Following on from my post yesterday, one of my good friends Gita, who lives in NYC uploaded this incredible photo onto her Facebook page and I instantly felt compelled to share it.
Is this not an amazing shot! The fact that downtown New York looks more like a Louisiana swamp is just crazy.
[ The East Village- Cnr Ave C and 8th Street ]
Thankfully, the storm has now passed and the city can begin to clean up and rebuild.
In other news, Mayor Bloomberg announced yesterday that the New York City Marathon will go ahead as scheduled, on Sunday 4 November, as the course doesn't pass through Lower Manhattan, which was the most severely damaged. In the wake of such a traumatic week, seeing this year's winner cross the finish line will surely be a special moment in the city's history.
On a side note...
Gita is not only a woman of many talents (and stories) but she's also the London and New York contributor on Distract TV. What is it...?
Distract TV was born in 2010, our idea was to create a platform for the things we love! New music, fashion and burlesque. We are based in London and we make it our mission to cover as many of the wonderful events this bloomin’ marvelous city has to offer! - The Distract TV Team
Do you have a story to pitch, or maybe you've got your finger on the pulse and have discovered a new up and coming music artist or band? If so, the guys at Distract TV would love to hear from you!! Jump onto their website or contact them to learn more...
In the path of Hurricane Sandy, lies one of my favourite places and possibly the most influential city in the world- New York!
Having been there almost 4 months ago at the peak of Summer, when I saw this image of an empty Times Square, an eerie feeling came over me. Even on the coldest or hottest of days, there's no stopping the hustle and bustle of this iconic intersection, and although the screens still shine bright, the streets remain empty, just like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster.
I have been in contact with friends who live in the city and am glad to hear they're doing well and are participating in a little 'citizen journalism'. While they film the wild weather as it sits on the fringes of Manhattan and then upload it onto social media, I believe this is one of the instances when online mediums such as Facebook and YouTube prove invaluable in capturing up to date footage and information from any corner of the globe.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those who live in New York and it's surrounding boroughs as they sit tight and wait for the storm to pass. My love goes out to my friends who call the city home- may they stay safe and one day be able to reminisce and share this experience with me.
Last month I decided it was time to overhaul my bedroom and introduce it to the sleek lines and space-saving ideas of Ikea furnishings. This line of furniture has not only made my room look and feel instantly bigger, but I have at least doubled my storage space. What I find hard to believe though, is that despite how much more room I've acquired, I still struggled to fit everything in!!! Yes, first world problems.
While I was moving things out of my room to make way for my new additions, I was shocked by the number of accessories I had somehow consumed over the years. Going through various boxes and draws, I found myself constantly adding necklaces to a never-ending pile, which by the end of the day, looked something like this...
But now, thanks to Ikea and some handy 3M Innovation clear hooks, I've managed to hang my 'go to' necklaces on the side of a bookshelf and place the rest in some ingenious flat pack draw dividers. Everything has it's place, is easy to find, and most importantly, nothing is getting tangled anymore!
[ Dividers available from Ikea in black and white- $9.99 each ]
[ Also available from Ikea in black, white and lilac- $9.99 for a pack of 6 ]
I must admit, jewelry (especially if you have a lot of it) can be a hard thing to keep tidy and if you're like me and wear big, heavy statement pieces, it doesn't take long before things start to get out of control. So, in a bid to gain a little more inspiration on the matter, I've compiled a collection of pretty storage ideas to suit those who like their pieces on display and others that would rather have them hidden...
[ A cupcake stand is the perfect solution if you're looking to display your pieces ]
[ I've wanted one of these old dress forms for ages, and as soon as I've got the space, I'm making the purchase ]
[ You can buy these free standing jewelry chests from numerous online stores. If you've got the space to add another piece of furniture in your room, then these specifically designed draws are perfect and very pretty items ]
[ This closet belongs to Khloe Kardashian and the centre island contains all her jewelry and accessories. In a world where I could design my own extravagant closet, I'd probably choose this option so that everything was tucked away and out of sight ]
[ An ornate bowl on your dresser ]
[ Recycling old clear vases to hold bangles ]
[ And finally, I've already mentioned how much I love these clear makeup boxes (available from the Makeup Box Shop). I've also found myself using one to store jewelry, as it's perfect for rings, earrings and bracelets and allows you to see everything you've got without having to trawl through boxes or draws ]
While I'm on the subject of jewelry, I have to share my favourite accessories store- Lovisa. In my opion, statement necklaces are the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to dress up an outfit. Lovisa's stuff is on trend, good quality and very reasonably priced. And now, not only can you now order online, but they also offer international shiopping!
Do you have any other jewelry storage ideas? If so, I'd love to know. Tell me more by commenting below...
The other day I received my weekly Tony Bianco email update and found out these gorgeous NIEVE shoes are now on sale for only $80! The yellow pair instantly caught my eye and I thought they'd be great for summer, but then on closer inspection, I discovered there's a bevvy of colours to choose from.
Sling-backs are super comfortable and the peep-toes are perfect for the warmer months. If you're anything like me and love monochrome clothing regardless of the season, then these bright beauties are sure to be the perfect wardrobe addition.
- - - - -
TRADEMARKED
Being the ever creative music artists and equally savvy business partners that they are, Beyonce and JayZ have submitted an application to the US Patent and Trademark Office to have their daughters name, Blue Ivy, trademarked.
At first glance, this may seem like a self-absorbed initiative spearheaded by someone with too much time and money to play with, but within context, I actually think it's a brilliant business move. With the fame and worldwide notoriety of music's 'royal family', it's only a matter of time before others start cashing in on their first born's name- regardless of the family's association with it.
And while it can be assumed that Blue Ivy will never need to work a day in her life, having her name trademarked opens up the possibility for things like a clothing line, fragrances and future business ventures.
This could potentially be one of the best gifts placed in the little bubs trust fund!
- - - - -
DIAMONDS
Ok, firstly let's take a moment to appreciate how beautiful the cover is for Rihanna's latest single Diamonds in the Sky. I instantly loved it, almost as much as the song itself. It's typical risque Rihanna but everything about this song just sounds good, which is why I can't help but press the repeat button.
I have to admit, when her hit single Umbrella filled the airwaves, I was a little unsure on whether this sexual, young Barbados teen had it in her to stand up to the Beyonce's, Christina's and Brittney's of the world, but Rihanna has proven her staying power over and over again.
...the video clip however, that's another story. I'm not the biggest fan, so I think I'll stick to the audio...
- - - - -
WHEN IN ROME
Let's be honest, it's not every day your boyfriend whisks you off to Italy for your birthday, but alas, that's the unfortunate life of Kim Kardashian. Visiting Rome, Florence and Venice, the rapper surprised his lady with a trip reportedly of "romantic proportions", taking her to Dolce and Gabbana where he purchased her a 'fresh off the runway' design.
And while Kim's 'walking the streets' attire is anything but standard, it is nice to see that even the highest profile celebrities aren't too cool to sling a camera over their shoulder and well, just be tourists!
- - - - -
MEOWWW....
With thanks to Marilyn Monroe and in recent times, Adele, I'm glad to see the red lip and cat-eye combo still prevalent in the makeup world today. What I love most about this look is the high impact it has in relation to the minimal time it takes to put together.
A neutral eyeshadow, lick of black eyeliner, lashings of mascara and a swipe of your favourite red lipstick and you're Hollywood glam in an instant.
For a 'how to' click on the clip below to see my favourite YouTube makeup team- Nic and Sam from Pixiwoo recreate Adele's Grammy's look...
- - - - -
I DO...
I have to admit, I was initially shocked when I heard that newly wed celebrity couple Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake cashed in on a reported $300,000 exclusive deal with People Magazine for the rights to their official wedding photos.
The fiercely private couple have always kept their relationship on the down low, so this very public and personal deal has me a little stunned, especially because neither of them need the money or career PR.
The wedding took place in a picturesque setting in Southern Italy, at the Borgo Egnazia Resort. The couple flew guests out to Europe, where they enjoyed a week of activities and relaxation before the ceremony late last week.
What's also surprised me was Jessica's choice to walk down the isle in a non-traditional dress. Created by Giambattista Valli, the pale pink wedding gown was specifically designed for the actress, while Timberlake donned a Tom Ford tux.
And while a $6million wedding budget does get you a lot, the one thing money can't buy is the original song JT wrote and performed on an acoustic guitar, while his bride-to-be walked down the aisle.
If a dog is a man's best friend, then maybe an amazing pair of shoes is the equivalent in a woman's life?
Of course I realise that a pair of stiletto's can't give you affection or companionship, but they do have the ability to make you feel sexy, confident and perfectly complete an outfit- what's not to love?!
My sister is affectionately known in my family as Emelda, after the Philippine politician and former First Lady, Emelda Marcos, who's collection is infamous and now resides in a museum.
“I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty.” -Emelda Marcos
One of the reasons I think most women can't walk past a shoe store without being tempted, is because shoes are the one accessory that doesn't discriminate against weight, age, body shape or skin tone. Shoes are universal, and a statement pair is unbeatable.
So this post is a shout-out to my younger sister and any woman who loves a good pair of pumps as much as I do.
And finally, may I just point out that Khloe Kardashian is the owner of the all the shoes you see in the last three images below. Jealous? Me too!
Chanel Hit
Victoria Beckham recently tweeted an exclusive photo of her upcoming shoot with Karl Lagerfeld for French Elle magazine, on the stairs of Coco Chanel's apartment, 31 Rue Cambon in Paris.
I think this spread is going to be nothing short of fierce, especially if it's shot entirely in black and white.
Victoria Beckham has proven herself as a serious fashion designer and favourite for editorial covers, so decked out in some of Largerfeld's latest creations, I think it's going to be pretty spectacular.
Chanel Miss
Has anyone seen Brad Pitt's recent ad campaign for Chanel?
If you haven't you're not missing out on much, because it has to be one of the most disconnected and random celebrity endorsements in history. Click on the clip below and form your own opinion, before I share mine...
With lines like "it's not a journey, every journey ends...but we go on" and "the world turns and we turn with it, and plans disappear, dreams take over... but wherever I go, there you are, my luck, my fate, my fortune", I was lost until the very end when the words "Chanel No.5...Inevitable" were uttered.
What I find more bizaar though, is how on earth Chanel thought that those 35 seconds and surely less than half a days work, was worth a reported $7.2million direct into Pitt's bank account? Maybe quick and easy money was enough of a motivation for him to sign up to the project and in turn subject himself to criticism?!
Here's what Pitt had to say about the idea behind the campaign:
'The beauty of its success for all these years is both elegantly simple and complex at the same time. That’s what I see being the appeal of this campaign ; it goes beyond the abstract of emotion or beauty to evoke what is timeless, a woman’s spirit,'
If Chanel were looking to get their brand in the headlines, then introducing their first male endorser has certainly done the trick. I would bank my life on the fact that since the commercials release, No.5 sales have gone through the roof, in the same way it did when Marilyn Monroe claimed "it's all I wear in bed".
Regardless of how corny yet random this ad campaign may be, Chanel No.5 is still the most iconic fragrance for women and after 91 years on the shelves, it has not only withstood the test of time, but will no doubt continue to do so.
Chanel Classic
Who remembers the mini-movie Nicole Kidman stared in for Chanel back in 2004? Costing more than some full length feature films, the 2 minute ad campaign was directed by Baz Luhrmann and ran for an estimated $42million, with Nicole reported to take home around 12million to star in the extravagant ad campaign.
To me, what sets Kidman's performance apart from Pitt's, is that she actually acted in it. It was romantic, there was a storyline and it was captivating. Had it been a trailer for one of Luhrmann's new films, I would have definitely bought a ticket in opening week.
I have a friend who works in Chanel's New York office and when I was recently there, we discussed the brand in depth. He said that Chanel's goal is to sell a lifestyle, a dream and an experience. Not everyone can afford to spend $10k on a dress or $7k on a bag, so their campaigns are designed to allow people to see the fantasy, without having to buy into it.
Chanel is by far my favourite designer brand and as previously talked about here, I long for the day when I purchase my own quilted purse. It will be an experience. It will be a dream. And although I may not live the lifestyle of a regular Chanel shopper, I will certainly feel different every time I leave home with it hanging pretty on my shoulder.
Coming back from a holiday always leaves me in an interesting head-space. Maybe my adventures put my life back home into perspective? Maybe I am reminded of what and who are truly important in life? Maybe I feel like my return is an opportunity for a fresh start, new goals and alters in my behaviour or routine?
I am a firm believer that in order for us to grow and become more self aware, we must constantly remember to spring clean our lives. Out with the old and in with the new. Or at least getting rid of that excess baggage that can sometimes weigh us down.
Here are some big bags of ‘stuff’ that I believe myself and every woman needs to ditch in order to move onwards and upwards...
High maintenance friends-
You know the ones. They’re the ladies you went to school with or knew from an old workplace who you reluctantly catch up with, despite fully knowing that when you leave, you’ll be burdened with not only your own problems, but also theirs. It’s usually a conversation completely consumed by their news, whether it be good or bad and for countless reasons, you find them emotionally draining. Now, I’m not saying that this person is bad or unworthy of your friendship, but I think we all need to acknowledge that as time goes by, people change and so do our relationships with them. New partners, different careers, other priorities in life are all things that change a person, and sometimes, it leads us to gradually grow apart. The one thing I’ve certainly noticed since leaving high school, university and different work environments, is that despite my network of acquaintances becoming bigger and bigger with each new experience, the list of people I choose to invest time seeing has decreased. My dad always says that when you die, if you can confidently count your best friends on one hand, than you’ve led a good life. When I was at school, I used to think he was crazy. Only 5 friends, that’s absurd considering I invited over 250 people to my 18th birthday party. But now as I’ve matured and know which friends will stick by me no matter what, I have come to the conclusion that only 5 may in fact be the perfect number.
Your “skinny” clothes-
We’ve all trawled through the running rails at our favourite store and found an item we instantly love. Except, it’s a size smaller than what we’re currently wearing. Personally, my cupboard is full of great clothes with the tags still hanging pretty, just waiting for the day when my butt no longer looks like Nikki Minaj’s. As I stare into a cupboard full of clothes I haven’t yet worn, part of me thinks “I’m going to look so good in this dress one day”, while the other side calculates all the money I would have saved if I’d refrained from fantasy purchases. I think it’s important to have a pair of skinny jeans, because let’s face it, every woman has them, but there does come a point when you have to spring clean your closet and unfortunately, those unworn, too big or too small items just don’t make the cut. I’d prefer to sell them online or give them to an appropriate friend, sister or relative. Besides, by the time I’m likely to fit into them, the fashion world will surely turn its nose up at my “so last season” dress and well, what’s the point in that?
Social media clean out-
I use social media every day. I don’t see the problem jumping online while you’re sitting in traffic or the ads are on during your favourite TV show. But I do think that most of us are guilty of having more Facebook friends and twitter followers than we really need or in many cases, want. If your anything like me, every time I come back from a holiday, I end up with a large number of ‘friends’ I met on a tour or through my travels that I don’t actually want to be friends with. Sure, I may have spent 2 hours with someone in a hot air balloon in Marrakesh, but am I ever going to see that person again, probably not. I think culling your Facebook friend list is a good thing, not a mean one, because let’s be honest, I don’t need to know what everyone ate for breakfast today.
Office clutter-
In today’s world, emails form the backbone of all office administration and correspondence. Opening an email account is one of the first things I do when I get to work every day, and I usually spend half my time replying, forwarding or constructing emails. I remember my uncle saying that emails were meant to be the beginning of the paperless office, but I’ve had colleagues who still insist on printing everything and are swamped with paperwork! Now, part of me understands the need to press the print button, because I too am a hard copy girl. I like to be able to scribble notes in the margins or highlight parts of a text, but without a proper filing system, the paper trail can get out of control. I used to work for an Executive Director and the amount of work he chomped through on a daily basis was ridiculous. His approach to dealing with emails and paper clutter was simple. He adopted and passed onto me the RAFT System. You just decided whether to Read it, Action it, File it or Toss it. Trust me, it works!
The Ex-
Maintaining a relationship with an ex boyfriend can be hard, even at the best of times. The truth is, you broke up with them for a reason and although it may have been an amicable ending, there’s usually still feelings floating around long after you’ve parted ways. One of my very close friends unquestionably gets an A+ for opening herself up to new relationships and opportunities, despite the fact she’s more often than not the one who ends up being hurt. I love her commitment towards finding ‘the one’ but I also believe her greatest downfall sometimes is her inability to let go of guys who have proved time and time again that they don’t deserve her. She’s one of the kindest people I know and she still catches up with certain Ex’s for weekly coffees and lunches, but I fear that by not letting them go, she’s not able to completely move on. Whether its continued heartache or just having them take up space in her conscious mind, I do believe that there comes a point where you have to step back and say “I’m worth more than this. I’m out!”
Bad eating habits-
Do you skip breakfast? Indulge in too many glasses of wine each night? Find it hard not to raid the kitchen cupboards for a late night snack? Or maybe you just don't eat enough of the 'good stuff'? We all have bad eating habits and they're equally as hard to get rid of regardless of how much will power you have. Lately I've been feeling lethargic and tired, despite getting enough sleep every night and having reduced stress levels at work. I know what I have to do to start feeling better, and it's as simple as what types of food I put into my body and at what time of the day I choose to do it. Our bodies are incredible machines, but they're really not that complicated. A change up in your diet and exercise routine is generally all it takes to start feeling better. All you (and I) have to do is start.
This morning I opened up my computer homepage to see a headline story reading “Armstrong evidence overwhelming”. Initially, I was excited by the fact that finally, the sport of cycling had failed to come up with any proof that Lance Armstrong engaged in a doping conspiracy during hisTour de France wins. Unfortunately, the more I read the quicker I realised that I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I was a big fan of Armstrong. I think that what he endure, overcame and achieved in his life and career is nothing short of incredible. I chose to believe him when he said time and time again that he’d never taking performance enhancing drugs and that he’d won a the Tour de France on hard work, perseverance and talent alone. To me, it was one of the biggest and best sporting stories in my lifetime, perhaps even in history and it was a perfect example of a miracle coming to life.
The US Anti-Doping Agency however has submitted a report to the International Cycling Union and World Anti-Doping Agency on why it banned Armstrong from the sport for life in August. Included in the report were over 1,000 pages of supporting evidence which “shows beyond any doubt that the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team ran the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping program that sport has ever seen”. It included testimonies from 26 people, 15 of them Armstrong’s ex-teammates, who claim they were pressured into taking the banned substances themselves, to improve Armstrong’s chances of winning the world’s most prestigious cycling race 7 times between 1999-2005.
I think more than anything I’m just disappointed by these latest claims. I’m a supporter of the Live Strong Foundation and my local hospital has recently opened up the Lance Armstrong wing. People contributed and supported his foundation not only because of his high profile, but more so because of his story. Millions of people win the battle against cancer every year, but very few are able to achieve such impressive feats in the way that Armstrong has. His story was one of hope, one of faith and one of a single man beating incredible odds.
All I hope is that in light of these latest findings, that the support for the Live Strong Foundation doesn’t diminish, because beyond the doping allegations, the fame and the money, is cancer. It is still one of the world’s most vicious diseases and it is still without a cure.
What a sad day in sport and a sad day in humanity.
Every now and then, a fashion style or item comes along that I instantly fall in love with. On my recent travels overseas, everywhere I turned I was confronted by peplum shaped clothing, from high street brands, to mainstream stores. It didn't take long for me to try on a top and ever since then, I've been hooked. The shape works for my body and in my personal opinion, its flattering on most body types.
Even with a decent head start, having made numerous peplum purchases overseas, I've still found it hard to resist adding to my collection here in Australia. Here are two of my picks, plus a host of peplum inspiration...
[ This is my current favourite, available in 6 different colours from Sportsgirl for $69.95 ]
[ And I also own this Peplum Dress, available in 2 colours from Sportsgirl, for $69.95 ]
