David Jones Melbourne

Glamorous brunette's held the fort at the Bourke Street David Jones' $100 million renovation re-opening over the weekend. DJ's new CEO Paul Zahra was sure to add that with a predominantly female staff base, sexual harassment was not tolerated, before getting straight back to business. Megan Gale played host for the evening, accompanied by other successful Australian models including Alexandra Agoston, Nicole Trunfio, and Abbey Lee.
It's interesting to talk to people about how they now view the historic and iconic retailer since a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed. For some, they now consider that the catalogue suggests the objectification of women after learning of the inappropriate behaviour of the former CEO. Others haven't given it a second thought and continue to support the stores nationally. Damage control is in overdrive, and it will take time to re-build the once prestigious image for David Jones, but with support from many of the Australian media and designers, and remembering how quickly Kyle Sandilands returned to considerable popularity after his indiscretions last year, time might heal wounds quicker than we anticipate. Image intact.

Food Fashion Friends

Fleur Wood's new book is a well deserved addition to her already long list of achievements. Food Fashion Friends was celebrated in her Sydney Strand Arcade store, and she also announced that she's pregnant with her husband, Nick Bryant. What exciting times ahead for the Sydney based designer.
Fleur Wood is an Australian label that's grown from strength to strength over the last six years. She now has multiple interstate stores over News South Wales and Victoria, stocks to David Jones nationwide and can proudly add author to enable Fleur Wood customers a little slice of insight into her entertaining ideas.
In collaboration with chef, Matt Moran, the book features not only menu plans, but styling suggestions and playlists for events such as an elegant afternoon tea. The ultimate dinner party, a romantic anniversary dinner, a nostalgic seaside menu, a weekend brunch, a birthday picnic in the rolling hills and even a fondue degustation in the forest inspire the inner hostess with the mostest in us all. Fleur Wood’s Food Fashion Friends is the ultimate guide to entertaining with glamour, sophistication and fun. Must add to the collection.

Rue Du Jour

Walking By is the latest image on the Rue Du Jour site that I managed to find with ecstatic delight. It's a personal collection of stunning photography taken in Europe. With emotive images of both people and street settings, there are images to please every sense. Architectural staircases litter the range and as all images are in black and white, there's a sense of calm, these images aren't rushed.

Noir

Julia Roberts. Julia Roberts. You may be all in black. You may be boring the critics. But I read a wonderful post recently about working to the best of your ability and silencing your critics as a result. There's nothing wrong with a little predictability, she always said she wouldn't take risks with fashion and as a result, she hasn't had the terrible reviews that some other celebrities have received for their fashion mishaps.
It may be a little heavy for the high summer that the norther hemisphere is experiencing at the moment, but other celebrities such as Christina Ricci have added it to their outfits with brilliant results.
Anna Kendrick is out and about in full force, and she's played the sophisticate, the playful, the daring and the classic. In this all black ensemble, she's safe but age appropriate all at the same time. There's nothing to criticize here except for the fact that it's black. There's plenty of time for black.
Rashida Jones, who happens to be making Australia's Curtis Stone one very happy man at the moment also added a splash of black to her outfit. It brings what could look casual into the polished evening appropriate realm, she's confident and carrying this outfit off with ease.
Licorice anyone?

showstudio.com

Collaborating with some familiar names like Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine and model Behati Prinsloo, Nick Night has taken 100 portraits for i-D's new issue. These behind the scenes video's show how the photo's came about, and the idea of movement and imagery is captured to full effect.
There's a magic in the art of studio shoots like these. It's a scenario that's not necessarily the norm and the results can differ greatly from the vision at the beginning of the shoot to the wrap at the end of the day. It's an exciting process and one that great to participate in.

Friends + Food + Wine

Driving out of Tyrrell's winery drive way onto Broke Road in Pokolbin, the sky took on a magical effect. Add to this some seriously mouth watering Sicilian Turkey Meatballs, honey, mustard and lemon chicken, homemade corn fritters, mint dark chocolate pastries and a world record worthy number of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, and you have yourself some unforgettable memories.
The newest addition to the Hunter Valley though, is the new Goldfish bar located at Tempus Two, right next door to the Smelly Cheese Shop. It will certainly add a different dimension to the alternative pub, competing with a totally different clientele. It's a little bit smarter, and the dim lighting, lounge music and candle lit tables effectively set the mood. Summer outside sitting at the large wooden tables won't fault, and the cocktail and wine list will be ever evolving. It's older brother is already well established in Sydney's Kings Cross.
Cheers.

Emma Watson

Pixie Crop. When you're an actress there's nothing like waiting for a ten year role of a lifetime to end before drastically chopping off all your famous hair. In the case of Emma Watson, she's looking better than ever. This just goes to show that with the right bone structure and enough confidence, you can break out of your rut and try something new. In my personal opinion, she'd be crazy to try anything else for a while, I certainly hope she doesn't immediately grow her shoulder length locks back, here's hoping this gamine style sticks for a while. The brilliance behind her idea, is that it takes us so far away from her Hermione character in Harry Potter, that she can break away to new effect in hopefully challenging and provocative roles. I think I just heard some new wings sprouting.