Showing posts with label Monday muse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monday muse. Show all posts

monday muse. the decorum.


The Decorum is an online space where the words are as beautiful as its immaculately composed images. This isn't just any blog. It's a visual feast for the eyes produced by five creative minds (and close friends) who have come together to explore the element of style in all facets of life - whether it be as simple as ice tea on a hot summer's day or as luxurious as a crisp classic white shirt. Nothing says a beautiful life quite like home cooked meals, inspiring decor and effortless dressing. The Decorum girls have accumulated experience in styling, journalism, publicity and interior decorating and work at some of the most sought after glossy publications and PR agencies in the country. I've even had the honour of working under and with some of these talented (super)women. How they have time to pull together compelling editorials and curated posts with 9 - 5 weekdays continually baffles me. Professionally they inspire me to work towards my dream job (whatever that may be) but their collaboration has also opened my eyes to an appreciation towards the finer things in everyday life. Just see for yourselves...

All images from The Decorum
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monday muse. columbine smille.

Source: Columbine

If you're Elin Kling's right hand woman, you'd be expected to possess impeccable styling and taste for fashion. And of course, much to no one's surprise, Columbine Smille, fashion editor of Kling's Style By ticks all the boxes and more. With her model figure and killer cheekbones, Smille is quickly making a name for herself in the fashion world, adding her name to a long list of stylish Swedes. But seriously what is in their water? Why are they all so darn gorgeous and extremely fashionable? Need me some of that stat!

Smille's got transseasonal dressing down pat, she wears navy like no other and is not afraid to experiment with layers and proportions. Her style is the perfect mix of masculine and feminine and she knows how to make a high street piece look like high fashion. I love the way she takes a fitted dress and really roughs it up with a boyish bomber or how she styles long coats or jackets with shorter skirts (even though she might look like a streaker from behind). Definitely want to channel my inner Columbine during this transition period between winter and spring. 

PS. How freakin' cool is her navy Marni for H&M parka? I am obsessed. 
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monday muse: lana del rey.


I can't quite put my finger on what it is about Lana Del Rey that fascinates me so much. It was only a few months ago that I said I couldn't stand her music - it was boring, monotonous, depressing and quite literally made me want to kill myself (thanks to the aptly titled 'Born to Die'). Fast forward to now and I can tell you I've had her album on  repeat for the last few weeks to the point where I force Jack to listen to it against his will - he tells me one of these days he might fall asleep at the wheel because of it.

Perhaps it is because she is so otherworldly, like she came to us from a different era - a time where things were simple and uncomplicated. I love the 50's/ 60's Americana vibe aka self-styled gangster Nancy Sinatra (would love to see her cover Bang Bang My Baby Shot Me Down) that she embodies in her music, her dress and her persona. Her music videos are equally as intriguing, cinematic and theatrical (pretty sure someone dies in every one). Mysterious, alluring, fragile and ever so elegant, Lana has cemented herself as a fashion icon (not many people can say they've had a bag named after them) as much as she is already a musical one. 
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monday muse. miranda kerr.

You know those things that get better with age? Like red wine or aged cheese? Well Miranda Kerr is one of them. Not meaning to say she's getting old or anything - she doesn't look a day past 23, but ever since she had baby Flynn last year I've taken much more notice of her off duty style. It's definitely become more refined and simple, but of course being Miranda, always chic. Having to look after a baby (and now a dog I hear) requires practical dressing - outfits that are easy to walk around in all day - run errands, push strollers, walk dogs, go to and from casting calls and shoots. And you can't go past a Celine tote to (stylishly) carry everything you need when you're always on the go. 

 I would define her newfound post maternity style as essentials dressing - white shirt, denim jacket, striped tee, leather jacket, printed denim, wool coat. Everything you could possibly need for a timeless, long-lasting wardrobe. To date, my favourite look has been her navy coat, wet look leggings and Marant sneakers. Super model, super mum.

So the moral of the story is: motherhood not only changes your outlook on life, but also your wardrobe. Sounds like next season's biggest trend is a babe in arm. Now who's with me?... Kidding!
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monday muse. ashley madekwe.

Images from Ring My Bell

I have no shame in expressing my devotion to television dramas, especially when they're concerned with the lives of the filthy rich. Today's Monday muse (and the first one in a long time) is someone you may not be familiar with (hopefully you will be the end of this post!), but someone I've had a girl crush on for a long time. Long before she became Ashley Davenport, party planner and best friend to Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) on ABC's Revenge, Ashley was a fashion blogger, whom you may have spotted gracing the homepage of Lookbook.nu on multiple occasions. 

While of course her on screen is something to be desired (after all she does live in the Hamptons), personally I'm more envious of her off screen style and perfect hair. Ashley's blog, Ring My Bell, which I believe she started around the same time as she was on Secret Diary of a Call Girl back in 2009, showcases her actress off duty style and  red carpet looks. Although a Brit (she's hard to miss on screen with her accent), Ashley lives and works in LA - as if you couldn't tell by her unmistakable downtown girl style. I love the way she combines affordable labels, even despite her Hollywood pay check, like Topshop, American Apparel, ASOS and JCrew, with the odd designer piece (her to die for Prada heels and purple Chanel Bag). Her blog makes me say to myself, 'why didn't I think of that?' The more and more I look at it, the more I think I could pull off coloured denim and a striped tee (wait until I try...). Her looks are uncomplicated, essentially pulled together with basics and yet they still look incredibly effective - give me whatever she's having! I'm yet to decide whether I like Ashley more as a fashion blogger or actress (I'll admit she was the main reason I started watching Revenge), but when the time comes for her to be crowned the next 'it' girl, remember you saw her here first!
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Monday muse. Taylor Tomasi Hill.

1 Mr Newton. 2 Street FSN. 3 Candice Lake. 4 Soren Jepson. 5 Google images.

While fashion is an industry that primarily revolves around appearances, I have a great deal of respect for women (or men) that are the real deal. And by that, I mean that not only does the person have a killer wardrobe, but they have the credentials and a job to match. Taylor Tomasi ticks all the boxes. Style icon, Marie Claire accessories director now creative director at Moda Operandi and happily married - she really does have it all.

But she didn't get to where she is now without putting some hard yards. Graduating with a Bachelor of Industrial Design, TTH started out as an intern at W magazine in the accessories department (where else?) which lead to a full time position as the market editor before becoming senior market editor at Teen Vogue. 

Doing a bit of background research behind how she started out has given me a lot more respect for TTH. It's nice to know there are people in the industry that are not just a pretty face or used connections or money to further their career. This quote has really motivated me to keep working hard at my internships and making the most out of the opportunities I'm given.  Because even the big guns had to start out somewhere - steaming clothes, organising showrooms/ fashion cupboards, getting coffee.

"My best tip for jump-starting a career in fashion is to take an internship very seriously—and if you love where you are working, try to stay there as long as possible. Showing initiative may lead to something more. Working in fashion, however, is not always as glamorous as what you see on television. It's a very demanding, high-stress environment—but if you thrive under pressure, it may be the perfect fit for you."
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monday muse. rachel rutt.

1 Street Peeper. 2 Marcs. 3. The Eleventh Hour via Oracle Fox. 4 Candice Lake. 5 Rachel Rutt x Oyster. 6. Bonae L'Amour

Oh me oh my. Are models getting younger and younger these days, or am I just getting older? First Kaila Hart, then Karlie Kloss and now Rachel Rutt. How is this girl 19? I look at these models and they look like mature grown women. When I look at myself in the mirror I still feel like a 15 year old. 

After spotting Rachel Rutt saundering around Surry Hills markets earlier this month (Laura and I were a little starstruck) looking flawless in a green vintage maxi dress, I've taken more notice of this unusual beauty who has been snapped in the likes of Dion Lee, Kahlo, Aje and Marcs. Rutt was born in Hong Kong and raised in Japan - her father is English and her month is Singaporean (Asian represent) which would explain her somewhat oriental and extremely looks. Half asians are genetically blessed. I always wished I was a halfie. They have the most amazing facial features and hair colour. I love her effortless style especially how she always looks half done up but still incredibly chic.

EDIT: Thanks Anon for the correct information about her heritage.
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monday muse. karlie kloss.

1 Street Peeper
2,3, 4, 5, 7 Stockholm Street Style
6. Street FSN

I've been feeling a little uninspired lately. I think it's a combination of excessive hours at work, the holiday season and worrying about what the new year will be like. And as a result I haven't been posting as frequently as I would like to. But to fill the void I thought I might kick start your week with some inspiration.

It was probably not a good idea to watch Victoria's Secret Fashion Parade - doesn't really help my self esteem! I have to say each year the costumes and theming get a little tackier than the last (Club Pink was pretty bad although I suppose it tied in with Nicki Minaj. The Superhero one was my favourite) but I keep coming back to the gorgeous angels, their flashy smiles and cheeky winks (I seriously wish I could wink). This year marked the first runway show for newly inducted angel Karlie Kloss, who happens to be one of my favourite 'model of the moment' and was thus an easy choice for my Monday muse. Did I mention the girl is only 19 (that's a year younger than me) and has runway cred longer than her legs? And have you seen her legs in the Vogue Italia shoot? How are they even real? I love that Kloss started out as a classically trained ballerina - makes me think I could have been a model (I did ballet up until I was 13) which she says helped her modelling and grounded her runway walk. Not to mention posture. I won't forget the wonders that ballet did for my posture. 

I'm considering making this a weekly post. Would you like to see more Monday muses?
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