One of my favourite posts ever. I spent a couple  sunny afternoon wagging highschool (tut tut) and heading down to this beach for some sun. Isn't it magnificent? There's something seeming prehistoric about the rock formations on the Esperance coastline - it's been a dream of mine to shoot more there. These images are particularly special - not only because they are snapped in my hometown but because the photographer is my darling Mum, diligently snapping under my instruction. She's a natural!

Esperance is also a perfect setting for my new Sportscraft attire, unassuming and effortless - muted hues and soft textures. A classic stripe tee and a free-flowing linen skirt for an afternoon visit to a wild and beautiful coastline. I've included a song that is supposed to fit the mood of my images, not really the lyrics, just the feeling. The goal is equivalent to smelling wine before you drink it. Taste and scent. Sight and sound. Love to know your thoughts - or maybe if you could suggest another song that you feel would work. I know I probably see something different to each of you.

Thankyou Sportscraft for having me onboard to bring you this post. Feels so right.

Nancy Bias skirt, Sportscraft

Lucy Stripe tee, Sportscraft

Harper Crossbody bag, Sportscraft

Monaco Sunglasses, Sportscraft

Fashion is big business - and nowhere does the phrase strike home more than for those of us making a living from it. Why do we love it? For its ever evolving creative side, the ebbs and flows. We are inspired by it everyday. I have a goal with my work - and that is to always be in the business of creating something new and being inspired by what is around me. If you've been following my blog for some time, you'll understand  that music is one of my great loves - and a source of inspiration. You can find a mood and a story in music - which is why this new collaboration with Seafolly and Sydney band Panama makes so much sense. Music and fashion and art. Super cool, to see Australia's most well known swim brand still rocking its creative roots, enlisting local musicians to rep what they are all about.

And of course, American Supermodel - Martha Hunt.

I'm proud to share this beautiful song, highlighted by this stunning video, directed by Daniel Askill for Seafolly.

Feature artwork by me - photography courtesy of Seafolly.

Throwing up another outfit from NYFW - pretty casual again. I was a little lazy this season, a product of abundant travel and the desire to be practical. In step Tommy Hilfiger with these jeans that make me feel way more bad ass than I actually am. May or may not have tried to beat box and rhyme at random intervals on this day…. not embarrassing at all.

I'm back in Sydney and getting back to the feel of this city… damn it's an awesome town! I've been missing the breakfasts and the killer coffee so much. Kinda love the new pace I'm feeling here too - in Europe I've always gotplenty to do but here… I'd describe it like I'm suddenly the popular girl at school - and that's fun cos I was a gangly drama geek/teacher's pet/english literature weirdo  in high school.

tshirt, Rodebjer

jeans, Tommy Hilfiger Collection

shoes, Senso

backpack, Barbara Bonner 

I've had the fortunate pleasure of being able to attend Karen Walkers show in New York for the third time now. I've always been a fan of everything Karen does - I love the vintage references and the young spirit, her use of colour. I find it a little hard to describe runway shows - because I'm not a fashion writer and I don't want to be. I can say that from my personal affinity for colour and pattern, a loose silhouette - I'm definitely a Karen Walker girl.

Something additionally I loved about this show - the casting. Each girl had a thoughtful look about her - a quirky kind of beauty and a cool self assurance. Thus the technique for my edit! Those eyes.

Bravo Karen Walker! I'm thrilled to have seen this beautiful collection on the runway in NYC.

Photography and editing by me.

Tuesday morning I wake up at 5.30am - I've received a message saying I need to be in Paris in time for Wednesday. 2pm, I'm on a plane on en route to the Northern Hemisphere. Just like that! That's a pretty intense turn around even for me  - but I live for it! I should have a bag packed by the door like a woman in late pregnancy.  I think I'm almost spending more time in transit than my actual destination too. Damn Australia for being so far away!

Here's where it's get annoying, I can't tell you what I'm up to - but as you can imagine, you don't really announce the details of a project before its realised because then it spoils the surprise and also gives others the chance to steal your concepts! I still hate it whether other bloggers are all 'something exciting coming soon!!'. Tell me now!!!

I snapped these images on a morning walk - I arrived very early and had to kill some time before I could check into my hotel. Paris really is the most photogenic city you can imagine - so majestic! Very inspiring photographically - I probably only prefer Amsterdam and Prague in all the cities I've been too, and that's really only because those cities aren't quite as busy.

I'm back in Sydney in time for the weekend - and then I embark on a week of work where I'm shooting and filming everyday (sometimes two separate shoots in a day) so I hope I can find enough time to get decent content for you all up. I was doing so well for awhile there. I still have a few good posts left from NYC so thats positive.

Thanks for your patience with me!

Dressing for the beach should be nothing less than effortless. The fewer garments the better. In step this denim shirt dress from Sportscraft, so practical and just the perfect shade and shape, a dress to live in! This is the third part in my series for Sportscraft, an iconic Australian brand famous for quality and simplicity.

This instalment (and also the last) are particularly special to me because it's not only shot in my hometown - but my dear Mum is the photographer, keenly acting under my guidance. She's the best! A fun story about this beach - see that last image? There's a large rock that's swimming distance from the shore behind me. The time previous to this one, there was a shark warning and all the swimmers were ordered to leave the water. Apparently there was a Great White Shark circling that rock - trapping the swimmers who had journeyed out there to sun themselves on it… they had to be rescued by boat! Must have been frightening huh? But the truth about Great White's is that they have a bad rap - and while they are pretty dangerous, they are incredibly rare and misunderstood. I heard of tourists visiting Australia and refusing to swim in the ocean for fear of shark attacks - but of course - the car ride to the beach has much greater risk than the actual swimming in the ocean. Humans aren't really that delicious anyway.

Twilight Beach is the busiest beach in my town in the summer… but it's not totally rare to find it all to yourself in the early hours. Magic huh?

Thanks again to Sportscraft inviting me to create these images for you :)

Alice Tencel Chambray dress available at Sportscraft from November

Hat, Sportscraft

Bag, Sportscraft

I'm very excited to post these images - a collaboration with talented illustrator Abby Phillips. See her instagram HERE or her portfolio HERE for her killer work. I've been saving these shots from NYC, it's the outfit I wore to the Calvin Klein show on my last day there. The dress is Reformation, pretty low cut (hello boobies!) but it's one of those garments that really makes me feel so great when I wear it. Feminine and fabulous! But the same can be said for loads of dresses from Reformation… those girls know sexy.

Here's where I need to apologise for going AWOL this past week - I really have tried to get something up but I've really been manic! And it's all leading up to tomorrow and Wednesday. Tomorrow is a day where we tackle a load of press commitments and then have our launch party - and then Wednesday the show is finally airing! I'm filled with nervous excitement about all of it. I see it as a chance to repair a few misconceptions about what it is to be a professional fashion blogger, that it's not all selfies and macaroons. I'm also stressed about the negative attention - especially on twitter where I hear people can be totally brutal. A friend of mine who has worked in TV warned me not to read twitter and respond to negative messages… which is tricky because it's not really in my nature to leave a comment undefended!

I appreciate your all waiting around for my posts - hopefully I can get back on that train stat. So often recently I've spent my days working on shoots that get delayed in release - meaning I can't post them until weeks or months have passed. This is pretty common in the fashion industry, to wait until the appropriate time to release a photo shoot, waiting for collections to drop etc… but its not ideal for a blogger who needs content right now!

I tried posting this last night but my internet failed for some reason at the final hour and I've had to wait until this morning. Big day ahead for me! :)

Pics by Christine Tran

dress, Reformation

jacket, Vintage

clutch, Zimmerman

One of my favourite outfits of late - some pieces I borrowed from Karen Walker to wear to the Karen Walker Eyewear 10 year celebration and now making extra use of them. I really want to wear this jumper everyday for the rest of my life - because cats! I also love this look because it works running from shooting to meetings, in and out of cabs - still feeling cosy but dressed up somehow as well.

Sorry I can't write more about this post, I feeling a bit stressed and I'd rather say nothing than complain it!

sweater and skirt, Karen Walker - shoes, Senso - earrings, Swarovski (adv piece) - bag, Chloe from Matches - watch, Larsson Jennings.

In case you missed it - here's a preview from Fashion Bloggers! Would love to know your thoughts… also for those of you unable to see the show? No fear! You can watch it online a week after it airs online. I'll post the link when I have it! :)

I don't like to complain on my blog (I save that for my friends to deal with) but I've truthfully had possibly the busiest two weeks of my life and haven't had much chance to post. It's great to be busy but it can mean that my blog can suffer and I have a dreadful habit of thinking tasks will always take less time than the actuality. Thankfully the next two weeks - though also jammed with activity, allow me some time in front of my computer (on the couch, in my pjs, yeehaa) to catch up. I've shot campaigns and done loads of filming and travelling around. Means exciting stuff ahead!

Wish I had more energy to share it all on social media... I really need to exercise more. The irony of not exercising is that even though it takes time, it eventually gives you more energy to be more productive with the time you have. I just need to pull it out!

Back to working! Today's job list includes dealing with my finances… the worst of tasks!!  Managed to get this outfit snapped on the weekend with Rebecca - who is in Sydney for the first time ever. So exciting to share this city with her! Sydney isn't exactly a short journey from Europe and it's pretty surreal to have one of my closest friends here with me.

photo, Rebecca - editing me

skirt, Balenciaga from Matches

jacket, Vintage

shirt dress, Prism

bag, Chloe from Matches

sneakers, Puma

ear piece, Alexandra Kaldili

The final chapter in my series for Sportscraft, this time my instalment is from Manly, Sydney - where I've been occasionally residing when in town. I don't have a home in Sydney anymore so I've been dotting around, staying with friends and hotels and airbnbs. I actually find that if I settle in one place for too long then I get cosy - and then return back to Europe is more of a shock to my system. I do feel like I could stay forever with Sara though - partly because of her adorable labrador Bundy! It's so nice to have a happy dog friend around when you work from home. Having a dog of my very own is a pipe dream of mine! Gotta stay still for a while though, my transient lifestyle shows no signs of slowing down! Certainly makes me one of the lucky ones - I'm not taking a moment for granted (well at least I'm trying not to!).

So this spotty skirt is fun right? I think I could style it a million ways… looking at the shots now I wish I paired it with some plainer shoes but sometimes I get overexcited and want every piece of clothing I wear to have a theme! Hahah! I should really be taking a leaf out of Sara's book right? Whatever - I don't think my style would be as interesting if I didn't make at least a few mistakes.

Love shooting on the beach in cloudy weather - so moody and romantic! Gotta do it more often.

Pics by Sara (check out her beautiful new site!!) - edit by me

skirt, Sportscraft

tee, Sportscraft

bag, Sportscraft

bracelets, Sportscraft

shoes, Tibi

pom pom , River Island

Well now I'm excited - I have a link for you to watch Fashion Bloggers online. It's the first episode, thought the second one aired last night - you can watch them a week behind. Better than never right!? So HERE it is. Hopefully the video isn't region blocked - please let me know if you can't see it in your country and I'll update this post with a warning about it.

This is an outfit post from a couple weeks back that I've had on ice because the shoot was filmed for episode two. Something easy and casual, the weather was great a couple weeks back and now it's gotten cold again! I want it to be warmer tomorrow because it's Elle Style Awards - today I'm headed to a PR to see if any of the Zimmermann pieces from NYFW fit me… I'm at least a full size larger than the models on the runway so I might to suck it in a little. I would feel so lucky to wear one of those looks! I also don't have a back up option.

Gotta dash, still wearing Pj's and need to be leaving in 20mins. Typical of me!

dress, Ganni

shoes, Adidas

shirt, Jag

bag, Barbara Bonner

sunglasses, Karen Walker

Those of you who follow Sara or have caught the last episode of Fashion Bloggers TV will know that yesterday was the launch of Harper and Harley x Tony Bianco shoe collection. I was so honoured to my asked by Sara, who is one of my closest friends, to shoot the campaign for her new range.  We wanted to to stay true to the Harper and Harley aesthetic, keeping things classic and clean - but take it up a notch with some elegant studio imagery… and what more do we really need other than Sara's incredible face and some classic footwear!

What a journey it's been for Sara - I remember meeting her for the first time in 2011 at the Ginger and Smart show. It was around the time that many Australian bloggers first started to get invites to runway shows at Fashion Week, we were all so excited! Since then - both of us have grown up so much. I'm so lucky to have shared this roller coaster with Sara and there's so many exciting things on the horizon! #ladyboss

Please check out Sara's post for the remainder of the shots you can have some Harper and Harley x Tony Bianco shoes for your very own right here!

Photography and editing, Me

Special thanks to Mondo Digital

As you can probably imagine, when you're Zanita and your blog is about Zanita - there will be days when you're sick of your own damn face. Today is one of those days - I edited an outfit post and I was so annoyed about it I decided to harass my beautiful friend Sara to let me photograph her instead. Much happier posting these images! She's quite the muse no?

I'm very lucky to have some hardworking and inspiring friends. :)

Photography and editing by me.

This post is dedicated to my fellow bloggers, in particular, the upstarts - those who have just started out and want to break out. I get alot of emails from girls who want their fashion blogs to become popular so I've decided to give away some of the secrets. It's all about how to gain thousands of followers and amazing brands following suit. It seems like it should be easy enough right? The best way to figure out the secret is to learn from the best.

1. Accessorize like Song of Style.

2. Post as frequently as Blonde Salad (you'll need staff for this).

3. Shoot images like Gary Pepper Girl.

4. Have long flippy hair and glowing eyes/smile like Kayture.

5. Post flawlessly curated instagram shots like Oracle Fox.

6. Rock the LA Vibe sunsets like Fashion Toast.

7. Own an epic shoe collection like Sea of Shoes.

8. Travel like Tuula.

9. Have legs like Stylescrapbook.

10. Build a site that looks like Park and Cube

…So that's obviously all completely impossible - but certainly hasn't stopped multitudes of girls from trying their darndest to emulate these superstars and work with a formula. The result is shallow and low impact because it's just a shadow of the real thing. The truth is, it's fairly simple to pinpoint what it takes to make a good blog - but getting popular in a viral way is a pretty different story.

I have an analogy.

So it we pretend for a moment that bloggers were popstars/musicians - then Aimee would be maybe Beyonce and Chiara would be Rihanna and Nicole would be Taylor Swift (or something like that, don't think too much into this)… so they are all singing songs that have a great mass appeal, pop songs that millions of people are into. That's just the music that suits them! And they are lucky to have worked towards having the means to produce such great sound. Can anyone just become as famous or popular as Chiara/Rihanna? Unfortunately not - but the thing is, not every musician wants to be Rihanna either. What about all those amazing indie artists? Some of my favourite musicians are not mainstream at all, they aren't making millions selling albums (sometimes they aren't earning anything!) but I wouldn't want them to change their sound… that would be appalling. So my blog is pretty popular, but it's not one of the biggest in the world. Thing is - I wouldn't wanna change that at all because I need to just play my own sound. I could probably become more popular - for example, my most popular outfit posts are the ones where I dress really feminine, but its not my style to always dress that way. I just need to play my own music! I accept that I'll never be Beyonce/Aimee.

That got confusing pretty fast. Maybe you can follow at some point... Basically, a good blog isn't pretending to be something it's not - it's wholly authentic. There are plenty of articles out there about how to direct followers to your blog  - but captivating your audience is a totally different thing. No point bringing in a new reader if they are just going to visit and never come back. So what is it about your fashion blog that makes it different from all the rest? You! So you do you, and express all that's unique about your ideas.  You'll find people that connect with your aesthetic and that's how you can achieve real satisfaction through blogging.

So in summary, asking "how can I become popular in personal/fashion blogging?" is always the wrong question. It should be  "How can I make an authentic personal blog?" and the rest should just sort itself out. Maybe you won't be the 'Taylor Swift' of the blog world (and maybe you will!!) but in the end - at least you'll love playing your music.

Yay!

Firstly - I really appreciate the overwhelming response on my last post, it's a new encouragement to me to keeping blabbing on about things on my blog, life and other generalities. It's true I'm on a pretty surreal ride right now - not many people can say they travel between hemispheres monthly, are part of the cast of a reality show - and have thousands of followers interested in what you're up to… and don't get me started on the fashion (or do!)  haha! So I'm feeling pretty invigorated about blogging right now - thanks so much!! xx

About this look - I'm all about finding something dressy and taking it down a notch. Meaning, bring the sass with the skirt and shirt and pair them with some sneaks for added fun time value. I also love this philosophy applied to maxi and midi dresses, anything floaty and pretty. I had more images to post with this outfit but it was one of those days where I wasn't really switched on and began looking slack-jawed into the camera like a moron. I've vetoed whole posts for this reason - when you've got too much on your mind it's a real trial to get a good photograph.

Exciting times ahead for Z-bag (that's a nickname I gave to myself, gonna catch on any day now cos it's like,  so cool) this weekend I'm headed up to Hamilton Island and then next week to freakin' Marrakech! I've never been to the African continent so I'm pretty thrilled to tick that off my list. Hopefully I can shoot loads and jam my blog with exotic content. There's going to be some amazing bloggers joining me so expect some collaborative features too.

Third episode of Fashion Bloggers TV airs tonight (3 already!) which means if you're Australian you'll also be able to view the second episode online. I don't get a preview of  each episode before it comes out so I never know what to expect… We are still filming right now too, when you're on a show about fashion it's gotta be current!

I'm headed into the city now for errands related to getting my tax done. THE WORST.

photos, Rebecca - editing, me

shirt, And Other Stories

skirt, Tibi

shoes, Adidas

bag, Sportscraft

sunglasses, Spektre from Matches

Presenting a post for  Karen Millen, a global brand with a quintessential British vibe. I chose these piece for their practicality and ease to fit into my wardrobe. The knit is a sweet trans-seasonal piece, I can picture this also with a pair of high waited flared trousers/jeans and a boot - and then the skirt which I absolutely love - it's made from a beautiful soft leather! So I could rock it with maybe grey tights and a coat. This is a piece to last you through seasons also - because it's simple and flattering. I'm also a fan of anything with pockets!

It's important for me to have pieces in my wardrobe that are pretty practical through different seasons because I just travel so much. In the next week I'm headed to Northern Queensland, Marrakech and then to freezing Stockholm - all in one swoop! How on earth do you pack for something like that? My philosophy is usually to jam everything in and hope for the best… but my problem will come when I need to travel from the airport to my apartment in Stockhom because I have no really really warm clothes…

Excited to share my content over the next week! Stay tuned to my insta x

knit, Karen Millen (adv piece)

skirt, Karen Millen (adv piece)

bag, Chloe

shoes, Puma

sunglasses, Spektre

Thrilled to be posting up these shots from my not so recent trip to Ibiza, where I travelled with a posse of babes representing sexy designer swim label Nookie. I'm hoping these images speak for themselves - and really share what the Nookie girl is about. She lives for summer, loves the sun, the sand and the beach - and she's fun and effortlessly sexy. The spanish island of Ibiza is her spiritual homeland. Full of fun loving people, connecting from all four corners of the globe over a united passion for summer sun and music - and maybe the odd mojito ;) Thanks so much to Nikita and the Nookie team for inviting me along to this incredibly fun experience, Ibiza is a beautiful and very unique place and the Nookie girl knows how to make the most of the island. Special thanks to the models who were scouted by Nikita whilst in Ibiza, major babes Aleksandra Dobric and Lela Radulovic - it's great to shoot girls who are also best friends, they had an awesome chemistry.

All bikinis, Nookie Beach

So this is Part 2 of my Nookie Beach series - shooting babes at Cala Conte in Ibiza. I've got a really busy morning shooting and packing up my things here in Marrakech - then flying to Stockholm for two nights before heading back down under. Got lots of exciting content coming in the next few weeks :)

Gotta dash!

Photography, Me

All swimwear, Nookie Beach

I'm all about dressing down - taking something upmarket, high end or just plain fancy - and then bringing it back to the trailer park. To be honest, going all out with the fanciness makes me a little bit uncomfortable. If I can't add a bit of jersey or denim, something deconstructed or oversized - then I'm doing it wrong. So here we have some very fancy red velvet stiletto heels taken back a notch with some Mum jeans and a leather safari vest.

Snapped on my recent trip to Morocco with Jimmy Choo - and I've got a great photo diary still to come from my trip there. It was a real whirlwind, can't believe it's happened... time is racing by me so quickly!! I don't have enough hours in the day to get things done. Still have diaries to post from Hamilton Island too...

Photos by Andy - edit by me.

vest, Witchery

shirt, Witchery

heels, Jimmy Choo

bag, Jimmy Choo

jeans, H&M