Tuesday, March 24, 2015

GIVENCHY 6 WAYS

For Laura

Short answer:
YES, the Givenchy messenger is a good travel bag.


 Long answer:
My best travel bag was my Longchamp backpack but after purchasing my Givenchy messenger bag in Paris on my last trip I found this to be my best travel bag.
Although if you have a lot to carry and your bag is heavy I would recommend a back pack or another bag that you have. When my bag was heavy it would cut into my shoulders and it would start to hurt my back by the evening so I would keep my Longchamp backpack packed into my Givenchy so that when I needed to I would swap it...  by this I mean instead of carry all my souvenirs and little purchases and my bottle of water in shopping bags I would just put those items straight in my bag and towards the end of the day my bag would get heavy so then I would swap all my items into my back pack and with the Longchamp bag being easy to fold it works out well... I would then put my Givenchy into one of my larger shopping bags :-)
I only did this twice, usually we would go back to the hotel for a rest before venturing into the night but I'm always prepared so that if we wanted to keep going we could.

I managed to find 6 ways to carry the bag which is what I loved most and what makes the bag a good investment piece :-)

I didn't pack any other bags so when it came to needed a clutch I just carried it and when it didn't match a winter outfit across the body I would just carry it in my arm or on my shoulder :-)

PLUS the best thing is, its easier to kept the bag in your sight and wearing it across you body keeps it a littler safer and being in Europe their are a lot of pickpockets around!
Givenchy Small Pandora Messenger -  - Barneys.com 
$2274 (AUS dollars)


1. On your shoulder 
 

2. On your arm/elbow 
 

3. On your shoulder with the full strap
 

4. Across your body

5. Carry it with your hand

6. Use it as a clutch
 

Oh and one last thing... it's the best for when you are at the airport you can put the large handle around your suitcase handle and be free of carrying anything!

WOMEN CRUSH WEDNESDAY

ELENA PERMINOVAElena Perminova | PFW Fall/Winter 2015-2016 Street Style

CHIC

Valentino Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear - Details - Gallery - Look 78 - Style.com

LOUIS VUITTON BOOTIES

Monday, March 23, 2015

Q&A with ROZALIA RUSSIAN

The wait is over!!!

Meet
Rozalia Russian 



Just before we get into the questions and answers I want to thank Rozalia for being kind enough to take the time out to answer these questions for my blog. She really is a sweet heart and very much down to earth and humble as I imagined she would be.
I have followed Rozalia since I first starting using instagram and she had about 3K followers (she now has over 100K, a blog and a online shop all of that plus having a baby - pretty amazing huh!!).
Back then her feed was full of photos from her wedding, honeymoon and home decor and it was her home decor that first grabbed my attention!! I loved her home styling.. she has since done and incredible job on her blog and fashion events that I have started to admire her fashion style as much as her home styling. It's not a fashion I would necessarily wear but its very much her style and flattering to her body, I love that she sticks to what she likes and doesn't follow trends. 
 From the comments you see on her Instagram photos you will notice companies constantly offering her their products for free and I love that she sticks to only posting what she actually loves and uses!

Once again thank you Rozalia.



Business

What are you aspirations for your Blog? Are you are go with the flow kind of person or did you set out to achieve what you have so far?

I am definitely a go with the flow kind or girl, in saying that though I do set myself goals whether it’s working with a certain brand or getting a certain job.
Being a good mother and wife is the most important thing so I have had to knock back amazing jobs because it required a lot of travel or leaving willow for a long period of time but that’s my choice and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I use my website and store as a way to do something for my self on the days that Willow is with her grandparents so I am selective of what jobs I take on as I want to give them 110% and that means doing less but giving it my all.

Do you see yourself expanding?
At the moment I am so time poor and I am constantly behind in emails so I am trying not to take on too much.
In saying that I have some exciting things happening this year that I can't wait to share and it does see my brand expanding in a huge way.

What drives you to keep blogging?
I receive the most beautiful emails from my readers asking me for advice regarding everything from fashion to baby and home and that keeps me going.
The fact that these women turn to me and trust me for my opinion is very humbling.
I love sharing things with my followers as I think we need to support and help each other.

What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business?
Going out to events is very important, as that is where you will meet the right people in the industry
In saying that you need to choose which ones you go to and I am a big believer of not going to every single event you get invited to.
You need to attend ones that fit in with your brand and style.
It’s amazing what happens when you bump into people and start having a chat. The old saying is ‘its not what you know but who you know”

Any specific tips you have for bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?
I think it is very important to stay true to yourself and your style.
It needs to be very organic as I feel that if you are tying to be a certain way that doesn’t come natural to yourself than eventually it will show.
Also make sure you have fun and don’t take yourself to seriously!
At the end of the day its all of bit of make believe and what happens in life when you are not on your phone is more important.
My favourite saying is being famous on Instagram is the same as being rich in monopoly, It not real!

I’m sure you get a lot of companies sending you their products? Do you promote everything or stick to things you like and use yourself? If so how do you deal with the companies that have sent you items but you do not want to promote?
I am very lucky that yes I do get sent and asked to promote a lot of products but I always stick to what I like and actually use.
At the end of the day I will never upload a photo of a skin care or make up product unless I have actually tried it myself. Sometimes the reviews are great and other time I will be honest and say that I prefer another product.
If I have been asked to promote something that I do not wish to I will always send a polite email saying thank you but sorry I can’t help you out.

How do you manage your time to work on the blog plus be a first time mummy?
Being organized and having a schedule is very important. I am lucky that Willows grandmothers look after her on a Wednesday and a Friday, so that means that they are my two work days.
All my meeting and photo shoots are scheduled on those days.
Then on the other days it’s all about being a mum and wife. I spend those days taking Willow to the park and her little activities.
I will do emails when she is sleeping or pack orders at night once she has gone to bed so yes it is tiring and I will be working away until the early hours of the morning but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s been your most exciting moment since creating your blog?
Launching my online store was a pretty awesome moment, and then selling it out in less than a day left me speechless.
It was that moment that made me realize, ok all my hard work has paid off.
It also made me realize of what I could do and that I had set the bar really high and now its all bout making each month bigger and better.
 
What do you find most challenging with your blog?
Just finding the time to make it what I really want it to be. Being a mum and juggling all other work commitments means that my blog does get neglected at times.
This year is all about giving it a revamp and creating something that no one has every seen before.

What is the best advice you have received?
Life is never perfect, you have highs and you have lows and this is a very important lesson to accept in your work life.
I have had plenty of lows, where certain jobs have been cancelled last minute, or that awesome pitch has gone to some one else.
It is easy to just give up and complain that things are not going your way however you need to rise above it and come up with a bigger and better idea.
My favourite saying is actually a hockey term and one that my husband taught me. He is an incredible businessman and entrepreneur and has been in his industry for 20 years.
“A good player doesn’t go where the puck is going, he goes where the puck is going to go next”
I apply this to everything I do. I don’t do what everyone else is doing at the moment, I try to come up with concepts that everyone will want to do next.

What is a typical week like for you with running your blog?
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday are my days to be a mum to Willow.
We go to the park, play dates etc.…
Then Wednesdays and Fridays are my workdays. In saying that sometimes I will be book for jobs on the days that I have Willow so I am constantly organizing her grandmothers to look after her.
I am very lucky to have a lot of help from family, which gives me time to go to the gym and work.
As I mentioned though a lot of work gets after 8pm once willow is in bed and my husband and I have had dinner.

Any more exciting collaboration we can look forward to?
 I have set myself a few goals that I want to achieve this year both with the blog and store.
I have some awesome collaborations coming up which I am excited to announce in a few months time.
I can’t give anything away at the moment but it is something that I have never done before and it will take my brand to a whole new level.


 


 

 


Home

Your home styling is amazing, where do you draw your inspiration? I tend to move things around my home until it feels right? How do you settle on your decor? Do you have any help?
I have always loved the whole modern French look with dark floors, white walls and lots of marble.
I don’t have too much colour in my home either.
I just find any time I try to add colour using pillows, towels or bed sheets, I like them for about two days and then I get over it and always go back to white.

What are your go to stores for furniture and decorative pieces?
I love momu, west elm, pottery barn, Coco Republic, French and English and Maison est.

Do you have any tips on making your home cozy this winter?
I think winter is all about layering pieces in your home.
This means adding cushions and throws to your couch and bed.
Lots of candles and some yummy comfort food in the fridge.

This question is for the mummies... How do you keep your home looking immaculate with a toddler?
I was always brought up showing respect for my mother’s things and I have taught Willow the same thing. From a young age I taught her the rules about not touching the photo frames, candles etc.
We are strict with her but she is so well behaved and I haven’t had to move anything away from her.
In saying that she does have plenty of her toys in our living room and the key is to have her pack up any time she is finished playing with toys so before her nap, before we go out and at bedtime.
She thinks it’s a game of who can pack up the quickest.
I will then do a quick 20 min clean every night and wipe all of the fingerprints and food marks.
Cleaning up as you go means that you will never feel that you are overwhelmed with housework.

What is your favourite thing about your home?
I absolutely love our kitchen. My husband and I designed it and 6 years later it is my favourite room in our house. 

Do you have a wish list for your new home?
Our new home is completely different to our current.
It is a beautiful Edwardian home with the amazing ceiling roses and wall and door details.
I will add some of our signature elements to the new house such as dark floors but I am excited to decorate it and turn it into our family home.
Nick and I bought our current house 6 years ago long before we were married and had our daughter so its not the most baby friendly of houses.
The new house will definitely have some more baby friendly areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fashion
 
How do you plan your outfits?
It really just depends on my mood, sometimes I love wearing dresses and other times I would prefer pants and a blazer.
It sounds cliché but it really just depends on how much time I have to get ready and what our crazy Melbourne weather is like.
On my days off you will always see my in gym gear.
There is no way I could wear anything else whilst chasing Willow around.

What are you three must have pieces for this coming winter?
A beautiful grey/black woolen coat, a killer leather jacket and pants, and a beautiful pair of winter boots.

Do you set yourself a budget? If so what are items do you splurge and save on?
I think it is important to be realistic when you are buying clothes, for example I would never over pay for a plain t-shirt or leggings.
In saying that winter is definitely a more expensive season. It is important to invest in good quality boots and coats. The way I see it, instead of buying quantity I will always buy less items but they are of amazing quality and will last you for many years.
I am also a big believer in investing in shoes. You could be wearing the most basic plain outfit and as soon as you pair it with a beautiful pair of shoes, your outfit will be transformed.

Where are your favourite places to shop? Do you have any secret shopping spots/websites?
Anywhere where there is a massive change room where I can spread out Willows toys and keep her entertained whilst I try on clothes.

Which celebrity‘s wardrobe would you most like to raid?
Victoria Beckham, Tom Ford

Any fashion related pet hates?
When your bra straps are showing. Underwear is just as important as the outerwear

What are you top three never fail wardrobe essentials?
A good pair of leather pants. A silk white shirt and a killer leather jacket.

What is your definition of style? What does style mean to you?
Style to me is a way to feel comfortable and confident in what you are wearing. Style is knowing your body type and what suits you so you dress to flatter your body shape.
It is important to understand that trends will come and go however if you find a style that flatters you, you will always feel confident.
Just because something is in fashion it doesn’t mean it is going to suit you.

 

 

 

 

 


Quick Favorites

Drink
Aperol Spritz, champagne, wine and good old vodka (actually anything)

Breakfast
Poached eggs on toast with cheese and turkey

Dinner
Any sort of pasta or spicy Asian flavors.

Restaurant
Long grain, rock pool, baby 

Work out
I have just started boxing with my husband so really enjoying mixing my work out up. 

Indulgence
A good glass of wine

Book
Unfortunately I don’t have time to read books at the moment. The only reading I do is to willow and her choices are usually, Hairy Maclarey, Time for bed, or the Tiger who came to Tea.

Music
Ministry of sound chill out cds

Holiday destination
Anywhere in Italy

Latest obsession
I’ve just started to get back into cooking. As the weather is getting colder, I am finding myself staying home more and more trying out new dishes for the family.

Movie
The great Gatsby

TV show
Friends

GIGI

LONDON CITY GUIDE - UPDATED

For Laura & Elizabeth

I have previously posted some London City guides (which you can find here, http://stevelle.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/city-guide-london.html http://stevelle.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/london.htmland here http://stevelle.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/london-for-day-i-was-surprised-by-how.html) but after visiting again I have some updates for some lovely girls who will be heading over this year! Enjoy your trip girls xx


My shopping for London can be found here http://stevelle.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/shopping-in-london.html

STAY

The Nadler

Hotel 41
The Montage
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London


EAT

Pont St
Heddon Street

ON SALE

Adele Peplum Dress, NAVY, hi-res 
Saba
WAS $330
NOW $103.20

WEAR WITH
Erickson Beamon Cat EarsValentino Garavani '1973' chevron stripe clutch VALENTINO Nude Leather 'Rockstud' Pumps

DREAMING...

Louis Vuitton les 30 chaussures stars de l'automne hiver 2014-2015