"Here kitty kitty"

MyPetsQuare is cool and casual with enough hip to just be right on the money without looking like everyone else. This is my style to a tee. Easy pieces that could be worn to work or at play. The dress and the two tops above are to die for. And it's always nice to know that you're supporting new Australian designers, named by Australian Harpers Bazaar as an up and coming one to watch.

Feeling alive?!

A friend, aptly named Grace Looney, posted this poem by Pablo Neruda, which is definitely worth sharing. Much like the recent Diesel campaign 'Be Stupid', it encourages us to 'live life to the max'. Why settle? Live life exactly how you dream it could or should be, or die trying, because at least you will have had fun along the way. Learn from mistakes, don't dwell on them. Don't expect to do the same thing over and over again and obtain a different result, that's the definition of insanity (Albert Einstein).

Die Slowly by Pablo Neruda
He who becomes the slave of habit,
who follows the same routes every day, 
who never changes pace, 
who does not risk and change the color of his clothes, 
who does not speak and does not experience,
dies slowly.

He or she who shuns passion,
who prefers black on white, 
dotting ones "it’s" rather than a bundle of emotions, the kind that make your eyes glimmer, 
that turn a yawn into a smile, 
that make the heart pound in the face of mistakes and feelings,
dies slowly.

He or she who does not turn things topsy-turvy, 
who is unhappy at work, 
who does not risk certainty for uncertainty, 
to thus follow a dream, 
those who do not forego sound advice at least once in their lives, 
die slowly.

He who does not travel, who does not read, 
who does not listen to music, 
who does not find grace in himself, 
she who does not find grace in herself, 
dies slowly.

He who slowly destroys his own self-esteem, 
who does not allow himself to be helped, 
who spends days on end complaining about his own bad luck, about the rain that never stops, 
dies slowly.

He or she who abandon a project before starting it, who fail to ask questions on subjects he doesn't know, he or she who don't reply when they are asked something they do know,
die slowly.

Let's try and avoid death in small doses, 
reminding oneself that being alive requires an effort far greater than the simple fact of breathing.

Only a burning patience will lead
to the attainment of a splendid happiness.

Yves Saint Laurent Wood

This ring has made most of those who've visited Net-A-Porter over the last year swoon. Its previous incarnations with coloured stones were also to-die-for. And this wood version is securing a place in my heart because with a GBP162 price tag, it's a designer piece under the price of a set of golf clubs. Better get me some wood!

Bold and eclectic. Proenza Schouler AW11

Prints, mixed with colour blocking in hues which remind me of an Indian Autumn are one of my picks for what we're going to be seeing on the high street this coming season. In Australia it's already cropping up in Cue and  Gorman for example. Proenza Schouler has done a great job at making their collection edgy but also feminine. Please let me get my hands on one of those shift dresses! Another big item of the season ahead. I like to think I was channelling this collection when in India, as I am in the last image, sari fabric shopping in Varkala. 

 images courtesy of style.com

Mulberry AW11 story book moments

Everyone gather around Miss Olivier Palermo but no she's not about to read you a bedtime story, she's having another fashion *snap*. Personally not a fan of rocking everything 'on trend' head to toe, Olivier is in the season's most copied trends but is a pretty little thing so she pulls off her desert boot-esque heels, tweed skirt, aviator shearling jacket, military undercoat and mulberry animal print tote with a great smile and killer legs. A fashion zzzzzz moment but easy to demonstrate more of what's to come on the high street.

Givenchy for an Oscar, Elie Saab Runner Up

It's hard to get excited about many red carpet gowns, but this is simply irresistible. Cate Blanchett you do this collection by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy Couture Spring Summer 2011 justice. In fact, I can't imagine many more as perfect for it.

And thank you Elie Saab for being consistent with your red carpet offerings, particularly coming through this year for Mila Kunis. Let's say, there was lace detailing in all the right spots.

The cute monochromatic girls of NYFW A/W11

Two of fashions favourite girls were as cute as a button in black and white at New York Autumn Winter 2011 Fashion Week. Alexa Chung in Carven and Kirsten Dunst at Band of Outsiders show. One can never go wrong with a sharp tailoring but my pick of these outfits are the blouses. I've spied a peter pan collared flimsy short sleeved top in white, tan and coral at American Apparel available both on London's high streets and in Australia which is definitely my pick.

Thankyou India

Spending the last 1.5 years in London searching for a dream Fashion Buying position but proving unsuccessful (for now) after interviews with Yasmin Sewell, Topshop (Arcadia Group), Acne and Jaeger to name but a few I was at a loss for where to search next, nursing a broken spirit and a demotivated soul.

Cue: unintential spiritual journey. And I found everything I needed and more in India.

Ashrams, yoga, meditation, ridiculously inspiring people, a Reiki course, detox, hug from Amma and forced reflection has made me the most content I've ever been in my life. Please remind me of this in the future if I become less 'zen'!

While finding my inner peace I also managed to scope out some fashion finds. Definately will be popping back for more in the near future hopefully. Being taught that ultimate bliss and consciousness is loss of ego and becoming unattached from anything in life, fashion can feel like it's at the opposite end of the spectrum. But I have always believed the positive effect you have from feeling confident about what you're wearing goes beyond ego. It is your soul reflecting who you really are. And that's absolute inner truth. So I encourage you to look in the mirror every morning and really see yourself, be content that you are in the right place in that very moment and love the soul reflected in the image that stares back at you.

Ommmm shanti.

Credit to Jonathan Clifford for his amazing photos, top three, taken in North India on a separate journey but at the same time in November 2010.

 

THE dress of the season: London A/W10

The lust I had for this dress from MiuMiu's catwalk collection was intense and then as it started appearing on magazine covers, literally everywhere, showed I wasn't the only one. This is old news now but I felt the need to reflect on the season that was and still post this dress of beauty. I love the hardwear, colour palette, line and shape plus quirky, sexy edge which this girly dress still has. Start emulating this look with a belt from Zimmerman I recently picked up (although not at this price...grr!) now on sale for AUS$75.

Flower Power

Make Believe have conjured up this dreamy collection of necklaces, created by dipping silk into resin, titled Petal to the Metal. They are absolutely to die for! Available at Blonde Venus, Brisbane for AUD$259. It reminds me of Rihanna's Only Girl (in the world) film clilp at 2.10mins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa14VNsdSYM . And I love this connection because the necklace and this film clip are both such sexy, powerful statements. Rhianna's styling, by Mariel Haenn, has been brought to the next level and the empowered, strong body language of Rhianna shows how far she's come since Umbrella. I'm not ashamed to enjoy a bit of cheesey pop music occasionally but I love everything else about this song, more than the song itself.

Because COS

Enamel and silver square braclets (GBP12 each) I wish I'd purchased.

Again, a skirt I wish I'd added to my collection last season. Crochet with a plastic feel (GBP49).

A great take on the Burberry zip-at-the-waist winter coat (GBP150).

 

James Bond cool. Men's blazer (GBP175).

Dress with oversized bow (GBP99).

 

Hipster cool. Ankle length chinos (GBP79).

In my opinion, COS (Collection of Style) is the best high street label in the UK. Only young, it opened in 2007 with the first store on Regent St London, still the flagship. I'm enamoured by its consistent design aesthetic, creating beautifully simple pieces, wearable day and night. The brands clean cut design doesn't stop there, incorporating the look into the store interior (simplicity at its best, by interior architect William Russell). And this is what the recession has brought...a minimalist trend. They say, the brand is 'for women and men who want high fashion with good quality, at an affordable price'. COS begins where H&M (it's parent company, based in Sweden) ends. Taking pride in fair trading, 80% is manufactured in Europe and 20% Asia. When I interviewed with Yasmin Sewell, she was also a big fan, as is purse-friendly blogger of Wearing it today, Laura Fantacci. Visit http://www.cosstores.com/

Breaking the conventional mould

This lightweight summer leather jacket by Camilla and Marc named Adora AUS$1050 is now on sale in Melbourne at Green with Envy for that half price. The sleek design fits the body like a dream, squaring the shoulders off with thick shoulder pads and draping at the front like fine silk would. The cut is perfect and the feel...like you're enveloped in a cloud. Where's my unicorn?...

MONA

These slick boys from Nashville, Tennessee are worth a click www.myspace.com/monatheband to discover their indie alternative rock sound, much like the soothing tunes of Kings of Leon. Playing New York 12/13 January, followed by UK shows.

I heart Rodarte

I believe this collection by Rodarte SS11 set the scene for what's to come. Abstract floral prints, the flounce at the waist, conservative blouses, ankle skimming pants, chunky ornate shoes...there's just so much i can see going further, for other designers and for future collections. Ankle socks and long skirts, although I'm in favour, I feel may have had their day. But all in all, a beautiful collection.