Today I'm posting an editorial I shot back in June... I think. This year has run away from me!! Themed 'Motorcycle Diaries' and shot for Belgian magazine Glam*It - just outside of Antwerp... it wasn't the easy to get our desert wanderer theme happening on a cloudy Belgian day - but I hope you can see I did my darndest! Got some more photography work to share over the next few days. I love being behind the lens.

Shooting my beautiful friend Nicole Warne again today and can't wait to share those pics... and then tonight - I'm flying to Stockholm  for a whole month. I'm going to have some R&R -  I can't really catch that in Australia, I can't turn down opportunities. Looking forward to blogging for true love again - not that I don't love what I'm doing here, it's just harder to stay inspired when I'm really just so busy. Hope I can also score more chances to connect with you all too!

Photography and editing, Me

Stylist, Ellen Monstrey 

Have automated this post - as I'm presently winging my way across the globe to Stockholm for some much needed R&R. Snapped these images this week after the Ebay Essential Summer Launch event in sunny Bondi where I pulled together some courage and did some public speaking (into a microphone and everything!) and enjoyed a breakfast with some of Sydney's media. I feel so honoured that Alexandra and Genevieve had me onboard as an ambassador of sorts for their brand new diffusion line Akin by Ginger and Smart. It's really a privilege to support talented Aussie designers - can't wait to see what's next for Akin!

tote, Akin by Ginger and Smart for Ebay

top and shorts, Akin by Ginger and Smart

heels (all three pairs!), Ginger and Smart

watch, Larsson & Jennings

ring, Sally Skoufis

manicure, Miss Betty Rose

Ok yeah. FASHION people. That's why this is an important post right? I mean, towels are seriously relevant and important attire that we need to access and discuss huh?

When Sheridan asked me to photograph this new campaign, Search for the Towel Man, I knew I was right for the task. I've used towels everyday all my life and the subtle variations in the  way a  towel wraps around the waist is something I'm all too familiar with. I'm you're all enjoying this display of towels.

Towels!!!

Anyway - You can vote for your favourite Towelman HERE. Would love to know who your choice would be? I can't decide - but also because two of the models here are guys who I worked with regularly throughout my modelling career. Pretty strange to be on the other side of the lens and bossing them around. The images here are actually part of a casting where I photographed around 45 men in towels. I had an awesome day.

So grateful to Sheridan for inviting me to be part of such a unique campaign!

Photography, Me

I've been in Stockholm for around 5 days and it feels like two. I love this city - but its the first time I've experienced being somewhere with such little daylight and its not simple to adjust. It feels like its always dusk and I have to resist the urge to go to bed around 6pm because it just feels like its right time... One thing I do love though, rugging up in the warmest coats and knits, drinking tea and settling in with a book, cosy winter meals and soon to come - the snow! I have been fortunate to have had 4 summer seasons in a row now - and theres something to be said for enjoying the cold seasons. I've missed it!

Now as for this post - I snapped these pics of a few items I've had lying around - or I've been carrying around. Would have included my Iphone in here but its really smashed up. I'm so clumsy. Also not pictured, about 50 screw up receipts and wrappers I usually have with at any given time. Don't ever accuse me of being organised.

bag, Delvaux

sweets, Stolen from my friend Johan

candle, Ginger and Smart

sunglasses, RayBans

lipstick, (this is the red lipstick I always wear - Marilyn Monroe limited edition) MAC

mascara, Benefit

Ipad case, Marcs Clothing

ear phones, Lady Gaga for Beats by Dre

charger, Handbag Butler

purse, Delvaux

Here's a behind the scenes video - me posing up a storm in studio as part of my role of Digital Influencer in the Ebay Essential Summer project where I represented the Akin for Ginger and Smart tote. It's been a little while since I stood in front of a camera in studio - and I gotta say it's certainly something I've been missing. I've actually got a few modelling gigs lined up in January if all goes to plan so I hope I can share that with you... Its been quite a few years since I blogged about my modelling career! See some serious archive stuff while I was modelling in London HERE and HERE and  HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE. Just in case you're bored! Haha

At last I have the chance to post Part two of these images I created for Marcs in my hometown of Esperance (see part 1 HERE). These incredible sand dunes and pristine beaches were an obvious choice in location for me - and I'm lucky that my trip to see my family co-incided with my shoot date so I could take advantage of this scenery.  It's been a privilege to be invited to take part in this project, my own realisation of a campaign for Marcs, one of Australians most well known and iconic fashion brands.  So this is me posing up a storm yet again! I really love modelling and I do miss it - look forward to doing more (and probably should pic up the gym sessions on that note...).

silk mosaic shift dress, Marcs

denim jacket, Topshop

knot front dress, Marcs

trainers, Nike

colour block dress, Marcs

tweed biker jacket, Marc

I snapped this outfit on my last day in Sydney last week  (or was it the week before?) and it was a really manic day. I had meetings, a shoot, had to pack up the final pieces of my apartment and clear out my office - then have all lose ends tied up so I could head to Stockholm for a whole month. My friend Sophie helped me snap these images and it was such a trial, not for Sophie's photo skills - which are great - but for my own expressions, I look totally wired in all the images! Really stressed out. Thankfully having finally landed in Stockholm I'm starting to catch up on things steadily and unwind. A gym membership and episodes of dancing to cheesy pop music has been a great help in my quest to unwind.

Since I'm here in Stockholm taking time for myself I'm aiming to try and give a little more of myself in my blog - more of my experiences and passion. I've had a crazy few months with all the travel and fashion weeks and I'm feeling pretty uninspired...so time to fall in love with blogging and fashion again! I've also started an Ask.fm account so if you all have any questions for me - please ask away! HERE

Back to my outfit - wearing something colourful to lift my mood, bright pink skirt and this gorgeous silk tee gifted to me by the girls from Akin for Ginger and Smart - which I simply has to make the most of wearing whilst my manicure still matched the print. Good news is I'm catching up on relevant attire, I'll be posting what I wore yesterday tomorrow. Cosy winter gear!! Finally.

shirt, Akin by Ginger and Smart

neon tweed skirt, Marcs Clothing

heels, Mode Collective

shopper, Rachael Ruddick

ring, Sally Skoufis

sunglasses, Ray Bans

earring, Sarah and Sebastian

watch, Larsson and Jennings

manicure, Miss Betty Rose

Finally posting my first outfit post from Stockholm - tried to get this baby up last night but I was so damn tired after my second foray into ice skating ever that I couldn't be inspired to write. One trying thing with being a blogger is having the energy to write well after a long day. So many posts I've had to press the 'publish' button whilst half asleep, no spell check and no inspiration. So now I'm trying to avoid that - and give a little more of myself in my writing.

I adore this outfit! How enormous is my beautiful knit!? The bigger the better!! It's genuinely the most cosy and warm jumper you could ever know and there's been nothing more blissful than curling up on the couch with a cup of tea in this beauty. Its even been warm enough to wear down the street in very cold weather here in Stockholm! Though... not for too long. If the wind picks up you're definitely in need of a coat. I love dressing this way - nothing better than a good coat and knit - and leather mittens!! 

Can't believe I'm halfway through my trip to Stockholm already! I don't want to leave. Give me the darkness and the cold, I'm getting used to it and I love this city. Something about Northern Europe really sticks with me - can't wait to reside here on a more permanent basis.

Meanwhile I'm slowly getting through those questions - thanks for dishing them out! You can see some of my answers and learn more about what life is like for me HERE on my Ask.fm. xx

knit, I love Mr Mittens

scarf, I love Mr Mittens

bag, Kenzo

booties,  Beau Coops

painted jeans, Lee

mittens, Yvonne Konne

Delighted to finally present this post (and some of you may have already seen it on Rebecca's blog) of my outfit worn at PFW months ago - photographed my extremely talented friend Dirk Alexander. Dirk gratefully took time out from his busy schedule, snapping shows for V Magazine to create this editorial with the pair of us. I treasure these images so much, its so nice to finally have images of Rebecca and I together - we're usually always shooting each other! Special thanks super talented and warm hearted Toni Maticevski for dressing the pair of us on this day for shows, it felt like a dream to wear that skirt. Like I was time-travelling back to the 50's...

Rushing to post these as I gather up a few of my things and prepare for a flight to Amsterdam this afternoon - really looking forward to getting there, it's starting to feel like home already. Can't wait to catch up with both Rebecca and Andy! We're having dinner tomorrow night and its been far too long since we last saw each other, damn my inconvenient friends ;)

Photography, Dirk Alexander

full skirts and Rebecca's top - Toni Maticevski

angora jumper, Topshop 

heels, Alberta Ferretti

handbag, Delvaux

watch, Larsson  & Jennings

(pics, Sania Claus Demina)

I'm excited about serious winter dressing. It's really about finding quality staples - like my beautiful Merinillo wool coat or leather overalls. I've been travelling so much the past 18 months and for most of that time I've been enjoying summer temperatures - but when the cold sets in your need larger pieces and you can't travel with so much in your luggage. Suddenly its all about a couple quality coats, some leather pants (overalls!) and some killer warm boots - and then adding gloves and hats and scarves and knits to mix and match the looks. My coat is just such a brilliant investment because it's reversible - you can create such a different look depending on the way your wear it. The palate of winter clothing is also super integral because you can't have a wardrobe full of colour, if you pile on too many vibrant accessories you risk ending up looking like a christmas tree!

I don't think I've really had the chance to share with you how great both my overalls and coat are in these pics so expect more posts with these puppies!! Publishing this post from Amsterdam - here working on a project with Rebecca which I look forward to sharing. Love shooting my gorgeous friends - which leads me to tomorrow's post, some pics of one of my favourite Swedish bloggers, Sania Claus Demina. Coming up!

Reversible Merinillo shearling coat, Enes

silver bag, Kenzo

scarf, I love Mr Mittens

leather overalls, Friend of Mine

leather mittens, Yvonne Kone

boots, Doc Martens

pics, Rebecca

I actually thought I lost these images and gratefully I only rediscovered them on one of my smaller (forgotten) hard drives. So hard to stay organised when you're travelling so much and have as much of a scatter brain as I do. These pics were snapped by Rebecca - and its so great to have a blogger friend at hand when you're snapping outfit pics because I'm not so stressed to give direction. Usually I'll enlist a nearby (non-internet-fashion-camera obsessed) buddy to help me snap a few 'up downs' and detail shots - but when I have someone like Rebecca I can concept and frame images - and also trying over and over again, taking time to get that special shot. I could never put someone who wasn't accustomed to photography through that! I'll also never get used to posing over and over on the street with just one person snapping me, I feel like such a fool!! But I want my blog to look great and there's no time to feel sheepish.

jeans, Lee 

shirt, Maison Scotch (this is my favourite shirt of all time!!!)

trench, Ruby Sees All

shoes, Cos

headphones, AiAiAi

Presenting part 1 of my shoot with the incredible Sania Claus Demina, one of my new blogger friends here in Stockholm. I have to admit its quite a trial to snap blog pics in this town and as you can probably predict, Sania is pretty freezing in these shots so I'm grateful for her endurance. I've got loads more pics of share of this major beauty coming soon - in the meantime please check out Sania's blog and her inimitable sense of style HERE

So just today I was answering a few questions on my ask.fm account where my reader was discussing how fashion bloggers don't really paint realism so well (like the whole fashion industry) and that we should be more like lifestyle bloggers. I never really intended my blog to be about anything other than things I'm doing so I've always felt my blog has been my life but as bloggers get better and better photography on their sites  and the standard for outfit posts keeps getting pushed higher and higher and more editorial its often tricky to see where the real life begins and the fantasy ends. Being a big fan of high fashion photography leads me to being a real fan of the editorial look but I agree that a little more personality and detail and a little less generality and platitudes would be appreciate. Though I still consider my personal life just that (personal) I going to endeavour to share a little more of my professional experience with you all as I'm incredibly grateful for supporting me up to this point.

And on that note! Some very glamourous pictures of me - modelling my ass off for one of my favourite Aussie photographers Grant Matthews. I loved getting in character to play the roll of tragic Marilyn for this beauty story - in fact by the end of the shoot I was almost in tears, dragging up tragic thoughts so I could look as emotionally disturbed as possible and swallowing a lump in my throat (yet still trying to look gorgeous, that's important too!). I loved putting on my model hat for this, its so fun to play the true actress. The key to being a good model is knowing your strengths, your silhouette and body type - and then working those to your best advantage. I'm working with dozens of models with amazing figures who simply can't translate the silhouette of their body to the framing of the image. It takes alot of consideration and practice. For example - I have broad shoulders, so I usually keep them at a slight angle or bring up a hand to break up the line in close up image... but there's so much more. The absolute first step is feeling comfortable in front to the lense - and that should be up to the photographer to help you with! I would like to say its one of my assets as a photographer, giving guidance and encouragement where I can, teaching my subject how to get the best from what they are working with. Am I rambling? More on this later!! xx

Photography - Grant Matthews 

Hair and Make-up - Chris Coonrod

Model, me!! :)

I didn't expect to fall in love with Sigtuna. About an hour's drive out of Stockholm, I ventured to this little gem of a town with a local friend and it blew me away with its charm and history. Sigtuna is actually the oldest town in Sweden, founded in 980.  The ruins pictured behind me in the first image  are of St Per's Church, built in 1100. My imagination ran away from me as I wandered around, exploring the buildings and landmarks in the early-ish morning (it still seems like sunrise at 10am here!).

The mainstreet reminds me a little of villages in various scenes  of Hayao Miyazaki movies (I've seen them all!!), with the colourful facades and quaint old world charm. I really couldn't get enough of it! Best of all the place was so quiet, certainly something to do with the below zero temps. It was really special to just stroll and really soak in the peace of the place on my walk... until Echo the dog got excited by the ducks. I love so much seeing the frost sparkling on the plants and the water in the beginnings of freezing - a sight I've actually never witnessed before. I know the Swedes will complain about it and I can't blame them, the winter is dark and seemingly endless, but there really is something serene and beautiful about winter. The key is wearing the right clothing though - and thank goodness for my leather pants and gloves and shearling coat. Lifesavers! Also seat warmers in the car can be a real boon in the cold... unless you get chills on your ass and then the rising heat kinda feels like you've peed your pants!

beanie, I Love Mr Mittens

coat, Enes (reversible)

leather trousers, Rebecca Minkoff

bag, Kenzo

gumboots, Givenchy

gloves, Yvonne Kone

Got overexcited and may have emptied my credit card over the last few weeks and isn't it always the case, when funds are lower you can find so many items you absolutely NEED and then when you're cashed up again, nothing inspires you. Spend the last hour gagging over these pieces and had to share.... Oh Santa?

burgundy leather backpack, Whistles

multi-colour clutch, Barbara Bonner

photography book, Hans Feurer

loafers, Giambattista Valli

blade thin frame sunglasses, ASOS

cologne, Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme (my signature scent, I need more! I could bathe in this stuff)

bikini, Manning Cartel 

cage earrings, Lady Grey

Cameron Russell has long been one of my favourite fashion faces. I recently saw this talk she gave for TEDx and felt the need to share, it highlights a few of the reasons why I am glad I've found a calling outside of modelling (granted my career was far from as illustrious as hers) and though I love fashion photography and the fashion industry I hope that I can also paint a lighter, more positive story with my work - and maintain a connection with what's important (love, happiness, freedom) in my daily life. Cameron is a great champion of truth and the reality of beauty for women around the world - hope you get the chance to watch her speak in this video.

Posting these images after a long three flight journey from Stockholm to Esperance (a casual 14,000km as the crow flies) and now resting up in bed feeling confused about the mass quantities of daylight I'm experiencing. In case you don't already know, the effortless babe in these shots is  Rebecca (Raspberry & Rouge) and the handsome gent alongside is not a model but her very own love, Ralph - who is one part of Dutch DJ duo - We Are No Id. Rebecca and Ralph recently (whats up with all the aliteration right now??) had the 10 year anniversary of being together and I have to say the pair of them make the most perfect couple! Congratulations to the pair of them for a decade together and here's to many more!

Anyway - onto the reasoning behind our latest editorial - a collaboration with First Base - hot new Aussie basics brand with attitude and effortless cool.  My personal fave pieces are the track wear - cos who says you can't look like a boss buying milk at the deli in your trackies? Thanks First Base for inviting Rebecca and I to collaborate in this showcase of the brand - it's always an honour to share a personal vision, made even more special by the chance to work with one of my closest friends in her own home (with her true love!). Hope you enjoy the results of our work!

I've got a load of content left to post from the last couple weeks but I just had to edit these images of Angelica stat because I was so excited about them. She's such a Rockstar! For those who don't know Angelica, she's one of Sweden's biggest names in fashion blogging - and if you check her blog it's not tough to see why. Posting up to three times a day, original, stylish content and high end editorial images - this girl is fierce and talented and one of the hardest working bloggers I've come across.

Chasing down Angelica wasn't the easiest of task - she's so busy and travelling all the time. I also contacted a number of well known Swedish bloggers (and a modelling agency!) who didn't reply to my emails/facebook messages (booooo!) so I was grateful Angelica already knew of me, we first met last year at an event for Videofyme in Stockholm and then again at the MyWardrobe Style Summit in London. She's one of the easiest people I've ever photographed, including models. Knows how to move so well (im guessing partly due to her experience as a dancer!) and takes direction comfortably. Can't wait to hang out with Angelica again and get her in my lens - who knows what we could do next!

So you asked for it, some photography tips. I'm sure you can tell by now, I am a one woman show. Meaning, almost every blog post on my blog is shot and edited by me, with no assistants - other than my good pal - the sun. One of the great success factors about this shoot here is the lighting - as is in any good photoshoot. Knowing how to use the use to flatter your subject is paramount to the success of the final result so its key to understand how light affect the image and how it bounces around building and streets. When the light source is high, as in the shoot here, it can be ugly to have your subject in the direct sun as it creates dark shadows under the eyes. The most flattering light softly wraps around the face - so thats why I chose this location. Light was streaming in through the pillars, reflecting off the ground and bouncing up into the eyes ever so delicately. You need light coloured walls and ground to use this technique. Look around you next time you're outside on the street and take note of the way light looks on different faces in different places. Windows, alleyways and even areas shaded with trees can provide natural soft boxes and are great to utilise for shooting. Though truly beautiful natural lighting comes in part with serendipity it's important to be considered and tactical when it comes to using available lighting. Hope this helps some of you!

See Angelica's blog soon for outfit credits.

xx

I've been hoping my path would cross with Melbourne based blogger Chloe at some time in the future - but I never in the wildest dreams believed it would be in Munich, Germany! I was able to score this quick headshot between an action packed day of activities thanks to German based platform Stylight who hosted us for two days. Hopefully next time I see Chloe I'll have enough of a chance to shoot a proper editorial - meanwhile check out her blog! She has a really fun sense of style - edgy and full of colour.

More on my trip to Munich and Bavaria coming tomorrow!

Couple weeks back I was invited to Munich with German based shopping and fashion platform Stylight. I has been in Amsterdam tuesday night for work, flew back late to Stockholm - then woke early (5am) to head straight to the airport and fly to Munich. Needless to say I was pretty dazed when I arrived at the airport and saw Rebecca's smiling face... had I accidentally flown back to Amsterdam? Turns out no, the team had just surprised me with Rebecca's invitation - and she had kept it under wraps even though I had been at her place the day before! So cheeky! Here's me thinking my 'sayonara' in Amsterdam to Rebecca was for a six week duration and the truth was that I was due to see her the very next day! I was totally duped and I loved it. Haha!

After being introduced to the Stylight team and the brand's HQ we drove took a sunset drive to the Chriskindl tram for a ride along with a mug of hot Gluhwein and listen to German Christmas Carols before exploring the nearby markets. The following day we rose early to drive out the Bavarian countryside, to Lake Tegernsee for a day including a Horse and Sleigh ride in the snowy hillside villages (complete with a shot of warming schnapps!!) and a Bavarian feast of schnitzel, dumplings and spatzle. Such a great experience to see so much snow (I was expecting this in Stockholm!) and to share such fun activities with Rebecca, fellow Aussie blogger Chloe Ting and the Stylight team.

As for my outfit, dressing practically again in something I've already featured so nothing exciting here... just the warmest coat and pants I have! Also wearing my beanie sideways because the day before - Rebecca and I both got brand new cartilage piercings. Was too painful to wear the beanie overtop and the cold air really soothed the pain anyway!

beanie and scarf, I Love Mr Mittens

coat, Enes (reversible)

leather trousers, Rebecca Minkoff

bag, Kenzo

gumboots, Givenchy

gloves, Yvonne Kone