Goodbye winter coat

The count down is on!

Spring is in the air in the West and we've had our taste of sunshine to make summer lovers a little excited…

With so many exciting Spring-time events on the calendar to look forward to, my coats will soon be migrating to the back of the wardrobe to make way for the new season of sensational Spring Summer.

A visit to Kings Park today inspired me with the vivid array of blooms on display ahead of the Kings Park 50th anniversary Festival which will run through September. Scheduled events include free concerts by James Morrison and The Motown Experience, the Fantastic Faraway Festival for children, a ‘50 years of Flower Power’ outdoor exhibition and a 'Swing into Spring' dance party. Plan a visit at; http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/festival

So with colour and florals in my mind, I found some wardrobe inspiration and joined the girls at Rochelle Adonis Cakes and Confections in Highgate for a superb high tea at their new home in Highgate.Never failing to disappoint, beautifully decorated sweet and savoury delights came our way and it was apparent that the a taste of Spring was here!

Spring is a perfect time for a visit – http://rochelleadonis.com/high-tea/

Rochelle's “too pretty to eat” sweets!

A little Spring scenery

My next move toward saw me headed to Poppy's in Nedlands where I bought a gorgeous takeaway treat for my table (Slightly overdosing on all things fauna and pretty I think now)!

So with Spring only weeks away and a little warmer weather I am so excited to see what's in store for Perth's Fashion Festival which runs from 11-16 September. The line up of talent always impresses me as well as the calibre of events that are held during the festival. Tickets sell super fast so get in now to avoid disappointment (http://www.perthfashionfestival.com.au/).

I can't wait to check out and shop some of the new collections…

And kiss my winter 2013 coat goodbye!

Happy Spring! x

 

Warming to winter in the West

Winter in the West has so far, been free of rain and full of sunny blue skies. Which is fantastic for being out and about during the day but with the clear days comes bitterly cold mornings.

Every morning I build up the courage to jump out of bed and into the chilly morning air. My usual morning routine is performed in super speed as I hurry toward the warm shower that awaits me. Fair to say, I am a lover of the warmer months!

However, I try to convince myself every year that there are things to love about the colder weather and I came up with the following;

1. Baths – Having a warm bath and jumping into some cosy knitwear before settling in for a relaxed evening is my idea of winter bliss.

2. Winter wardrobe – tailored coats, layered outfits, patterned tights, fur trims and boots!

I love following the trends of winter emerging from fashion houses in the Northern Hemisphere.

Designers in Europe and the US create stylish collections which are suited to the chilliest of climates… Pick up a copy of Vogue Paris to get a sneak peek of what's in store for next season and get excited for 2014!!

3. Candles – filling the house with scented candles not only makes it feel warm and inviting but the aroma is devine. Rarely can I walk past a store selling a collection of scented candles without going in to smell their wares!

There are so brands and styles of candles now on the market now, all boasting gorgeous packaging and designs. But whether it be Blood orange and cinnamon, Wild orchid and vanilla, Lime and coconut or Tahitian Spa…. My house smells delicious in winter!

4. Body R&R – in winter I am happy getting to bed a bit earlier and recharge my energy levels. With my pillow the destination for the night, I throw on some pre-bed moisturiser, lip balm and the occasional hair mask and I wake up feeling amazing.

5. Comfort food – I start the day with wheatgrass, lemon juice and a fresh juice so I have every excuse to then indulge in some of my favourite winter meals. Hot oats with toasted almonds, apricot pies, custards, puddings and roast vegetables are some of my winter weaknesses. Winter weather creates the perfect excuse for me to stay inside and create in the kitchen.

6. Swan valley days – I grew up in Guildford and spent many weekends browsing antique stores in Guildford with my mum (although I wasn't a fan of this until I was older- as a child I despised the musty smells that filled the stores I thought they were in real need of a good scented candle!!).

I also spent days visiting places in the Swan Valley with my parents – cafe's and wineries and riverside picnic spots were weekend destinations and now I love an excuse for a visit to see what's new in our Swan Valley.

Ok, enough said that there is infact, some good reasons to love winter but I am still absolutely longing for the warmer months to be here again. I figure I have around twelve weeks of winter before I can throw on a summer dress …. My countdown is on!

I have a treasure trove of new season finds in store for spring/summer 13/14 already and I can't wait to share at Stylewa soon…. X

 

Mid week effervescence

Better late than never, we head off to Crown Perth last night to see the very popular musical, Jersey Boys.

We were given tickets months ago and were delighted to finally have the chance to see this show, given that we'd missed seeing it when it was on in Sydney a while ago.

Ordinarily when we've seen shows in the past, we would book a pre-show dinner at one of the restaurants within the Crown Complex, but with time at a minimum we opted to skip dinner and head for champagne at La Vie.

 

Whilst you can't book a table at La Vie the bar was ours upon entry, and we found a gorgeous settee to sit and admire La Vie's charming decor and decadent menu.

 

 

On a cold winters night, I couldn't think of anything better than sitting in style whilst sipping Billy Cart champagne and indulging in Beluga caviar….. but it was 7.15pm on a Thursday and we had a show to see at 8….

So we sat, we sipped, we fell in love with the luxury and we left….

 

La Vie is one of my favourite spaces, combining many of the things I love, so its a great place to meet with friends for some good bubbles.

(La Vie gets busy on the weekends so to ensure your complete party can enjoy get there early!)

Onto Jersey Boys, the musical which exceeded our expectations and made me appreciate all of those old songs I've heard before.

I admit I am still a lover of the movie 'Dirty Dancing' so I was pleased to hear a few of the songs that featured in the movie!

So my Thursday night was bought to life with bubbles and music that that made me smile…..

Now for the weekend!!

 

Sydney sparkling for Mercedes Benz Fashion week

A few days in Sydney to catch up on the latest fashions at The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week as well as catch up on some R&R was much anticipated to say the least!

Over the past weeks I had been excited to follow MBFW news in the lead up to the event which was to be held at Carriageworks for the first time in 2013.

Invitations were out and I was excited to find some our amazing designers from the West showcasing their collections during the week.

Aurelio Costarella, Betty Tran, Gypsea and Zhivago were just some of our WA designers taking centre stage at shows throughout the week and with MBFW Live being broadcast by JASU to 77 countries worldwide, the audience was set to be huge!

With bags packed and an early 4am wake up call, I departed Perth for a few days of indulgence!

One of my favourite people in the world came along for the fleeting trip and although she 'loves early mornings', our first stop after check in was a tall coffee! Our morning wasn't entirely free from hiccups, to say the least, so we were really in need of a strong drink!!

After taking in two movies and admiring the style of some admired Aussie actors on board, we arrived in Sydney in time to catch some live footage in Martin Place of MBFW fashions at the free-to-the public Pelican Bar.

With our hotel nearby we were lucky to be close to the action with the large screens showing runway footage.

Mojitos followed by dinner at a cute Cheese & wine bar marked our first night in Sydney…

The following day in Sydney was absolutely stunning with blue skies as far as the eye could see. A quick bus ride led us to the MBFW at Carriageworks to take in some of the action both on and off the catwalk.

Invitees found their seats ringside as they sipped on cool drinks doing the rounds before the show began. With 66 designers on show throughout the week, and the trade show 'Premiere' running alongside the event, Carriage works was certainly alive with fashion and style guru's.

The New Generation show featured West Australian designers Betty Tran and Zhivago and I couldn't wait to see their collections after being impressed by Dessert Designs and Faddoul among others.

A short black & white film kicked off Betty Trans show and the Betty Tran woman was defined by the strength in the label. Bold colours and a new colour palette paved the way of the beautiful collection on show…

Betty Tran

Betty Tran

Zhivago didn't disappoint as their signature lines were teamed up with fresh hues and a splash of attitude! Loved it all.

Zhivago

After a few days of fashion and having some retail therapy I was in need of a cocktail at the Opera Bar! The Opera Bar, FYI, in my opinion is THE best bar in Australia (well Eastern Australia anyway!).

Any occasion is made into an amazing occasion with views of the Opera house and Sydney Harbour Bridge setting the back drop. If you haven't been – a definite for your next visit to Sydney!!

So after a few days of brilliant food, perfect weather, shopping and fashion it was time to hit the Qantas air roads and head back to the beautiful West!

So thank you Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for setting my heart racing over some amazing new fashions, adding to my list of 'must have' pieces, filling my eyes with non-stop style and increasing my desire for that shiny little black Mercedes-Benz number that was on display…

 

Beauty by the Sea

David Handley is the Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea, and it was he who made his dream of creating a free to the public exhibition in Sydney, a reality!

Since the exhibition made its debut in 1997 on the East coast, it has been enjoyed by thousands of Australians and has attracted the attention of lovers of art worldwide.

With only a tiny budget and the support of a dedicated team and sponsors, the event first ran successfully, however it was not short of initial teething problems!

Now in 2013, the event has grown immensely and is more popular than ever. With Sculpture by the Sea now exhibiting annually on the West Coast, the exhibition has added even more reason for people to visit the iconic Cottesloe beach.

The Indian Ocean and white sandy beaches together with warm balmy evenings and spectacular sunsets, make an ideal setting for the 70 pieces of work in this years exhibit.

With over 220 artist submissions in 2013, from 19 countries the selection process, I imagine would have been extremely difficult.

The sculptures that feature in this years exhibition are absolutely amazing and I had a difficult decision deciding what piece I would select for my vote in the ‘Peoples Choice’ award.

This award is this year sponsored by Kailis jewellery who have put three $1000 Kailis vouchers up for grabs and after seeing some of their collection in the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club, I would strongly recommend all visitors to vote for their favourite!

 

 

I have a life-long love for pearls and fine jewelley so I lingered for a while at the Kailis display before I continued my morning of enjoying the fun and marvelling at the formations standing tall upon Cottesloe beach.

My children loved some of the colourful, interactive pieces while I found myself drawn to sculptures of glass or metallic materials. As far as my eyes could see, a buzzing crowd of people moved from sculpture to sculpture enjoying the views and snapping away at their favourites!

This would be my fifth visit to Sculpture by the Sea and every year, the exhibition is different. Just like the ocean is ever changing, so is the experience of this exhibition. Different scenes, different memories taken from a visit to the annual exhibition.

This year, I will leave remembering a images of beach of licorice all sorts, a tree full of hanging toys, a lot of little men flattened by a rolling pin and a the most exquisite blue glass whale shark.

This tremendous, free to the public, exhibit together with my family and a picnic lunch, made for a fantastic start to my weekend!

With the exhibition in its 3rd and final week, a trip to Cottesloe beach for a swim and another quick look might jusg be on the cards!

Can’t wait to see what 2014 holds!

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2013 runs from 8 – 25 March. 

Western Australian Fashion Awards 2013

 

The 17th annual WA Fashion Awards took place last night at Perth's new style hub, Brookfield Place.

More than 400 guests were invited to walk the red carpet and what a high-profile red carpet it was!

Stunning West Australian fashions were shown off as guests made their way into the terrace courtyard. The Black tie event saw the courtyard a filled by a sea of Costarella, Ae'lkemi and Tarvydas gowns as well as jewels by Sewelley, Bianc and Lust Pearls to mention a few!

With a balmy Perth night and a crowd mingling in marvellous creations, it was certainly a fantastic night to celebrate the amazing creative talent we have here in Western Australia.

 

After an hour or so of pre-Award festivities and fashion admiration, we moved into the cool foyer of Brookfield Place where we found our seats and enjoyed an acoustic by Little Ebony before the all important presentations

The ceremony was presented by Channel 10 weather presenter, Magdalena Rose and Director of the University of Western Australia's Cultural Precinct, Professor Ted Snell.

Mariella Harvey- Hanrahan (Festival Director, alongside Tony Sage) and Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi also gave address, which created not only a sense of pride for our our creative community but also an appreciation for all the hard work that goes into Western Australian fashion, throughout all sectors.

So the presentations began!

First of all, Gabrielle Sullivan (Chadwick) was announced Runway Model of the Year and Grady Wulff (Chadwick), Hot New Model of the Year. Nicole Harrison (Chadwick) picked up the Photographic Model of the Year.

Half way through the presentations guests were treated to a display by Fliptease Aerialist, Scott Craig who hung from the ceiling of the foyer.

Models also walked among guests showing off fashions by Ae'lkemi , Flannel, Garth Cook, Kim Barton, Martini & Coz, Sewellery, Steph Audino, Tindale, Wild Horses and Zsadar.

Then the presentations continued…

STM best dressed boutique – Hatch

Best blogger – It's Now Cool

Fitness First Platinum Fine Details Award – Sewellery

Total Digital Creative Edge – Pippa McManus

CBA Designer for Tomorrow – Shane Newton Zsadar

City of Perth Most Innovative Designer of the Year – Ae'lkemi

And the winner…..

Gorgeous Models at presentations

Tiffany Spencer (House of Zaccaria) & Shane Newton, ZSDAR (Winner of Designer for Tomorrow)

With the lovely Magdalena Rose – both heavenly Ae'lkemi gown

Designer Stephanie Audino with Kymm (Designed by WA) – stunning in Steph Audino Gowns

With designer & winner of Most Innovative Designer, Alvin Fernandez (Ae'lkemi)… Gorgeous dress by Ae'lkemi!!!

What a fantastic ceremony highlighting the achievements of the WA Fashion Industry – Congratulations to all!!

 

Get set for Northern Style explosion

 

What do you know about The Urban Couture Festival in Joondalup?

You are forgiven if the answer is “Not much!”

But with Urban Couture now in its 3rd year, this super Stylish Festival is one worth getting to know!

Urban Couture is a key feature of the Joondalup Festival and is a month long program of events that transform unconventional spaces into popular fashion happenings.

Fashion designers, hair and makeup stylists, textile artists, runway models and fashion photographers will come together to put on some fantastic shows which are free to the public.

You don't have to be a lover of art or fashion to enjoy all that this Festival has to offer so do make a point of heading North where you'll find some innovative expressions of from our local creatives!

Principal Events Officer, Kelly Price has had a busy lead up to this exciting event and here she shares with some key points about Urban Couture!

STYLEWA – Now in its third year, how did Urban Couture become an addition to the Joondalup Festival and how successful has it been?

KP: URBAN COUTURE BEGAN AS AN INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE LOCAL STUDENT DESIGNERS WITH A PUBLIC PLATFORM TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK. URBAN COUTURE HAS BOOMED TO BECOME A MONTH LONG PROGRAM SUPPORTING FASHION CREATIVES IN THE FIELDS OF FASHION DESIGN, CONTEMPORARY ART, FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY, STYLING AND MODELLING. THE 2012 PROGRAM WAS AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS, SUPPORTING OVER 200 INDIVIDUAL FASHION CREATIVES AND ATTRACTING MORE THAN 50,000 VISITORS. THE 2013 PROGRAM IS SET TO BE THE BIGGEST YET WITH A REPERTOIRE OF NATIONAL DESIGNERS AND FASHION CREATIVES IN FOUR WEEKS OF POP UP EVENTS.

STYLEWA – The programme for Urban Couture 2013 is yet to be announced, but can you share any details about the designers we can hope to find?

KP: THE 2013 PROGRAM IS FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH EMERGING AUSTRALIAN DESIGNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE BIG IMPRESSIONS IN THE INDUSTRY. WE CAN LET YOU KNOW THAT SWIMWEAR QUEEN LOUISE BOND OF BIKINI ATOLL AND SYDNEY MENSWEAR DESIGNER TEAMM8 JOIN THE URBAN COUTURE PROGRAM WITH MORE DESIGNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED VERY SOON!

STYLEWA –The ambassador for this years event is the lovely Renae Ayris who was named Miss Universe Australia in June 2012. How will Renae be representing Urbane Couture during the festival (ie will she be modelling or hosting any events?)
KP: AS A CITY OF JOONDALUP LOCAL, RENAE AYRIS IS THRILLED TO REPRESENT HER HOME TOWN AS THE URBAN COUTURE AMBASSADOR. RENAE WILL MAKE APPEARANCES THROUGHOUT THE URBAN COUTURE PROGRAM INCLUDING HOSTING THE VIP LAUNCH AND GUEST MODELLING IN THE URBAN COUTURE FINALE RUNWAY AT THE JOONDALUP FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY 24 MARCH.

STYLEWA – When can we expect to see the full program for 2013 so visitors can plan their attendance at Urban Couture?
KP: WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE FULL PROGRAM IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS – SO STAY TUNED!

STYLEWA- What do you believe will be a highlight for the event in 2013?
KP: WITH ALL URBAN COUTURE EVENTS FREE-TO-THE-PUBLIC, THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO MISS A SECOND OF THE PROGRAM! THE 2013 JOONDALUP FESTIVAL ON 23 – 24 MARCHWILL CERTAINLY BE A HIGHLIGHT AT THE NEW LOCATION OF CENTRAL PARK AND FEATURING FOUR POP UP RUNWAY SHOWS, ART NOW PROJECT WITH PERTH'S FAVOURITE FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER AARON MCPOLIN, DESIGNER MARKETPLACE AND FINAL DAYS OF THE APERTURE & LACE EXHIBITION AT BLEND(ER) GALLERY.

A month of exciting times! See you there to check out the talent!!

 

Rubies and diamonds at Rosendorff

Today marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year – The Year of the Snake.

Whilst I am not a fan of slithering reptiles, I will happily join in a celebration of cultural festivities and am intrigued by the Chinese traditions and significant symbols.

A friend with knowledge of Chinese culture, shared with me the significance Feng Shui and how the colour Red represents the fire element which is believed to attract richness and luxury. The colour red also is good for passion, prosperity and love.

When I think of the colour red, I think of rubies and when I think of richness and luxury, I think of diamonds (what female doesn't!!!).

So when Rosendorff the jeweller bought out a limited edition pendant especially for the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake, I could see why it was designed using a combination of rubies and diamonds!

Rosendorff has been in WA since 1963 when founder and owner Craig Rosendorff began his career.

The piece was designed by the Rosendorff design and production manager, Jens Kirsch who has re-joined the Rosendorff team recently after working for 10 years in some of Germany and the United Kingdom's most prestigious jewellery houses.

Mr Kirsch shared with STYLEWA what his motivation behind producing a piece in celebration of the Chinese New Year was…..

“The ancient Chinese culture has many hidden shapes, colour combinations and inspiring elements, which is a fascinating area to explore. Particularly with the Snake Pendant, we wanted to showcase our highly skilled Rosendorff workshop together with an exciting, yet unique piece.What a magnificent combination!”

The Year if the Snake Pendant is on display at the Rosendorff Perth CBD showroom and boutiques in Claremont Quarter and Garden City.

With Valentines day also coming up this Thursday… I think it will be a popular piece to mark two occasions in 2013!

(Happy New Year and welcome Valentines Day 2013! x)

 

Chinese New Year celebrated with style!

This Sunday is the first day of the lunar New Year, making it the Chinese New Year.

Festivities around the city are set to be a colourful celebration, welcoming the 'Year of the Snake'.

If you haven't joined in Chinese New Year celebrations before, then you might want to make 2013 your year to be amongst it!

The Chung Wah Association together with the support of The City of Perth have organised the Chinese New Year Fair which will kick off from 11am in Northbridge.

James Street is set to come alive with lion dance performances, cultural demonstrations, food and market stalls. Festivities will continue on throughout the evening and the Piazza will host the 2013 Perth Chinese New Year Multicultural Concert.

Sunday is set to sizzle in Perth, so a late venture to the city could be on my agenda with a casual bite to eat at one of the many great restaurants.

If fine dining is the way you choose to see in your Chinese New Year celebrations then check out the fabulous menu on offer at Yu restaurant, located within the Crown Complex.

Under the guidance of Chef de Cuisine Pat Cheong, Yú’s signature dishes feature traditional favourites with a contemporary twist!

Reservations are recommended so make your booking and head in for a taste of something special!

I have found much inspiration from around the city for the Chinese New Year and found some fabulous home wares and Chinese tea at Chapels in Maylands. This beautiful store imports some authentic as well as replica pieces from China and always have something unique for the home.

I also came across some floral arrangements at Flowers in the Garden in Booragoon which would be a beautiful gift for anyone to celebrate the New Year!

Rosendorff in Perth have also prepared a stunning piece of jewellery to signify the Year of the Snake….. If you love Ruby's and diamonds you will love this! Stay tuned to see this 'must have' pendant!

Happy New Year & enjoy your celebrations!

 

Bad Apples welcome in Applecross

 

Our city has come along way in recent years!

The addition of new attractions, bars and restaurants has bought a fresh new appeal to enjoying life in the West.

It is exciting to see the city grow and in my opinion, there has never been a better time to be out and about and explore what's on offer!

On Monday the 21st of January, a small wine bar opened its doors in Ardross and it seems to be a welcome newcomer to the street!

Bad Apples Bar is located on the corner of Riseley Street and Kearns Crescent and has already proven quite popular among locals.

I encountered Bad Apples when I met a friend for a quick Friday afternoon catch up and I was pleased to find a trendy mix match decor ,helpful staff and icy cold drinks being served.

Drinks and a modern tapas style bar menu are available to purchase table-side so it makes it easy to enjoy the humble wine bar without moving from your chair… Or crate (apple crate style seats are a cute furnishing!)

The bar seemed to attract local residence and workers in the area as well as those having a drink before heading for dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.

Whilst Ardross has long been a popular meeting spot for diners and shoppers alike, a shiny new wine bar seems to be just what the area was need of!

Upon leaving Bad Apples on its first Friday night trade, I passed a small queue outside that were lining up to experience a taste of Bad Apples… I am certain that a queue will be a regular occurrence as people serve their curiosity!

I am looking forward to visiting Bad Apples again and trialling some of the modern menu options as well as some of the rustic pizzas on offer which sound delicious…