Current Obsession: Rose Gold

I am majorly lusting over Rose Gold at the moment. Being one who doesn't wear much gold, Rose Gold is a great way to keep your outfit looking fresh, young and feminine.

Three rose gold pieces that currently stand out for me and have made it to the top of my wish list are:

Michael Kors Rose gold-plated stainless steel watch

Sportsgirl Plain Torque Necklace

-it looks gold in this picture but I assure it is a beautiful rose gold colour in the flesh

Sass and Bide Unanimous Decision Cuff

I am IN LOVE with this Michael Kors watch. I'm currently saving up for it and hopefully it will be sitting nicely on my wrist very shortly!

I think Rose Gold is a metal that will stay on trend this summer. I have seen some amazing Rose Gold looks and I can't wait to see more.

Ciao,

Emma xx

Emirates Melbourne Cup

I know this is a late post for the Races but there's no time like the present!

This is what I wore to Melbourne Cup this year:

Dress: Witchery

Jacket: Forever New

Headband: Diva

Clutch: Witchery

Shoes: Witchery

Cuff: Henri Bendel

Ring: YSL

The race really is 'the race that stops a nation'. As soon as the horses left the barriers the crowd was alive with cheer, tears and excitement. I was really glad I got to be a part of the crowd on such a historic occasion! 

This year's race was the closest finish in 10 years. 

I made sure I made the most of the bands playing. Nothing like a bit of dancing in public!

Ciao,

Emma xx

Currently listening to: Adele

Make You Feel My Love -Adele

Adele always knows how to pull at our strings. Although this song originated from Bob Dylan and Adele released her version in 2008, it just shows this song is timeless.

The warm and strong tones in her voice is perfect for this song. They resonate through each note and it hooks you in to keep listening. Every time. 

I can't stop at one song when I listen to Adele, I usually end up listening to her whole album whether it's 19 or her more recent album 21. 

In my eyes, she has already become a musical wonder up there with Norah Jones, Tony Bennett and the late (and great) Amy Winehouse.

Ciao,

Emma xx

Home.

This is probably one of my favourite photos of Melbourne I have seen in a long time.

Photographed by my friend from Windsor Rain.

 There's nothing like strolling down the Yarra River with sunglasses on and not a cloud in the sky. 

It wouldn't be surprising if it started to rain straight after this photo but here's hoping. 

Emma

xx

This is Set Sail. 

A three man band consisting of a guitar, violin and bucket drums, this street band travel the world to play some great covers and original music.

I've seen them play a couple of times in Sydney and in Melbourne and I love what they do.

The were playing outside my work on Bourke St Mall on this day and I was itching to run out the store and watch them. I managed to get them to sign their EP for me on my lunch break :)

Check out their Facebook and listen to their music. 

There is not too many street bands like this any more.

Ciao,

Emma xx

Topshop Australia!

I have a job at Topshop!

That's right, I will be working at Topshop's very first Australian flagship store in Melbourne. It is such an amazing opportunity and I cannot wait to start training!

The Topshop store will be located in the Jam Factory complex on Chapel St and cover 1300 square metres. Topman will also be on offer so there's something for everybody!

After the phenomenal response Zara had to their Australian store launches, I'm sure Topshop's arrival will be bigger and better than ever.

I can't wait to start working for Topshop. Who knows, hopefully one day I'll be part of the team launching more Topshop stores around the world!

Ciao,

Emma xx

These boots are made for walking...

AMBUSH Glitter Side Zip Ankle Boot -Topshop

Look at these beauties.

They caught my eye as I was trolling Topshop.

One of these days these boots are gonna walk right into my shoe collection.

Ciao,

Emma xx

New Outfit

I bought the dress and shoes for a special occasion. 

I just love the 1930s style of the dress. Very French chic :)

Dress: Zara

Shoes: Witchery

Ring: YSL

Necklace: Diva

Ciao,

Emma xx

no. 351 Heart Shaped Amethyst Ring

Large heart cut amethyst stone

I first saw this ring in Lady Petrova last year and stupidly let myself walk away from it. Since then, the ring has been sold out in many e-stores and boutiques.


Determined to find the person responsible for creating such a gorgeous ring, I found myself on Etsy -an online marketplace selling handmade and vintage items.


Made by designer and illustrator Moorea Seal, This beautiful ring holds a gorgeous raw Amethyst stone, cut in the shape of a heart, and is set on a gold plated adjustable ring.


Check out her Etsy store and follow her blog, twitter, or myspace.


I am in love with this ring. It is so unique and pretty. 


I can't wait to wear it out in public :)


Ciao,


Emma xx

Photos with Simone

Dress, belt and shoes: Hong Kong

Jacket: Sportsgirl

Hat: Minty Meets Munt

Ring: Yves Saint Laurent

YSL Ring

There are not many moments in life when you're completely taken back and have to pinch yourself to see if you're dreaming or not.

This is the exact moment I experienced when I saw these Yves Saint Laurent rings waiting to be placed on my finger.

Yves Saint Laurent Arty Oval ring in Turquoise

In instantly fell in love with the turquoise Arty Oval ring years ago on tumblr. I knew one day I would buy this ring.

Unfortunately there is no YSL store in Melbourne. This ring is also one of the most sought after rings in the world so it was a little more tricky to get my hands on one, let alone two.

After booking flights for Japan, I decided to save up and buy the ring in Japan. Just to make sure they had it I called Yves Saint Laurent HQ in New York (on my mobile...woops.) and spoke Japanese to the flagship store in Tokyo. I was pretty paranoid.

When I arrived in Tokyo, the turquoise ring had sold out nationwide. Completely disheartened by my experience in Tokyo, I didn't want to look at another Yves Saint Laurent store for the rest of the trip.

Secretly, I knew that this ring and I were meant to be.

On my first night in Hong Kong I went for a stroll around the Harbour City department store. This huge department store housed every designer you could think of. Chanel, Christian Loboutin, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Fendi...you name it.

I turned the corner and saw the Yves Saint Laurent store. To my surprise I walked into the store to find a tray of the Arty Oval Ring in almost every colour. I raced for the turquoise one and basically demanded the YSL lady for a size 8. 

YSL Harbour City had just gotten a delivery of the Arty Oval rings that day. She pulled out a turquoise ring in size 8 and I almost cried. The ring fit perfectly. It was a Cinderella moment. 

After calming down the YSL lady told me she only had a size 8 in the turquoise and one other colour. She showed me a gorgeous silver ring with a beautiful deep purple stone. I tried this on as well and I was on cloud nine. 

Yves Saint Laurent Arty Oval ring in Amethyst Purple 

After years of yearning, months of saving and weeks of searching. I had found not only one, but two YSL arty oval rings in my size. When was the next time I was ever going to see these rings in my size AND the colours I wanted? 

I soaked up every moment in that YSL store as I bought the rings of my dreams. One in gold and one in silver :)

I have loved every minute of wearing them. I get many compliments and aften get asked if you can buy them at my work -I work in a costume jewellery store.

I love how they just stand out in any outfit and by itself!

I have a canvas of Audrey on my wall, I thought it contrasted nicely with my newest purchase.

Ciao,

Emma xx

Japan

I recently returned from a family holiday in Japan and Hong Kong. I had the most amazing experiences in those three weeks.  The feeling you get when you immerse yourself in a completely different culture and get a sense of what it's like to live a life much different to your own in indescribable.

I studied Japanese in Year 12 so it was great to speak the language again see how much I really retained from high school! I was surprised how much I could still remember.

Here are a few happy snaps of my trip and a few life lessons I learnt along the way:

At Osaka Castle with its Mascot

First stop was Osaka. The third largest city in Japan and it was bustling with people! A nice mix between Old and New Japan, I soon felt at home in Osaka (after the minor jetlag of course). 

It took a while to orientate ourselves into this foreign and exciting city. We found ourselves walking out of the subway station and into a sea of stylish shops and people that is the district of Namba. In an instant I recognised labels such as Zara, H&M as well as designer stores like Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Tory Burch and more. Namba can easily be compared to shopping in New York's Fifth Avenue. Even though Osaka isn't immediately known to be a fashion destination, Namba sure had a lot to offer.

While the food was a cultural shock to some in my family, I embraced the food and all of Japan's delicacies.

Takoyaki (たこ焼き) -literally fried or grilled octopus in a ball-shaped Japanese dumpling

Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) -Japanese Pancake

This is THE best sushi I have ever eaten. Ever.

Teppenyaki in Kyoto

Lunch at Hong Kong's Jumbo floating restaurant, Aberdeen.

After Osaka, we took a bullet train to Hiroshima. 

A-Dome. Located 150 metres from the hypocentre and here it still stands today.
 

There is a distinct feeling of peace and calm in the city of Hiroshima. 

We were privileged to meet an A-Bomb survivor. She was 3 years old when the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima. Her powerful story was a poignant reminder of the horrible events that occurred in this city on August 8, 1945. 

hibakusha (被爆者), a Japanese word that literally translates to "explosion-affected people".

Our cultural experience didn't stop there. Kyoto was the next city on our agenda.

A traditional city full of temples and shrines, Kyoto showed us a quieter side to Japanese life and offered the most amazing views high up in the mountains.

The photos below were from the only day it rained out of our whole trip! We were very lucky to catch some great summer weather most of the time. :)

Yes...I sacrificed getting wet to take a selfie. 

 After Kyoto was the highlight of my entire trip: Tokyo.

There is one word to describe my experience in Tokyo: Heaven. Shopping heaven, that is.

Shoes at Bershka, Zara's sister store for the younger shopper.

Shopping in Tokyo was a-mazing. There were large department stores at every corner ready to pamper you silly. High end fashion retailers were skyscrapers. Every store was at least 3 levels and it was cheap! Much cheaper than Australian shopping.

I spent a bit here and there in Osaka and Kyoto but the money I saved for six weeks leading up to my trip was for this crazy city.

One of my favourite days in Tokyo was when I got to spend the day shopping by myself (this is a good thing, I'm terrible shopping in pairs). 

First off I shopped up and down Harajuku. I went into Forever 21 and came out not only with bags of shopping, but a Facebook friend as well! The lady at the fitting room and I had a half English/Japanese conversation with each other and as I was leaving she asked me to be friends with her on Facebook. Six months into uni and I'm already making contacts abroad!

After hours of shopping I caught up with a high school friend who works at Zara in Shibuya. She then directed me to go to Ginza and check out the Abercrombie & Fitch store. 

This wasn't a store, this was a club with models, clothes and fitting rooms in it. As soon as I entered this dark building booming with music, a gorgeous topless male model approaches me for a picture with him.   Still finding my bearings, another model points and shoots their polaroid towards us and next thing you know, I have a polaroid of me and a male model together...forever ;)

A little red and flustered. It's from the heat coming from outside I assure you.

Shibuya

A week went by quickly in Tokyo, yet so much happened! You could spend a month here and still be scratching the surface. I will definitely be returning to Tokyo to explore discover some more.

Coming home from this trip, Japan and Hong Kong have given me the travel bug. It has motivated me to  start saving for my next holiday. I want to fill my passport with stamps before it expires!

I hope these photos can tell another thousand words about my trip. There's only so much words can describe. 

Ciao,

Emma xx

YSL Lipstick

Birthdays are always a special time of year. Turning 18 this year has presented me with some very special gifts.

My friend Ellen gave me this GORGEOUS Yves Saint Laurent sheer lipstick for my birthday.

Accompanied by a beautiful gold YSL card, Ellen sure knows how to give good presents. 

My heart melted as soon as I saw the gold wrapping and black ribbon. 

One of the most gorgeous presents ever. I'm a lucky girl!

Thank you so much Ellen. I haven't stopped wearing it!

Ciao,

Emma xx

Cumulus Inc

If you're like me and you love your food. You will LOVE Cumulus Inc.

You feel like you're in New York as soon as you enter. The restaurant resonates class and elegance and the food is to die for.

The highlight for me was definitely the slow roast lamb shoulder. Cook for 13 hours, the meat falls off the bone and instantly melts in your mouth. Ahh my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Cumulus Inc should be on everyone's 'where to eat' list. It's the perfect destination for any occasion.

Cumulus Inc

45 Flinders Lane

Melbourne

ph: 9650 1445

http://cumulusinc.com.au/ 

Ciao,

Emma xx

An inside into The Sartorialist

This is one of the many videos that inspire me. 

Filmmaker Tyler Manson directed this 'Visual life' of fashion blogger Scott Schuman. 

I looks at The Sartorialist behind the camera. Scott talks about what inspires him and drives him to take such beautiful photos for 70,000 readers everyday.

Enjoy!

Ciao,

Emma xx

My Sister Says

I had this AMAZING raspberry yo-yo from My Sister Says in Port Melbourne.

Raspberry Yo-Yo -Devine

A gorgeous little cafe on Bridge St, My Sister Says is a perfect place to have a sneeky coffee break, meeting or a good catch up with an old friend.

The food is lovely and affordable. I had a focaicca with taleggio cheese, ham and mushroom and it was  devine! Just enough to fill me up until dinner time.

If you're ever in the area, do pop in and grab a coffee. I'd be surprised if you didn't leave with one of their delicacies. I'll be back for more giant yo-yo's (If my love handles let me).

My Sister Says

118 Bridge Street

Port Melbourne

(03) 9646 1117

Ciao,

Emma xx