With summer officially over in Sydney, I was thrilled to be invited to the Whitsundays for a long weekend as a guest of Tourism Queensland. Having never been further north than Brisbane, I couldn’t wait to experience what Far North Queensland had to offer. Since starting This Island Life, I’ve travelled the world in search of the best beaches and islands on the planet. But it turns out, some of the most incredible were right here in my own backyard.

The Whitsundays is group of 74 islands located smack bang in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef – the largest coral reef in existence and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It’s actually the only living thing on earth that’s visible from space!

We flew direct from Sydney to Hamilton Island and hopped off the plane just two hours later in what can only be described as a tropical paradise. The sun was shining, there were palm trees everywhere and our transfer was by boat. We headed over to Airlie Beach on the mainland for a two-day blogging conference before making our way to the exclusive Hayman Island by HELICOPTER!

Over four idyllic days we island hopped around the Whitsundays by boat and chopper, where I shot the latest bikinis for our new Bikinis of the Month section, made awesome blogging buddies, frolicked on the best beach in Australia, drank champagne like it was going out of fashion and learnt the coolest island life fact ever.

Did you know? If a starfish gets lonely, it can detach one of its five arms to grow a ‘special friend’. A starfish arm takes around a year to grow into another starfish, and their arms regenerate.

I loved the Whitsundays so much I’ve already booked a girls long weekend to Hamilton Island in October YAY! Stay tuned, because over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing our stories from this magnificent part of Australia.

Flights go daily from Sydney and Brisbane direct to Hamilton Island with Jetstar and Virgin Australia. We used Whitehaven Beach Day Cruises for our transfers. For more information on how to get there, visit Tourism Whitsundays.

Have you been to the Whitsundays? Which was your favourite island?

Ksubi are having an online flash sale and these leopard print cut-offs are only 30 bucks! Forget paying 200 bucks a pop – Ksubi are clearing last summer’s stock and have heaps of denim shorts in different cuts and colours for between 30-50 bucks including my favourite ‘Alberceque’ style. I picked up three pairs at their last warehouse sale in Sydney and have literally lived in them every since.

If you haven’t tried the ‘Alberceques’ on before and are not sure about buying them online, here’s what you need to know. They are a really nice relaxed fit that seems to flatter most body shapes. Ksubi sizing in general runs a bit small – I’m usually a size 6 in everything, but I couldn’t even do up the 24. I prefer my denim cut-offs to fit a bit looser, so I went with the 26.

It’s not just short shorts up for grabs, this Ksubi sale has both guys and girls covered. It’s only running until 9pm Sunday night (AEST), so get shopping and head on over to the Ksubi online flash sale!

My Ksubi ‘Alberceques’ feature heavily on Instagram – follow This Island Life on Instagram for more!

Sponsored by Schwarzkopf Australia.

Messy beach waves look amazing with a pair of cut-off Ksubi’s, but they’re not always suitable for every occasion or every outfit. I’ve got a few weddings coming up, so I’ve been looking for a style that’s polished enough to pair with a cocktail dress while still staying true to my casual low-maintenance style.

To get my step-by-step on how to achieve these glossy waves, head over to Schwarzkopf Australia.

Coordinated by The Remarkables Group

If there’s one Bondi local that knows how to rock a killer summer look, it’s super stylist Pip Edwards. With her sun-kissed balayage, year-round tan and effortless style, she’s the poster girl for fashiony beach style.  What we love about Pip is that she’s just at home in a pair of hi-tops on a BMX as she is in a sleek LBD and sky-high heels. Aussie labels like Sass & Bide, Ksubi and Zimmermann feature heavily alongside coverted international labels like Isabel Marant, Celine and A.L.C. Forget your usual monthly mag, all you need is Pip’s Instagram feed.

Images by Pip Edwards on Instagram.

1. Marle grey layering, Adidas shorts, Isabel Marant sneakers and a freakin’ cool BMX.

2. Red lips and a LBD by Sass & Bide.

3. New season Camilla and Marc and super blogger Bryan Boy .

4. Leopard-print Zimmermann bikini, panama hat and tortoiseshell frames.

5. Mis-matched bikinis and clashing beach towels.

6. Oversized Valley Eyewear sunnies, Isabel Marant tee and paint-dipped jeans.

7. Race day in Sass & Bide dress and Hatmaker headwear.

8. Slouchy summer pants, Isabel Marant sneakers and a Palm Beach pad!

9. Making a life vest look cool with a cream bikini and black trucker cap.

10. Balayage awesomeness and colourful prints by Romance Was Born. 

11. The Hawaiian shirt of our dreams by Isabel Marant.

12. Pretty in Sass & Bide polka dots for Polo in the Park.

13. Ksubi denim shorts, A.L.C shirt, Celine two-toned tote and a matt black Electra cruiser.

14. Mirrored bat sunglasses by Ksubi.

15. Nineties grunge in Converse kicks, flanno and old-school backpack.

On a hot summers night in New York last year, we were initiated into a world we’d only ever seen in music videos. We were at W.i.P (Work in Progress) – a club in SoHo that had recently become the scene of a pretty serious brawl over Rihanna after Drake and his posse had a waitress hand Chris Brown a note that read: “I’m fucking the love of your life”. HEAVY.

Fast-forward a few months to a random night at 1am and shit was gettin’ gansta, with curb crawlin’ trap beats and super bass pumping throughout the club. A bunch of homies who were thuggin’ out hard invited us to join their party and that’s when shit got real. As we walked into their private area, our new friends made it rain dolla dolla bills yo – literally showering us in one-dollar bills upon entry. They had their arms up in the air like kings of the club as their minions scuffled around on the floor scooping up the bills to repeat the shower sequence for the next guest.

Well played NYC, well played.

W.i.P is just as hipster as it is gangsta. Set in a converted warehouse, the club is a modern day version of Andy Warhol’s Factory with rotating art installations in progress that gives the club a unique vibe. You’ll find it on 34 Vandam Street (Between Varick Street and 6^th Avenue), open nightly, 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.

One of my New York peeps kept trying to recreate the scene wherever we went. “I’m trying to blog dude!”

If I could wear only one outfit for the rest of my life, it would be a silk robe and bikini. Perfect for lounging by the pool, nothing feels more luxurious than the touch of soft silk on bare skin. But we’re not talking about just any silk – we’re talking about Langdon LTD (luxury, textile, design).

Based out of the sunny shores of Australia, Langdon LTD is the workmanship of sisters Phoebe and Delia Langdon. Using the finest silks and cottons, they make beautiful kimono-style robes, scarves, clothes and cushions where they mix their hand-painted and hand-drawn designs alongside edgy geometric prints.

What do you think of our luxe poolside look? Would you rock it?

Photographer: Mike Flynn.

Models: Myself and the gorgeous Blair Rachael.

Location: The beautiful rooftop pool at Vibe Hotel Sydney (CBD).

Threads: Silk robes in Perfect Pear (and one that’s coming soon) and scarves in Kaleidoscope and Miami by Langdon, sunglasses Salt and Pepper Peach and Salt and Pepper Black Mirror by Pared, floral print bikini by Insight, white Brazilian Bikini Bottoms and String Bikini Top by Seafolly.

A big thanks to Vibe Hotel Sydney (CBD) for the delicious breakfast catering.

Ditching our local frigid waters and heading to warm tropical islands is what we’re all about.  Sure the surf at home is pumping in winter, but I’ll take tropical waves and boardies over a wetsuit any day. If the usual suspects like Bali and Fiji are driving you nuts with crowds, here are some options that should get you frothing like a young grommie again.

Samoa (Western Samoa)

Think of Samoa as Fiji 30 years ago – before resorts, before hordes of tourists and before surf camps were charging $300 a night for the privilege of perfect waves. Like Fiji, the Samoan locals are awesome, but in terms of waves it’s probably more like Tahiti.  Swell comes out of deep water and throws hard, so be prepared for a flogging when the surf gets big.

Flights go a few times a week from Brisbane and Sydney. I believe flights are running direct from Hawaii also – for about AUD$700 return. You’ll definitely need a boat as most of the best waves are at reefs too far to paddle. There are many good surf camps on the islands – The Samoana being easily one of the best with amazing food, accommodation and staff.

Solomon Islands

Who knows why more people don’t hit up the Solomon Islands.  The surf is perfect, the weather is sublime and the locals are some of the coolest people around.  Plus this joint is only two hours from Brisbane – everyone who goes wonders why they didn’t do it sooner.

The south facing coastline gets the bulk of the winter swells from Australia. There are some great resorts to stay around Gizo, like Sanbis Resort. Alternatively, the north-east coast cops all the North Pacific winter swells. If you’re willing to do some travel, this remote surfing paradise is dripping with virgin waves. Hit up Sol Surfing, for some eco friendly, sustainable travel that will have you surfing pumping waves on one of the most beautiful islands on earth.

Thanks to Nic Duncan for letting us use his killer pics. We haven’t had a chance to get over to the Solomon Islands yet, but they’re high on the ‘next trip’ list. See more more great surf shots over at Nic’s photography site.

Kiribati (Christmas Island)

No, not the detention centre for desperate refugees arriving by sinking boats.  Kiribati is about 2,000kms south of Hawaii in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  The island has few natural resources and relies on foreign aid and tourism. The stunning blue lagoon atoll brings a few lucky tousists by way of game fisherman, sailors and adventurous surfers. Those willing to make the trip are rewarded. The place is an untapped source of set ups, like the below.

Flights go once a week from Hawaii for about AUD$1,000 return.

This is one of the hottest swimwear shoots we have ever seen, so if your boss isn’t cool with tits and ass being splashed across your screen, you’re going to want to save this one for after hours.  Palm tree nipple covers, see-through mesh, bottoms hiked up where the sun don’t shine – LA-based swimwear label Minimale Animale sure don’t mess around.  With edgy cuts and sheer fabrics, their Spring 2013 collection toes the line between high fashion and pure sex. But enough with the teasing, you’re here for the shoot.

The best thing about attending Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is getting a sneak peek at what we’ll all be wearing next summer. So to help get you excited about warm weather fashion, we’ve curated our top 10 trends for spring summer 2013/2014 here in Australia.

1. Cobalt Blue

This electric shade of blue was on everything from hot summer dresses to bold monochrome suits. 

2. All White

This is one of our favourite summer looks, so we were very excited to see crisp whites dominating the runway.

3. The ‘Jacket Cape’

An on the shoulder, off the arms way of wearing your jacket that’s great for those who oppose winter fashion – it’s like wearing a jacket without the commitment.

4. Side Parts

The middle part was nowhere to be seen this year with side parts working their way into everything from straight and sleek down styles, to low ponytails.

5. Summer Suits

Glamorous pantsuits in colourful prints and solid shades stormed down the runway with plunging necklines and bare midriffs.

6. Aqua

Our signature shade featured heavily throughout the collections in soft pastels and tropical brights – we couldn’t get enough.

7. Neoprene

Neoprene is no longer just for wetsuits – designers showed off their skills creating ball gowns, swimwear and structured skirts out of the material.

8. Mirrored Sunglasses

The mirrored sunglass trend is going to be huge this summer with mirrored lenses in every colour of the rainbow.

9. Nineties Cool

With grungy flannos tied low around the waist, to sleek minimalistic looks reminiscent of the Kate Moss/Calvin Klein era, the nineties was in full swing.

10. Pajama Dressing

Shirts and pants got all matchy-matchy, with flowing silk used to create luxe pajama-like outfits made to see more than just the bedroom.

I love, love, love silk scarves and some of my favourites are by Sydney-based label Bay & Fyfe. In their third collaboration with artist Daimon Downey, the label have added three new prints to their ‘Pastel Zoo Collection’ and boy do they make a statement. The new prints include the flamingo, the snake and my personal favourite the puffer fish. Daimon’s iconic art is screen printed onto the luxurious silk by hand in an array of fabulous colour combinations.

Scarves like this aren’t just for wearing – frame one and hang it on your wall as art, or have the best of both worlds and tie one to a stick of bamboo (we got ours from Bunnings) for a flag-like decoration that you can detach to wear.

Worn with Zimmermann Elixir Frill Racer Bikini and Tom Ford ‘Cyrille’ Aviator sunnies.

This week, we’re following the summer to the Whitsundays in Far North Queensland YAY! We’ll be heading to paradise with the other Remarkables and our wonderful agents as guests of Tourism Queensland for a conference, sunshine and blogging fun. We can’t wait to share this beautiful part of Australia with you.

Follow our tropical bikini adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

There aren’t many things that take my breath away, but this Giant Swan pool toy is one of them. If ever there was an icon for a luxurious summer, the Giant Swan is it. More majestic than any other pool toy on the market, this chic monochromatic accessory covers the black and white swim trend off perfectly.

You don’t need access to a pool to make use of your Giant Swan. This year, we kicked off Australia Day on Rose Bay Beach at the biggest inflatable party we have ever seen. Head down to one of the Milk Beach parties over the summer and you’ll see everything from inflatable turtles and dolphins, to lilos and tubes. And remember, it’s not a party until the Giant Swan arrives.

Photographer: Mike Flynn.

Models: Myself and the gorgeous Blair Rachael.

Location: The beautiful rooftop pool at Vibe Hotel Sydney (CBD).

Threads: Sunglasses by Pared, blue print bikini by Anna & Boy and leopard print bikini by Corali.

A big thanks to Vibe Hotel Sydney (CBD) for the delicious breakfast catering.

On the other side of the world, there’s another Australian living an island life. In search of creative inspiration, photographer Claire Lloyd relocated to the Greek island of Lesvos and hasn’t looked back. Late last year she published her new book My Greek Island Home – a beautiful collection of photography and words that takes us inside her idyllic village life on Lesvos. If ever you needed encouragement to run away to an island in the Mediterranean, this book is it. Claire’s images capture the very essence of island life – the slower pace, the natural beauty, the magical energy. I’ve never been to Greece, but after reading Claire’s book, I get the impression that a holiday isn’t going to be long enough.

I’m half Greek (my family are from a tiny island called Ithaca) and always keen to find out more about the island life of my homeland. So I caught up with Claire while she was back home for Christmas and got the low down on what life is like on Lesvos. If you like what you see (it would make a great Mother’s Day pressie), order yourself a copy of My Greek Island Home on Amazon.

Photos by Claire Lloyd.

TIL: How did you end up living on the island of Lesvos?

Claire: I was living in London and I felt a little jaded. I didn’t feel grounded and I had a sense that I was not connecting with my creativity. I went to see my homeopath, Vicki. Vicki had been my homeopath for about 10 years so she knew me very well. I walked into her room and said I feel ungrounded and disconnected and she held up her mobile phone. It stopped me in my tracks. The image on the screen was of an old stone house in the middle of a field, beside it was a walnut tree and above it piercing blue skies. She said in her quiet way “ I have just bought a house on Lesvos, it’s a beautiful place, you should go and take a look, perhaps it’s your remedy. ” I was overwhelmed not only by the image but by Vicki’s openness and the generosity she showed in giving me something so personal. I ran with it, within a week I was there on the beautiful island of Lesvos with a friend. As soon as my feet touched the ground I felt a connection and for one beautiful week I travelled around the island under the warm spring sunshine looking for a small place where I could reconnect with myself and with my creativity.

TIL: How did ‘My Greek Island Home’ come about – did you always intend on documenting life on Lesvos in a book?

Claire: For years I had been an Art Director and Creative Director and was always working on projects for other people. I had worked all over the world and with some of the best photographers. I took the occasional photograph but really spent my time setting up photographs and choosing the right photographer to execute my vision.

I was inspired by Matthew, my partner who is an artist. Matthew bought me a cannon digital camera and said it was time I started taking my own photographs. It was a real gift, more than I realised at the time. I work very quickly and spontaneously so digital is perfect. When something moves me I know immediately how I want it to look and feel. With my new camera I started documenting our village life and it became very clear there was something emerging that was really special.

I bought myself a little book and began printing out images and placing them side-by-side, my art direction background. I had had my first book ‘Sensual Living’ published by Conran Octopus in 1998 and I had been asked many, many times when I would be producing another book. A good friend introduced me to Julie Gibbs at Penguin Lantern; Julie said she was interested in publishing me. At our first meeting I wasn’t sure what it would be but as I was leaving she said to me “do something that you love” and that was enough, it had to be my Greek island home. At our next meeting I showed her my little pink leather book, which I’d filled with photographs and tied with pink fabric tape. She just loved it.

TIL: A few of the photographs in the book are of your home on the island. How have your surrounds influenced its design?

Claire: All my homes have reflected their surroundings whether it be cities like London or Sydney or an island like Lesvos. Our house is a small village house in a rural area. My main aim was to keep it true to itself. I paired it right back and used the space as economically as possible. The house has been kept very rustic unlike any city home we have ever had. It is more cluttered than any others too as Matthew continues to create, it’s not just painting now he makes a lot of things and as he is a tip rat finds treasures and he can’t resist bringing them home. In our house everything is painted my favourite colour, white.

TIL: What’s your favourite room in the house and why?

Claire: Last spring we made a new room off our bedroom upstairs. The room is only small but it has the most fantastic meditative energy. The ceiling is pitched and all the beams are whitewashed and exposed. There is a large window at the end and from that you can see into the garden. Down the left side there are two sets of double glass doors, which open out onto a small roof terrace. From there you can see over the whole village and out to the sea. Even on a cloudy day the room is lovely and light and on a sunny day it’s just perfect, it’s the most peaceful room in the house. I love it.

TIL: Have you furnished your home using locally made furniture and textiles?

Claire: When we got the house it was full of old furniture and textiles and we kept the best of them but Matthew has made most of the furniture. He really has come into his own on the woodworking front. He made our bed, our dinning room table and pretty much all of the cupboards. He also finds bits and pieces on the tip, which he restores; it’s brilliant.

TIL: Aqua and turquoise colours feature predominantly throughout your home – is this a reference to the clear Aegean waters that surround the island?

Claire: I was influenced by aqua, a colour that was used in the original house. I thought it would be good to reflect it somewhere and the doors and shutters seemed the obvious choice. I love white so all the rest of the house, walls, floors and ceilings are all bright white a mixture of gloss and matt paint. Aqua is a very pleasing accent.

TIL: What are the beaches like on Lesvos?

Claire: Not like Australian ones, that’s for sure. It’s the Aegean Sea, so there are no sharks for a start. The water is generally calm and flat and always looks incredibly inviting. Lesvos is a volcanic island so most of the beaches are pebbly. There are a few sand beaches and the sand is coarse. The island is large, it’s the third largest and there are some really beautiful spots so it’s worth exploring and going off the main routes.

TIL: What’s your favourite beach on Lesvos?

Claire: I have a couple of favourite beaches; one is Efthalou, which is north of Molyvos. From Efthalou you can see Turkey. The water is so beautifully clear. It’s a pebbly beach so you need rubber-soled shoes for getting in and out of the water. It also has a hot spring, one of many on the island.

TIL: Are there any other islands in Greece where you have felt a connection other than Lesvos?

Claire: I love Greece and when I was 23 I traveled around quite of the few of the islands, I have since visited others. I think I could have had lots of connections but Lesvos stood out at a time when I was open enough to embrace it.

TIL: What would you typically wear in Lesvos on a hot summers day?

Claire: Linen or soft cotton dresses with flip-flops or plimsoles and a light tan.

TIL: Winter on the islands can be very cold and dark. Where do you follow the summer to in the colder months?

Claire: Always Australia.

TIL: You’re originally from Australia. What do you miss most about your home country?

Claire: I miss my family, my Australian friends, the beaches, Sydney Harbour and the diversity of the antipodean landscape.

TIL: What’s your favourite summer drink?

Claire: Can I have three please; freshly squeezed lemon in cold water, Campari and soda with lots of ice, and a very cold glass of local white wine.

I bought these high-waisted bikini bottoms by Shakuhachi on a whim – I usually go for the skimpiest bottoms possible (I blame it on my time travelling through South America), but there was something about these that I just had to have. Steel grey with two stripes of black mesh, they are super chic and perfect to wear surfing. I bought them at the Shakuhachi warehouse sale for 20 bucks – the matching bikini top was nowhere in sight, so I’ve been pairing them with my trusty black triangle Tigerlily bikini top. Worn with Chronicles of Never sunnies.

Photos by James Page at Mackenzie’s Bay in Tamarama.

The last day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) was far less hectic than the beginning of the week, with the New Generation show being the main drawcard for us. With seven up-and-coming designers showcasing their collections, we were excited to see what this new crop of fashion designers had in store. While all of the collections were incredibly strong, it came as no surprise that the label I was wearing that day, was the one that stood out.

OFF THE RUNWAY

I saved my favourite outfit of the week for the last day. Made using super luxe silk, this cute matching culottes and sleeveless top ensemble by Natalie & Sarah is unbelievably comfortable and right on trend. The pyjama trend is still going strong and we can’t get enough of this summer inspired interpretation.

Natalie & Sarah silk top and culottes, Maui Jim sunglasses, BCBG Max Azria wedges and bamboo moon clutch from the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok.

We went backstage at Natalie & Sarah with our photograher Lizi:

ON THE RUNWAY

Natalie & Sarah

Having only recently set up shop at the Bondi Beach Markets in September last year, the talented duo are quickly gaining a reputation as a label to watch. Their fun and youthful collection tapped into a number of key trends, with a summer suit in a neon pink oriental print being the standout. After debuting at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia just six short months after starting the label, we can’t wait to see what the girls do next.

The beautiful resin bracelets and rings were by local label Gem Lettuce - we’ve already got our eye on a few pieces!

Photos by Lizi Hamer for This Island Life.

There’s a reason why fashion folk wear sunglasses inside and on day four it became abundantly clear. After three nights of blogging into the wee hours of the morning, I had no choice but to work the wanker look I’ve always mocked. Luckily, there was a bunch of great shows on the schedule to keep my energy levels up and my fashion week spirit high. Suboo surprised us by taking the plunge into neoprene, Emma Mulholland gave us an explosion of colour and Shakuhachi presented the summer collection of our dreams. We woke up to a picture perfect beach day, so I ditched my pre-planned outfit for something more casual.

OFF THE RUNWAY

We’ve had some killer summer weather in Sydney this week, so by the time day four rolled around, I was dying to get into a pair of my Ksubi cut-offs. I’m pretty sure three days is the longest I can go without wearing denim shorts. I fashioned them up wearing a Gary Bigeni cape jacket and a ridiculously high pair of BCBG Max Azria wedges. Worn with Maui Jim sunglasses, Bassike white tee and my Fuji X10 camera.

 
Fashion week is THE best place ever for people watching and day four did not disappoint.

ON THE RUNWAY

Shakuhachi

Cult-label Shakuhachi closed day four with a killer collection that had the audience clapping, gasping and cheering from their seats. With a collection this hot, there was no need for models to carry novelty props. Instead the designer let her clothes do the talking, sending models down the runway wearing one of the most wearable collections we’ve seen all week. Floral prints and mosaic-like netting featured heavily, with ladylike hemlines sitting alongside super short shorts. Round coloured mirror sunglasses and a low ponytail with a side part completed the look.

Colour palette: white, black, fuchsia, silver, gold, metallic lilac and metallic powder blue.

Suboo

Suboo moved away from their signature girly themed pieces and presented a collection with a new direction and a fresh aesthetic. The label replaced last year’s assortment of florals and lace with an edgy collection of sculptural neoprene pieces with clean lines and beautiful shapes. Looks like A.T.G won’t be the only ones stocking the shelves with neoprene bikinis this summer.

Colour palette: purple, white, black, grey, orange and cobalt blue.

Emma Mulholand

Emma Mulholland isn’t known for her subtlety, but tonight she had her collection set to ‘stun’. In what can best be described as Tank Girl goes to the beach on acid, guys and girls stormed the catwalk in splattered neon, translucent plastified tops and jacked-up silver kicks. Accessories ranged from fluro plastic ninja star bracelets to tribal necklaces and surfboard leashes. Emma’s collections are best had in small doses. A skirt here, a top there, but on mass we we’re almost overwhelmed. Our retinas are still burning. Oh it’s a deep burn!

Colour palette: all the colours of the rainbow.

Photos by Lizi Hamer and James Page for This Island Life.

We kicked day three off with Alice McCall, where the designer showcased one of her best collections to date. With an ocean theme it was the perfect prelude to We Are Handsome’s fun and playful collection of bikinis and boardies. There must have been something in the water, because they weren’t the only ones channeling the sea on day three. Watson X Watson sent cool surfer girls down the runway, with what could be our favourite beauty look of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA). And with the sun coming out, we snapped the fashion pack in some super sweet summer ensembles.

OFF THE RUNWAY

Unfortunately with Lisa Ho opening the day offsite, these guys were all running from one show to another. We caught them on their way into Alice McCall with some paparazzi street style shots.

I wore a beautiful neon yellow silk top and printed pencil skirt by up-and-coming label Natalie and Sarah. This is definitely a label to watch and we can’t wait to see their MBFWA debut at the New Generation show on Friday. Worn with Jeffrey Campbell wedges, Chronicles of Never sunnies and Alexander Wang bag.

ON THE RUNWAY

Alice McCall

Alice McCall drew on an under-the-sea theme for her collection, taking inspiration from German botanist illustrator Ernst Haekel and the Art Nouveau jewels of French artist René Jules Lalique. Her signature appliqué and cutout lace work gave reference to sea creatures with soft and rounded silhouettes, and transparent layering. Models wore hair in low ponytails with knots and texture, to look like they’d just emerged from the water. Powder blue lashes and silver rings on every finger completed the look.

Colour palette: navy, pale blue, pale peach, white, gold and grey.

Watson X Watson

The sister team sent surfer girls down the runway with casually tied-up beach hair, pretty pink lips and dewy, sunkissed skin. From the very first look, it was clear that grungy 90s surf culture was at play. Plaid prints, neoprene fabrics and unexpected layering with mesh under racer-back singlets and flannies tied around the waist. Models looked effortlessly cool carrying surfboards and a whole lotta attitude.

Colour palette: white, black, grey, nude and blue.

We Are Handsome

Staying true to the loud prints that they’ve become known for, We Are Handsome presented another solid collection of bikinis, one-pieces, leggings and mini dresses. This season they added sheer, floaty singlets and shirts (our money’s on the black and white tiger) to their repertoire, along with beach towels and board shorts for the guys. Models cruised the runway in beach cruisers that we can see right at home on the promenade in Bondi.

Colour palette: black and white, purple and red, green and tan, blue and pink.

Photos by Lizi Hamer for This Island Life.

With Ginger & Smart on in the morning and Maticevski in the afternoon, the A-listers were out in force today. The rain put a damper on our street style shots, but the beautiful fashion on the runway made up for it. Our photographer Lizi was back in the photograher pit, battling it out with some of the biggest names in the business. And we discovered an anti-winter fashion trend (on and off the runway), and gave it a test run.

OFF THE RUNWAY

The ‘jacket cape’

We’re only two days into fashion week, but already there’s a serious trend taking hold. Introducing the ‘jacket cape’ – an on the shoulder, off the arms way of wearing your jacket.  I suspect this has been going on amongst the fashion pack for some time now (I’m pretty sure I saw an episode of Being Lara Bingle where she was doing it with a Josh Goot puffer jacket), so it’s only a matter of time before it goes mainstream. Pop down to MBFW you’ll literally see every second person parading the look.

I thought it was pretty ridic, but then I tried it with my buttery-soft dove grey leather Maurie and Eve jacket and holy shit it felt good. It’s also great for those who oppose winter fashion – it’s like wearing a jacket without the commitment.

Maurie & Eve leather jacket, Chronicles of Never sunnies, BCBG Max Azria skirt, Jeffrey Campbell wedges, Dallas & Carlos necklace, Alexander Wang bag and Not Going Home singlet.

SPOTTED: Supermodel Jenifer Hawkins amongst the A-list crowd at Jayson Brunsdon.

ON THE RUNWAY

Ginger & Smart

Ginger and Smart opened day two with a breathtaking show that stayed true to their signature style of colourful graphics. Tropical floral prints mixed with prism-like patterns dominated the collection, working alongside a monotone palette. Summer suiting featured heavily with super cute cropped bustier tops peeking out from under jackets. Speaking of jackets – the show was pretty much a homage to the ‘jacket cape’. It takes a bit of practice getting it to sit right as one model found out when her jacket slid off her shoulders at the end of the runway.

Colour palette: navy, white, aqua, cobalt blue, emerald green and peach.

Talulah

Brisbane-based designer Talulah debuted her new swimwear collection alongside her ready-to-wear spring collection. This is how resort wear is done ladies. Slick monochromatic swimsuits were pared with oversized beach clutches that featured fringed tassels and subtle silver sequins. Prints were fun and playful in colourful florals and paint-splattered patterns. And chic all-white ensembles that were made even more glamorous accessorized with gold hoop earrings and arm cuffs.

Colour palette: Aqua, emerald green, cobalt blue, white, grey, light pink and fuchsia.

Maticevski

Maticevski sent models down the runway in a predominately white collection with Yves Saint Laurent’s retirement speech as the soundtrack. We were instantly transported to the Parisian countryside with ladylike silhouettes in soft, sheer shapes and structured peplums. Models carried multi-toned flower bombs as accessories with hair scraped into a chic chignon. Neoprene dresses and neon accents gave the collection a modern twist.

Colour palette: White, black, pale pink, neon tangerine, red and fuchsia.

Photos by Lizi Hamer for This Island Life.

This Island Life may have begun as a hobby, but it has now become an absorbing passion, fulfilling my dream to follow the summer to every exotic corner on earth and sharing my discoveries.

I am thrilled to announce that today This Island Life is joining The Remarkables Group – a blogger talent agency that manages partnerships between brands and bloggers. With the business end of my blog now being managed by my agent Lorraine Murphy, I can spend more time writing about what we all love. SUMMER!

I’ve been working with brands for a while now, so not much is going to change. I’m still only going to work with brands I love and products I believe in. And I’m still going to give you my honest opinion that is 100% my own and totally uninfluenced.

So get ready to discover more of the world’s best tropical beaches, swimwear designers, surf photographers, beach bungalows and bars, as we take the next step on this tropical adventure together.

The opening day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2013 went off without a hitch. We got there just in time to see our fashion favourites Pip Edwards and Nicole Warne (aka Gary Pepper) arrive. Camilla and Marc celebrated their 10th anniversary by opening the event, Bec & Bridge backed-up last year’s success with another solid collection, and swimwear label White Sands showed us their cheeky side.

For the first time ever, I’m at fashion week with my very own photographer (the talented Lizi Hamer), so I’m pleased to say that the photos you’ll see this week will all be our own.

OFF THE RUNWAY

Pip Edwards

We snapped super stylist Pip Edwards on her way into the Camilla and Marc show. Pip recently left her amazing job as Senior Accessories Designer for Sass & Bide to join General Pants Co as their new Design Director. Looking tanned and relaxed, Pip was rocking balayage hair and killer accessories. Her mirrored Richard Nicholl for Ksubi shades are now at the top of our post-fashion week shopping list. And her Balenciaga heels – well, they might require a bit more saving.

Nicole Warne

Fashion blogger Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage was there as ‘MBFWA Insider’ after signing with IMG’s Australian Talent division last week – making her the first Australian blogger to be signed by a major talent management company. She was dressed suitably in a Camilla and Marc outfit with a photographer in tow, looking cool, calm and collected.

We also squeezed in a bit of people watching.

ON THE RUNWAY

Bec & Bridge

One of our favourite shows at fashion week last year was Bec & Bridge, so we had high expectations for this label. It seemed we weren’t the only ones – by the time we got inside the venue, it was standing room only. Luckily the girls didn’t disappoint, sending models down the runway in a collection of Kate Moss (circa Calvin Klein) inspired ensembles. Clean and minimalist tailoring was perfected across bias-cut satin slip dresses, camisoles and pencil skirts.

Colour palette: navy, white, aqua, black, mulberry and salmon.

Camilla and Marc

So we’re taking our own photos this year, and we’re also still figuring out how things work. One of them being the photographer pit, which is basically a scrum of photographers with paparazzi-style cameras who each have a space the size of an A4 piece of paper – literally!  Lizi got elbowed to the back of the scrum, but like the true professional she is, still managed to get a few great shots. An opulent gold one-piece swimsuit was a standout for us, and we couldn’t get enough of the sheer black lace.

Colour palette: gold, black, white, orange, cobalt blue and red.

White Sands

With bouncy curls and bronzed legs, models strutted down the runway in an array of skimpy Brazilian-cut bikinis. I buy most of my swimwear from international labels, because Australian labels tend to have too much coverage. So it was great to see a label bucking the trend with skimpier than usual bottoms in nice summery prints. Florals dominated the collection in both pastels and brights.

Colour palette: aqua, black, coral and lemon yellow.

Photos by Lizi Hamer for This Island Life.

Image credit: We Are Handsome

That’s right, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) is back for another year and this time it’s got a new home. After outgrowing its waterfront location at Sydney’s International Passenger Terminal, MBFWA has relocated to Carriageworks. And for the first time ever, the shows will be broadcast live onto a giant screen in Martin Place. With establishment of the moment Pelicano putting on a pop-up bar with a South of France theme, you’ll be able to watch the models strut down the runway with a glass of something fabulous in your hand.

MBFWA only showcases spring and summer collections (YAY), so we can’t wait to see what our favourite designers and beauty experts have in store for us when the weather warms up. We’ll be at Carriageworks blogging live from Monday 8th through to Friday 12th of April. If you’re in Sydney and want to watch the shows live, take a look at the schedule. And ladies, if you’re wondering where all the straight men are in this town, head down to Pelicano when the swimsuit shows are on – it’s sure to be a dude fest.

You can also follow our MBFWA adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I still need to work out what I’m going to wear. Yikes!

Scents have the ability to evoke memory and emotion – they also have the ability to transport us somewhere else. Thanks to our new tropical-scented candles by Pigeon & Weasel in Coconut Lime and Citrus Sunset, we’re chillin’ on an exotic palm-fringed beach.

Pigeon & Weasel don’t make your usually girly candles, and it’s not just because of their edgy logo and cool tropical scents. Their triple-scented soy wax candles are hand-poured into recycled glass beer bottles that have been collected from their local drinking hole in Glebe.

There are 10 delicious scents to choose from including the summery blend of creamy young coconut and fresh kaffir lime, and cocktail of tropical citrus fruits that we’ve been burning simultaneously.  So pop into their online store, light one up and relax into island life.

Surf beaches are fun, but sometimes you just want to chill out and not worry about losing your bikini bottoms in the shore break or your sunnies under a rogue wave. That’s where Sydney’s idyllic harbour beaches come in. With water that gently laps the sand, they often feel a million miles away from their ocean counterparts and come with some of the best views in town.

1. Camp Cove, Watsons Bay

Located next to the tourist hotspot of Watsons Bay, Camp Cove has managed to maintain its locals only vibe. With a sandy beach that doubles as a backyard for some of the most exclusive waterfront properties in Sydney, this little cove is one of the most idyllic beaches in Sydney.

Local tip: Forget trekking up the beach to buy generic servo standard ice cream. The beach kiosk at Camp Cove sells a delicious array of home made sorbet in tropical flavours like rockmelon, mango and coconut.

2. Milk Beach, Vaucluse

Positioned behind the historic Strickland House in one of Australia’s most expensive suburbs, Milk Beach is one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets. Make your way down to the warm shallows and watch the seaplanes take off from Rose Bay while taking in views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Local tip: Make friends with the locals and you’ll find out why Milk Beach is known for its infamous summer beach parties where DJs play on the sand, hotties dance in the water, and the nautically blessed mingle from their boats.

3. Nielsons Park, Vaucluse

Next door to Milk Beach is Nielsons Park. Popular with families, the beach is like a giant pool with a shark net stretching almost its entire length. The sand is soft and the water is clear, but it’s best known for the huge heritage listed park that sits behind the beach. There’s also a delicious harbourside café, picnic tables shaded by fig trees, toilet facilities and scenic foreshore walks to explore.

Local tip: The beach is usually completely flat, but when a massive north easterly swell enters Sydney Heads, Nielsons Park becomes a secret surf spot.

4. Queens Beach, Vaucluse

Offering one of the best vantage points of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is Queens Beach in Vaucluse. This small patch of sand is located between Rose Bay and Milk Beach and is part of the Hermitage Foreshore track – a coastal walk that goes from Bayview Hill Road in Rose Bay to Nielsons Park.

Local tip: Hire a kayak or SUP at Rose Bay and paddle into Queens Beach for a hard-earned pit stop.

5. Lady Martin’s Beach, Point Piper

This picturesque harbour beach is divided into two halves with a jetty owned by the exclusive Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club splitting the beach into two. The beach is accessible only by a narrow lane that passes beside the club at the end of Wolseley Road, but this is one beach that’s worth tracking down.

Local tip: Pop down the road to the newly opened Sailors Club for a sundowner and watch the sunset over Rose Bay harbour.

6. Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay

Previously known as Redleaf Pool, Murray Rose Pool is a fenced off section of Seven Shillings Beach that’s located in Double Bay, There’s sand to lie on, shady patches of grass, toilets and showers and a decent a café, but the biggest draw card is in and around the water. The beach is shark-netted and has a boardwalk that runs around the top of the net, along with two sought-after floating pontoons.

Local tip: Sitting just above Murray Rose Pool are the perfectly manicured Blackburn Gardens. Pack yourself some delicious treats, grab an oversized sarong and make the most of one of the best picnic spots in Sydney.

7. Seven Shillings Beach, Double Bay

Next to Murray Rose Pool is Seven Shillings Beach – a semi-private beach that runs around the Point Piper waterfront. Public access is limited as at high tide it’s impossible for the public to use this beautiful stretch of sand without trespassing on the beachfront properties.

Local tip: Woollahra Library (the prettiest library in Sydney) overlooks both Murray Rose Pool and Seven Shillings Beaches – grab yourself a beach read, turn your mobile to silent and let the relaxation begin.

8. Kutti Beach, Vaucluse

Tucked between Parsley Bay and Watsons Bay, Kutti Beach is not easy to track down. Located at the end of Wharf Road next to the Vaucluse Amateur Sailing Club, beach access is down a narrow staircase. Follow it and you’ll discover a small row of beachfront mansions and their boathouses joining a perfect stretch of golden sand.

Local tip: If you’re feeling cheeky and the sailing club is closed, swim out to their private deck and use the harbour as your own personal swimming pool.

9. Balmoral Beach, Mosman

Surrounded by beautiful houses and expensive yachts, Balmoral is home to a stunning harbour beach with a sophisticated European vibe. There’s a promenade for lazy weekend strolls, a strip of restaurants and cafes, and grassy areas shaded by huge Morton Bay fig trees. It’s also the first beach out to the heads (the gateway to Sydney Harbour) so the water is always fresh and clean.

Local tip: Enjoy a sunset picnic on Rocky Point Island – a rocky outpost where you can relax on your picnic rug and take in views of the heads.

10. Lady Bay Beach, Watsons Bay

In New South Wales, there are only five beaches where nudity is permitted legally. Lady Bay Beach (also known as Lady Jane Beach) is one of them. So if you’re looking to get rid of a few pesky tan lines or you just want to go topless without bumping into your workmates, this is the place. This secluded spot is surrounded by rocky cliff faces and offers privacy from the neighboring Camp Cove.

Local tip: Lady Bay has a reputation as a gay cruising spot; so if you’re not into that scene you might be more comfortable chilling on the surrounding rocks.

We’re kicking off our new Bikinis of the Month feature with the fabulous Zimmermann Elixir Frill Racer Bikini. The super cute ruffle top is balanced out with a cool racer back and simple bikini bottoms – it’s girly with an edge. Worn with Tom Ford ‘Cyrille’ Aviator sunnies and Tara Wolf Chakra and Zodiac Bracelets.

Summer may officially be over in Australia, but that hasn’t stopped swimwear label Zimmermann from doing what they do best. They’ve released an exclusive sneak peek at their Summer Swim 2013/2014 collection and once again it’s nothing short of spectacular. Shot by Derek Henderson in the Australian countryside, the campaign features fresh-faced model Gabby Westbrook-Patrick in a beautiful array of swimsuits. Romantic florals and delicate ruffles dominate the collection and look right at home in freshwater streams and rolling pastures. Looks like you’re going to need to follow the summer north.

If you haven’t been to the Amazon in Bolivia, you’ve probably never heard of an Achacha. Until recently, this delicious tropical fruit wasn’t available outside of South America. But a bunch of Aussies saw the potential in the unique fruit a few years back and started an Achacha plantation in Burdekin, North Queensland.

The Achacha is a summer fruit and only in season from December to mid-March. They had a late start to the season this summer, so you’ll be able to get them for at least a few more weeks.

It’s hard to describe the flavour of an Achacha. With a sorbet-like texture, it’s sweet, tangy and often described as a cross between a Lychee and a Mangosteen. The skin of the Achacha can be used to make a refreshing drink, and the fruit itself can be used for cocktails, in salads and even as syrup. We picked up our boxes for the season from the Eveleigh Farmers’ Markets and cooled off with a delicious Achacha cocktail – here’s the recipe:

To make the cocktail puree:
1 Achacha
Dash lemon juice
Dash sugar syrup
Dash white rum
Blend together till puree is very smooth

Method:
Pour puree into chilled flutes
Add sparkling wine of your choice
Gently stir with long spoon
Garnish with a twirl of Achacha skin

A big thanks to my buddy Janine who took these beautiful images and for putting this delicious summer fruit on our radar.

I am obsessed with palm trees, so when I saw this limited edition car slash neck accessory, I just had to make it mine. Handmade by artist Shaun Freeman, the palm tree is one of only 10. Titled ‘Palm Avenue’ they are made out of reclaimed hard wood paneling with twine wrapped around the trunk to give it an authentic look. I’ve been rotating mine as a necklace and a car accessory – when I go over bumps the palm tree sways and that makes me happy when I’m stuck in traffic.

We bought number four, so fingers crossed he still has a few more left.  They’re 50 bucks and that includes postage anywhere. Order yours at shaun@studiosubtropica.com

Some photos from the artist:

After years of sub-par Mexican, Australian palates are finally getting the real flavour of the old country. A raft of genuine Mexican restaurants have flung open their doors Sydney-wide and the most talked about is the recent opening of El Topo in Bondi Junction.

With its open-air, top level position and day of the dead theming throughout, they’ve certainly got the décor right. The music compliments the vibe with a cross between mariachi covers of well known pop classics, and bluesy 70’s rock’n’ el’rollo.

But this ain’t no style over substance eatery – the food is to die for, with real south-of-the-border treats stretching the entire length of their extensive menu.

We started in true Mexican style with some margarita jugs. Tart and heavy on the tequila with subtle agave hints, these are a must have, so leave your car at home.

For nibbles it’s hard to go past the real corn chips and guacamole.  The BBQ corn with Cajun pistachio coating is fresh and original. And we followed that with the $5 pulled pork tacos. With beautiful spice and fresh salsa, they’re a no-brainer. Finally we finished with the 12-hour beef rib with smoky BBQ sauce.  The beef had been slow cooked to perfection – we cut ours with a spoon.

The down-low:

Four people – $140 (inc. drinks)

El Topo

Rooftop, Level 3
The Eastern Hotel
500 Oxford Street
Bondi Junction
Phone: (02) 8383 59 59
Facebook.com/eltopoMexican

TUE – THURS

BAR OPEN 4PM TILL LATE
KITCHEN OPEN 6PM – 10 PM

FRI-SUN

BAR OPEN 12PM TO LATE
KITCHEN 12PM – 3PM   6PM -10PM

MONDAY
CLOSED

We can’t get enough of Instagram and it’s all thanks to these guys. From professional surfers and underwater photographers, to swimwear labels and fashion icons, we show you who to follow for your daily dose of island life.

1. Alana Blanchard @alanarblanchard

Followers: 415k

Occupation: Professional Surfer

Based: Kauai, Hawaii

The glamour girl of the surfing world rips in the water and understands the power of social media and surfing in a g-string.

2. Hamilton Island @hamiltonisland

Followers: 9k

Based: Far North Queensland, Australia

With The Great Barrier Reef and the world’s best resort (Qualia) in their backyard, this is what island life is all about.

3. Clark Little @clarklittle

Followers: 215k

Occupation: Surf Photographer

Based: Oahu, Hawaii

Award-winning surf photographer based on the North Shore who captures unique angles and dangerous breaks.

4. Acacia Swimwear @acaciaswimwear

Followers: 82k

Based: Maui and Kauai, Hawaii | Bali, Indonesia

A swimwear label owned by Lyndie Irons (Andy Irons’ wife) and Naomi Acacia that is based out of three different tropical islands.

5. Lara Bingle @mslarabingle

Followers: 173k

Occupation: Model/Muse/Celebrity

Based: Sydney, Australia

When she’s not hanging around Bondi, you’ll find her sunning on a beach in Mexico or surfing with her posse in Byron Bay.

6. Pip Edwards @pip_edwards1

Followers: 18k

Based: Sydney, Australia

Occupation: Stylist and Senior Accessories Designer at Sass & Bide

The balayage advocate showcases her hot beach hair, effortless fashion, Bondi lifestyle and the latest Sass & Bide creations.

7. Fá Empel @favelapunk

Followers: 18k

Occupation: Model and Designer of CAST Eyewear

Based: Bali, Indonesia

Crazy parties in Bali, intimate photos with surfer boyfriend Luke Stedman, late night skinny dips and tatt sessions, this girl sure knows how to live.

8. A Bikini a Day @abikiniaday

Followers: 157k

Based: Oahu, Hawaii

Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman run a blog where they take photos of their hot beach bodies in a different bikini every day.

9. Ming Nomchong @mingnomchongphotography

Followers: 615

Occupation: Photographer

Based: Byron Bay, Australia

This Byron Bay-based photographer captures local surf culture and beach life from one of the best seaside towns in Australia.

10. Kalani Miller @kalanimiller

Followers: 22k

Occupation: Swimwear Designer and Kelly Slater’s girlfriend

Based: Hawaii, California and on the ASP World Tour

When you run a swimsuit label and have Kelly Slater as your boyfriend, your Instagram feed is bound to look good.

I’m pretty impressed with the fashion coming out of Hawaii right now and swimwear label Acacia is at the top of my list. Run by Maui local Naomi Newirth and California girl Lyndie Irons (wife of Andy Irons), the label is inspired by the exotic beaches they have uncovered on their travels and back home on the islands.

This season the girls work solid colours alongside prints in tribal graphics and vintage florals. The collection features triangle bikini tops, fringed bandeaus, long split-skirts, maxi-dresses, short shorts and super skimpy (by Australian standards) bikini bottoms.

With Australian designers yet to catch on to the fact that less coverage gives a more flattering fit, I’ve had to get used to sourcing my swimwear internationally. So it’s good to know that labels like Acacia focus their swimwear designs on girls wanting to show off their assets not cover them up.

Above: Morocco skirt

Cape Town One Piece

La Perouse Top and Mumbai Bottom

Positano Crochet Maxi Dress

Santorini Bikini Top 

 Maui Bottom 

Padang Shorts

Lumahai Bandeau Top  and Kauai Bottom 

High Waisted Bottoms

Buenos Aires Bandeau and Gili Bottom

Montauk Fringe Triangle Top and Rio Brazilian String Bikini

Paris Cut Out One Piece

Toulouse Top

Barcelona Bandeau

Hailing from Australia’s sunny Gold Coast, Alopé is a new surfwear label creating stylish suits in an array of cool prints and cuts. Started by Gold Coast native Sarah Brown, the pieces combine both fashion and function to create wetsuits that don’t just look good in the lineup, but perform well too. We are in love with the Sweetheart Wetsuit in Sea Safari print.

What we love about this label is that they’re fully ingrained in local surf culture, sponsoring Gold Coast surfer girls like Angie Koops. So keep your eyes peeled at the trials for some of the hottest surfwear around.

One of our favourite people to follow on Instagram is Lara Bingle. When she’s not hanging around Bondi, you’ll find her sunning herself on a beach in Mexico or surfing with her posse in Byron Bay. Whatever she’s doing, you can be guaranteed she’s doing it in style. A big supporter of Australian fashion, Lara has all our favourites on high rotation. Josh Goot, Tallow, Lisa Maree Fernandez and A.T.G feature heavily throughout her feed. And as fellow lovers of summer fashion, we can’t get enough.

Images by Lara Bingle on Instagram.

1. Black bikini, mirrored sunnies, straw hat and hot gal pal Vicky Lee.

2. Slicked-back hair, leopard print and aqua water.

3. Floppy hat, leather-look bikini, denim shorts and a BEACH HORSE!

4. A.T.G neoprene bikini, windswept hair and hot make-up artist Max May.

5. A slick zip-plunging one-piece, mirrored sunnies and an amazing infinity pool. 

6. Chunky YSL necklace, black bikini, grey marle sweat and the fabulous Hermonie Underwood.

7. Wearing monochromatic Josh Goot with a low back in a HELICOPTER!

8. Rust-coloured bikini, headscarf, mirrored sunnies (we’re noticing a theme here) and a blacked-out Mercedes SUV – Mad Max style!

9. Tallow wetsuit jacket, hipster hat and wakeboarding boots. 

10. Hipster hat, Vicky Lee and black maxi split dress.

As big fans of Andrew’s art, Sydney’s waterways and Instagram – we caught up with him to find out more about river life.

Where has the inspiration for this series of images come from?

I moved into the Five Dock/Abbotsford area of Sydney’s inner west a couple of years ago and started spending time on the Parramatta River, either walking along its banks or commuting on the ferries, right around the time Instagram was released, so I simultaneously had a new environment and a new technology and publishing platform to explore. It was a match made in heaven.

What is it about the Parramatta River that compels you to document its life and rhythms?

It comes from a habit of keeping visual diaries that goes back to my art school days. I’ve kept visual diaries for many years. Much of what went into those diaries just came out of my head but there were some periods when I would sketch what I saw around me. Over the last couple of years, pen and paper have been replaced by my iPhone. I spent a lot of time bemoaning the fact that I didn’t seem to draw any more until I realised that of course I was still diarising, just that it was happening on my phone, rather than in a sketchbook. And the subject matter is what I see around me on a daily basis. It’s been through this process though, that I’ve come to admire the river itself as a living, working place, and the suburbs that dot its banks seem to have a unique river-focused culture. Sydney Harbour gets all the attention, but I think many people forget it’s really just part of the Parramatta River.

Why are there no people in your photographs? Is this a conscious choice?

Yes it is. I actually don’t like being photographed myself. I can completely understand why many cultures believed that photography was a way of stealing the soul. I have a theory that having people smile in photographs is a way of displaying consent to be photographed – like “Hey, yes I’m okay with this”. It’s not that I don’t like people as a subject. When I was sketching while commuting on trains some years back, I almost exclusively sketched people. I did it surreptitiously – they were always reading or sleeping – but it didn’t feel creepy in the way it might have if I had photographed them surreptitiously.

Your images are usually very atmospheric and poetic. What themes are you trying to convey?

No themes really. I’m just interested in light and form. As I said, these photographs are more like studies. I see them as raw material that might be transformed into something else one day, through another medium. The fact that you can only compose an image in a square format via Instagram is an interesting challenge. Like Twitter, where you need to say what you want to say in less than 140 characters, the limits set by the technology actually forces you to think creatively. Limits are good. A lot of what I do is really dictated by what works best within those limits. Sometimes I take a shot and I think it’s going to be really good, but it just fails in that format. Other times, I’m surprised at what works. Surprises are good too.

Do you use any other type of camera or do you only use your phone?

Only my phone. I don’t even own a real camera.

Follow Andrew Mamo:

instagram.com/andrewmamo

pinterest.com/mamozilla/

andrewmamo.com

When we were in Hawaii last year, we stumbled upon Lanikai Beach – a tropical oasis that’s been voted the best beach in America for numerous years running. With powdery white sand and clear aqua water, it’s not hard to see why. Located on the windward coast of the island of Oahu in Hawaii, Lanikai Beach looks like one of those photoshopped screensavers.

Before we made our way its palm-fringed shores, we hiked up the Lanikai Pillbox Trail to get a panoramic look at the beach from above. The steep dirt climb passes two World War II bunkers (pillboxes) and offers views over Lanikai Beach and the neighbouring Mokulua Islands.

We hired kayaks from Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks on Kailua Beach and paddled our way into Lanikai Beach. As we paddled towards the shore, we noticed huge green sea turtles swimming alongside our kayaks. We grabbed our snorkels, dived in and followed them for as long as we could hold our breath. It was around the time that I decided my life goal was to have a holiday house on Lanikai Beach.

If the actual beach isn’t picture perfect enough, the Mokulua Islands (Moku Nui and Moku Iki) are just a short paddle out. With private beaches, secluded caves and a seabird sanctuary, the Mokulua Islands are everything you’d expect from an untouched tropical paradise. So take a break from the shopping in Honolulu or the surf on the North Shore and head over to Lanikai Beach for some real island life.

In November last year while we were on vacay in Asia, another group of travellers were part of something special. On the edge of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Hamilton Island launched ‘The Ultimate Instameet’ – a world-first gathering of Instagrammers who were chosen to spend a weekend photographing the island paradise and sharing it with their followers.

For three glorious days, a handpicked group of high profile Aussies that included Vogue Senior Fashion Editor Christine Centenera (@centenera and @vogueaustralia) and fashion designer Josh Goot (@josh_goot), along with the original Instagram Pilgramers (@pilgramers) and competition winners, took some of the most spectacular photos we’ve ever seen of the island. If that wasn’t enough, the Hamilton Island crew made a documentary of the weekend that has us ready to book a flight straight to paradise.

For more amazing snaps of the island, follow @hamiltonisland on Instagram.

@vogueaustralia

@andrewhainsworth

@chrisvallejos

@laurenepbath

@laurenepbath

@nicolasalexander 

@_OnePerfectDay_

@camillaandmarc

@nicolasalexander 

@paulyvella 

@paulyvella 

Just when you thought you’d outgrown the bib and brace, overall shorts are back offering one of the coolest laid-back looks around. Pop one on over a bikini and ride your cruiser down to the beach, or layer them up with leather accessories and work some serious street style. We’re not surprised that Australian fashion label Friend of Mine is once again leading the trend with their collection of denim and leather overall shorts in an array of colours. When it comes to wearable trend pieces, these guys sure know what they’re doing. Between their little white dresses, beaded booties and super cute overall shorts, they’ve got summer covered.

(Photo credits: Tommy Ton, Fashionising, 4th and Bleeker and Street Smith.)

Denim and leather overall shorts by Aussie label Friend of Mine:

Nestled in between Coogee and Clovelly beaches is Gordon’s Bay – a quiet tranquil spot that’s like having your very own giant pool. The small pocket-sized beach is lined with timber boat racks and boats, giving it a vibe reminiscent of a European fishing village.

The sand is nice, but the prime real estate is on the rocks that stretch out on either side of the beach. Perfect for sunbaking and for launching your pool toy of choice, the rocky platforms protect the bay and turn it into a natural pool. We floated around snorkelers in our favourite neon tubes, which also double as a pillow on the rocks. So get yourself some inflatables and make the most of summer in Sydney!

Local tip: Just around the corner from Gordon’s Bay is local burger joint Out of the Blue. These guys make some of the best burgers around, but are particularly famous for their signature fish burger. Grab one on your way down to Gordon’s Bay and work it off floating around the bay.

Get ready for an arm party, because the hottest look around for wrists right now is stacked bangles. Pair bronzed arms with bracelets in different textures and themes, like the $65,000 worth of Cartier bangles that Kim Kardashian recently showed off on Instagram (pictured above). Forget about needing a superstar boyfriend like Kanye West to spoil you, with bracelets like these, you can host your own arm party.

Naga Collection ‘Dragon Head Bracelet’ in sterling silver with white sapphire

Naga Collection ‘Dragon Head Bracelet’ in sterling silver with black sapphire

House of Harlow 1960 ‘Skull End Cuff’ in gold

Ambush ‘Holy Mountain Claw Bracelet’ in gold

Ambush ‘Holy Mountain Claw Bracelet’ in silver

 CC Skye ‘Double Header Spike Bracelet’ in silver

CC Skye ‘Plain Nail Bangle’ in rose gold

David Yurman ‘Classic Cable Bracelet’ in gold

David Yurman ‘Classic Cable Bracelet’ in silver with black onyx

David Yurman ‘Renaissance Bracelet’ in rose quartz

David Yurman ‘Renaissance Bracelet’ in blue topaz

House of Harlow 1960 ‘Engraved Snake Cuff’ in gold

Cult swimwear brand A.T.G Women have just released a sneak peek of their hot new collection of bikinis and one-pieces. Their new colourways show multi-coloured patchwork designs across an array of styles, including their signature bandeau, zip front strapless, high neck bandeau and over the shoulder strap bikinis. It’s looking like the collection will be dropping in stores in March now. Stay tuned!

We’ve had a sneak peak at her Sydney home on Instagram, but thanks to Natalie Joos (Fashion Consultant/Blogger) of Tales of Endearment, we now get an exclusive look inside Heidi Middleton’s super stylish digs. The property was built in the 1940s and was previously owned by a fashion designer and artist couple.

The home has an eclectic vibe you’d expect from the Creative Director and Head Designer of Australian fashion label Sass & Bide. So it’s no wonder the label’s accessories designer Pip Edwards (pictured below) can often be found working from the inspiring seaside property.   With its white stone balcony framing the bright blue ocean, the home resembles an Italian terraced villa on the Amalfi Coast. The home retains many of its original features, but there’s nothing traditional about this creative space.

Vintage furniture and textiles adorn the rooms and work in harmony alongside unique pieces picked up on her travels. Colourful tassels and beaded headwear from Peru hang from the walls, reflecting her passion for exotic culture and revealing the inspiration behind a recent Sass & Bide accessories collection.

With the beach, fashion and our hometown wrapped up in one seriously amazing home, this is as close to our dream home as you can get. 

Photos by Natalie Joos of Tales of Endearment.

The Chatuchak Weekend Market (or Jatujak in Thai) in Bangkok is not only one of the biggest markets in the world; it’s also one of the best. Set out over 35 acres and home to over 15,000 stalls, the market sells everything from baby turtles to musical instruments. But the real draw card is the section devoted entirely to vintage fashion.

Rumour has it that this is where the majority of the vintage clothing stores in Australia get their stock. They head over on regular buying trips and snap up some of the coolest vintage clothes and accessories around. Chambray shirts in every shade imaginable, vintage Levi’s 501s, snakeskin lighter holders, old school Ray-Bans and more leather than your suitcase can carry. If you’re in the market for a perfectly beaten up leather jacket, boots or satchel bag, this is where you need to be.

Between the heat, the bargaining and the 200,000 or so people that pass through the market every day, Chatuchak is the kind of place that separates the strong from the weak. You’re going to need a full day to explore, so if your travel buddy can’t handle more than a few hours shopping, leave them at the hotel. Vintage shopping takes time and Chatuchak is a gold mine of treasures that should not be rushed.

There are a few cool bars on the outside aisles where you can rest your feet and rehydrate with a Singha or two. It’ll also give you a chance to assess your purchases and the pieces you’ve seen. If you need to think about a purchase, mark the stall on your map. While Chatuchak is divided out in sections, it’s almost impossible to navigate your way through the market without one. Grab yourself a map at the Information Center (or online here) and happy hunting.

We flew to Bangkok as guests of Thai Airways aboard one of their new A380s. If you’ve been inspired to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Markets, visit Thai Airways.

What we bought: Plaited leather keychains, snakeskin and cow hide lighter holders with leather tassels, a bamboo fan (for my 92 year-old nanna) and clutch, woven leather necklace, printed tee by a local designer and a heap of friendship bracelets.

When:

Saturday and Sunday: 6am – 6pm.

Where:

How to get there:

We took the BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit station (it’s right across the road), but you can also get the MRT Subway to Chatuchak Park station.

Just before summer officially hit in Australia last year, we headed over to Bangkok and Hong Kong as guests of Thai Airways on their new A380 for a mini break. With its close proximity to Australia and year-round summer temperatures, South East Asia and its fringing countries are some of our favourite destinations. With bikini hot weather, super friendly locals and deliciously exotic cuisine, Bangkok and Hong Kong had our prerequisites covered.

When you’re staying in a major city in 40-degree tropical heat, you’re going to want quality accommodation. The little beach shack that cost you $8 a night on the islands isn’t going to cut it in the big smoke. With no moonlight ocean dips to cool you off when the air-conditioning breaks, you need digs with a pimping rooftop pool, fluffy white robes and world-class restaurants. Luckily Thai Airways shared our philosophy and hooked us up with some of the sweetest digs in town.

Bangkok

Whenever I travel to Asia, I try to fly in or out of Bangkok – purely for the shopping and for the Chatuchak Weekend Markets. This trip I was lucky – with Hong Kong in the middle, I got to do Bangkok on both sides!

There’s a reason why tourists flock to Thailand’s biggest city  – it’s a shopping paradise with a little something for everyone. Mega-malls dominate the city centre, markets are open until midnight and boutiques showcasing local designer talent can be found off the beaten track. But amongst the consumerism is a rich culture of tradition and gratitude. We were thrilled to be in Bangkok to experience Loy Krathong – a festival where people gather around lakes and rivers to pay their respect to the goddess of water by releasing krathongs (lotus-shaped rafts decorated with candles, incense and flowers) into the water.

We also popped into The Grand Palace to see the beautiful architecture and immaculate gardens, and visited the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Where we stayed:

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit 

As a travel writer, the mark of a great hotel is somewhere you’d pay to come back to. For us, the Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok is that kind of hotel. Our slick room had sweeping city views, a double-headed shower, Hermes toiletries, soft cotton robes with matching slippers, a Bose docking station, flat screen TV and a giant bed.

We spent our nights sipping on cocktails and dining at the hotel’s amazing new restaurant and bar L’Appart – a French restaurant under the direction of Chef Jeremy Tourret that’s been conceived as a contemporary representation of a luxurious 19th century Parisian apartment complete with an open kitchen and champagne bar.

On our last morning, we checked-out at 5am for an early flight to Hong Kong and arrived in the lobby to a lovely surprise – a deliciously prepared breakfast box for us to munch on our way to the airport.

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers

We flew back into Bangkok to celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival and boy did the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers put on a show. The luxurious hotel is located on the Chao Phraya River and offers one of the best vantage points in the city for the festivities. We were grateful to fit in a nap aboard the spacious and quiet A380, because the celebrations were in full swing.

Upon check-in we were given a beautiful floral bracelet and told to head down to the waterfront for dinner. What greeted us was by far, the best buffet I have ever experienced. Freshly cooked seafood, roasted duck, icy cold coconuts, and a dessert bar complete with a chocolate fountain were just some of the buffet options on offer. And when we could no longer eat anymore, we sent our krathongs down the river and watched the fireworks light up the river.

Hong Kong

This trip marked our very first visit to Hong Kong and we weren’t disappointed. With just two days in the city, we skipped the shopping for sightseeing and headed to Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. We jumped on the Ngong Ping 360 (a 5.7 kilometer cable car line) and took in panoramic views over North Lantau and the South China Sea in a glass-bottom cable car.

Tian Tan Buddha (also known as the Big Buddha) is a 34-meter high bronze Buddha that inside, holds a relic of Gautama Buddha. We stood at its base and took in the extraordinary statue while watching the clouds roll in over the mountains as the incense drifted up from the monastery below.

The residents of Hong Kong sure do love their mountain top attractions. Because in our short visit we found ourselves on another one – this time heading up The Peak on a tram for the best view in town. We were staying in Kowloon and caught the ferry over to Hong Kong Island before making our way up to the top of The Peak. The journey is just as cool as the destination with the tram incline so steep at one point it was pretty much vertical.  The panoramic views over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong were the perfect end to our visit to Hong Kong.

Where we stayed:

Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Located in Kowloon, the Shangri-La is smack bang in the middle of the shopping and entertainment district of Tsim Sha Tsui East. We spent most of our time sightseeing, but when we wanted to make the most of the cheap electronics and pimp out our camera, the shops were walking distance or a short trip on the metro away.

We had one of the best meals of all time at the hotel’s two-star Michelin restaurant Shang Palace. In a private dining room under a beautiful globe-like chandelier, we feasted on Chef Mok Kit Keung’s impressive menu. Crisp roasted whole suckling pig and deep-fried herbs-marinated crispy pigeon were among some of the courses, as were century eggs  (preserved eggs) that we tried for the first time.  As our first restaurant meal in Hong Kong, it set one seriously high bar.

How we got there:

We flew to Bangkok and Hong Kong as guests of Thai Airways aboard one of their new A380s. We fit in four flights in the two-story airbus between Sydney, Bangkok and Hong Kong, and flew a mix of Economy Class and Royal Silk (business) Class, both upstairs and downstairs.

Economy Class felt roomier and much more quiet than usual. There was a great selection of movies on offer and plenty of storage for our carry-on luggage. Our flights boarded and emptied quickly no matter where we were sitting, and the crew were super prompt at refilling our drinks and bringing us snacks.

Royal Silk (business) Class was everything I thought it would be and more. A glass of champagne on arrival and a selection of Australian fashion magazines helped us settle in while we chose our meals from the delicious menu. There were plenty of storage compartments for my laptop, iPhone, headphones, toiletries and handbag, and not once did I feel short of space. The seats reclined to a full 180-degree flat bed, and with a massage feature and proper mini quilt, I was out like a light.

Thai Airways A380s now fly between Asia and Europe. If you’ve been inspired to visit Bangkok and Hong Kong, visit Thai Airways.

The guys I went to high school with sure are a talented crew – musicians, photographers, board shapers, artists and furniture designers, they’re all over the creative scene. Australian artist Shaun Freeman is one of them and he’s having a solo show titled ‘Paradisio’ that’s kicking off Friday the 1^st of February at the Glass Onion Society on the Central Coast.

Combining photography and painted timber carvings, Freeman’s work sums up island life to a tee. Palm trees, geometric patterns and surf photography work in unison to create a body of work that reflects Freeman’s strong connection to the ocean. Growing up by the beach and surfing everyday has inspired a recurrent theme throughout Freeman’s work, and we can’t wait to see the pieces alongside each other on opening night.

When:

Opening night is Friday 1^st of February from 7pm-11pm, with live music by Luke ‘Aloyisus’ Gallen.

The show runs until February 31^st.

Where:

Glass Onion Society

1/308 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty

43261 650

Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Arabian coastline, the Cliff House is a magnificent architecturally designed home located in a fishing village in Kerala, India. Now if I owned a house like this, I’d be living it up in that infinity pool all day long. But according to the architects, their client lives in London and commissioned the property to be used a holiday house only. Designed by Khosla Associates in Bangalore, the home is what holiday dreams are made of. A large outdoor pool, slatted timber shutters, panoramic ocean views, meditation areas, and a surrounding coconut plantation really amp up the tropical vibes. And after researching Kerala, the southern tip of India is now looking pretty high on our 2013 travel itinerary.

For the first time in forever, we didn’t set foot on Bondi Beach for Australia Day. We headed to Rose Bay Beach and hit up the first annual Australia Day Lilo Raft-up Party.

With the weather looking precarious, we didn’t know what to expect of this debut event. But the storm clouds cleared and over 1,000 beachgoers descended on the sand flats for one of the loosest beach parties around. Inflatable lilos, armchairs, tubes, turtles, balls, dolphins, boats, air mattresses (don’t leave your lilo run too late) and some seriously ingenious homemade floating eskies covered the water’s surface. A generator pumped the Triple J Hottest 100 out across the harbour and the grassy reserve above the beach became a dance floor. The neighbours didn’t seem to mind, unless you count the older man in black Speedos and a dark tan with his perfectly groomed Dalmation who came outside his waterfront mansion to knock beer bottles off his retaining wall.

See you next year for an Australia Day sundowner on what’s set to be an annual inflatable tradition.

If you missed out on an A.T.G swimsuit at the start of summer, I’ve got some good news. Stockists all over the country are waiting on a second drop that’s expected mid to late February. Word on the street is that all styles will be included in the drop – the bandeau, the zip front strapless, the high neck bandeau and my personal favourite, the over the shoulder strap. How long they’ll be in stock for is anyones guess. Pre-orders are already taking place, but some boutiques are going for a first in best dressed policy this time around. Many stockists are selling the neon neoprene bikinis in sets, but some are selling them as separates (YAY) – so you can mix and match to find your signature summer look. This is how sports luxe swim is done ladies.

I’m not usually a big fan of embellishments – I prefer to keep my fashion and accessories pretty simple, letting colours, cuts and fabrics do the talking. But I can’t get enough of the current beaded bootie trend that’s sweeping the fashion scene.

It all started at Paris Fashion Week when Kanye West debuted some of the most extravagant and controversial stilettos on the market. In collaboration with Italian shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti (where Kanye has worked as an apprentice), the suede pearl-beaded booties retail at a staggering $5,800.

If spending six-months rent on a pair of heels isn’t your thing, cult Aussie label Friend of Mine have an alternative with the release of their new ‘Barney’ heel. Their suede-beaded platforms come in both black and white – they don’t use real pearls, but they don’t come with the unachievable price tag either. For $440 you can get your hands on a signature piece that takes an entire day to bead by hand, and still pay your rent. Looks like a pretty good compromise to us.

Hailing from the sunny shores of Australia, swimwear label Franks make board shorts with a difference. Instead of using prints designed on a computer, they maintain close relationships with artists, preferring natural patterns developed by hand in an art room. Franks boardies sit just above the knee and are made using super lightweight, quick-dry fabric and a ridiculously soft mesh lining, With an array of prints and bright solids to choose from, Franks have got your beach threads covered.

Up and coming Sydney-based artist Sam Holt is having an exclusive one night only pop up show and you’re invited.

Using a palette reflective to his environment, Sam captures mood and feeling in one seriously solid collection of abstract paintings. Deep ocean blues, bright sunny yellows and fresh leaf greens showcase Sam’s innate talent for creating a connection with his audience through layered compositions of textured brushwork, drips and lines.

After spending the summer travelling around Europe and the States, Sam’s future works will capture a sense of travel and discovery through the unique landscapes he encountered. Sam’s show is for one night only, but all works are available to view now online and at the gallery by appointment.

Where:

Janet Clayton Gallery

2 Danks Street, Waterloo

+61 2 9698 8443

When:

Wednesday, January 16^th

6:30pm – 8:30pm

For more information, visit the Facebook event.

We caught up with Sam at his Balmain studio to explore his influences and style.

TIL: Who are your biggest influences?

Sam: Anything that captures my attention literally influences my art, from peeling walls, to textured surfaces to the colours and ideas that are everywhere. But specifically in terms of artists there are obviously a lot, but my favourites are Cy Twombly and Aida Tomescu. The way they can create mood and use space, colour and texture on the canvas to bring life is amazing. I saw a few Twomblys overseas and managed to catch a couple of retrospective shows, but seeing them in the flesh – I stood there totally captivated by his line work, and story telling adds so much depth you just become immersed in the picture.

TIL: Your paintings have a sense of the seasons in them. Are you influenced by seasonal colours?

Sam: My paintings are often solely just abstract representations of my mood at the time. So in a way they are seasonal but not in a spring, summer sense. I’m concerned with how the colours interrelate with each other to form a mood, feeling or season if you like. I guess often my palette will give a notion of particular sense of seasonality, but it is definitely not a predetermined notion or thought of a particular season but more a reflective time or memory which I think painting is really strong at evoking.

TIL: Do you work on one painting at a time, or do you have several works in progress at any given time?

Sam: Due to the large amount of layers in my work and the general dynamics of oil painting you will usually find me working on 2-3 paintings at least at a time. I think it’s important in allowing me time and space with the work, giving me space and perspective. Often I think by working on numerous canvases, the colours and gestural qualities seem to crossover more and from a visual sense, embodies the work as a whole.

TIL: Is there any place in the world that you feel best inspires your work?

Sam: Not really, it’s wherever I am – my general surroundings at the time is what I paint. I’m inspired by my experiences and try to translate those memories onto the canvas.

TIL: You’ve lived in Sydney your whole life. How has this influenced your work?

Sam: My work like most artists is pretty personal to me rather than being representations of a particular place. But I guess since I live in Sydney then the general landscape and vibe of the city seeps into my work. Also in terms of colour and texture I think my painting may absorb the lighting and general tones and textures of my surroundings.

TIL: What’s next?

Sam: Well I got really inspired on my recent travels to the States and Europe where I engrossed myself in a lot of art. Also taking a lot of pictures of the diverse landscapes of those regions and the related stories that unfolded there. So the new work will be about capturing that sense of travel and discovery and will reflect tonally the unique landscapes I encountered but still remain strongly abstract.

Looking for somewhere to spend your hard-earned Christmas dollars? Bali-based label Mister Zimi have opened their first Sydney boutique just up the road from our headquarters in North Bondi. Started by Melbourne designers Zoe and Jim Paul, the label has marked its arrival with a resort collection titled ‘Utopia’.

Shot amongst the lush surrounds of Ubud on the Indonesian island of Bali, you can almost feel the tropical heat. Slouchy silhouettes in light, textured rayon dominate the collection with pieces designed to withstand hot southern hemisphere summers. Exotic prints in bright colours adorn long kimono jackets, cropped bralets, gypsy skirts and wooden wedges. This is seaside shopping at its best ladies, so forget the megamalls and make sure you pay Mister Zimi a visit this summer.

Where:

102 Brighton Blvd (where Porch and Parlour used to be)
North Bondi
0413 084 919

When:

Wednesday – Sunday
11am to 5pm

Beach towels don’t get much more luxurious than Maslin & Co. Named after Australia’s first nude beach, the Aussie label make some of the most decadent beach towels around. Inspired by the utopia-like haven of the beach and the exotic ideals of seventies hedonism, the collection is a sun worshipper’s dream.

Made from 100% ridiculously soft cotton, each Maslin & Co towel is reversible and comes with its very own leather holster. Right on trend in an array of zebra and leopard prints, it’s the only towel you’ll need this summer.

Alexander Wang has released his second Objects collection just in time for Christmas with an exciting array of summer pieces. The New York-based designer may be smack bang in the middle of winter, but that hasn’t stopped him from adding a sweet selection of pool inflatables to the collection. In his signature blacker than black palette, Wang’s pool fashion toys include an inflatable ring, ball and shark. Bring on summer pool parties!

There’s a reason why you come back from a beach holiday glowing, and it’s not just down to your newly bronzed skin. One of the best things about spending time in the ocean is the effect that salt water has on your skin. We can’t all live on the beach or spend our days island hopping, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look like we do.

Introducing Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap – a triple-milled soap featuring mineral-rich salts naturally obtained from seawater. With a natural softening effect and grainy texture, it will leave your skin feeling smooth and supple – you can even lather it up and use it to shave. It’s summer in an anchor-packaged box of island life goodness.

Images courtesy of And Your Bird Can Sing

We’re pretty fussy when it comes to Japanese food (living on a multicultural island like Australia with access to world-class international cuisine will do that to you), so we were stoked to discover Banzai Sushi Bar just down the highway from our beach cabin on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The cool thing about this place is that it suits just about everyone. There are romantic candlelit tables for two and surf videos playing on a big screen to keep families with groms, as well as solo diners happy.

The entire menu is exceptional, but we couldn’t get enough of the Ahi Poke: sashimi grade Ahi with white and green onions, macadamia nuts, sesame seeds and shoyu sesame dressing. And the Banana Tempura: delicious bananas sliced and fried in a sweet cinnamon tempura batter, served with coconut ice-cream.

While we sipped on ice-cold Longboard Island Lager, the super friendly staff gave us the lowdown on the best hikes and waterfalls in the area. Our waitress even let us use her own personal mobile phone to call our car rental guys to extend our Jeep time. It’s just that kind of place.

Where:

Banzai Sushi Bar

North Shore Marketplace

66 -246 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa

808 637 4404

When:

Open daily 12pm to 9:30pm.

Happy hour 3pm to 5pm.

Live music on Saturdays.

An off the menu fish roe request.

Ahi Poke: sashimi grade Ahi with white and green onions, macadamia nuts, sesame seeds and shoyu sesame dressing.

Vegetable and Prawn Tempura.

Banana Tempura: banana sliced and fried in a sweet cinnamon tempura batter, served with coconut ice-cream.

Banana Tempura happiness.

Surprisingly, there aren’t many Aussie surf brands around designing wetsuits like Tallow. The ladies behind this Byron Bay-based label tailor their collections to stylish surfer babes who are looking for suits that don’t just fit great, but reflect their style too. This season, Tallow pay homage to the tribal trend with African-print wetsuits in an array of summer styles. We love a bit of crop top action, so we’re crushing hard on both two-piece designs.  Surfing doesn’t get much more stylish than this ladies.

If runway fashion has taught us anything this year, it’s that the sports luxe trend is going to be huge this summer. Neoprene dresses, silk hoodies, loose jersey pants, high-top trainers, racer back vests and mesh made their presence known at leading fashion weeks around the world, with the look quickly finding its way to our shores.

That’s right, the sports luxe trend has hit the beach with swimsuits that aren’t just made for posing. No one does swimwear quite like our Aussie designers and new label SKYE & staghorn is leading the way with a collection that’ll get you moving.  Tank tops, cross backs, sharp cutouts, plunging zippers and seriously hot mesh create a sporty look with a high fashion feel.

This trend isn’t made for the shallows; swimsuits like these are made to get wet. So grab your surfboard or snorkel, and make the most of your beach time this year. Shop the trend and these SKYE & staghorn swimsuits on The Grand Social.

Thai Airways have welcomed six A380s into their fleet and we can’t wait to get on board. The last time we vacayed in Thailand we flew Thai Airways, so we’re thrilled to have been invited to follow the summer with them on one of these airbuses.  We’ll be flying the A380 to Bangkok and Hong Kong to take in pre-Christmas celebrations and the Loi Krathong Festival of Light on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

One of the first things we googled on our itinerary were the hotel pools. With temperatures sitting at an average of 30 degrees, we’re looking forward to some serious hotel pooling action. So get your summer fix and follow our tropical adventures on Instagram.

Listen up guys, the best way to stay cool this summer is to dress like you’re on holiday. All out of annual leave? Staying at home for the holidays? This trend knows no boundaries. With a few key pieces, you’ll feel like you’re on vacay without ever having left your neighbourhood. Shop the trend and these pieces on The Grand Social.

The Chinos

With the warm weather fast approaching, now’s the time to trade in your jeans for a pair of lightweight chinos. Look for neutral shades and bright colours, and wear them with the ankles rolled up on a hot summers day.

Circle Park Classic Khaki chino

The Shirt

Invest in a thin cotton shirt that looks effortlessly cool in a multitude of ways. Wear it buttoned up, with the sleeves rolled-up or loose and undone over a singlet. Choose lighter coloured fabrics that can handle the heat like white, cream and pale blue.

Serpent & the Swan Healed shirt 

The Shorts

Make sure you have at least one pair of board shorts on hand for impromptu summer swims. This season look for colourful prints and choose fast drying fabrics that’ll take you from the beach to the bar.

Handsom Printed Swim shorts

The Sunnies

Forget super dark shades and coloured frames. Take in hot sunny days in a classic tortoise shell frame that will go perfectly with a three-day growth. Keep an eye out for round styles that are reminiscent of a more relaxed decade.

Sunday Somewhere Matahari sunglasses

The Scarf

Avoid harsh neck tan lines over summer and wrap a loosely tied man scarf around your neck. Just remember that a scarf should always look nonchalant or never deliberately worn or over-styled.

Bay & Fyfe Cream and Orange unisex scarf

The Shoes

Whether you’re travelling around the world or just around your hood, you need a pair of shoes that can work in most situations. The tan leather lace-up is that shoe. It’s just as comfortable with a pair of shorts as it is with your chinos.

The Horse Edward Tan shoes

There’s nothing more glamorous than the simplicity of black and white. An old photograph, checkerboard tiles, a couple on their wedding day – the same goes for swimwear this summer. Forget messy beach hair, mismatched bikinis and layers of bohemian-style jewellery – this trend is all about using minimalism to create a high impact look. Think Kate Moss on a super yacht in Saint Tropez wearing a monochrome one-piece, slicked-back hair, oversized sunglasses and thick chain necklace. If ever there was a uniform for poolside lounging, this is it.

The black and white swimwear trend doesn’t stop at solid shades. Graphic prints add a touch of attitude to clean lines and streamlined silhouettes.  And unlike some of the bright and colourful trends we’re seeing this summer, black and white suits just about everyone.

To help get you ready for pool party season, we’ve got a $500 gift voucher to spend on the new Seventh Wonderland swimwear collection to give away. Visit This Island Life on Facebook for your chance to win.

Shop the trend and these swimsuits on The Grand Social.

Seventh Wonderland 8pm bikini

Seventh Wonderland Angelique Eyelet one-piece

Seventh Wonderland 8pm one-piece

Seventh Wonderland 8pm Singlet one-piece 

Seventh Wonderland 8pm Bow bikini

Seventh Wonderland Angelique Eyelet bikini

We Are Handsome The Stampede deep V one-piece

We Are Handsome The Stampede corset bikini

After perusing through the collections of some of Australia’s hottest designers, it looks like we’ve got a trend on our hands. The little white dress has arrived and for a shade and style that’s meant to be able to handle the heat, this trend sure is hot. Thigh-skimming hemlines and back-baring cuts show off sheer paneling, croquet and lace, and skin revealing cutouts. If you’re looking for a dress to keep up with your social schedule over summer, this is it. Pair it with leather sandals and tan accessories for lunch with the girls. And vamp it up at night with a pair of heels and lips in this season’s hottest wine shade.

What we love most about the little white dress is that no matter what your signature style, you’ll be able to find one to suit.  We’re loving the transparent patterns in the long-sleeved interpretations from Friend of Mine, the crisp structured shapes from Story by Tang, the romantic and floaty styles from Lulu in Chains and the mix of body-con with lace from Nookie.

Shop the trend and these dresses on The Grand Social.

Friend of Mine Paloma dress COMING SOON

Friend of Mine Stardust Leather dress COMING SOON - Stardust Leather skirt currently available

Friend of Mine Paloma dress COMING SOON

Friend of Mine Harlem Leather dress COMING SOON

Story by Tang Up in Arms dress

Story by Tang Commandment dress

Story by Tang Battlefield dress

Lulu in Chains Haunted Allure dress

Lulu in Chains Forsaken Love dress

Nookie Everything is Illuminated peplum dress

Nookie Shanghai Lovers singlet

Nookie Shanghai Lovers dress

With summer less than a month away in Australia, now’s the time to get your wardrobe warm weather ready. To help get you started, we’ve partnered up with one of our favourite online fashion boutiques The Grand Social as their guest editor for summer. For the next four weeks, we’ll be sharing our hottest summer trends and the pieces you need to make them happen. Let the countdown to summer fashion begin!

Set on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, Coqui Coqui Tulum is a boutique beachfront hotel that has us itching to skip the border. With seven rooms, a small shop and a perfumerie, the hotel has an exclusive vibe that surprisingly isn’t reflected in its price. A quick look on Mr & Mrs Smith tells us that rooms start at just $200.

The property has been designed with its environment in mind. Cream-coloured stone allows the hotel to blend in amongst ancient Mayan ruins, lush tropical palms, clear aqua water and white powdery sand. So when do we leave?

I’ve been known to make outlandish statements when it comes to fashion, but this is no such occasion. Hawaiian brand Maui Jim make the best sunglasses in the world and I’ll tell you why.

Created in Hawaii, Maui Jim have developed their shades with island life in mind. Their special patented polarized lenses have been designed to enhance the colours of the islands. I got the Maui Jim Pau Hana style in the Tokyo Tortoise frames (a seriously amazing leopard print) and boy did they pop. The water turned an even brighter shade of aqua, the palm tree leaves got greener and more crisp, and our tans looked faux deep.

It seems that everyone on the islands is a fan of Maui Jim. The lifeguards wear them on duty, fishermen wear them on trawls and skippers wouldn’t think of leaving dry land without a pair. Even my travel buddy who has some of the coolest sunglasses around bought the Maui Cat III style in Tortoise (a wayfarer style with a sweet bronze-mirrored lens) and wouldn’t wear anything else. And with almost a hundred styles to choose from, you’ll be able to find a pair to make your world pop too.

What we wore:

Pau Hana in Tokyo Tortoise.

Dawn Patrol in Tortoise with Tan.

Maui Cat III in Tortoise.

Mavericks in Gold.

We shot this post on location at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa where we stayed as guests of Hawaii Tourism. A big thanks to the wonderful staff for making it happen, and to Bob – the cheekiest macaw around.

A few months ago we asked you to send in your best summer photo for the chance to win a cocktail party from Chambord. Sydney-based model Rachel Gill won for her great shot of Fiji, and her and her genetically-blessed friends partied the night away with a fabulous Chambord hosted party.

It may have been the middle of winter in Sydney, but that didn’t stop Rachel from transforming her place into a tropical paradise. With summery cocktails, tropical flowers and an array of fabulous props, it was island life at its best. Rachel’s fashion photographer boyfriend Cameron Hammond captured the party with a collection of photographs that would look right at home in an editorial spread.

A big thanks to Rachel and Cameron for sharing their photos from the night, and to Chambord Australia for providing such a great prize.

Arriving at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Hawaii was like being transported into a tropical paradise. We’d heard the property was amazing, but this was something else. Pink Flamingos greeted us on arrival from a lagoon in the open-air atrium. There was a waterfall, a bunch of exotic parrots and a smoothie bar, and we hadn’t even left the lobby.

We’d usually dump our bags and set off exploring, but The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is no ordinary place. With luxe rooms, two golf courses, five pools, an alfresco gym and their signature Heavenly Spa (we recommend the Relax Heavenly Massage), it’s the kind of place where you can spend a few days without leaving the grounds of the resort. And after visiting five cites in two weeks across the east and west coast of the states, there was no way we were going further than a 500-meter radius.

With an amazing bunch of bars and restaurants to keep us satisfied, we weren’t going anywhere. We feasted on grilled fish, fresh fruit and coconut water for breakfast, and dined on ribs and cocktails in the evening. Pop into the Tropica Bar and settle into island life with a Dragonberry Bomb: Bacardi dragonberry rum, elderflower liqueur, fresh blackberries, squeezed limes and sugar cane syrup. And an Okole Wow: Okolehao Hawaiian liqueur, muddled fresh Maui Gold pineapple, fresh lime, hibiscus reduction, soda – garnished with an edible hibiscus bud.

Set on the idyllic Ka’anapali Beach, the oceanfront resort was just what we needed. You can go surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and snorkeling, or just float around in a neon inflatable tube. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa has a great array of stores where you can buy all your island life needs, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, there’s a shopping village a short stroll up the beach that even has Louis Vuitton and Sephora. Plus, we discovered our new favourite sunglass brand selling sunnies right on the beach!

One of the highlights of our stay was the traditional Wailele Polynesian Luau on our last night. It was clear that we were staying at the right hotel. Guests from different resorts had made their way to the beautiful flame lit outdoor area that was surrounded by lush plants and tropical waterfalls. We spent the evening watching the talented performers, sampling delicious local cuisine and taking in the breathtaking sunset as it formed the perfect backdrop for an evening of entertainment.

We stayed at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa as guests of Hawaii Tourism.

If this editorial doesn’t make you want to do a pump class immediately, I don’t know what will. Shot on loaction in Rio de Janeiro for Elle Brazil, the shoot shows the Brazilian model Izabel Goulart and her abs in top form. Seriously, what are they putting in the water over there? Brazil has more supermodels per capita than any other country in the world. Take a look past the shiny bronzed bodies and you’ll see a carefully curated summer editorial. Colourful tropical prints dominate the spread with splashes of leopard and neon, while logo-blazed singlets and coloured mirror sunglasses give the shoot an eighties undertone. If you’re buying a new swimsuit this season, it’s all about colour – that goes for you too boys.

My love of coconuts and my recent accident-prone status (I broke my toe surfing) had left me in a bit of a predicament. To open a fresh coconut you need a large, sharp knife that looks like a mini machete. Unfortunately for someone like me, that just isn’t an option. I love coconut water, but I love my fingers more. Not wanting to give up either, I went on search of an alternative.

Introducing the CocoTap, a steel contraption that works like a giant screw by piercing the coconut for draining. Designed by Paul Richardson, the CocoTap allows you to make a perfect straw-size hole in your coconut. The idea came to him while sleeping in a hammock in Carins – he headed home to Byron Bay to make what he envisioned, and the rest is history. The CocoTap is now sold all over the world, with hotels in tropical destinations finding it the easiest way to serve coconuts to guests. And for just 30 bucks, it’s a small price to pay for the safety of your digits.

With wet hair dripping over bare skin and sand covered curves, summer just got real. After tracking down these ridiculously hot shots, it looks like we’ve got new swimwear label Minimale Animale to thank. Based out of Los Angeles, the label is quickly gaining a cult following for their skimpier than skimpy one-pieces and bikinis.

Sticking to a monochrome palette of black, white and nude, designer Cassandra Kellogg lets fashion-forward cuts and edgy fabrics do the talking. This is not a PG conversation – there’s something seriously hot about black and white mesh on the beach. And with each piece in the collection named after a supermodel, the suits are dripping with sex appeal.

So do yourself a favour and play the teaser video while you peruse – with a Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg) remix of ‘Candy’, it’s the perfect soundtrack to get you in the mood for a long hot summer.

On our way back home to Sydney, we added some serious island life into our itinerary with a week in Hawaii.  We split our time between Maui and Oahu, and discovered that Hawaii is like no other place in the world. Palm-fringed beaches with world-class surf breaks hug a coastline that wraps some of the most spectacular scenery we’ve ever seen. You can find breathtaking volcanoes and waterfalls just a few hours drive from high-end fashion boutiques and award-winning restaurants.

Life on the islands is pretty chilled. We hired a convertible Jeep and explored the islands while working on our tan. The biggest decision of our day was choosing a bikini and the only time we got caught in traffic was because a bunch of sea turtles were sunning themselves on a strip of sand by the road. When we weren’t relaxing, we were hiking up mountains, kayaking out to islands, getting our SUV stuck in parking spots and doing a sunglass shoot with an exotic Macau.

Over the next few months we’ll be sharing the adventures from our summer in New York City, Boston, Las Vegas, Venice, Los Angeles and Hawaii. Because it’s always summer somewhere.™

There’s hot, and then there’s Zimmermann. We weren’t sure how the swimwear label was going to top their steamy locker room shoot from earlier this year, but their Summer Swim 2012/13 campaign just blew that out of the water. Czech hottie Denisa Dvorakova does her thing on a palm-fringed beach in Tulum, Mexico and the results are spectacular. But enough about the shoot, lets talk about the collection.

Staying true to their signature style, Zimmermann pair elaborate detailing with this seasons print trend. Paisleys and florals make an appearance alongside our favourite animal prints of all time – leopard and cheetah. The designers over at Zimmermann sure know what they’re doing – this is luxe beachwear at its best.

Bring on summer!

A dreamy early morning boat ride from Bali across to East Java did nothing to calm our nerves with talk of 8-10 foot surf awaiting us. On arrival, our guide told us he couldn’t chat as someone had just rearranged their face on the reef and required 10 stitches. With an introduction like that, we got acquainted with our surrounds before throwing ourselves in the deep end.

Essentially you are in the wilderness – just the a beach with monkeys, wild bore, dear and even tigers owning the surrounding jungle. You’re a long way from anywhere, so if you mess up, you’re in for a long ride to safety. But this seclusion is what we came for and we were rewarded for our travels.

Considering the location, the accommodation is pretty slick, with air con, satellite TV, pool, table tennis and excellent food. If you don’t want to take on the heavy water, there are loads of other surf options.  Some days we just walked the jungle looking for waves with nothing but surfboards and our curiosity.

With a handful of stoked fellow surfers we gorged on punishing sun, perfect surf and icy cold beer for nine glorious days.  We proved that you can score perfect waves to yourself, you just need to go looking for your own island paradise.

A few months ago one of our favourite magazines interviewed us for an exciting travel story.  Written by the gorgeous CLEO features writer Edwina Carr, this article has your next adventure covered. Whether you’re into shopping, partying, humanitarianism, thrill-seeking, pampering or chasing the summer, you’ll find great travel tips that’ll have you ready to book your next trip. The issue hit newsstands yesterday and is jam packed with warm-weather fabulousness. Check out the second page (top right) for our travel advice and read the full interview below.

CLEO: What are the three travel essentials you always bring travelling?

Laura: A sarong, my camera and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.

CLEO: What’s your favourite thing about chasing summer?

Laura: Being able to wear a bikini all year round. Some girls are into bags or shoes – I collect bikinis!

CLEO: What draws you to summer?

Laura: What I love most about summer is the state of mind it brings. Nothing makes me happier than waking up to the sound of the ocean on a perfect summer’s day.

CLEO: What are your top 3 travel tips for other summer-chasers who are going travelling?

Laura:

Pack light – beach vacays don’t require much clothing and you’ll want to mix your pieces with the local labels you find.

Be bikini ready – always wear or carry a swimsuit so you don’t miss out on impromptu swims on a hot day or balmy night.

Talk to the locals – some of the best boutiques, bars and beaches I’ve found have been through tips from the locals.

CLEO: What are your favourite things to do in summer?

Laura: Surfing, road trips and parties.

CLEO: What are your favourite summer locations overseas? Why?

Laura:

Indonesia – it’s super close to Australia, has thousands of tropical islands and its world-class surf breaks means it has more hot surfer boys per capita than anywhere else in the world.

Brazil – you’ve got to love a country where it’s acceptable for a woman of any age or shape to stroll down the beach in a teeny tiny G-string bikini, and you can even shop for one from the beach!

Cambodia – the south coast of the country is littered with tropical islands that offer bungalows on deserted beaches, giving us a glimpse into what Thailand was like 20 years ago.

CLEO: How do you rate Australia’s summer against other countries’ summer?

Laura: I once drove 12 hours through the Atacama Desert to find the best beach in Chile. Sure it was amazing, but in Australia we’ve got beaches just as incredible, five minutes down the road. Our country was made for summer living.

CLEO: Where’s your favourite summer place in Australia? Why?

Laura: Definitely Bondi Beach. It’s an eclectic little suburb by the sea that attracts an interesting mix of people. It’s a base for designers, creatives, surfers, travellers, tourists and people who have been living there for 50 years – creating an explosion of different styles and a dream locale for people watching.

CLEO: What are the best activities to try in some summer?

Laura: Surfing, snorkelling and drinking smoothies.

CLEO: What summer location is next on your hit-list and why?

Laura: Hawaii – I’m obsessed with palm trees and tropical islands so it looks like my kind of place.

CLEO: What was your last ‘summer’ destination and what did you love about it?

Laura: I followed the summer to Budapest, Vienna and Prague with Contiki. I’d never been on an organised tour before, but it turned out to be one of the best trips I’ve ever done.

With an abundance of accommodation options spread out over a city of 302 square miles (that’s 486 square kilometres for us Aussies), deciding where to stay in Manhattan can be overwhelming. There’s budget hostel accommodation with dorm rooms, right up to luxurious penthouses in fancy hotels overlooking Bryant Park.  We wanted something in between in a good location, so we booked a week at the Hotel Beacon.

Located on the Upper West Side, Hotel Beacon is a 260-roomed property that is also home to a bunch of permanent residents. A short cab ride to the Meatpacking District and walking distance to Central Park and the Lincoln Centre, the hotel is in a great location for guests wanting to explore the city. Unlike the edgier hotels that attract the cool crowd, the Hotel Beacon caters for everyone. Families headed out in the morning for a day of sightseeing, while we were able to rock in from a night out, free from front desk judgement.

One of the best things about the Hotel Beacon is Fairway – the huge gourmet grocer across the road. Open 7am to 1am each day, you’ll find everything from fruit and veggies, organic coconut water and imported tea, to fresh sushi, deli delicacies and every single snack food available to mankind. Do yourself a favour and grab a few packs of dark-chocolate coated cranberries and cashew nuts.

We stayed in a corner apartment one floor from the top that had views of the city and the Hudson River from every room. With a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious lounge and dining room with a study nook, two flat screen TVs, a bedroom with two of the comfiest beds around, an iPod dock and soft fluffy hotel towels, we didn’t want to leave.

Just when we thought we were at peace with missing New York Fashion Week, Mara Hoffman has gone and presented a collection inspired by the islands of Hawaii. A city girl by birth but an island girl at heart, Hoffman sent models down the runway in tropical-printed swimsuits, short-shorts, maxi-dresses, bustiers and long skirts. With palm leaves as headpieces, the only thing missing from this dream collection was a mai tai with an umbrella in it. Island life in Hawaii never looked so good.

When it comes to vacays, we’re usually pretty organised. But with a trip to New York coming off the back of our summer in Europe, we had nothing planned. Luckily one of my besties lives in Manhattan and we discovered Urban Daddy – a slick location-based app that’s the next best thing to having your own local.

Whatever your scene, you’ll find it in Manhattan. On the most densely populated island in the world, no two blocks are ever the same. One moment we were perusing works by Takashi Murakami at MoMA, the next we were being showered in dollar bills at some random club. We hit up rooftop bars, wandered in and out of boutiques, danced on tables and ate some seriously amazing food, but could not bring ourselves to tan it up in Central Park. As awesome as New York City is in summer, there’s something not right about lying in the sun without the ocean nearby to cool off in.

Over the next few months we’ll be sharing the adventures from our summer in New York City, Boston, Las Vegas, Venice, Los Angeles and Hawaii. Because it’s always summer somewhere.™

Australians love to follow each other around the world. Anyone lucky enough to experience the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Oktoberfest in Munich or Tomorrowland in Belgium will know exactly what I am talking about. Every year, an army of twenty-something Australians band together and cross the globe in search of the ultimate party. Last year was South East Asia and I have a sneaking suspicion that 2013 is the year of South America.

In 2012, however, the epicenter of Aussie travel was Croatia. This little gem lodged between the Mediterranean Sea and Bulkan Mountains was the quintessential hot spot for young Aussie tourists following the European summer. And for good reason. I spent an unforgettable week living on a boat with 25 Aussies, all in their early 20s with a hunger for adventure and an unquenchable thirst for cocktails.

Whether it be partying it up on a private island off the glamorous Hvar, drinking Mojitos on the deck of your yacht, dancing your feet raw at the cave-turned-club ‘deep’ in Makarska or exploring the ancient fortress-city of Dubrovnik, Croatia offers the ultimate diversity for young travellers. Dozens of boats, yachts and ships filled with true blue partygoers dock together each night, where the passengers drink, laugh and love their way into the Mediterranean sea for a late-night skinny dip. The drinks are cheap, food is passable and weather is breathtaking. I could’t complain. I fell in love (more than once), made countless new friends and got a universally formidable tan in the process.

Prepare yourself Brazil, you’ve got some damn big shoes to fill next year.

When you live in a one-bedroom apartment like me, there are only so many plants you can own.  I’ve already got multiple foliage in every room – heck, I’ve even got a giant palm tree decal splayed across an entire wall. With plants on the floor, shelves, benches and balcony, I thought I’d reached my quota. That was until I came across cool hanging plants by Mister Moss.

These handmade moss balls will take your green thumb to a whole new level – not that you’d need to. Your hanging plant only requires a water dunking once a week, making it perfect for low maintenance gardeners. There are a variety of plants to choose from including my baby palm and spider plant, and handy herbs like oregano and parsley. Wrapped and suspended in neon coloured string, these babies are right on trend and just in time for summer.

Who hasn’t drawn marks or doodles in the sand while at the beach using a stick or even their big toe? British artist Everton Wright, aka Evewright , has taken this basic human urge to make sense of our transient existence through mark-making and married it with sophisticated and age-old technologies, a personal vision and a grand scale, while also involving local communities.

Evewright calls these happenings Walking Drawings which are inspired by the Nazca lines of Peru and beautifully documented through video and photographs. Using the beaches of Britain as a canvas, he draws in the sand using tools such as a gardening rake, tractor and rotovator, then invites volunteers to trace over the organic drawings by walking or riding on horseback.

These spectacular drawings are public and community art combined, with locals engaged as true participants in the creation of the work. In fact, the ephemeral nature of these environmental drawings, which are eventually obliterated by the weather and incoming tide, adds a deeper, sacred dimension to the work, which highlights and mirrors our brief journey through life.

In a similar way to the art practice of many ancient cultures, these works embody a collective ritualistic expression involving local communities, while simultaneously evoking a deep reverence for the environment.

In the respected tradition of artist Richard Long, who also made art by walking in the landscape, Evewright’s work does not damage the landscape. It  instead  highlights our collective responsibility to honour and nurture this planet for the benefit of future generations.

Photography aficionados have a great opportunity to hear the award winning Australian Photographer Andrew Quilty speak about his career and work at the upcoming Semi-Permanent design conference in Brisbane on August 30.

Quilty has a proven track record, having won both a World Press Photography award and inaugural Walkley Young Australian Photojournalist of the year award. But his talent doesn’t stop there. He is a documentary artist and has also had numerous solo and group exhibitions of his print photography, with his work represented in many private and public collections.

He became well known for his powerful photo documentation of a dark side of Australian culture, taken during the infamous Cronulla race riots in 2005. However It’s his other coastal photography of some of Sydney’s best locations, including many of my childhood haunts,  such as Maroubra and Manly beaches, Sydney harbour and Mosman,  that sum up the real Sydney experience best. These images are more reverential and poetic, and vividly capture the Australian love affair with our amazing coastline.

As a former judge of the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize (2009) and Sydney Life (2011) and member of the prominent photographic collective Oculi, Quilty is clearly one of Australia’s most collectible and sought after artists. if you want to learn more about his work and practice, then you won’t want to miss this Semi-Permanent event. But hurry – early priced tickets are going fast.

It’s been freezing in Sydney, so we’re heading to the northern hemisphere for some sunshine. We’ll be hitting up NYC, Vegas, the Hawaiian islands and lots of places in between.

Over the next month we’ll be blogging, facebooking, tweeting and gramming from the road.

We’re taking our best Aussie accent to Yankee land – see you in September.

One of the best ways to explore a city like Prague is by bike. With its cobblestoned streets, spectacular bridges and enchanting castles it’s the perfect way to get a feel for the place.  We did a guided tour with the guys at Praha Bikes and had an awesome American girl Kat as our guide.

Our tour took us across the Charles Bridge where Tom Cruise was filmed in Mission Impossible 4 and past David Cerny’s peeing and crawling baby sculptures. We wrote ‘I wish for world peace’ on the John Lennon Freedom Wall and even had time to scope out some cool riverside bars to go to that evening.

This is definitely one the best ways to see Prague. If you’d like to see the city by bike, contact the guys at Praha Bikes for more details.

We travelled through Europe as guests of Contiki. The trip we were on usually starts in Berlin then heads to Prague and Vienna, finishing up in Budapest. We were on a tight schedule so we went the other way around and skipped Berlin. If you’ve been inspired to visit Prague, check out Contiki Berlin to Budapest.

When you think of Austria, you imagine rolling hills, classical concerts, art galleries and schnaps with everything. Riding some crazy snake ride with a g-force that turned my dress into a crop top was the last thing I thought I’d be doing in Vienna. Yet on the night of my very first summer birthday this how I found myself and all I have to say is that it was AWESOME!

Prater Amusement Park in Vienna is the oldest amusement park in the world and also home to the world’s oldest operating Ferris wheel, which was constructed back in 1897. Thankfully I found this out after I’d jumped on every crazy ride I could find and was able to enjoy the old-school vibe of the amusement park. There was no merch on display or over-priced snacks, just good old-fashioned rides and that’s the way it should be.

The oldest operating Ferris wheel in the world

We discovered the seatbelt at the last minute!

We Are Handsome windmill dress

Almost lost my dress on this ride!

We travelled through Europe as guests of Contiki. The trip we were on usually starts in Berlin then heads to Prague and Vienna, finishing up in Budapest. We were on a tight schedule so we went the other way around and skipped Berlin. If you’ve been inspired to visit Prague, check out Contiki Berlin to Budapest.

On our way to the Gellért and Széchenyi baths in Budapest, we visited the Hungarian House of Photography to see an exhibition shot by one of their lifeguards more than 80 years ago.

During the 1930’s in Hungary, a lifeguard wasn’t the bored person dressed in white at the side of the pool – a lifeguard was a personality. They were responsible for the comfort of the guests and considered the most important person in a bath. Between 1930 and 1939, Hungarian lifeguard Sándor Pusztai didn’t just welcome his guests and keep them safe – he photographed them. In the interwar years he captured an influential segment of aristocrats, politicians and artists through a series of voyeuristic-style photographs.

What I liked most about Pusztai’s images, was how ill-fitting onesies have a way of making even the most intimidating and powerful person look vulnerable. From the Commander of the National Army to one of the country’s most celebrated authors, it took a lifeguard to show these people as only people.

We travelled through Europe as guests of Contiki. The trip we were on usually starts in Berlin then heads to Prague and Vienna, finishing up in Budapest. We were on a tight schedule so we went the other way around and skipped Berlin. If you’ve been inspired to visit Budapest, check out Contiki Berlin to Budapest. We’ll definitely be coming back for more bath time.

It’s always a challenge to find workout clothes that are both functional and fashionable. Call me superficial, but I’m not about to turn up to pilates in some generic ensemble. I want training gear that reflects my personal style, not every other girl in the gym. For me, that’s teaming basics with statement pieces. While most sportswear labels have the staples covered, there are not many translating fashion-forward designs into their collections and doing it well. So when I stumbled across a new boutique tumblr for women called MADE BY NIKE, I knew I’d found something special.

MADE BY NIKE is a collection of limited edition sportswear made exclusively for tumblr. Featuring a different girl each month, the tumblr showcases some of the coolest tights, shorts, shoes, singlets and hoodies around. To create this carefully curated collection of digitally engineered prints, Nike designers Ryan Noon and Mel Ottenberg were given access to the amazing Nike archives. They created the Safari print by mixing the classic safari print used on Air Max in the eighties with the infamous elephant print from the Jordan brand. Paired with some simple kicks and tee, these neon and tribal pieces are just what your workout has been missing.

What I wore.

Outfit one:

MADE BY NIKE Circulo tights (only 75 made)

BASSIKE tee

MAUI JIM sunnies

ISABEL MARANT kicks (eBay fakies)

Outfit Two:

MADE BY NIKE Safari shorts (only 75 made)

NIKE running shorts

BASSIKE tee

ISABEL MARANT kicks (eBay fakies)

]]> http://www.thisislandlife.com/fashion/made-by-nike/feed 0 http://www.thisislandlife.com/fashion/collette-dinnigans-swimwear-debut http://www.thisislandlife.com/fashion/collette-dinnigans-swimwear-debut#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2012 23:50:22 +0000 Laura http://www.thisislandlife.com/?p=5627

Luxury swimwear label Zimmermann had better watch their back. After 22 years in the business Collette Dinnigan, one of Australia’s most internationally successful fashion designers is swapping lace for lycra with her swimwear debut. From what we can tell, the collection has a retro influence to it. Bustier-style bikini tops and bow-tie bikini briefs give way to a 1950s beach girl vibe. The collection is expected to drop sometime in August, so start counting the days until summer ladies.

The vibrant Bay & Fyfe scarves featuring art from artist Daimon Downey that we put on your radar earlier this year have become the starting point for an exciting collaboration. Bay & Fyfe have teamed up with one of our favourite online boutiques The Grand Social to bring to life ‘WHERE ART TAKES US’ – a collection of one-off pieces using re-constructed art scarves by five of Australia’s up and coming fashion designers.

Each designer was given free creative rein to express themselves and their label through the scarves and the results are spectacular. All five pieces are special in their own right, but there’s one in particular that’s captured our attention. Jewellery designer Laura Byrne from her label ToniMay has created a serious statement piece with a cool summer resort necklace. Laura explains the piece as a hybrid accessory that flirts between being a necklace and scarf. She’s paired the brightly coloured horse print and pastel wolf print scarves with chunky crystals to create a piece that has the ability to completely transform an outfit. When we asked Daimon what kind of outfit would work best with the necklace, he said:

“In a flash I just imagined Miranda Kerr in her two-piece swimmers, wearing the necklace on a fuck off boat in St Tropez holding a big glass of Rosé winking at me.”

During August, the generous folk over at The Grand Social are giving you the opportunity to recreate Daimon’s vision with the chance to win your favourite one-of-a-kind piece. Following the draw the four remaining pieces will be up for sale on The Grand Social with the proceeds donated to charity.

To view the rest of the collection and to register to win, head over to The Grand Social.

The artificial wave pool

Bathing is one of my favourite hobbies, so when I heard that Budapest was the spa capital of Europe, I was excited. The Contiki tour I was on had scheduled the two best thermal baths in Budapest into our itinerary – the fancy Gellért Baths and the no-fuss Széchenyi Baths. Both bathhouses come with your usual spa treatments and thermal pools, but that’s where the similarities end.

The Gellért Baths

On the Buda side of town is the famous Hotel Gellért, a beautiful art nouveau style building and home to some of Budapest’s most famous baths. Built in 1918, the complex is made up of thermal baths, swimming pools, saunas, plunge pools and even an artificial wave pool.

Unfortunately on the way to the baths we got distracted by the hotel’s amazing restaurant and spent our forints on champagne and deliciousness, not realising that we needed a fairly hefty cash deposit to hire a towel and change room. Next thing I know I’m attempting the impossible by trying to change out of a playsuit and into a bikini discretely without flashing Hungarian society folk.

We hit up the indoor and outdoor pools, but swapped the massages and manicures for chilling in the sun.

The extravagant indoor thermal bath

We got kicked out of this pool for not wearing a shower cap!

Wave pool exit

We ran into this little cutie

The Széchenyi Baths

In Pest you’ll find the Széchenyi Baths, one of the largest public baths in all of Europe. This is where the locals go when they want to get their spa on. During the day you’ll find old men playing chess, immersed up to their chests in steaming water. But when the sun goes down, it’s a whole different story.

In summer, Széchenyi Baths hold special ‘sparty’ nights where the massive complex is transformed into a dance party. Hungary’s top DJs play for a 2,000 plus crowd with the walls of the complex turned into interactive canvases. Now I love cool tunes, bikinis, baths, chilling with my buddies and dancing with strangers, so the idea of partying in waist-deep thermal waters to thumping beats sounds like my kind of party.

There weren’t any sparties on while we were in Budapest, but they are definitely worth checking out if you’re there over summer.

The largest public baths in Europe

Thermal chess action!

During summer the complex is transformed into a dance party

Sparty dancing

The chill out pool

We travelled through Europe as guests of Contiki. The trip we were on usually starts in Berlin then heads to Prague and Vienna, finishing up in Budapest. We were on a tight schedule so we went the other way around and skipped Berlin. If you’ve been inspired to visit Budapest, check out Contiki Berlin to Budapest. We’ll definitely be coming back for more bath time.

Australian pro surfer and world number two Sally Fitzgibbons has become the face of a new chakra and zodiac jewellery collection by Aussie label Tara Wolf. I like the jewellery I wear to have a meaning behind it, so it’s nice to come across a brand that promotes a balanced mind and strong spirit.  Tara Wolf live by this ethos, making beautiful string bracelets that reflect the seven chakras of the body and twelve signs of the zodiac.

Each chakra bracelet has a different meaning and is designed to remind us about ourselves, our thoughts and our aspirations. Whereas the zodiac bracelets are all about being confident in your persona, proud of your character and aware of your spirit. I’ve been layering the crown chakra (beauty, creativity and inspiration) with my zodiac sign and love how they compliment the rest of my jewellery.

Pro surfer Sally Fitzgibbons is one of their biggest fans and a brand ambassador. She draws on a bunch of different chakras like survival, stability, courage and confidence to bring balance in the surf. Sally follows the waves to exotic beaches all over the world so she gravitates to bright summer colours, matching her chakra and zodiac bracelets to her extensive collection of super cute Roxy bikinis. We spotted her wearing the root chakra bracelet (prosperity, courage and self-confidence) while on tour for the Roxy Pro in Biarritz, France. And with a current ranking of number two in the world, it looks like Sally has her chakras in check.

Grab your bikinis and boardies because Coachella is going out to sea. That’s right, just when you thought the music festival couldn’t get any better, along comes the S.S. Coachella – a Caribbean-bound cruise ship that’s heading to the Bahamas and Jamaica.

Setting sail just before Christmas, the floating music festival features a pretty killer line-up of bands with what looks like a baby version of this year’s Coachella. Pulp, Hot Chip, Yeasayer, Girl Talk, James Murphy, Sleigh Bells and Grimes will all be onboard when the S.S. Coachella sets sail on its maiden voyage.

The cruise ship itself looks pretty rad. With room for almost 3,000 festival-goers, the S.S. Coachella has cabana-style alcoves for more intimate gatherings and all your usual necessities like restaurants, bars, lounges and pools. Prices start at $500 a person and climb all the way up to $9,000 a person for a luxurious cabin with a deck.

Cabins go on sale this Saturday at 10am in the states (very early Sunday morning if you’re in Australia) and can be reserved with a $250 deposit.

eSSentials: striped shirt, white shorts, boat shoes, captains hat or douche alternative.

Follow the S.S. Coachella on Facebook for updates.

The beautiful Buda Castle

Last month we followed the summer to Budapest, Vienna and Prague as guests of Contiki. Now when you think about a summer holiday destination, Eastern Europe isn’t necessarily the first place that springs to mind. Its rich history, medieval beauty and fairytale castles are usually pictured under a thick layer of white snow. But in countries where winter temperatures drop below freezing, summer is when they truly come alive.

Budapest, Hungary.

From the moment we arrived in Budapest, the city was buzzing. It was a balmy afternoon and the bars were already packed. Locals were sipping cocktails and strolling down quaint cobblestoned streets like they had all the time in the world. The city is split in half with the beautiful river Danube separating Buda from Pest (pronounced pe-sh-t). We spent our time chilling in cool cafes, getting up to mischief at thermal baths and shopping for hand-woven fabrics in Buda, the bohemian side of town.  We hit up outdoor bars, designer boutiques, local flea markets and edgy galleries while in Pest, the more cosmopolitan of the two.

Buda Castle overlooking the river Danube

A night out at local bar Szimpla Kert

The fancy Gellért Baths

Shopping for hand-woven fabrics

What we bought: Tribal Chanel-inspired top from Zara, silver ring and vintage 1960s alarm clock from the flea markets, and a hand-woven table runner from a local craft market.

Vienna, Austria.

With my birthday falling on our first day in Vienna, our second destination was always going to be special. I made the most of it by spending a crazy night at an amusement park and a shopping mission to not just one, but two Zara stores. Austria is a country that takes its winter sports so seriously, that in summer it’s common for bike lanes to get overtaken by locals power-walking in tiny spandex short shorts with ski poles in their hands, training for ski season.  We got our culture on for the 150th anniversary exhibition of Gustav Klimt at the Leopold Museum, where we got to see 400 postcards and messages that Klimt sent his lifelong friend Emilie Floege.

Birthday celebrations at Prater Amusement Park

Ferris wheel action at Prater Amusement Park

Birthday cake!

Stone statues at the entrance of Hofburg palace

What we bought: Aqua and tropical-print pants from Zara, Gustav Klimt ‘Attersee‘ print and a rum and coconut liqueur from the Old Vienna Schnapps Museum.

Prague, Czech Republic.

If Paris is the city of love, then Prague is the city of extreme PDA (public displays of affection). Everywhere you looked there were lovers getting it on.  We don’t just mean holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes. We’re talking about steamy make out sessions that would get you fined for public indecency back in your hometown. We visited a spectacular 9^th century castle, popped into a medieval sex museum, got all hipster by riding bikes around the city and partied with the locals until the sun came up.

St. Vitus Cathedral inside the grounds of Prague Castle

Spectacular stain-glass inside St. Vitus Cathedral

Biking across the Mánes Bridge

The John Lennon ‘Freedom’ Wall

What we bought: Fresh berries!

My summer in Europe was short, but it left a lasting impression. It wasn’t just the amazing cities we visited and crazy experiences we had that made the trip memorable, it was the people I shared it with. I’d never been on an organised tour before, but I can honestly say this Contiki tour was one of the best things I’ve ever done.  Travelling has the wonderful ability to not only encourage new experiences, but new friendships too. My tour group met as strangers in Budapest and parted as great friends in Prague. We literally laughed our way through the entire trip and with reunion drinks already locked in with the Aussie crew, I can’t wait to relive the good times all over again.

The Aussie crew in Budapest

Our tour buddies

We travelled through Europe as guests of Contiki. The trip we were on usually starts in Berlin then heads to Prague and Vienna, finishing up in Budapest. We were on a tight schedule so we went the other way around and skipped Berlin. If you’ve been inspired to visit these cities, check out Contiki Berlin to Budapest – and Berlin, we’ll be coming back for you soon!

The Biennale of Sydney is once again in full swing at some of the best art spaces around town, showcasing the work of the brightest and most thought provoking artists that the world has to offer.

Many prominent Australian artists are represented, such as John Wolseley and Tim Johnson.  A stand out for me however, is the work of Alick Tipoti, whose exhibition Girelal is currently showing at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).

This Cairns based printmaker of Torres Strait Islander heritage, creates breathtakingly beautiful linocut prints that retell the spiritual oral narratives of his people – the Maluyligal – who have a very profound relationship with their marine environment and ancestral traditions.

Tipoti believes that “song, dance and the visual arts all evolve from the centrepiece of language” and that it is his spiritual duty to help revive and keep alive Torres Strait Islander traditions and language. In Girelal, which means dances, Tipoti re-interprets and expresses these cultural traditions imaginatively through performances of spiritual  Maluyligal chants that he has composed and choreographed to compliment his print work.

So if you are like me and crave feel-good experiences, don’t miss the 18th Biennale of Sydney before it closes on September 16; especially the uplifting work of Alick Tipoti. Best of all, it’s totally free! Check out all the artists and venues at http://bos18.com

African label Lalesso don’t follow fashion trends, they follow the summer. Their collections are designed for the free-spirited nomadic travellers of our world who seek out warm weather in far away lands. Traditional tribal accessories compliment a kaleidoscope of colour across a collection created for the hottest globetrotting destinations. Flowing split-skirts, loose mini-dresses, breezy playsuits and billowy maxi-dresses in soft, breathable silks and cottons are all waiting for your next adventure. Whether it’s the far ends of the earth or your own backyard, summer has never been so global.

The Bondi crowd won’t be wandering too far out of the bubble this weekend because there’s a party going on in Rose Bay! Local DJs Tricky, Nick Law, Danny Bass, RU and Simon P have banded together to create a new night called DISKTRICT and this Saturday marks its launch.

Kicking off in the afternoon at Rose Bay Rugby Union Club, DISKTRICT is the first party of its kind to hit Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. But don’t expect this to be amateur hour – these guys have been in the music slash party scene for a while now. Just look at the damage they did to Wonderland Avenue in Tamarama back on Australia Day in 2002. Combine that piece of history with four dollar drinks and you’re going to want to block out your Sunday.

Profits from the night will be donated to the Sydney Children’s Hospital, so get a crew together and grab a 20 dollar ticket from moshtix.

Here’s a taste of what’s to come!

Our plans to save more cash money have gone out the window with the launch of The Vacation Shop by Net-a-Porter. This is the kind of edit that inspires a summer vacay. From bikinis that’ll have you lounging poolside, dresses made for wandering cobblestoned streets and sunnies to shade festival adventures, their carefully curated collection will ensure you jet set in style. You’ll also discover the art of packing and what to wear en route to your destination, because it’s all about the fashion journey darlings.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get offline before I buy a woven panama hat, transparent lilac sunglasses and a tribal-print bikini for a holiday I haven’t yet booked.

We’re super excited to announce that this week we’ll be following the summer to Eastern Europe with Contiki. With the cold weather setting in over Sydney, we thought we’d chase the warm weather somewhere different this year with an adventure to Budapest, Vienna and Prague.

Because we’ve only got a week, we called on Contiki to help us out. As someone who has never been on an organised tour, I’m interested to see how their itinerary will match the level of cultural exchange I would expect from doing my own thing. We can’t wait to lounge by the baths in a bikini in Budapest, sip on schnapps while perusing the local designer markets in Vienna and cruise the Vltava River and hit up underground bars in Prague.

We’ll be live blogging from the road, so make sure you join us on our European summer vacation. And no, Chevy Chase is not invited.

Australian photographer David Gubert shot the campaign in the scorching desert of Palm Springs and we can’t wait to see the rest of the shoot. The collection launches globally on July 1, so expect to see Behati heating up billboards in your city soon.

Word on the street was that Isabel Marant had a global waiting list so long they’d never be able to fulfil the orders. So it was no surprise when the highly coveted shoes started appearing on eBay for double the price with auctions reaching the $1,500 mark. Now I’m happy to spend that kind of money on an investment piece, but something didn’t feel right about splashing out that kind of coin on a pair of kicks.

A sizable wad of cash was separating me from totally owning the sports luxe trend, which gave me little choice. The high-street stores and a bunch of eBay shops had taken advantage of this footwear crisis and jumped on board with some really well made copies. I found a pair online for 60 bucks and even up close, you can barely tell the difference. Can you spot my copies amongst the originals below?

Their daily email depicting early morning beach life has become an escape ritual for not just Sydneysiders stuck at work, but for beach lovers from all over the world. Pop into the Frothers Gallery next time you’re in Bronte and see their passion for photography up close.

The TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe Blogged and Bound project is in full swing. A few weeks ago we gave you a sneak peek at our collaboration, revealing the trailer and our shots for the book. This week we’re excited to share the rest of this blogger project with the release of our short film and the arrival of the book.

In the days leading up to our video shoot, some of the worst weather throughout all of summer had been predicted. Thankfully, the clouds parted just in time for one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen over Bondi. We started the day with a 5am call time at Ben Buckler Point and soon moved down to the boat ramp. The film shows us shooting a We Are Handsome swimwear post, popping into the Tuchuzy stores, writing an article at Porch & Parlour, and putting it all together at home.

Big thanks to Jeremy and Indhra from We Are Handsome, Angela and the guys at Tuchuzy, the crew at Porch & Parlour, cinematographer James L Brown, Ash and the team at JWT and of course TONI&GUY. The soundtrack was provided by Bonjah ‘Something We Should Know’ and is now available on iTunes for your listening pleasure.

What I wore.

I am pleased to say that leopard print, swimwear and my signature shade of aqua all made an appearance.

Outfit one:

WE ARE HANDSOME floral one piece.

UNKNOWN white shirt (bought from local designer at Bondi markets).

UNKNOWN anorak (borrowed from my photographer Luke).

Outfit two:

FRIEND OF MINE leopard mini-dress.

GARY BIGENI leather belt.

ALEXANDER WANG ‘Rocco’ bag.

CHRONICLES OF NEVER sunnies.

Outfit three:

SASS & BIDE silk singlet.

MAURIE & EVE suede shorts (although you can’t see them).

If the release of our short film wasn’t exciting enough, we also got our first look at the much anticipated Blogged and Bound book. Featuring 20 of Australia’s most influential fashion bloggers, the hardcover book arrived alongside a beautifully presented package of products by TONI&GUY.

Adding an extra touch to the campaign, each blogger was asked to choose their five favourite local hangs so a copy of the book could be distributed to each. I chose Bondi Massive, The Anchor Bar, Porch & Parlour, Le Paris-Go Café and my hair stylist’s salon. If you end up at one of them, make sure you have a flip through a copy.

What I wore.

The concept behind the shoot was iconic 1970s Australian beach culture – the bikinis, the roller-skates and the cars.

BASSIKE tee.

KSUBI denim mini (although it looks like I’m wearing no pants).

STYLISTS OWN roller-skates and socks.

TOM FORD sunnies.

Along with the images, you’ll also be able to read about my style. TONI&GUY did an interview with me (which is not in the book) to gather the information they needed to write the piece. It was really fun to think back to how my style first evolved through fashion and hair – check it out.

TONI&GUY: What’s your inspiration?

Laura: Everything and anything inspires me. It could be a beautiful piece of art, a song on the radio, a swim in the ocean or someone with an amazing sense of style.

TONI&GUY: Describe your personal style…

Laura: The best way to describe my personal style is eclectic, edgy and classic. I love taking risks, but I don’t follow trends and tend to focus on well-made pieces that I can wear season after season. As much as I love shoes and bags, my thing is bikinis. At the moment I have around 30 sets including a bunch I bought in Brazil last year. Lately I’ve been mixing them up – wearing different tops with different bottoms. I wear a lot of jewellery and most of it I’ve picked up on my travels – I like each piece to have a story behind it.

TONI&GUY: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Laura: I was lucky to grow up in a creative environment with incredibly talented parents and siblings, so I was inspired creatively from the day I was born. I wanted to be the ultimate slashie (actress slash singer slash dancer slash artist slash fashion designer). As a small child I became super concerned with the Tooth Fairy not having enough clothes and would hand-sew ridiculously tiny outfits to leave under my pillow with my tooth.

TONI&GUY: What were you like as a child? As a teen?

Laura: I have always been a real girly-girl, but I grew up with a twin brother so I got the best of both worlds. One minute we were running around naked in the backyard having mud fights, and the next I was carefully styling an outfit for my Barbie. I was a bit of a perfectionist and used to pull out my pigtails if my mum did them unevenly.

Even though I grew up in Maroubra, it wasn’t until we moved to Terrigal when I was 12 that I truly connected with beach culture. Life moved at a slower pace and the beach became a lifestyle that influenced everything we did. We’d have bonfire parties on the sand dunes, skip school to go to the beach and do surfing for school sport.

TONI&GUY: What’s your favourite memory from childhood?

Laura: It’s hard to pick just one favourite childhood memory, but one that stands out was spending a month in Bali when I was five. We didn’t stay in a resort like everyone else did back in the eighties. We stayed in a little village and hung out with the locals. I was already dressing myself back then, but I remember mixing my regular clothes with exotic Balinese pieces that used batik and beading. Even then I could appreciate the workmanship and detailing.

TONI&GUY: What makes you happy?

Laura: I don’t need much to keep me happy. Friends, family and the ocean.

TONI&GUY: What are your hobbies?

Laura: Reading, writing, making smoothies, travelling and anything to do with the water especially surfing, diving, swimming and bubble baths.

TONI&GUY: How does hair fit into your look?

Laura: My hair reflects my lifestyle and my relaxed style. Because it’s long, I wear it in a variety of different ways depending on my mood or what I’m wearing. I have balayage so I like messy, unstructured beachy waves. And I love wearing it pulled back in a loose braid or messy top-knot.

TONI&GUY: What do you love about your hair?

Laura: I love having long, thick hair because it allows me to change my look easily by wearing it in an array of different ways.

TONI&GUY: Have you ever done anything drastic to your hair?

Laura: After only ever having long hair I decided to get it cut into a bit of a bob. I told my hairdresser at the time I didn’t want a blunt cut and she interpreted that as what can only be described as a mullet. I spent years growing it out and as a result, I have had long hair ever since.

TONI&GUY: Describe Bondi…

Laura: Bondi is an eclectic little suburb by the sea that attracts an interesting mix of people.  It’s a base for designers, creatives, surfers, travellers, tourists and people who have been living there for 50 years – creating an explosion of different styles and a dream locale for people watching.

TONI&GUY: Why do all Australians love the beach?

Laura: This statement isn’t true – there are plenty of Aussies who don’t like the beach. For the ones who DO like the beach, it’s exactly what I say on my blog. It’s that feeling you get when you wake up to the sound of the ocean on a perfect summer’s day. It’s the warm sun on your face, the wet sand between your toes and that good mood you just can’t shake.

Vintage fashion is great, but not everyone has the time to go digging through racks or perusing the markets. Lucky for us, international vintage purveyor Kristy Barros does. Through her vintage collective Makers of Belief, Barros hunts out the best pieces from around the world, so we don’t have to.

No longer content working for some of Australia’s leading designers, Barros relocated from Melbourne to a port town in Chile called Valparaiso. There she was able to combine her two passions (vintage fashion and travel) into a collective that allows her to curate ranges for prominent Australian fashion retailers including Arabella Ramsay, Down Yonder and Sportsgirl, as well as her own in-house collections.

Barros made the most of her time in the Americas, scouring some of the best vintage markets across Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, San Francisco and Los Angeles for forgotten pieces of the past. Now back in Australia, Barros continues to deliver carefully curated collections that she sells through her site and eBay store. With one-off pieces and original classics making up her highly coveted collections, you’ll need to watch the Makers of Belief Facebook page like a hawk so you don’t miss out.

Sponsored by Chambord Australia.