Freebie Lover

When you purchase fashion magazines on a regular basis, you are bound to come across a freebie. Marie Claire, Vogue and Harper’s are known to give away sunnies, hats, lip glosses, mascaras, travel bags and even shirts at times.

But I have to confess. Whenever I get my copy of magazine + freebie, I immediately stash the item in my bag and begin to flip through the pages as though totally disinterested. But secretly I can't wait to get home and test it out.

I have a crazy amount of mascaras which lay unloved in numerous draws, lip glosses stacked up and saved as "spares", and in particular, an unessential amount of travel bags which have been stashed in countless areas of my room (you know, just in case I need them for that day at the beach?).

I can't simply bring myself to throw these away. I mean yes of course I have thrown away the odd lipstick (that hideous colour was so not right). But I think it is time I stop holding these freebies captive, inhibiting them by the four corners of my room.

Why are they simply not good enough to actually be used in public? Why do I feel as though I will be laughed at because I actually made use of something that didn't come at a price? Even though I would use the very same product having bought it?

I guess I am seeking that approval that I can ditch my closeted freebie love affair and actually use my new sunnies (Marie Claire this month).

Hi my name is Cindy and I like stuff. Free Stuff.

Celebs in the Nude - '09

It was definitely a favourite on the red carpet last year and though a lot of people would think it is an un-flattering colour (making white skin look pasty) I would have to disagree. I absolutely love nude dresses and of course who can forget Chloe Sevigny's Chloe ensemble. Die for.

Well here are some of the best dressed celebs in 09...in the Nude.

Freja Beha, Twin Magazine

Don't you just love discovering magazines! I am already in love with the layout of newbie, Twin Magazine. I simply had to include these images of Freja, featured in Issue One.

Can't wait to get my hands on this mag!

Love x

Photographer: Boo George

Stylist: Gillian Wilkins

Ahoy, Patrick Demarchelier

Editorial for British Vogue (Jan 2010) featuring our very own Catherine McNeil.
Photographed by one of the most prolific fashion photographers, Patrick Demarchelier. If you aren't already a fan of his work, you may remember his name being mentioned on The Devil Wears Prada? Obviously he is someone who is contacted on a regular basis by fashion mag Editors.

Forever classic, Nautical stripes and Navy pieces.

love x

New York, New York

My gorgeous friend Elena has recently come back from New York. I simply had to post these stylish shots of her.

New Yorkers, this is how we Sydneysiders do! Thanks El.

love x

Mid Town, New York

This is my fave shot. Oh so cool.

34th Street, New York

Bryant Park, New York

Soho, New York

Down Town, New York

Body Image?

EEP! This whole Marie Claire Jennifer Hawkins shoot really caused a stir! All before the issue is even out (on the stands tomorrow people).

So okay, for those of you who aren't aware, Jen Hawkins is featured in a 5 page spread in the nudie for Marie Claire. To which she was also placed on the cover. The spread is to encourage positive attitude towards body image and support The Butterfly Foundation.

The Butterfly Foundation provides support for Australians who suffer from eating disorders and negative body image issues.

It has created a big clash of negative vs well the positive. And as it seems the negative is by far the winner of this argument. Women have been greatly offended that Jen Hawkins has been placed as a 'role model' if you will for eating disorders and body image issues.

"I'm not a stick figure, I thought it would be great to tell women to just be themselves and be confident" Hawkins tells the magazine.

Now I'm sure a lot of girls are thinking "um if we looked like Jen we would be confident".

The Butterfly Foundation totally support and defend the issue. Foundation general manager Julie Parker, said the photo, which apparently shows 'flaws' including a slightly dimpled thigh and a tiny crease on her waist, was intended to get the discussion on body image rolling (errr are you serious?).

Ms Parker said she hoped the shoot would help push magazines into including more natural images.

Whilst I am happy to see 'real images' on the cover of a magazine (so over air brushed images), I have to say I kind of agree with the negative feedback. It feels like more of a publicity stunt than a sincere message to women.

It's great that Jen Hawkins feels comfortable in her skin and I'm sure it might be hard work to keep a body like that. But puuhlease, do we need to be reminded that you are nearing perfection and we are not? If I was suffering from an eating disorder and Jen Hawkins was someone I was encouraged to look up to.... I would have no hope.

Now before I offend anyone, I have to say I did actually experience an eating disorder myself in my teens. So I know what it feels like to not see "good enough" in the mirror. To be blinded by insecurities and poor self worth.

I have since worked really hard to keep slim, fit and happy and I am now really happy with my body.

But I don't think I would post a photo of myself in the nudie or even in a bikini and say to girls who are struggling with weight or body image issues and say "Be confident with yourself girls, because I am"....Um No. It kind of seems a little self-righteous.

It was tough getting here and that is the truth of it. But will people know that from looking at a photo? No.

So I suppose the problem here is, Jen we don't know if you were just born perfect or really fight the battle. My guess is most girls would assume the first.

Holiday Mode

Eyes wide open, waiting to hear the sound of the alarm. Silence. I roll over into the warmth of my pillow wanting to sink back into the dream I no longer remember. But the fear of looking at the time disturbs me. The light seeps through the opening of my curtains and shines brightly. I realise now that I will not be able to fall back asleep.

I have woken up an hour before my alarm and today is my first day back at work.

This is 2010.

Back into the corporate world after weeks of wearing denim cut-offs more than I would like to admit was tough. It seems like nothing has really changed, the mad rush of getting a coffee in the morning came to me all too quickly (did I mention I haven't had coffee in three weeks?).

The office is somewhat on the quiet side so to utilise my time efficiently I take a moment to think about what my plans are for this year (that's efficient right?) Number one, Get a diary. Number two.......... um, Number two.....

I am still grasping the idea of entering a new year and setting new goals. Yes, GOALS. That word can be a little scary at times and most of all at a time like now. How do we enter a new year with ease?

I can proudly say that I achieved most of my goals of 2009. But I have so much more ahead of me and I have yet to lay these things out in point form (I like to make lists). Looking back on what seemed like a very conflicting year I can only make sense of what I do not want this year. But what do I want? well this is when I can use the phrase - Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery.

But why the pressure? Why do we instantly enter a new year with "resolutions"? Although I stopped making those in my early twenties (after I finally quit smoking that was), I still have this subconscious urge to implement change and begin a new journey. Does it help to have plans early in the year? Does it make you feel organised? Does it make you feel as though you have your feet firmly planted on the ground? Perhaps it does, and perhaps this feeling is greater as we get older.

Uhh can I please press the Pause button!

I think this year I will take things as they come and not stress too much about deadlines. I believe sometimes the idea of too many goals lying ahead of you can cause blurry vision of getting there? And I mean why would you stress yourself out at the start of a year?

As Ne-Yo would say, Can We Chill?

Hmm yes, something to think about.

Happy New Year ! from Me

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Ended the year 2009 with little time for any writing, browzing blogs, reading mags or surfing the net.

Oh how I missed you.

Love x