So happy it’s Friday – I had a really large workload today and I’ve finished it by pulling together this playlist, which is so cathartic. Some of these tracks are my old favourites from about 7 or 8 years ago and I just looked them up to see if I was still into that sound – turns out I still love them – hope you do too!

I’m really on the mend right now, still coughing a little but so optimistic I’m probably going to go with a glass of wine at dinner. Hope you’re cruising into the weekend!! xx

The post Music to Make Your Friday Last Forever appeared first on Zanita Studio.

There’s always excitement and motivation in starting a new job especially if you’ve been in the market for a while or just started working your real first job. However, after some point, you’ll hit a plateau – the excitement will be over when you’re fully versed in your job alongside the culture of the company. Now what? Well, you’ll typically experience one of two feelings: 1. You love it and you want to climb up the ladder, or 2. You hate it and you’re tempted to drown yourself in the job market (again).

It’s simple to tell if you’re in the right place because you’ll generally be happy going to work and see the people you work with despite the nuances that occur in the job. However, if you’re struggling to decide whether or not you should jump ships, here are six things that basically tell you you’re in the wrong job:

#1 You’re more interested in the Internet than your actual job.

Since we’re pretty much always online, it’s completely normal to browse the web or shop every once in a while. However, if you’re constantly on the Internet doing things totally unrelated to your job, you’re obviously not engaged or interested in what you’re doing.

#2 You’re ready for the weekends by the time it’s Monday.

Do you dread going to work Sunday night? If you’re endlessly watching the clock and waiting for the end of day to arrive or wishing it were Friday by the time you enter work on Monday, you might as well admit you’re miserable.

#3 You’re a loner.

You just can’t seem to immerse yourself in the company culture. Your values don’t align and there’s not really anyone you truly enjoy being around. It’s hard enough to be in a job you don’t enjoy, but if you also find yourself in grief with the people you work with, you should definitely reconsider your situation.

#4 Your strengths aren’t maximized.

There are always things to learn in the beginning, but if you no longer feel like you’re growing or have room for advancement by the time you’re proficient in what you’ve been doing, then it seems your potential won’t be used to its fullest. First things first, you should always be invested in your own development.

#5 You’re in it for the money.

Bills and expenses will always exist so those are definitely not valid reasons to work a job you hate. Life is too short to hate doing things you spend most of your time on (e.g. your job) so don’t let the money keep you there.

#6 You’d rather stay home than get paid.

And if you reach a time where you’d rather call out sick or use all your vacation days than go to work – even if it means taking it unpaid – you’ve hit a point of no return. It’s really time to go.

XO,

– Susan

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Image Source Credits – Unsplash, Rus Anson, Thought and Sight

The post 6 Ways To Tell You’re In The Wrong Job appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Sunday Funday: time for bargain shopping!

Yess, it’s time to fill up the closet with some new goodies and we’ve scanned the internet for those cheap (nobody will be able to tell though) finds that makes the wardrobe exciting again. Those snake booties with a pair of cropped pair of jeans and a cute bag = win! ♥

1. Mini Winged Cross Body Bag (HERE)

2. Burgundy Snake Skin Booties (HERE)

3. Cropped Jeans (HERE)

Happy shopping!

– This article was edited by Sania Claus Demina

Our Top 3 Weekly Bargains 

The post Our Top 3 Weekly Bargains appeared first on Zanita Studio.

I’ve never forget the first time I walked in the Topshop Oxford Circus for the very first time and the wholesale panic that followed…

‘I shouldn’t max my credit cards today… Should I???’

This was around 7 years ago and the retail landscape in Australia was pretty bleak, especially for someone on my budget. I loved fashion but couldn’t find pieces on trend for a price my wallet could appreciate. So Topshop was my answer. The first thing I ever purchased was from one of the early Kate Moss for Topshop collections (you can see that in a post from 2008 here – and appreciate how far I’ve come along with my content!) and I was obsessed.

So my long love affair with Topshop began way back then and continues today, Down Under have stores landed in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth (yay!) and I expect there’s more on the way. I’m going to be working with Topshop in the coming months to bring you exclusive content, beginning with this editorial inspired the exclusive for Australia trend, titles Kraftek. It’s all the retro vibes, mixed textures and prints, just my kind of style.

What do you guys think?

To get your own piece of the Kraftek trend, head into a Topshop store in Australia. All clothing and accessories in this editorial are from Topshop. Really looking forward to sharing more from this collaboration in the very near future!!

Photography and Production – Gustav Carlson

Creative Direction, Model, Styling, Editing – Me

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The post This Is Kraftek appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Sometimes getting motivated can seem to sit at the core of all life’s little problems.  

Some days I’m bounding with energy ready to attack my workout, other days I’d rather lay in bed and watch Season 2 of Gossip Girl (again). In reality, there are some days where we just need that push, that fire in our heart to get us up and out and motivated to take on the world and to start out, we need to shift focus towards addressing our own mindsets. The initial purpose of this post is to focus on getting motivated to exercise, but you really can use these tips to motivate yourself in any area of your life. 

Exercising is hard, but it’s more consistently rewarding than anything else I know. The feeling you get once you’ve had a good sweat, that feeling of accomplishment and hard work that just puts a smile on your face. Those moments of doubt that sometimes creep in and get us down, but instead of letting them consume you – take action and get up, get motivated and get moving. 

Getting up at 5am to go for a run takes a whole lot of drive, energy and commitment – but we can all do it, it’s just how much YOU want it.  We all want to excel, we all want to be the best that we can possibly be but sometimes you just need a little push to get you going. So I thought I would share some tips to get you up and moving so you can reach your goals and stay motivated on your way to achieving them. 

Set Goals

Make sure you are working towards something, it makes it a whole lot easier and more rewarding. Make sure they are achievable but not too easy. Pick your major goal and create little wins along the way! Tracking goals is a great to keep you on track.

Get Inspired

Do it – Get on Instagram and find inspiring women that just make you want to put your headphones in and SWEAT. They are out there! One way that gets me motivated is buying a new pair of sneakers or some workout wear (get the look below).

Here are some of my motivators. I love to get inspiration from Instagram fitness gurus and watch youtube instructional videos (below) – it really works!

Hold Yourself Accountable

Being able to take full responsibly for what you are doing is key, here’s some tips to keep it going:

• Write it down
• Tell someone what you want to achieve and that you will do it
  
• Make a Fitness Pact. Do it with someone else – Having a friend to get you motivated and to hold each other accountable will help push you both to actually do what you set out to do.

Accept That It Will Be Hard 

Proven fact, hard work pays off. It’s going to take time, it’s going to hurt and you’re going to have days where you want to quit – but that is all part of the journey.

Decided Why You Want To Do It

Do you want to fit into that smaller size, are you working towards something like a race or do you want to just feel happier?. 

Getting motivated and inspired is how I work towards my goals and how I get things done. Here’s one of my workouts to help get you started – and I’ve included a few extra’s I’m loving below! I would love to know some of your motivators and techniques.

#TheHarperMovement 

Article by Mon – M.B Harper

Follow me on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter,Youtube,BlogLovin

Snapchat: @mb_harper

Get Motivated

Banner Image: Wonderland Magazine 

Instagram: @karliekloss @stephclairesmith  @natalie_roser @iza_goulart @ellielemons @lauryneagle

The post How To Get Motivated For Life appeared first on Zanita Studio.

The seasons are changing and so is breakfast.

Over the past miserably cold winter months in South Africa, I’ve been eating warm porridge for breakfast every morning. For the first few days I enjoyed it, but then as time went on I was sick of the same old flavour and texture. I tried jazzing it up with a little coconut oil, cinnamon, and even vanilla extract. Sure it made a difference, but I guess I’m not a winter person. I love the heat and the warm light of summer. In winter, the sun sets around 6pm leaving me no time at all to take foodie photos for my blog and Instagram.

Finally summer is near and I’m taking advantage of it. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, you go and enjoy your winter! I’m done!  This recipe is one of my first summery recipes for the summer season. Granola is one my favourite things to eat for breakfast. It’s also such a basic recipe that you could adapt to your liking. For example, if you can’t stand coconut, replace it with seeds or nuts. You could also add different flavourings like ground ginger, cardamom, or even rosemary (if you’re adventurous). It’s a great way to use up bits and bobs in your pantry. You can do just about anything you like with it. You could mix it with grated apples and yogurt; serve it in a fruit salad and, my personal favourite, serve it plain with milk. That’s simply because I love the taste of this homemade granola. Once you’ve made the granola, and really it takes very little effort, you can store it in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.

This recipe is such a great one – beyond being gluten free – it makes the most crunchy and tasty granola. To make it you simply roast your dry ingredients to which you add a butterscotch sauce. I’ve added salt to this recipe. The salt cuts through the sweetness of the granola giving it a balanced flavour.

Homemade Gluten Free Granola

Makes 1 large jar

Ingredients:

• 450g rolled oats
• 100g slightly crushed hazelnuts
• 100g desiccated coconut
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 200g golden syrup
• 100g honey
• 100g Demerara sugar
• 50g butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees on the grill setting.

2. Place the rolled oats, hazelnuts, coconut, salt and cinnamon in a large rectangular baking dish. Mix well together.

3. Place in the oven and leave to grill for 5 minutes. Stir regularly so that nothing burns.

4. Whilst your dry ingredients are in the oven, prepare your butterscotch sauce. Place your syrup, honey, sugar, butter and vanilla extract into a heavy based saucepan. Put over a medium heat and leave to melt. Shake the pan regularly so that the sugar doesn’t burn. Once all has melted, stir and bring to a rapid bubble. Remove from the heat.

5. Once your dry ingredients are golden, pour your butterscotch sauce over. Mix well. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.

6. Switch your oven onto the normal fan setting. Place your granola into the oven and leave to cook for a further 10 minutes. By this time it should be dark golden brown. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.

7. Once the granola has cooled slightly, spoon into a sterilised jar (to sterilise a jar, place in a recently warm oven and leave to sit for 5 minutes). Keep the lid off and leave to cool further. Once completely cooled, cover with a lid and store in cool area.

The granola can last 2-3 weeks in the jar.

Article and photography by Ben Orkin

 Instagram @benorkin | Blog | Pinterest

Snapchat: @benorks

The post How To Make Homemade Gluten Free Granola appeared first on Zanita Studio.

White easily gives your outfit that fresh vibe…

Victoria Beckham, J Mendel, Loewe (Photo Credits: Style.com)

…and the designers have made
sure you won’t disappear in the
dark this fall.  

Preferably worn from top to bottom where the game is all about interesting silhouettes. Here are our best white finds at the moment:

Find more white picks in theSHOP HERE!

article by Fashion Editor Sania Claus Demina

The post Shop The Trend FW15: WHITE appeared first on Zanita Studio.

And here we were all thinking that mousse went out of vogue in the 80s….

 I‘m sure you’re all up to date with the fact that I’ve really only just started to learn what works when it comes to hair.

In the past the volume and texture has been at the mercy of humidity and who knows what, so often I’d end up with flat hair (those are the non photo days) and not have the confidence to ‘product up’ and change it. I’ve already spouted my love for Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Dry Shampoo and Sea Salt Texture Spray – but now I’m opening my bathroom and my heart to a new unsung hero – Mousse!

I remember raiding the bathroom and using my Mum’s mousse at home as a kid, rubbing it in the ends of my hair for crusty effect – since then I hadn’t really thought much of the product. The real confession lies in my concept for this editorial – I originally planned for slick hair and purchased the mousse thinking I’d be able to plaster my hair down on my scalp with it. After filling my hands with foamy goodness and applying liberally to dry hair, I started to flipping it around and styling it as the mousse dried (it happens quite quickly).

The result is this wild volumous look – and I wish I had the good sense to snap a ‘before’ shot, which was a much deflated and frankly uninteresting style. The mousse gave my hair major volume and hold – but also this great sheen. I’m a total convert for the product – its perfect for going out, where I want a show stopping look that’s consistent over the course of an evening. It’s kind of empowering to know I don’t really need to book an appointment if I’m short on time before heading to fancy events.

Maybe this kind of volume isn’t for everyone, but I’d recommend experimenting with mousse. I imagine different quantities would give different effects – I used quite a sizeable amount, maybe 3 or 4 handfuls of the stuff. Would love to hear about your experiences using mousse! I don’t think I’ll ever go near a can of hairspray again.

Photography, Gustav Carlson

Creative Direction/Editing/Modelling, Me

knit, Sass and Bide

This post was made possible thanks to Schwarzkopf – and their Extra Care Push Up Volume Mousse.

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The post Here’s Why Mousse Could Be Your New Favourite Hair Product appeared first on Zanita Studio.

One of the most daunting and tedious tasks of adult life is financial management – even the simple thought of managing money can feel overwhelming especially if you don’t have a business-based background to give you the rudimentary knowledge of saving and investing. It’s not an easy task to figure out alone so don’t agonize over it if you’re currently moping in this bucket. Here are five simple financial moves you should start with:

#1 Save.

It’s easy to overlook the potential crises that can arise when you’re still young and free. You may find yourself pushing the idea of saving into the backseat especially when out with your friends – usually our peak time of spending frivolously on drinks and food just to have a good time. After all, we’re young and we have time to make the money back, right?

No. The fact that you’re young and finally starting your career means you should start building that emergency fund ASAP for unexpected emergencies or major future purchases (like a house).

#2 Retirement.

Sooner or later, we’ll all get to a point where we can’t work anymore and we’ll need to retire, but you won’t get to retire with a savings account alone. Take advantage of the retirement options your employer offers and set aside enough money to maximize your employer’s matching contribution (at minimum). An employer matching contribution is free money – who doesn’t love that? And with the power of compound interest, you’d be shocked at the amount you can amass in a short time period.

Note:

Now would also be a good time to understand Compound interest – Interest accrued on an initial deposit/loan + interest – this basically helps your investment grow at a faster rate than normal.

#3 Pay Your Debts.

Fresh out of school (or even a few years after), you’ve probably accrued a bit of debt – student loans, credit cards, and non-revolving debt. You should really tackle these things as soon as you can while you have no other obligations. Start by figuring out how much you owe, the minimum payments you need to make, what you can afford to pay without suffering, and then start paying them. If you find yourself in a little too deep, attempt to pay off your highest interest debts first (most likely your credit card bills). And then avoid any new debt at all costs.

#4 Invest & Diversify.

If you start your “savings trip” early on, you can afford to take on some risk because simply put, you have the time to make your money back. Investing is where your youth will work to your advantage. I’d encourage you to think about other options for putting your money away that are totally unrelated to a traditional savings account at a bank.

There are so many investment vehicles to choose from, you just have to figure out what makes sense in terms of your tolerance for risk and comfort level with investing. You can look into safe options like CDs, bonds, and mutual funds or riskier alternatives like stocks, options, etc. And then diversify (use a combination of these mediums along with your bank savings) to maximize your return.

#5 Budget.

Don’t spend recklessly – the less you spend the more you can save (duh!). Obviously, you need to pay for your living expenses, pay off your debts, but you should also put at least 10% to savings, and then use the remaining balance for indulging and fun (or better yet, even more savings).

XO,

– Susan

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Image Source Credits – Aaron Woodall, Unsplash

The post 5 Financial Moves To Make When Starting Out appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Do you also love this look by Zanita?

There is something special about monochromatic outfits and the best way to make them more fun is by adding little colourful details. White is one of the most important colours this season so this look just can’t go wrong. Dressed up and casual, at the same time, whats better?! Anyways, so I’ve scanned some pieces online and here is all you need to steal Zanitas beautiful cream look with sneakers and pretty little details:

This is all you need to nail it too:

1. Pieces that make a full cream outfit:

2. Cool sneakers (note the fact that you don’t need to bother about the laces much..):

3. Pretty details that stand out a bit:

The post Get The Look: Cream, Sneakers & Pretty Little Details appeared first on Zanita Studio.

So happy to have found a moment in the sun.

I’m currently posting from Istanbul, Turkey where I’m here working on a social campaign with Harrods. It’s a bit of a dream come true, we’re staying at the beautiful Four Seasons hotel right on the Bosphorus river. The hotel is on the European side – and across from us, we can see Asia. Isn’t that incredible?! Istanbul straddles two continents.  This is such an exciting city, full of culture and vibrance, so modern yet bursting with unique history.

So it’s another one of those ‘pinch me’ experiences – which are sometimes hard to take in when our workload is high. Thankfully we’re taking a bit of an exhalation, catching some sun and relaxing prior to Fashion Month. This season, I’m attending all four cities… which is a slightly terrifying concept. It probably sounds shallow but my biggest concern is figuring out what to wear everyday for a whole month! Fashion Week dressing should always be a bloggers best work… it’s the most satisfying feeling, when you really feel like you have it figured out. Gratefully, as I’ve progressed in my career I’ve now got quite a bit of help on finding the fanciest of pants for the fanciest shows.

So there’s going to be loads to share in the coming weeks! Gustav and I fly to NYC on Sunday – and meanwhile we’re going to be looking for an intern in NYC, so if you’re based there and would love to be part of the Zanita Studio at NYFW experience – email us! info@zanita.com

shirt, Mes Demoiselles

trousers, Chloe

necklace, rings and bracelet, By Charlotte

sandals, Zeus and Dione

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The post Sun on the Bosphorus appeared first on Zanita Studio.

They give your legs those extra inches that only a flared pair of denim can and fashionistas (including me) all over the world are obsessed!

The 70’s flare trend is here to stay for another while and since the alternatives in the shops are just overwhelming I decided to pick 8 really perfect pairs for you. Personally thinking of getting either the raw denim ones to the left or the classic ones in the bottom middle. What about you?

If you already got tall legs, just wear them like Zanita, with a pair of sneakers! 

The post 8 Perfect Flared Jeans You Need In Your Closet This Fall appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Butter your weekend with this audio honey.

Hope you’re all having an awesome one – I’m in the midst of a very chaotic and disorganised preparation for NYFW. I need a glass of wine!! This list of tracks has proven to be very soothing.

xx

The post Songs To Sail You Through The Weekend appeared first on Zanita Studio.

It’s true that the mind is one of the most influential contributors to our successes, our failures, and our actions. And if you pay the slightest attention to those who embody any ounce of success around you, I’m sure you’ve found their happiness and energy contagious.

Have you ever wondered what catapults them forward – what kind of insanity goes on in those minds that keep them moving no matter the roadblocks or time of day? I’m no image of success, but through conversations and observations, I truly believe these are the thoughts we should start having to train our minds today:

#1 I am grateful for what I have.

They are thankful for the opportunities and experiences they’ve come across, but are even more thankful for the people who have supported them along the way. As a result, they express their gratitude and show appreciation often.

#2 I will try.

As the old saying goes – “if there is a will, there is a way”. And if insanity is truly doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results – these people are probably really insane. They try time after time and even if it doesn’t work out, they don’t give up.

#3 I have clear, achievable goals.

As life wavers, you won’t always know exactly what you want to do or what you want to be, but successful people always have an idea of what that end result might look like. Then, they make small moves to get there. Sara Blakely of Spanx is the epitome of this concept when she said

“I take mental snapshots of things that I want to manifest in my life, and they’re as clear as Polaroid pictures. I’m not clear on how I’m going to get there, but I’m 100 percent clear that I will get there.”

#4 I will learn.

They have an insatiable hunger for knowledge. They know perfection doesn’t exist so they’re constantly looking for ways to learn and grow both internally and professionally. Knowledge is an ever-evolving process; it doesn’t stop after school.

#4 I can succeed.

Successful people make time, they commit, and then they work damn hard. They don’t wait for the right moment or right people – no excuses here. It’s all in the mind: I can, I will.

#6 I will help others.

Back to point #1 – they know the value and power of people as they acknowledge the help and support they’ve received; therefore, they are willing to lift those around them as others have done for them.

#7 I love what I do.

They have it figured out. They’re passionate about their work so they do it with excitement and grace. This can fall into place once you’ve mastered the previous six thoughts and get to your happy place.

XO,

– Susan

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Image Source Credits – Unsplash, This Is Colossal

The post Training One’s Mind For Success appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Finally we have a new video!

And I feel so guilty about the hiatus – but it’s partly to blame from a good couple weeks with the flu and having to catch up on work over that time.

This video is a collaboration between myself and super talented, Sydney based Make-up Artist Tobi Henney. In this video, we’re doing a re-creation of a look she did for me for the Myer Fashion show last month. I threw up this below selfie on instagram and it was one of my more popular pics to date. Tobi and I were working on a campaign together in Sydney and decided to use the time post shoot to share with you a ‘How-To’ on achieving this look. We’re still learning what works best for these videos – but hoping you’re like the endeavours so far!

Thanks so much Tobi for being part of this, and don’t forget to subscribe to her channel right HERE

You can find all the make-up credits in the youtube window.

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The post Get the Look: Glowing Evening Make-up appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Sending you some shoppingtips from up in the air on the way to New York!

Fashion month is around the corner and New York goes first. And this time I’m joining Zanita and Gustav as a team member as the Fashion Editor of Zanita Studio. Extremely excited and haven’t gotten to know you all yet but you could check out my blog until I get to connect with more with you guys here!

Gotta love wifi that actually works on an airplane (yes, I’m doing this live from the sky haha)! They got sockets too meaning I could charge my laptop and make this 9 hours flight feel very short and easy. Got the seat next to me to myself so I’ve cuddled up and browsed the internet for some bargain shopping tips to share with you here. That’s what Sundays are for, no?

So, I wouldn’t mind wearing this during fashion week, already got the turtle neck, its really gorgeous (and very affordable) ! Got very excited to finally find a great budget version of those Miu Miu shoes I’ve been craving all summer… ♥

1. Turleneck Striped Knit by Gina Tricot (HERE)

2. Wrap Detailed Block Heel Sandals (HERE)

3. Black Faux Leather Mini Skirt (HERE)

Happy shopping!

– This article was curated by Sania Claus Demina

Our Top 3 Weekly Bargains 

The post Our Top 3 Weekly Bargains appeared first on Zanita Studio.

There’s something to be said for taking risks with our fashion choices.

It’s much easier said than done and there’s nothing worse than that feeling of putting something on, walking out the door and realising you’ve made a very real fashion faux pas. I have that feeling when I step outside and realise my jeans aren’t comfortable to sit down in – or my top and trousers don’t really look very flattering together… Sounds silly but it can really affect my whole day. Like an instant confidence breaker! It’s the right risks that can really put a spring in your step.

So this shirt I originally spotted on Nicole who has it in black. I’m not typically a great ‘wearer of black’ but when I saw it on Harrods in this fabulous classic ‘Pucci’ print I knew it I wanted to get involved with it. It’s not really the kind of print I would gravitate to – but it’s just that Nicole put on quite the sell looking so great in the black version. The neckline is so great.  I REALLY wish I had black sandals to wear with it… but I don’t own any. Nude it is… can you guys all pretend i’m wearing black sandals with this outfit? I’d really appreciate it.

As you’re reading this I’m probably in the sky – I’d like to say flying over Iceland – on my way to New York for Fashion Week. I’m super excited this time because I know we can create some really interesting content with the opportunities we have there. Stay tuned!

shirt, Pucci from Harrods

sandals, Tibi

shorts, Vintage

Get the Look…

The post Stepping Outside Your Style Comfort Zone appeared first on Zanita Studio.

I’m sure none of you would be surprised, I’ve had some friends outside of my industry express more than a little distain for what I do and love. Surely it’s not shallow to be a lover of clothes? Are we really so simple?

The answer is no. It’s not simple to love style, getting dressed up. It’s for those of us who love to express ourselves outwardly, by dressing as the character we want to embody each day. There’s a joy in taking those moments in the morning – to put together an ensemble that truly represents YOU and who you want to be on that day. Which brings me to the motivation behind this campaign, TodayIAm with Westfield. I wanted to share this vision, how each of us, each of our personal styles – can consistently evolve and change. It’s the most liberating and exciting thing about fashion.

Sometimes I feel self confident and content, those are the days I’m relaxed but my style is still playful. On those days I’m working and dressing for me. There’s the days where I’m excited, empowered by my career and life. These days I’m bursting with nervous excitement, I want to wear loads of colour and fabulous heels, outwardly expressing that inner feeling. Then there’s the days where I’m feeling fearless, waking each day with real intent, an aim to conquer. I’ll go for a run or do a class, charging around ticking important tasks off a list. I’m working on making these days happen more and more – and sometime the trigger can be as simple as waking up and throwing on active wear right from the get go.

One of my favourite quotes,

“Dress the message.”

Getting dressed in the morning can make all the difference when it comes to success, in how you feel and your self confidence. Wear the message your want to send out into the world.

#TodayIAm fearless and ready for anything.

Thanks so much to Westfield for bringing me on to be part of this campaign. I really love the idea and the message behind it see Kelly´s video here. Hope you enjoyed this post!

Photography, Gustav Carlson

Model, Creative Direction and Editing, Zanita Whittington

The post Today I Am appeared first on Zanita Studio.

One of my personal favourite colours for this season…

Fendi, Alberta Ferretti, Fendi (Photo Credits: Style.com)

…is definitely terracotta.
It gives the perfect fall vibes,
don’t you think? ♥   

Isn’t it amazing when a personal favourite becomes a trend? Here are some great finds to shop right now:

For some strange reason, over the past week I’ve only been posting Middle Eastern recipes on my blog. It’s probably because Middle Eastern food is just so good!

I have to be honest with you guys; I had to make this pavlova base twice. The first time I was in a rush and needed to squeeze in an extra maths lesson. I placed the meringue in the oven just prior to leaving for my lesson and asked my Mum nicely to watch it for me and make sure it cooked completely before she took it out the oven. Unfortunately I neglected to recall that Mum and baking aren’t the best of friends… She had once given me raw banana bread in my lunchbox. I put that all behind me, really out of necessity. I returned home after my lovely 2-hour maths lesson about Trigonometry, excited to see how my meringue had turned out. I carefully removed it out the oven and to my surprise it looked perfect! But as I began pulling the baking paper from beneath the meringue I realised that something wasn’t quite right. It looked very wet, but I was blinded by my impatience and carried on peeling. As I pulled away a little more and it was just about free from the paper, it broke into a million mushy pieces on my oven. I can’t quite remember what happened after that, either I just stood there and looked at it or I burst into laughter. Either way, I couldn’t piece that mushy mess back together. It was a raw, white heap in my oven. I’m not sure how she got it wrong, seeing that the recipe is so easy! Sure – I blamed my Mum and told her that I could never forgive her… but later I got over myself and made another meringue (and I apologised to my mom for giving her the risky task of watching over my meringue). Anyway, the second one looked even better than the first would have ever looked. Success!

Here the classic meringue base is flavoured with rose water, one of my favourite flavours. The outside is crisp and crunchy, while the inside is slightly chewy and marshmallowy. Like any good pavlova, it should have a thick dollop of whipped cream, in this case flavoured with even more rose water. On top of that is a drizzle of strawberry syrup made with strawberries, seeped in sweet sugary syrup flavoured with cardamom and even more rose water. Then it’s topped with fresh strawberries and pistachios. The result is heavenly scented and wonderfully impressive at the dinner table.

Enjoy!

Persian Strawberry Pavlova

Serves 8-10 people

Ingredients:

Meringue:

• 6 egg whites
• 350g castor sugar
• 1 tsp rosewater

Strawberry Syrup:

• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup castor sugar
• 1 tsp rosewater
• 5 pods cardamom
• 400g strawberries, quartered

Topping:

• 250ml whipping cream
• 1 tsp rosewater
• 100g strawberries
• 50g pistachio nuts

Method:

Meringue:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and prepare a sheet of baking paper on a baking tray.

2. Whip your egg whites until soft peeks form. Slowly add your castor sugar 1 tablespoon at a time and whip until all of the sugar is combined. Add your rosewater and continue whipping for a further 3 minutes. By that time you should have a thick meringue mixture with stiff peeks.

3. Spoon the meringue mixture onto your prepared baking paper in the shape of a circle. Make a well in the centre with the back of your spoon. This is where the cream will sit.

4. Place the meringue into the oven and immediately turn down the heat to 100 degrees Celsius. Leave to bake for 2 ½ hours. By that time it should be very crispy on the outside and when you tap it should have a hollow sound. Turn the heat of and leave to cool in the oven. This will give you a chewy inside.

Strawberry Syrup:

1. Place all of your strawberry syrup ingredients into a saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to a light simmer. Leave to simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

2. Once completely cooled, strain through a sift using the back of the spoon. By doing this you will mash the strawberries, giving you a syrup.

Topping:

1. Whip your cream together with the rosewater until soft peeks form. Slice your strawberries into quarters.

Assembly:

1. Place your meringue onto your serving plate. Dollop your whipped cream into the well of the meringue. Pour some of your strawberries syrup over the cream. Finally sprinkle with your fresh strawberries and pistachio nuts.

Article and Photography by Ben Orkin

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Snapchat: @benorks

The post How To Make The Perfect Persian Strawberry Pavlova appeared first on Zanita Studio.