The Peplum...

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 ]

[ all images are via Pinterest ]

Paperback Prettiness...

When I was at primary school, my favourite time of the year was the very first day. For some kids, it was the excitement of being in a new class, having a new teacher or finally being able to sit next to your best friend every day during maths. But for me, I loved the first day of school because it meant new stationary! Fresh, clean, crisp and unused stationary. I used to get excited walking into my new classroom and opening up my draw to find an empty notebook, a pristine set of coloured pencils and an unmarked wooden ruler. When I was young, it was the simple things.

I'd like to say that my love (or slight obsession) with stationary has faded over the years, but I am still looking forward to the day when I become a homeowner and can finally order a set of personalised stationary with my very own monogram...a woman can dream, right?

Truth be told, I am an organisation freak and relish at the task of reorganising (or as I like to call it 'remerchandising') a disaster closet, alphabetising a collection of just about anything and making clutter disappear into matching display boxes. I get excited anytime someone suggests going to Ikea (their storage solutions department is ingenious) and Officeworks will surely make me broke one day.

So, for those of you out there who love a good notebook as much as I do, I have a very exciting discovery to share with you. Cue: May Books. Now, I absolutely love my iPhone, but I will always be one of those people who keeps a paperback diary to jot down notes, insert appointments and to keep a grasp on a busy week. Truth be told, without my diary, my life would be a shambles. So when I came across these personalised notebooks, I just about peed my pants with excitement. I'm thinking Christmas presents for my nearest and dearest, I'm thinking project organisation at it's finest, I'm thinking "here's a solution for my 2013 diary" dilemma.

The creation process is as simple as a 3 step online ordering system and there's more than enough choices to personalise 100 notebooks for 100 different individuals. With each book priced between $17-$20, they're not only feasible (have you seen the price a ruled notebook runs for at the newsagent these days!) but they're the perfect idea for those tricky Kris Kringle gifts or for the person who seems to have everything!

And finally, if the prettiness of these notebooks hasn't convinced you yet, they're also eco-friendly. Resiliant, durable and water-resistant canvas covers encase recycled paper, which has been bound by an old fashioned sewing machine, meaning no ripped pages or covers pulling away from the spine.

It all sounds good to me...

Art Attack: Gretchen Kelly Studio

While browsing one of my favourite blogs, Elements of Style, I came across some art work that got me particularly excited- even for a Friday!

Not only are these pieces gorgeous, but they're also available in a series of colours that will suit most homes and design aesthetics, or they could be the perfect statement piece.

Enter Gretchen Kelly Studio. Available on Etsy for $50-$60, these original works of art are simple- in all the best ways.

Here's what the artist has to say …”These original sketches are from 1 minute poses, which are the warm-up exercise for longer poses. In a series of 10 poses, usually done at the beginning of a 3 hour session with a model, I quickly sketch + paint in multi-media of watercolor, pastel, gouache + graphite. I like to paint the female figure in quick poses to capture the gesture and the feeling of the beauty that I see. I use swift colorful strokes and finish off with defining marks in graphite.”
Now my only question is..."what colour do I buy?""

Arabesque Summer Nights...

I have to admit, when it comes to clothes shopping I can be quite a creature of habit. So, in an attempt to broaden my shopping experience (and my wardrobe), I've been consciously trying to venture into new stores and discover different brands.

After recently seeing a colleague of mine rocking the perfect black dress for Summer, it didn't take long for me to go in and buy it. Surprisingly, I found myself completely flawed by the great items being sold in the shop and I wondered why I had never really been in there before?

But, what's really got me excited and prompted this post is this incredible new Summer collection from Kookai. It's titled Arabesque Summer Nights and I am in love with just about every piece.

Here are some of my favourites from the collection...


[ Oasis Mini Dress $220, Spike Bracelet $35, Full Moon Ring $30, Sky High Heels $160 ]



[ Sahara Jumpsuit $180, Double Snake Choker $50, Montana Belt $50, Lola Bracelet $45, Sky High Heels $160 ]



[ Rapture Dress, Sunshine Belt $50, Multi Florida Bracelet $40, Sky High Heels $160 ]



[ Geo Mini Dress $180, Frenzy Necklace $60, Le Bain Bracelet $50 ]



[ May Dress $120, Marrakech Necklace $50 ]

[ Geo Top $120, Montana Leather Shorts $260 (coming soon), Le Bain Necklace $50, Sky High Heels $160 ]

[ Zebra Jumpsuit $200, Sunshine Belt $50, Multi Florida Bracelet $40, Sky High Heels $160 (coming soon) ]

[ Palm Playsuit (coming soon), Arabesque Necklace $50, Montana Belt $50, Oasis Bracelet $50 ]

[ Milly Maxi Dress $220, Montana Belt $50 (coming soon), Sky High Heels $160 ]

[ Zigzag Dress $80, Feature Necklace $50, Sky High Heels $160 ]



[ Tribal Dress (coming soon), Spike Bracelets $35 each, Sky High Heels $160 ]

[ Alpha Tank $35, Amelia Skirt (coming soon), Fringing Neckpiece (coming soon), Sky High Heels $160 (coming soon) ]

[ Miranda Top $50, Geo Maxi Skirt $260, Lola Necklace $60, Lola Bracelet $45, Sky High Heels $160 (coming soon) ]

[ Sultry Tank $90, Amazon Midi Skirt $180, Anaconda Necklace $50, Sky High Heels $160 ]

[ Platinum Maxi Dress (coming soon), Sunset Necklace $50, Montana Belt $50, Lafayette Wedges $160 ]

[ Arabian Nights Maxi Dress (coming soon), Sky High Heels (Coming Soon) ]

[ Marrakech Jumpsuit (coming soon), 3 Piece Bib Necklace $50, Le Bain Waist Belt $60, Lafayette Wedges $160 ]

[ Odessa Cami $120 (coming soon), Marrakech Pants $140 (coming soon), Le Bain Necklace $50, Sky High Heels $160 ]

On A Side Note...

With so many thoughts and so little time to put together comprehensive posts, I've decided to compile a list of things floating around in my head this week...

SPEAK CHIC
We lust after them, we fantasize about owning them and we spend hours pairing them with the perfect outfit in our imagination. They are, of course the designer items that most of us will probably never own.

Despite that reality, my friends and I frequently compare low budget items to pieces we've seen on the catwalk and in doing so, have more than likely pronounced some names horribly wrong. I blame it on exotic European languages that although look fairly straight forward to pronounce, are far from being phonetically correct.

Enter the smart phone app Speak Chic. You may not be able to afford the latest pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, but for $1.99 you can at least say the brand name with the confidence of someone who has a wardrobe full of them. The app spells out each label phonetically, while a voice-over pronounces it with the right inflections and accent.

Trust me, It'll be the hottest fashion accessory this summer!

- - - - - -

TWITTER ME LATER

I wish I could get into Twitter. I love a good gossip magazine, I'm a frequent follower of celebrity shenanigans and I'm already a regular user of Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. So I've been asking myself "why can't someone who's never without their phone get excited about Twitter?" Maybe I just don't have the time to update tweets and therefore find no sense in signing up to view other peoples? Anyway, part of me is glad I haven't been sucked into the vortex of yet another time-wasting social media campaign. But, these may end up being famous last words...

 

- - - - - - 

TATTOO SLEEVES- FAD or FASHION?

I've never been a big fan of tattoos. Maybe my attitude towards permanent ink stems from my parents strong disapproval and having their opinions in my ear for my entire life? I'm not the type to say "Ï'd never get a tattoo" but over the past couple of years, it seems as though they are not just becoming more acceptable, but they're also becoming cool.

With shows like Jersey Shore splashed across our screens and more and more celebrities and sports stars getting needle work, it's not surprising that young people are looking up to their idols and getting inspired.

With more and more people regretting their tattoo choices and opting for expensive laser removal procedures, I have no doubt that it's an industry on the rise and one which will be worth millions within the next few years. Hmm...maybe I should start investing...?

[ Australian Football Player, Dane Swan ]



[ Chris Anderson ]



[ David Beckham ]



[ X Factor Australia judges, Guy Sebastian and Ronan Keating ]

- - - - - - 

NEW TUNES

She's one of my all time favourites and I'm waiting in anticipation for Alicia Key's new album "Girl on Fire" to drop. However, I'm still undecided on whether or not I like the single, Girl on Fire featuring Nikki Minaj? I think the two artists are a winning combo, but for some reason I just don't think there is enough synergy between the two styles. Maybe it's just one of those tracks that grows on you with time...?

- - - - - - 

MICRO LOANS

I first heard about micro-loans while watching a story on an Australian current affairs program. I had heard about the scheme before from the likes of Oprah, but it wasn't until today that I decided to give back to the international community and help change someone else's life.

Here's an excerpt from The Project

"The statistics on global poverty make for sobering reading. 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty - two-thirds of them in the Asia-Pacific region.

Fortunately these days, help in lifting individuals out of poverty is within reach of all of us. Through organisations like Kiva and the Australian-based Good Return over 1 million people have made micro-credit loans to third-world businesses.
Micro-credit was invented by Muhammad Yunus, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for founding Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank. He refers to micro-credit as “trust-based banking”, but with almost 99% of micro-credit loans through Kiva repaid in full, it seems the trust is well placed."

Isabelle Sehoue is a middle aged woman from the small African nation of Benin. Just like anywhere in the world, all women like to get their hair done and Isabelle, a hairdresser by trade, has seen the potential to start up a business in her town which will in turn help support her family. For most women in her situation, it's a lack of seed money that prevents her from getting her business off the ground. I am proud to be a part of a life changing venture in Isabelle and her family's life.

Sometimes, we all forget just how fortunate we are. It's all about maintaining perspective and doing what you can to help make the world a better place. My small donation has helped in a big way.

Travel In Style...

We've all been there. That moment when you find yourself staring at your closet wondering "what outfit should I wear on the plane tomorrow?"

What will the weather be like at the destination? Should I be wearing all my 'heavy items'? What's going to be comfortable enough to sit in for 20 hours? What material isn't going to crumple up and what pants aren't going to get too tight after I've sat and ate for hours? These are all questions I thought most people would consider, but apparently not.

On the countless number of flights I've been on, I am continuously amazed at some peoples lack of a) common sense and b) desire to look semi-respectable while traveling. When did leggings and an over sized tshirt become acceptable to wear on an international flight? I mean, you can be comfortable and still look good, but far too many times people stumble onto aeroplanes looking that they've just rolled out of bed or off the couch.

Now, I'm sure I may be coming across like a bit of a snob, but I just believe that you don't have to be rich to look respectable. Plus, you never know who you're going to bump into or what kind of situation you'll find yourself in because airports are such unpredictable places. You may be seated next to the love of your life, a potential business partner or even a celebrity. And, let's be realistic- the lady in the hot pink crushed velvet tracksuit is highly unlikely to get upgraded to business class.

I also believe that your airport outfit should be an extension of whats in your carry-on luggage. I've heard far too many stories about friends flights being delayed or cancelled and they're forced to camp out in the airport terminal with nothing but shorts, a singlet and a pair of flip-flops- no jacket, no clean underwear and no personal hygiene items what so ever. I'm all for stuffing your heaviest items into your hand luggage bag to avoid it being weighed at check-in, but there are just some necessities that I won't travel without.

I am, by self admission, one of those people who steps onto a plane and looks like she could go straight to a restaurant for dinner, but the truth is, everyone is on their way somewhere, so who's to say my destination isn't fabulous?

So, as I contemplate my next holiday destination, here are some noteworthy celebrity airport styles...

[ Rosie Huntington-Whiteley ]

 

[ Cameron Diaz ]



[ Chloe Sevigney ]



[ Emily Blunt ]



[ Kate Moss ]



[ Kim Kardashian ]



[ Lauren Conrad ]



And what can we learn from these starlets? You can go a long way in a pair of jeans, a comfy jacket, ballet flats and a scarf.

Miss Quarter of a Century...

Today marks the celebration of my 25th birthday. I have mixed feelings about turning a quarter of a century, but if I'm being honest, they're mostly good ones. If I had asked my 18 year old self where I thought I'd be and what I would have achieved by 25, my answer would have most likely been completely different than my reality. Owning my own home, being in a long term relationship and well on my way to establishing a professional career are things I'm sure I would have listed, but truth be told, although those things haven't eventuated yet, I can't say I'm disappointed with what I've achieved and experiences to date.

I have instead travelled the world, worked in a number of diverse corporate businesses, lived in a foreign city and done all these things without boundaries or limits. When I sat down and broke up the past 7 years, I realised that I have had amazing periods full of adventure, others filled with personal growth and as expected, some that were what I like to call my "building block years" which allowed me to experience those amazing periods to the fullest.

As many regular Life After 20 readers will know, following my 22nd birthday I compiled a list of 25 Things To Do Before 25. I have to be honest and admit that although I gave it my best shot, there were some goals I must have been crazy to list in the first place, as they were more appropriate to make a "Lifetime Achievement" list. Learning the piano and being able to speak Italian were obviously not accomplished, but instead, I managed to tick off 20 out of 25 things on my list, with a couple of activities still pending for the very near future. Not bad odds, right? Amongst the items I've already blogged about, other successful goals included:

1. Going Skydiving
2. Volunteer
3. Go on a holiday with my sisters
4. Drink a beer and eat a hotdog at a US Baseball game
5. Put a $1 bill in a strippers G-string
6. Go hot air ballooning
7. Get a tattoo (of the henna variety)
8. Do the 12km leg of the City to Bay
9. Visit the Pyramids of Giza
10. Donate plasma 
11. Spend a weeks wages on something fabulous
12. Do a barrister course
13. Get a university degree
14. Drive a Mustang convertible on Route 66
15. Watch Gone With The Wind 
16. Going Speed Dating
17. Watching all 7 seasons of Sex and the City; and
18. to 25. are unfortunately too personal to list :)

As I embark on the first day of my 25th year, I've got a good feeling that there are exciting times ahead. I'm one month in to a new job which I'm loving and I can honestly say I think it's the beginning of a professional career that I'll continue to be passionate and excited about. I'm also developing a better relationship with my body, mind and soul and am gearing up for a big 3 months to cap off 2012.

I am also, by nature, a compulsive planner and with a vague outline of the next 18 months, I'm excited by the potential which is on my horizon. I'm not sure whether the next 12 months will bring with it the things my 18 year old self expected, but even if it doesn't, I'm in a great place and I know I'm heading in the right direction. 

I'M BACK!

After taking a 4 month hiatus from blogging and in many senses reality, I'm back from my overseas trip and ready to launch into my little slice of the Internet.


When you travel overseas, your accent becomes one of the most important (and obvious) distinguishing factors between you and the thousands of other tourists traipsing across the world. Fortunately, the Australian accent in my experience has always been received well and its usually the number one talking point when you're interacting with locals. I'm a very proud Australian and when I'm abroad, I subconsciously find myself promoting the country, especially whenever I'm asked about our quality of life in comparison to the country I'm in.
I remember being 17 and my parents taking my sisters and I on a summer vacation to Tasmania (an island just off mainland Australia). At the time, I couldn't have thought of anything worse than spending my precious holidays in a place that is most famous for its natural resources, environmental wonders and flora and fauna. I know who I am and an 'outdoorsy' girl I am not.

I was being a particularly moody teenager on the trip, when my mother turned to me and said "one day you'll travel the world and realise just how lucky you are to live in a country with all this natural beauty. People come from across the world to experience this and you're taking it for granted". At the time, her words went in one ear and out the other without a second thought, but now, I can confidently say she was right. Truthfully, I am still not overly excited by the outdoors and would much rather stick to the big cities, but I have come to appreciate how diverse and unique Australia really is. I have been to some of the most popular beaches in the world- San Sebastian, Miami, Nice, the Greek Islands, and still I couldn't help but look at each of them and compare it to the beautiful beaches which line the Australian coast. If Australia adopted the sun bed and umbrella culture like they do in Europe, our beaches would be perfect.

[ Positano, Italy ]

While traveling the United States with my friend Justine, she turned to me one lunch time and said "Natalie, you're such a good ambassador for Australia" following a conversation I had had with the waitress serving our table. Her compliment surprised me but made me realise just how much I loved being able to call Australia home.

My travels have exposed me to some of the most beautiful cities, exciting places and diverse cultural melting-pots in the world, but each time I return home, I find myself with a little more appreciation for the quality of life we have. I'm the first to admit that I crave big cities and would happily move back to London in a heartbeat, but deep down inside, I think I'll always want to raise a family and settle down in Oz.

* * *

On the way home from the airport, my dad was filling me in on the latest local news, when he told me a piece of information that got me feel all patriotic inside. He said that the annual Global Livability Report had recently ranked Melbourne as the most livable city in the world. What I found most impressive however, was that 4 of the top 10 cities were within Australia. The top 10 looks like this:

1. Melbourne, Australia
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Vancouver, Canada
4. Toronto, Canada
5. Calgary, Canada
6. Adelaide, Australia
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Helsinki, Finland
9. Perth, Australia
10. Auckland, New Zealand

So in conclusion, I suppose my promotion of Australia was not unjust or biased, but rather an accurate reflection on the country I call home. Our grocery prices may be rising, we unarguably pay too much for petrol and we may be far away from the rest of the world, but we also have a free health care system, above average wages (with a relatively low unemployment rate) and an abundance of sunshine. So in my opinion, the pros of being an Australian far outweigh the cons.

I'm back online!

Bonjour LIFE AFTER 20 readers.

Firstly, I must apologize for having failed to post in almost 2 months. I have been (and am still on) an incredible traveling holiday, which has taken me from North Africa, through Europe and in a few weeks to North America.

While I had every intention of posting regular updates of my adventures, the days just seem to pass by so quickly, that after the social media updates, email replies and travel journal entries, there hasn't been much time to dedicate to the blog.

But, fear not, I'm missing the blogosphere too much to stay away, so over the next few weeks I'll be sharing little snippets of my experiences and highlights in the places I've travelled thus far.

This entry is coming to you fresh from Paris, and although its my second time visiting the city, it is still just as impressive and magnificent as the first time I laid eyes on it.

[ sometimes on holiday, you´ve just got to kick up your feet ]

 Until my next post, I hope that life is treating you as kindly as it is me.