High on Hyatt...

I remember so well the days of growing up in Melbourne and the friends who's parents had holiday homes in sunny Queensland. I too remember wishing that one day I could visit Surfers Paradise and be part of the pilgrimage that my school friends made every summer. In New York it's the Hamptons, in Melbourne it was the Gold Coast.

My dream did come true but I did have to wait a while until my 12th birthday where my late father asked me what I wanted as a birthday gift. "A holiday to Surfers" was what I really wanted and lucky for me, he did in fact make my wish come true for the most part. We drove the whole way from Melbourne.....okay so it wasn't a Qantas flight but the road trip is something that will be in my memory and in my heart forever.

Sunny Queensland and the Sunshine Coast is a dream for many, sun drenched days by the beautiful blue sea, endless blue skies and the glitz and glam as well as rest and relaxation that is synonomous with paradise. Recently our travelling bunny and Private Access intern experienced one of life's little pleasures and learnt how a simple day at the Hyatt Regency Coolum spa would give her a new lease on life.

Combining luxury and nature to create a unique spa environment, the spa at Hyatt Regency Coolum evokes total relaxation and wellbeing for men and women. The spa is totally enclosed within the extensive natural grounds of the resort and treatment rooms are surrounded by native flora and fauna. The spa provides guests with a 25 metre lap pool, an aqua aerobics pool, men's and ladies steam and sauna as well as indoor and outdoor relaxations areas.

Their 'Diamond Facial' with frozen marine DNA, grape seed extract and lavender essential oil leaves the skin smooth, hydrated and radiant. Sounds pretty amazing, diamond facials, diamond rings....both of these are definately a woman's best friend!

There is so much you can do in this one little place. Enjoy the resorts 150 hectares on a leisurely bike ride or, for the most energetic, hike up Mount Coolum and feel like you're on top of the world. There's even a Camp Hyatt for the kids, classes in the creative art gallery or 18 holes on the golf course. I think we may have just found the gold and the diamonds right here on the beautiful Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast, the place that will always remain very special to me and maybe one day I may just make it my home but for now Sydney and Bondi Beach will do.
www.coolum.regency.hyatt.com

Coles....Entering the world of fashion

We all know the feeling of dreading doing the weekly grocery shopping. We put it off until there is nothing left to eat except for a drop of milk and last nights left overs. However, supermarket giant Coles has changed all those preconceptions about grocery shopping, with the release of Australia's first supermarket fashion and accessories collection. This may not be ideal to everyone; clothes shopping amongst stacked dog food and frozen vegies, however, if you're a busy mum or dad and in the middle of juggling work, taking the kids to school and cooking dinner, there is nothing more convenient then being able to pick up some casual basics for the weekend and tonights dinner all in the one easy location.

With tees starting at $8 and everything else under $50, the label titled MIX is an assortment of casual basics and accessories priced perfectly for the busy family. And what's better yet, with new styles and looks updated every two weeks, you are sure to find something to love every fortnight. The first collection will drop into Coles Burwood VIC on September 1 and other locations nationally from October 8. MIX incorporates this season's hottest trends with vibrant colours, stripes, neutral shades and prints which form the bases of the collection in a range of pants, shirts and dresses. You can also pick up some accessories including beach bags, hats and a blue gingham print bikini.

The Coles MIX collection is perfect for time strapped, budget conscious parents offering a collection of standard basics or for the more fashion conscious a range of simple, fresh and affordable items that are right on trend. The Coles fashion line is innovative and fresh mimicking some of the major retailers in the US and European markets and bringing the highly sought after concept to our Aussie shores. It's convenient shopping at it's best!

A living fairytale.

They say it's the happiest day of a woman's life. It's the day she dreams about it since being a little girl. perfecting every detail and imagining the day she get's to dress up like a princess and walk down the aisle marrying her own prince charming. This fairytale came a reality for Kate Moss as she recently wed rockstar from the band The Kills, Jamie Hince. Her wedding was complete magic, it was spontaneous, mystical and mischievous with her Costwold home providing a gorgeous backdrop on a perfect midsummer's afternoon. Guests included fashion royalty Naomi Campbell, Jude Law, Stella McCartney, Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld, among others. Her delicate wedding gown was pure Galliano- vintage inspired, slim fitting, intricate detailing and delicate sheer panelling which she offset with minimal make-up and loose curls that fell perfectly around her famous face. Moss was perfectly complemented by a handful of bridesmaids and flower girls, among them her daughter Lila Grace who each wore white dresses, ballerina flats and a floral head garland. Moss looked like a fairy princess with the whole scene replicating that of a fairytale.

Whether you prefer a dreamy wedding like Moss or a more simplistic exchanging of two people's loves or you dream of an extravagant and outlandish wedding, it really is the epitome of every girls' fairytales. I have never been a big one on wedding's, I don't remember ever spending hours dreaming about my big day or sketching my perfect wedding dress in my notepad, believing more that weddings aren't a necessity in defining your love for someone. However, these images of Moss and Hince projecting their love in a simplistic and gypsy inspired wedding are everything I would wish for on my day. Some people prefer not to tie the knot and are comfortable with their love, while others' believe life isn't complete without it. Whatever you choose, whether you opt for a wedding or an exchanging of nuptials just in the presence of your other half, it is certain that your special day must be filled with love, happiness and an overwhelming joy that you have been lucky enough to find the one in this world that completes you and makes you believe that anything is possible. Moss looks stunning, happy and in love and until the day we each find the one we truly deserve we can only dream of a wedding as half as magical as hers.

Brisbane's Finest.. Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival

It is that time of year again, when all the fashionable flock to the sunny state for the hottest thing in the fashion industry, Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival. For it's sixth year running, MBFF once again brings together local, national and international labels showcasing their Spring/Summer collections to the eagerly waiting public. From August 20-26 South Bank transforms into an extravaganza of runways, cocktail parties and  showcases. Queensland's fashionistas will be out in full force to catch some of the action which boasts an impressive line-up of more than sixty designer's including Akira, Easton Pearson, Scanlan and Theodore, kaftan Queen Camilla and Sass and Bide. With a mix of fashion transcending from consumer focused merchandise, swimwear, independent and ready-to-wear, there is something to satisfy everyone's inner fashion cravings.

MBFF is a festival aimed entirely on the consumer and public with all the collections available in store and ready to buy immediately. Unlike many of the other fashion events held around the country annually where the designers showcase their upcoming collections, MBFF presents collections that are accessible to everyone, right now. The event will feature nine group shows, and an offsite swimwear/ resort show as well as a series of high teas and the most anticipated collection every year, the emergence of the next generation. The next generation show is an integral part of the festival which supports emerging talent and is often the most creative and innovative part of the week. The week long event is filled with fashion, champagne, delicious food and beautiful Brisbane weather. But the best thing about this event is that it's not left only to the fashion insiders, but fashions loyal admirers... you! It's time to pull together your hottest outfit, pop on your highest heels, grab your friends and enjoy a whole week of fashion at it's finest. 

From The Streets.. To You.

For this week's style inspiration I headed straight to the online shopping experts: Net-a-porter.  With an array of cutting edge international labels including Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Alexander McQueen and Isabel Marant, Net-a-porter knows what's hot and what's not. And it's no wonder they know how to spot a few stylish woman from a mile away. These are the woman that are bold, confident and daring in their outfit choices and love to mix and match contrasting and opposing pieces, ultimately having fun with fashion.

The thing I find the greatest in street style photographs is  the array of individuals and how they all have their own way of styling and putting together different pieces. Each day we all wake up and throw on an outfit unconsciously making a decision based on the weather, our current mood and with our own little inspirational pictures in mind. One person's way of wearing something is totally different to another person and it is these quirky and individual choices that make style so intriguing and interesting to me each and every day.