High Tea at The Victoria Room

All images by Katie & I taken on the iPhone4

Last weekend my favourite lady, Katie, & I took a step back in time indulging in a little majestic high tea at The Victoria Room.  Every time I set foot in the exotic British-Raj Victoria Room, I never want to leave. I could have quite happily set up camp in this ornate chair above... sigh... 

~ Clare x

Talulah - Autumn 2012 - Love in Navajo

I'm a huge fan of Talulah & have several pieces in my wardrobe but I believe the Autumn 2012 Collection: Love in Navajo, might just be their best collection to date. I'm so excited to get my hands on so many pieces from this collection!! Above are just a few of my faves - the one's that really blew my socks off!

~ Clare x

LILYA - "Elemental" - Autumn/Winter 2012

Loving this clip for Lilya’s A/W collection – Elemental, which hits stores next week!

Here's the low down on this beautiful collection...

Lilya's fresh and effortless appeal returns for the A/W 2012 collection with Elemental. Set against a lush forest backdrop of cascading leaves, Elemental re-visits designer Lisa Chedanne's most treasured form of inspiration — the natural world. To complement the collection, Chedanne has teamed up with videographer Nat Lanyon and stylist Mandy Shadforth (of blog Oracle Fox-fame), to create a stunning campaign video. Telling the story of the collection in sweeping landscapes and thought-provoking detail, the natural inspiration and bohemian aesthetic at the core of Elemental is vividly portrayed in each and every frame.

Seamlessly fusing the label's laid-back aesthetic with a fashion-forward edge, Lilya's signature soft cotton violes mix with butter-soft leathers and suedes, all-over embellishments, open weave crochet and shaggy knits, building rich looks with layers of contrasting texture. With a base palette of burnt cinnamon, pebble grey and olive peppered with vibrant raspberry, jade and coral — the colours take their cue from a rich autumnal landscape. The earthy-inspired tones are carried throughout the collection with a print component that sees tonal plaids and stripes mix it with 90's-inspired liberty florals and geometric diamonds.

Focusing on stylish pieces for the everyday, Elemental exudes Lilya's acutely wearable appeal; fluid jersey pieces effortlessly drape the body, with soft volume is achieved through floaty maxi skirts and bell-sleeved dresses. In true Lilya style, delicate detailing like ruching, tucks, ruffles and lace trims add soft definition, while tailored shorts and peg-leg trousers lend a structured edge to the label's carefree vibe.

Hero pieces for AW 2012 season include the shearling-trim vest and jacket and the high-neck cable-knits, while the copper-toned sequin Meteorite dress makes the quintessential winter-season party frock.

http://www.ilovelilya.com/
Videography/Direction by Nat Lanyon
Style director: Mandy Shadforth
Model: Talia Richman
Hair & Make up: Pru Edwards

Happy Australia Day!

Images: One, Two, Three

Happy Australia Day! I'm actually at work today, but I can see plenty of people outside my window enjoying the sun, frollicking on the sand & in the water at the beach. Aaahhhh, so jealous. So, for the Aussie's out there, what are you up to today?

I had a wonderful night last night enjoying one of my favourite bands, Mariachi el Bronx, at The Metro. They're so crazy! They supported Soundgarden last night as The Bronx at the Sydney Entertainment Centre & then came over to The Metro to headline their own gig as Mariachi. They were amazing & so full of energy you would never believe they had just played to the entire Entertainment Centre already!

Other exciting news today, KARL has now been released on Net-A-Porter! Check it out.

~ Clare x

Dita for InStyle & Lovely Links

Ananas à Miami

I'm head over heels in love with these pictures of Dita Von Teese taken by Douglas Friedman for InStyle, February 2011. Now, I have a pretty decent shoe collection but it's nothing compared to the picture above. I simply adore the dressing table and the cosy, elegant library with the velvet lounge. For more photos click here.

More Lovely Links...

Wintry Escapes - check out these phenomenal ice hotels

Strapped for Cash? I'm certainly on the saving bandwagon this year - Here's 10 Fantastic Ways to Save Money

Gotye, Somebody That I Used to Know - a most beautiful cover by the talented kids "Walk off the Earth"

F. Scott Fitzgerald - in love with these art deco book covers by Coralie Bickford-Smith

Love Gallery Walls? I do! - Learn How to Hang a Gallery Wall at Glitter Guide

Closet Visit - J'adore the home & style of screenwriter, Deborah Kaplan

Destination Brides - my bestie is having a Fiji wedding this year. Check out her reasons for planning a destination wedding over at Polka Dot Bride

Delicious Photography - Tamiz Photography will be shooting the above destination wedding. Check out their amazing talent.

Wishing you all a wonderful week. Happy year of the dragon! The symbol of magic, alchemy, and transformation, according to the Astro Twins.

~ Clare x

in love with... Ellen von Unwerth

So, after my last post I decided I simply had to share more of my favourite photographs by the awe-inspiring Ellen von Unwerth. 

Each of these images take my breath away!

~ Clare x

Credits:

Fashion Indie, Rach the Good, friends lovers chocolate, French Psycho, visualizeus, Stocking Vixenette

Babes in Mobland

Anyone else obsessed with Boardwalk Empire? I can't get enough of it! So naturally I'm in love with this Vanity Fair shoot with the oh-so-sexy ladies who star in the hit TV series; Aleksa Palladino, Gretchen Mol, Kelly MacDonald & Paz de la Huerta. Photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth at the Catalina Beach Club in NY.

Images: Vanity Fair

Wishing you all a most glamorous day. I'll be dreaming of times gone by...

~ Clare x

...and so the New Year begins...

 I do so hope everyone enjoyed their holiday festivities whatever they may have entailed. Here's a little snap of my Mum's pretty Christmas table where we sat for a gourmet feast for lunch!

 Lindt chocolates, the way to my heart!

My bestie, Katie & I getting up to mischief on NYE.

Life is not quite back to normal for me yet as I'm still performing a children's show for the rest of the week. Should be all settled again by next week... Not sure I want things to go back to normal... I prefer a little spontaneity, do you?

~ Clare x

Feliz Año Nuevo

Happy New Year's Day!

I hope you all had a magical New Year's Eve. I'm mighty curious to hear what everyone got up to. I have hosted a party at my home the past 6 years. This year we moved house and I decided not to host anything this time. We went to a house party instead. It was bliss! No mess to clean up, no crazy cooking and house cleaning preparations. Just get myself dolled up & head out.

Here's to a wonderful 2012 full of amazing new experiences, exciting surprises & learning new things. As I mentioned in this post, I hope to learn all about being less judgemental and more tolerant. I've also decided to set aside much more time for loved ones this year. I've pretty much burnt myself out doing too many overlapping shows at once this year, neglecting my poor hubby & friends as well as leaving myself no "me time". This year I need much more balance. What are your resolutions?

Bisous!

~ Clare x

PS: I also want to add that I have enjoyed getting to know many of you over this past year or so and I really look forward to hopefully getting to know more of you lovely readers! Leaving you all with an oh so gorgeous little ditty by Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordon-Levitt...

Top Image: The Glitter Guide