My housemate's beautiful friend Carmen makes scarves. Hand painted hand created illustrated silk scarves. Storytelling scarves to finish an outfit. They are absolutely beautiful and unique - a timeless product that will withstand trends and fads. Lately I have been interested in cutting down on fast fashion and reducing my wardrobe to basics and more timeless pieces. I decided to interview Carmen about her Farawen Silks, and what inspires her work.

Watch this absolutely breath-taking video of the scarf-making process!

Tell me a bit about your background growing up, and your hobbies.

I’ve grown up in Bath, England. I spent a lot of my time growing up with my family visiting art galleries and theatres on holiday, which definitely influenced my choices and paths. I went on to do an art foundation and studied Theatre and Performance design in Liverpool. After working freelance for a little while I did a complete U-turn and moved to Greece for a couple of summers, worked for a diving company and met some wonderful people. Now I’m back in my hometown and following my growing passion for silk painting.

Where did the idea for Farawen Silks come from?

I first worked with Silk on a costume design project at University. I created silk jacket linings for the schoolboy roles in the musical ‘Spring awakening’. I loved the expression of the paint and the ease of transferring an idea, concept, or artwork onto a wearable piece.



Can you describe your process for making your silk scarves? How long does it take?

I buy the silk white and on the roll. First it has to be washed, dried, sometimes pre dyed and then stretched onto a frame. I then use a gutta, which outlines the patterns and creates borders in the silk. Next I use silk dye, water, and silk to add colour and texture to the scarves. Once finished the dye is iron fixed, washed, ironed and then I hand roll the edges to create a flowing finish. A large detailed large scarf could take around 10 hours of working time.

What's the most challenging part of what you do?

Farawen silks is a very new business venture for me. So I think keeping the faith that I can achieve and grow and continue to push forward is the challenge for me.



What are your top three must have items in you wardrobe?

Mmm… my wool slippers from Greece because I have extra cold toes, a fabulous coat, (I have a weakness for them), and my knee high brown leather boots!

Do you have a life motto?

No. I see life as a work in progress.

Where do you see Farawen Silks in 5 years time?

I plan to have my own workshop and art retail space! Watch this space!



Do you have any advice for people wanting to peruse a creative business idea?

You won’t lose anything by trying, so go for it!

Farawen Silks ships worldwide, so if you're looking for the perfect present for Mother's Day, a birthday or just a gift for that special someone, look no further :) Farawen Silks scarves are available in the ETSY SHOP and check out more photos on the FACEBOOK PAGE.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

x x Stace

Time to start up the barbie, have a beer and listen to triple J's hottest 100 while in shorts and thongs (that's 'flip-flops' for you foreigners who think thongs are an undergarment, ha). It's Australia Day tomorrow, a day to celebrate the founding of modern day 'white' Australia. If you live or grew up in Australia, you'd know exactly what I'm talking about.










White button-up blouse and denim skirt c/o boohoo.com.au
Necklace c/o Emclectic Collection

I decided to style up a (super vague, loosely) 'Aussie' themed post with Australian flag colours - red, white and blue. In the spirit of my childhood growing up in Australia, I've gone super casual, and spent the afternoon climbing trees like I did in my primary school days. Although I still climb trees every opportunity I get, even at age 23 :P

I'm going to be having quite a chill day myself, no work and no responsibilities, I'll definitely have my radio on and hopefully there'll be a bit of sunshine too.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!


Stace x

Photos taken by my gorgeous housemate Melanie Hansen ♥

Chanel scarf, jewellery from Hawkeye Vintage
Jacket from Hawkeye Vintage
Glassons top
Kookai skirt
Senso Taffy II heels

I have to say, I rarely ever dress too classy. It's usually ripped jeans, or printed pants, or Black Milk bodysuits, etc etc. I guess I have a kinda quirky style, but for this shoot I definitely went outside my comfort zone. My housemate Mel shot these photos, and she is very girly, into her pretty clothes and jewellery. So I let her style me up in these gorgeous Chanel accessories from Hawkeye Vintage!

This post is an announcement that local vintage store Hawkeye Vintage have a new haul of over 1000 vintage designer accessories - Chanel, LV and Hermes! To celebrate, Danielle from Hawkeye is holding a special 3-day event online!!

DATE - 11th - 20th December
TIME - 10am-12am
LOCATION - www.hawkeyevintage.com

To be a part of the VIP shopping event you should subscribe to Hawkeye Vintage's mailing list, the code for the 20% off is VIP20. You will receive a one time only 20% off discount on all the new items listed!! There are pretty bags, jewellery, belts, scarves and other accessories.

Exciting stuff also - 100 shoppers will also receive a VIP xmas goodie bag with your purchase from our sponsors. If you want to see some of what is in this goodie bag, worth over $120, check out my latest Instagram post :)

Happy Wednesday guys! I can't believe it's almost Christmas, 2015 has gone crazy fast. I'm officially off to Vietnam in about 3 weeks, excited to go on more adventures :D

x x Stace

It's what underneath that counts...right?

So, I guess when you think about fashion and outfits, and dressing yourself, you don't really think about the things that go under your clothes. I mean sure, you can't SEE it most of the time, but as any woman knows, the type of underwear you have on can make a massive difference to how you feel. There's certainly something special about slipping into a new lacy lingerie set, even if it's hidden under work uniform or 5 billion Winter layers.

Anyway, the rare occasion that I get a new set AND I match my bra to my underwear, I basically feel like I have my shit together. Good feeling, haha.

Lately I've been obsessed with the label For Love & Lemons, and their delicate lingerie. I love the attention to details; the mesh and the lace and the embroidery is just beautiful. I haven't yet had the guts to splurge out and get myself a set - two reasons: trying to save money is hard, and also I'm quite aware that my bigger boobs may not be as comfortable in such flimsy undergarments. A girl can dream though!!



In other news, this is my first blog post since I stopped blogging in April! To old readers & followers, good to see you back here. To new ones, welcome! This year has been a tumultuous one, but I can finally say I've finished half of my Masters degree and also found my inspiration and motivation to create content again! YAY! I hope you enjoy what will hopefully be a more regularly-maintained fashion/lifestyle/health/music/whatever-else-is-on-my-mind blog.

Hope your Monday wasn't too much of a grind!

Stacy x

images from forloveandlemons.com

Aloha! It's been a while since my last post. There is a lot going on in my life right now, and I'm really enjoying every aspect of it. I've been feeling inspired, healthy & happy :) I've started my Masters (The people that I'm studying Music Therapy with are all incredible people - I guess creative types and helpers are drawn to each other), ended a long-term relationship which was unhealthy and (soon) I am moving house - it's like a fresh start. Sometimes you just need that in your life; for me, right now is one of those times.

What better way to celebrate a fresh start than with new shoes - I've been sent a gorgeous pair of silver leather sandals from Alohas, and they are shiny/pretty, good quality, unique and practical. Pretty much fulfils my requirements for a good shoe, and they have been running a high rotation lately, even if the weather in Melbourne has been a little weird.

The leather is buttery soft, and they are super easy to slip on and off. Plus, they're flat. So no falling over curbs and wobbling my way around haha. My level of coordination is kinda non-existent! Silver leather is also a new obssession - these shoes are fuelling my love with shiny silver things. Check my new watch/bracelet/knit :P I'll let the photos do the talking anyhow.



Alohas leather sandals - Witchery zip knit - American Apparel skirt - Mimco Sportivo watch & bracelet

This is a super simple outfit I wore to the movies with my lovely photo-lady Kayla, lately I've been drawn to simplistic outfits with minimal jewellery and maximum comfort. I'm also being aware of buying things that are ethical and also sustainable. I learnt a little bit about Alohas and was very impressed with what the company has done. Alohas don't have a box packaging to minimise waste, and are also handmade - the soles are made from recycled tyre rubber! I decided to have a Q&A with the founder of Alohas, Ale.

Where did you grow up and how has that influenced who you are today?

I have been born and raised in Barcelona until I was 16. Once I turned 16 I have been traveling the world and living in different places because [of] soccer.

However, the 2 places that have influenced the most has been Barcelona and Hawaii. From Barcelona I take the special vibe of the city and its people. It is a very multi-ethnical city with fashion influences from all over the world. Hawaii has also had a big impact in me because its aloha lifestyle, of living sustainable and living from the Aina, (land), and love each other.

How did you first get into the field of designing shoes?

During one of my trips people were stopping in the streets asking about the shoes I was wearing. After so many people asking me the same question I realized that it was a great opportunity to take this design and make it sustainable friendly.

Where do you find your inspiration from from creating something new?

Each one of the experiences that we have shapes us in a certain way. In all the places that I have lived has changed me and my style and is where i get the inspiration from. I tried to get the best from each places I know and put it together.

Tell me about a pair of shoes you'll never forget. I am summer person, not just because of the warm weather but also for the conformability of the clothing. During my summers I have always worn two traditional spanish shoes, the espadrille, and the sandals where Alohas Sandals come from, the avarcas.

Do you have a "shoe motto"?

Yes! Life is better with Alohas! :) Mahalo, Ale

I love the whole philosophy behind the Alohas brand! If you do too, check them out using the links below :)

http://www.alohassandals.com.au
Alohas AU Facebook
ALOHAS AU Instagram

Hope everyone had a great Easter. For all my fellow uni peeps, happy mid-sem break, enjoy it while it lasts! xx

Witchery V-splice tee | Lorna Jane Manhattan mesh jacket | Staple the Label skirt (similar here) | Nike sky hi dunks | Supre fedora (similar here) | Zara clutch (similar here)

So the season we all love - Summer - is over. Although Melbourne is surely bound to have a few more scorchers, beach days are over as everyone goes back to uni/school/work schedules and the leaves start falling off the trees.

No more flowy crochet tops and tiny denim shorts, so what do you wear inbetween the heat of Summer and the coat-appropriate Winter days? The answer is - get yourself some layering pieces in Khaki.

Yes, khaki. Army green. That icky colour that you get when you mix all your paints together.

It's actually quite a versatile colour, it goes well with anything black or white, but also with your favourite denim jeans and with some nautical stripes. It's popping up everywhere as a wearable colour this year. It's official, khaki green is in.

While I wouldn't advise to go and buy yourself those camouflage pants we all used to have in primary school, you should jump on board and try a khaki tshirt or even a khaki pair of pants to spice up your wardrobe. I'm liking it so much I have fingers crossed that it's not just a passing trend. I vote Khaki the new beige!

What do you think of the colour? Do you own any khaki clothes?


x x Stace

SHOP KHAKI TOPS: Wrap blouse, V-neck kimono top, Hi-neck T-shirt

SHOP KHAKI BOTTOMS: Cigarette pant, Utility short, Midi skirt

Glassons top // Thailand markets skirt // The New Punjab bangle // Lovisa ring, necklace & temp. tattoos // Witchery espadrilles

When this little gem of a bangle arrived on my doorstep, it brought a little more sparkle into my life. For anyone that knows me, I ADORE anything sparkly, shiny or glittering. Glitter and sparkle represents the stuff that seems to be disappearing from our ever busy lifes - creativity, soul, yearning and simple carelessness. It reminds me glitter paint, and making our own necklaces in primary school; it reminds me of crazy imaginations and fairy costumes.

As soon as I put it on, I knew what kind of outfit it needed to go with - something flowy, free and completely comfortable. This white flowy top instantly makes me feel like a bohemian gypsy and I love it!! My maxi skirt, which I bought in the markets at Thailand, is not only one of my most comfortable skirts, but also involves one of my favourite trips where I got lost in the culture and landscape of a whole new world. My outfits get boring when I go to work, as much as I love clothes, I forget about it because I'm too focussed on other boring adult details. I vow to wear this pretty bangle as much as possible and remember to have fun during my day, because I owe it to myself :)

Like I've said before, this year is going to be a busy one and I'll have uni, placement, working at the high-schools, plus trying to keep creating content for the blog & keep my social life (what social life?! lol) intact as well. But I'm going to try and prioritise the sparkly things in life too - painting my nails, spending an afternoon with temporary tattoos, dressing up and all that jazz!

Mushy stuff done. Check out the awesome label behind my bangle - The New Punjab. The bangle I styled is part of the second collection from The New Punjab, called 'Royal Raj'. Each bold statement jewellery piece differs slightly in size and shape as they are precious stones and not one piece is alike! All The New Punjab items are made in small quantities and aren’t meant to be mass-produced. So it's definitely limited edition. If you like what you see, go and give this little local label some love :) Inspired by the colourful and vibrant culture of India, and drawing from her own family heritage, designer Cheri Flewell-Smith has also created a mix of modern, eclectic and ethnic goods ranging from accessories to home furnishings that are available online. I've possibly got an interview with Cheri lined up, so stay tuned!!

The New Punjab

Follow & like on their Facebook page and for updates & like @the_new_punjab on Instagram for some seriously gorgeous Indian inspiration.

x x Stace

Lisa Gorman has just recently launched her Autumn 2015 campaign, which was shot in Hayama, Japan. Considering I just got back from Japan, it only makes me miss the country even more! This collection has an other-worldly feel about it, suggesting the change in season to the cooler weather, longer nights and shorter days. It’s about the happenings out there in the quiet, stillness of nature and the beauty of balance between earth, animal and sky.

The new collection features Gorman's typical gorgeous details such as the green fern print, a cute yet brilliant moth embroidery motif, metallic flashes and an abstract jigsaw pattern of chopped up shapes filtered across kimonos, flowy skirts, shift dresses and soft cotton tees.

Some of the clothes have started dropping into Gorman stores already, so if Autumn excites you (it's my fave season), definitely check it out!

x x Stace

PS. Check out Frankie's post on this collection for the beautiful campaign video. I watched it three times ♥

images from gormanshop.com.au