The Jumpsuit.....5 ways

Firstly, The MUSE loves jumpsuits, always have, always will.

This season jumpsuits are key to building your trans-seasonal wardrobe. If you have never owned one now is the time, there's a huge range out there to chose from, they are affordable and oh so versatile, especially the 'boiler suit' style I have chosen to work with. Along side this, Denim is huge. and unbelievably Double Denim - my prediction is this will be a short sharp trend, so rock it while it's hot 

A few guidelines.......... Mix it up , the washes, styles, and cuts, hit the charity shops, the muse has found some fabulous denim in the last couple of weeks. Don't forget the trusty denim jacket, a wardrobe essential, that never really goes out of style

So once you have found your base piece - How do you wear it?

Here are my top five ways to rock the jumpsuit.

A big thank you to my collaborators

Gap  www.cubicle.co.nz/pages/gap-photography

Claris www.facebook.com/7010yourlocal

STREET SLICK

Pops of fresh white is the key, roll the leg and team with the oh so cool lace up brogue, a soft muslin scarf.....add the edge with a sports style jacket. 

WEEKEND NATURALS

Layered textures from a natural palette, think suede, corduroy, leather, beige and denim together are just yum!

THE HAMPTON'S ......(or Kaiteri)

The stripe and denim, always a perfect combination, a pop of red, with the platform espadrille, worn with a coquettish grin - who wouldn't fall in love with you?  

 

OFFICE BABE

Silk blouse underneath, tailored jacket, silk scarf, high heel - What a sophisticated babe....with a touch of sass.

MIDNIGHT MINX

Satin mesh panel bodysuit, knee high boot with the leg tucked and puffed,red lippy, topped of with the leopard coat - just hot - hear me roar!

 

ACCESSORIES ....Yes please Add, hats, scarves, jackets, layers add texture and depth.

As always have fun with it, if you are wearing it own it, walk tall, feel great, and a little secret grin keeps them guessing. Lastly.....please dress for your shape, if you don't look good in tight arse jeans - don't wear them, there are options, try a soft denim tunic, over stretch denim jean of a different shade, there are options out there. 

P.S .....THE MUSE can take you shopping, saddle up it will be a fun ride, but you will come out with on trend pieces that will work for you x.

Have a fabulous weekend......never under estimate the power of a good outfit on a bad day.

 

Rocking my world this week........

The Bullet

Cod & Lobster serve this wee bit of winter deliciousness....Espresso - coconut oil - vanilla -       and the rest....... is Mixologist Pete's secret.

The Head phones

Rose gold and floral

Cheap as chips from the House of 'k'.....(you work that one out).

The bambina

Gi Gi.....I love you

The Aviator

Not just any Aviator......Burberry 

The very cool thing is...... the lenses on these were scratched beyond use, Esposito optometrists fitted new green polarised lenses into the old favourites......boom old new life in the old girls!   

The Jumpsuit

This is going to be a short sharp trend.....don't delay.

Cashmere

Cashmere

 Cashmere really is the perfect winter companion, sweaters, scarves, hats, wraps.......anyway you can...... get a piece of this luxury.

Denizen

Denizen Modern Living

Best magazine I've seen for a long time.........inspiring! Issue one out now.

The Linen sheet

Pure fabulosity

Ezibuy......can't wait to wrap myself in these.

The Teaser ....... One Jumpsuit 5 ways

Coming out Friday night....

This will be a collaboration of very inspired minds.

So bloody excited to be working with this team !!

Claris White-Jones 

Claris White-Jones

Gap Kirati

The Muse

The MUSE and YOGA

The Muse and friends in Gavadona, Lake Como Italy.

This is a relatively new thing for me - I'm not a yoga teacher by any stretch (F**k I'm funny) of the imagination, as always I talk about what works for me.

I didn't even call what I was doing Yoga for the first six months, too many images of hairy arm pitted, sanctimonious..... god knows what were conjured up in my mind. This is how it started for me, I found a book when I was staying on 'the Island' with the Doc, called 'The Supple Body' this appealed to me, really simple stylish pics, 10,20,30 minute sets. I photographed the pages that spun my wheels and started......and didn't stop!

From there I faithfully do at least 20 mins every morning - (or more, or a class), I do it early before the household stirs, and I have to talk to anyone, or think.

SET THE SCENE

What to wear

Anything you like, but for me any excuse to buy some new kit is good, I love poo pants and the more ballet style tops (maybe its a throw back many years at the barre as a child). My favourite site for Yoga wear is /www.freepeople.com/fp-movement-yoga/........so delicious, feminine, wearable.

Music

I have to have music, it helps to lose myself in the moment, when I searched yoga music it was all a bit pan flute, and whispering streams for me..... use whatever works for you, at the moment for me it's 'OM YOGA' VOLUME 2, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxf6B0-h3o5knKOqZJhsIa1o_MAf7O6jx  or old school Groove Armada. Music is also a cue for the family, if the music is on don't talk to Mum.

On the floor

I do it anywhere, at home it's on my favourite persian carpet, you can use anything, a yoga mat, blanket, once again what ever works for you. 

Tools

A class, books, blogs, video tutorials, there are resources all around you, use them. My new favorite is the Yoga fan (oppsie another thing that arrived via the interweb).

So for the MUSE, this yoga thing, has become a ritual, the benefits are visible, physically, mentally and spiritually. My monkey mind is quieter, I wear a bikini (never thought I'd do that again), and when I dropped my phone down the back of the storage container (yes THE MUSE has a big one), if I wasn't a bendy Wendy the phone would have been lost forever!.

Rugby and the Sausage

SPICY SAUSAGE SENSATION V's THE SAUAGE ROLL

The Mighty Hurricanes

Well..... no it was the Hurricanes V's The Lion's

Rugby is BIG in my family, my Father played rugby, my brothers played rugby (really well), and we hail from Wellington so being a Hurricanes supporter is not negotiable - for me not so much....I rode ponies! 

But last night was auspicious - The beloved Hurricanes were playing in the final, and it was my beloved 'late' brother's Birthday. Nearest and dearest gathered at the Nelson HQ of the Hurricanes (brother Tony's), the scene is set, excitement building.

One thing I do know about rugby is, half time sustenance is vital for supporters to continue with the level of enthusiasm required to ensure your team is the victors!

Little sister - always a little left of centre- wizzed up Spicy Sausage Sensation (Paleo to boot) as a contribution to half time offerings. Their it sat along side the traditional sausage roll (with tomato sauce).......the supporters were tentative at first, then the right noises started coming.....ohhhh nice.....etc etc. Triumph was had by the Hurricanes, celebrations all round.

So who won between the Spicy sausage sensation and the Sausage roll - we will call that a draw!  Happy Birthday Richard - love ya to the moon and back x. (And of course it's no coincidence they won on your Birthday - cheers for that). 

Now I'm no master chef but here goes.....give this a go.

SPICY SAUSAGE SENSATION.

Spicy Sausage sensation.

YOU WILL NEED....if you can't find it..... improvise

Chorizo sausage ...........x 1 (biggie)

Spicy sausages............x 6

Bacon ends.................a couple of handfuls

Fresh chilly..................x 1 biggie

Onion..............................x 2

Red Capsicum........................X 1

Ginger (grated)...................x 1 thumb

Zest of Lemon......................x 1 biggie

Juice of Lemon........................x1 biggie

Garlic (Heaps)

Fresh Turmeric ........................x1 Thumb

Leek........................................x1 Large

Cacao Nibs (Hogarth).........................a couple of handfuls.

Beef stock..............................1 litre

Tom puree..............................1 litre

Crushed tomatoes..................2 cans

Fresh coriander to put in at the end.

Throw it together (there is no wrong way)

In a big pot...

Fry off the onions, garlic, chilly, etc etc, until they smell fab, add the meat and seal it off.

Add the leeks and tomato puree etc, simmer for half an hour(ish), add the stockt, throw in the cacao and coriander at the end!.....PS: add cream if you fancy x

Enjoy  

Saturday Mornings

Saturday morning in Nelson is always a treat.....no rush....no school lunch to make.....no appointments.

*I'm not an advertising site, I have no affiliation or alliance with any business, I simply talk about what I like and what I think is 'on point' and generally rocks my wee world. 

To the market I go (on my fabulous new urban bike). I love picking up what fits with my lifestyle and checking out anything new that spins my wheels. Today what really excited me was Hogarth Cacao Nibs, in salads, on your meat, nibble them, what ever. I love them! 

The loot

Serene Beds

For most of us winter is our chill time, a time we look inward for inspiration, or we can feel a little down because it’s just so darn cold. So like my mum always said “when you’re not feeling great, go back to the basics, the most basic, have you had enough sleep?”.

We spend most of our life asleep. Our bedrooms are the first thing we see when we wake up, they welcome the start of our day and kiss us goodnight. It is where our dreams are made and where we retreat to rejuvenate. So I want you to ask yourself, is yours a nightmare? 

             1 X BED 3 X LOOKS

White winter: white on white sighs serenity

INVEST IN THE BASICS: When designing your bedroom it’s all about quality, not quantity- this approach allows you to splurge on pieces that count, like the building blocks - a great mattress and dreamy linens. *Tip if budget doesn’t allow, try a new mattress topper.

LINENS: Buy the best quality you can afford, check the thread count, personally I believe 100% cotton is best. There is such a selection of duvet covers out there too, try to keep it neutral and in light tones so it won’t date quickly or become overbearing to everyone’s eyes.

TEXTURE: Layering of textures adds depth and luxury. Add texture with pillows and throws, choose fabrics such as: cashmere, velvet, fur and jute, don’t be all matchy-matchy, mix them up. Adding texture on a neutral palette or white, ivory or beige is extremely effective and very much on trend.

LIGHT: As any photographer will tell you, lighting makes a difference to a space. Light fittings and lamps are vital to a room’s ambiance. From show stopping chandeliers to a contemporary floor lamp the possibilities are endless. Try not to over think it, have fun with lighting. Lamps, candles, shadow play, multiple light sources, string lights are some of the options to choose from. Don’t forget the bulbs they are just as important choose, warm, vintage looking filament. Set the tone and feel of the room that you want, make it cozy, romantic or dramatic with just a change of bulb.

SCENT: Very important to have a smell that induces restfulness, (or lust) I’m a fan of linen sprays, and scented candles.

*Tip: make your own linen spray with a quality essential oil in water in a stylish spray bottle. (No cheap nasty oil).

EMBRACE SPACE: Less is more, ditch all your stuff lying about or use ornate boxes or drawers. Have white walls or clean lines, don’t be afraid of open spaces - serenity is important in the bedroom. Get organiSed in your room and it will subconsciously organiSe your mind for the day.

Happy Creating from The Muse - Anna Stevenson

Got the Blues: create a wonderful serene space with the calming influence of blue hues.

Natural: crisp linen exports you to another exotic place. Beautiful earthy tones and natural fabrics create a sense of warmth.

THE MUSE

THE MUSE muse1 mjuːza woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.synonyms: inspiration, creative influence, stimulus, stimulation; rareafflatus "the poet's muse”

Who is she? In this instance It’s me ….. Ana. A wife, Mother (5 between us aged from 8 to 26), and interior stylist (…..and jack of all). My love of all that pleases me ascetically, and peoples interest in what I’m up to, inspired me to write this blog. Design, creative arts, food, fashion ….you get the picture. Currently, I’m managing a huge renovation project on our own place (very exciting), interior styling/staging, being a Mother and a wife, getting involved in the Lustre collective, pimping my new urban bike, purchased a 1967 Fiat Bambina (very cool), eat paleo, do yoga. I’m busy and thats the way I like it! Oh…… and just returned from 5 weeks in Italy…..thats another story entirely. Each Friday I will bring some aspect of what I’ve up to, from renovation to fashion and all in between. This week its ……One Bed 3 ways

 In the words of the Dali Lama He said “There is only two days in the year where nothing can be done - yesterday and tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do right, and mostly to live.”