by Candice DeVille | Oct 20, 2014 | Community, Self
Monday mornings can often be the hardest part of the week. Whether that means the end of a weekend, back to school or simply feeling like your time is not your own again.
My foolproof method of starting the week on the right note, is to include little luxuries in my Mondays. This morning that meant taking time to have my breakfast in the Spring sunshine outside.
Often the things we reserve for weekends or time off, little luxuries go a long way to helping create a sense of indulgence and serenity in the midst of our work a day chaos. They needn’t be expensive nor time consuming, just small treats that we often over look in our hast (or reluctance) to get the week going again.
To help you start your weeks on the right note, we’ve created a whole lot of tips and tricks to help you feel a little sense of luxury and remember how much you deserve it. Of course, luxury is subjective and often circumstantial, so we want to invite you to share your own little luxuries.
You’ll find our Little Luxury tips here on the blog every Monday, but also on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook; all with hashtag #LittleLuxuryMon. Perfect for sharing your ideas with friends, seeing how we all like to indulge, and of course, just how differently we do it the world over!
Every month we’ll be choosing a winner to receive their own little piece of luxury to help boost your spirits! It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you too can join in. Just make sure to tag your pics, then we’ll contact the winner so we can send you a very special gift box!
It’s not a big thing, just a #LittleLuxuryMon that put that spark of decadence into your day, and remind you just how important you are.
by Candice DeVille | Oct 16, 2014 | Events, sponsors
My husband used to race motorcycles. He now commutes into the city and home again almost daily. My best friend and her husband both ride regularly, on new and classic vintage bikes. I love them all the way they are, with everything intact; so you can understand why I have a strong vested interest in motorcycle safety.
My Bff Helen on the track at Phillip Island
There have been a number of times that the Mr. comes home, shaken, having been in a close call with a distracted driver or even debris on the roads. Every time you get a roadside phone call, your heart stops. I know so many of you are in the same boat as me, with partners, friends and family all riding motorcycles. This puts us in a position of responsibility to highlight riding safety at every available opportunity.
I asked my husband for insights on his lifetime of riding.
“I’ve been riding for about twenty eight plus years and been involved in seven accidents, only one of which I was at fault. These are things I know for a fact.
- Invest in good quality gear. Unless your name is Clarke Kent it’s going to hurt when you come off. The choices today are amazing, and the technology involved – lifesaving.
- It’s never too hot to wear the right gear. Shirts, shorts, jeans, sneakers are not going to help you, even a fall at 20km/hr will be painful.
- Pay attention ALWAYS. Your daily ride is not the time to contemplate the world’s problems. That lapse in attention could be the difference between a near miss or a painful crash.
- Be SEEN. We have all seen those stickers on trucks.. “If you can’t see my mirrors then I can’t see YOU”. It’s a simple statement of truth. Constantly scan those around you, can they see you? If the answer is no or you don’t know then adjust your position accordingly and be prepared to react.
- If you think you’re fast on your weekend blast through the hills, take it to the track instead. Not only will you not end up being a statistic, you’ll also get a dose of reality of what fast really is.
With the MotoGP in Phillip Island coming up next weekend, I’m honoured to be working with Spokes. If you’ve ever attended this event, you’ll know how the road to the Island simply teems with bikes.
As a driver, it requires all your care, attention and skill to safely make this trip, ensuring everyone arrives without incident. I can’t even imagine how much more difficult it would be for riders in these conditions. Congested roads, impatient drivers, and often inclement weather.
This isn’t the kind of trip that you just wake up and decide to take. Planning and preparation make the journey a safe and enjoyable one.
“Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to clock up some significant kilometers on the bike, ranging from weekends between Adelaide and Melbourne, to a +5,000 km loop from Adelaide to Gold Coast (via Melbourne and Sydney).
I’ve done trips with tents, clothes, food, & more packed in my bags, to trips with nothing other than my credit-card. I’ve even done a trip when I moved from Melbourne to Adelaide, with everything I owned strapped to my bike, and wrapped in a tarp to protect it all from the weather. I’ve not done a trip with a trailer on the bike yet, but given my Dad has a sweet set-up with BMW and trailer, I can see that one happening at sometime in my future.
What I have learnt in all these trips, is to pack smart, take only what you really need, invest in the ‘right’ protective gear for the expected weather conditions, and don’t fall into the trap of ‘pushing on for just another 20k’s before I stop’.
Stop for a break often, stretch, and ensure you’re alert for any surprise that might come your way. Nobody wants to be caught out and be lying on the side of the road waiting to be found because of a momentary lapse of concentration.
And what’s the best route to take? The one that gets you there safely.“
While we begin planning for our big trip next weekend, I want to ask for your help. Please, share this post, share this message and help me to highlight the message of rider safety in this week especially.
Your favourite rider might ride a vintage Bonneville, a Harley, a customised Ducati or even just enjoy the thrill of being a pillion. Whatever they ride and whoever you know, this is a message we all need to get out there, keeping our friends from harm. Thank you.
You can follow the Spokes campaign on Instagram to see all the amazing goings on of the big MotoGP day at @spokesrides #Spokes
by Candice DeVille | Oct 10, 2014 | Travel
The Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. Oh to be here again today…
Imagine a place where everything is warm and slow. White sands like the softest baby powder between your toes and shores that curve around hidden coves, the type a storybook pirate might inhabit. Tide worn drift wood makes dragon like silhouettes that creep slowly towards the shore are the sun sets. The air smells of hibiscus and the low hum of the cicadas cushions quiet conversation.
Small, ancient and perfectly formed, the Isle of Pines remains one of the few places where life is guided by tribal families, and each member of the island’s population is known to the other. Jurassic sized glossy leaves line the narrow road ways and spiders, jewel like, hang from fine webs, their backs glistening in the sun. There is a slowness here, a Pacific time which, no matter how much you seem to hurry along, you remain in a surreal, sandy existence.
By the coastline, the carved timber totems surround a glistening Catholic Jesus, like small sentinels to hold the sea at bay. As the sun changes position he becomes a beacon of silver, bronze then golden light. The ornament so at odds with the volcanic pebbles and coral shards beneath your feet.
Every day is cultural day here, as when the Cruise ships dock, the islands population more than doubles in an instant. Relying solely on tourism for income it seems amazing just how laconic and laid back they remain. There is no push, no shove, no vocal demonstrations secure your dollar or attention. Just broad smiles as they go about their business from behind mountains of coloured crabs and expressive faces carved in wood. Music, song and dance it seems, run in their veins. The natural rhythm of the island worked out in traditional instruments and the shimmy of a grass skirt.
The Isle of Pines is a place to feel connected. Connected to the hum of nature within your creature comforts. Where rock pools reflect our own social microcosms, drawing you into their narrative for hours on end if you’ll let them.
When you need a place to just let your mind wander, without the pressure to see, do or achieve; the Isle of Pines is the perfect escape. Simply find your special corner and begin your own story.
I travelled courtesy of Air Calin and New Caledonia, the exquisite corner of the world where I was able captured these images.
by Candice DeVille | Oct 8, 2014 | daily outfit, Home & Garden, pin up
Pin Up Girl Clothing Tropical Dress
The first stage of our big renovations are almost coming to a close. That is, that outside stage. I’m at the point of beginning to put in all the new plants for our tropical garden to give it a truly resort style feel. It’s been an interesting organic process, without planning things in minute detail but rather having a big picture and going with the flow. I’m so glad I didn’t get too carried away and try and tackle everything at once. We’ve broken up this project into both indoor and outdoor stages, the indoor stage to come a bit later. Lucky for me as the whole idea I have for my kitchen has changed dramatically in the space of the last three months.
Where I always imagined I’d create some sort of very vintage looking kitchen, in pastels with kitsch trimmings, I’m now lusting after something entirely different.
Visiting the Porter Davis World of Style the first time, I quickly fell in love with this space, my favourite of the lot. A tasty tropical kitchen. Standing behind the counter with the huge glass splash back window, I knew this is what I want my kitchen to be; a tropical feeling, high tech oasis. Imagine the Jetsons built their home on a Thai island and you’ll know exactly what I’m aiming for.
Everything is crisp and bright giving it a kind of tangy feeling, just like a lime. The openness of that window behind the stove is achingly gorgeous, and even if it means I somehow need to install a small fake garden cavity behind my stove area, I WANT THIS! The benches and cabinetry is streamlined and simple, with my favourite silent, smooth glide fittings. And the appliances are all sleek stainless steal with modern lines. I’m no minimalist, and I don’t like the cold, harsh look that often comes with too much modernism; but paired with the beautiful bamboo flooring and wood panel detail, (not to mention my green window obsession), this kitchen is to die for!
I’m guessing that like me, you are looking at the detail in these shots like the incredible carved wooden stools and stone bowls, wondering where you can buy that? Coco Republic provided most of the pieces for World of Style, and when my next pay cheque comes around I’m making a beeline for the store!
This outdoor entertaining area solved one of my design problems. I adore these bird of paradise plants, but I wanted even more greenery. Then I saw they had installed planter boxes up high as well, so the greenery becomes almost a boarder through which you view everything else! Very clever.
The geometric design of the accessories against the rattan style of furnishing, pulls the whole thing together with the blend of tropical and modernism. I’m now entirely rethinking my accessory plan for the sunroom, and having a lot of fun making up new inspiration boards.
Having the chance to create a space that truly reflects your personality and lifestyle is such a luxury, even the process itself can be delightful (if you don’t have any melt down moments). Even though I’m not the world’s greatest cook, I do spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so I’d like it to match my style!
Outfit Details
Tropical faux sarong dress with matching bolero – at Pin Up Girl Clothing the Malibu Tiki dress by Deadly Dames
Leopard print heels with carved Tiki heel (!) – The Wooden Tiki Platform by Pin Up Couture
Red floral piece word at hip – made by me
Nail colour- “Coral Me Wild” by Revlon
Lips – MAC “Russian Red”
by Candice DeVille | Oct 2, 2014 | Events, Workshops and Events
It’s true! We’re taking this show on the road with a new series of DAY LONG workshops!
First up Melbourne, then Brisbane, Sydney and in 2015 we’ll be hitting the USA! Woo hoo!!
I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone in our workshops to date, but we find there is just so much to cover, so many questions to answer and more we want to get to. So we’ve come up with a great way to give you a whole day worth of beauty secrets you can take away and keep learning from forever!
The first round of EARLY BIRD bookings are now open with a special bonus!
Also, make sure you’ve signed up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about new dates in your city, and when our brand new series of eBooks will be released!
