by Candice DeVille | Dec 11, 2014 | Travel
There are only ever a handful of moments in your life that make such a deep and moving impression on you, that you know you will never be the same again. Last night this happened to me.
Even as I type this for you I can feel my chest getting tighter and my eyes welling up; such was my sense of awe in the desert of Dubai.
For every film you’ve ever seen or any landscape you have imagined of this golden landscape, nothing can adequately prepare you for what lies in wait for you in these rolling dunes. At once more vast than you can comprehend, yet the smallest ripple in the sand is nature’s perfect and transient work of art.
by Candice DeVille | Dec 8, 2014 | Shopping, sponsors, Travel
Dubai is a city for the sophisticated.
It is a haven for those with a sophisticated palate, a sophisticated mind and a sophisticated aesthetic. It is a crucible of beauty in all its forms.
As I sit here resting my weary legs with the scent of a lily bouquet floating through my room, I hardly know where to begin with my stories of Dubai. But like a true connoisseur, I shall attempt to create each one with care so that you can see them for the individual jewels they are.
It seems the Dubai Tourism team were able to discern my style quite quickly. Before I arrived here I was selected to stay at The Address Downtown, a stunning hotel right next door to The Dubai Mall. From the moment I checked in, there have been so many little notions that this is just the place for me here, and this afternoon I experienced another.
After a morning of touring many wonderful offerings, I took a little time to myself to explore a place that had captured my imagination from the very first image I’d ever seen of it. The Souk, attached to the mall, is utterly entrancing. The lusty scent of incense trails through the amber lit alleyways, diamonds call to you from every store window and your inner Princess finds her head.
With deep brown twinkling eyes, a fragrance salesman beckoned me over to sample his wears and my Princess agreed. Perched up on a soft leather stool, I sat and chatted about the passion the Arabic people have for fragrance. Golden flasks each stood ready to woo me, but I already knew I wanted only one.
“Would Madam like to try this beautiful Rose perfume?” he asked. This Madame smiled and said, “Actually, I’d much prefer something smoky and dark. A rich tobacco.” It was as though I’d said a magic word, his eyes lit up and a single flask instantly selected. With a flourish he indicated towards my arm, “please may I? All perfume must sing with the skin to be true.” Perhaps this was a part of his usual sales manner, but in my current poetic surroundings it carried the perfect trace of fantasy.
There is a truth that appears in someone’s eyes when they truly love something, and that is what happened next. I was enveloped in a heady cloud of warmth and velvet, a scent you could almost stroke. As it rose from my skin I wanted to close my eyes and fall back into a deep leather sofa. I could not resist myself. He smiled at me, the crocked smile of a co-conspirator, “see?” he said. “On you, this sings.”
I have searched for many years to find my signature fragrance. I knew just how I wanted it to smell. I had come close before, but not close enough. The mass produced synthetic perfumes of the big brands have left me cold with their soulless offerings. But here in Dubai, amongst the alleys of the Souk, I have found my fragrance. And even more exciting to me, is that my fragrance has a story.
by Candice DeVille | Nov 28, 2014 | Travel
Thanks Bupa for “sponsoring our Travel Insurance “
I have the biggest packing challenge of my life ahead of me.
From Melbourne spring, to Dubai, then from Dubai straight into winter in New York. All this and only two pieces of luggage allowed.
If I were just doing a basic, pared down tourist style adventure (who are we kidding, I never do that), it would be easy. Instead I need to pack for safaris, swimming, cocktail parties, spa days, conferences, photo shoots and walking in the snow! Organisation isn’t the half of it.
I have called on all my packing expertise and fashion knowledge for this one, pairing up silks, merino wools, layers of stockings, pashminas and scarves, with plenty of bling and one huge dramatic coat.
When you consider that I also have to pack a load of photography and video equipment, this becomes a precision exercise. My worst nightmare is arriving some place without all the proper plugs, chargers and cables. They are much harder to buy in an emergency than a pair of sparkly heels.
The extent of my travel wardrobe is such that I think it deserves it’s own post, but the most important thing I’ve learnt over my years of travel is this; weight. Not just the weight you are allowed by airlines, but also the weight you are prepared to lug around.
Let’s take for instance, that one time I was in Tokyo at midnight in the rain, with two 40kg suitcases, handbag and carry on, no umbrella and no cash for a cab. New swear words were invented that night as I vowed to never again travel with so much weight and certainly not in stupid two wheeled suitcases that failed to navigate gutters and almost cut my legs off!
Even empty, many of my suitcases weigh in at 7 kilos, and I’m not about to loose precious packing weight to some clunky monstrosity. I can thank American Tourister for the most beautiful hot pink, ultra lightweight, one finger-gliding suitcase that will be a godsend on this trip.
by Candice DeVille | Nov 25, 2014 | sponsors, Travel
Having a good imagination makes planning for an overseas holiday so much easier. Such is the case with my upcoming trip to Dubai.
Since I first heard that I was one of the very fortunate to be invited by Dubai Tourism to experience the wonders of the UAE, I have been dreaming, planning and shopping. Yes, I know I should probably save myself for all the incredible markets and malls over there, but I do like to be prepared.
Whenever I hit a new city, the very first thing I like to do is visit a large upscale mall. Why? Well I find that it is one of the quickest ways to get the vibe of a city. To people watch and see what sort of pace they move at, which stores hold the balance of fashion power, and to gauge the level of daily glamour; the place I feel most at home.
With that in mind, a visit to the Dubai Mall is high on my list of arrival priorities. It is the largest shopping and entertainment venue in the world! Yes, if I were a millionaire I’d probably go wild with my credit card and valet to carry all the packages, but the mall holds another rich appeal for me. The Aquarium!
You may not know this about me, but I have always been obsessed with aquariums. I’ve kept fish of some kind ever since I was a child, and they grace my back on a permanent basis. I adore watching the sway of the grasses and corals as fish dart in and out. Jellyfish are a particular favourite, with their iridescent lights and wispy tentacles. I can often be found sit sitting, mesmerised, watching these creatures float by.
I’ll be staying at The Address Downtown Dubai, essentially right in the heart of the Mall and Souk district. Unlike so many cities I’ve visited, what has me giddy with excitement about Dubai is the seamless mix of the old and the new. Just like myself and this blog, there seems to be a strong sense of connection to its heritage, yet all set within a sleek futuristic version of that world. I will confirm this upon my arrival, but I have the distinct impression that the blend of old and new in Dubai will directly echo who I am.
For all the luxury and glamour of the city streets, I also plan on swathing myself in white muslin and khaki dresses to take on the Desert Safari. To ride side-saddle on a bejewelled swaying camel as the sun sets over the honeyed sand dunes. Having ridden a camel before I realise that the reality of these animals is a little different, but imagination is a wonderful thing.
I’ve already bought the most perfect pair of golden diamanté sandals and oversized 70’s style sunglasses to match the regal vision in my mind.
To add to this fantastic vision of Dubai, I am planning to head to the Atlantis Palms where they have the Aquaventure. Not only does the Palms have the sort of incredible architecture I’ve only ever seen on a 1930s Hollywood set, but I’ll be able to swim with dolphins! My mind is almost totally overwhelmed with the possibilities of just what will happen when I get here. With such a surrounding and the incredible array of aquatic life, it seems only right that I bring my Esther Williams swimsuit for the occasion.
I’m already enjoying this trip and I haven’t even left Australia! Just travelling in my imagination to ensure that I am prepared for anything means my house is now covered in clothes. The contest of my wardrobe, my shoe closet and my accessories chest are all working over time creating little travel tableaux.
I can’t wait to share this amazing adventure with you!
by Candice DeVille | Nov 18, 2014 | Accessories, sponsors
‘Brought to you by Nuffnang and Cash Converters’
I am a treasure hunter.
There is nothing else that gives me quite the same rush of endorphins as finding a one of a kind, beautiful piece at a bargain price that totally knocks my socks off. The thrill is not just in the piece itself, but the overwhelming feeling that I am a genius, smarter than the masses, to have found this hidden gem. This is a feeling that all shopaholics and vintage lovers can relate to.
The problem is, with the mass market being exactly that, mass; it is getting harder and harder to find sources for this special kind of joy.
Last week I was invited by Cash Converters to come into store and explore the range of jewellery they have on offer. I’ll be honest. I’ve never shopped in a Cash Converters store and neither have they ever come to mind when I felt the need for a special piece of bling. I knew they existed, but they have just never registered on my radar either as a shopper or as a bargain hunter. It’s surprising just how quickly things change.
When I stepped into the store, I was greeted by the smiling face of the sales lady polishing up her jewellery counter. Light, bright and shiny, and without a hint of “jewellery store intimidation”. (This is the feeling you can get when you walk into a store with diamond filled cases and feel like you’re being sized up for whether you should be allowed in there or not)
Surreptitiously, I began to peruse the cases, expecting that I would be viewing rows and rows of out-dated 1990’s gold rings and bad chains.
Can I show you what first caught my eye?
An emerald and diamond vintage bracelet.
SERIOUSLY!! How freaking gorgeous is that!
Once the store manager Anthony came in and introduced himself, my mind was well and truly open. The cases held a beautiful mix of classic, current and very vintage designs. I imagined myself wealthy enough to take my pick and fill every finger, yet I still couldn’t narrow it down to a top four.
Cash Converters source their jewellery from all kinds of situations. The Emerald bracelet that I later discovered had a matching necklace (oh dear god!). Some pieces have been remade into custom designs, taking gems from various pieces and turning them into stunners. Others have been acquired for their high-end stones and beautifully modern settings.
The more Anthony and I spoke, the more I realised I’d stumbled across something fantastic. Here I was, standing at a gleaming jewellery counter, where not only did the pieces make my eyes glaze over with lust, but that I could afford.
I am very (very) partial to spending my money on jewellery; not only for its beauty, but I see it as a good investment. Rather than always buying the “disposable” costume jewellery, there is a perfect way to outfit yourself in diamonds, gold and precious stones. Swapping out your wardrobe!
Think of it like this; if you took all the random bits and bobs you have lying around in your jewellery case, old 21st presents etc, and took them into Cash Converters, you may have enough to upgrade to a more impressive piece. Then, once you’re over it, simply go back and trade up again.
This is the same system I use when acquiring so many of my beautiful vintage dresses but I’d never found an easy way to do this with jewellery. I have a number of pieces I no longer use or want and would like to sell. But doing this through an auction site can be costly, unreliable and a long-winded process.
Because Cash Converters sell most of their pieces beautifully restored and with a valuation certificate, I don’t have the same hesitation that I do when looking at supposedly vintage or antique jewellery online elsewhere. And yes, Cash Converters sell jewellery online and have close to 17,000 pieces listed. So any time of the day or night, when the need for a new and impressive piece calls (like the possibility of meeting royalty on my next overseas trip), I know exactly where I’ll be looking.
Oddly, I’d never once considered Cash Converters as a place for treasure hunting, yet I felt like I was pretty clever to discover this secret; even though I’d been invited. Yes, I’d gone in looking at jewellery but I’d also come out hyper excited about the prospect of diamonds and vintage video games!
Since my visit, I’ve been dropping Cash Converters into conversations with a number of people, trying to find out if they ever shop there. I’ve yet to hear anyone say yes. And you know what this means to a treasure hunter like me? The possibility of an undiscovered honey-pot!
I rather feel like I’m giving away a new secret location to you here, and if they hadn’t asked me to spread the word I may not have. (Just kidding, I love you guys).
So as I write this I have several tabs open on my computer; bookmarking some beautiful diamond earrings and a stunning art deco ring to put on the list of Christmas gifts I’d like to give myself. And just like the diamonds in them, I’ll know that these are one of a kind treasures.
To stay up to date with all the latest Cash Converters treasures follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google +.
