Sharing some May Inspo for what has been catching my eye lately. All of this needs to get. in. my. life.
Been getting back into Erika Bowes‘ style and blog again and found a new one I’m completely obsessed with, Seascaped - definitely my fashion, decor and blog inspiration for the coming month.
E xx
Hey lovelies. How many of you use the Polyvore app? I’m totally obsessed with it! It’s great to use to create looks / outfits and then share what you’ve come up with. I’ve been needing some serious motivation for a health-kick (once again!) in my life and I started making cute work-out outfits to get me excited about hitting the gym. So, take a wild guess at what I’m spending some of my next pay on.. $$$ that’s right! new gear. There’s just something so exciting about buying new gym clothes.. I’m using this as my Monday health-kick motivation I severely need.
Here’s some ideas I’ve come up with.. what are some ways that get you back on the fitness buzz when you fall off the wagon a little bit? Let me know so we can all share and use each other’s brilliant tips! xx Much love, E.
Top L-R: Nike Sports Bra / Nike Shirt / Adidas Bracelet Watch
Bottom L-R: Herschel Backpack / Designers Remix Donna Shorts / Billabong Bottle / Nike Free Run
Top L-R: Mat Strap / Sagaform PET bottle / H&M Sports Bra / Adidas by Stella McCartney leggings
Bottom L-R: Nike Free 5.0+Shoes / Lorna Jane Gym Bag
TOP L-R: The North Face Tee / Victoria’s Secret Everlast Boxing Gloves / Asics Gel Blur Shoes
BOTTOM L-R: Aerie Shorts /Victoria’s Secret Duffle Bag
Wellington Fashion Week is just around the corner! After the buzz of the Winter Showcase, I had the chance to meet with Shiana Weir, designer of the label Mardle in a more relaxed environment last week for some coffee and OJ.
The Wellington-based designer juggles full time work with managing and designing Mardle - talk about dedication! We discussed her preparation for Wellington Fashion Week, inspiration behind her collection and her tips and tricks for how to stay organised with such a hectic schedule.
Where did your love for fashion design come from? I was taught to sew when I was younger and it all really started from there, I chose to study a Bachelor of Design with a major in fashion and minor in textiles to keep going with my love for fashion.
I loved the Winter Showcase and seeing your looks come down the runway, what was the influence and inspiration behind your collection? Seeing that Wellington gets so cold in the Winter – I wanted the winter collection to be quite comfortable while also office appropriate. (What I love most about Mardle!)
What would you say would be your greatest personal and professional achievement so far? Definitely my first Wellington Fashion Week last year, 2012. Where I went from a few pieces to an entire collection from scratch. I knew creating a whole collection would give Mardle a better chance at being stocked in more New Zealand boutiques.
You’ve gone from a couple of pieces to entire collections.. what is your vision for Mardle in the future? It would be for Mardle to be a well-known New Zealand label and exporting overseas – but to always keep production here in New Zealand. I’m currently balancing full-time work with Mardle part-time. I’d like to take Mardle full-time soon.
I bet you’re very busy juggling all sorts – what would you say would be your time management secrets? I fit Mardle into my spare time, so after work and weekends I work on the brand. I already know that twice a year it’s full on chaos so I’m always prepared for the late nights – I had to learn how to manage my time and I am still learning. For stress management, I prepare myself for the big events and I know my working style. I use a month to month view in my planner and I am a LIST FREAK – I draw up my to-do list on a big A3 size paper and use a big fat vivid to cross them off when I get something done. Best. feeling. ever.
What would be your most favourite bit about being in the fashion industry? Freedom for my creativity and having a growing network of peers in the Wellington fashion scene who are in the same boat. Really helpful!
Any last words for those who want to get into fashion design but don’t really know how to take the first step? Have big vision and take little steps to get there. I thought of my vision back in 2008 and still going with my little steps. Think smart too – don’t just drop everything and think it’ll all come to you over night, take courses, ask for help & advice, make a plan.. but be willing to revise it.. often. And try things.. try lots of ideas and don’t beat yourself up when things don’t work first time. Sometimes they do, but mostly you’ve gotta get the ideas out of your head and into fabric before you can really see what needs to be done.
(Photo credits to Ella Trotter)
Shiana is getting ready for Wellington Fashion Week which is jsut around the corner – check out the show and get your tickets here if you want to see the new collection alongside other amazing designers
Follow Mardle’s updates on facebook, twitter and her website http://www.mardle.co.nz/
Erica xx
With fairy lights by my feet and photographers left right and centre, I was ready to see new collections from New Zealand designers Philippa&Alice, Love Hotel, Mardle and High Noon Tea at the Winter Showcase. The unique opening to the show impressed me as four models walked down the runway then got ready at the end of the run way to show us key looks from each designer.
Philippa & Alice started off the showcase with great tailored looks and showed wearable pieces for the season to come. Love Hotel had such a lovely and romantic feel to their new collection, I loved the touches of dusty pink and girliness to their designs – something I’d love to add to my own wardrobe. I saw a lot of my own style in Mardle – lots of black, modern twists to basic silhouettes and such a wearable collection. I loved High noon tea’s 60s feel to the collection, lots of rich colours and the slight bouffant styled hair on the models really complimented this collection’s showcase. New Zealand fashion is looking. good, can’t wait to see more at Wellington Fashion Week 2013 in April.
Check out the designers and their new collections on their websites by clicking onto their names here:
Philippa&Alice, Love Hotel, Mardle and High Noon Tea.
I teamed up with WeTake team to just came along to appreciate the designers and new collections. Take a look at some of their snaps from the evening - stay updated and “like” them Facebook by clicking here, they’re brilliant! xx
I seriously am such a fan of instagram! Not only does it keep me entertained any time of the day *scroll scroll scroll* – It’s such a wonderful way to see what all my faves are up to. When I see someone from YouTube or come across someone’s blog that I fall in love with, I usually check if they have an Instagram because it’s such a great way to see their everyday snapshots – they seem to update these more than a blog post or video! I’ve been so excited to post this because it honestly took me so long to choose and get down to a few faves to share. I get so much inspiration from Instagram - Here, I’ve featured my favourites, from fashion boutique owners to fitness chicks.. from make-up gurus to daily inspiration! Who are your fave instagramers ? xx
If you want some serious fitspo and healthy lifestyle inspiration – check out @jesskent91. I always look forward to her updates because they definitely make me want to get up off my arse and be active! What you can expect if you follow Jess? Oodles and oodles of healthy alternatives for your food, morning fitness inspiration and GREEN JUICE. (Bonus points to her because she’s a sweetheart too!) xx
I love following @mel_joyhysteric – she is a fashion boutique owner / buyer on the Gold Coast, Australia. She updates regularly and gives all her followers a sneak peek into new stock by modelling the clothes with a in store with a snap-shot or by doing flat lay outs to show us how to piece good looks together. I’m a fan! Check out her online store at : The Joy Stores.
This chick is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s. I honestly just started following her recently, but had to include her in my faves because, wel.. just look at her! She posts mostly make-up / beauty related – so she’s one of my go-to’s for this sort of stuff xx Check out her blog at http://missmaven.com/
Julie aka. “Sincerely, Jules” is a LA chick and is one of my favourite fashion bloggers. I adore all her outfits she puts together and posts on her feed. She’s just a total babe and runs sincerelyjules.com - she’s a blogger, stylist and just mega cool all round. You can expect pictures of awesome things she gets to attend, see and wear, what she’s wearing that day and mouth-watering food snapshots.
This chick is fabulous – residing in Melbourne and I love seeing her pics on my instagram feed. Posts amazing food, has serious style and her captions always make me crack a smile! Check out her blog ThePrototype for some fashion inspo.
I swear, this list would not be comlete without Ashley Madekwe – the styliest chick on my current fave show ‘Revenge’ and Ring My Bell blogger – check her blog by clicking here ! She’s a London girl living in LA with a love for fashion. I’m currently girl-crushing on her.
I have a few more faves that I may just save for a part two… Let me know who yours are in the comments below and xx Have a lovely day beautiful people! Check me out on instagram and say helllooooo if you get a spare minute or two and I may feature you in my next list xx
I spend probably most of my time at my desk in the office and yes, the drabby-stock-standard desk accessories get the job done – but they really aren’t cutting it anymore when it comes to being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I’m a sucker for new stationery & flashy desk accessories – always have and always will be *big cheesy smile*. During my internet browsing time I allow for myself (not all day of course..) I come across some pretty awesome items I’d gladly put on my wish list - some a bit pricey but some totally affordable! Even simple touches to my work environment can bring a smile to my face.. Here’s a little collection of fantastic, chic, desk accessories that have caught my eye. Oh, FYI it’s my birthday next week.. *hint hint* 
My favourite of my picks would be the gold French Press / Coffee Plunger.. I am just imagining the joy of preparing my coffee for the day with it by my desk. Total must-have!
one / two / three / four / five / six
What do you think of these fun and functional desk accessories? What’s your favorite way to spruce up your cubicle or work space?
let me know in the comments below xx
I’ve stumbled across posts dedicated to ‘Sass & Bide’ Heidi Middleton’s home on all my favourite blogs, so I had to feature it here on LifestyleTea just to show my love for such a stylish home. This piece of paradise is located in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney and it really has the perfect combination of colour, texture bohemia and vintage – Just like her own personal style. In a few words, she describes her style as “intuitive, nomadic, contradicted, spirited, modern and free” so I’m not surprised to see such links between her home, her style and sass & bide collections. My absolute favourite parts are the pops of colour and texture in every room, the metal and wood accents, the natural light that comes through in her home and of course that beautiful view! Her home is so dreeeeaaaamy, check out the photos below and prepare to be amazed.
[Photos and Original Post here via - Tales Of Endearment]
We’re half way through November and the year seems to be flying by. With university exams for some of us and last-minute holiday planning for most of us, it’s easy to forget to sit back and unwind without feeling guilty. In the midst of all the chaos, slowly getting ’round to Christmas shopping and tying up loose ends I think it’s time to celebrate your achievements and reward yourself. Reward yourself for all the things you’ve accomplished this year – even the tiniest things, acknowledge them.
So I’m going to share my little wish list with you all and I’m going to treat myself – NO DOUBT. Finishing four years of university, scoring great opportunities and just feeling grateful for everything in my life right now – It’s worth having a few glasses of wine and eating delicious seafood over! When I get in this frame of mind I tend to get very excited and start buying little treats for loved ones around me too – it just puts me in such a good mood xx
Here are some treats I wouldn’t mind for myself.. Share some of your items of on your wish list in the comments below and let’s get excited about our little treats for what we’ve accomplished this year xx
A satin play-suit for sleepy time – so cute! If anyone knows where I can get one similar to this one.. Let me know! xx
NARS Blush / Bronzer Duo in Orgasm & Laguna
Bright and colourful cushions – Country Road
Tocca Eau de Parfum – “Stella“
Reward yourself without having to feel guilty about it! You deserve it.
P.S Check out what my lovely boyfriend surprised me with the other night for completing my studies. Glass of bubbly, crackers, cheese, hummus and tasty strawberries to come home to – What a sweetheart! xx
Role / Job: As my day job I’m a reporter, and the rest of the time I run my blog, ‘Lani Says’.
Main projects / tasks that keep you busy? : I’ve been back in New Zealand this whole year so I’ve been back at my job working part time and doing the blog the rest of the time. Those two things essentially take up all my time. I’ve also almost completed a 12 week fitness challenge, so exercise has kind of taken over my life right now. I never thought I’d hear those words coming out of my mouth, but it has.
Having to juggle different commitments, what are some of your time management secrets? I have the worst time management skills, I don’t know how I get anything done, so any time management advice would definitely be more a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’.
When you are feeling over whelmed, what is a self care tip you would love to share?I’m not sure this qualifies as self-care but the things that I do to just relax at home will be to make myself a strong black coffee, and play bejeweled haha.
I think if I ever am overwhelmed it’s because I have a lot to do, which is where the ‘To Do’ list will come out, and writing out each task really helps in calming yourself down because the things you need to do are no longer just a big jumble in your head. Once it’s written down, it helps clarify what you need to achieve, and how to achieve it.
OK, but back to self care, treat yourself to a really good massage, and try get 8 hours of sleep.
What inspires you day-to-day? The people I love.
Any last words for those who want to start their own business / blog / take action on their dreams but do not know how to take that first step?
Don’t wait for circumstances to become perfect, because they never will be. Doing is the most important thing. Talk to people who have already done it, get their advice on how they did it, but then you have to take action from there. No one can make that first step for you, but you.
xx
See guys – Told you she was awesome! Check out her blog Lanisays.com / Follow her on Twitter@LeilaniJM / search and ‘like’ her on facebook (Search ‘Lanisays’) and get your daily dose of Lani on instagram (@lanisays) xx
