There's No Place Like Home-coming

Dresses to die for, heels to fight for: This is your all access guide to formal!

Prom. Formal. Social. Valedictorie or Home-coming. Whatever you call it, it’s undoubtedly the most important day of your social calendar, (if not your entire year). Forget what people say about your wedding day – because prom only happens once in a girl’s life! To kick off our formal series, we are looking to the Tommy Hilfiger Fall/Winter ’16 runway series for inspiration. In three words the collection is GOD. DAMN COOL. Okay, okay, three proper words that come to mind are: glamorous, effortless and chic. Keep reading for Part 1: The Undone Princess look if this sounds like you. (Or if you are neither of these things but aspire to look glamorous, you may also keep reading. Or if you just can't control your excitement as to what is about to unfold, and are unable to pull your eyes away, in which case I will be super flattered and you may also keep reading).

Unseparated tacky prom curls be gone! Here are some of my favourite formal hairstyles straight off the runway. 

Tommy Hilfiger definitely delivered in the hair department this season. There is something incredibly effortless, chic (and dare I say, French inspired) about the ‘I just rolled out of bed, stepped into an amazing dress and glided into prom’ look. Of course, this hair style isn’t quite as effortless as Gigi will have you believe. The secret is the juxtaposition between the undone and the polished: the messy hair with loose strands falling around the face, accessorised by a glamorous tiara or jewelled headband. If you love this look as much as I do, then here is some inspiration for your upcoming night! 

I love how this look can be achieved with any hairstyle. Regardless of whether you prefer a messy fishtail braid, an elegant bun or your hair down, the key is keeping a few strands of hair pulled out around the face for the messy look. Even better, this is how my hair turns out when I’m actually trying to make it look good. Which is usually frustrating, but perfect for this theme!

I love the dreamy feminine silhouettes of these dresses in shades of periwinkle blue and baby pink, contrasted against the harder leather jacket with the fur collar! It reminds me of something Suki Waterhouse would put together. Also, I don’t think I’ve ever considered wearing SOCKS to a formal until seeing what Hilfiger did with them- they undoubtedly deserve an honourable mention! Who knew you could pair socks with metallic platform heels and they would look so damn cute? This princess look would be incomplete without a touch of sparkle, as each of these runway looks have glimmering tones making it seem special for a formal event. 

What could possibly be more of a fairy-tale than the choker necklace? Its equal parts Cinderella and 90s grunge, making it a perfect addition to the ‘unpolished princess’ look. Whether you decide on something silver and sparkly, or simple and black, a statement necklace will MAKE your outfit. I wear chokers most days, so I love that you can incorporate something you wear regularly alongside something more dressy. I also pulled some pearl drop earrings which Hilfiger used in the show. 

If you find this look a little too princess-y for your liking then you can shove your tiara up your tinkle taco because we girls don’t get many occasions to be a princess for a day! After all, is it really too much to ask for a simple fairy tale? Kate Middleton has it, and I have much better style ;) 

Xx

Adventure Awaits

'I don't know about you but I'm feeling twenty-two'

Okay, not quite yet! But give me two years and every time someone asks me my age I'll be belting out these Taylor Swift lyrics

As I commence my 'twenty-something's', it seems like everyone's busy trying to create an Instagram worthy montage. Capturing everything from the heated atmosphere of a festival mosh pit, to the deep conversations held in the back seats on late night drives. It's like we are given ten years to explore, travel, fall in and out of love, let loose and create wild stories to tell kids at the dinner table. While simultaneously establish a stable career, a family and a home all by the time we are 30. 

Despite the modern day pressure to document a life worth Facebook stalking, its becoming more and more evident the need to disconnect ourselves from social media and enjoy life free of notifications. After all, the best memories are made spent with 'good friends on great adventures'. The memories I make in the next decade I'm sure will last a lifetime, but they wont define my lifetime. After all, your life doesn't start at 20 and end at 29. Needless to say like every 21st century kid, I will continue to document my life; broadcasting to the world what I'm having for dinner and the utter injustice of having the internet disconnected. I just hope I remember to watch the stars on a picnic rug late at night with the one I love, go on epic road trips, try the latest trends and styles that I will regret as much as noughties kids regret Crocs, travel to exotic countries, go on an insanely long hike, and live the adventures life has to offer. 

Even though I'm sure my twenties will wiz by like everyone tells me, I hope to use my camera as a 'save' button to capture as many memories as possible, so I'll always know adventure isn't far away no matter what my age. 

Apollo Bay- The Great Ocean Road 

Maroondah Reservoir 

I hope you enjoyed looking at snippets of places I've been so far as I'm sure there are many more to come.

xoxo

What Girls Say VS What They Really Mean

When I was in Primary school, my Italian teacher Signora Addamo used to say ‘Italian is the most beneficial language a person can study’. When I was in high school and began taking French, my teacher Madame Walshe would say the same.

I realise now that they were both totally and utterly wrong.

Navigating the complicated everyday language of "girl code" easily comes out on top. Since Google refuses to translate everything that we girls have to say, I think it’s my duty to help you out. Forget your French dictionaries, here are 20 things girls say VS what they really mean: 

1.    Aren’t you going to be cold wearing that? - You look like a hooker. Please put some clothes on.

2.    Yeah, you’re probably right - You’re wrong. I just don’t wanna seem like a dick about it. 

3. Can I just say one thing? - I highly disagree with you, and am about 2 seconds away from destroying your highly flawed argument.

4.  I am applying for this job to gain experience in the workforce - I need expendable income to fund my $55 lip liner addiction from Sephora; in order to keep up the rich person makeup lifestyle I’ve created for myself.

5.  I’m a great team player, I’m cooperative and love working with others - I literally hate everyone. 

6.  She’s one of those people who doesn’t really have a filter, like she just says whatever’s on her mind - She’s a total biatch. 

7. No offence, but… - What I’m about to say is highly offensive, so I’m covering my back so that you’re not allowed to get mad.

8.  I promise I won’t tell anyone – If I keep this juicy goss all to myself I will explode. I will tell only a few people, and when I do I’ll begin with ‘Promise you won’t tell anyone…’

9. Dinner’s Ready! – Dinner is still in the oven.

10. Just a second!! – I need another 3 minutes at least. Please stop pressuring me.

11. I hate it when people talk about me behind my back. Like, I never talk shit about anyone behind their back – The highlight of my LIFE is talking about other people when they’re not around.

12. Ughh I can’t wait to get off work – I’m just fantasising about what I’m gunna eat when I walk through the door.

13. I don’t care what anyone thinks about me – I care an astronomical amount about how people think of me. I’m just trying to seem cool by saying that I don’t.

14. I have nothing to wear – While I physically own clothing, all of my good clothes are dirty. Aaaand after scrolling through Insta and seeing some to die for outfits, I’m not feeling my wardrobe today

15.  Im fine - Here is an idea of where ‘fine’ lies on the spectrum of human emotion:

-       I’m buzzing

-       Yeah! I’m having  pretty great day

-       Everything’s kinda  same old same old

-       Ehhhh Not the best 

-       I am sooo not fine

-       I have never felt worse in my entire life!

-       I am going to burn down an entire village with the fire in my eyes while backstroke swimming through a pool of my own tears

-       I’m fine. 

16. What? Today’s my cheat day? – And yesterday. And the day before that if you count fast food. Okay every day is cheat day. 

17.  It takes me like 10 minutes to get ready in the morning – It takes me 45 on a good day

18.  I just want a guy who’s smart and funny – I just want a guy with supermodel good looks, tons of money, at least average intelligence, who also happens to be funny.

19. I have a philosophy major – I have no idea what the hell I'm doing with my life, and my $55,000  college degree is more useless than the drum set that Anne Frank got for Christmas

 20. I’m not thaaaat hungry – If you offer me something delicious, I will definitely eat it. If not, I can conveniently reiterate that I’m just not that hungry (without offending your mediocre selection of food). 

Whether you are a girl, or you know a girl (or simply know OF the female species since you attend an all-boys school),  I hope this list has proven just as reliable as Google translate. Which come to think, is really not that reliable at all. Okay... leaving now. 

Xx

Gigi Hadid Inspired Room

In three words, California born-and-raised Gigi Hadid is cool, calm and collected. Despite her supermodel status, enviable beach waves and closet brimming with designer clothing, Gigi’s sense of décor is refreshingly low key. White walls make her room feel open, bright and fresh. Flowing aqua curtains give the space a beachy vibe with a youthful kick. While an upholstered headboard and matching sofa bring an air of sophistication. It's no wonder that I couldn't resist examining her stylish ocean hideaway!

Gigi’s room has a colour palette comprised of white, aqua and beige/gold. All three colours come together in an intricate painting above her bed. On the other hand, this black and white portrait ties in with the bedroom's central beach theme, and avoids adding any more unnecessary colour.

Take notice of the texture used in Gigi’s lamp. Rather than experimenting with colour, she sticks with neutral tones and plays around instead with varying textures. More importantly, she has managed to keep her space looking neutral, while avoiding the stark and boring territory. All thanks to these different textures!

This sleek white shelving unit is versatile enough to suit any bedroom. This has been used to display photographs in mismatched white frames, keeping things clean and simple. Here we also see a bunch of awards and ribbons. One thing is for certain, Gigi likes to keep two things within her sight: her accomplishments and her inspirations. Luckily she avoids verging into ‘Toddler’s and Tiaras’ territory, (where contestants have their rooms filled with sashes and crowns), by dispersing her awards in amongst photos.

Just by arranging standard landscape 6x4” prints into three columns, Gigi has created a super simple and totally gorgeous photo collage! Notice how each photo contains splashes of aqua, or is taken at the beach. She has really stuck with this theme throughout her entire space. 

A white framed corkboard showcases more awards and little knick knacks. The painted white edges also help keep it looking fresh. 

Gigi Hadid Inspired Room by gabriellecapes 

While it totally sucks that Gigi's room doesn't include her hot BF Zayn Malik, the bestpart about her posh pad is that it can be achieved on any budget! With white walls, billowing aqua curtains, soft neutral bedding and an array of photographs, you can easily inject the same carefree California beach vibe into your own space! 

Xx