World wide beauty retailer Sephora is opening their first
Australian store in Sydney in early 2015. 

If you are getting antsy at the thought of Sephora being so close yet so far away
if you do not reside in Sydney, fear not because it appears that with
 the opening of the new store, Sephora is looking at establishing
another 25 stores throughout Australia. 

The question on everyones lipstick stained lips is what about the pricing?
 Sephora is notorious for cheap products within the American beauty industry but
is this going to continue in Australia?
We are all praying to the beauty gods that this be the case. 

What about the competition it is going to create within Australia's beauty industry.
The financial review said that it has declined offers from Myer,
David Jones and Mecca Cosmetica to create concession based
 stores and go it alone. Sephora having annual sales of $4.4 billion,
 you can see why they wouldn't partner with local competitors who
were the go to stores in relation to having a dominant market of premium cosmetics. 

Brands ranging from Chanel, Stila, Clinique, Urban Decay, Clairns, Dior, Benefit,
 Smashbox, Too Faced, plus many more (click here for a full list of brands)
 We all know we are going to find something that we must have or perhaps an entire basket full. 

Are you excited for Sephora to be opening on Australian shores and what will you be buying when it does?

Viktor & Rolf, Flowerbomb $80 / Nars Blush (available in 26 colours) $30 / Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Éclat radiant touch $41 / Sephora collection, False eyelashes $10 / Stila Sparkle waterproof liquid eyeliner (available in 7 colours) $22 / Marc Jacobs enamored hi-shine nail lacquer $18 / Bare Minerals eye colour (available in 20 colours, Queen Phyliss is shown) $14 

FRIDAY INSPIRATION

What was looking like an incredibly bleak weekend filled with grey skies and rain clouds has subsided - Marshmallow clouds float endlessly throughout the blue abyss and the radiant glow of the sun warms the skin now bringing a smile to the face of every Australian who had plans to spend Australia day parked on the white sand beaches, watching the different blues circle throughout the vast ocean as the waves come crashing in. With all fingers and toes (in most likely out national choice of shoe, the trusty thong or flip flops) crossed, I as well as many are hoping this weather stays exactly where it belongs. 

Palm trees are casting shadows over where I lay on this pristine white beach; Greens, aquas and blues create the ocean which in turn makes it look as if it has been brushed onto a canvas by an artist, the attire of the day is bikinis in shades that match the sand or wild prints or the classic black. The sounds that are being heard ranges from the waves hitting the shore, the rustle of the leaves in the canopy of palm trees or the slight sound of music in the background. After some time of relaxing, it is decided that you are going to tick something of that bucket list of yours and jump - You bend your knees and launch yourself into the clear water, feeling completely free. This is what I am dreaming of (one day perhaps I will be a professional traveller or a host on a travel show, a girl can dream!) and to fall in love with my life as I hope that you do with yours. I just couldn't help but include two gorgeous Australian women who I admire and secretly wish I was: Lara Bingle and Catherine McNeil. 

To my Australian followers I hope you have an incredible Australia day filled with spending time with your family, the day spent by the beach playing cricket/AFL/Rugby and having an oh so traditional BBQ. 

Summer Playlist:

Alesso vs OneRepublic - If I Lose Myself (Alesso Remix) 

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs Sander van Doorn - Project T (Original Mix) 

Flo Rida - In My Mind ,Pt. 2 (feat. Georgi Kay) 

Avicii - Wake Me Up (Official Video) 

Tim Berg - 'Seek Bromance'

Calvin Harris & Alesso - Under Control ft. Hurts 

Armin van Buuren feat. Trevor Guthrie - This Is What It Feels Like 

Zedd - Clarity ft. Foxes 

360 - Run Alone 

Just a little side note! I am so incredibly sorry how inactive I have been! I have been ultra busy with University, I am currently going between the Gold Coast and Brisbane every week. But I have some exciting ideas and adventures planned - So stay tuned! 

I am also planning on doing a vlog in regards to this weekend (Australia day weekend) 

I hope all has been well and thank you for reading! 

Photos from tumblr

BRISBANE'S NEXT ONE STOP SHOP - TOPSHOP

With exactly one week until the UK retail giant opens its doors in Brisbane, what does it exactly mean for the consumer? One thing that we are certainly aware of is the stir it caused in Sydney and Melbourne with the fashion savvy women and men lining up for hours: Even camping overnight to make sure they get a piece of the action! 

It certainly means no more buying clothes online and it either not fitting, being completely different to what you imagined or planning a trip to Sydney or Melbourne with the idea of spending hours doing laps of Topshop in fear that you will miss something (don't lie to yourself we have all done it or at least have wanted to) It now means for us Brisbane based girls and guys of course ; We can now simply go into the CBD, have a browse, try on what we see and with our fingers crossed for the sake of all people that browse online that they have what we have fallen in love with and most likely stared at for countless hours on end. Lets all hope that they get it before you can utter the word "unique" 

Being their biggest Australian boutique at a very lust worthy and awe inspiring 3 stories or 2,200 square meters it means that for us they will be carrying all Topshop and Topman ranges including accessories *sighs* and the unique capsule collections. Topshop Brisbane will also be offering a free personal shopping service. 

With all that said though how quickly are we going to be getting the new collections and even the new products? Will it be in a matter of days, weeks or months that we get to hold it in our eager hands what we have been eyeing off on topshop.com? 

I will say when I found out that on 140 Albert Street, Brisbane where the bookstore Borders once stood tall - Topshop was opening, I felt a wave of sheer excitement and happiness and yet a sudden realisation swept over me; Is it not going to be as special as it once was due to having it at our disposal? Will it just be normal to now see people in head to toe Topshop? Where is you either had to buy it online or go to Sydney, Melbourne or even overseas to get your hands on it. Now with the opening it is sitting in our back pocket there to use as our one stop shop for everything amazing. I certainly hope that it doesn't loose its special finesse that it carries with it.

We have all of these questions and then some about how the store itself is going to be, the products, whether it will live up to the "largest boutique" expectations (I am sure it will but lets not kid ourselves it is no Oxford Street store in London)

My most wanted items from Topshop!

Topshop opens on the 5th of December at 140 Albert Street, Brisbane (across from the Myer centre) 

"Fashion House" by Megan Hess

As some of you remember I recently did a post in regards to Fashion Illustrator, Megan Hess's gorgeous converted church home and in that I was beyond excited for the release of her new book "Fashion House." I finally purchased it from David Jones and well I am in LOVE! You all know how much I love Megan's illustrations and my infatuation for interior design in indescribable so combine the two and it is a matched made in heaven! (Did I mention that she is Australian! *swoons even more*)

Wonderful Window Displays

Photos by parisinfourmonths

In my current job and what I am studying - I am exposed to the world of visual merchandising and I must say I love it! Being able to create displays with products that are gorgeous and often simply awe inspiring would be a dream job for me. Being in charge of the womens designer shoes, my manager comes to me to merchandise the shoe department. I run around redoing displays, making them neater or  simply restarting the merchandising from scratch - All the while being a complete and utter perfectionist, taking a few steps back to evaluate my work, staring in sheer concentration at it and critiquing every inch of it, finding or seeing something out of place and quickly running over to fix it. Then starting the whole process over again until my perfectionist self is satisfied (or as satisfied as I can get) When my manager or even supervisor compliments me on a job well done, I literally feel warm inside, so proud and happy with myself. I must say I could do it as a full time job, maybe for Chanel? *says in a dreamy tone* Or Bergdorf Goodman, or Hermes, maybe Celine, Louis Vuitton perhaps or even Topshop, H&M or Zara! It would be a dream come true but for now I will simply stare in awe of what the current visual merchandisers create and hope one day that will be me creating such visually stunning creations in the windows and stores of the most elite fashion houses around the world.

Bergdorf Goodman Window Display. Photo by KTRstyle

Europe is calling!

*Drum Roll* It is May! Which means now I can officially say "I am going overseas next month." Being the 4th of May it now is only 50 days until I will be boarding that plane at the Brisbane International Airport and jet setting off to Europe! What can I say!? It honestly feels as if I only just went to the travel agent with my two friends to discuss what tour we were going to do and now in 50 days I will be going on a trip that I have dreamt about for as long as I can remember. 

Queue me day dreaming about long walks along the Seine to look up to see the Eiffel Tower glistening in all its glory, or sitting down in Ladurée with a big mug of hot chocolate and an assortment of macarons in all the hues imaginable! How about looking over the city of London while riding non other then the London Eye, seeing the Big Ben in the distance, The House of Parliament and London Bridge. Lounging about on a yacht through the Greek Islands perhaps? Stopping in at different ports along the way to experience the Greek culture in all its glory - Walking the cobblestone streets in awe of the architecture that surrounds me in not only Rome but Venice and Florence! Throwing a coin into the Trevi fountain with hope that I do come back soon, or riding a gondola through the canals of Venice and indulging in all the gelato, pasta and pizza I can get my hands on! Bike riding through Amsterdam, taking in the old world ambiance that Prague has to offer. Can't you just tell that I am dying to leave already! I have not been this excited for something in a very long time (or ever actually) 

I am also looking forward to showing all my wonderful readers my adventures through this blog - Not only through writing but pictures and videos! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I am going to enjoy sharing it with you!

Check out my itinerary here: My trip to Europe: Itinerary!

Inside Fashion Illustrator, Megan Hess's gorgeous converted church home

Her resume consists of illustrating for brands like Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Dior, Ladurée and of course the Sex and the City books by Candice Bushnell to name a few. Megan is now living and working in a 18th century church with her architect husband and two young children. Living a complete dream full of jet setting, a loving family and illustrating the most exquisite of sketches - This four bedroom house has nothing usual about it which is just the start of it's stunning appeal. 

Some newness to my room!

I have been in desperate and I mean desperate need of something a little new in my room - A few months ago it was the bouquet of flowers that sit pretty on top of my bountiful bookcase. But sadly even though they are gorgeous I needed a bit of an update. So today my Mum and myself were of to Ikea and I knew it was my chance to finally do some redecorating! 

I have been in love with this Sheep skin rug for as long as I could remember but I have never bought it *what were you thinking Codie!?* I am now happy to say that it is now laying on my bedroom floor right in front of my bed exactly where it belongs! In all honesty I could not be more happier with it - It fits perfectly into the decor and is what I was after due to going after texture to add a more depth to my room. 

Of course being in the complete zone of walking around aimlessly dreaming up what my future apartment/house will look like if I could unleash my inner interior decorator; I decided on also getting a throw as winter is coming up and plus the texture will add a little bit of coziness to my room (exactly what I don't need early in the morning with me not wanting to get out of bed) So once I laid eyes on the Ofelia throw I knew it was going to be perfect for my room. 

Currently Coveting: 11th of March - 18th of March

I can not remember the last time I did a Currently Coveting post! I don't know why I stopped doing them in all honesty so here is one after a very long period of time without creating a collage full of my most lust worthy items that I would love to get my little hands on! 

1. Sass & Bide Two Dimensions Tailored Jacket with Peplum Detail - A plunging neckline, a perfect combination of contrasting monochromatic colours and of course a peplum what more could you ask for from Sass & Bide. They truly have nailed a minimalistic yet statement making jacket which of course Sass & Bide does! Wear dressed up over an LBD, a pair of jaw dropping black patent stilettos and a stunning clutch for the night or make it a bit more casual with a simple Tee (Did I hear a Celine Tee being mentioned!?) a pair of skin hugging jeans, metallic flats, a oversized awe inspiring bag and of course a statement ring that leaves people sighing at the sheer sight of it. 

2. Alexander Wang Cropped Leather Top - I am simply in love with all the leather that is around at the moment from pants, to jackets, to skirts and I can't forget to mention tops! There is something about a nice leather top that adds a completely different element to a look - A toughness or even an edginess is layered upon whatever you may be wearing once you add that touch of leather to your look. For me this Alexander Wang leather crop would be my go to piece when it came to me wanting to add leather to whatever I may be wearing. Versatile in the fact that you can dress it up or down, wear with a pencil skirt, a pleated skirt, a pair of high waisted silk printed trousers or a pair of shorts: The possibilities are endless!

3. Rag & Bone The Grand Prix Motocross Jean - Ever since laying eyes on these beauties when Jess from Tuulavintage uploaded a picture of her wearing them on the streets of New York - I fell instantly in love. What I would do to have these in my wardrobe! An effortless colour of chalk white with a contrast panel in black then accentuated with leather detailing, adding a complete rock edge to this statement jean. 

4. Nly Accessories Heavy Chain Bracelet - Chunky gold chain that sits pretty on your wrist - Making a statement within itself but being completely simplistic and classic on the other. To me this is a match made in heaven. 

5. Saint Laurent Arty Oval Ring - Obsessed would be an understatement when explaining my love for these rings, I currently own one that being in coral and I can assure you I will be adding to the collection (and keep on adding) It is my jewellery staple, I literally do not leave the house without putting it on and I can't stand the feeling of not having it sitting on my pretty in its shining glory. The question is what colour do I buy next!?

6. Elie Saab La Parfum, Eu de parfum - A harmonious mix of white flowers, cedar wood and a subtle touch of honey creates a feminine scent taking you from everyday wear to that glorious evening gown. One of my favourite perfumes, I have a sample sitting in my handbag so every time I dig to the bottom I am left with a trail of this perfume wafting through the air. 

7. Givenchy Pandora Medium Tote - Black goat skin, rounded top handles, silver tone hardware and a detachable shoulder strap to add to that cool street style look that this bag gives out - It is just simply to perfect, a mix of cool and classic this bag for me will simply never date. The simple structure and the way it moulds to the persons body that is wearing it to me is just divine. 

8. Christian Louboutin Druide - Something I just do when I am sitting around is go on my favourite brands websites and dream - A whirl of shoes whirled around my head as I continued to scroll down the endless pages on the Christian Louboutin website, while asking myself over and over again "Why am I doing this to myself?"While scrolling these stopped me dead in my tracks, I sat there in sheer awe of what was before me: A perfect pair of Louboutin flats (not surprising really being Louboutins!)

Gold *check* Slight heel *check* and spikes *check!*. A combination of three of what for me makes a perfect pair of shoes that I must say I would wear everyday! This then reminded me of why I sit there in my room, cup of tea in hand, not breaking focus of all the oh so pretty things on my computer screen that I sadly can't afford (yet anyway) These are the things that keep me going, to make me work hard, stay determined and fight for my dreams!

Recipe: Easy Blondies

Ingredients: 

185g of white chocolate, chopped 

125g of butter 

2 eggs, lightly beaten 

1 cup of caster sugar

1tsp of vanilla essence 

1 cup of plain flour 

2/3 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts or macadamias 

1/2 cups of white chocolate bits 

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius, grease a deep 20cm square cake tin and line the base with baking paper. 

2. Place the white chocolate and butter into a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat, stir in the eggs, sugar and vanilla. 

3. Fold through the flour nuts and white chocolate bits and pour into a prepared tin. 

4. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until the sides have shrunk slightly from the cake tin, let it cool in the tin before counting into squares. 

Serve with a dollop of ice cream on top and some of your favourite berries such as blue berries, raspberries or even strawberries cut up! I served mine with dried cranberries and white chocolate bits.

Recipe from Margret Fulton's book "Baking"

Decor: Rachel Zoe's Office

One of my biggest guilty pleasures is sitting down to have a marathon of The Rachel Zoe project and we have all seen the endless rows of fabulous footwear and bags that make you want to say BA-NA-NAS - So when I discovered that The Coveteur partnered with Who What Wear to take us inside the Queen of stylings LA loft/ HQ I simply sat there in awe of what I saw while scrolling through the images. From the likes of Zoe's vintage archives to her nail polish collection that mimics a rainbow and of course the accessories that leave you mouthing "I die." We simply can't pass the opportunity to look into the glamourous life of Rachel Zoe - From her branding office to Zoe's personal work space, The Coveteur and Who What Wear dived deep into Zoe's teams wow worthy workshop which I can clearly see where the creative juices flow from. 

I simply look at Rachel Zoe, what she has created business wise, her life in general and I am truly inspired. She is one of many people who I look up to as a role model within the fashion industry. From being a designer, head of a internationally known company, a stylist that has worked with some of the most influential celebrities, photographers, designers and magazines and also releasing her own book "A to Zoe: The art of Fashion, Beauty and everything Glamour" She is a powerful source that you know will be dressed with sky high heels, an oversized bag and just looking utterly flawless. 

For all of the Zoe lovers out there, a new season of The Rachel Zoe project is about to be aired later this month. 

Photos from The Coveteur