Tune Tape Tuesdays #42

The main way I communicate is through music. It's generally the first thing I bond with people over, and - judgemental as it is - how I rate them. It's always been a huge part of my life, acting as the soundtrack to every month, season, and year since I was a youngster. So it seems only fair to share with you all the music that has got me through the last few weeks, in which I've pretty much turned my whole life on its head, and relocated to Sydney. Having been over here little over a month, I can say with some confidence that Aussies are really quite the discerning listener. They take tremendous pride in top-trumping you with their latest finds, and where once I was the sole DJ at house parties, I'm now vying for the aux cable with about ten others. 

So with no further ado, and no one to compete with on my own blog (psyche!), I give you the first Tune Tape from Down Under…

Top Tracks
1. Stay With Me (Rainer + Grimm Remix) - Sam Smith. We've all heard the original on Radio 1 or Australia's Triple J equivalent by now - Sam Smith, who shot to fame on the back of Disclosure's huge single Latch has given up featuring and started soloing. With moderate success, I might add. Except he's being marketed as a younger, slightly less handsome Michael Bublé. Which is kinda whack, because he's actually pretty awesome. Instead of putting some commercial club beat on the track, Rainer & Grimm have striped back the already (in my opinion) over-produced original and just made it one hell of a happy song. Roll down the windows and head to the beach - better make the most of that 23 Degree heatwave, eh UK…
2. Cocaine Model - Zhu. Zhu's stuff has been making background waves for some months now. It's original-sounding, yet not too up itself for it to be fairly easy-listening. If the title of the track isn't enough to get your attention, the line 'It's Isabel Marant, I got everything you want' should do the trick. Pure magic. Perfect your 'House Party Head Nod' to this track.
3. Depth Over Distance (Tale Cooper Edit) - Ben Howard. I've been a big fan of Ben's ever since his first album dropped in 2011. He's recently released a studio version of Depth Over Distance which is beautifully raw and alive, which in turn has been picked up by a number of DJs. Tale Cooper's Edit of the track is sensational. Keeping relatively close to the original edit of the song, he really makes Ben's vocals and lyrics the star of the show, spotlighting them with some subtle yet evocative backing beats and loops. The ultimate track to get lost in.




That's all folks! I'll be back with more next week. Until then…

Love,
Belle x

Wish List Monday #45

While London has its Bohemians, Paris owns Minimal Chic, and New York has practically trademarked Carrie Bradshaw and Blair Waldorf, there is a different style of fashionista that pounds the sun-drenched pavements of Sydney's inner Eastern Suburbs: The Urbanite. Over the last month, I've observed these graceful creatures and well, rather admired them actually. The Urbanite seamlessly combines the 'care-less' attitude and style of Grunge with tailored androgyny only found on the catwalks of YSL and Givenchy. Women with perfectly tousled bed-hair slink past you in leather pants, an oversized Tee, chunky boots and a silk blazer, serenely sipping on a wheatgrass smoothie as their Ray Bans glint in the sunlight. Somehow, my fail-safe combo of Air Max, skinny jeans and a boyfriend jumper ain't gonna cut it no more. Well If I can't beat the bitches, I'm gonna have to join them. 

Queue the First Ever Down Under Wish List Monday… 

All Prices Shown are in Australian Dollars…because I, like, live here now.

1. Double-Faced Wool-Blend Jacket by Chloé, Net-a-Porter, $2,298. Face Off, here.
2. Cut-Out Back Stretch-Cady Dress by Alexander Wang, Net-a-Porter, $862. Cut it out, here.
3. Cameron Washed-Silk Top by Equipment, Net-a-Porter, $303. Whitewashed, here.
4. Skinny Leather Pants by Acne Studios, Net-a-Porter, $1,675. Skinny Minnie, here.
5. Cat Eye Sunglasses in Peach by Vans, ASOS, $29. Cat got the (Peaches and) Cream, here.
6. Ripped Boyfriend Jeans, Zara, $54. Rip your heart out, here.
7. Suede Fringe Shoulder Bag, ASOS, $78. On the fringe, here.
8. Leather Belt by Miu Miu, Net-a-Porter, $306. You can belt on it, here.
9. 'Keon' by Lipstik Online, The Iconic, $80. Keon on you, here.
10. Riley III by Senso, The Iconic, $259. Third time lucky, here.


Love,
Belle x

The Wizard of Aus

The last time I did a travel post, I was living in Bristol, savouring the last of the Summer sunshine at St Paul's Carnival. Well, in the last month, I've packed up my bags and job, and moved 17,000 kilometres across the globe to my birthplace of Sydney, Australia. It's funny how even in this day and age, with the technological advantages of Skype, email, Facebook, and the various apps on our smartphones, we can still physically feel distance. I've been back 3 weeks and already, my 12 years spent in the UK feel like a lifetime ago; at times, like a prolonged dream sequence. I've missed this place - the sights, sounds, and smells. The proximity of the ocean, the light, the lifestyle. 

This Easter, I travelled 2 hours south of Sydney to the small town of Bowral in the Southern Highlands, where my grandparents lived and where my friend's family has a country bolt hole. The climate down there is noticeably cooler and less humid than on the coast and in the city; making it perfect for walking and exploring the beautifully typical Australian landscape that surrounds it. The smells of Eucalyptus from the gum trees and freshness of the tall pine trees mix with the dry earth; bottlebrush trees shade cultivated roses and camellias. Under the pure azure of an Autumn sky, we rubbed shoulders with wombats (quite literally), explored the lush surroundings of the house, and walked through the countryside with Diesel, the beloved family pooch. Here are some photos of our adventures…

Oh hey, Elton.

Mr. Darcy, the Wombat.

Mr Darcy & Elizabeth Bennett

Wish you were here.

Love,

Belle x