WHAT’S IN MY EVERYDAY HANDBAG | WITH KAYDE LEATHER
Thursday, June 24, 2021
For me, an everyday handbag should be big enough to comfortably fit all my bits, but small enough that it forces me to only carry the essentials.
It should have a few key compartments that keep things organised, a nice sturdy strap, be high quality, look as good as it feels and of course, go with everything.
Yep, I know, easier said than done.
But after years of holding handbags on high rotation, I know a good one when I’ve got it. And let me assure you, the Maeve Crossbody Bag from Kayde Leather is all of the above and more.
So to celebrate it’s pure existence, I thought I’d share all the essentials I’ve been carrying around inside of it!
1. PHONE
Location: Front pouch
When it’s not glued to my hand, I like to have my phone somewhere in my bag with easy access. My favourite from Kayde Leather has a front pouch so perfect for this, I can only assume it was made for it!
The pouch extends across the entire length of the bag, so it’s got plenty of room, plus it snaps shut with a magnetic closure. Once I throw it in, I know my precious phone won’t be going anywhere!
2. PORTABLE CHARGER
Location: Bulk of the bag
With my screen time higher than I’d like to admit, having a portable charger on me at all times is an absolute must. I’ve got the real deal, solid, somewhat bulky kind which effortlessly slips into the main section of my handbag.
And with the amount of times it’s saved me on a night out, on a long commute or mid Instagram story while on the job, if the handbag doesn’t fit my charger, the handbag doesn’t fit my lifestyle.
3. FLYAWAY STICK
Location: Zip pocket
Ever since this little tube of magic made its way into my life, it hasn’t left my side, or my handbag. Because flyaway-free hair is the kind of energy I need in my life right now, I keep this one tucked away in the zip pocket of my Maeve Bag at all times.
4. WALLET
Location: Bulk of the bag
Right in the middle of my everyday bag is my wallet, because while the idea of going card-less is great, my wallet is home to a tonne of other things I consider essential to my existence.
Like emergency cash, business cards, gift cards I don’t want to forget to use (but probably still will) and baby wipes.
Yep, my obnoxiously oversized wallet is here to stay, because it fits, and it can.
5. LIPSTICK
Location: Zip pocket
If we’re being realistic, this one should really say ‘lipsticks’. Plural. Because let’s be honest, you never know if it’s going to be a neutral nude or a bold red kind of day.
Good thing the zip pocket in my Maeve Bag from Kayde Leather is roomy enough to fit more than a few shades!
6. SUNGLASSES
Location: Bulk of the bag
Staple, tortoiseshell sunnies can also be found safely tucked into my go-to handbag!
7. KEYS
Location: Bulk of the bag
After years of debating between keeping my keys in the side pocket, or rummaging around for them in the middle, I’ve decided to commit to the rummage.
While the idea of conveniently keeping them zipped up at all times seems nice, the reality is I get lazy, throw them in the middle and end up rummaging around for them anyway.
Good thing I’ve collected a few keys over the years, and my fave Kayde Leather handbag isn’t too big, so I only have to feel around aimlessly for a few seconds until I find them!
8. LIP BALM
Location: Zip pocket
Rounding out my must-have beauty essentials worthy of a place in my handbag is my favourite lip balm. As a dry-skinned girl who rarely remembers to drink enough water (notice I don’t carry around a bottle!), having a nourishing balm on me at all times is a non-negotiable.
9. PEN
Location: Zip pocket
Stashed away in the zip pocket of my bag is a pen, always. I just love being that person that can rescue a poor pen-less person when they need it. Because hey, not everybody has a bag practical and perfect enough to be carrying around rarely required stationary.
But it’s ok, because with the Maeve Bag I can be!
10. TOTE BAG
Location: Bulk of the bag
And finally, inside my go-to handbag, is well… another bag! No, not because my Kayde Leather isn’t enough (spoiler: it absolutely is!) but because you never know when you’re going to be picking up some extra bits!
Having a reusable tote bag on me at all times has saved me from having to use unnecessary plastic ones way more times than I can count, and for that reason alone, it’s worth carrying!
4 MINIMAL POTTERY TRENDS TO INJECT INTO YOUR SPACE | with Paola & Joy
Thursday, February 11, 2021
When it comes to homewares, ceramics are a trend that's slowly taking over every corner of my house. With minimal pots being added to my space more often than I'd like to admit, dreaming up all the best ways to style them has become a standard Sunday afternoon activity.
So after my last shipment from Paola & Joy, an absolute ceramics mecca and effortless Australian homewares brand, arrived on my doorstep, I thought I'd share my four favourite ways to inject these pieces perfectly into any space.
As a gorgeously accessible brand, Paola & Joy have curated a collection of pieces to suit any abode with a range that is versatile, affordable and thoughtfully designed.
Read on to discover all my favourite ways to style it, with four minimal pottery trends you can just as easily inject into your home!
Use code 'ROCHLLE15' for 15% OFF the entire Paola & Joy website!
1. LAYERED
The layered look is a trend I could not resist, and proves once and for all that more can definitely be more! Layering your pots can make an effortless statement and is perfect for spaces like side tables or shelves that have room to spare.
This trend can be achieved with as little as two pots, as long as they are different heights and are placed in a way that adds depth to your space. Using other homewares such as coffee table books, frames and florals can also accentuate this look if you haven't got a heap of pots to play with.
But if you've got the pots, and the space, a more the merrier approach is definitely the way to go! Fill up those corners and curate a pottery heaven that is abundant with a mix of pieces. Use a collection that are similar in tone and style (you can't go wrong with a mix of Paola & Joy pieces!) and use different heights and textures to balance out your space while still creating drama.
My top picks for this trend are the Tana U Shape Vases and the Iris Vase.
2. DEHYDRATED
If you want to take your ceramic styling to the next level, use dried flowers to add texture, colour and depth to your favourite pots. Not only will dehydrated florals last forever, but they also keep things tonal and are perfect for anyone who also loves a neutral space.
A single stem can be used to add a touch of variety, or layer a few to give your pots even more impact. Spaces like bedsides and coffee tables are perfect for sweet set ups like this as they make a simple statement without taking up much room.
But for those who desire overflowing florals and big, dreamy dried arrangements, this is must-try look too! Fill up your larger pots with big bunches and allow them to make a statement all on their own, or split a bunch and layer it over a few pots styled together.
Either way you can curate a set up that makes an impact with as little, or as much of this look as you like!
My top picks for this trend are the Yanina Vase and Andres Vase.
3. TWO TONAL
While it's important that sticking to a distinct set of ceramics is important, mixing a couple of colours together can really make your pieces pop!
As long as the tones you decide on compliment each other, and you use your pots to accentuate a cohesive palette, this trend is almost foolproof.
If you're selecting your pieces from Paola & Joy (which I highly recommend!), you really can't go wrong. Their collections are designed for mixing and matching and have been specifically created to compliment each other.
I love mixing their deeper stone coloured pieces with their lighter ivory pots. The dual-tone styling makes each vase or pot stand out and add drama to any spaces that need it.
My top picks for this trend are the Amara Halo Vase and the Bianca Vase.
4. STAND ALONE
When you've got a vase, vessel or pot good enough, it can transform a space all on its own. The trick is to source a piece that is unique, wether it be in form, texture, size or all of the above!
Something unique like the Amara Halo Vase will easily hold it's own and is perfect for settings such as a desk or dining table when you just need something small.
As long as your stand alone piece is enough to draw the eye to a particular space, you need not pair it with anything else! If you want to adopt this trend, pick a piece that you can't get enough of and place it front and centre.
I assure you, if you adore the piece enough all on it's own, you'll never get tired of looking at it.
My top picks for this trend are the Yanina Vase and the Amara Halo Vase.
The 3 Dresses Every Summer Wardrobe Needs | With Bird & Kite
Thursday, November 19, 2020
As the wardrobe staple that makes wearing no pants socially acceptable, to me, dresses could never be overrated.
Get a good one and that’s all you need to make an entire outfit work, wether you’re throwing it over a bikini, styling it up for a balmy night out or just putting it on to run errands in style.
But that doesn’t mean throwing on any flowy dress you can find and calling it an outfit. It’s all about finding one that’s shape, colour and fabric is so perfect, it doesn’t need anything else.
I’ve got 3 styles in my wardrobe that always make me feel good, have me wearing them on repeat and don’t take much to create a killer outfit.
So if you’re looking for inspiration on what kind of dress to add to your collection this season, I recommend you make it one of these!
- THE MAXI DRESS
If you’re all about breezy comfort (yes please!), maxi dresses definitely deserve a place in your wardrobe. They’re perfect for when you’re trying to keep things casual and classy all at the same time, and will be your go-to for backyard BBQs with an unpredictable dress code.
Opt for a natural linen maxi like Bird & Kite’s Aurelia Dress and your maxi dress will easily double as the perfect beach dress too!
Since this one is made from a light unlined fabric, it will keep things cool and dry quickly after being thrown on over your bikini post-dip. Plus, it’s little capped sleeves and full-length style will keep you covered under the Summer sun!
Don’t be afraid to dress up a casual classic like this either! With a pair of mule heels and statement earrings, your maxi will look like it’s made for your next girls night out. Yep, you’ll be comfy and chic all at the same time!
- THE WRAP DRESS
Arguably one of the most flattering styles in my wardrobe, a good wrap dress will always have me feeling fabulous!
Add a few ruffles, sweet puff sleeves and a v-neckline, a la the Amelia Wrap Dress from Bird & Kite, and we have ourselves a dress that is bound to turn heads and become a favourite this season!
It’s a dress that is flirty enough for date night when worn with a killer pair of heels, yet simple enough to throw on no matter where the day takes you.
The wrap dress is the kind you take with you on that Summer vaccay, because you know you’re bound to wear it at some point and you really wouldn’t mind if it made an appearance every day of the trip.
It’s versatility at it’s finest, one of the easiest dresses to style and guaranteed to make you feel good every time you throw it on. Need I say more?
- THE SMOCK DRESS
If you’re after cool factor, comfort, and a style that’s effortlessly undone, look no further than the smock dress.
Pair this one with sneakers and a tote while running errands and I promise grocery shopping has never looked so cool.
And like all good dresses should, you bet you can dress this one up too. All it takes is some statement shoes and a matching bag and you have yourself a look worthy of margaritas with the girls.
When it comes to the smock dress though, it’s important to find one that makes the most of your shape, like the Evalou Smock Dress from Bird & Kite.
It’s v-neckline and three tiered body means that you won’t get swallowed up in all that fabric, while the elastic cuffs and frilled edges prove it’s more than your average throw-on style.
It’s the perfect dress for making a statement, without try too hard, and the kind that will have you begging for warmer days so you can wear it season after season!
5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WORKING IN FASHION
Sunday, June 23, 2019
1. THE INDUSTRY IS CUT-THROAT, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE
When I first started voicing that I wanted to work in fashion, a lot of people told me that the industry was too hard. Too competitive. Too cut-throat.
And yes, it ain't easy. You don't just walk into your dream job, get a big fat paycheque on your first day or go into an interview without having to rank against a multitude of other applicants that all want the same thing. But please, name an industry that isn't the same.
Yeah, you have to work for it. Shocker. But if you truly do love this industry, you'll find that working up to your dream role is half the fun. There's so many different paths to take and even if you do have a few set backs (which you will), you'll find parts of the job you never expected to fall in love with!
Don't let anyone tell you your dream is impossible. I'm living proof that it's not. I didn't know a single person who worked in the industry when I started. I didn't even study it.
But I did love it. So if you've got that, a passion that will drive you and the patience to work and work and work until you get to where you want to be, you can do it too.
2. WORKING FOR FREE IS THE BEST WAY IN
Don't be scared of a few (hundred) coffee runs, a good internship is like the golden ticket to your career!
During my last year of uni I started an internship at Cosmopolitan Magazine and spent most of my time packing and sorting boxes and boxes of clothes. It wasn't glamorous, it was often boring but every now and then I got to go on-set, to a photoshoot or chat to one of the fashion stylists for a minute while we took the same elevator.
At the same time, I also ran my own photoshoots for Just Another Mannequin and yes, for the first few years I didn't get paid for a single one. I put in a lot of hours; styling, working with brands, booking photographers, shooting and editing all for free.
In the end I had a heck of a portfolio and a lot more to talk about during interviews, because saying you love fashion is one thing, but proving it with internships and creative projects of your own is way more impressive!
3. YOU DON'T HAVE TO STUDY FASHION TO LAND YOUR DREAM JOB
It's true, you don't need to go to a big fancy fashion university and spend a fortune on a piece of paper to get you where you want to go.
In saying that though, I would recommend you study something. Proving that you can commit to a course and complete it says a lot to potential employers. Plus, learning to juggle study, work, internships, a social life and regular life all at the same time will truly have you equipped for anything.
Just choose something you're interested in! I did a Bachelor of Communication because I loved how broad it was and I wasn't sure which area of fashion I wanted to end up in. My degree covered journalism, media and PR and I used my electives to take subjects from design (photography, graphic design etc) and marketing as well.
No matter if it's a 3 month TAFE course or 5 year degree, study something, finish it and make sure you're doing something more interesting on the side as well. Nobody wants to hear about all those hours you spent getting HDs, give them something that makes them remember your name.
4. FASHION DOES NOT MEAN DESIGNER
I don't think I've ever worn something designer in my life. Can I appreciate it? Sure. Would wearing it make me better at my job? Nope.
Don't think you need to have the latest trends or expensive clothes to be taken seriously. Let your work speak for you, not your outfits.
That being said, do always try to look polished, put together and true to your own style. That will go a lot further than relying on designer clothes to make you 'look good'.
Nobody is really going to care (or notice) if you're wearing last season Sportsgirl or this season Gucci. As long as you're working what you've got and doing a good job, you'll be fine.
5. YOU DON'T GET EVERYTHING FOR FREE
Ok so you might have heard that working in fashion gets you perks like gifts from fashion brands, invites to all the best parties and heaps of freebies. And you'd be right.
But... just because you're given a few freebies doesn't mean these brands expect nothing in return. It might be a feature in the next campaign you're styling, a better placement on your website or if you're a blogger, a photoshoot and post on your page.
Gifting from brands can be awesome, especially when you fall in love with their product or are already a genuine ambassador for them. Just don't fall into the trap of thinking that this is a fair payment for all that work you'll end up doing, or worse, let these gifts make you biased towards one brand over another.
Most of the time, you'll find it's better just to buy the $150 pair of boots yourself, rather than busting your butt or pulling a million strings just to get them for free.
*BONUS* 6. IT'S THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD
I mean, name another job where it's absolutely acceptable to spend Friday afternoon arranging shoes.
HOW I BECAME A FULL-TIME FASHION BLOGGER
Sunday, June 2, 2019
I wish my story was one of those 'it just happened' ones, an overnight success type where I just got lucky.
But it's not.
It was planned, worked towards and from the very beginning, it had a very clear objective.
I wanted a job.
In fact, I remember the very moment I was inspired to start. I was studying fashion marketing during a Summer course in Italy and even though I was halfway across the world in a room full of strangers, it was clear that we had a lot in common. Capable, creative, ambitious, inspired, stylish, and clearest of all; we all wanted the same job.
I knew that when I finished studying, having the same piece of paper as everyone else in my degree was not going to land me my dream career in fashion. As much as I knew that I could do the work, I needed a platform to prove it to my potential employers.
So in 2014 Just Another Mannequin was born.
It was my way of building a portfolio before I'd even stepped foot in the industry. I used it to legitimise myself and build a personal brand that screamed, 'I work in fashion'. Even though I didn't yet.
I literally started with nothing. I created a new Instagram account, decided on a name and got to work.
The first thing I did was set up a photoshoot. I was lucky enough to know a few photographers from modelling gigs I'd done and set up my first ever 'blogger shoot' with someone I'd worked with previously.
I had no idea what I was doing but led the shoot anyway. I packed a bunch of my best outfits at the time and looked at some of my favourite bloggers for inspiration.
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| A shot from my first ever content shoot in 2014. |
A few months later, one of my shots from this first ever content shoot got shared on the ASOS Instagram account. The repost had me waking up to over 1000 followers and for the first time, the industry started loving me back.
But... that was all for a while. So I just kept writing, shooting and slowly building up my presence online.
I realised that reposts were the best way to get my work noticed, so I tired to make content that was sharable and on brand for the label I was creating for. There was just one problem; my outfits were not current. I was a uni student working casually in retail and so I couldn't afford to have the latest collections that brands would want to share.
So one day I went around to all the little boutiques in my hometown and offered them free photoshoots if they would let me borrow the clothes from their stores. I got a lot of confused faces and polite declines but by the end of the day I had one 'yes'.
That one yes was enough for me, so I set up the photoshoot with the store and used it to legitimise myself, create fresh, current content and make a new connection.
It wasn't long before other local creatives saw what I was doing and I had a few small collaborations set up. I modelled for a friend's handmade jewellery brand, showcased another friend of a friend's fashion line and walked in a few runway shows in my area.
I also borrowed new clothes from friends and family to try and keep my content current and I always tried my best to keep my content high quality by working with photographers. I also invested in my own equipment so that I could shoot as much as possible myself. And while I didn't realise it at the time, I was soon practising photography almost as much as my photographers were.
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| Me wearing my mum's new Bardot coat during a content shoot. |
It was never 'free' clothes or fame that I wanted out of blogging. It was, and still is, work.
So when I used my account to get my first ever internship at Cosmopolitan Magazine, I knew it was all worth it. I used my account to track down the managing stylist at the magazine and pestered her until she agreed to meet with me. She was impressed with my blog and my dedication to working in fashion and so I began working with Cosmo once a week as I saw out my final year of uni.
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| Me at my internship at Cosmopolitan Australia. |
Before I'd even graduated I was using my blog and my robust portfolio of work to land me a job. Every interview I had was filled with questions about my passion project, not my grades and I took a full-time Content Creation and Account Management position at a social media agency just a few weeks after handing in my last assignment.
But I wasn't ready to let my blog go. While it had served its purpose, blogging had become my favourite hobby and so I allowed it to consume my weekends while holding down my job at the agency during the week.
My two years at the agency taught me a lot. I was now taking photos daily, putting together content strategies, reporting on analytics and insights, growing accounts, refining my photoshop and design skills, dipping in SEO and a range of other digital fields.
I took on everything and applied whatever I could to my own brand. I managed a heap of influencer campaigns at work and made note of what differentiated the good from the bad and what was going to get me repeat work as an influencer myself.
This proved invaluable and by the time I left the agency in 2017 I had almost 10K followers, had worked with a handful of dream clients and had a really strong fashion portfolio, which landed me my next role as the Assistant Marketing Manager at a Sydney based fashion brand.
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| One of my favourite shots captured while working at the social media agency. |
In 2018, just a few months into my new job, my blog really started to ramp up. I was suddenly shooting every single weekend, liaising with clients every lunch break, styling shoots into the late hours of the night after work, shooting in any ounce of daylight I could before work and constantly planning, booking photographers and stressing about getting my content done. My alarm was set for 5am every single day so that I could squeeze in a few hours of blog work before my full-time job began.
By August, I was exhausted. And while I loved both my jobs, working 7 days a week was starting to take a toll on other aspects of my life. Mostly my relationships, mental and physical health. I stewed over which one to give up for weeks before deciding to take the plunge and go full-time with my own business.
By this point I had around 17K followers and a number of regular clients I created content for, meaning that in the worst case I would be able to cover the essential bills (mortgage, rent and groceries).
I figured that if I could cover that just by blogging on the weekends, the things I could do when I dedicated all my attention and energy full-time could only be bigger and better!
Even so, money concerns weren't the only things paralysing my decision. I feared failure, I feared leaving the industry and not being able to come back, I feared not having a respected career, I feared not having a clear ladder to climb, I feared the irregularity of it all.
But I did it anyway.
Now I do what I love every single day, I take weekends off to spend with my fiancé and friends, get more than 6 hours sleep every night, wake up happy and have made more than enough to cover my bills.
It started with with the objective to land me a job, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect it to one day become my job.
I'm so grateful for all of it.
Style Guide: 3 Summer Trends To Dress Up and Down
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
A Guide to Spring Racing Style with Wanted Shoes
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
I love it.
When Wanted Shoes asked me to style and creatively direct a photoshoot for 5 of their key Spring Racing styles I had to refrain from responding with an over-enthusiastic 'heck yes!' to their modest email (not professional Rochelle).
5 inspiring pairs of shoes paired with lace, florals, block colours and outfits that were way too luxe for the middle of the day. Ok, I can see why they chose me for the job.
The brief was clear, I was to style 5 different looks for the different race days during Spring. You know, Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day...
No, I didn't know. To be honest, I had to do a bit of research to figure out the fashion faux pas of racing season. What you can where when and on which day, there's so many rules!
If you're as clueless as me, don't worry, I've put together a guide you can bet on for nailing your look.
Floral and pastel, I knew this MVN The Label playsuit was the most perfect thing in my wardrobe. It even has bell sleeves and frills, tick!
I went all out on the accessories too with a pastel pink Abbott Lyon clutch and a floral fascinator.
With all that going on, I opted for some simple Alias Mae block heels from Wanted Shoes. With a bold buckle and premium tan leather they were the perfect heels to round out the look.
T W O : D E R B Y D A Y
Keeping things sophisticated and simple, I went for some thin strapped, Mollini black heels, available at Wanted Shoes.
I couldn't resist adding something a little extra to my black & white style, so chose a gold Morgan & Taylor fascinator and statement gold earrings from The 604. I thought my go-to Tony Bianco bag with it's striped strap added the perfect edge, toning down what would normally be your typical feminine style.
With colours absolutely forbidden, Derby Day seems to evoke the least traditional 'Spring racing' style, so that's why I set out to do something a little different with this look. No florals here!
Being the headliner of race season, Melbourne Cup day is the day when you should pull out all the stops. Bright, bold colours are encouraged and striking headpieces are almost essential.
I went with a form-fitting dress from Beginning Boutique that's bold in both it's colour (blush of course!) and it's cut-outs in all the right places (just look at that leg split!).
I dug out my most extreme fascinator from Morgan & Taylor and complimented the look with layered gold accessories and a trending rattan bag.
As for the shoes? Strappy, nude, Alias Mae heels from Wanted Shoes completed the outfit, because this day is all about bringing out the best of the best!
When I read that stakes day was a more casual race I revelled in the idea of putting together an outfit that said it all, without saying too much.
It was the perfect opportunity to style these khaki block heels by Mollini from Wanted Shoes. I picked these ones because they were both comfortable and casual, but definitely nothing short of ah-ma-zing!
As for the outfit, I couldn't go past this striking playsuit from Delphine The Label. With it's shorter hemline and v-neckline it definitely passed as a more casual style, well, at least to me it did! But those dramatic sleeves and darling details still made it super races appropriate!
Yep, they let me go rouge on this one! As long as I stuck to a Spring racing style I could put together my final look, without the rules.
I went for something much less traditional, no colours, no prints and definitely not as feminine. Instead I opted for a black leather Sabo Skirt dress and a thick black belt with a gold buckle. Granted, the dress does have some frills so I'd say it meets the criteria!
The strapy, striped and buckled Alias Mae heels from Wanted Shoes definitely stole the show and that's exactly how I planned it to be. I mean, how could you not let these shoes take all the credit?
With this look, I wanted to prove that despite the rules and traditions of racing season, you don't have to go for the typical spring looks that first come to mind. In fact, I'm a big believer in wearing whatever makes you feel fierce, wether it's black leather or pastel florals. Or in my case, a bit of each!
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