you're the birthday, you're the birthday, you're the birthday boy or girl!

So guess what, it's my birthday today!! I am one of those weirdo's who LOVE their birthday - but having said that, I pretty much love everyone else's birthday too. What is better than having a whole day dedicated to making someone feel special and fantastic?

My boyfriend surprised me this morning with balloons and then he took me out for breakfast at one of the local cafes. People at work have been fantastic & I've had lots of birthday wishes, plus tonight the BF is taking me out for dinner. I'm going to be a little rounder tomorrow I think!

Cheers to a fantastic year ahead - I'm feeling really inspired and positive.

Know Your Colours & Know Your Fabrics, That's What I Tell All My Girls

So unless you're under a fashion rock, you'll know the Emmy's Red Carpet just happened! My favourite gowns have been either textured or included that slightly off-beat sense of detail like the aqua gown work by Cobie Smuthers (above) or the fire engine red gown worn by Lea Michele (top).

Something that must have all the stylists jumping for joy is the fact that the various Fashion Weeks (New York, London, Milan & Paris) co-incide with the Emmy's, making it easy to nab a frock hot off the runway.

My fave looks from NY Fashion Week coming soon btw.

Back in my real world in Melbourne, it's crazy town as far as the weather goes. Today 29 degrees, tomorrow 18 degrees. What to wear, what to wear? Luckily we're doing casual clothing at work this week because of various in-house meetings, so it's not as challenging as trying to work out layered office clothes imo.

It's Been Way Too Long

OK, it's been 100 years too long since my last post! Truthfully, a lot has happened, so I do have a small excuse :)

The main thing is that I have a new job! For two whole months now I've been out of the recruitment world and back into the creative world, which has definitely been a breath of fresh air. I think it was one of those circumstances where I didn't realise just how unhappy I was at work until I was out of that situation, you know?

Of course nothing is ever going to be 100% perfect, but my new role is pretty fab. The hours are shorter in general, I only work half a day ever Friday on top of that, and the role itself is a lot more "me". This even comes down to wearing what I want and listening to music all day - woohoo!

I've also been a lot healthier since I started my new job. It just goes to show how stress really can impact your immune system.

My sister is currently in town, and I can't wait to go shopping with her. We've also got a beauty day planned, which will be lovely.

On top of this, B & G are in town for their Melbourne wedding! B was the one who introduced me to S, so as well as being a great friend to both of us, she will always have the kudos for our relationship too. Can't wait to see her get married, and I'm sure I will tear up a little.

My friend D is pregnant with her second baby! I'm so excited for her and M to bring another gorgeous child into the world. Makes me quite clucky too :)

I hurt my foot toward the end of last year, and even after months of physio it didn't improve 100% so I have recently gone to a podiatrist. Looks like I will have to have shoe inserts....thank goodness for shops like Camper and Ecco who stock pretty, comfy shoes. It's a bit of an adjustment for me, who has loved heels for so long, but hopefully if I'm good for a while the issue with my foot will resolve itself or at least improve mostly.

Things are still amazing with my S...he really is the most fantastic guy and I love him to pieces. I get to laugh with him every day and feel loved...what more could you want?

Well I'd better sign off - but hopefully now I've broken the blogging drought and will be back sooner rather than later.

xoxoxox

More A/W 2011 Inspiration

How cute is this outfit from Paper Crown? Love! Can totally see this working for different occasions and even reworked a little for the office.

So Sydney was AWESOME! The whole weekend was 20 degrees, sunny and gorgeous. In comparison, this morning in Melbourne it's 4 degrees! Crazy.

We went to a few cool pubs - The Local, The Lord Nelson, The Argyle, had cocktails at the Opera Bar, great dinners (mostly asian), found the Sydney equivalent to Weekender and spent a day in Manly by the beach.

Zara was a real disappointment though! My friend C and I both felt it was like a big jumble sale with clothing hard to see, hard to find the right sizes, massive lines to even try stuff on...and in the end we decided to leave without trying anything on. We both ended up finding really nice things at Witchery, French Connection and General Pants, which of course we could've done in Melbourne too, but oh well.

Maybe when people get over the excitement of Zara it will be better? The Melbourne shop opens in June I think, so we'll see. Oh, and I also found out that typically the Zara sizes are only for skinny minnies, which sucks a bit. A UK friend told me that they really only go up to a size 12. Hopefully the Oz versions will be a bit more figure-friendly.

This weekend is going to be a nice, quiet one for me. Next weekend is a Hens Night and the following weekend my brother's birthday, so I'll need to store up some energy I think!

Holidays & A Trip To Zara

I've been pretty neglectful of this blog lately - just been quite busy with writing for Hills2City, as well as doing my full-time job.

But in exciting news - my trip to Sydney is finally here! My boyfriend is going to be up there all week for work, and I (as well as our friends C & P) fly up Thursday after work. We're staying until Sunday afternoon in a serviced apartment in the CBD.

Even though it's been quite rainy in Sydney lately, I'm so set for a holiday I don't even mind. Me and C are really excited to check out Zara (the Melbourne one doesn't open until June) and I'm really looking forward to catching up with my Sydney-based brother, H.

Next trip after this won't be until mid-August and is a trip home to Perth for my sister's 30th birthday. Then S & I will be back again at Christmas.

We've just had the fantastic 5 day weekend for Easter & ANZAC Day so this weekend at it's standard two days has certainly felt quite short. I've completely decided that I could definitely do the three day work week from now on. At full pay, of course! If only.

Hmm, feels like I'm stuck a little right now. Bring on the long weekend holiday in Sydney-town!

Inspirations for Autumn

How gorgeous has it been in Melbourne lately? I really do love this early to mid-20's business so keep it up! All the better to try the new season trends...

It's been a whirl of work and parties lately in my life, so this weekend I'm very much looking forward to sleeping in, hanging out with my boyfriend and taking it easy. We might go see a movie and do a yoga class or something but that is it.

Work has been up and down - things have gotten extremely busy for various reasons this year and unfortunately a lot of it is on my shoulders to take care of. Most of the time here I'm treated really well too, but recently there's been a bit of stuff happening that makes me think twice. I won't say any more but there's my little vent.

Still having fun writing and it's motivating me to be creative in other ways, or at least I'm planning some creative projects. Now to find the time to actually execute them!

Payday this weekend thank goodness, so time to start dreaming and plotting my new season wardrobe I think. I'm absolutely loving all of the camel and neutrals mixed with black (see Lauren Conrad above for one of my inspirations) and am in serious lust for a pair of flat ankle boots, black of course.

Mwah x

Bella!

Something Old, Something New

I'm in the process of going through my old Mac and transferring all my files, so have been going through a lot of old stuff and came across these styling pics from years ago in London!

Have heaps more so might do a few extra posts with them :) Makes me wish sometimes that I was still styling, or at least that it was still a part of my life. Really enjoying the writing I've been doing the past few months and will be covering New York fashion week in a couple of days, so that will be fun!

Hmm, what else has been going on? Work has been pretty insanely busy with me taking on some more duties too, so apart from spending time with my parents on their recent Melbourne trip I haven't been too social.

It's the boyfriend's birthday this weekend though, which should be a big one! Have a few fun trips planned this year too - Sydney in May, Perth at the end of July and several weekends away (romantical of course).

Swoon

Two things I am currently in love with - these shoes worn by Olivia Palermo (pretty sure they're Manolos) and this photo of Keiser Karl and Blake Lively. Swoon!