Stylish Blogger

Just before Christmas I was awarded this little treat: the Stylish Blogger award from the lovely Melynda over at a life less ordinary. I love Melynda's blog and her few sentence blogging style. Sometimes I wish I could keep things down to a few sentences, but alas when I start writing I can never seem to stop! I think this is only my 2nd award in my blogging history so it's pretty special - thanks muchly Melynda!


So here are the rules...
To accept this award, I:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award.


Seven things about me...

1. I love the colour pink - despite some thinking I like black because my wardrobe is a sea of black.

2. I love camping and the outdoors - even though my blog is a bit prissy, I do like to rough it sometimes!

3. I LOVE animals - it's at the point where I can't watch a movie with animals in it (because something bad always happens to them and I cry) and where I've named the local stray dogs!

4. I want to try and save the world - hence the whole 'living in Nepal' thing.

5. I'm half Filipino, half German but was born in Melbourne, Australia - and proud of it!

6. I got married at 22 - that's young isn't it?!

7. I hate jelly - and basically any food of the same consistency! The way it wobbles and shakes....yuck!

Now 15 great blog finds...

1. Lyla Loves Fashion

2. Hello Catherine!

3. Goodnight, dear void.

4. Allister Bee

5. Green tea and red nails

6. Princess in the desert

7. She wore it well

8. The Camilleon

9. The Swede Records

10. What Katie Ate

11. Mila's Daydreams

12. Willow ships

13. Walk the sand

14. ...Sending Postcards

15. Wanderlust for a Glutton

I'm sorry I haven't contacted the new Stylish bloggers...will get onto that soon! I have 2 giant suitcases to currently pack! :S

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Bono + wife Ali + LV

Despite some criticisms, I love this collaboration between Bono and wife, Ali Hewson 's ethical clothing label, Edun, and Louis Vuitton. It is suppose to bring 'international exposure' to Edun's mission to eradicate poverty through sustainable enterprise in Africa.

Photographed by the remarkable Annie Leibovitz, the campaign continues LV's popular travel themed ads into Africa with the tag line, "Every journey begins in Africa" which is also etched onto the special edition Keepall style embossed in monogram canvas, and with a special charm hanging off of it. Proceeds from sales of the bag will go to TechnoServe and the Cotton Initiative.

I love a good cause, especially when a luxury brand is involved. But I often wonder, does the fact that the profits made on the bag go to charity, drive sales further or hinder it? There's a question to ponder...




I've realised I really love blog titles with equations lately! Funny thing is, I hate maths!

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I'm here!

I know I've been a bit slack, but I've just been so tired and busy with work, but I'm here! And I've found something inspiring and beautiful (and not just a pretty face)...

Who knew that Helena Christensen was half Peruvian? Well I didn't, those light freckles certainly fooled me, and did you know she takes photos? I guess lots of people take photos, but not everyone goes back to their heritage and takes photos to highlight climate change...unless you do (if you do - tell me about it!)?

Anyways the modeling beauty went to Peru in 2009 to take photos and draw attention to the effects of climate change as an ambassador for Oxfam. Her exhibition was held in London in November 2009 and entitled, "Meltdown: Images of what we lose when the glaciers disappear."
And let me tell you, the things that we may lose are irreplaceable, priceless things that we can definitely have a hand in helping keep around.

So here is Helena Christensen as a photographer and her photos in Peru...and just a little note to think about this planet we live on...

"I start photographing all these cool little kids. Their cheeks are burned from constant exposure to the sun. Their clothes consist of layer upon layer of vividly coloured sweaters and skirts. They run around, shrieking with laughter chasing each other, whispering together."

Extract from Helena’s diary.

via {Diana Mini Love blog}

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On Top of the World for a Cause

Something a little bit different today...

I'm going to the foot of the tallest mountain in the world.

Just saying that scares me! In two weeks time, me and a group of friends will start trekking to Everest Base Camp for charity. We've been buying all our sleeping bags and down jackets (because it's going to be FREEZING!), and have been talking to lots of people for advice so that we can maximize our chances of reaching Base Camp (it's a pretty strenuous walk, lots of people get altitude sickness or food poisoning and never even make the end of the track).

I have to admit, I have been training very hard so I'll be the tail on the end of the group, but thank the Lord for wonderful porters and Sherpas who will be helping me carry my bag (and possibly me by the end of it!).

What is this all for you may ask? Well it's for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) who are working here in Nepal. By doing this trek we hope to raise money and awareness for a project to train women with leadership skills so they can be able to improve the world they live in. Pretty worthy cause I think, girl power! But seriously, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and they really need all the help they can get so hence this little adventure to Everest! We've called our campaign, Move Mountains, because that's what we're trying to do. It's a very fitting name don't you think?

Anyways, I'm babbling too much. Help the women of Nepal out and check out my personal fundraising site here and donate if you can :)

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Resolution Listing

So it's that day of the year where you either think about regrets or relish in your achievements of 2009. Currently I'm HOME in Melbourne, Australia and am loving every minute of it, but to be honest I haven't thought much about 2010 except that I know I'm going to be back in Nepal (I'm not smiling or frowning). But here are a few 'resolutions' or goals rather for next year:

• To take French lessons
  
• Stop buying stuff online (especially when I have no idea about sizing)
• Go to Paris (to practice my French, makes sense right?)

What's on your list of goals or resolutions for 2010? For me, 2010 makes me feel old as I will have been married for one whole entire year, and all my friends are getting engaged, graduating from Uni and getting professional jobs - so scary! But that's life hey :)

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Queen Rania

My new style icon for when I am, ahem, a mother. Ok, no, that's underestimating her - Queen Rania of Jordan is not only my style icon, but life role model and inspiration for working for the people, and here is why...

I know I'm not a queen, or princess for that matter (all the Disney movies lied to me), and won't be in this lifetime. However I do believe that celebrities or those in high places have some sort of social responsibility to the public. Imagine the influence they have on their admirers and followers. So I think it's important to be a good (dare I say it) example and to use their 'power' for good.Back to Queen Rania. I really admire what she is working towards and think she represents Muslims that are after the same thing as us westerners, world peace. Lately I have been very interested in Muslims and their beliefs, trying to understand the problems that are causing loss of life in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The more I learn, the more I understand about them and am less afraid of them. Queen Rania is an example of something good for the world. I must also highlight that she is a woman, and in the Middle East women aren't known for being in the spotlight, but Queen Rania has defied tradition and moves about freely (wearing whatever she likes) squashing all preconceptions westerns have about Middle Eastern women living highly constricted lives.
I recently watched an interview with her on CNN's Amanpour, and she was so well spoken, diplomatic in her answers but most of all passionate about education for the world's children. I just recently read Greg Mortensen's 'Three Cups of Tea' which highlights the fact that extremist Muslims who engage in terrorism are only recruited because they are usually in poverty and because they don't know any better, which is due to a lack of education. Some extremists would believe that an education is like being 'of the world', and hence do not promote it, especially for girls. Queen Rania believes that all children should have access to education as it give them an opportunity to work their way out of poverty.

Sorry I'm babbling. But I believe that this extra role of 'ambassador for education' suits Queen Rania quite well, and I believe that she is making a huge difference in this world by contributing to the construction of that bridge between cultures, to reunite the world.Queen Rania even has her own website, twitter account and facebook! She's so cool.

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Paris law bans trousers for women?

A 200 year old law that bans women from wearing trousers in Paris? That is crazy talk!

I think this has unfortunately ignited my feminist streak, you know equal gender rights, women-can-have-babies-and-work-too, and all that jazz. But what makes it more crazy for me is that it's Paris, the fashion capital of the world, home of haute couture and chic. Labels such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Chloe, Balmain, and Givenchy were born in Paris, but what for when you couldn't fully embrace fine fashion to it's highest accord and wear a stupid pair of pants?
I would love to know what the consequence of wearing pants would have been 60 years ago, for I am sure I would be a repeat offender (the rebellious streak). In the many articles I have read on the topic, it was known that you had to seek permission from the police station if you wanted to wear pants, although permission would be wavered if you were at "the reigns of a horse". I don't know about you, but if I lived in Paris in 2009 my 'horse' may have wheels...four in fact. So would I still be allowed to wear pants?
Unlikely it seems that the law will change anytime soon, even with a letter by her 'royal' self Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. However, Parisian women are undeterred by this ancient ruling looming over their heads and are clearly sporting freedom and choice in what they wear. And I would hope so, it's the year 2009 and even Muslim women in more liberal Middle Eastern countries (like UAE, Qatar & Bahrain) are given a choice to wear a burka or not.
I guess the French like their women one way: slim and eternally molded into 1920s chic that sits just below the knees.

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I made it!

From yesterday's post about the CNN news, my story was on CNN New's coverage! I didn't see it coz it was probably on while I was sleeping, but here's to an excited me! Go here http://www.ireport.com/ and you'll see my news story on the front page! =)

In other news (just practicing my news anchor voice there...), how hilarious is this quilted Chanel bag? Just what I've always wanted...and probably all I could afford! via First Ever blog

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My Dream Job

My dream job, ever since early highschool, is to be a travel reporter or some sort of foreign correspondent journalist. It's still one of my big all-time goals and hopefully one day I'll get to do it!

I've joined up to CNN's ireport and posted up a short story with some pictures I took of Nepal's Diwali festival.


I got an email last night from one of the shows producers that they may be interested in showing it on their ireport program. FINGERS CROSSED!!

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Save the Rainforest

I am a lover of the environment and all things animals and really think it's important to think about the effect our actions have on everything that surrounds us, and it shouldn't just stop there. We should also take an extra moment and think what and where the resources are coming from for whatever it is we're buying, creating etc. When you do think about it, it's actually kind of scary to think that we could potentially have no food? Not enough water? And no animals? I don't know about you, but I don't want to live in a world like that and nor do I want to contribute to it.

Here is my favourite warm & fuzzy commercial for this week. I know, it actually kind of makes you feel guilty, but it is such a great reminder...



The Prince's Rainforests Project is part of The Prince's Charities and you can find out more here

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I Need a White Shirt

I love causes in which I buy something, and 100% of my purchase will go directly to the cause. I think of it like donating money and getting something for free.

So here is my latest cause that I will be supporting, the White Shirt Collection for Ovarian Cancer Research by Witchery.

Everyone needs at least one white shirt right?
Check out more on the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Witchery's cooperation here.

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Support Breast Cancer with E&J

It's only $58 and is made from beautiful rose gold. Buy one to support a good cause that affects nearly too many of us girls, or those near and dear to us. Get it while it's hot here...

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Happy Earth Day!

in my job it's hard to forget about the environment and the impact we humans have made. living in Nepal has definately opened my eyes to this because now a days i have to look really hard to see the snow on the top of the himalaya's which i cannot believe because they are so high in the sky, and instead of experiencing temperate weather, i am sweating like i'm on some island situated right on the equator.

so in mark of this important day where we should all start new habits of using less electricity, walking to work (which i did while still having bugs in my tummy), wearing more layers of clothes to save the heater or a/c and trying to plant at least 1 tree a week - - i am going to tell you how your wardrobe can save the environment.

no i'm not going to tell you to stop shopping, instead i'm going to tell you to spend more.

you may be a little surprised at that but from reading my India Grazia mag, it's what we should do.

the idea is, when you see a t-shirt on sale for $10, you don't just want 1, but 2 because HELLO! they're cheap as chips! but by buying 2, that's double the amount of cotton tees gone off the shelves that will be in demand for and therefore need to be replaced.

so out to the cotton fields we go, lets say, in Nepal (haha just coz i'm here) and there are 10 or so ladies collecting cotton for many clothing manufacturers. now these Nepali's want more cotton so they get more money, then they begin to cut down the nearby forest to expand their land for growing cotton. this is generally how it works in third world countries as they have limited awareness or care for the environment - because to them, they are just trying to survive by getting as much work as they can.

so by spending more money on a shirt you decrease the chance of buying more, because most of our money is limited...well for most anyways!

and that $10 shirt was probably bad quality anyway which would lead you to buy another one soon because it has fallen apart, but, in theory, spending more money on a shirt would mean that you are investing in quality - therefore not putting so much demand on the cotton industry and the environment.

so that's it ladies! just a couple of tips on how your shopping trends can save the environment!
here is a really useful website that talks more about the textile industry and what they are doing to stop it's effect on the environment...check it!

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Just a bit of reality for you...

watch this. it will only take 2.23 minutes of your time.

share it. spread it. talk about it.

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