Kenzo Spring/Summer '12 launch at The Corner Shop

3. Benah Tara in glossy navy croc / 4. Carven slingback pumps

Last night, I had the privilege of attending the Kenzo launch at one of Sydney's premier boutiques, The Corner Shop in The Strand Arcade. Guests were treated to Moët champagne, Peroni beer and a selection of canapés as they mingled with one another and perused the Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The new creative directors of the French luxury label, Humbero Leon and Carol Lim, were inspired by the history of the brand, yet adding a sense of youthfulness and fun to the mix. Personally, I think it has the capacity to make you stand out (in a good way) should you choose to wear it during winter. The cool hues work a treat against a neutral palette.

I also couldn't help but take a few more photos of a few non-Kenzo accessories, such as the highly coveted Benah Tara in glossy navy croc ($475), which looks spectacular, as well as the electric blue suede bow slingback pumps from Carven ($495). These are sure to be the standout accessories during autumn/winter!

If you're already buzzing at the sight of these photos, I suggest you contact them, with the details below...

The Corner Shop (Strand Arcade)

Shops 80-81, Level 1, The Strand Arcade,

412-414 George St,

Sydney NSW 2000

(02) 9221 1788
strand@thecornershop.com.au

A big thanks to Deb and Sahra for making this possible. Thank you, ladies!

On My Desk

It's amazing how much junk you accumulate over the months when you don't continue any form of maintenance. For that reason, I decided to give my desk a once over and now it looks spotless! Storage on your desk is just like storage in your handbag. It tells a lot about a person and judging from what I had for many months, I would put it down to being busy. Ha! I still haven't had the chance to look at the March 2012 issue of Harper's BAZAAR Arabia featuring Irina Shayk, but I will soon. Hopefully.

Live Review: Children Collide + Deep Sea Arcade + Palms - Metro Theatre (24.03.12)

jbhifionline

I decided to set myself a personal challenge and attend a gig on the basis of only knowing the featured bands' names, as well as listening to a few songs, skim style. It was strange how the Metro Theatre felt so familiar, yet foreign as I watched Children Collide, Deep Sea Arcade and Palms successfully give it all they had. The rowdy crowd also decided to chime in. To find out more, read about my experience... on The AU Review: http://www.theaureview.com/sydney/live-review-children-collide-deep-sea-arcade-palms-metro-theatre-24-03-12

Benah Tara

MYCHAMELEON.com.au Official Facebook

It all started with the Kodi. Now cult accessories label, Benah, is once again sending us all into a frenzy with the imminent release of the Tara. Available exclusively at mychameleon.com.au for $560, the matte navy croc Tara is sure to be the must-have bag this season. Who said that classics had to be boring!?

Vogue Paris April 2012

beautyisdiverse

It has been a long time since we have seen Doutzen Kroes on the cover of Vogue Paris, dressed glitzy and glamourously in Givenchy. Editor-in-Chief, Emmanuelle Alt, should be given props for bringing back the Dutch model to the forefront of her magazine. Other notable re-appearances also include the photogenic Edita Vilkeviciute, another one of my favourite models who I find to be extremely underrated. For those reasons alone (plus the fact that Lanvin's Alber Elbaz is featured), I'm looking forward to scooping up this issue!

Dinner and Movies (x 2)

On Friday night, I went to Glass Brasserie and ordered the O’Connor Scotch Fillet with béarnaise and fries matched with a glass of 2009 Logan Shiraz from Orange, NSW, all for the grand total of $40. Unfortunately, this offer will end tomorrow night, so I highly recommend any Sydneysiders who are looking for a great meal at a reasonable price to check it out!

After dinner was digested, I was in the mood for some light entertainment in the form of a movie, so we migrated to Event Cinemas and grabbed a ticket to see the hilarious 21 Jump Street, featuring Oscar nominee, Jonah Hill, and Channing Tatum. In all honesty, the cinema was in hysterics all the way through the film (including myself) and we got to see a rising star in Dave Franco... who was delicious in his role as the villain. The chemistry between Jenko/Doug (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt/Brad (Jonah Hill) was also fantastic, especially when they became an unlikely pair and fed off one another to overcome their individual obstacles.

thesevensees

I was also anticipating a great night on Saturday night. One of the things I look forward to in March is the annual French Film Festival. This means I would usually plan an evening in Leichhardt by having dinner in the Italian Forum, browsing the shops on Norton St and finally watching a movie of my choice at the Palace Cinemas.

I kicked things off with a delicious dinner at Sapore Della Vigna (near the fountain) and ordered a customised Penne Al Pollo, which comprised of penne pasta with pan fried chicken, sun-dried tomato and avocado in a napolitana and cream sauce. My boyfriend chose the fettuccine carbonara, which he devoured without delay.



After dinner was done and dusted, I headed over to the cinemas to watch "La Délicatesse," featuring the divine Audrey Tautou. She plays a charming woman as Nathalie Kerr, who finds herself in an unexpected turn of events surrounding her relationships with a few men.

theiapolis

The man Nathalie eventually falls in love with, Markus Lundl, is one of the most peculiar characters ever created for film. You can't help but side with him and laugh along at his antics and his mannerisms. Definitely a must-see and not your typical romantic comedy.

In hindsight, both films are similar in the way that two polar opposite people are thrown together, eventually form a strong bond and make their relationship work through mutual understanding and appreciation.

The Little Things

glasshousefragrances / petersofkensington

For a while now, I've seen (and smelled) a variety of these Glasshouse candles in action. While most of them are not exactly my personal preference, the 'Marseille' candle is very much at the top of my shopping list. Mainly due to the fact that I love the fragrance of gardenias and how I can imagine the floral notes to exude a lovely scent throughout the room.

Another 'must' is simply using the Alessi Big Love Ice Cream Spoon more often. I have recently run out of my usual supply of Connoisseur Cookies & Cream, which means that I need to hastily seize some more and when I do, slather on Ice Magic and go, go, go! The funny thing is that I would never dare use this spoon for anything other than ice-cream and even then, on occasion.

They say "home is where the heart is," however, it's nice to be able to treat yourself by doing something so ordinary and having it give you a feeling of bliss. Sometimes it's doing the simple things in life that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and for the most part, it's usually when we are doing the smallest of acts in a repetitive fashion that we forget how enjoyable they are until we have lapsed in our methodical mannerisms. Every now and then, it's the little things that make our lives just that little bit sweeter. Pun intended.

South by Southwest 2012

soundmagonline

To anyone who is going to South by Southwest (SXSW) this year, they have no idea how lucky they are! After viewing the extensive line-up, I bottled it down to 12 acts that would make my idea of a successful conference visit. Here they are (in alphabetical order):

12 Highly Anticipated Acts of SXSW 2012

1. Candy Claws
2. Craft Spells
3. Jay-Z
4. Kasabian
5. Metric
6. Miike Snow
7. Neon Indian
8. SBTRKT
9. Scattered Trees
10. Skrillex
11. The Shins
12. Tycho

South by Southwest 2012
March 13 - March 18, 2012
Austin, Texas
$750 (Music)

A Fine Frenzy

Céline sweater/ self service magazine/glamour

Phoebe Philo is responsible for making a vast number of women go into fits of shopping rage wherever her Céline merchandise is stocked. The drones of devotees, labelled 'Philophiles,' followed the English designer's move from Chloé to Céline in a conscious effort to perfect their wardrobe with a minimalist style.

The same could be said for head of Chanel's make-up division, Peter Philips, and his followers in regards to the range of nail polishes on offer every season. There was never a waiting list for any beauty-related product until Jade or more significantly, Particuliére, came along. The latter became one of the most sought after shades worldwide due to it's transeasonal allure. Something tells me the next hue, Frenzy, has the potential to follow suit, as it is described as a "lavender-taupe-grey hybrid." Due to arrive on Australian soil in August and retailing for $39, that gives everyone plenty of time to run (not walk) to their local Chanel make-up counter and place their name on the waiting list. Minimalism has never looked so good.

The Face: Victoria Lee

Stefano Fabbri / frockwriter

For someone who has only started modelling in the last few years, Victoria Lee has already racked up an impressive portfolio. The 20-year-old Australian recently strutted her stuff on international runways for DKNY, Blumarine, Vivienne Westwood and Karen Walker, collaborated with the likes of Armani Exchange and Victoria's Secret, and worked closer to home to feature comprehensively in editorials for Grazia and Harper's BAZAAR. But wait, that's not all! Ms. Lee has also done a countless amount of local advertising campaigns and fashion week appearances.

Although the list seems impressive, it's surprising that most fashion aficionados would not be able to put a face to the name. Hopefully that will change with possibly her best effort yet, gracing the beauty pages of the April 2012 issue of Glamour UK, shot by Max Abadian, which can be seen here on the Priscilla's Model Management blog site. Surely it can only get better from here for the emerging model.

Falling

intothegloss

The weather in Sydney is becoming more erratic than ever, adopting the patterns of Seattle, one of the cities in the world I am dying to visit. The ceaseless rain has made me start to think of the upcoming season in autumn/fall and how I am looking forward to rugging up in a multitude of layers and getting into the routine of reading books again, courtesy of scented candlelight. Then, of course, there are also the habitual concerns of maintaining a moderate pH level of the skin and hair in such harsh and drying conditions. However, one final thing I anticipate is trying out new palettes of colour and working it into my well-developed canvas of basics.

Live Review: Neon Indian + Collarbones + Boatfriends - The Standard (02.03.12)

amazon

Last Friday night, I had the privilege of seeing Neon Indian at The Standard in Surry Hills, supported by Collarbones and Boatfriends. I was originally meant to see Alan Polomo & co. at Field Day 2011, but that never happened. However, attending the aforementioned gig re-affirmed my preference of sideshows over festivals. Here's my write-up of what went down that night... on The AU Review: http://www.theaureview.com/sydney/neon-indian-collarbones-boatfriends-the-standard-02-03-12