SRSLY

SRSLY.

Image is my own via IG: @marialetiziaxo

What is life. No, I don't mean it in a deep philosophical way, I mean it in the most basic 21st century way of saying what is going on. I feel as though my life has gone from one extreme to the other, and all within the space of around 10 weeks. So allow me to gather my series of post it notes (it seems like any idea I have is written on one these days) and fill you in on the chaos that is my life.

Let's go back 10 weeks and see where it all started; first of all I was seeing boy. Yes. A real life, human boy. And he was wonderful - is wonderful - but he was moving to Australia. If you've read my previous few posts you'll notice a general theme of Australia in them and that was because I was so inspired by his move. I think I ended up looking into it more than he did, and he was the one moving. But anyway, he was moving and it was just a little bit heart breaking. Typical luck to finally find someone that you feel that you could potentially be with, only for them to then leave you alone and crying in a corner. Well, the last part was an exaggeration, but it wasn't a nice feeling. So this is what triggered the next chapter - we decided to stay together to see how it would work out, but then I got my friend on board and we booked visa's and one way flights for Sydney (18/6/2015). Ok, I know what you're thinking, "you're moving across the world to be with a boy ARE YOU INSANE?!". I might be? Maybe? Who knows! The fact is I always said that after university I would move to America or Australia. So maybe his move did edge my decision towards the Aussie coast a little more in the end, but at least I'm doing something that isn't exactly a new idea to me. I'm setting up my own life and not depending on anyone else, so it is perfectly acceptable. And anyway, you have to take some risks in life, otherwise you're stuck in the same position twenty five years down the line, wishing you had done something differently. I really trust my impulsiveness; it hasn't lead me astray just yet - and without sounding too nauseating he's a keeper. I can feel it.

Renzo Piano, Sydney by @dianakbui via VSCO

Around this same time I was also beginning to think about what I wanted to do with my career in fashion and which avenues I was going to go down. I didn't have a clue. For someone who normally has everything figured out, this was difficult for me to deal with. Not having a vision is truly fk@!ing terrifying. However now that I've been back at uni and diving into my final ever semester of my degree I have seen the light. And let me tell you, it's marvellous. It's glittering and brilliant and shaped like visual merchandising. I've always had a love for it, but now that i've been thinking about my final major project (FMP) i've decided that it really is the career path for me and the goal is now firmly in sight. So now i'm going to have three sketch books, a note pad and about 1000 post it notes in various colours to attract my attention whenever I walk by them. 

If you've ever done a degree in fashion, you'll realise just how chaotic life gets when you're thinking about the end result - what you're going to do for not only that, but what's going to happen when you leave the comfort that is university. It's funny how we look at it now as though riding a bike in the Sahara Desert would be an easier option, but I'm trying to slow down and savour every piece of it. I'm never going to get another first chance at it and afterwards I know i'm really going to miss this little bubble. So although i'm now the worlds biggest insomniac and I've swapped Newcastle's treble vodkas for triple shot latte's in the morning, this new level of determination and absolute will to succeed has got me both excited and scared. The latter isn't a bad thing though - if something doesn't scare you, then it isn't worth doing. True story.

The Minimalist Aesthetic

THE PERFECT MINIMALISM. 

Some things in life are just unexplainable; from falling in love, to thinking that you really ought to clean the skirting boards in your apartment before your visitors arrive over the weekend - that last one is something which, yes, I have just done and no, I can't quite explain why I deemed it necessary. Maybe I really am turning into my mother. Either way, it's all part of growing up and seeing things in a new light due to changing perspectives and priorities.

It was the above point about cleaning that has brought me to writing this post; i'm not going to be talking your head off about skirting boards and the likes, don't worry. Like I said above, when you start to get older your tastes change. When I was a teenager I liked all things black. Well, more than I do now. Ok so that's also a lie, but I wasn't very tactful with it like I am now. I was all over the place trying to find my personality and sense of self. I don't really think I've even found it now and i'm pushing twenty-four in a few months, but I've managed to shape my tastes into something a little more palatable and true to the person I see myself moulding into.

Everyone's tastes are different, and each are shaped by the situations we are faced with and the people we experience on a daily basis. When you are shown one thing, it often leads to discovering other things and so your ideals change. Like I said in my previous post this week (Wanderlust | Where Will IG Take You?) I have been discovering so many amazing Australian brands and places within the country that have inspired me enough to want to visit. This has been a result of having Australia placed in the forefront of my mind through people I know leaving to go out there this month, and I'm so glad it has happened. I never realised how relatable a lot of the big Australian brands are; and it doesn't just stop with fashion, it leaks into home interiors too.

Photo Credit: The Minimalist

In terms of home interiors, this one has been a result of my changing tastes; going from all black to a helluva lot of white. It's with none other than The Minimalist Store that I now crave everything in white and can't wait to be in a position where I can decorate everything in such a way. Scrolling through their instagram feed, you quickly realise that the price tag is going to be as chic as the layout with the store stocking a range of designer names from all over the globe. Maybe it's just me, but I get a strong female vibe due to the quotes on their IG feed; 'home is where the bra isn't' and 'getting real sick of underwear and responsibilities'. It's things like this that takes a retailer and turns them into a brand that people can relate to and want to be a part of - considering they are effectively a middle man between consumer and designer, this is a great thing to boast. They're located in Surry Hills, Sydney so if you're ever in the area i'd encourage you to go and have a look. Or you know, have a look at their website (link is under the above photo) slash instagram feed (@minimaliststyle) if you're like me and otherwise unable to make the round trip required.

Photo Credit: @jasminedowling

Jasmine Downling is another Aussie who has grabbed my attention via her minimalistic outlook. A fellow fashion blogger and graphic designer/typographer, her eye for appealing aesthetics is second to none. Although a fashion blogger and graphic designer by day, her blog has a rather attractive store attached selling her typography prints, soft home accessories and most popular her 2015 calendar. Limited to only 100 copies, the calendar is simple yet stylish and includes one of Jasmine's favourite prints which you can tear off and frame for your apartment. If you want to get your hands on one you can just skip on over to her website and grab one for yourself. She ships worldwide, so no worries if you aren't a local to her area.

Wanderlust | Where Will Instagram Take You?

WANDERLUST.

n. the wish to travel far away and to many different places.

I think it's safe to say that the above term describes me to a T at the moment. Maybe it's the cold, wet weather creeping through the apartment this afternoon, or the fact that everyone I know has been talking about traveling plans after graduation in 2015; all I know is that I'm bored of the same old sights of England and I want more. More sunshine, more heat and more adventure.

With everything I have going on at the minute, the only sense of adventure I've had has been spent scrolling through profile upon profile on Instagram. Type in one hashtag and the next minute you're on something completely irrelevant to your first search. It's kind of like when you're on one person's profile and the next minute you know their cousins boyfriend's aunt's cat's name. Talk about going off on a tangent.  But it's from doing this at 2am when i'm in the tight grip of my insomnia that I've discovered so many amazing brands and places that are now firmly on my bucket list of travel destinations.

Photo Credit: via @caitstadler

First up, the Rock Bar located within Bali's Ayana Resort and Spa. Situated literally on the rocks lining the sea, this bar boasts insanely stylish outdoor seating with a view that you'd give a kidney for.  There's nothing more calming for me than sitting at a seaside bar with a nice drink to one side, and a burning sunset to the other. And this is exactly what you would get here. Bali has always been somewhere that I've lusted after in the travel brochures, but now I've decided that it needs to happen if I am to ever find an inner sense of contentment. 

Photo Credit: @alexmarksphotography

Photo Credit: @photosbyjessieann

Next is a little cafe that speaks to me on so many levels. It's The Boathouse at Balmoral Beach, NSW. The location itself is beautiful situated right on the water, but its the interiors and rustic look of the place that has me wanting to visit for a spot of lunch. Surrounded by flowers, plants and wooden fixtures, this little cafe just oozes serenity for those interested in an artsy scene. Looking at their IG profile and website, you can expect anchors stencilled onto your afternoon cappuccino, or a berry smoothie served in the cutest bear-shaped glass i've ever seen. After having an array of fruit platters, croissants and eggs for breakfast, you can then move on to a selection of seafood dishes, salads or burgers from their lunch menu. There really is something to suit everyone's tastes and it all looks amazing. 

Ive come across quite a few places on my IG travels that I want to visit, however the above two have really hit the spot in terms of making me want to spontaneously book a ticket and go right away. Having explored what Sydney has to offer, I've been introduced to lots of new ideals, brands and aesthetics with a very clean, minimalistic feel to them but that is something for another post.