hart’s ‘Neon Hart’ range at General Pants (check them out below).

Throw on a floppy black suede or bowler hat and some flat black summer booties and you’ve got instant New York cool street-style.

Speaking of Jess Hart (and her amaaazing 'Neon Hart' range at General Pants), I’ve got a huge style crush on her at the moment. Have a look at her street cool style below:

Until next time, much love xo

TAKE 2!

OK, I'm going to get straight to the point this time - Bali. Amazing (still not as good as Thailand though I dont think!)

I was pretty clueless heading over there so here's a few things I discovered that might help you if you're jetting off soon!

1. Trying to decide where to stay - the main tourist suburbs of Bali.

SEMINYAK: up and coming area with lots of nice restaurants, private villas and boutique shopping (great for relaxing with a partner). About 10 mins from Legian (only a $3 cab fare) and my favourite place.

LEGIAN: great beach, relaxing, quieter than Kuta but not a lot to do (only $2 to get to Kuta).

KUTA: busy and a little bit hectic - not the best if you want to relax! Lots of pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants.

2. Try and book accommodation through Wotif.

I booked an amazing villa in Seminyak for $160 a night (it was listed as being $450 on the hotel website). Go here --> WOTIF
Check out my snaps below:

 

3. Taxis

Ridiculously cheap but don’t get in without making sure the meter’s on!

                

4. DO NOT ORDER DRINKS INSIDE YOUR HOTEL.

Step out 2m onto the gorgeous beach and grab yourself a cold Bintang for 12,000 rupiah ($1.40) instead of 70000 ($8).

5. Nightlife
Be warned, Bali nightlife doesn't get going properly until after 11. If you're a Grandma like me, you'll need an afternoon siesta! Check out the Bounty, Skygarden & Paddy's Bar (on Poppies Lane).

6. Shopping here is heaven
Not only do they have great markets but they’ve also got boutiques. Check out Bamboo Blonde in Kuta and the shopping strip on Jalan Oberoi in Seminyak (hello half-price Shakuhachi).

7. Culinary delights
Most restaurants in Bali are pretty good (both Western & Indo food).

My two faves are:

SEASIDE (next to the Jayakarta in Legian)
Great location right on the beach, great value and food as good as in Australia (or anywhere else for that matter).

Seaside in Legian

Check out their website: http://www.seasidebali.com/

ULTIMO

The cheapest and best Italian going round!

You've got to have their imported Australian tenderloin with mushroom sauce. It was only $6!! The salmon carpacchio with mascarpone, rocket and a balsamic glaze is also a winner! YUM!

8. Feel like a kid again and go to Waterbom Park - around $30AUD a day.
Just a couple of pointers:

a. You CAN’T have metal clasps or plastic tags hanging off your bathers or board shorts if you want to go on the loop - I found that out the hard way.

b. You CAN get passouts so avoid the ridiculous food and drink prices and pop out to one of the many restaurants nearby.

Check out pics of the loop the loop ride (Climax) and from the lazy river lagoon (I love waterproof cameras!)

9. Catch up on reading!

There's nothing better than lying by the pool or on the beach with a cold beer and a good book. If you haven't already, give Stieg Larsson's 'Millenium Trilogy' a whirl.

If you're not a book reader pick up the DVD's in Bali. Here's the action-packed trailer for Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (the movie is subtitled by the way- it's Swedish).

I also hear that Carey Mulligan & Daniel Craig are in pole position for the American remake! I don't know if I'll be able to believe Carey as Lisbeth...hmmm.

10. At the airport

They love to rip you off! We knew about the $25AUD you have to pay for a Visa on arrival. However, be prepared to pay 150000 rupiah (around $17) per person when exiting the country (a passenger service tax).

And finally, the sun is HOT.
Make sure you use sunscreen - you'll still get a tan!

OUCHHH

After applying sunscreen every 2 hours - still bright red!

Where are you jetting off to next?


Much love xo

FRINGE AMBITION

I am freaking out!! I've been having terrible nightmares lately. They involve scissors, a maniacal hairdresser and a lot of tears.


I'm having my annual pre-summer hair crisis. Normally I keep it simple by adding some cool blonde tones but this year I've got a huge crush on Abbey Lee Kershaw's 'do.

Could this girl be anymore gorgeous? Check out Abbey's Spring/Summer runway campaigns below:

One of my friends said getting a fringe was the best thing she’d ever done. Another said they want to wear a paper bag over their head until it grows back. My boyfriend said he’d break up with me (jokingly, I hope). I’m so confused I don’t know what to do!

But then I remembered that I shouldn't care what other people think! So I’ve booked in with my favourite hairdresser and I’m going the chop. It will always grow back, right? Stay tuned for before and after pics!

What celeb hairstyle will you be coveting this spring/summer?

Carey's cute pixie cut

Blake's gorgeous blonde tresses



Rachel's balayage

Gisele's caramel curls



Much love xo

PS. I’m still in love with the Alexander Wang-inspired messy side braid - an effortlessly cool look.

Check out the tutorial below (Thanks Mimi!) to rock your own.

SELAMAT DATANG!

Hey guys! (Before you read ahead, be warned this is going to be a long post!)

I've finally made the effort to eject the sim card from my camera and upload my Bali pics. Truth be told I was putting it off because I knew I'd have to look at all those gorgeous pictures knowing I won't be going back anytime soon (yep, I have a serious case of post-holiday blues).

Luckily I have the Falls Festival over New Years, Big Day Out, Good Vibes and Future to look forward to (I love festival season!) Check out the amazing line-ups below and footage of a few of my favourite artists who will be there:

FALLS 



BIG DAY OUT



GOOD VIBES



FUTURE MUSIC



OK, I've officially decided I can't post anymore or you'll all be here for weeks!
I tend to get a bit distracted when I'm on a roll with something but I promise I'll blog about my Bali adventures soon!

Also, stay tuned for festival fashion finds closer to the big days!

Much love xo

SOLESTRUCK

What girl doesn’t love shoes? The intoxicating smell of leather, the power of a towering heel to make you 5 inches taller and infinitely slimmer and the general fabulousness that a new pair of shoes can add to an old outfit.

I love the style of shoes that are hitting our stores at the moment. Stacked wooden heels. Wedges. Espadrilles. Buckled sandals. Summer booties. Here’s a list of my top 5 fave shoes of the moment.

ZU: The Stacked Wooden Heel

"Miss Zo"

A (much better) take on the oh-so-popular clog. The photo doesn't do justice to the shoe - go and check them out for yourself!

Find your closest store at www.zushoe.com.au

SPORTSGIRL: The Wedge

"Flirt Wedge"

Find your inner retro goddess by pairing these 70's style wedges with a printed maxi & denim vest.

Sportsgirl are coming out with some great shoes lately (check out the Navaho sandal and the Coachella espadrilles)

www.sportsgirl.com.au

SIREN SHOES: The Espadrille

"Tidal"

My absolute favourite pair of shoes at the moment. On-trend light khaki (they also come in black and coral) and all for only $120.

www.sirenshoes.com.au

Stockists include Myer, Joanne Mercer & Santini

WITCHERY: The Flat Sandal

"Willow Sandal"

Flat sandals are going to be big this summer (I can almost hear my feet breathe a sigh of relief) - if your not a fan of jewelled embellishment then try this funky buckled style.

www.witchery.com.au

WINDSOR SMITH: The Summer Bootie

"Cupid"

I'm a huge fan of flat boots. The lace-up style that's been around these past couple of winters is a winner. If you want to keep working this trend into the warmer months try a pair of low-rise 'summer booties'. Work them with distressed denim cut offs and a bowler hat.

They also come in tan and a very summery beige.

www.windsorsmith.com

What's your favourite shoe style at the moment?
Share your lust and must-haves with me!

Much love xo

HOLLYWOOD HEARTTHROBS

I’ve just finished exams at uni this week and I'm recovering from getting my appendix out (on my birthday no less)! As a treat I'm giving myself a few days off to relax. I'm spending it lying on the couch devouring page after page of fashion and gossip mags and watching tele. 

In my zoned out state I was watching a Friends episode yesterday when they all started making lists about the people you’d be allowed to be with even if you were with your partner. At the time I thought this was a great game (OK, everything seems pretty good compared to another episode of The View).

So it got me thinking. And I decided to come up with my top 5. (DRUM ROLLLL)

1. Ben Affleck


(If you haven’t seen The Town you have to go immediately - if for no other reason than to see Ben Affleck doing chin-ups shirtless).

Check out the trailer below:

2. Chris Meloni

3. Ed Westwick

4. Gerard Butler

5. Leonardo DiCaprio

Who are your top 5 Hollywood hotties?

Much love xo

PS. I’ll be uploading photos from my trip soon so stay tuned for jealous-inducing pics and some travel tips for Bali.

WATCH OUT: DANGEROUS CURVES AHEAD

Just like pretty much every other girl I’m a sucker for fashion mags and celebrities. I know it’s not exactly hard-hitting journalism but the thought of reading the Wall Street Journal or some other business-y type magazine literally bores me to tears. That’s why every month, without fail, I buy every glossy magazine I can get my hand, watch every celebrity reality show ever made and resolve only to read the gossip section of the newspaper (slightly exaggerating, but a girl can dream).

With this constant influx of thin, rich and beautiful models and celebs its no wonder my self-confidence takes a dive. In fact, I’ve made it a rule only to read about Kate Bosworth or Rachel Bilson types while on the treadmill.



Madison's November issue

But something weird happened to me last week. I bought the November issue of Madison Australia and didn’t feel the need to hotfoot it straight to the gym and do 100 sit ups. And it’s all thanks to Jessica Gomes (‘the Aussie model bringing curvy back!’). Don’t get me wrong - she is stunning - but she’s also healthy, down-to-earth and genuinely curvy. 

Jess bringing curvy back

So good old Jess got me thinking and it made me realise something. Hollywood, the fashion world and everyday people are actually moving away from stick-thin style icons. A new wave of healthy body image is here. It’s not about starvation anymore, it’s all about MODERATION. Check out Jess’ Sunrise interview here - this girl is an inspiration:

Much love xo

PS. Give it up for these healthy celebs who embrace their womanly curves!

Bootylicious Kim K



Bar Refaeli
(Leo is one lucky guy)

The always gorgeous Eva Mendes