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 peeps. Man, have I been slack on blog posts or what? Hope everyone had a wicked Easter weekend filled with relaxation and treats. All I did was eat chocolate for breakfast, pinned some stuff on Pinterest and way too busy sleeping in – Life is roooough 
So it’s back to work today and back to getting things done. Updates.. In January, I started a new job as a PA and I think I’ve only enjoyed it because I’m actually half-way decent at it (not to blow my own trumpet or anything..) I think it’s the “working under pressure” bit I like and having to be super organised really fits with me. I’ll be attending a PA workshop at the end of the month, so if I learn anything useful and worth sharing – I’ll let you lovelies know. xx
Some pics and updates on stuff I’m totally obsessed with right now..
I’m loving Harney & Sons tea I picked up from Moore Wilsons the other week! The tea comes in silken sachets and there’s 20 of them in there – Just look at that super cute tin, I’m definitely keeping it on my desk to add some “prettiness” to it.
My good friend, Mao got my very own Shamballa bracelet in pink. I’m loving it – she’s so sweet! xx
Me at Dinner the other night for Tipo’s mum’s birthday at Osteria Del Toro
Goodness – what a massive meal I got here and the “large flat white” was as big as my head! Waaay to much coffee that day haha
yesterday on our walk and grabbing a quick bite to eat.
Wellington Fashion Week opening party is tomorrow night so I’ll make sure togive you a little update on that. Have a lovely day, I’m off for my morning coffee – Ciao! xx
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
A day marked on March 8th every year that celebrates and represents the triumphs from struggle for equality, justice, peace – international women’s day is a day to celebrate and honour women’s contributions to history.
I have so many women that I admire, but I want to share a few of my favourite women – I love them because they have all contributed to widening the scope of any little girl’s dreams… Who are your favourites? xx
Diana, Princess of Wales.
1961 – 1997
Princess Diana will always be remembered for her charm, humanitarianism and charity work.
Meryl Streep
1949 -
Meryl Streep is absolutely excellent at what she does and has played an array of facisnating woman – always inspiring.
I love this woman.
Oprah Winfrey
1954 -
This list would be nothing without Oprah Winfrey. One of the most influential people in the world.
Coco Chanel
1883 – 1971
“Fashion fades, only style remains the same” – Coco Chanel / Fashion icon, the epitome of classic and elegant.
Beyonce Knowles
1981 –
One of the greatest women in music – hardworking and sets out to empower women all over the world. She’s aaaamazing. What can’t she do?!
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’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
For the past few days, I have filled my time with anything that’s stress-free. There’s nothing better than just taking the time out to do the things you never manage to make time for. On Friday I visited ‘The Stress Exchange’ located at Mt Vic in Wellington for my first “girly wax” session. Can you believe that I’ve never gone and done it before? It felt like my journey through womanhood was missing something. I arrived to The Stress Exchange ready for my pamper time with a warm welcome from the lovely receptionist, Alena. Alena is a good friend of mine so she made sure I received the best service and was offered a hot cup of green tea at my arrival – bliss. I went into the beautician’s room and felt totally relaxed, the ambience was calming and the beautician, Doris made my experience totally comfortable. They will definitely be seeing me again! I love the name of the day spa “The Stress Exchange” as the place really does give you a sense of escape from everyday demand and a relaxing environment to care for myself. If you’re in the area, drop by and book a self-caring spa treatment xx
On a cold and stormy Saturday night in Wellington, Tipo and I went out a cute little double date with our friends. We went out for dinner & wine then went to go see Taken 2 at the cinema to end the night. The food was delicious, we never go wrong when we have dinner at Ozeki – great Japanese food for a decent price! We all ordered something different from each other which is always great because you get to see what everyone gets when it comes to the table – I got the Teriyaki chicken w/ all sorts of other goodies (Tempura vegetables and seafood is my faves! ) Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend xx
