Coming Home

Coming Home

Oli and I at our friend's wedding earlier this year

Ols and I returned from NYC on Monday morning, and have been basking in two days of extra holiday since.

Extra holiday?! Say what?!

Let me explain . . .  prior to this year, when we both began to work full time for ourselves, we used to return from a trip away, and head straight back to work. We would often choose the latest possible flight - theoretically, prolonging our holiday - and then spend the remainder of the week in a jet-lagged, post-holiday-zombie-like haze. Not good for us. Not great for work either.

I know it seems counter intuitive, and even indulgent, to tag on an extra day (or two!) of rest following a break away, especially as holiday time is so precious when you have an allocated amount per year, but we've found that having a lie-in and re-setting your body clock allows you to work better once you do head into the office, and it helps with the shock/commiseration of coming home.

One day would be enough I imagine, however Ols and I took an extra one yesterday as we celebrated our six year anniversary!

*Pause for big goofy grin*

Given that we had such an incredible - busy - time in NYC, we were both chuffed as chips to curl up in bed for a jet-lag-induced lie in, head to breakfast in our favourite local haunt, and lounge the day away.

I have SO much more to fill you guys in on from New York, but for the moment I'll just say this: we have had the most incredible time away, completely re-inspired our thought patterns, and seen so many great friends and places, but coming back to our little apartment and celebrating six years together, has reconfirmed how wonderful being home is too.

Hope you guys have all had a great start to your weeks! Can't wait to share more from NYC!

Love, 

MB xx

Menorca Travel Diary | Part 2

Menorca Travel Diary | Part 2

crystal clear waters on the hike from Cala Galdana to Macarella beach

Hello you gorgeous lot! Happy WEEKEND! I was hoping to put up part two of my Menorca travel diary yesterday but the first day of London Fashion Week had me pooped by 5pm! Today I'm taking it fairly easy ahead of an LFW party this evening, so YAY, that means I get to catchup on Menorca. Right here. Right now. Writing from bed. 

#It'sFashionWeekButItsStillSaturdaySoImHavingACapuccinoInMyPJs

Back to Menorca . . . 

My favourite memories are the ones which revolve around the simplest of pleasures - coffee in the morning at my family's favourite cafe, quiet afternoons reading and an impromptu evening dancing with the locals. Marietta and I even sat down to write post cards - which we actually sent ON TIME. This literally never happens! We also spent a bit of time shopping. I always stop in at the same handful of boutiques in Ciutadella, and this time I hit the jackpot as we got to one of my favourites Chica Trampa just as their end of season sale was on! Yippee - 50% off of everything! I ended up buying a super sweet pair of shorts. 

sun n' ice cold Estrella

super cute jumpers at Chica Trampa

new shorts from Chica Trampa

 my version of a Gray Malin! 

these biscuits are a Minorcan speciality - I cannot even tell you HOW good they are!

Looking over these pics is making me smile! I'm inspired by this post by Sarah Yates on printing off holiday photos - I haven't kept an album in ages but I'd LOVE to have physical copies of some of mine and Marietta's memories. Do you guys print and keep, or are you a digital sharer too? I'd love to know how you savour your holiday memories!

Tonight I'm staying with one of my best girlfriends ahead of a packed Fashion Week day tomorrow,  we're going to grab dinner with a brunch of blogging BFFs. Ols and I are spending a night away together tomorrow which I am SO excited for. Hope you guys have great plans for the weekend too! Keep up to date with my fashion week adventures on Instagram. 

Love, 

MB x

Menorca Travel Diary | Part 1

Menorca Travel Diary | Part 1

Macarella beach, Menorca - accessible by a short hike from Cala Galdana

Hey guys! How're you all doing? Technically I'm back at work after returning from Menorca, but my mind is totally still on holiday! Do you get that too when you return from a trip? It's like "I'll crack open a beer with that lunch thank you very much" (FYI I didn't, but you know the temptation was real!) and I'm reaching for frayed shorts, flip flops and a wicker bag for my meetings. It feels kinda good.

Confusing, but good. 

Before we run into the Fashion Week roundups, outfits and news, I am sharing Part 1 of my Menorca Travel Diary with you guys today, and the other half tomorrow. As many of you know, my family and I have an apartment on the island so Menorca really is a home away from home. This trip was extra doubly special as I was travelling with my sister Marietta for our first ever sisters-only holiday. It was AWESOME. Having the time away with my little Sis was the best remedy to a year of hard work. It is so special to spend time with our loved ones; if I've learnt anything from our trip it is that we should all take as much time as possible to do so and really be present when we do. I really limited my e-mail checking and social media over the time too which I think played a massive part in me feeling fully relaxed over the holiday.

Read on for a tonne more pics . . . 

Right, I'm off for a DIY pre-LFW pamper. My day will start SUPER early tomorrow so make sure to check in with me on Instagram and Twitter - there's a lotta lot going on. 

Have an awesome day all!

Love, 

MB x

Pink Flowers Via The Photographer Rookie

Pink Flowers Via The Photographer Rookie

I have been wanting to buy a better camera lens for MONTHS, and finally took the plunge this week investing in a Canon 1.8 50mm lens and Canon EF-EOS M mount adapter for my Canon EOS M. I am trying my hand at more personal photography, I love creating images so much - but - big but - I am starting from scratch! This really is a journey of trial and error . . . ! Today is the first day I've been trialling my new lens. Given that I am currently rocking a wet plait, no makeup, beige outfit getup I'm resisting shooting an outfit post - although oh my gosh I am SO excited for the first one using the new lens - instead I've been pottering around my parents' garden taking images of my Dad's pride and joy - his flowers. I am a HUGE flower lover myself and so snapping away his Summer's efforts was a complete pleasure. 

Read on for more of my rookie pics . . . you even get to see my cute pup Barney for the first time!

Part of being a blogger, working for yourself, creating your own content is evolving -  responding and improving on things you do. I myself can be resistant to change - 'researching' forever and not committing. Whilst seeking background information on investments - like a camera lens - is definitely advisable, procrastinating on things which can improve your business is not. I am so glad I made the investment.

SHOP

Do you guys find yourselves mulling things over for too long? What has been your best 'deep breath  - just do it!' investment? 

This weekend I am spending time with my family as Oli is away. I am so looking forward to trying the burgers here - I have heard they are amazing. 

Have an awesome time all!

Love, 

MB x

Resolutions

Resolutions

About half way through 2013 I made myself a list of things I did and did not like in my life, and began to work on them. Some of the things I transformed have been for the better, and thankfully have grown. The thing is, sharing these things enables others to help you to keep focus on them. Enrolling others to help you get to your goals is easy, free, and can be fun. One of the girls I work with chuckles at me and asks how my squats are going at least once a week. The funny thing is, it is nice to be able to share your progress and have someone be surprised. That's encouragement right there. 

Hence the reason I have decided to share some of the resolutions I have formulated for 2014 with you. 

A good month ago I wrote down and asked people what they thought were some typical 'resolutions' and how best to follow them. One girl had given up soft drink for the year of 2013 and felt healthier without it. She was looking to give up her next 'bad food item' for the year ahead. That was a small but attainable goal with a real benefit to her health and potentially, her hip pocket. We decided that simply saying 'exercise more' was fruitless, being too general without a specific reward. While that is a general thing on my list it is vital to break it down. 

Style Resolutions:

- Only buy items that fit into my capsule wardrobe, go with other items (not requiring other new purchases for wear), and stick to my colour rules. Black, white, grey, blue, neutrals, and metallics. 

- Keep a 'wish list' and purchase only from that. Items that I go back to over a month or so, have been considered and coveted until they deserve their place. No impulse purchases or 'sale-it-almost-fits' purchases. 

- Find a new handbag which will accommodate my camera equipment. 

- Limit my shoe purchases! Comfort, quality and necessity. 

Lifestyle Resolutions:

- Only drink alcohol on special occasions, and avoid at fashion events if it isn't my kind of drink. 

- Cook more meals at home, rather than opting to go out, the Perth prices are stupid. 

- Answer text messages. I always forget and it makes me a shit friend. 

- Find a fitness type (through trying a bunch out) that I love and motivates me to keep up my regime. Then create a new resolution to attain once I am settled. 

- Draw and paint at least four hours per week. 

- Keep learning to use my camera through fortnightly photo outings, creating excuses to photograph. 

- Find a new part time job. 

In 2014 I am looking forward to exploring new areas of my blog, which reflect more of my interests than fashion. I am looking forward to moving in with my partner and having our own space. We both need to start over (pretty much) in looking for new work, he having just graduated, and me having recently hit a wall with theatre design, and wanting to find a new avenue. I was surprised at how little reward I got out of something I had once loved so much. My friends and I have committed to a trip at the end of 2014 which is a goal I am working toward, and really keen for. Choosing something to motivate you and stop you from spending cash willy nilly is super important. I can save when I want to, but I need a goal.

What are some resolutions you have made? Any advice on how to achieve mine? :) Always welcome. 

 xx Jenelle

Facebook / Twitter

Tumblr / Pinterest

Instagram @jenellewitty

2013

2013

2013 began for me with kind of a plan. Then of course as it always does, life got in the way. After soaking up the sun and spending as much time as I could with Mario and friends in January, I returned to Adelaide for a six month stint. I remember crying for most of February. Despite working in my field on a good gig, even though I had been given more to do for myself this year, my heart was not in it as much as it had once been. The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is truly a stand out Festival, which draws some of the most interesting talents from around the world. With Kate Ceberano and Torben Brookman at the helm the Festival has gone from strength to strength. In working at the Adelaide Festival Centre I was fortunate to work with and befriend some wonderful and colourful characters. Although I do not expect to wish to return to Adelaide to work again, I will hold onto the experiences and think back on them fondly.

As soon as Cabaret was over, I had planned to work a little and save to relocate to London for work.

But the idea of leaving my partner Mario was something I could not bare. So, with my possessions either given away, sold off or boxed into storage, I headed to Perth to spend time with him, and friends. 

As Perth is still riding the mining wave, the fashion scene keeps us busy enough- without becoming over the top. I am very happy to have made a group of friends whom I can turn to at various fashion events and laugh about all of its ridiculousness. Finding grounded people in this 'fashion' world, even from predominantly a consumer base, is not always easy. The number of events I have gone to and wished I had made other plans have lead me to be a little choosier, but I will say that with every invitation I am thankful to be thought of. Designers and retailers in Australia work very hard to generate products, find clients and compete in the retail environment particularly with international online sales. I have been fortunate to meet some encouraging designers, and have the utmost respect for their efforts. I will always love Australian designers, it has been a sad year to see so many finish up with their brands. There have been a number of notable newcomers whom I have coveted and happily road tested, and yes, of course I too shop online.

My own style has changed in the past year to become simpler, as I shed most of my prints and colourful items. (I gave myself a year to wear the neon items I had bought, then happily sold them on eBay) I do have a few key printed / coloured pieces but I try not to over wear these as I inevitably get sick of them. Moving states each time allows me to clear out and get rid of pieces whilst reaffirming what goes into this capsule collection. I will say that when I first got back to Perth I had one suitcase to my name, but imagine it would now be closer to one and a half (despite my recent eBay efforts). I could blame this on packing for winter, and having few summer items, or blame it on working with friend and stylist Mikey Walton who always seems to have cool items left over from shoots (luckily I fit into these!) or it could be that I have accumulated a few more pairs of shoes.
In 2014, I may even buy a new handbag… and hardly any shoes… :)
The rules still apply though- only buy it if it goes with a heap of other things, is of good quality, fits properly, is easily washed, will not 'date' in a year, and I have to LOVE it.

Over the past few months I have been heavily reviewing this blog, its content, my relationship with it and its readers, where I would like to take it and of course the name. The name part is the trickiest. I chose the current one without a plan to do much more than blog once or twice, then never really found the right name to reflect what I was all about. I don't always talk about fashion in my everyday life- I tend to get that out of my system here, so I am keen to reflect on my other interests in future. While all of this is a work in progress, stay tuned, and I will let you know once I am ready to relaunch new name, look, probably domain and format.

A special thank you to everyone who has made this such a fun year. Despite my moving, unconventional nature, I am thankful to live happily, to accept and practice patience at the same time as develop my ambitions and give back the love I get to others. I am also thankful of the patience and understanding demonstrated by my family who live without my presence a lot, and the continuing support of my friends locally, nationally and internationally. I miss time with each and hold them in my thoughts and heart. I am thankful to all of my readers, their comments, return visits and patience while I reboot in a new direction.
Thank you for the time and efforts generously given by the photographers who have kindly shot with me this year, namely, Mario Recchia, Benjamin Galbraith, Heidy Saeran, Donna Dee, Emma Robinson, my Mum (three times! and she did a great job!), James Witty and Laura Liy.
Thank you to all of the PR agents, stores, designers and volunteers who have invited me to attend shows, sent me products to review and shared this blog.
I wish everyone a wonderful New Year and excellent start to 2014.

If you have any requests of what you would like to see me write more about in 2014, please let me know by commenting below or emailing me.

xx Jenelle

Facebook / Twitter

Tumblr / Pinterest

Instagram @jenellewitty