How amazing is this shoot for Vogue Italia? Awesome.. I know. In finding this image I managed to  stumble onto the most jaw-dropping collection of gorgeous campaign and editorial photo shoots. I recommend feasting your eyes on it out here, but be warned: You’ll want to pin everything. Since I haven’t shared my favourite links in awhile, so I took extra care to round up the best. Happy trawling.. !

• This tutorial makes polka dot nail art look so easy.
• These skinny coconut cupcakes look delicious… I might just have to give these a go.
• Apparently, soon more people will be searching for ‘tumblr’s’ than ‘blogs.’ I find the idea that the word ‘blog’may be being replaced by the world ‘tumblr’ (like kleenex = tissue) very interesting..
• Alison explains why a garment that ‘doesn’t work’ (and you don’t have the creativity/desire/skill to make it work) doesn’t deserve real estate in your wardrobe.
• John Cleese on 5 ways to make your life more creative.
• These Hello Kitty pens are too cute.
• The 5 types of work that fill your day are: Reactionary, procedural, planning, insecurity and problem solving. Reading this article has left me thinking about how I work a little differently!
• Reading this has stopped me from feeling like I’ve done something wrong every time I don’t know how to answer the question ‘what inspires you?’ Um, everything!

INSPIRATION IS FOR AMATEURS. THE REST OF US JUST SHOW UP AND GET TO WORK.

• These images of what night clubs look like after everyone has left are amazing. And eerily apocalyptic.
• Time released their list of the All-TIME 100 Fashion Icons which includes designers & brands, models, muses, photographers, and editors & stylists. The list includes a few of my favourites: Coco Chanel, Twiggy, Audrey Hepbern, Brigitte Bardot, and Jane Birkin.

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I’m currently mad-inspired by anything with a 50′s/60′s vibe, and this shoot for Vogue China hits the spot! Anyone for finding refuge in a diner at 2am  whilst adorning an obnoxious pair of cat eye sunglasses.

• The Art of Self Confidence by Rock ‘n Roll Bride is seriously inspiring!
• I can’t wait to give Wanderfly a go. Pinterest for travel? I’m sold! Currently the site is in beta with a group of hand-picked testers, but here’s hoping it opens up soon.
• Kate Spade’s Pinterest boards are amazing.
• I’m also totally into chartreuse.
• Pugly Pixel published this great tutorial which shows you how to make your collages look awesome. The trick is to use a grid to guide your work.
• I wish I could get my hands on Pantone’s new makeup line. So cool.
• My friend Marian introduced me to Paper’d, a ‘free  lifestyle-inspired iOS wallpaper app that makes your device more you’. So much goodness for your iPhone!
• Here are four ways to make Instagram work for you.
• Ever wondered how to get  those coloured hearts in the centre of your cupcakes?
• I love this article because it pretty much sums up what I do in the best of ways! Forget Mad Men: Why now is the golden era for advertising.

Enjoy your weekend!

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First things first: I’m changing the name of this blog! There are still a few technical things I need to work out, but today I want to welcome you to ‘Style by Joanne.’ I’ve been contemplating this change for awhile now – to move away from using just my name as my blog name. I want to distinguish between the two (myself + my blog), because they are very different things (after all, I get up to a lot more then what I post on here!). I hope you like the change – let me know what you think in the comments section..

I hope you enjoy the links I’ve picked this week. I’m off to enjoy some of the GORGEOUS sun that we’re getting this weekend in Auckland – because  it’s about time we had some decent weather !

• Interested in the Mod Cloth’s creative process?
• I liked Issac’s coverage of Karen Walker at NYFW – and I want SO many pieces from her ‘Sea Monsters’ collection.
• Is perfectionism stalling your productivity? I find there’s always a balancing act between being productive, and doing quality work.
• I’m a big believer in the fact that public speaking/presenting is one of the greatest skills you can have. So it should be no surprise that I think you should read 10 keys to giving the greatest presentation of your life.
• IFB summarizes the key takeaways from last week’s bi-annual IFBCon.
• This article about how Target can analyze customer purchases to determine whether or not they’re pregnant is fascinating.
• The lazy girls guide to self love – I’m a fan of #2, choose one day a week to pamper the sh*t out of yourself!
• Everyone should read this article on why it’s OK to have ‘buyers remorse.‘

It’s okay to have buyer’s remorse; such a feeling means you are that closer to knowing your personal style.Admitting a sartorial mistake is a sign of growth, a lesson on what not to do or purchase in the future.”

• And a nice follow up.. what to do with all those ‘mistakes’: Return, repurpose, or resell!
• On why you’re probably not as busy you say you are.. (hello wake up call!)
• I love these cute/funny valentines for people who work in advertising agencies.
• Last (but not least), don’t forget to blog sustainably.

Enjoy your weekend!

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I’ve had a chaotic week – in all the right ways. I smashed out a boat-load of work [at work], met up with a pretty group of marketing geek-chic girls [!], and attended the launch of Marilyn Seyb [a new boutique opening at 100 Ponsonby Road]. I was blown away by the Wild Fox campaign imagery [above] and the new 2012 line from Deadly Ponies.

Needless to say – at the end of it all I was more than willing to welcome a Saturday morning lie-in and a trawl through the internet [without any particular goal other than satisfying my love for the aesthetically pleasing + inspiring]. Here’s a few of the links I loved:

• JUST in case the excitement on social media hadn’t already tipped you off, it’s NYFW time again. If you’re even slightly interested in following along from wherever you are in the world, check out Fashionista’s Outsider’s Guide to an Insider’s Fashion Week.
• 5 tips for food photography - I’m exploring the idea of introducing food photography to my blog so this post was especially timely, 5 tips for better food photography.
• Hipstamatic (yes, the app) just released a new ‘lens’ designed for fashion week. I might just have to try this one out…
• I’m obsessed with decluttering, but I’ve got nothing on this story about throwing away 100 things in one day .
• Bethany’s technique for creating contrast nails is surprisingly simple. I want to try this this week.
• Considering Cetaphil’s reputation for being a more ‘gentle’ option, the facts in this post about why Cetaphil is actually the devil were a bit surprising!
• Neris has amazing hair, and this week she kindly shared her hair care secrets.
• How to ‘fake’ the fit of your clothes (without expensive alternations) – A few creative ideas on what to do with blazers and shirts that don’t quite fit.
• How to rent an apartment in New York from Issac Likes
• I love glitter nail polish, but find the effort required to remove it far too daunting – however, this little trick involving tin-foil looks like it could be the solution to my glitter-nail related problems!
• This DIY for Givenchy Final Toe heel is ridiculously easy – thanks Jazzi!
• I love the idea of the ‘phone stacking’ game – yes, let’s make this a thing!

Enjoy your weekend!

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It’s a perfectly pleasant Sunday on the second long-weekend we’ve had in a row in now [in New Zealand], and I’m just head out for an hour+ of hot yoga. These are my favourite links of the week – I hope at least one of them tickles your fancy!

Oh, and check out the rest of these images for Vogue Latin America shot in a SUPERMARKET. The glamour of Jablonski is such a sharp contrast to the mundaneness of the supermarket that its almost ridiculous (in a good way!).

• I love this DIY chalkboard serving platter. So cute!
• This article on becoming a better public speaker is worth a read - being able to speak with confidence is so important regardless of what it is you ‘do’!
• If you’ve got a thing for to-do list software then you should check out this list of 20 of the best online to do list apps.
• 5 tips for great outdoor photography.
• Hopefully you won’t ever need this, but in the case that you do Vahni has written an excellent guide on how to deal with plagiarism online.
• I love this idea of setting mini ‘monthly goals’ throughout the year – and creating a visual reminder as to what those goals are.
• In reality, every one is a bit weird!
• Apparently, morning people may be more creative in the afternoon (that’s me!)
• I feel in love with this awesome post about the power of one / focusing on THE ONE thing you want/need to accomplish and putting all of your energy into it. A timely reminder!
• If you ever needed a reminder about why putting in that *extra 10%* is worth it - this it it!
• This one is for those working in client service agencies (like advertising) - What it Takes to be a Brilliant Suit from the Ogilvy Masterclass at Cannes Lions 2011

Enjoy your weekend!

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I’m not sure how or why but this editorial for Harper’s Bazaar is epitomizes how I feel right now (in a good way!). That out of the way – I’ve been debating all day whether or not I’d post Link Love this week. I wasn’t the most productive this weekend, and wrote off all Sunday catching up on the sleep I missed out on thanks to Saturday night’s party (still – it was loads of fun!). As you can see, I’ve decided to go with it. Mainly because this week’s goodies are super-inspiring and I don’t want to wait another week to share.

• This post from Nubby Twiglet (dated December) popped up in Google Reader earlier this week for some reason. I’m glad I did because we can always use a bit of encouragement to do what we love.
• Marcella weighs in on the topic of wardrobe essentials. Check it out because she nailed it. ;>
• 12 things they don’t teach you about creativity in school. This is so good!
• 12 must be this week’s magic number because here’s 12 ways to a better blog (and YOU) in 2012 via Grit & Glamour
• Fashionably Marketing rounded up the best fashion videos of 2011. My favourites are Dior (that’s a pinball machine I’d like to play) and Kate Spade’s (cute!) videos.
• Style inspiration: Pretty-pastel things you could be wearing.
• How to deal with clutter – all your de-cluttering questions answered.
• This is a neat post on keeping your financials in order.
• Because I believe in self-creation…
• This stop-motion video titled ‘The Joy of Books’ is nothing short of amazing. Just watch it – you’ll see!

• You will crack up at this. Maybe she’s born with it? No… I’m pretty sure its Fotoshop!

That’s all x

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One week into 2012 already! How have you spent it? I’ve got a few things to check off my to-do list before I go back to work on Monday, but otherwise I’ve done a good job at setting the tone for 2012: Crafted beauty, creativity and organisation – with plenty of relaxation and time spent with good people. Here are a few links to keep you entertained this weekend.

• How cool are these portrait photographs of Erika Labanauskaite by Matjaz Ocko (pictured above). The colours are stunning, just wait until you see the blue lipstick.
• Are you setting blogging goals this year? Here are 7 tips that might help!
• 12 tips for revitalizing your blog in 2012 – I need to get on to #6 (and tidy up my sidebar!)
• This is a fantastic interview with M.A.C makeup artist Amber D on the NZ Fashion Festival campaign images.
• The interior of this McDonalds in France was designed by Paris-based designer Patrick Norguet, and it is incredible!
• We all have subjective wisdom that we can pass on. This project takes that idea in asking design graduates to pass on their advice and inspiration to first-year students through a series of posters.
• Inside Coco Chanel’s apartment.
• These landscapes carved out of books are incredible.
• Rachel Hills on what a ‘beautiful life’ means to her.
• This article pretty much proves that its the photographer – NOT the camera – that makes the photos! I really recommend this one if you’ve ever had camera-envy. If nothing, it’ll inspire you to learn more about composition and really USING the functions your camera has to offer.
• The High Low writes about fashion’s 5 big ‘winners’ of social media last year.

Enjoy your weekend!

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I love these images of Naomi Preizler as a 20′s movie-vixen shot at the Plaza Hotel. They hit my sweet spot for vintage hotel-glamour. I’ve rounded up plenty of link love goodness this week too – enjoy behind the cut!

• Can you trust the editorial integrity of style bloggers? This is becoming a question that is asked more and more often – it’s also (loosly) what I’m researching and writing about over the next couple of months!
• Stuck for post ideas? Here are 32 of the most popular blog post ideas from the Blog Stylist!
• Also from the Blog Stylist – how to create a Google + page for your blog. It’s on my to-do list (ya’ know… just to check it out).
• I love this DIY leather bag.
• Final Fashion talks about the downside of being an ‘insider’ fashion blogger versus her new-found status as an outsider. This is such a good read.
• Fast Company asked some of the world’s most creative advertising agencies to re-brand baby girls. The first is my favorite.
• If Comic Sans were to write a letter to the world at large, it would probably look something like this…
• Apparently ‘elite achievers’ live surprisingly relaxed live in comparison to  just ‘high achievers/achievers’. Their secret? Scheduled deliberate practice and doing ‘hard work’ as opposed to ‘hard to do work.’ Read the full article here - it’s fascinating!
• These are  a collection of the best Tumblr blogs for designers.
• H&M admitted to using Photoshop to add the heads of real-girls to the fake bodies of plastic mannequins. Have they gone too far?
• I have a newfound respect for Andy Torres after listening to her Ted x AmsterdamWomen2011 talk. Watch it!

Have a fabulous weekend!

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This week was a good one in a sense of getting into my own groove, and spending loads of time with friends. A couple of dinners, shopping trips, drinks, yoga, and surprise parties made this week particularly memorable. I also shopped up quite a bit on Revolve and Solestruck. My fingers are crossed that my orders arrive next week – be prepared for a show and tell!

• Google is shutting down Friend Connect for non-Blogger blogs. Argh!
• Creative, personalized, and well-designed beautiful sales receipts. I wouldn’t throw one of these away in a hurry!
• Forever Amber is my new favorite. I recommend her rants on vanity sizing and hemlines.
• Seth Goden on preparing for the breakthrough/calamity.
• Luxury brands have a love/hate relationship with digital marketing, but this info-graphic illustrates how luxury brands are negotiating the exclusivity of being a luxury brand with the all-inclusive nature of the web.
• On that note – check out Dior’s take on social gaming. This is pretty neat!
• I like this article on the celebrity ‘It’ girl.
• This recipe makes me want to try making (and tasting) eggnogg for the first time in my life.
• Nubby’s office tour has me inspired to keep working on my own workspace.
• Tumblr’s Fashion Director has left the company after massive conflicts with brands and agencies. Tumblr has been accused of playing ‘favourites’ with particular brands/bloggers in the past and it looks like its catching up with them.
• Because I can never resist these: 20 Signs Your A Real Fashion Blogger.
• I was linked to this very inspiring Ted Talk by Sheryl Sandberg on why we have too few women leaders. She is brilliant and I totally recommend sit down and listen up for her 15 minutes!
• Little Printer is totally cute. He lives in your home and brings you news, puzzles, and gossip from your friends online to together to create your own mini-newspaper. I want one!

Have a fabulous weekend!

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I have taken a hiatus in the last couple of months – my last couple of months of  University. Sometimes you do need to (temporarily!) cut back on a few things in order to focus on your top priorities – and perhaps more importantly to prevent yourself from burning out entirely! I’m pleased to say that it is almost over and I’m finally finding time again to blog. Please do stick around because I promise things are going to get a bit more interesting (!), starting with Link Love for the week that was…

• Solestruck is having a pretty sweet Black Friday sale. You can get 30% off all sale stock on Friday, 40% on Saturday and 50% on Sunday to Monday. I’m currently eyeing up a cute pair of Rachel Comey heels and hoping they will still be around by Sunday!
• Here are 50 ways to show gratitude to the people in your life (in fact, there is plenty more on Tiny Buddha.com that is worthwhile browsing through).
• This is an interesting Forbes article on why millennial women are burning out at work before 30.
• People were lining up to buy Versace for H&M up to 20 hours ahead of the collection’s 8am launch the next morning. I’ve never lined up to go shopping before the store has opened, have you?
• Do you have a hangover cure? This sounds totally legit!
• How to source good quality free images for your blog.
• An excellent tip for talking to total strangers at parties – the comments are good too!
• Already Pretty puts into words what I’ve always suspected about shoes and how they can make an outfit.
• A timely guide from IFB on writing gift guides.
• Nubia asked the question “how far is too far with the ‘courtesy of’” in regards to bloggers that are gifted clothes/etc for free on IFB and it has sparked up an interesting little debate!

Have a fabulous weekend!

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