ABSENTEE

This is my very quick blog post I'm writing in the car on my way to Somerset Dam in QLD, before I drop out of all phone and internet service for almost a week.So apologies for me being MIA for the next few days. 

I'm going there to do a kind of charity camp together with the Ipswich Rotary Club for kids that are a primary or secondary carer for a parent or sibling or other family member. I get to hang out with my family and an amazing team, teach some well-deserving kids how to waterski, and give them a week of fun away from their everyday life. Such an amazing experience to be a part of. And there is honestly no better feeling than giving a kid, who at the start of the week is too scared to even go in the boat, the opportunity of waterskiing out the back of the boat within a few days. Seeing these kids achieve things they never thought they could do, and seeing the smile it puts on their face... seriously no better feeling.

Anyway, I have a really exciting shoot that I did this morning that I cant wait to share with you when I get back. So keep a look out, its something pretty different and pretty special!

This is a cheeky photo my brother took of me the other day when he was visiting and we went and explored the Royal Botanic Gardens. Seriously, for any Sydney-siders or anyone planning on making a visit, go there! Its so beautiful, and seriously unappreciated. It was so nice to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney city during the Christmas craze, and take some time to literally smell the roses (and herbs, and all the other beautiful flowers).

Anyway so take care of yourselves for the next week. 

When I return, I will be the big 21! 

Love to you all

xx

CHRISTMAS LIST.

WITH CHRISTMAS LESS THAN 11 DAYS AWAY, EVERYBODY HAS THEIR CHRISTMAS WISH LISTS ALL WRITTEN OUT. SO THIS IS MY ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS WISHLIST, OF WHICH I EXPECT TO GET NONE. BUT A GIRL CAN DREAM RIGHT?

1. MICHAEL KORS ROSE GOLD WATCH - WHILST MY DIVA VERSION HAS LASTED SURPRISINGLY WELL, ONE DAY I HOPE TO INVEST IN THE REAL DEAL. 

2. DION LEE REFLECTIVE KNIT - WHERE TECHNOLOGY MEETS FASHION. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW IT WORKS, BUT I LOVE IT.

3. SASS & BIDE BRA - I LIVE IN SOFT CUP BRALET-STYLE BRAS, AND THIS ONE JUST TAKES THE CAKE. 

4. J.W. ANDERSON FOR TOPSHOP ZEBRA SKIRT - I LOVE THE BOLD ANIMALIA PRINT OF THIS SKIRT. I WAS HOPING FOR THE TORTOISE PRINT VERSION, BUT ALAS I MISSED OUT! HOWEVER STILL LOVING THE ALL OVER ZEBRA PRINT!

5. KSUBI PALM PRINT CROSS OVER TEE - AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, I'VE REALLY BEEN LOVING TROPICANA INSPIRED PRINTS LATELY AND KSUBI IS KILLING IT AT THE MOMENT WITH THEIR TAKE ON THE TREND. 

6. JORDAN ASKILL ROSE GOLD OPEN HEART RING - PERFECTION. DOES NOT NEED MORE EXPLANATION THAN THAT.

7. KSUBI CANVAS/LEATHER HARNESS VEST - I THOUGHT I'D HIT THE JACKPOT WHEN I GOT A PRETTY SIMILAR (but not quite as beautiful) ASOS VERSION OF THIS TOP. BUT WHEN IT ARRIVED IT WAS FAULTY. SO NOW MY HEART IS STILL SET ON THIS BAD BOY.

8. TOPSHOP UNIQUE BOOTS - LOVE THE CHUNKY HEEL OF THESE BOOTS AND THE CHAMELEON-TYPE LEATHER. I KNOW IT'S NOT WINTER, BUT LATELY ALL THE SHOES I'M DRAWN TO ARE BOOTS.

9. HOLLY RYAN JEWELLERY - MY LOVE FOR THIS AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY DESIGNER HAS GROWN EVEN MORE SINCE HER 'LUSH LIFE' RANGE BECAME AVAILABLE IN ROSE GOLD. HER SIMPLE, YET PERFECTLY ADORABLE DESIGNS ARE JUST MY STYLE AND I AM ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE WITH THESE CACTUS EARRINGS AND RING.

IN OTHER NEWS I HAVE THE GREAT LUCK OF HAVING MY BIRTHDAY A MERE 5 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. AND ITS THE BIG 21ST THIS YEAR! I ALREADY KNOW I'M GETTING A DIGITAL SLR, SO FOR YOU THAT MEANS PLENTY MORE SHOOTS FOR ME TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL. EXCITING RIGHT?

ANYWAY, UNTIL NEXT TIME.

TAKE CARE

XXXX

Collage created on Polyvore.

FRANKIE SAYS RELAX

Life has been a little crazy lately for me. As I'm sure it is for a lot of people at this time of year.

But you know that life/your mum is telling you to slow down and take care of yourself, when your hair essentially starts to fall out. Well is at least thinning and unhealthy.

Last week I made a very very brief (24hr) trip home to escape the city and surprise my family. With everything that has been going on lately, I thought I could get my hair done, and it would make me feel somewhat better. But life decided to kick me while I'm down, when my mum (formally a hairdresser) refused to re-do my balayage for fear that with the state of my hair, it would simply break off. Apparently stress, or diet, bad shampoo or some combination of any number of reasons, my hair has become thinner, weaker and more unhealthy then ever. 

Anyway, I don't mean to ramble and this post is different to my usual style, but I'm doing this to remind you to relax, de-stress, look after yourself.. FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR HAIR!

So this is "Karissa's guide to happiness 101"

 

1. Sleeping, preferably in a field of flowers.

2. Yoga - twice as nice because it looks after you fitness-wise, and relaxation-wise

3. Breathing- essential to live. But DEEP breathing, yoga style, is super relaxing

4. Lots of tea, and good books.

5. Fresh flowers - need I say more?

6. Raw Chocolate Brownie love from my supergorgeous friends cookbook Model Chocolate.

7. Sunshine and cloud watching

8. Deliciously comfy bed to crawl into (wish this was mine)

9. Friends - I literally watch this show everyday. 

10. Coconut Water (and beach hair)

11. Running, or any exercise - I never regret going for a run, it clears my mind and puts me

 in a good mood for the rest of the day

12. More Model Chocolate 'cranberry ripe' goodness - what more could you want? Healthy, delicious, superfood, raw chocolatey goodness. Buy her book here , you won't regret it.

13. Self-explanatory right?

14. Ryan Berkley illustrations of gentlemanly animals will surely put a smile on your face

15. Find your own paradise.

16. Head to the beach, and surf (if you can)

17. Lastly this is my hair rescue remedy courtesy of my wonderful mum.

So take care, and relax a little bit everybody.

Hope to share more photoshoots with you all very soon.

xx

All images sourced from tumblr. (aside from my instagram pic of my hair care products)

FOR NOW, WE ARE YOUNG.

SO THIS IS A SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS THAT MY AMAZING FRIEND VICKY TOOK OF ME FOR ONE OF HER PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECTS.

VICKY AND I WORK TOGETHER AT SPORTSGIRL. SHE IS ALSO CURRENTLY STUDYING PHOTOGRAPHY, AND BOY DOES SHE HAVE BIG POTENTIAL! VICKY WAS SO GREAT TO WORK WITH, AND WE HAD ALOT OF FUN STYLING AND CREATING THESE PHOTOGRAPHS.

INSPIRED BY MIRANDA KERR'S AMAZING SHOOT IN RUSSH OCTOBER/NOVEMBER (see here at Oracle Fox), WE WANTED TO CREATE THIS SORT OF ECLECTIC, MISH-MASH OF GRUNGE, LUXE, GLAM (and a touch of sporty).

TAKE A LOOK AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THEM!

Asos bodysuit, Maurie & Eve skirt

Sass & Bide dress, thrifted hobo beanie

Vintage Denim Jacket, Cotton On Body bra, Dotti sequin crop, ASOS sporty mesh skirt, Sportsgirl jewellery

ASOS boucle top, boyfriend's flannel shirt (tied around waist), Sportsgirl jewellery

Vintage lace crop, Vintage skirt, Cotton On Body bra, Sportsgirl jewellery

Vintage crop top, Vintage Denim Vest, Sportsgirl shorts & necklace, Doc Marten boots

Shakuhachi Bikini, Vintage Denim Skirt

THANKS FOR LOOKING, AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AS CHRISTMAS DRAWS NEAR.

XX

PHOTOGRAPHY/EDITING/CREATIVE DIRECTION: VICKY HARTOFILLIS

MODEL/STYLING: ME

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: MY WONDERFUL BOYFRIEND TOM LUCENA

URBAN SUBURBIA

SO I'VE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING TO GET THE REST OF THE SHOTS BACK FROM THIS SHOOT I DID A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. BECAUSE I WAS EXCITED TO SHARE THIS PHOTOSHOOT AS A WHOLE, BUT HERE ARE SOME OF THE SHOTS I GOT BACK FROM A SHOOT I DID IN COLLABORATION WITH MY FRIEND (AND TALENTED STYLIST) JODIE DRAPER AND PHOTOGRAPHER AMY NELSON-BLAIN.

JODIE HAS JUST GRADUATED FROM THE WHITEHOUSE INSTITUTE OF DESIGN, AND HAS AN ADORABLE BRITISH ACCENT. WE WORKED TOGETHER AT SPORTSGIRL, AND WE DECIDED TO COLLABORATE FOR HER STYLING PORTFOLIO AND FOR FUNZIES.

THIS URBAN MEETS SUBURBAN SHOOT WAS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY (no pun intended), AND A REALLY COOL PHOTOSHOOT TO UNDERTAKE WITH SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE TO WORK WITH. I HOPE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE EXPERIENCES LIKE THIS.

ANYWAY HOPE YOU ENJOY THE IMAGES.

THANKS FOR LOOKING

X

STYLING/CREATIVE DIRECTION : JODIE DRAPER

 http://www.venusvenus.com http://jodieanndraper.tumblr.com

PHOTOGRAPHER: AMY NELSON-BLAIN 

http://www.amynelsonblain.com

MAKEUP/HAIR: MEGAN VAUGHAN

 http://www.makeupbymegan.com.au