Website Preparations

After spending the morning listening to an inspiring talk by marketing guru (and all-round hilarious person) Mary Portas, my shiny new perspex bag and I set off on a serious day of errands and meetings in preparation for the HTL website launch coming up. I was in a bit of a lazy fashion mood and felt like my outfit was pretty low key for HTL standards, although I did get quite a few comments on my new muscle tee from Market HQ! Combine skulls and dip-dye and you just can't go wrong.

Address Melbourne, Australia
Website Going live this Friday!

Wearing...
Top Minkpink
Pants Somedays Loving
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses House of Holland
Bag Nasty Gal
Wallet Manoush

Sxx

ALWL Day 7

After a chilled out weekend of cervezas and sunshine, here it is, our final instalment of Aussie Labels We Love. Predictable? Perhaps. But this has been one of our favourite labels since we fell in love with a purple patterned pinafore five years ago and it turned out to be fate. From back when it was just some weirdly long brand name we couldn't pronounce to existing as part of our everyday vocabularies, it feels as though these guys read our deepest, darkest fashion fantasies and make them a reality. The perfect end to our week of ALWL!

Address Melbourne, Australia

Label Shakuhachi 

Accessories...

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Sunglasses Dansk, Karen Walker

J&Sxx

ALWL Day 6

These guys get it right every single time so we couldn't resist posting about them for our week of Aussie Labels We Love. It should come as no surprise that we're huge fans of this brand, as it's become an absolute must-have in our wardrobes and gets featured on the blog pretty much weekly. Their unique cuts and original prints mean their pieces are always the first items in our outfits to get complimented. So. Much. Love.

Address Melbourne, Australia
Label Cameo

Accessories...
Top American Apparel
Pants Friend Of Mine
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

J&Sxx

ALWL Day 4

These are our first outfits from this Aussie label, and it's a serious case of love at first wear. We've had our eyes on these lamb wool jackets for a while now and are absolutely dying that we can now call them ours - so excited that we have matching shags for winter. After a long day of shooting in Sydney for a label's upcoming campaign (check out insta @HowTwoLive for sneak peek shots), we headed over to Surry Hills in yet another (super comfy) twinspired look to visit some of our favourite PR girls at the Oneteaspoon Homewares Launch. So many skulls and bones everywhere - we want!

Address Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia
Label Lilya

Accessories...
Tops American Apparel (thanks Aimee!), Wildfox
Shoes Miista, Jeffrey Campbell

J&Sxx

ALWL Day 1

Thought we'd kick off the week of Aussie Labels We Love with a serious up-and-comer. We only first found out about this label a couple of months ago, but boy was it life changing. Offering a mix of vintage as well as an in-house label, their pieces feature seriously cool and unique prints, and best of all: they sure know how to work a twosie. We went matching on matching while winery hopping on our trip to Tasmania this weekend - think this foursie is an HTL first!

Address Hobart, Tasmania
Label Lenni

Accessories...
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses Karen Walker, House of Holland

J&Sxx

Summer Night

With Gig back in town and summer still very much in the air we decided to hit up the city for some Friday evening fun. Initially swung past Chin Chin in the hope that they could squeeze the two of us in for dinner but when that failed we headed to Pelegrini's for a not so fabulous but equally delicious spag bol...loving having my 24/7 friend back!

Address Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia

Loved My butter with a side of bread!

Wearing...

Skirt Nasty Gal

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Socks Da Sein

Clutch Sportsgirl

Rings Viktor and Rolf

Jxx

Birthday Picnic

Yes, I am aware that my birthday was on Monday (and sadly I'm not cool enough to be one of those people who requires the entire week to party), but somehow between posts about Milou and Chinese New Year I've had to wait five days to write this. Ciders and sunshine in the park really made for the perfect way to spend my birthday afternoon, particularly with the addition of a killer cheese board, blowing bubbles, and tree climbing - although at least a little of the fun factor was cancelled out by the fact that you had to skip it for Uni. Award for the best birthday presents have to go to me, after I bought myself these killer Karen Walker sunnies and neon yellow/perspex bag - how thoughtful of me!

Address Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia
Food Highlight My favourite tuna sandwich from La Cafe

Wearing...
Playsuit Paper Heart
Sunglasses Karen Walker
Sandals Jeffrey Campbell
Choker Shakuhachi
Ring Yves Saint Laurent
Bag Fashiondacci

Sxx

Somers Time

Had an epic (and very hectic) weekend up at Somers for Steffi Beach. After searching up and down Chapel Street for  the perfect outfit I finally decided on this amazing kaftan from Sass and Bide. Initially I was unsure about the lack of colour but then I realised it just meant I could add some crazy accessories which of course I always love!

Address Somers, Melbourne, Australia

Highlight Chicken pillows!

Wearing...

Kaftan Sass and Bide

Bikinis Batson

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Sunglasses House Of Holland

Necklace Sass and Bide

Jxx

Photo Shoot: Shakuhachi

It's no secret that we both have a HUGE obsession with everything Shakuhachi and these dresses are no exception. They together with our amazing new JC shoes equal absolute perfection.

Address Cremorne, Melbourne, Australia

Dressed by Shakuhachi

Accessories...

Sunglasses Ellery by Graz, Karen Walker

Bags Fashiondacci

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Credits...

Styling Felicity Schrader

Styling Assistant Matias Mena

Hair and Make-up Mae Taylor

J&Sxx

Photo Shoot: North

Here's the first look from the shoot we did yesterday. So excited to have discovered this awesome new label and can't wait to see more of what they've come up with this season. Actual images were taken by Timothy Burgess which we'll share on the blog once they're released.

Address Cremorne, Melbourne, Australia

Dressed by North

Accessories...

Bracelets Dangerfield

Bags Pulp Kitchen

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Credits...

Styling Felicity Schrader

Styling Assistant Matias Mena

Hair and Make-up Mae Taylor

J&Sxx

Photo Shoot

Had a super fun HTL shoot yesterday where we got to work with a great team of people and wear some of our favourite labels which was of course the ultimate! The concept for the shoot was really cool and despite feeling extremely awkward in front of the camera the pics turned out amazing! Very excited to share some outfit photos with everyone over the next week. Also discovered an awesome store based in Melb, Fashiondacci, which we will have to hit up later this week for some major wardrobe updates!

Address Cremorne, Melbourne, Australia

Best Accessory Our lollipops

Wearing...

Jacket ASOS

Top Evil Twin

Pants Sportsgirl

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Sunglasses ASOS

Jxx

Letters From Letty

Ventured into the city today for a pre-season showing of a bunch of different designers and labels. Discovered this awesome gift subscription concept called Letters From Letty where you sign up for anywhere between one to twelve months, and they send you cool unique pressies monthly. And great news, they ship all over the world! Already brainstorming who I can buy this as a present for. Metal Couture by WLG also caught my eye with their incredible collection of gothic jewellery, and went home with a goodie bag full of T2 teas - loving that they've named one of their teas 'Melbourne Breakfast'.

Address Pybus PR, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia
Subscribe At www.lettersfromletty.com

Wearing...
Top The Kooples
Shorts Sportsgirl
Blazer Richard Nicoll for Sportsgirl 
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses Vintage

Sxx

Bedridden

After spending the last 2 days sick in bed, today I threw on my most colourful outfit in an attempt to make myself feel better. Thankfully it miraculously worked and I'll be back in action and ready for the tennis tomorrow. Been seriously devastated that I've missed the last 48 hours of my beloved Australian Open...although between Fox Sports and Lance Armstrong on Oprah I've been kept very well entertained. Still wish you would've been here to keep me company!

Address Melbourne, Australia
Best Tennis Moment Jerzy Janowicz, Mine and Appel's fave player from the Paris Masters (see prev. post here), having an on-court meltdown this week - check it out here.

Wearing...
Top Minkpink
Shorts Lilyhart
Cape Vintage Nasty Gal
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses Sportsgirl

Sxx

How Two Give Day 7

With 2013 coming up there's nothing quite like cleaning out the wardrobe to make way for a new year of beautiful new purchases. We've found that while giving away clothes is a difficult task, giving away bras is much easier...and it may surprise you to know that there are organisations out there who want them. Initiatives like the Uplift Project collect second hand bras and distribute them to women in disadvantaged communities. They offer a great solution to help make space for next season's trends, and at the same time you'll be helping women who don't have access to a basic thing we take for granted.

Address Somers, Victoria, Australia
Give Your old bras to women in disadvantaged communities. 
More Aus www.upliftbras.org UK www.breasttalk.co.uk/bra-appeal US www.brarecycling.com

Wearing...
Stef
Top Sabo Skirt
Skirt Sportsgirl
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses Sportsgirl

Jess
Dress Sabo Skirt
Shoes Underground
Sunglasses House of Holland
Hat Zadig and Voltaire

J&Sxx

How Two Give Day 5

Andable is an online marketplace where independent designers sell their wares. From clothing to collectables, not only do they have some serious cool stuff for sale, the Andable community helps people living in poverty by giving them access to basic financial services like loans. Each time you make a purchase, you'll be supporting an indie designer, and 10% of the money will help fund a loan, for example to be given to a young mother who owns a small business in the Philippines  It may be too late to buy a present in time for christmas, but if you're a late giver or you're feeling the need to indulge a little for yourself, jump online and check it out - we're currently awaiting these awesome pictures of Paris!

Address Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Give Yourself a present and aid to people living in poverty.

More www.andable.com

Wearing...

Jess

Vest Topshop
Top Toi et Moi

Pants RES Denim

Shoes Underground

Sunglasses Ray-Ban

Stef

Jacket Topshop

Pants RES Denim

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Sunglasses Ray-Ban

J&Sxx

How Two Give Day 4

Here at HTL it's no secret that we have a love for all things animals, and perhaps a lesser known love for a good glass (or two) of wine. So when we heard about an initiative that combines these two loves, we were all over it. Friends of The Zoo is an Australian-based organisation that collects people's old corks and resells them to be used to make items ranging from placemats to shoes, and with the proceeds they fund various projects which benefit the elephants at Melbourne Zoo. With Christmas coming up and New Years following closely, keeping all the corks you pop out of those delicious bottles of wine is just a small way you can be giving back.

Address Windsor, Melbourne, Australia

Give Your corks. 

More Aus www.ourcommunity.com.au UK US www.recork.org

Wearing...

Stef

Top Shakuhachi

Shorts Lilyhart

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Sunglasses Sportsgirl

Necklace Sass and Bide

Socks American Apparel

Jess

Top Topshop

Shorts Lilyhart

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Sunglasses Quay

Watch Sportsgirl

Socks Da-Sein

J&Sxx

How Two Give Day 3

HTL's fave pup Bo has featured on the blog a few times now, but we've never actually told her story. She was abandoned in a car park at 4 weeks old with her 7 brothers and sisters, and they were sent to a local shelter to find new homes. There are now websites you can visit that feature animals from lots of different shelters so you can pick out your new pet as easily as you can buy those new pair of Jeffrey Campbells (but make sure you give this purchase a little more thought!). The number of dogs and cats abandoned often peaks over christmas, so what better time than to adopt your own furry friend in need of a loving home. After all, dog is man's best friends...and best accessory! Note: Walking the dog in heels was not our finest of ideas. Don't try this at home.

Address Melbourne, Australia
Give An animal a new home.
More Aus www.petrescue.com.au UK www.pets4homes.co.uk US www.petfinder.com - Or contact your local shelters.  

Wearing...
Stef
Top Minkpink
Jacket Topshop
Shorts Art's L'Art Du Basic
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses Sportsgirl

Jess
Dress Topshop
Top American Apparel
Shoes Gold Dot
Sunglasses Sportsgirl

J&Sxx

How Two Give Day 2

We all love a good shop every so often (or if we're being honest - very often), so why not combine what you're so good at with giving back! Indulge in some guilt-free shopping for someone else. Organisations like the Starlight Children's Foundation, who help seriously ill children and their families, will pass your gifts onto children who need a little brightening up this Christmas. Make-up or clothes could make a great gift for a young girl - think about how excited you'd be to get a Shakuhachi maxi dress or an awesome pair of platforms under the tree, and now imagine the smile on her face when she gets hers!

Address Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Give Presents to a child dealing with an illness.
More Aus: www.starlight.org.au UK: www.starlight.org.uk US: www.starlight.org - contact your local Starlight Room to find out where you can drop off gifts.

Wearing...
Stef
Dress Shakuhachi
Shoes Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses House of Holland
Cuff Markit@FedSquare
Ring Nasty Gal

Jess
Dress Shakuhachi
Shoes Underground
Sunglasses Dansk
Choker Sass and Bide
Cuff Topshop

J&Sxx

Bye Bye Byron

So devastated that my week in paradise has officially come to an end, but not before a hilarious last night out at Cheeky Monkey with the boys and a late night stop at Abrakebabra. With my new flares in mind, I decided to channel Rainbow Brite and got my colour on in a big way. Judging by all the strange looks received I don't think Coolangatta Airport was exactly ready for me... although the guy at Newslink did compliment my shoes.. he obviously knows where it's at!

Address Coolangatta Airport, Gold Coast, Australia

Bought A bunch of trashy mags

Wearing...

Knit Evil Twin

Pants Pompidou

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell

Sunglasses House Of Holland

Bag Nasty Gal

Ring YSL

Jxx