March 28, 2012

Old Souls or Hocus Pocus?

Disclaimer: This post is a little deep, so don't say I didn't warn you...

While having a conversation with my boss last week, she turned to me and said "has anyone ever told you that you're an old soul?"

Considering the previous topics of conversation had been bland, work related discussions, this question had come straight out of left field. It was, however, a much more appealing subject so I happily replied with a modest "yes, people have been saying that to me my whole life".

After a brief discussion, I left the meeting and returned to my desk, where I reflected on what had just occurred. My boss- a strong, savvy and intelligent woman 25-30 years my senior, had just given me one of the most flattering compliments I could have asked for.

To be considered an 'old soul' may seem a little weird to some, but to me it was an accurate representation of how I feel about myself, who I am as a person and more importantly, how I am perceived by others.

If I'm being honest, I can't remember a time in my life when my mind felt on par with my numerical age. It was never a matter of academic intelligence, but rather maturity. At 14 I felt as though I was 16. At 16 I was 19 and now, at 24 I feel like my mind is in a place far beyond my years.

I have never been into the typical things that girls my age were squealing about or crying about or thinking about. I'm not a big drinker, so that element alone vastly impacted my adolescence and I have never felt the pressure to conform to trending social behaviours or attitudes.

When I got home later that day, I asked my mum if during my early years, I always been that way? I suppose I wanted to know if it was quintessentially me, or whether I had taught myself to think a certain way throughout the years? My mum, without a moments hesitation, replied with a definite "yes". She went on to say that even as a baby, people had told her that I looked wise, like I'd lived before.

All this talk of age and souls reminded me of one of my favourite scenes from the film Before Sunrise. These were Jessie's (Ethan Hawke) thoughts on the theory of past lives and eternal souls...
"... 50,000 years ago, there are not even a million people on the planet. 10,000 years ago, there's, like, two million people on the planet. Now there's between five and six billion people on the planet, right? Now, if we all have our own, individual, unique soul, where do they all come from? You know, are modern souls only a fraction of the original souls? 'Cause if they are, that represents a 5,000 to 1 split of each soul in the last 50,000 years, which is a blip in the Earth's time. You know, so at best we're like these tiny fractions of people, you know, just walking... I mean, is that why we're so scattered?"
I find this a very interesting concept and although it's one that I'm sure would be torn apart by religious believers, I do think there's some truth to the theory. Maybe dejavu exists because we see something in our present that reminds us of our past, yet why can't we seem to put our finger on when it happened? Sometimes our gut instincts tell us to make decisions that don't quite add up, but we find it impossible to ignore the overwhelming sense of it being either right or wrong. There are those times throughout our lives when we pick up a skill or learn something new and people comment by saying "you're such a natural". Is it our born ability to do specific things well, or maybe a tiny fraction of someone else's skill and soul?  And while we may be scattered if you compare it to the rising statistics in mental illnesses, we are also a race getting more intelligent as the generations progress.

What if all these feelings and emotions stem from a far deeper place? What if they are merely a reflection of the lives we once lived?

March 27, 2012

This and That...

Today's post is a little sporadic, but I've recently discovered a few things that I thought I'd share...

Last night I went to the movies and saw The Hunger Games. Now, as someone who was never a fan of Harry Potter, Twilight or most fictional stories for that matter, I thoroughly enjoyed the film and it's unique balance of a post-apocalyptic world and fantasy. I must admit, the beginning of the film left a sour taste in my mouth, as the herding of children and teens to attend an involuntary ballot to represent their district and likely die, reminded me of something I'd seen in a confronting Holocaust film. Then there's the concept of killing purely for the entertainment of the wealthy and privileged, as if the Gladiator contests of ancient Rome were televised with minute by minute commentary and betting. I must admit, it was, at times a little unnerving, but the the concept in itself is nothing short of unique. The privileged citizens display fashions which resembled those seen in Alice in Wonderland and just like all popular movies, there is a love triangle which softens this story from the gore and killing which is prominent throughout.

With this film being the first in a trilogy, it will be interesting to see whether or not it's strong opening box office figures can rival those of the wizards and vampires of recent years.

Jennifer Lawrence portrays Katniss Everdeen in a scene from 'The Hunger Games' (AP)
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In other news, as soon as I saw this clutch via Pinterest, I almost died. Ah-mazing!

Pinned Image
[ you can follow me on Pinterest by clicking here ]
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And for the wedding I will one day have, this photo has gone straight to the top of my inspiration list. Words can not even begin to describe how beautiful I think this is...

Pinned Image
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A colleague at work shared this photo of his pregnant daughter and I thought it was just beautiful. My mind immediately went to party planning and I think it would make a gorgeous theme for a baby shower. Superheroes anyone?

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Each year, there are a few lists that I look forward to reading. There's TIME magazine's Most Influential People, Barbara Walters Most Fascinating PeoplePeople magazines Most Beautiful People and Forbes magazines World's Billionaires List.

This year, among a pool of telecommunication service providers, apparel giants, mining titan's and technology inventors, Sara Blakely, the youngest self-made billionaire and creator of the undergarment SPANX, not only made the list, but also the cover of the anticipated editorial. As a woman, I am a huge fan of the product itself and also of the fact that Sara managed to build her business from a mere $5,000. She avoided needing help from outside investors, dodged debt and never put a cent towards conventional advertising. Instead, her product spoke for itself and has now changed the lives of everyday fashionistas around the world.  

In an elite class dominated by men, Sara is an amazing role model for women and small business owners alike. Sometimes it's easy to discourage those on the list who inherit their fortunes, but in this case, Sara is there because of a small idea that grew into a modern day necessity.

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And a finally, a few new additions to my itunes account and possibly yours too...

> A little Rap
> A little Pop
> A lilttle RnB
> A little Soul
> A little House

March 21, 2012

Lust Haves...

There are so many things I love about putting together these 'wish list' collage boards. It's partly the feeling of shopping withouth actually spending any money. Another part is putting together a fantasy wardrobe, and for me, I love the challenge of seeing these beautiful (and pricy) items and trying to find cheaper alternatives in my local mall or high street.
 
So stay tuned for my take on some of these items, as I begin my hunt to add a few to my wardrobe...
Lust Haves...
 


Dolce Gabbana chiffon top
$1,025 - dolcegabbana.com

A L C collarless jacket
£459 - farfetch.com

Helmut Lang tapered pants
$550 - my-wardrobe.com

Christian Louboutin red sole pumps
$745 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Hermès black bag
portero.com

Burberry leather strap watch
$495 - nordstrom.com

Hermès hardware jewelry
bagborroworsteal.com

Tom Ford metal sunglasses
$420 - saksfifthavenue.com

NARS lipstick
$24 - barneys.com

Hermès bracelet
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March 16, 2012

Fashion Friday...

Sometimes there are days when the words just don't flow.
 
In these instances, a little pictorial therapy is the perfect cure.
 
 I haven't done a fashion post for a while, so I thought I'd put together a little collection of gorgeous images captured on the streets and in the pages of glossy magazines.
 
They're everyday women with amazing wardrobes and the candidness of each shot is what I love most.
 













March 13, 2012

WOMAD...

Over the weekend I had an ‘Ah-ha’ moment. It was the kind that changed the way I view the world and the people who live in it.

Adelaide is extremely fortunate to have an annual festival called Womadelaide. WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) is a 4 day festival which celebrates world music and embraces cultural diversity, environmental consciousness and world peace. It’s an event which is unfortunately tagged as a ‘hippy’ festival, full of dread-lock and Hessian pant wearing individuals and while there were a lot to be seen, the event is so much more. Co-founded by Peter Gabriel (most commonly known for his rendition of Hallelujah) in 1982, Womad has been held in 27 countries around the world, with Australia, New Zealand, Italy and the UK hosting the event annually.

Before this weekend, I had never been to Womad and if I’m being quite honest, my naive self didn’t really have much desire to. I ended up at the festival this year for a work opportunity and was absolutely blown away by everything I saw and experienced. Being backstage, I had the opportunity to talk to an eclectic mix of performers and crew from all around the world, each with their own unique and inspiring stories.

Willy Wonka once described his factory as the ‘happiest place on earth’ but I beg to differ. I entered the festival each day a little more exhausted and sleep deprived than the day before, and without fail I left feeling happy and full of life. I can’t quite put my finger on what makes Womad so magical, but perhaps it’s the simple combination of soul music and positive energy that creates a vibe unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

I went not knowing a single artist, song or really even the definition of world music and was still touched by the harmonies, the beats and the voices of the performers. I didn’t need to understand the words to know that they were sung with soul, joy and passion. I didn’t need to know what part of Africa a sublime band of drummers were from to appreciate their athleticism and skill. And while Beyonce is an incredible performer, I witnessed a group of women shake their booty better and more freely than anything you’d see on MTV.



Music aside, the other 50% of what made this festival so special in my opinion, was the audience. Everyone I met was absolutely lovely. It was like a congregation of people who all practiced the mantra: respect yourself, respect others and respect the world…in equal parts. It seems like such a simple concept, but if it was practiced by the majority of society every day, then it wouldn’t have been so easy to notice. This leads me to conclude that maybe most of the world are more selfish rather than selfless?

Womad was the first music festival I’ve been to where you could happily and comfortably make your way to the front of the stage without receiving death stares or being slammed against the crash barrier. People were dancing in a free and liberal way, almost as though they were entranced by the music and it was a style of dance I’ve never really seen before- earthy and spiritual.

While all of this may make me sound like a sheltered, naïve young woman from the opportunistic West, I have no shame in admitting that I was raised with very conventional values and ideals. My cultural influences stem from my family’s Mediterranean background and my knowledge on African and Asian culture is unfortunately very limited.

This past weekend has definitely made an impact on my life and I’m happy to say that I feel like a better and more aware person because of it.  They say that music is the language of the world, and if that’s the case, then Womad was the perfect example.



March 8, 2012

The Blogosphere...

The wonderful world of blogging has led me to some pretty fantastic discoveries, some inspiring ideas and some important thoughts to ponder.

This week I literally stumbled across the blog a cup of mai and fell in love with some of the items the author, Mai, purchased during her recent dressing room makeover.

One of the things that appealed to me about the project was that she chose to do the whole thing on a budget and managed to find designer-inspired pieces for a whole lot less. A woman after my own heart!

Here's the result, which I'm sure you too will be able to pull a few ideas from...



The first thing I noticed was the black and white stripped Chervron rug which I just love (and would really like). I think it instantly makes the room feel more modern and can be purchased through RugsUSA for a very reasonable price.

The next big piece in the room is the full length mirror. You can never go wrong with something like this in a dressing room and with so many options and frames available, it's easy to match it to your taste or style of the room.


Everyone loves a good Louis Ghost Chair and these days its such a popular item that you don't have to look very far before you can find a comparable replica.

Now, while I love the look of  mirrored dressers, I'm in two minds as to whether or not I'd buy one for my own home? I feel like they're the type of item that's best left in the showroom or put somewhere that it won't be used often. Grimy finger prints and visible marks I know would drive me crazy within about 5 minutes.

For any woman who regularly wears makeup, this clear acrylic chest made famous by the Kardashian clan is an item I already own and love each day I pull open those supremely organised draws. While the originals can cost upwards of $400, I picked up mine from The Makeup Box Shop for a quarter of the price.

And last but not least, the one item that got me the most excited and inspired this whole post was this...


I have loved this Life Poem for years now and have always envisaged it mounted on a wall or leaning at the back of a dresser or bedside table. The words are beautiful and waking up to this image every morning I'm sure would be an effective way to set my mind straight and begin the day with positive thoughts.

So based on Mai's source, I decided to browse the supplier and creators Holstee. In an impulse purchase, this beautiful print will arrive on my doorstep in 6-10 working days, so I'll soon have my very own copy of daily inspiration that I can frame and prop in my room.

*Watch this space for the end result...

March 7, 2012

Tunes...

The weather in Adelaide today is 28 degrees celcius and absolutely perfect. Clear blue skies and warm sunshine are getting me through the work day and giving me something to look forward to once the clock strikes 5pm!

With the radio constantly on around the office, every time I hear Throw It Up In The Air by Lucenzo and Qwote Feat. Pitbull, I can't help but bust out a few moves at my desk (and by moves I mean foot tapping and head grooving- I'm a professional lady, you know!).

Since the first time I heard this track, my mind instantly transported me to a Miami night club and lucky for me, I'll be able to relive a little Pitbull in Southern Florida this August.

So if you're having a bit of an average day or are perhaps struggling through some cold weather on the other side of the world, then this song is guaranteed to warm up your insides with party vibes.



March 6, 2012

Workplace Wonder...

I like stationary.
I like Interior Design.
So combine the two and I have a love for beautiful office spaces.

Unfortunately for me, I work in an environment that is typical of your stock standard office building, complete with pinup board partitions, filing cabinets and matching desks. It is the land of no individuality.

To help create a space that’s my own, I’ve surrounded my desk with photos of family and friends, hung up a beautiful calendar of New York City that my friend gave me for my birthday (which should have come with a warning tag reading: May cause excessive day dreaming) and I’ve brought a little life into my 9am-5pm world with a potted succulent.

I do however, dream of the day that I will walk into a space that resembles the offices at the WhoWhatWear headquarters.



...or this open-plan Jay Jetters office would suffice too.
Aren't those orange drapes and exposed beams to die for!


March 1, 2012

Album Of The Month...


As we welcome the first day of March (and depending on where you are in the world, either Autumn or Spring), I’ve decided that this Album of the Month belongs to Chris Brown's F.A.M.E.  


While I hesitated a little about promoting a domestic abuser (click here for the full story) I do believe that people can learn from their mistakes, grow as human beings and well, in the process clearly produce some dam good music.

However, I was surprised the other day when I heard the news that Rihanna had joined forces with Brown on his recent single titled Turn Up The Music and that he'd returned the favour by featuring in her new single Birthday Cake. Both song will surely be chart toppers, but I wonder what kind of message it promotes to young women and those in abusive relationships on forgiving their perpetrators?

Rihanna is 24, beautiful, a role model and most importantly, she’s in the public eye. I have to take my hat off to her though for initially taking a strong stance against Brown and in doing so, out casting him from the RnB world for the past 3 years (because no one should be able to do that to a person and maintain a successful international career). But combined with the Grammy'st decision to let him perform at music's night of nights earlier this year, could Rihanna's latest move erase the message she tried so desperately to promote?

Women every day try to escape the clutches of an abusive partner and to some, Rihanna’s public fight I’m sure was the strength they needed to turn their backs on their own abusers. As Uncle Ben so eloquently told Peter Parker (aka Spiderman), "with power comes great responsibility" and whether Rihanna likes it or not, people all around the world are criticising her on this latest move.

For me, it's not so much the collaboration that has me questioning the right and wrong of Rihanna's decision, but rather the line that Chris raps in the song which paints a questionable picture. "Girl, I wanna fuck you right now. Been a long time, I’ve been missing your body”. Hmmm...my thoughts exactly.

Personal lives aside, when I met Chris Brown on his recent Australian tour I can confirm to all the ladies in the world that he is unquestionably one good looking man! Tall, sculpted and with an impossibly cute smile, he not only looks good and sounds good, but he moves good too. So, based on those 3 qualities (superficial, I know), he has claimed my March Album of the Month spot...

FAME
1. Deuces (feat. Tyga & Kevin McCall)
2. Up 2 You
3. No Bull!!
4. Look At Me Now (feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes)
5. She Ain't You
6. Say It With Me
7. Yeah 3x
8. Next 2 You (feat. Justin Bieber)
9. All Back
10. Wet The Bed (feat. Ludacris)
11. Oh My Love
12. Should've Kissed You
13. Beautiful People (feat. Benny Benassi)

Deluxe Edition:

14. b0mb (feat. Wiz Khalifa)
15. Love Them Girls (feat. Game)
16. Paper, Scissors, Rock (feat. Big Sean & Timbaland)
17. Beg For It

[ Click below to see Chris Brown's performance at the 2012 Grammy's ]