Book Shelf Porn. (It's not what you think.)

I have been super naughty lately and haven't written a post in a while. (let's hope there is still presents for me under the christmas tree!) Anyway, today is the day I get back on the wagon! What better way to start blogging again than to talk about a cool blog I have discovered.

What is Book Shelf Porn? Well it's not real porn, let's get that straight! Why do I feel the need to dedicate a post to it? For one, I love books, yes, yes i'm a bit of a geek when it comes to reading, I also now have the reading glasses to match. (That is another post, they are so cool!) However, the reason I am sharing this blog is it's link to fashion master Karl Largerfeld. Who knew he had such a cool book shelf, or book wall! http://bookshelfporn.com/page/6 Click on the link to have a look.

If you have any interest in interior design, reading, books or furniture design, you will enjoy this quirky blog. I must warn you, it is addictive, you will spend hours viewing the amazing images and it will send you running to the shops to replace your boring ikea book shelf!
http://bookshelfporn.com/

Let's Not Start a Cat Fight.

While shopping for a birthday present for a very stylish friend I came across the jewellery by Cat Hammill. I instantly fell in love!

Inspired by her travels through Asia, Paris and South America Cat Hammill has created a range of necklaces and bracelets full of plaited and knotted leather, hand dyed wooden and silver plated beads and my favourite part, the quirky charms designed by Cat. From the silver wishing bone to the out of shape peace sign and the funky hearts.

Each piece has a message; peace, love and luck are just a few. The range is designed so you can personalise, whether you want to stack the bracelets all the way up your arm or you are after a more classic long silver necklace that will go with everything, there is a piece for everyone, young and old.

The 3 year old in me came out, while watching my very stylish friend unwrap her very carefully chosen (and I mean very carefully chosen, it took me almost an hour to decide which necklace I liked the best because I love them all) present. I almost had to call in help to physically restrain myself from snatching it back out of her hands and keeping for myself. I decided to avoid the cat fight (i'm not excusing the pun) and be mature (and boring) and wait till pay day to treat myself to one of Cat Hammill's amazing creations.

Available online from http://www.swankyandswish.com/shop/Cat-Hammill-Jewellery/, David Jones stores or et seq in Floreat.
Have a look at the range at http://www.cathammill.com.au/ (some photos from the website included below).

Bold and the Beautiful.

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and summer is on its way. It's time to introduce some summer colours into our wardrobes!

Invest in nude, caramel or beige basic shorts, t-shirt and heels and have some fun with bold, bright coloured pieces. I've included a few of my favourites below.

 Dress by Piper Lane. Available from Bonnie and Clyde

Generics studded leather bag. Available from Merge Subiaco. Generics are fantastic, up-to-the-minute, quality fashion accessories at great prices! Look up Merge Subiaco on Facebook to view the whole Generics range.

These Alice McCall shorts are so hot! You can find them on mycatwalk.com. I can't wait to get myself a pair of printed shorts. They are a must have for every fashionista's summer wardrobe.

Not brave enough to wear bold colours? Brighten up your outfit with a Matthew Williams leather cuff from mycatwalk.com.

Camilla and Marc 'Fume' skirt also from mycatwalk.com.

Mimco 'Liliput Hip Bag'.

Im loving this print by Sass and Bide! Shorts available at www.frolicgirls.com. Not only does it come in shorts but I noticed while shopping over the weekend that it also comes as super cute cut-out silk tops that would look great with worn in denim shorts or a nude tube skirt.

Tonight by Cat Grace available at Merge Subiaco.

Samantha Wills ring. Also from Merge Subiaco.

I hope I have inspired you to start building up your cheerful summer wardrobe! For more great new season fashion go to mycatwalk.com, frolicgirls.com or look up Merge Subiaco on Facebook to view pics of all their exciting new stock.

Hey, where's that necklace from?

That is the question I was asked many times over the weekend. I have decided to share my secret....its really a keyring!

I have always had a love for large jewellery. I have made keyrings, bangles, bits of material and anything else I can find into necklaces in the past.

Im sure you can imagine my excitement when I found my latest keyring/ potential necklace to be an enlarged version of a 'Tiffany's' key (way too nice to hang with my car keys!) I brought it straight away.

To make one for yourself head into Witchery. The keyring is part of the OCRF range so $5.00 of your purchase will be going straight to ovarian cancer research. If you don't have any chain in your jewellery box to hang your key on you can find a great selection at Spotlight. Just remove the keyring attachments and thread your chain through, attach it at the back, and your all set!

I must warn you though, wearing a large key around your neck you will attract many lame comments. 'Is that the key to your heart?' 'So you're the one with the key to the city?' and 'Can you please open the door?' So be prepared!

Sunglass Hunt.

For the past year I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of sunglasses. I have a terrible track record with sunnies, losing three (yes three!) pairs over a weekend camping at southbound and most recently reversing over a pair (don't ask me how I managed that). I have also brought numerous pairs that are 'ok' at the time of purchase but when I get them home they have not been what I was really looking for.

I have therefore devised a checklist;
1. The glasses must, most importantly have some black on them, (I am almost always wearing something black).
2. They need to suit my style, a bit different, fashionable and stylish but not too alternative.
3. They have to suit my face. Not to big, not to small.
4. Finally, they can't be too expensive. Don't get me wrong, I love everything designer and will spend a weeks worth of pay or more on an item if I am in love with it, but when reviewing my past history of sunglasses I have come to terms with the fact that I will have to become more responsible before I can have a designer pair.

The point of this story is to share my excitement in finding my perfect pair of sunglasses. My year long search is over! Whilst browsing in a cute local shop 'Et Seq' I discovered the new range of MinkPink Eyewear. Definetly worth checking out! http://minkpink.com/ There is a pair in the range for everyone, from the plain black to the bright (perfect for the festival season), and the square to the round.

Et Seq also has a fantastic range of clothing and accessories. They stock all my favourite labels including; Wildfox, Karen Walker, Tallula, Manning Cartel and many more! Drive on over to Birkdale street in Floreat if you are in need of some retail therapy or the perfect pair of sunglasses.

The Holiday Purchase.

I have recently returned to reality after a fantastic 10 days of tanning by the pool, sipping cocktails at breakfast, countless manicures, pedicures, facials and massages and of course lots and lots and lots of shopping. My holiday destination was obviously the beautiful Bali.

I really could open a shop with the amount of jewellery and shoes I purchased, however every shopping holiday also comes with a 'Holiday Purchase', the idea that 'these will be so cool when I get back and I will be way ahead of the fashion and everyone will be thinking 'who is that super fashion forward girl in the union jack leggings?''

Yes, there, I said it....the union jack leggings. I found them in a store called Religion which has a very rock and ripped t-shirt vibe for 300,000 rupiah. I was convinced (and still secretly have hope) that I will find the perfect way to wear them in my own style, however, i'm slowly starting to think that they may be on their way to join the royal blue ray bans, jelly thongs and giagantic plastic diamonte earrings (what was I thinking) and the other (now very cringe-worthy) holiday purchases at the bottom of my cupboard.

If the momentus occasion occurs that they are saved from their dim fate and I actually wear the leggings, I will upload some photos. Don't hold your breath!

Outfit Me.

I was recently introduced by a friend (who is a very savvy online shopper) to what I have to say is my most favourite online store. I get excited every time I visit this site and today is no exception!

As much as I love fashion, I also have a weakness for interior accessories, furniture, lamps, bedding, curtains, pillows and more. The 'Appartment' section of the site is close to being my Mecca. With retro interiors, books, music, toys, ruffled bed accessories, (I won't share my devotion to every thing ruffled today, that is a whole story on its own) kooky cameras and accessories and now a bike shop, what more could you want!

Heres the link;  www.urbanoutfitters.com

Happy shopping!

Introducing Two Dotts. (Featuring Merge Subiaco)

She has a creative, personal style. She has great taste in music. She knows lots of cool people. She loves a good boogie on the dance floor. She loves to op shop. She is a fantastic friend and, above all, she is an amazing photographer! She is Zoë Walker.

Zoë has always been interested and very successful with music photography. She has had photos selected for the WAMI photography exhibition at the Western Australian Museum for two years running. One of my favourites was also chosen to be featured on the official website for The Hives!

Last year Zoë also became a fashion photographer and it comes oh-so naturally to her. I have included below a sample of our first shoot working together.

Stylist- Ella Courtney.
Photographer- Zoë Walker.
Model- Zoë's beautiful sister Brooke Walker.
Make-Up- Jade Balfour.
Clothing by Julia Silk, Story by Tang and Joanie Wong, all from Merge, Subiaco.

Check out lots more from Zoë Walker on her blog http://www.two-dotts.blogspot.com/. To see more artistry from Jade Balfour go to http://jadebalfour.blogspot.com/.

A Style Icon Knows...

When I'm in need of inspiration for styling work or even when dressing myself, I turn to my trusty copy of The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia. (The woman with the job millions of girls would die for. She is a guest judge on one of my favourite T.V. shows, Project Runway and also the Fashion Director of Elle Magazine.) Today, deciding what to blog about, is no exception.

Flicking through the pages for what could be about the hundredth time, still admiring the gorgeous fashion illustrations by Ruben Toledo, I came to my favourite page that, since my blog is about about style, I have to share.

A Style Icon Knows...
How to edit- She only buys what she likes and what looks good on her.
To invest in the 'bones'- The little black dress, classic trench etc.
To buy With drama- She goes for the over-the-top decadent item. If she falls in love, she takes it home.
The importance of shoes- Lots of shoes.
The power of accessories- Done just the right way.
A good tailor.
How not to be the fashion victim- She never carries the 'it' bag.
Its not about the money- She wears her flea market Mexican earrings the same way she would her diamonds.
How to mix it up.
How to be imperfect- She understands that everyday is not a photo shoot.

After re-reading the rest of the book, I'm off to buy myself a classic men's white shirt, stealing my brothers large silver watch and leaving my chipped manicure till tomorrow.

That is style!

I am Ella Courtney.

I am Ella Courtney. I am a designer, a stylist, a photographer, a trendsetter, a writer, a shopper, a visual merchandiser, a florist, a party girl, and now a blogger. 


After four years of design and fashion study (including a Degree and Honors), producing and creating my own fashion magazine, many years of fashion retail, making jewellery and other accessories, becoming a bookworm and a magazine addict, styling fashion shoots and most recently having fun with floristry, it is now time for me to start a blog!


Stay tuned for updates including photos, thoughts, facts and everything else that screams style!