Explore the world and find yourself.

Travelling can open your eyes to a world you didn't know existed. Packing up your bags and experiencing a different culture, foreign language and different peoples way of life and styles can change you not only on the inside but the outside too. In a sense, we are all like chameleons morphing our different styles into the culture and cities we find ourselves in. Travelling can allow for the type of self expression that can only be explored when you are put in a place that is not your own. Sometimes we get stuck in the same routine of our daily lives, putting on our same staple outfits and going to our same favourite places. However, when we are somewhere new and foreign we are put completely out of our element and therefore, we have to create new places and find new things to explore.

There are different cities in the world each with their own unique and distinct styles. Take Paris for example, it is seen as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its classic french style of dressing and delectable pastries. Then there's Miami known for its fast cars, tanned beauties and great parties. Or Sydney which has gorgeous beaches and a relaxed yet sexy sense of style. The same way these cities have their own sense of style and distinct lifestyles, we too can have a unique self. However, sometimes we don't know which is the greatest and best form of ourself until we have explored all options, places, and styles. Are you a laid back beach chic or a city slicker or do you find yourself feeling completely at ease with being hidden among a small cafe in a town nobody knows? No one place or form of yourself is right or wrong. We can all go to these places and pretend to be these different forms of ourself, however deep down there will be one where our heart feels completely at ease.

So no matter where in the world you are or where you are heading too, listen to where your heart and soul feels at 'home.' Travel the world to open your eyes to the experiences that may occur.  And explore different cities, different styles and different versions of you. Like they say, the world is your oyster. ♥

European summer style.

The weather may be drastically dropping in temperature here in Australia, but on the other side of the world the European summer has officially begun. And since I will be joining them over there in 21 days (countdown begins!), I decided to share my European summer wardrobe inspiration. A few things on must pack, or must buy, list include: striped tee, coloured jeans, cut out backs, whites, flat shoes, neon accessories and denim shorts. Packing to go to a foreign country that you have yet to visit can become very daunting so I started my packing list today and started to go through my overflowing wardrobe sorting everything into must keep, must throw and undecided piles. But after looking through these photos my must throw list became longer and consequently so did my need to buy now list! Wish me luck, Au revoir!

Seafolly's newest addition.

Australia's favourite swimwear label, Seafolly have uncovered the latest bronzed beauty who will front their Summer 2012/13 campaign. For the second year running Seafolly have secured an international supermodel, this year being South African born Behati Prinsloo. 

The 23-year-old Victoria Secret's Angel and Leonardo DiCaprio's ex is bronzed, toned and looking flawless in the sneak peak campaign images that were released. With long locks and equally long limbs to match, Behati is the perfect candidate for these images which were shot in tropical Palm Springs.  

The Seafolly campaign has previously formed a platform for Aussie supermodels including Miranda Kerr, Catherine McNeil, Jess Hart and Samantha Harris. Draped in delicate gold chains and ethnic inspired necklaces a high fashion approach has been taken. These images are the perfect thing to add a little heat to this chilly Autumn day. I'm thinking... bring on summer already!

Being Lara Bingle

Whether you love her or hate you, there's one thing you gotta admit. Lara Bingle has kiss-ass style. And that's not the only thing going for her right now, she is about to launch her own reality TV show titled Being Lara Bingle. The show will give viewers an inside into the 24 year olds life showing the ins and outs of her glamorous Sydney lifestyle. Often in the media for bad publicity including her recent naked photo scandal, hopefully this fly on the wall approach will give insiders a better perspective of the model/ socialite more personal life.

The sunny blonde bombshell will be surrounded by her best friends including manager Hermione Underwood and lives with her brother in her newly rented Bondi cliff top apartment with views to die for. Coverage for the show will include her many appearances at the recent Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia where her style was on show. Envied for her relaxed, effortless approach to dressing, Bingle is an all Australian gal with her blonde tresses and tanned skin. Being Lara Bingle will air on Channel Ten in the coming weeks.

MBFWA... black affair.

It's that time of year again... Australian Fashion Week time. Although changing the name from RAFW to MBFWA it is still the same event, with the same amazing fashionistas stepping their well clad feet out at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. So far this week we've seen Zimmerman, Ksubi, Michael Lo Sordo, Jayson Brunsdon and Romance Was Born all on show.

Yet this week is as good for celeb spotting as it is for the fashion, with some of our favourite celebs spotted including Lara Bingle, Kate Waterhouse, Christine Centenera and Charlotte Dawson along with international favourites Whitney Port and Elin Kling.

Each year black seems to be the colour de jour and this year is no different. However, the black is mixed up with different aesthetics and fabrics in asymmetrical skirts, leather, slouchy pants and pendulum tops paired back with statement chunky chains and studded belts. Well done ladies, the first few days have proved to be a black affair, but what will the final few days bring?

Not just a pretty face.

Karl Lagerfeld once said, "sunglasses are like eyeshadow. They make everything look younger and prettier." And this is the reason why sunglasses are a woman's best friend. Sunglasses come in all different shapes and sizes and the 'it' pair of sunglasses can come and go just like your favourite hermes bag, however, a stylish and on trend pair can last you a lifetime. 

The classic ran ban wayfarers are a favourite among A-listers especially Rachel Bilson, who is never seen without them. Yet the most popular eye-ware of choice at the moment is the cat-eye. These feline frames have been snapped on taste makers Diane Kruger, Mary-Kate Olsen and Nicole Richie. Both styles are wearable for a wide range of faces and will be a must keep in your wardrobe forever. Sunglasses have the impact to dramatically change any outfit and are as good as a perfect pair of heels or bag to complete an outfit. A perfect pair of sunglasses will live with you forever so instead of using your sunglasses as a mask to hide behind use them as a statement piece in your wardrobe. A bold pair of sunglasses also has the ability to show the world you are reading to tackle anything that life throws at you, so I say... the bolder the better!

Lasting forever.

The woman is a strong person. Throughout our lives we are expected to create relationships, friendships, make children, take care of all the housework, cook, clean and also hold a respectable job in the workplace. There is far more expected of us now than our ancestors who's role in life was solely to stay home and bring up a loving family. The long lasting relationships that we create in our lives amongst our friends and family can also be transcribed into our wardrobe. 

Like our social lives, our wardrobes need those classic, modern and versatile pieces that will stand the test of time. Taking inspiration from french dressing and style icon Audrey Hepburn, trench coats, stripes and fur detailing are pieces that you will forever cherish. It is due to this style of dressing why woman from all over the world see the French as the most stylish and sophisticated out of them all. They always dress for themselves, and are never seen to be following trends but holding an inner sense of style. We need to cherish and hold onto the people in our life that will be there for years to come, hanging in our life like our favourite wardrobe items.

Pure Living in Style

For most of us living in a world where we are always “on”, looking our best and all dressed up. I have found that there are times when we all need to get back to basics whether it’s in the way we dress, the way we live, eat and spend our time. In our crazy world it is easy to get caught up in everyday life and miss the soft voice of our soul longing for stillness, healing and deep relaxation.

We all love the feeling of coming home, taking of our makeup, putting on our comfy trackies, even if they are Juicy Couture and curled up on the couch with a great book (and a great man). We find that we can simply be without the need to “be” anything or anyone other than who we are, naturally.

Basics are called just that, they are what we need and what we build the rest of our wardrobe around. They are the staples which make our wardrobe and without them our outfit would simply be too much. We’ve all seen stylish women wearing a white T and a great pair of jeans. Effortless, stylish and chic!! I have come to realize that in life it is much the same - the simple things, the basics are what truly nourish our soul.

Costa Rica is a country known by the words “Pura Vida” (Pure Living). I have recently been researching some of the world’s greatest retreats for the Private Access Woman and Pura Vida Retreat and Spa in Costa Rica is considered as the Wellness & Yoga destination of choice.

You can say that life at Costa Rica Retreat can teach us all how we can really get back to basics and develop the foundation for a way of living that is pure, pleasurable and sacred. There are basic retreats I have been to but at Pura Vida you get to go all natural with style. You can be the yogi saluting to the sun and lying by the pool in your bikini and designer sunnies.

Ahhhh finally a place where substance and spiritually merges with style.

Developing a healthy relationship with food is important and with the most divine menu options such as salad, cucumber with mint, cherry tomatoes over a bed of cabbage, Quinoa Risotto, Skewers of dried tomatoes, mushrooms and basil with balsamic, Salmon carpaccio with passionfruit sauce – this is one place you will never want to miss a meal that is prepared fresh by the full time kitchen staff of local Costa Rican women.

The healers at the retreat are hand picked for their gifts. Choose from Lympathic Drainage Massage, Facials or a unique healing session called La La Land where you can find yourself blissfully going somewhere you have never been before. Many have returned from Costa Rica totally transformed inside and out.

You also get to start the day you wish you you could start everyday - with a yoga class, waking up the body, stretching, breathing and connecting. Pura Vida holds many retreats throughout the year or if you just want a few days to get back to basics, you can book yourself in and do as little or as much as you like.

Pura Vida offers a perfect balance of mind, body and spirit in an oasis of beauty, tranquility and home like intimacy. You can pamper your body and soul and explore the delights of Costa Rica, a country which is renowned for its beauty.

So just like our basics in our wardrobe, getting away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives to reconnect with ourselves is something we all need to do on a regular basis. We need our basics in our wardrobe to bring balance to the rest of our outfits just like we need to get back to basics and retreat to bring balance and harmony into our lives.

We need to learn how to disconnect from the world and just like coming home to put on our comfy trackies we come home to ourselves.

Pura Vida Website...click here

The New Sweater.

As the mornings become fresher and the nights crisper we know that winter is slowly creeping upon us. One winter item that used to be left for sunday evenings lazing around in our 'comfy' clothes is the humble sweater. However, this year the sweater has matured and grown into a more sophisticated and versatile item. Perfect for layering, the sweater can be paired back over jeans with boots or simply worn over bright shorts or skirts for those tran-seasonal moments. This is a more casual, day time look compared to a blazer or leather jacket which has shone as the staple items for many seasons. This winter get excited as it's all about comfort, class and rugging up in those winter woolies.