CLIFF FACE.

I AM CURRENTLY RESIDING IN PROCRASTINATION CITY WHILE TRYING TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH MY FIRST UNI ASSIGNMENT OF THE YEAR. AND MEANDERING THROUGH OLD PHOTOS IS JUST ONE OF THE WAYS I HAVE MANAGED TO DISTRACT MYSELF FROM THE TASK AT HAND.

THIS WAS A SHOOT I DID BACK IN 2011 WITH MY TALENTED FRIEND AND PHOTOGRAPHER, BRYCE WEGENER. BRYCE AND I GO WAY BACK. HE DID MY YEAR 10 AND 12 FORMAL PHOTOS, AND WHENEVER WE BOTH HAD SOME SPARE TIME WE WOULD GET TOGETHER AND TAKE SOME SHOTS. HE WAS REALLY THE ONE WHO INITIALLY SAW SOME POTENTIAL IN ME, AND TAUGHT ME HOW TO 'WORK THE CAMERA' A LITTLE BIT.

THIS IS AROUND THE TIME I FIRST STARTED ROCKING THE "LOB" AND YOU CAN PROBABLY SURMISE FROM MORE RECENT SHOOTS, IT'S A LOOK THAT HAS CLEARLY STUCK AROUND.

I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER THAT FOR THIS SHOOT WE ACTUALLY CLAMBERED UP THIS RIDICULOUS HILL/CLIFF BACK NEAR MY HOMETOWN IN BALLINA... THE LENGTHS WE PEOPLE GO TO TO GET THE SHOTS.

ANYWAYS, BACK TO THE BOOKS. I HOPE I HAVEN'T DISTRACTED YOU AT ALL.

x

photography by Bryce Wegener: www.brycewegener.com

styling - Myself

SUNSET SOIREE

A balcony at sunset, with a killer view and a whole lotta back.

Now I know this balcony was already featured in my previous post, but the view was too perfect not to take advantage of. So I recruited my new fiancé to take a few quick snaps before the sun disappeared behind the island.

For me there is something so magical about sunset. An if the somewhat overkill on Instagram is anything to go by, I'm not to the only one who thinks so. And yet, I never tire  of it. It may be an everyday phenomenon, but I am always captivated by the intensity of the colour and the radiating glow that warms your skin.

So anyway, this dress is one of my bargain beauties I picked up in Tonsai. To be honest I rarely ever wear dresses, I struggle to find the right shape or style and I suppose I just feel more satisfaction in creating an outfit from separates. But the humidity of Phi Phi drove me to the shops to pick up something that would help keep me cool, and come on, when on holidays doesn't everybody want something easy to just thrown on?

Now it would be pointless for me to go and say "animal print is making a comeback", because as we all well know it's never not around. However like any trend, it has to be done right. Stella McCartney is definitely someone who has caught my eye with her 

head-to-toe take on the trend.

I think one of the reasons animal print is so timeless, is that it has a versatility allowing it to be styled edgy, grungy, casual or allow us to embrace our feline femininity and get a little sexy... I'm a 'back' kind of girl when it comes to showing skin, and often the key to sexiness (which unfortunately, I think a lot of people have forgotten) is picking one focus point and leaving a little to the imagination. But hey, maybe I'm just old-fashioned. Personally, I just think there's something really sensual about a bare back, so for me this dress was an absolute winner.

I thought there was no better day than International Women's Day than to share a post where I (for once) embrace my femininity a little more than usual.

So take my advice that you should all go and get a little sexy in some animal print... maybe even at sunset.

Happy Women's Day!

xx

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

Sharing this photo shoot has been a long time coming. Way back at the end of December I was lucky enough to work with some AMAZINGLY talented people and do a photo shoot unlike anything I've done before. The reason for the delay is that is was accepted to be published on FASHIONISING which is really exciting. They went up today, and I couldn't wait to share them on the blog as well.

The concept behind the shoot was where fashion meets sport (a concept I am very familiar with see previous post hey there, sports fans) but in a more literal and sexy way.

Working with Dan Hilburn was a great experience. A photographer who really knows how to direct and make you really work to get the shots he wants. I will tell you jumping in a graceful and photogenic way is not the simplest task.

Hugh was our styling genius, with assistance from Danny (a good friend of mine). It was really nice to take a step back from everything, have my place in the team and let other people take control to bring the vision to life. Hugh has an edgy approach to fashion which I love and he really has a knack for making things just work. You'll see that for each look he managed to encapsulate one sport and then add touches of unexpected femininity.

Anyway, I shall not delay you any more. The images are way different to anything else that you've seen from me so far so I hope you like them!

Photographer: Dan Hilburn www.danhilburn.com

Fashion Director: Hugh William Stuart www.hughwilliamstewart.com

Hair & Make-up Artist: Frankie Piper

Photography Assistant: Jonathan Wray

Wardrobe Styling: Daniel Menzies

Look 1: Vintage top, ASOS skirt

Look 2: Vintage Swimsuit, ASOS skirt (worn as cape), Vintage belt & boots

Look 3: Vintage black jumpsuit, Celine inspired With Love Kirsten necklace

Look 4: Sportsgirl shorts, Urban Outfitters lace bralet

Look 5: Shakuhachi bikinis, Sportsgirl Bomber vest, Vintage shorts, ASOS earrings, Sportsgirl heels

Look 6: Vintage shirt, Sass & Bide skirt, ASOS flatform sneakers, Sportsgirl earrings

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

SHE'S NO LADY...

THIS IS WHERE MASCULINE MEETS FEMININE.

MAYBE ITS JUST ME, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING SO SEXY ABOUT MASCULINE TOUCHES IN AN OUTFIT. THAT SORT OF ANDROGYNOUS LOOK JUXTAPOSED WITH FEMININE DETAILS OF LACE AND EMBELLISHMENT.

IT'S A LOOK THAT ISN'T FOR EVERYONE, AND MAY EVEN SCARE SOME. AND I'M PROBABLY SOUNDING LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, BUT I'M ALL ABOUT STAYING TRUE TO YOUR OWN STYLE- BUT THIS IS A STYLE YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE TO GO ALL OUT ON!

INFACT YOU MAY ALREADY BE (unknowingly) DOING IT - e.g. BOYFRIEND JEANS, BOYFRIEND BLAZERS...RING ANY BELLS?

MORE IDEAS:

1. SIMPLY OPT FOR A SLICKED BACK HAIRSTYLE INSTEAD OF LETTING YOUR LOCKS FLOW LOOSE OR ROCKING A TOP KNOT

2. THROW ON AN OVERSIZED WATCH..

FOR LIKE A YEAR, I'VE BEEN OBSESSED WITH THE AMAZING MICHAEL KORS WATCHES, AND THIS DIVA ROSE GOLD BEAUTY (see below) IS THE NEXT BEST THING. I'VE WORN MY TO DEATH, AND WHETHER I'M DRESSING MORE MASCULINE OR MORE FEMININE, IT ALWAYS ADDS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF 'BOYFRIEND STYLING' 

3. 'SUIT UP' OR SOMETHING OF THE LIKE INSTEAD OF YOUR USUAL DRESS (and watch the compliments roll in)

ANYWAY, TAKE A LOOK AT OUR LATEST PHOTOSHOOT FOR MORE IDEAS. 

KARISSA WEARS: VINTAGE BEADED PANTS, COTTON ON BODY LACE BRALET, MY BOYFRIEND'S SUIT BLAZER, SPORTSGIRL HEELS, DIVA WATCH

 

MEL WEARS: VINTAGE SHIRT DRESS, (old) MOOLOOLA BOW BUSTIER, SPORTSGIRL BOOTS & CUFF

MEL WEARS: SPORTSGIRL BLAZER (old), FOREVER NEW LEATHER SHORTS (old), SPORTSGIRL HEELS, DIVA WATCH

KARISSA WEARS: RIVER ISLAND SHIRT, ASOS BRACES SHORTS, VINTAGE BOWTIE

MEL WEARS: ASOS T-SHIRT, SPORTSGIRL FAUX LEATHER PANTS, SPORTSGIRL HAT & HEELS

THANKS FOR LOOKING

XX

 STYLING/EDITING: KARISSA

PHOTOGRAPHY: MEL & KARISSA