Monday, January 31, 2011

The Best Looks

A new year has begun and like always a new year brings new fashion. So, what's in store for 2011?

Thanks to my good friend and 'stylist to the stars' whom is based in La-La Land (Los Angeles), I am able to hook you up with very informed knowledge and ideas about the coming trends for 2011.

This time round I am going to try something new. Instead of blabbing on about what's hot and what's not I am going to show you pictures of different scenes that influence this years biggest trends.
I hope that this will allow you to creatively design your own look and style.



Think feminine, soft and lingerie. This looks main influence is the notion of 'memories' and is best achieved with silks, fine cottons and blends. It's the audacious accents and subtle featherweight effects that are the key to this look.
  



Think about the passion the colours evoke, folk music, cartoons and patchwork fashion. This look is all about celebrating what every-day life is about. This look is based on strong lines and is best achieved by utilising amusing creativity, mixes of ethnic and otherworld fashions, strong femininity. Good accessories to assist are hats, scarves and necklaces with foreign appeal. Think 'happiness'.




Think exotic nature meets dessert sands. It's glamorous and effortless with a real loungewear effect. Easily achieved by sticking with cotton and very neutral tones. Kaftan's, dry knits and charming linens are the key to achieving this look. Perfect for the beach, worn well by men in Malibu.
 



Think sexy. This is a feminine look with edge and is very easy to achieve. Garments can be flowy and cheeky. It is OK to incorporate dramatic gestures like rock luxe and theatrical couture - in fact - it's very welcomed. This can be a very glamorous look if worn correctly. Cheap and nasty if worn incorrectly. To vamp this look up and take it to the next level consider lace undergarments, black, burlesque, lace stay up stockings and glamorous yet effortless fitted dresses. This look personally reminds me of old Hollywood glamour.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Love Journeys Exhibition


I went to a fantastic exhibition called Love Journeys to cover the exhibition and to also interview those involved and chat to the guests - all on camera of course!
I interviewed lots of people, including well known and influential Melbournians, so stay tuned for the release of the video footage and interview!

The free flowing champagne, wine and finger food was well complimented by the large french windows and doors, hardwood floors and french provincial fire places. If that wasn't enough, the library and sitting room made it even more than perfect. The classically curved stairs in the main foyer added a real sense of old world charm and can only be described in one word, darling.
I was in french provincial heaven (french provincial is my ultimate favorite decor style).

Apart from Julien being a very alluring Frenchman, he is also a published writer, film maker and artist, his latest creation being the Love Journeys Exhibition - which is brilliant.
Leyre's exhibition showcased photographs and literature surrounding 5 same sex couples each accompanied by their own personal story of migration to Australia. What's interesting about the couples is that one person from each couple is from Australia and the other abroad, so it really is a story of their Love Journeys and how they became a unity.

Julien decided to base each photograph around the traditional kitchen table and the food that decorated the table was significant of the couples origins, for example, a table might be dressed with Vegemite to symbolise Australia as well as croissants to symbolise France.
Julien's reasoning behind basing the photographs around the kitchen table was expertly explained during our interview; "In the gay world there is a saying that if you sleep with someone it means nothing, but if you have breakfast the next morning then it means something"

Julien Leyre's Love Journeys Exhibition presented by Midsumma Festival will be running from 17 January - 6 February at Alliance Francaise de Melbourne in St Kilda.

For more info see below;


TV presenter Chantal Leptos at Love Journeys

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Boots and Bowls

Today consisted of shopping in town with my mother. I originally went out to buy a dress from Alanah Hill but ended up buying a new pair of boots and a beautiful bowl due to Hill's lack of size 6.
I have no real reasoning behind the bowl other than to satisfy my weird obsession with Kosta Boda.

Kosta Boda Contrast Bowl - White/Large. $400. Hand-made in Sweden, heavy and artistic.


The boots? As it happens, every few years I find one item that wholly satisfies my leopard addiction, the time in-between generally showcases crap-o-la, as unfortunately most leopard print items are. 
These boots = wholly satisfied.
Now, the picture of the boots does no justice and I will upload something of a professional nature soon.
Otherwise, click here to view the Bruno Magli Women's Autumn/Winter Collection as they are featured in brown.


Bruno Magli Boots with platform and silver heel tip. $950.


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I Love Bags!

My love for designer bags is no secret so when I do turn up at home with a new addition to my wardrobe it's no real surprise.
One of my favorite accessories this month is the handbag I recently bought from Louis Vuitton. I chose the colour rubis in the hope of it bringing me good fortune - or so the story goes - and to match my purse.
There are 3 colours to choose from; rubis, ivory and noir.


LV Alma Bag in Epi Leather from LV $1,630
 
Other than my passion for red, I also have a soft spot for leopard print and when I do see a brilliant item covered in the marvelous print I cannot resist the temptation to buy!
That's exactly what happened when I saw this beautiful scarf in LV, luckily the colour of my bag teamed with this scarf works very well. That's my justification anyway.

LV Leopard Stole from LV $850


Sunday, January 16, 2011

Golden Globes Red Carpet Fashion

As an actress I am always super eager to check out the Golden Globes nominees and awards, the red carpet fashion comes in at a very close second.

This year the colour nude was everywhere and was worn best with pale skin (ditch the fake tan ladies) and very casual up-dos.
Another popular frock was the black fishtail, most of the ladies wearing this style did not pull it off and generally looked like they were in mourning. Kudos to Eva . Big Kudos to Penelope Cruz.

Let's check out what our talented ladies were sporting this year on the red carpet..


Elizabeth Moss. Sometimes even stylists get it wrong.


Emma Stone, perfectly peachy. This is brilliant.


Eva Longoria in the very popular black fishtail.


Kaley Cuoco. Another nude number worn well.


Lea Michele. It's fun, flirty and very 80's.


Natalie Portman. Yes, Grecian is great for pregnancy, but who said that pink and red works?


Olivia Wilde. A pretty star in the night sky. Very princess.


Scarlett Johansson. Another nude frock worn well. Love the hair.


Leighton Meester every bit a lady in Zac Posen.


Nicole Kidman. Why must she be so boring?


Jennifer Love Hewitt. A beautifully elegant bridal frock. To bad she's not the bride.


Angelina Jolie. The colour is amazing. I am not a fan of the style but on Angelina it looks elegant and under-stated.


Toni Collette in Elie Saab. Perfect.


Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani Prive. I would wear this dress, definitely.


Christina Hendrick. Despite controversy, I think Christina got it right. Her fair skin and bright hair contrast well with her dress and lips. Despite her two personal golden globes the frill works wonders on Hendrick's waist line, pulls her in and adds shaboom. Love the hair.


Megan Fox. Sexy yet elegant. The thigh split was so 2009/2010.



Sandra Bullock. She had a great run in the fashion stakes during 2010. What happened Sandra?




Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Celebrity engagements and their rocks!

Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall became engaged on NYE 2010 whilst on holiday and I think it's safe to say that her rock is quite the shiner! This brilliant-cut creation is a custom design by none other than Nic Ceronne in NSW and is estimated at $200,000. 
On ya' Jakey boy, we like your style!


Jess Marais and James Stewart play on-screen lovers on the popular Aussie TV show Packed To The Rafters and have recently become engaged off screen! Jess recently starred in the Linneys jewelry campaign in WA and at the campaign launch mentioned that her very own classically-cut sparkler is in fact part of the Linneys engagement collection!
I was expecting something bigger but none-the-less, a beautiful ring for a beautiful girl.


When Prince Harry proposed to Kate Middleton only the very best would do and the very best is the Prince's late mother's oval sapphire engagement ring.
The ring - a sapphire surrounded by 14 rounds of diamonds set in 18k of white gold cost over $62,000 AU when Prince Charles purchased it back in 1981. It’s obviously worth more now as the recent estimated value is $389,000 AU!
No argument from me, it really is the best.


Hugh Hefner proposed to Crystal Harris on Christmas Eve 2010, he presented her with a Little Mermaid musical box (apparently it's Harris's fav movie) and inside lay a perfectly cut three-carat platinum diamond ring!
Note to self - buy Little Mermaid musical box!


Reese Witherspoon is officially a rock star with her brand new engagement ring! Her fiance, Jim Toth (CAA agent), proposed with a four-carat Ashoka diamond set on a pave diamond-and-platinum band. Toth worked closely with the William Goldberg Diamond Corporation to design the ring.
My personal motto is; If a diamond appears to be large in comparison to your finger, simply grow your nails. There is no such thing as a diamond being to big!


Post image for Reese Witherspoon Engagement Ring Revealed


Sunday, January 9, 2011

My Latest Interview - The Process

As part of my role as a presenter I often interview interesting people and report on exciting topics or events, one of my first interviews as a presenter for Mecho.com.au is to interview a very interesting, passionate and incredibly intelligent gentleman among the Melbourne intellectual scene.
I'm not just talking book smart, this person is a visionary of sorts whose compassion and drive to help others and make our world a better place is priceless. He is also an entrepreneur and is set to bedazzle the Melbourne social scene with his very own contribution that is on the cusp of getting grande attenzione and applause.
Stay tuned and I will tell you who and what shortly!

So it was off to De Clieu Cafe in Fitzroy to meet my assignment and conduct a pre-interview. I should mention that De Clieu has since become one of my favorite cafes to hang out at. Get there early on a sunny day and get yourself a window ledge to stretch out on under the big, shady trees that decorate the sidewalk.
As usual, my eagerness and neurotic organisational habits caused me to arrive a whole hour early so I used my time wisely and scoped out the boutique shopping on Gertrude St. I found the most gorgeous Dior Homme sneakers. Favorite store was Porters Paints, I still have a thing for home decor!

I should probably mention a little about the lead up to De Clieu and my pre-interview, well, quite simply put it all happened in the clasps of a marvelous cafe on High St Northcote called Penny Farthings. If you care to stalk me you should probably start there.
My friend, colleague, fellow producer, actor and presenter Mr. Nick Teoh and I spent many hours sitting and sipping single origin coffee (he more than I) whilst we brunched and discussed our new assignment and video interview for Mecho.com.au and true to life that is how this particular featured interview came about.
It sounds easy breezy, right? Well, just for the record, I seem to have a knack for making things seem a lot simpler and easier than they really are.
Of course, I should also mention that prior to De Clieu and Penny Farthings the initial assignment was delivered by Mecho.com.au to our very own Executive Producer Nghi Huynh who placed us on the yellow brick road and directed us home. Thanks Nghi!

Just to recap, we have Penny Farthings (coffee, many hours and origins of interview), De Clei (Coffee and pre interview). Let's go with De Clieu.
After my shopping excursion on Gertrude St I began to head back towards De Clieu to meet my interview assignment, it was here that I realised I had never met the man I was waiting for and I began to feel a little nervous. How would I recognise him, would he recognise me? It was out with the IPhone to search for google images. I felt like I was on a blind date via an Internet dating website!
When my assignment did show up he walked straight up to me and introduced himself, maybe he too had used the aid of google images?
We sat down to coffee (I think it might be an industry thing) and began to discuss who he was, what he was doing, where he had been and how he got there. A little over an hour later and a quick discussion about the lemon meringue he needed to get home to bake - we deemed the pre-interview finito.
As we trailed outside the cafe he unlocked the lock on his push bike (ultra cool retro design) and he was off like a bullet. I wish I had taken a photo, such a tall man on a pushbike looked odd but at the same time suited him perfectly!

I now had all the info I needed to go back and make this interview happen, as I was close-by to my grandmothers house I decided to head  back there and sift through all the information I had collected and put it in order. Her house is my 'zone' and is really close to Penny Farthings!
Sitting in my grandmothers light filled living room I realised that a lot of the information I had was about my assignment and who he was, rather than my assignment and his exciting new venture that was to take Melbourne by storm. I liked the idea of talking about my assignment and his new venture but after a quick discussion with Mecho.com.au, the producer and executive producer, it was clear that we were going to lean towards my assignment and who he was. Truth be known he is a damn interesting person so there will be no lack of information or entertainment.
Once the information had been collected and collated all that was left was to form interview questions and format the interview. I brainstormed questions and formats together with Nick the producer and once they had been approved by Mecho.com.au and our executive producer it was all systems go!

The interview will take place at the very trendy CBD bar Section 8 on Tuesday 11th January and will be live on Mecho.com.au by early Feb! I will be sure to write about the interview itself and discuss our process in detail as well as all the other stuff you guys will want to hear about!

I might even divulge the name of our subject too..

Hooroo!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Drop 5 Kilos in 5 minutes!

Until the end of Janurary Women's Day is giving you the opportunity to slim down 5, 10 or even 20 kgs at the click of a button!
Simply upload your photo here and become instantly thinner and for those who wish for a fuller body go ahead and make it happen - it's all possible thanks to Women's Day!

Beware, this is dangerously addictive!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Free Beer Tomorrow!

Say a big thank-you to Fosters as they are giving away one free VB to every adult across the Nation tomorrow!
Get your coupon in the Saturday Herald Sun to claim your free frothy, my bet is that it will taste a hell of a lot better because its FREE!

For a hard earned thirst, you need a big cold beer, and the best cold beer is ... VIC!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Marie Claire Freebies

Marie Claire is one of my favorite mags and this month they are giving away Witchery sunglasses with every purchase of the magazine!
There are two styles to collect and truth be known - I'm lovin' them both! For a small $9.20 I'd run out and get myself a pair and a mag to go with, might as well lap up some sunshine whilst reading my mag now that I have my brand new sunnies!

Thanks Marie Claire xox

Oroton sale now on!

Just like most people I am a firm believer of having wardrobe or accessory essentials, I am also a firm believer of buying the best brands or quality my money can buy. Realistically, our money can't always buy the best and in such circumstances 'sales' are welcomed!

Most of my everyday accessories (bags, purses, etc) are Oroton and I am proud to announce that their mega summer sale is now on instore and online. They're bags are great for everyday use and age very well!
Check it out and you might just score 50% of women's and men's signature essentials and jewelry!

Thank-you Oroton!

P.S Check out the Maille Purses and bags, I already have mine and they are beautiful!