I like, I wish, I heart...

Rainy Days

2012-01-30T16:51:00.000+10:00

It has been raining a lot here. A lot. There is no exaggerating the fact that it hasn't stopped precipitating for well over a week. Now the weather mocks me by pretending to clear up. I'll look out the window and suddenly it's "Look, there's some blue sky over there!" The sun even shows itself - if for a few moments. Then it's all over, the clouds gather, the sun retreats. No. I was wrong, the weather is not clearing up, it's simply redoubling its efforts! Ok, so I'm whining, yes I know. But...

I am SO OVER IT!

Everything is water-logged, the floors are damp, horrible mould spores are starting to populate. I can see cities of mould are growing everywhere, on the outside furniture and the cushions on my daybed, nothing is dry anymore.

This morning I sent my girls off to school in their rubber boots because I didn't wish to see their brand new school shoes ruined by puddles and mud. They don't care of course, they are only too happy to splash around in puddles and mud! I guess that's the difference between being a kid and being a grown up. I hate puddles and mud now. Maybe I should look at it like they do and splash about in a few puddles, remember what it was like as a child. Maybe then I'll not be bothered so much by the rain!

Kisses,

Heidi

P. S.

Just after I published this post, I looked out my window and the sky is almost entirely blue! Hooray!

Images from Flickr via The Digital Photography School.

Give a frock Friday

2012-01-27T17:45:00.001+10:00

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture, Spring 2012, modelled by Frida Gustavasson.

The Haute Couture shows are on in Paris right now and this playful pink frock went down the runway just 2 days ago. Paris's enfant terrible of fashion, always celebrating pop culture and never afraid to push boundaries, Gaultier's collection was a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse. Lots of beehives, corsets, heavy eyeliner and hourglass shapes and her music was the soundtrack. Every gown is so pretty, I really could have posted them all, so much colour, so much frivolity!

Check out my Facebook page for more images from the collection and short video of the runway show. So if you haven't already "Liked" me, please click on the link and check out the rest of Jean-Paul's gorgeous and glam couture collection - you won't regret it!

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Source: Reuters.com

Everybody's doin' it.

2012-01-26T10:57:00.001+10:00

Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone is getting inked? People everywhere are using indelible ink to express themselves. Humans have always loved to express themselves through art and now, more than ever they are using the ancient art of tattooing to say something permanent about who they are, or what they believe in.

Model Lily Donaldson.

When I was growing up, I could swear that the only people with tattoos where sailors, bikers and well, pirates. At least, that was how it seemed to me. So what's all the fuss about? Is the increasing popularity for tattoos been brought on by reality shows like Miami Ink? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I have a problem with tattoos, quite the opposite in fact. It's just that it's almost like people have become obsessed with the art of tattooing their bodies. Or have I just been living under a rock?

Model Freja Beha.

Then there is screen goddess Angelina Jolie, arguably one of the most beautiful women on the planet and she is covered in tattoos, which seem only to make her even more attractive.

Many young women and even older women are joining this party and as such, the style of tattoos women are putting on their bodies has evolved into something far removed from the original classics such as an anchor or a dragon. The tattoos women are going for are more characterised by their own distinct personality and artistic integrity. Cute even.

I have two tattoos. They aren't very obvious, and yet I didn't want to hide them either. I just wanted something small but meaningful. I first started thinking about getting a tattoo in my early 20s. I wasn't obsessed by the idea, but I did have an idea of what I wanted and when I had the design sorted, I knew it would happen.

My first, a little black cat on my inside left ankle, it's my good luck charm. Hubby's is a latin verse on his upper left arm. It didn't hurt as much as I had expected it to, but when the tattooist started colouring in the body of my design I found yogic breathing helped me cope! Afterward I felt the adrenalin kicked in, I was elated and hooked!

There is no limit to wearing your art on your sleeve, your décolletage, neck, thigh, ankle or even your whole back. I wonder, are tattoos becoming the most wearable form of self expression outside of clothing and jewellery? Maybe so. What is intriguing to me, is the diversity of tattoo wearing fashionistas I see on street style blogs, and they're all wearing Prada and Armani while toting some serious ink. But you know what? It is the way of the tattoo. Design and placement is key. I am often amazed by the full sleeves I see on young women, to me they seem fearless about their choice of permanence at such a young age.

Image from Aje Summer 2010 collection.

My second tattoo I got all by myself after deciding on a sanskrit word that basically means spiritual seeker. This tattoo felt much more important to me. It was spur-of-the moment because I hadn't really planned on getting it done that day, but the design came to me a few days before and once I had decided on the design, I couldn't wait any longer. The tattoo is on the inside of my right wrist and when it was done I was so thrilled. I also knew that it was not to be my last.

My wrist tattoo.

However, if putting yourself through permanent inking is not your thing, then in the words of Captain Jack Sparrow, "what's say you" get your car inked instead? I recently put a very cute Cupid decal from cartatts.com on the rear window of my car and not only has it given my car some personality, but I have had so many lovely comments from people too.

For some very cool car tattoo decal designs for your car, head over to cartatts.com and check them out.

In a generation, tattoos have become de rigueur, and that there really are no boundaries nor any limit to a design. I've seen tattoos on people from all walks of life and one thing that remains true is how very personal your tattoo is to you. Go with your instincts.

Kisses,

Heidi

Sources: cartatts.tumblr.com, pinterest, cartatts.com, google.com and my own.

Isabel Marant, effortlessly hip and not ladylike

2012-01-25T17:34:00.001+10:00

Isabel Marant photographed by Terry Richardson.

I'm just loving the edgy, bohemian cool designs of Parisienne designer Isabel Marant. No, that's not quite right. I am loving the whole idea of the Isabel Marant woman and what she represents with her design aesthetic. She never follows trends, she sets them. She designs for a customer that seeks out comfort, but not what everybody else is wearing. Maybe she is the best kept secret of the fashion world?

Isabel Marant Fall/Winter 2010/2011

Her designs have been described as laid-back, mis-matched, paired-down Parisiane cool. Boyish, hip, sleek by nature, chic. "Tough, dirty, a bit rough and ready" according to style blogger Susie Bubble.

Isabel Marant Spring Summer 2001 on the runway.

Her designs are cosmopolitan without being too contrived because Marant designs for herself.

"When I design I think about what I don’t have in my closet yet and what should really be there. I try to determine in which direction I feel like going, what I am looking for in a piece of clothing and why I still want new things. It is always a rather intuitive but philosophical approach."

Marant grew up in Paris and was a keen hand at the sewing machine knocking up clothes for herself and friends as a teen. She went on to study fashion at Studio Bercot fashion school in Paris and launched her eponymous accessories line in 1989, followed up by a womenswear line in 1994.

Marant mostly uses fabrics woven exclusively for her label, which lends her clothes their one-of-a-kind appeal but of course this means her clothes don't come cheap. However her lower priced diffusion label Etoile might just give us mere mortals the opportunity to purchase an Isabel Marant design - yippee! And of course there is always Marant's accessories line, and her fabulous high-top sneakers!

Miranda Kerr and Julianne Moore working their Isabel Marant Bekket high-top suede sneakers.

Isabel Marant The Who brass earrings and Arapho brass and turquoise ring, available from net-a-porter.com, of course!

Isabel Marant Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2012.

Sienna Miller in Isabel Marant denim dress.

Kate Moss wearing Isabel Marant striped pants.

Rosie Huntington-Whitely wears Isabel Marant Jacket and boots.

"Well... my brand has a real identity. Of course it’s always similar, it’s my personality. It’s a perpetual reinterpretation of my style, of who I am and what I love. I have always loved mixing feminine, masculine, chic and sporty codes, so that particular taste comes up every season and goes further. It would be strange if my collections totally changed from one season to another. I think they have a continuity. They look alike but are never the same. That’s what ensures the authenticity of my clothes."

She knows what her customer wants and she sticks to her design aesthetic every season. And hey, if ain't broke...


Kisses,





Heidi

sources: elle.com, l'Officiel, whotwhatwear.com, streetfsn.blogspot.com, russhmagazine.com

Scenes from a marriage

2012-01-24T09:18:00.004+10:00

A scene from my wedding day.


Are there secrets to a lasting and happy marriage? What makes one marriage last and others end?

Fifteen years ago my flat mate and I held an impromptu party in our flat to celebrate Australia Day. At that party we both invited a someone that we thought the other might like or at least find interesting. Luckily for me, I found her guy interesting, and he felt the same way because we connected immediately and spent most of the night in deep conversation! We were engaged within six months, and married two years to the day we met.

I don't know if there is one definitive secret to fit all marriages because every marriage is unique, but in my experience, there has definitely been some things that have contributed to our longevity.

Support each other's dreams. Both of us are creative people, and both of us at one time or another have quit good jobs in order to follow our dreams. The excitement of the pursuit far outweighs the worry and what ifs? Eventually.

Remember that you can't always get what you want - everything is a negotiation.  Compromise is part of the deal. Take turns if you have to, but come to an agreement as best you can.

Try, really try to never go to bed angry with each other.  I have not always lived up to this because it can sometimes be really difficult to forget your anger and apologise so that you can go to bed together happily.  But it's worth it.

Laughter is a great healer. Laugh often and as much as you can together. Our kids are a great help with this one, we often find ourselves laughing at something the girls have said or done. I love that.

Don't forget to say "I love you".  It's ok to fight, to get angry, communication is key, but sometimes it's really nice to hear that you're doing a great job too.  I like that one too. It really helps.

So today I am dedicating this post to my husband in honour of our thirteenth wedding anniversary.  Happy Anniversary my lion man, I am very proud of you. Life has tested us over and over and yet I wouldn't want to have gone through it with anyone else. I know that things are only going to get better for us and I cannot wait to make more memories with you my love.


Kisses,





Heidi 











Images: Top image my own. Bottom image of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward from Pinterest.

Give a frock Friday

2012-01-20T07:23:00.001+10:00

Lovely Kate Moss and her even lovelier daughter Lila Grace, photographed by Mario Testino for the special wedding issue of Vogue featuring Kate on the cover and pictures of her big day with hubby Jamie Hince.

Kate wears Nina Ricci linen top and skirt and Lila wears a frock coat and slip dress from cool New York vintage haven Melet Mercantile.

I thought I would post a picture of a mother and daughter today because it is the last day of summer holidays here and so it's back to school for my girls on Monday. I am quite sad abut it too, which is to say, normally I am full of excitement to have my freedom back for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. But not this time. This time I am truly going to miss my girls.

I hope you have a great weekend, I'm going to spend it hanging out with my girls!

Heidi

Image source: fashion69.com

Sitting Pretty: living room inspiration

2012-01-18T08:13:00.005+10:00

A living room is a place to sit, to read, relax, cuddle, to play on your iPad, hangout, whatever. Sometimes, when I get the chance, I love to just sit all day (or for as long as my children will let me) and read. Having a special place to do so is even nicer, yes?

The idea of hanging a hammock indoors is just so appealing. I feel instant relaxation whenever I get into a hammock. It's like meditating.

I just love this love seat. The mirror reflects the tv on the opposite wall. It also shows pictures arranged around the tv, which is a nice way to incorporate your television into a room. I also like the symmetry with the balance of side tables and lamps on each side of the couch.

I just love the mixing of the Louis style sofa and chairs with the modern coffee table and rug.

Alternatively you can always make your living room wherever you lay your hat. This airstream looks pretty homey to me.

This room is probably a little on the posh side for me, but I am so into that chandelier!

I don't know exactly why, but I like this room a lot. Maybe it's the colourful cushions, the display of picture frames, the flagstone floor, the midcentury chairs...

Tear sheets, photographs, and a collection of favourite images makes for an interesting wallpaper that personalises this lovely room.

This Moroccan style living room uses a mix of prints with soft furnishings and wall tiles and this simple, plain lamp shade.

Now this room speaks to me on a heart level! I've already got the bookcase, now I just need the old leather chair and we're done. I love the colour-coordinated books too. For me though, I have tried this look but I need to have my books and magazines stored by genre and in sequential order, call me particular - or pedantic, whichever!

An outdoor room, perfect for warmer climates. Reminds me of home.

Furnished simply or jam-packed with road-side finds or luxurious designer pieces, a living room is often furnished with a sofa, chairs, a coffee table, bookshelves, lamps and rugs and traditionally often features a fireplace.

According to experts, these things all go into making your living room look good, but in order to make it really work, you have to stamp it with your personality. Just like your wardrobe, right?

Kisses,

Heidi

Sources: Elledecor.com, Pinterest.

She Wears it Well

2012-01-16T20:30:00.003+10:00

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards.

Gorgeous red clutch and red lips - I'm so glad she went with an understated heel and simply red toe nails.

Who was your favourite?

Kisses,

Heidi

Source: People.com

Before there was Pinterest

2012-01-16T09:25:00.000+10:00

If you're not familiar with Pinterest and the fabulousness of it all, then may I suggest you get yourself acquainted?

This digital pin board is mecca for collectors of all things and a place where time-suckage is a major side-effect, and, well let's just say that if I am having a bad day, there is nothing that a little bit of time spent pinning on Pinterest can't cure.

I even have boards for my daughters. We sit together on our iMac or with my iPad, pinning away our favourite things. Horses for Chloè of course, and for Annabel it's all things dance, Disney and animals.

Before the invention of Pinterest, I did my image collecting the old fashioned way. I cut them from magazines and pasted them in books. I didn't use just any old scrap book though, no way. I bought blank hardcover books from Borders.

That way my images would stand up to the test of time, which they have because my oldest book is going on ten years old and is still in perfect condition.

I still use these books for inspiration and I occasionally paste images in them from old magazines and newspapers. But I don't think this will be happening for much longer because now with my iPad I can take my digital boards with me wherever I go, out shopping, visiting friends, travelling, wherever. It's a lot easier, less cumbersome and there's no more ruining my magazines or shards of papers from one end of the house to the other.

To start pinning, click here and request an invitation to join Pinterest. But be warned, it's addictive!

Kisses,

Heidi

All images my own, except for top image found on Pinterest.

Give a frock Friday

2012-01-13T06:50:00.000+10:00

Karlie Kloss wears a French Connection dress, Steven Alan hat, Marc Jacobs gold block bracelet and Marc by Marc Jacobs boots.

Photographed in New York's Central Park by Arthur Elgort for Teen Vogue August, 2007. This was Karlie's first Teen Vogue shoot.

A simple shift with those boots and the cutest of red beanies, don't you just love it!

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Source: here.

Kirsten Dunst, girlish tomboy to sophisticated lady

2012-01-09T20:03:00.000+10:00

I've been a fan of Kirsten Dunst ever since I watched her share the big screen with Brad and Tom in 1994's Interview With a Vampire. She had such presence.

Photo by Kevin Lynch.

And she has that smile to.

Photograph by Marc Baptiste for Esquire magazine, circa 2002.

Since then, I have loved watching her in Little Women, Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides, Crazy/Beautiful, and The Cat's Meow. As Mary-Jane in Spiderman 1, 2 and 3 and as Betty Watson in Mona Lisa Smile - a character she plays so well that every time I watch her, I hate her, right up until the part where she breaksdown and we understand why she's such a bitch. Then of course, I love her!

She plays a very cute and sassy tennis pro alongside Paul Bettany in Wimbledon and a delightful flight attendant in Cameron Crowe's Elizabethtown. Then there is her turn as the tragic Queen of France in Sofia Coppola's visually stunning Marie Antoinette.

This gingham shirt dress is so cute on her.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People wasn't bad, it was quite funny actually and after a bit of a break where she had some time off from making movies she's back in the film I am very much looking forward to seeing her in, Lars Von Tier's Melancholia. Kirsten Dunst plays a bride suffering from depression and she has everyone talking about her performance, she has already won an award at Cannes last year. I wonder if the Academy will see fit to nominate her for an Oscar this year?

“I work hard but I’ve had plenty of failures too, so I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I don’t know if surprised is the right word at my success, but I feel that if you make choices that really mean something to you, it’s hard not to feel successful because even if they don’t make money, or don’t do this, you’re still doing something for yourself, then it’s easier to feel successful.”

A favourite of Kirsten's looks is this tux paired with simple pony-tail and red lips. Classic, elegant, divine.

One of the things that appeals to me about Kirsten's style is how alike we are in our choices. I definitely favour her sway toward casual dressed down for everyday and simple elegance when dressing up. She is also a big fan of the dress. Kudos.

Incredibly talented and also very photogenic, I am so happy that Kirsten is back on the big screen. I think she's grown up pretty well, wouldn't you agree?

Kisses,

Heidi

Sources: touchpuppet.com, vanityfair.com, Vogue, Vogue Italia,

Paul Newman, suave

2012-01-07T15:15:00.004+10:00

suave (swäv)

adj

(esp of a man) displaying smoothness and sophistication in manner or attitude; urbane

[from Latin suāvis sweet]

suavely adv

suavity [ˈswɑːvɪtɪ], suaveness n

No other words needed. Just enjoy.

Kisses,

Heidi

Source: Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

Give a frock Friday

2012-01-06T07:34:00.000+10:00

Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Fall/Winter 2003-2004.

Master of colour and experimental fabrics, Monsieur Lacroix was awarded "Most Influential Designer" award by the CDFA for foreign designer in 1987.

Inventer of the puff-ball skirt (le pouf), his designs were always very theatrical, referencing much from costume history, folklore and often featuring corsets and hand-woven fabrics.

I would love to own a Lacroix gown one day. His work has always fascinated me, I think it's his use of colour and the frivolity of his fabrics and designs. Sadly the house of Christian Lacroix went into receivership in 2009, with his Haute Couture line having never turned a profit.

Such is the life of an artist, right?

Have a great weekend!

Heidi

Source: here

New Girl, Zooey Deschanel

2012-01-05T18:59:00.000+10:00

Last night I started watching Zooey Deschanel in her delightful new tv show New Girl, and already I am addicted, and I think maybe a little in love!

Zooey plays instantly loveable character Jess Day, an adorable, quirky and sometimes emotional, school teacher who is just happy to be herself. After a bad breakup with her cheating boyfriend, Jess moves in with three roommates who just happen to be guys. Obviously the guys consider Jess a little unstable in light of her breakup behaviour which involves spending her first week after moving in weeping and watching Dirty Dancing back-to-back. But eventually the lads help Jess pull herself together and friendships blossom.

The cast of New Girl

There is excellent chemistry between the cast of characters, which as we get to know them more makes them even funnier and more endearing. The writing is sharp, witty and the humour is dry and laugh-out-loud infectious. What's not to love?

Zooey Deschanel as New Girl, Jess.

Jess is honest, she loves to sing to herself, her vintage retro style is delightful and I cannot wait to see more of it, oh and did I mention her hair? Her hair is so beautiful, with that thick fringe and those doe eyes of hers, I have obviously got a girl crush, right?

Yep, it's definitely a crush.

Kisses!

Heidi

Best Dressed

2012-01-03T21:47:00.004+10:00

One of the best things about being a girl is that we get to wear dresses!

via MrNewton

Women have historically always worn dresses and skirts and it has really only been the past 100 years that women started wearing trousers and only since the 70s have trousers/pants/jeans become fashionable for women to wear on a daily basis.

via The Sartorialist.

I bet, if you think about it, wearing a dress is not the first thing you think about putting on when getting dressed in the morning. Most of us think about comfort and convenience, and for some reason this equals not the simple and flowing elegance of a dress but instead it equals jeans, tailored pants, or cargos, hardly ever a dress. What happened to the dress? Is a dress no longer the go-to outfit for the modern woman?

via The Sartorialist

Thinking about this more, I remember throughout university and during my 20s the only time I was enticed into wearing a dress was because I had to attend a formal function such as a wedding or a Ball. As a little girl I only wore dresses, but as I matured, I wore almost nothing but jeans, cargos and trousers. How did this happen?

via here.

Something else that is glorious about dresses is that they come in so many styles, shapes, fabrics, and prints. It is positively endless the choices we have.

Monochromatic

Colourful
Striped
Spotted

Digital Print

Florals

Denim

Vintage

Sparkly

Maxi

Mini

Flowing

Figure-hugging
Vintage

via here.

Ultra feminine Valentino worn with Doc Martin boots, image vía Lee Oliveira.

Alexa Chung rocking this red mini. Image vía Lee Oliveira.

Free flowing floral worn with gladiators, inspired! Image via here.

Pretty and girlie gingham via here.

Image via here.

Summer denim perfection. Image via here.

Victoria Beckham knows it, designing a whole line called Victoria which she has devoted entirely to the dress. Image via here.

Simple bohemian elegance of this blue flowing dress by Free People.

Even the ever-classic black looks appealing to me right now. Image via here.

While curating all these gorgeous examples of women wearing dresses, it seems hard to believe that the humble dress is often my second choice when trying to decide what to wear each morning. Since I began thinking about writing this post I have worn a dress every single day. I have unearthed some from the back of my wardrobe that I had all but forgotten I even owned.

How lovely that they now have a new lease on life and even better that I also have more than a few new choices when getting dressed in the morning!

Kisses,

Heidi

Sources: Lee Oliveira, The Sartorialist, Elle.com, Style.com, MrNewton.

NYE: Out with the Old & In with the New

2011-12-30T19:16:00.000+10:00

Goodbye, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodnight...

(and quite frankly, good riddance 2011!)

Whichever way you choose to see the New Year in...

May 2012 bring all of us all good fortune, abundance, prosperity and joy. I hope it's your best year yet.

My most heartfelt best wishes for 2012 to all of my readers and especially to all of my friends and family!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Heidi

Sources: Pinterest

Give a frock Friday

2011-12-30T11:25:00.000+10:00

Vionnet silk dress modelled by Katie Fogerty and photographed by Max Doyle for Australian Vogue, December 2011.

Australian Vogue went all out with their African theme for their December 2011 issue, their best issue in my eyes in a long time. Edited to perfection, I couldn't put it down, even their choice of advertising seemed geared to a tribal theme. Max Doyle's photographs for the two editorials shot in Botswana were perfection. Beautiful, colourful, elegant, timeless and Naomi Smith's styling was on the mark, it must have been so much fun editing such gorgeous dresses for each shot. I found it difficult to choose which dress to put here on today's Frock Friday and so you may very well see others from the issue further down the track.

Have a great weekend and Happy New Year!

Heidi

Source: Vogue Australia December 2011

In-between days

2011-12-28T21:17:00.001+10:00

How was your Christmas? We had such a wonderful day here. Both my girls Chloè and Annabel were up at half five in the morning checking for evidence of Santa's visit. As you can see by the shot below, Santa's reindeer ate their carrots, obviously hungry from their long journey south.

The day ended around 10 o'clock that night, I fell into bed after what was a hot, humid and gloriously sunny day with family.
I love to cook and so I spent a fair amount of the day in the kitchen cooking up a storm of roast duck, lamb and Nigella's coca cola ham, which was then followed swiftly by traditional Christmas pudding and my mum's frozen raspberry cheesecake - mmm so good!

The girls waited so patiently for Mummy and Daddy to get out of bed before they got stuck into their presents.

Elf Annabel

Elf Chloè

Jet the Rein-dog, clearly exhausted from the day's events.

And as for New Year's Eve this year, what are your plans? I think this year is going to be a quiet family celebration, which is just what I need after a very hectic and unpredictable year that we have had. I am very much looking ahead to the new year. There is great anticipation for 2012 to be a most amazing, wonderful, prosperous and joyous year we have had for a long time. Expectations are high to say the least!

Until then,

Kisses!

Heidi

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T18:31:00.000+10:00

May your day be merry and bright.

And if you're in the North, I hope it's white, and if you're in the South like me, I hope it's hot and sunny!

It has been raining non-stop here for the last two days, but it is supposed to clear up for the big day tomorrow, but I honestly don't care what the weather is like. For I have my whole family together and together we will celebrate!

I wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful day, whether you are on your own, with your family, en route travelling or already in the midst of your holiday. Thanks for visiting throughout the year, I love all of your comments and I thank you for them. I simply love that you like to visit and read my blog, it means the world to me.

Merry Christmas!

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2011-12-23T07:02:00.000+10:00

Katy Perry in a gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, on the Carrousel de Paris in the Jardins du Trocadéro, Paris. Photographed for Vanity Fair by Annie Leibovitz, June 2011.

We are all very excited about the lead up to Christmas here. My girls are getting ready for Santa, counting down the sleeps till his arrival.

We will be 17 strong for our Christmas day feast and I have no clue as to where everyone is going to sit, much less if I have enough plates, knives and forks and I know I certainly don't have enough wine glasses... Oh well, we could always do two sittings I suppose!

Have a great weekend and Merry Christmas!

Heidi

Christmas Day-Dreams

2011-12-21T10:41:00.001+10:00

Image via The Glamourai.

Oh to wake up on Christmas morning and find all these gorgeous goodies from Tiffany's underneath! Maybe one day, but until then... only in my dreams.

Merry Christmas!

Heidi

Prints - breaking all the rules

2011-12-20T15:59:00.000+10:00

Photo by Lee Oliveira

Ok, so I like to look at prints and I like to see them on other people, but on me, I'm not so sure. I am still finding it very difficult moving beyond stripes. But, it is hard to deny the impact prints are having on me lately.

Photo by The Sartorialist

Photo by Lee Oliveira

Photo by The Sartorialist

Prints were all over the Spring 2011 runways, so it's no surprise that they are being worn everywhere now.

Image via Fashionnews.com

What I have noticed most about the prints being worn now is how there are simply no rules anymore. Wear your prints anyway you like to because everyone else is and guess what? It seems to be working! Abstract, tribal or animal, plaid, tartan, gingham and Liberty are all being worn with block colours, stripes, paisley, florals, polka dots, chevron, you name it.

Photo by Streetfsn

Photo by Lee Oliveira

Photo by The Sartorialist

It's all about mixing it up, which I think is great because let's face it, most of the rules we follow in fashion came about in the days when there was no personal style per se. Strict etiquette ruled when and where we wore what we wore. Rules such as when to wear hats and gloves, is it black tie or white tie, green and blue should never be seen, always match your handbag with your shoes and only black should be worn to a funeral.

Image via The Man Repeller

Image from the Prada Spring 2012 campaign via Fashionista.com

Watching street style from my favourite cafè or via the lens of the many wonderful street style photographers such as Lee Oliveira and Scott Schuman or Vanessa Jackman, has taught me much, but there is one thing I have learned that I see over and over again and that is that finding your personal style is all about being true to yourself. I've said it before and I will keep on saying it because it is so true! What you wear is an extension of yourself, it says so much about who you are, and no, I'm not talking about wearing labels. I'm talking about dressing for yourself, how you want to be seen and using your wardrobe to project an image that says "here I am!"

For those of us out there who are willing to take that risk you will discover a sense of freedom and individuality that will spur you on each day to keep at it. Take solace in the knowledge that the rules no longer apply, that you have the freedom to wear your clothes however you like and you will feel an amazing sense of self when you do.

Kisses!

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2011-12-16T07:05:00.000+10:00

Daria Werbowy in Dolce & Gabbana, photographed by lnez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for Paris Vogue, April 2008 and style by Emmanuelle Alt.

The ultimate maxi dress, yes? Definitely the prettiest of Friday's frocks so far too.

I am super excited about this weekend because today I am driving down to the twinkly lights of Brisbane for a weekend with my gorgeous friend Amanda. I am so looking forward to the break!

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Image: Scan from Paris Vogue, April 2008.

Meanwhile, more twinkle lights!

2011-12-15T14:52:00.002+10:00

Twinkle lights, or rather, Christmas lights at this time of year are so wonderful! They really add to the festive feeling, don't you agree?

I think Meg Ryan's character Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail said it perfectly when she said:

"Meanwhile, I'm putting up more twinkle lights."

Translation, forget about your troubles, let's make the room look pretty!

Merry Christmas!

Heidi

Amber Le Bon, fashion's new muse

2011-12-13T12:32:00.000+10:00

Already a fan of her mother Yasmin, I am fast becoming a fan of Amber Le Bon as well.

Amber began modelling after finishing school and last week she walked for Karl Largerfeld in the Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 in Paris.

This was not her first time walking the runway for Karl Largerfeld. Amber's first time down the runway was with her Mother when she was barely a toddler.

Now 22, Amber lives with her parents and two sisters in London. While currently focusing on her modelling, she likes to spend time learning to play new instruments and drawing.

I like Amber's take on her personal style and where she draws inspiration from, citing different genres of music to old black and white movies.

"Anything I see in life that catches my eye, makes me think, and inspires me." (Source: Style.com)

I think Amber has been nicely influenced by her mother's own passion for collecting fashion. She is so young but already she holds sentimental interest in the things she owns.

"I collect jewelry. I’m a magpie, and jewelry is something that hopefully you’ll keep forever and be able to pass on someday and tell some great stories about the fun times you had wearing each thing, or what it meant to you." (Source: Style.com)

Amber's go-to attire is all about "comfort, layering and soft fabrics like bamboo and cashmere." (Source: Tales of Endearment)

Amber is also passionate about music, obviously influenced by her musical dad, Simon Le Bon.

“I love learning new instruments,” she says. “I started playing ukulele about two years ago, then started playing guitar in January, and I’ve been playing piano since I was little. Music makes me happy.” (Source: Style.com)

"Hmmm, what have I learnt [about style] from Daddy? Well, I steal all his shirts and jumpers! I think that because I've seen all of the stage outfits he wore at gigs that as a child I developed a love for sequins and sparkles, which I still have now. I'm a sucker for a little embellishment!"

Words of wisdom from someone so young:

"It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks of what you're wearing as long as you like it and you feel happy, comfortable, and confident in it".

The very words I live by Amber.

Kisses!

Heidi

Image sources: Tales of Endearment, Google, Style.com, Vogue.co.uk.

Rituals: Making Kitchari

2011-12-12T13:25:00.000+10:00

Kitchari (pronounced kitch-a-ree)is a delicious Ayurevedic dish made with rice, mung dhal (or yellow split peas) and spices. It tastes delicious, like a cross between creamy rice and dhal. I like to make it a couple of times a week, it's a great for lunch time and after yoga.

The benefits of Kitchari are many. In Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing in India which dates back 5000 years, the mix of rice and beans is extremely gentle on the digestion and is said to purify and cleanse the body of toxins. It is often used when recovering from illness, surgery, childbirth or in times of emotional stress and it is an excellent antidote to the dietary excess of this time of year - Christmas parties and feasting leave quite a toll on our stomach and liver.

It is deliciously warming on a cold day and cooling on a hot and humid day. I really believe that Kitchari holds magical healing properties because whenever I have it, I always feel lighter, calmer and more relaxed. I look forward to eating this hearty vegetarian dish. It is neither soup nor porridge, something in between. If you enjoy congee, then you will enjoy trying Kitchari then for they very similar.

The recipe for Kitchari I am going to share with you today is from my Yoga teacher, Angela. She is the one who introduced me to the delights of Kitchari.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup basmati or brown rice 

1/2 cup yellow split peas/mung dhal 

1 onion, roughly chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

1 pinch Asafoetida powder (also          called Hing, this is important as it cuts out "air" factor of          beans)

1/4 teaspoon Fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon Ajwain seeds

1 teaspoon Cumin seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground Coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground Turmeric

1-2 teaspoons Salt (Saindhava;          Ayurvedic rock salt is best)

1 tablespoon Ghee (Ghee is the          best as is stable at high temps and is best medium for          medicinal properties of herbs to carry into tissues)

1 1/2 - 2 litres of filtered water, approx.

(You could also use black mustard seeds, or yellow mustard seeds, pepper, cinnamon, fenugreek etc, but try to stay at around 2-3 teaspoons total of seeds or dried spices so you don't overload)

Method

Wash rice and dhal together in a sieve, then soak for at least 1 hour, over night is even better.

On medium heat, warm ghee in a large, deep, saucepan.

Add all          seeds and asafoetida, and fry for until the seeds begin to pop, usually a couple of minutes.

Add the onion, garlic and          ginger and then fry for a minute or so.

Add the dry spices: coriander,          turmeric and then fry for a minute or so.

Add the washed and drained rice and dhal to the pot and fry          grains/beans for a couple of minutes in the spices.

Add the water, stir through the rice/bean mixture, then cover and bring to a gentle, (and I mean gentle) boil, then put the heat on low and let simmer for anything up to an hour or even longer.

*Keep checking the liquid when cooking, don't forget to give it the odd stir every now and then so it doesn't stick on the bottom of the pot.  

You want the rice and peas to break down as much as possible - this will happen much faster for the rice, you will find the peas might not break down all together, which is fine. You will end up with a soup or porridge-like consistency, neither too thick or too runny. Sorry, but there is no technical term for that! Just go with your instincts and frankly, how you think you would like to enjoy it.

Yum!

Avoid using the microwave to reheat any leftovers.

Kitchari is a wonderful addition to your recipe collection, don't be afraid to get creative with the spices and discover your own delicious version of this wonderful, healing food.

Bon appétit!

Heidi

Image sources: from my own kitchen and Google.

Give a frock Friday

2011-12-08T12:37:00.001+10:00

Kate Moss wearing Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Fall/Winter 2003/2004. Photograph by Steven Klein scanned from a special Kate Moss issue of Paris Vogue from December 2005/January 2006 with Kate on the cover and featuring all things Kate Moss.

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Christmas and Why I am afraid of Santa

2011-12-07T15:59:00.001+10:00

There is something about the lead up to Christmas that is so nostalgic for me. Since December 1st, I have been playing Christmas carols, watching my favourite Christmas movies, putting up the tree, and decorating our home, which includes putting up lots of twinkly lights, yay! I love listening to Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Harry Connick Jr sing my favourite songs, their voices like honey...

It's funny how I love all this Christmassy stuff, save one thing. You will probably find this a little crazy, but here goes. It is almost impossible for me to be anywhere near Santa. It has been this way since first meeting Santa at six weeks old. My mother has only one picture of me with him and I am screaming my head off in it. These days when I take my children to the local shopping centre so they can sit on his knee and give him their mile-long list of present requests, it is very difficult for me to carry this task out. You see, for some reason, I look at Santa in much the same way I look at clowns. I don't like them. I do not trust them. What is he hiding behind that beard? Now I am aware how irrational this is, I mean, we're talking about Santa! So there you have it. I am nothing, if not complex. :)

So, back to Christmas nostalgia. The best part of the lead up to Christmas is watching the movies I don't get to watch at any other time of the year. Sharing these movies with my girls is so much fun because each year they get older, I get to share more movies with them. We do like to watch our favourites together again too. Thankfully my daughters have inherited my love for watching favourite movies over and over.

The movies that I like to watch every year, without fail, include:

I also have favourites that feature some Christmas scenes in them, but are not strictly Christmas movies because the story does not centre around Christmas. These movies included When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, Funny Farm, Groundhog Day and View From the Top.

Even though I told you earlier that my Christmas music favourites include the classics Bing, Nat and Harry, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that they also include the first Christmas album (yes, vinyl record!) that I was given, which is The Mike Sammes Singers White Christmas. I was obsessed with the picture on the cover and the clothing. Very 70s!

To add to the spirit of all things Christmas, as you can see I have Christmas-fied (is that a word?) my blog header for the festive season, I hope you like it! A big thanks must go to my photoshop savvy husband, you are fabulous!

In the meantime, some scenes from Elf - the best Christmas movie to come out in years, if not decades! (Sorry Chevy)

Merry Christmas!

Heidi

All images found on Google.

Michelle as Marilyn

2011-12-05T13:27:00.001+10:00

I am so looking forward to seeing Michelle Williams in the new film My Week with Marilyn. I'm not sure when it opens here in Australia (February 16, I think?) and when it does open, I am going to be the first in line.

Michelle Williams in character, photographed by Annie Leibovitz for American Vogue, October 2011.

Marilyn and new husband Arthur Miller (played by Dougray Scott) in a scene from the film.

I have always been an admirer of Marilyn Monroe, I read everything and anything I could get my hands on over the years.

Set in 1956 and based on a memoir written by Colin Clark, a third assistant director on The Prince and the Showgirl, the movie Marilyn was in London to make along side British thespian Sir Laurence Olivier.

Watch the trailer for the film below:

I have read some interviews with Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh (whom I adore) and it has given me even more incentive to see it because they both seem to be so invested in their respective roles.

Biopics always face a tough audience because they are always going to be judged and scrutinised by die-hard fans. This is the first film about Marilyn to be made in some time, just when you thought there are no tales left to tell...

Personally, I can't wait.

Kisses!

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2011-12-02T18:52:00.000+10:00

Linda Evangelista in the "Marilyn" polychrome printed silk with multicoloured rhinestone and glass bead embroidery dress by Gianni Versace, photographed by Irving Penn, 1991.

"You wear Versace: you believe in daring and drama." - Andre Leon Talley

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Sources: image source here, The Art of Artwear by André Léon Talley, MetMuseum.

Chair Tales

2011-12-01T10:00:00.001+10:00

I love this chair, and like most of my chairs, it has a bit of a story attached to it.

This chair was given to me when I was 12, I think? A beautiful Canadian artist friend of my parents thought I might like it and of course, I loved it. It didn't look like it does now, it was painted white and the seat was covered with a plain pale blue fabric. But I saw potential and it sparked in me a life-long love of old chairs.

Over the years I painted the chair different colours such as bright yellow and then dark green - whatever paint I could find in my Dad's shed. Eventually I new the day would come when I had to strip the paint back so the true beauty of this chair could be revealed. It was time for my chair to grow up!

The job of stripping the many layers of paint went to a furniture restorer in Sydney. I had a feeling that this chair was too important to be done by my amateur hand, and so I found an expert who told me when I went to collect my newly revealed chair that the timber it was made from was none other than Australian Silky Oak. I had the timber waxed instead of using varnish because it has such a nicer finish and it feels more gentle to the touch.

Yesterday I put a new cover on the seat and it looks perfect. I used a piece of French cotton canvas I bought from Ici èt la. I love this shop and their fabrics which are imported from France direct from the manufacturer, Les Toiles du Soleil. It is the only place you can buy this fabric in Australia. In America, you can buy it online from their New York boutique, Les Toiles du Soleil NYC.

I have other chair tales to share with you later. In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you.
Do you have any chair tales you would like to share with me?

Kisses!

Heidi

Summer Style Favourites

2011-11-28T18:46:00.001+10:00

Summer is here! It arrived about a week ago in all it's hot and humid glory. I realise that many of my wonderful readers live in the northern hemisphere where it is all but Winter, so I hope this post doesn't make you miss Summer too much. Only a month a go I was still carrying a light weight cardigan around with me, and now I won't leave the house without my hat, my fan and even my parasol. Yes, I have and use a parasol to keep the hot sun at bay. It is the most gorgeous shade of red with frills and a bamboo handle. It is impossibly chic I have to tell you and always gets comments from admirers. I use it at the farmer's markets where there is no shade to speak of, at the beach and on long walks.

Parasols, image from here.

I've put together a collection of looks that I will be trying on this summer. I think for me the keys items will be knee-length skirts and dresses, maxi skirts, shorts, espadrilles, lots of linen and cotton, and shades of white, navy and high impact colour!

Tory Burch espadrilles via here.

Jenné Lombardo, Global Fashion Director for the W Hotels via here.

A look from Rachel Comey Spring/Summer 2012

Lovely cotton tank and skinny denim jeans from here.

Boyish summer style from here.

Floral skirt paired with stripes from here.

Beach dress from Free People.

Languid Days Skirt from Anthropologie.

A look from the Mara Hoffman Summer 2012 collection.

Lace covered shorts from here.

White on white, image from the Sartorialist.

Simple cotton shift dress from here.

I love to wear hats year round, but some I keep specially for Summer use only. I also have light-weight scarves which I wear to protect my skin from the burning sun during the day and at night from mosquitoes or an unexpected cool breeze.

Do you have any favourite Summer items that you like to wear?

Kisses!

Heidi

P.S.

I'm quite shy about this, but I feel I must show you a pic of my new hair cut - the 'New Do' I told you I had decided on last week. Well, I did it and guess what? I love it! It feels amazing to wear and it not only makes my hair look ten times thicker, but it has cut my getting ready time down to 5 minutes! Thank you so much to my fabulous and very talented hairdresser Claire - you are the best.

So if you're thinking about a change of style with you hair, I'm telling you to go out there and just go for it - it's liberating!
XXX

Give a frock Friday

2011-11-25T08:01:00.000+10:00

Jennifer Aniston wearing Donna Karan Collection, photographed by Mario Testino, as seen in Australian VOGUE, June 2006.

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Source: image scanned from my own copy of Australian VOGUE, June 2006.

Rituals - Making Bagels

2011-11-22T07:03:00.001+10:00

A few months ago I took to making bagels for my girl's lunch boxes for school. Let's face it, sandwiches can be monotonous. I remember my mother giving me what felt like the same thing for lunch day in and day out for all my years of schooling - a Vegemite sandwich, a muesli bar, an apple and a frozen drink, if I was lucky. Needless to say many times I chose not to eat my lunch and bought from the school canteen instead. School lunches these days are a high priority in the morning routine. My girls' school requests that there be an emphasis on no pre-packaged foods and never any chocolate, lollies, or chips, (not that I would) and no packaging, so a litter-free lunch box must be provided each day. The children police this between themselves often coming home from school telling me where I went wrong. I was not to use plastic wrap ever! I wasn't supposed to give them cookies - I mean, home-baked chocolate chip cookies - really? So we came to a compromise, I still put in the home-baked cookies, but now I alternate with home-baked slices, muesli bars and their absolute favourite - bagels.

A fresh batch of home-baked bagels cooling down.

The bagels have become something of a ritual for me, and for the family too. Usually I bake them once a week, sometimes twice, and they always get devoured by my husband and children. I have to make sure I save some for myself - I love them toasted with either Vegemite or peanut butter and washed down with a nice cafè latte of course.

The bagel recipe I use is full-proof because it is a recipe from Nigella Lawson's How to Be a Domestic Goddess cookbook. What makes these bagels so good is they are based on a traditional Jewish recipe, so that involves poaching the dough before baking in a super hot oven. The recipe makes about 15 or so, depending on how big or small you want them to be. My girls' love to roll out the dough and make them with me, so it's nice to do with family around.

The recipe calls for strong flour, my flour of choice is organic unbleached Spelt. The gluten in Spelt ensures a perfect dough, but it is different to wheat gluten, so it doesn't upset my daughter Chloè's gluten intolerance.

Bagels

1kg strong flour, plus more as necessary for kneading

1 x 7g sachet of yeast or 15g fresh yeast

1 tablespoon of salt

2 tablespoons of sugar (I use an organic raw variety)

1 tablespoon of plain oil (I use Rice Bran oil)

500 ml warm water

2 tablespoons of malt or sugar (I use organic brown sugar) for poaching the bagels

2-3 baking sheets

Combine flour, salt and yeast together in a bowl.

Add the sugar and the oil to the warm water and pour into a well in the centre of the flour and then mix to combine into a dough. You can do this by hand or with a dough hook, whichever you prefer. It doesn't take long to do and I love the feeling of the yeast coming to life in the dough, so I do this by hand.

The dough will be very stiff and quite hard work, but keep kneading until it becomes smooth an elastic, about 10 minutes.

Form the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, turning once to coast all round, then cover the bowl with cling film and leave it to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. A warm spot with no breeze is best.

Now punch the dough down, then give it another good knead. Then divide the dough into 3 equal sized pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, then cut each rope into 5 equal sized pieces. Roll each piece between the palms of your hands into a ball, and then roll into another rope, circling it round to form a ring. Seal the ends by overlapping them a little and pinching them together.

At this time, put on a large pan of water to boil. When it boils, add the malt or brown sugar.

Sit the bagels on the baking sheets, cover with tea towels and levee for about 20 minutes, by which time they should be puffy. Now preheat the oven to 240C or your maximum oven temperature.

Now you can start poaching your puffy bagels. Drop a couple at a time into the boiling water and poach for 1 minute, turning them once. As you poach them, put them back onto the oiled baking sheets, well spaced, then bake for 10-15 minutes or until they're shiny and golden brown. Makes 15 bagels.

Once cool enough to touch, dig in!

Heidi

P.S.

*Please note that I have not added all of Nigella's recipe commentary, you can find the recipe in detail in her book.

Sources: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson (p.304) from Nigella.com and my own photograph taken with Instagram.

A New Do

2011-11-21T19:48:00.000+10:00

So I've decided to cut my hair. I'm not going to do anything crazy like I did two years ago and get the clippers to it, but I am going to take inspiration from Michelle Williams pixie and cut my long bob into something like hers I think.

My hair has changed a great deal from what it was like a few years ago - back then it grew long ultra fast, and after having children, it had developed a nice waviness about it, quite different from the dead-straight pre-children hair I had. Then, after a three years of a lot of unexpected life changes and much stress, the result is that my hair has become very dry and is much finer and very slow-growing, the slowest it has ever been.

I how have an very healthy diet, one that is free from pre-packaged foods and almost exclusively organic, so I cannot understand why it is still in such bad shape. I guess what they say is true, that your hair is an excellent indicator of past experience and health. I think cutting it again will help it to catch up with the new healthier hair that I see is now coming through abundantly on my scalp.

I also realise that I have to accept myself for me which means that I simply cannot ever expect to suddenly grow hair like Julia Roberts. Julia's locks have always been my dream hair.

I mean look at it, isn't it just amazing? I've dreamt of waking up with hair like hers. Aside from her other wonderful attributes, she really lucked out in the hair department.

On the positive, Julia doesn't suit a pixie at all. Remember her as Tinkerbell in the movie Hook? No, a pixie just won't do for her. So the bright side of this is that by the end of this week I shall have the cutest pixie cut in the neighbourhood. Now that's something to look forward to!

Kisses!

Heidi

Sources: google images.

Give a frock Friday.

2011-11-18T12:13:00.001+10:00

Kate Bosworth in Tom Ford embroidered silk satin gown with lace and velvet from the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection featured in the November issue of Instyle magazine and styled by Brad Goreski.

Ah green, my favourite colour. How I love thee. Give me anything in green and I'm gonna wear it to death. Tom Ford is such a talented fellow, don't you think?

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

P.S.

*I have not been able to find the name of the photographer for this image. If anyone can help, please leave a comment with the name of the photographer so I can give credit. Thank you!

Image source: bradgoreski.tumblr

Yoga and Me

2011-11-16T11:22:00.001+10:00

Christy Turlington photographed by Steven Klein for Vogue October 2002.

The truth is I have been trying to find an angle to work in a post about yoga for a while now. I've not written about yoga before and as it quite an important part of my life I have wanted to write about it over and over but I have struggled with how it would fit in with the whole ethos of my blog. I write about personal style, fashion and lifestyle, yoga seems so far removed from all of that to be honest. But when I look at these pictures of Christy Turlington taken for Vogue in 2002 I kind of think... oh well, I'm just going to jump right in!

I guess you could say I have a deep and meaningful relationship with yoga. I find that my life is so much more chilled when I have a regular practice. I love the feeling I get when I am in what I like to call the "yoga zone", which is me in yoga class practicing my asanas with my eyes closed, while all the while listening to the guidance of my amazing yoga teacher Angela. I love that certain poses challenge me from week to week, and how each time I practice, I get more accomplished with other poses.

Yoga can offer up an unexpected challenges too depending on what's going on inside my head or with my body. Sometimes this might be as simple as not being able to fully extend into pigeon if one of my hips is particularly tight, or if my shoulder is playing a game of "no, you're not gonna get there tonight Heidi".

Each class offers up the same wonderfully fulfilling mind, body and spirit benefits of yoga but it also allows me to be open to receiving and accessing insights that being in tune with my mind, body and soul offers.

I always feel like I'm really living in the moment when I practice yoga, do feel that way too?

Here are a few perspectives from other yoga enthusiasts on the practice of yoga.

“I was interested in cleaning my body on a deeper level. Yoga really purifies your organs and blood. You feel that. You feel that circulation of energy. But the real lesson yoga gives you is learning how to be present.” - Christy Turlington

“Yoga is a metaphor for life. You have to take it really slowly. You can’t rush. You can’t skip to the next position. You find yourself in very humiliating situations, but you can’t judge yourself. You just have to breathe, and let go. It is a workout for your mind, your body and your soul.” - Madonna

"Like music, yoga is a journey -- one that is long enough so you keep developing, and keep learning. I don't see an end to it." - Sting

"Yoga is for everyone. I do an hour-and-a-half a day. It restores you. [...] People say: ‘Oh no, it’s all right for you, but I haven’t got time.” It’s a false notion. We can all make time. There’s only one you – you’re only given one body, not a load of bodies." - Trudie Styler

"Yoga gave me relief like nothing else; it made me a better person and a better mother." - Michelle Williams

I just love this one from Gwyneth Paltrow: “Ashtanga yoga has completely changed me. I try to do it every day, and the effect is amazing. It’s not just during the hours that I’m practicing. It’s about how it filters through into the rest of my life. It makes all the other bullshit dissipate. Who I am has emerged, and everything else has gone by the wayside.”

What's my favourite pose? Child pose, for it's restorative qualities. I love how you can be holding a pose, sweating, breathing, really feeling it and then you get to go into child pose afterward. You don't get to do that in a gym work out, right?

Namaste.

Heidi

Sources: US Vogue, Mindbodygreen.com, Self Magazine, fuckyeahyoga, devilwearsprana.

Vanessa Traina - classic, polished cool

2011-11-13T14:15:00.001+10:00

Over the past year or more I have been increasingly drawn to the stylings of Vanessa Traina, the always elegantly clad Vanity Fair Annual Best Dressed list alumni, fashion editor of the New York Times T Magazine and face of French label Maje.

I am not interested in the fact that Vanessa Traina is the daughter of super successful romance novelist Danielle Steele, nor that as such she has been touted as a society princess and is therefore, privileged. What I am interested in is Vanessa's uniquely cool sense of style and the capsule collection she designed earlier this year for Maje.

“I think they were a little surprised when I showed up to the first meeting with my inspiration folder and the silhouettes already plotted out and pretty ready to go,” Traina says with a laugh. “This was a fun experience for me, but I see myself more as a stylist than a designer.” - T Magazine

Her 24-piece collection focused on season-less dressing, which is appealing to me because I live in a part of the world where the seasons tend to melt into one and the idea of having one wardrobe as opposed to one for every season is not only exciting because I get to wear my favourites year round, but thrifty, nest -ce pas?

Vanessa photographed in her apartment for Harper's Bazaar.

Vanessa's personal style has been quietly and expertly refined over the time since she appeared on my radar. She has evolved from dressing with more femininity to dressing with a more overtly androgynous tone. She also likes to stick to what I call the stylist's uniform - basic black. I have found that it's not easy to find a anything recent of Vanessa in colour unless it's for Maje.

Vanessa wearing Altuzarra at the 2010 CDFA fashion awards.

"Today as all the days my style is rather androgynous. It is a mixture of pieces, both men and women. Definitely things comfortable to wear. - l'officiel magazine sept 2010

Vanessa in 2008, image from Style.com

Image from Hanneli.

I recently read an interview with Vanessa on Into the Gloss where she expressed her concern for an impulsive piercing that at 26 she thinks may have not been such a good idea.

Image from Into the Gloss.

“I just got my ear pierced—I went with my little sister who is covered in piercings, she’s super punk rock—to Haight Street in San Francisco just to buy jewelry and I walked out with this piercing. I felt so cool for a day, and then I woke up the next morning and thought, ‘Am I an idiot? Did I really just get a new piercing at 26?’ But now I kind of want to do the other side to match!" - Into the Gloss.

Image from Hanneli.

Image from Maje.

I guess I am drawn to Vanessa's style because even though she looks polished and cool, she has that air of nonchalance that French women in particular seem to have - well the ones whose photographs end up online seem to, and it's their pulled-together insouciance that I find so infectious and appealing.

Kisses!

Heidi

Sources: Into The Gloss, harpersbazaar.com, vanityfair.com, tfs, T Magazine, Hanneli, L'officiel.

Give a frock Friday.

2011-11-11T07:01:00.000+10:00

A scene from "Jungle Fever" editorial photographed by Hans Feurer and styled by Francoise Ha Van as seen in Paris Vogue June/July 2003.

Facteur Cèleste coat in flax and silk double cotton calico, Nakul Sen muslin dress of silk embroidered with pearls, underneath is a Vannina Vesperini dress of silk and lace from Calais, and worn over the hair is a Dries Van Noten silk scarf featuring glass beads.

It was the colourful coat that initially caught my eye, but after looking closer, the detail of this outfit is mesmerising.
This is why I love layering so much! Beautifully put together layers of varying texture which are simple and elegant and so well defined by stylist Francoise Ha Van.

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Source: image scanned from my own copy of Paris Vogue, June/July 2003.

Loulou de la Falaise, an elegant bohemian

2011-11-08T13:04:00.001+10:00

Over the weekend I learned that legendary muse to Yves Saint Laurent, Loulou de la Falaise passed away. She was only 63.

Loulou in her home, photographed for Elle Decoration.

Loulou de la Falaise, (don't you just love how that rolls off the tongue?) is said to have inspired le smoking, YSL's tuxedo for women which of course became an inspiration for women the world over after its creation.

Loulou with Yves Saint Laurent.

Loulou modelling in the 70s.

Loulou at her bohemian best.

Loulou was also a model and jewellery designer for the house of YSL until Saint Laurent's retirement in 2002, after which she began her own business and opened a boutique in Paris, but she soon tired of the boring behind-the-scenes elements related to running her own business.

According to newspaper The Telegraph, being called a muse did not sit well with Loulou until later in her career:

“To me a muse comes to have tea and cookies and a chat, and looks frightfully smart, then goes to a cocktail party. I didn’t see it as someone who worked as hard as I did,” she said in 2006. “But now that Saint Laurent is part of history, it makes me a part of history, so, yes, finally it’s not such a bad thing to have been a muse.” - Lou Lou de la Falaise.

Australian Vogue's Natasha Inchely called her "An elegant rebel", while editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements recalls:

“I was on a shoot for Australian Vogue with her back in the late `80s. Nancy [Pilcher] was the stylist, I was the assistant. We were all so nervous thinking she would be a prima donna but she was so warm and friendly. All she wanted for lunch was a chicken sandwich and a beer! Chicest, chicest woman I'd ever seen.”

Loulou died on Saturday after a long illness.

Certainly her passing is the end of an era.

Heidi

Sources: Elle Decoration, The Telegraph, Vogue.com.au, The Frisky, Elle.com

Give a frock Friday.

2011-11-04T10:08:00.001+10:00

Eva Green wearing Christian Dior Haute Couture on the Riviera at the Cannes Film Festival. Photographed by Hugh Stewart for British Vogue, September 2007.

This gown is exquisite, imagine wearing this? Lucky Eva.

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

2011-11-03T07:49:00.000+10:00

Happy Birthday to my lion man xx

love,

your lioness xx.

Source: here.