There are worse ways to spend a week than jetting off to a tropical island but that’s exactly how I’ve spent the last few days. I was lucky enough to be invited to spend a week at Daydream Island with Luke and the girls. Along with being able to enjoy the beach and sunshine, I was also thrilled to work on an exciting shoot to coincide with my new ambassadorship for the resort. I had a great time shooting around the beautiful property and can’t wait to reveal more. It’s safe to say this has definitely one of the more fun and relaxing weeks I’ve had on the job!
I always love a road trip out of Sydney as it’s a great way to relax and have a change of scenery. This time around I went on a girls’ getaway with my friends Nadia Fairfax and Yan Yan Chan. We were lucky enough to be invited by Destination NSW and the city of Orange to experience everything this lovely regional city has to offer. After a busy few days at Fashion Week last month we decided to take them up on their offer and head off for a few days of rest and relaxation and some girl time. Orange is around a 3.5 – 4 hour drive out of Sydney so we all jumped in my car and headed off on a Tuesday morning. We definitely could have used more than three days enjoying the city but here’s my list of the best places to see, eat and shop.
Where we stayed
We stayed at The White Place House which is a gorgeous heritage cottage within walking distance to the Orange CBD. It’s always good to be in such close proximity to the action so we loved how central our accommodation was. Whenever I rent a house when I’m travelling I always inevitably see something whether it be a beautiful trinket or a luxe blanket that I really want to take home, so I was rather pleased to find that The White Place House has a store which sold an edit of the furnishings in our cottage. I may have taken home a souvenir…
The dreamy interiors inside The White Place HouseSO much interiors inspo
Where to eat
It was my first time to visit Orange and one of the great things I discovered is that they’ve got a thriving food scene so we were really spoilt for choice as far as restaurants and cafes went. We checked out Orange’s hot new restaurant Charred Kitchen & Bar which uses local produce and cooks everything up in a wood and charcoal oven (their wine list also won an award from Gourmet Traveller Wine) and Mr Lim Korean and Chinese Diner where we enjoyed a great dinner and even better cocktails. I always like to scope out a good cafe whenever I arrive in a new town and we particularly rated Groundstone which is a Scandi-inspired cafe with good food and the coffee was awesome. Also Byng Street Local Store is a fave of locals (always a good sign) and we enjoyed a lovely breakfast there one morning. If picturesque surrounds are your thing make a point of sitting down to lunch at Racine Restaurant—it overlooks a vineyard and view is to die for.
Dinner at Charred Kitchen & Bar Drinks at Mr LimBreakfast at Groundstone
What to do
If you’re into wine Orange is definitely the place to be as they have so many incredible vineyards. We enjoyed a private wine tour and tasting at Ross Hill Wines which is always a nice way to while away a few hours. Also we paid a visit to Heifer Station Wines where we were able to ride bikes and prune the vines and also sit down for a relaxing cheese and charcuterie picnic. Another spot I’d highly recommend is Swinging Bridge Wine where we also enjoyed a wine tasting and Rowlee Wines where we were lucky enough to enjoy a private tour of the estate. And don’t miss grabbing a drink at Ferment in the Orange Wine Centre which is both a wine store and tasting room.
If you’re in the mood for something active do the bushwalk to Federal Falls. It’s a 4km loop track that starts and ends at Federal Falls campground. You’ll pass through lots of tranquil scenery but the enormous rock faces we saw were a definite highlight. Get up early then reward yourself with a delicious breakfast at one of the local cafes for all that exercise!
Picnic at Heifer Station WinesPre-dinner drinks at Ferment Making friends at Rowlee Wines
Where to shop
The girls and I had to check out the local shopping scene of course, and stumbled across a few gems. The Sonic is a must if you’re after beautiful, unique homewares, they also have a good edit of clothing that’s worth checking out. We also popped into Angus Barrett Saddlery & Leather Goods which has some amazing hand-crafted leather goods such as belts and bags. Hawkes General Store was another spot we liked, they had a great selection of clothes, shoes and accessories and really cute kids’ clothes.
Nothing better than a girls’ trip
This post was produced in collaboration with Destination NSW and Orange360
On a recent girls’ trip to Orange, we had quite a varied itinerary from checking out vineyards one minute to dinner and drinks the next so I needed to take the kind of pieces with me that could work for different occasions. Enter this checked Hansen and Gretel dress. The fitted silhouette and maxi length meant it looked quite polished and on the dressier side, but when I paired it with a pair of sneakers all of a sudden it had a more casual feel. As a bonus it was comfy enough to ride a bike in! I’m definitely on board with any dress that’s so versatile.
I think accessories are key when you want to dress a look up or down and in this instance I opted for silver Gucci sneakers. They’re casual being sneakers and all but in a metallic shade I think they’ve got a more elevated feel. By incorporating some of my go-to jewellery, particularly my absolute fave gold necklace, I feel that it helped tie the look together and give it a polished vibe.
Credits: Dress, Hansen and Gretel; Sneakers (similar here), Gucci
When it comes to travelling often we’ll prioritise a lot of things such as where we stay and the airline we fly with but more often than not, for most people however, luggage is far down on the list of priorities. If you think about it though, it’s one of the things that’s always with you on a trip and it’s what you use to carry all your essentials so it’s one area where you shouldn’t compromise on quality. You don’t want to have to deal with broken luggage when you’re running late for a flight or navigating the streets of a foreign city with a dodgy wheel or broken handle.
If you ask plenty of seasoned travellers they’ll say that it was worth investing in good luggage, if only for the fact it saves you from the drama of dealing with luggage that doesn’t work. So before you splash out on your next suitcase here are a few things to keep in mind:
What material is it made from
Your options usually involve a soft suitcase or hard suitcase. Soft suitcases are usually made of leather or nylon whilst hard cases are usually made from plastic or metal. Consider pros and cons like the fact that while leather may be sturdy it could also show more scratches over time whilst plastic is lightweight but it can also be vulnerable to cracking.
Examine the stitching
The stitching on a suitcase is important to its longevity. Ensure that there is double or reinforced stitching and that it looks neat and tidy— you don’t wan subpar stitching that will come apart at the first hint of pressure (which is inevitable given how much we generally try to cram into our luggage).
Look at the hardware
Test out any zippers by opening and closing them a few times to ensure it glides smoothly and doesn’t snag. Also check that the zips sit evenly and there’s no puckering in the fabric. Be sure to test the locks as well to make sure that it shuts completely and opens quite easily.
Check the reviews
It’s important to do your research before purchasing a particular brand of luggage. Read the reviews about each brand to see what people are saying. Investigate popular brands at various price points like Samsonite and American Tourister, Tumi and Rimowa to find out what works best for you and fits into your budget.
It’s always a nice treat to have a mid-week getaway and I was lucky enough to do a girls’ trip to Orange in NSW. A change of scenery, including lots of amazing food and wine and getting up close and personal with the local flora and fauna certainly helped me to recharge my batteries after a busy few weeks, including the hectic few days that was Fashion Week.
Given the number of public holidays we’ve had over the last week or so it’s hard to keep up with what day it is! I managed to squeeze in a relaxing few days at our family farm in the Southern Highlands and made the most of the gorgeous weather we’ve been having by going for a stroll with the girls and Luke. It’s always a nice way to spend time as a family.
Usually packing to go overseas can be quite frantic as I try and get my entire family packed up for a holiday but my recent work trip to Paris was a different story. I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the global launch of the new Huawei P30 in the City of Light so it was the perfect excuse to pull together a few outfits incorporating some of my favourite new season pieces from my go-to Aussie designers.
Whenever I’m in Paris, everyone looks so chic so my packing was a little more considered, not to mention I had a few events in my schedule that I would be attending. Here’s a little breakdown of every outfit from my Parisian sojourn…
Look one:
I’m really into suits at the moment and I love the cut of this one by Rebecca Vallance. I opted to wear this as a two-piece set and dress it down and make it sightseeing appropriate by pairing it with baby pink Chanel sneakers. When it comes to suits I’m really into double breasted jackets as I find they’ve got a modern sensibility to them. The cropped trousers also add a more relaxed feel to the outfit. The great thing about this look is that I could easily dress it up by simple swapping sneakers for heels.
For breakfast at the insanely beautiful Peninsula Paris, I wanted a look that was casual yet polished. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with the classic pairing of a white shirt with jeans. These Camilla and Marc jeans have been so versatile and are just the perfect cut and as such I’ve been wearing them constantly. The white shirt with its slightly billowy sleeves made for a dressy companion for denim, and paired with my new go-to Chanel sneakers, it was an on trend look that still maintained a dressy feel. My new Prada bag was also great for the trip as I was able to pair it with virtually all of my outfits and I could carry it via the handle or strap, making it perfect for sightseeing.
Shop the look:
Shirt: by Camilla & Marc (currently not available)
Pants: Margot Cropped Straight Leg Jean by Camilla & Marc
For a trip to Versailles I wanted to dress up a bit but also wanted to remain comfortable so a dress seemed the perfect choice. I love the print and silhouette of this Camilla and Marc mini dress, but wanted to give it a little extra shape so I decided to cinch it in with one of my favourite belts by Isabel Marant. It was still slightly chilly during my time in Paris, so I decided to go for over the knee flat boots by Stuart Weitzman and a red faux fur coat to snuggle up in. My pink Bulgari bag allowed me to carry all my essentials but minus the fuss of actually having to carry a large bag. Also I was able to use the same bag when I was going out to dinner so it was a really versatile piece to take with me on my trip.
For one of my first strolls around Paris I opted for a great checked belted dress by Dion Lee. Given it was still a little chilly outside I layered it over a long sleeved white tee and paired it with my grey over the knee boots. When you’re travelling and have to dress for trans-seasonal weather I think boots are always a great option as they keep you warm but if it starts to get a little hotter you’re not left sweltering. My Prada bucket bag once again made an outing as it’s the perfect size for sightseeing and is easily converted into a slightly dressier option by carrying it as a top handle bag. I think one of the golden rules of packing for a trip is to ensure that whatever is in your suitcase can be worn in myriad ways so you don’t end up having to take your entire wardrobe with you.
We went out for dinner one night and I wanted to wear something dressy so it was the perfect opportunity to wear this chartreuse midi dress by Camilla and Marc. I love the simple and elegant silhouette of this particular dress but in such a striking colour it becomes a showstopper piece. It was a little cool to be wearing heels so black boots helped ground the look whilst still keeping me nice and toasty.
I brought this Rebecca Vallance suit along as I was able to wear it as separates with the jacket or pants paired with something else or as a set. Black suiting is always a classic option and it was the ideal outfit to wear out to dinner at a local restaurant. An all-black look when you’re travelling is a failsafe choice as it’s guaranteed to look chic and doesn’t require much fussing around. I kept my look quite simple, opting for black pumps and simple jewellery to channel a minimalist Parisian vibe.
We decided to make the most of the long weekend and get out of Sydney and drive down to our family farm to spend the Easter break. It’s always nice to get out of town for a bit and wind down in the country for a few days. Also the girls always really like spending time with their cousins and getting to play outdoors and run around. Being able to recharge our batteries means we come back ready to tackle the week ahead.
I hope you’re all having a fantastic Easter holiday!
Juggling a busy schedule, I always like to schedule weekends away to help recharge my batteries. Often we’ll head away as a family to our farm in the Southern Highlands, but sometimes Luke and I will head somewhere together for a little quality time. It’s always such an effective way to re-energise and recalibrate myself for the busyness to come. If you’re planning a long weekend here are my tips for making the most of some time away:
Pack something special
I always make sure that I pack something which is easy to wear but also something that makes me feel special. For me, going away is a time to experience new places and do something I wouldn’t usually do at home and this means wearing things I wouldn’t normally get to wear on a day to day basis.
So many times I have splashed out on an amazing dress for a special event and not known when to wear it again. A weekend away, is the perfect opportunity to re-wear these amazing pieces in a different environment.
My TOME shirt and skirt are a perfect set to take away because it is lightweight and easy to travel in for the car trip. Plus as they’re separates it’s easy to mix and match them with other pieces which means less to pack.
Stick to neutrals
The classic blue and white makes this outfit a winner to take away because it is easy to accessorise. Accessories are a must for short trips because it lets you change up the outfit depending on how the plans unfold. Switching between flats, heels and even sneakers allows an entirely new look for what I am wearing.
Try before you pack
It is important to try on the outfits before you go away to make sure that you pack a really tight edit of outfits. The more you plan, the less you have to pack as you won’t bring any unnecessary items. I always check that my outfit options will work with accessories such as the sunglasses and hats I pack to make sure I can wear things in multiple ways.
Bring a book
For most of us, time at home doesn’t lend itself to a lot of time spent reading because we’re all so busy. This is why I always pack a good book when I’m going away for the weekend as there is nothing better than lying in the sun with a book and getting lost in the pages.
Do your beauty prep before you go
I always make sure I have my hair done and nails painted if I am going away to ensure I’m beauty-ready for any occasion that may come up. My picks at the moment are OPI’S ‘Lost on Lombard’ and Bobbi Brown lipgloss.
When you get away, it is the perfect time to also indulge and pamper yourself and this includes catching up on beauty treatments. I have been using the KORA organics skin care range, which leaves my skin feeling so refreshed.
Pick an easy location
Luke and I pack the car early in the morning with the girls in tow and enjoy an easy ride to our getaway destination. From Sydney, one of my favourite short trips is to the Southern Highlands. It is a perfect way to escape a busy week and have a relaxing weekend.
Luke, Sophia, Grace and I like to make the most of weekends by doing something different and creating special memories together.
It’s not often you get to spend your working week hanging out in Paris, but that’s what I was lucky enough to be able to do over the the last few days. I was in the City of Light to celebrate the launch of the new Huawei P30 and spent my week taking in the sights from a cruise on the River Seine to visiting the breathtaking Palace of Versailles along with being able to take it all in with the help of my new gadget.
I’m always so thankful to be able to travel for work and this week was absolutely incredible. Being able to spend time in one of my favourite cities, sightseeing and indulging in many a great meal along with being invited to attend such a huge launch was definitely a pinch-me moment. Now to get back to normal…
