SAMANTHA WILLS [NOTES FROM NY]

MORE...

2011-10-10T20:22:00.001-07:00

♡ SECLUDED SUNLIT PICNICS

2011-10-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

APPLE STORE; TRIBUTE

2011-10-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

THE APPLE STORE IN NYC'S MEATPACKING DISTRICT THIS WEEKEND. A GROWING TRIBUTE TO STEVE JOBS, 1955-2011.

DREAMS

2011-10-07T11:31:00.001-07:00

STATIONARY. AVAILABLE 24 HOURS

2011-10-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

IS IT WRONG THAT KNOWING THAT I CAN GET STATIONARY 24 HOURS A DAY REALLY EXCITES ME? ...BECAUSE IT DOES. I JUST REALLY, REALLY LOVE STATIONARY OK? DON'T JUDGE ME. - SW

HERES TO THE CRAZY ONES

2011-10-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

HERE’S TO THE CRAZY ONES. THE MISFITS. THE REBELS. THE TROUBLEMAKERS. THE ROUND PEGS IN THE SQUARE HOLES. THE ONES WHO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY. THEY’RE NOT FOND OF RULES. AND THEY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE STATUS QUO. YOU CAN QUOTE THEM, DISAGREE WITH THEM, GLORIFY OR VILIFY THEM. ABOUT THE ONLY THING YOU CAN’T DO IS IGNORE THEM. BECAUSE THEY CHANGE THINGS. THEY PUSH THE HUMAN RACE FORWARD. AND WHILE SOME MAY SEE THEM AS THE CRAZY ONES, WE SEE GENIUS. BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CRAZY ENOUGH TO THINK THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, ARE THE ONES WHO DO.

– STEVE JOBS

1955 - 2011

LOVE LETTERPRESS

2011-10-06T18:59:00.001-07:00

♡ SUMMER STREET MARKETS

2011-10-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

BE GRACIOUS

2011-10-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

OUTDOOR DECADENCE

2011-09-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

SEQUINS MAKE ME HAPPY

2011-09-27T15:23:00.002-07:00

I DON'T KNOW WHY - BUT EVERY TIME I SEE ANYTHING IN A STORE THAT IS SEQUINED, I THINK IT IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES & I HAVE TO OWN IT (IN CASE THE WORLD RUNS OUT OF SEQUINS!?) ANYWAY - SEQUINS MAKE ME HAPPY & HERE IS MY LATEST PURCHASE TO TAKE UP RESIDENCE NEXT TO THE SEQUINED PANTS, SKIRTS, DRESSES & TOPS IN MY WARDROBE.

ITS A DISCO IN THERE. - SW

VINTAGE MARKETS, NYC

2011-09-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

I VISIT THIS AMAZING MARKET NEARLY EVERY WEEKEND. FROM DECO JEWELS, TO FURNITURE, PHOTOGRAPHS & CROCKERY - THE GARAGE MARKETS IN CHELSEA 9AT 24TH & 6TH) ARE ONE OF THE BEST VINTAGE MARKETS IN THE WORLD.
SO AMAZING! - SW

YANKEE STADIUM

2011-09-22T20:20:00.001-07:00

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME! YANKEE STADIUM, NYC - SW

BACKWARDS, IN HEELS.

2011-09-22T13:47:00.001-07:00

“Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards, and in high heels.” - Faith Whittlesey

DEAR DIARY...

2011-09-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

ONCE YOU REACHED PAST THE AGE OF 16, IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO KEEP A JOURNAL. I’M SURE I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO’S PROMISED THEMSELVES AT NEW YEARS TO START JOTTING DOWN MY MEMORIES IN A DAILY JOURNAL. BUT WHERE TO BEGIN? I KNOW MY MEMORY IS FRESH NOW, BUT COME A FEW YEARS, AND THOSE MEMORIES BECOME MORE AND MORE HAZY. THAT’S WHY I LOVE THE IDEA BEHIND THIS [Q+A A DAY – 5 YEAR JOURNAL]. INSTEAD OF JUST STARTING WITH A BLANK PAGE, EACH PAGE PROMPTS YOU WITH A DAILY QUESTION. QUESTIONS RANGE FROM THE MORE ASPIRATIONAL, “IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE TOMORROW, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?” TO THE MORE REFLECTIVE, “TODAY WAS TOUGH BECAUSE…”. AFTER YOU WRITE YOUR RESPONSE, THERE’S SPACE FOR FOUR MORE ANSWERS THAT YOU CAN FILL IN OVER THE COURSE OF 5 YEARS. THIS IS A GREAT GIFT FOR ANYONE BEGINNING A NEW LIFE PHASE. WHETHER IT’S A RECENT STUDENT ENTERING THE WORK FORCE, OR A NEW RETIREE LEAVING IT, IT’S GREAT TO BE ABLE TO FLIP BACK AND SEE HOW YOUR ANSWERS CAN CHANGE OVER THE YEARS. AND THE WHOLE THING COMES PACKAGED IN A BEAUTIFULLY BOUND VOLUME. IT JUST GOES TO SHOW, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START CHRONICLING LIFE’S JOURNEYS - SW

PURSUE WHAT CAPTURES YOUR HEART

2011-09-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

SO TRUE...

2011-09-18T22:34:00.001-07:00

YOU KNOW SOMEONE MEANS A LOT TO YOU WHEN THEIR MOOD EASILY AFFECTS YOURS. - UNKNOWN

WEST VILLAGE WANDERLUST

2011-09-18T12:37:00.001-07:00

SOME SNAPS FROM MY SUNDAY STROLL THROUGH THE WEST VILLAGE TODAY. FLORIST ON W10TH & BLEEKER, NYC. - SW

MEG RYAN. AMAZING.

2011-09-16T18:55:00.001-07:00

DO MORE OF...

2011-09-16T18:39:00.001-07:00

10 YEARS ON...

2011-09-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

I AM WRITING THIS POST JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2011, IN NEW YORK CITY. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR I HAVE BEEN IN NYC FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGEDY THAT IS 9/11. THE MOOD HERE IS SOMBER, YET HOPEFUL. THERE IS SO MUCH RESPECT FOR THE INNOCENT VICTIMS & THEIR FAMILIES. ONES MIND WILL NEVER GET AROUND THE SCALE OF THIS INHUMAN ACT, BUT HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE LIVES LOST & THE LEGACY THEIR FAMILIES & LOVED ONES CONTINUE. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS, THOUGHTS & PRAYERS, 10 YEARS ON & FOREVER. REST IN PEACE. - SW

ONE FINE NOVEMBER DAY IN 1980

2011-09-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THESE PHOTOGRAPHS OF MY MUM & DAD FROM THEIR GARDEN WEDDING IN SHOAL BAY, NOVEMBER 1ST, 1980. MY MUM LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL & MY DAD SO HANDSOME. I LOVE THAT THESE ORIGINAL FILM PHOTOS (TAKEN BY GUESTS BECAUSE THE 14 ROLLS OF FILM THE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER TOOK WHERE NOT LOADED INTO HIS CAMERA PROPERLY, SO THE ONLY PICS THEY GOT WERE FROM GUESTS!) LOOK LIKE THE INSTAGRAM EFFECT THAT WE - THE PICTURE TAKERS IN THE DIGITAL AGE, SO FREQUENTLY APPLY TO OUR PHOTOGRAPHS. IN HONOUR OF MY MUM & DADS 31ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, I HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE NOVEMBER 1ST, 2011 THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH DATE OF OUR MUCH AWAITED SAMANTHA WILLS BRIDAL COLLECTION. TO MY BEAUTIFUL MUM & HANDSOME DADDY - I LOVE YOU ALWAYS. - SWxx

NEVER REGRET

2011-09-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

LA BELLE PIECE DE POUDRE

2011-09-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

I LOVE...

2011-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

SUNLIGHT + WIDE OPEN SPACES...

INSPIRED BY NEW YORK CITY, THROUGH WINDOWS.

2011-09-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

MY MUM.

2011-09-05T21:34:00.000-07:00

MY MUM, 1973. WHAT A BEAUTY...- SW

THE AVENUE PROJECT; NYC

2011-09-04T16:14:00.001-07:00

IT LABOUR DAY LONG WEEKEND HERE IN THE USA. WHICH MEANS, IT IS UN-OFFICALLY THE 'LAST' WEEKEND OF SUMMER, SO AS MOST FLOCK OUT TO THE HAMPTONS, I PREFER TO STAY IN THE CITY & ENJOY NEW YORK WITHOUT THE MASSES (OK, THAT IS NOT EVER THE CASE, BUT IN NYC MASSES SENSE, THIS WEEKEND IS PRETTY QUIET). I WAS DOING AN AT HOME DIY PROJECT & NEEDED TO POP OUT TO STAPLE (OFFICE WORKS EQUIVALENT FOR AUS READERS) & DECIDED TO WALK FROM MY PLACE IN MEATPACKING, ALONG 13TH ST, STOPPING AT EVERY AVENUE I CROSSED & CAPTURING A PIC UPTOWN. WHEREVER I AM OFF TO, I ALWAYS HAVE MY IPOD IN. IT GIVES NEW YORK A DIFFERENT SOUNDTRACK EVERYDAY & THRU THE POWER OF MUSIC, DEPENDING ON WHAT I AM LISTENING TO, I HONESTLY SEE THE CITY DIFFERENTLY EACH TIME. TODAY I WAS LISTENING TO GOTYES NEW ALBUM. BELOW ARE MY PHOTOGRAPHS - I LOVE LOOKING UPTOWN & DO S EVERY TIME I CROSS AN AVENUE. THE AVE'S LITERALLY DISAPPEAR INTO NOTHING-NESS, SUCH IS THE GRID & THE STRAIGHT LINE OF NYC AVENUES. NEXT TIME I WILL WALK UPTOWN TO SHOOT DOWN DOWN ANGLES. WITH LOVE FROM NYC - SW

INSPIRED BY

2011-08-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

THE SUNSET NOIR OF NEW YORK AT DUSK.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

2011-08-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

DESIDERATA
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

- MAX EHRMANN

WHERE IS YOUR HEART ♡

2011-08-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR HEART IS, LOOK WHERE YOUR MIND WANDERS.

- UNKNOWN

FASHION EXHIBITION; SELFRIDGES LONDON

2011-08-27T11:42:00.002-07:00

LUSTING AFTER CRYSTAL & FEATHER CHANDLIERS

2011-08-27T11:42:00.001-07:00

WILD HORSES COULDN'T KEEP ME AWAY

2011-08-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

SO INSPIRED BY WASHED OUT HORSES PHOTOGRAPHS AT THE MOMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT I AM! LOVING THESE BY PHOTOGRAPHER [IRENE SUCHOCKI] - SW

♡ PARIS BY NIGHT

2011-08-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

LETS BE ADVENTURERS

2011-08-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

OPTION vs PRIORITY

2011-07-24T17:18:00.001-07:00

If you spend too long holding on to the one who treats you like an option, you will miss finding someone who treats you like a priority...

IN MEMORY OF DANIEL NEVILLE

2011-07-20T23:50:00.000-07:00

[ABOVE] Daniel & I

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Daniel Neville.

I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with him as part of an annual Sydney Swans Celebrity AFL match I take part in & recently I have been lucky enough to meet & speak with his family, Dad Pete, Mum Ruth & his brother Ben. Daniel is 15 in this photograph - & if those gorgeous brown eyes didn’t get you, that killer smile will!

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of Daniel loosing his fight with cancer. I am writing this blog post on this day to remember a day when the world lost a beautiful soul all too soon, but more so, to celebrate the 15 years of life, laughter & (And heartbreakingly killer smiles) Daniel brought the world.

I was blessed to meet Daniel & the entire Neville family, who are truly some of the nicest, humble & giving people I have ever met. I was given this opportunity through a charity called REDKITE. REDKITE is an organization who supports families dealing with children young people with cancer; REDKITE are there the entire journey.

Working in the field of fashion, I am very adamant, there is no need for what we do, it is an industry based purely on want. It is my strong belief that every fashion brand / designer should be giving back in some way, weather it be through product donation, time, profiling or monetary, there is a way you can make a difference, no matter how big or small. REDKITE is one of my favourite charities, & I cannot encourage you enough, as an company or an individual to get involved in any way you can.

Daniel’s Dad Pete emailed me this photo yesterday, & in the email he said ‘He (Daniel) was SO excited to get a photo with you! He even took it to school the next day to show his mates.’… It brought tears to my eyes & enveloped my heart in a way I cannot explain. Today I remember Daniel & my heartfelt thoughts are with the Neville family. This photograph is very important to me & Daniel’s memory will be forever kept in a special part of my heart.

To find out more about how you can help to make a difference REDKITE visit http://www.redkite.org.au/

THE DREAMERS

2011-07-18T23:21:00.001-07:00

"Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you, to leave this world better than when you found it." - Wilfred Peterson

VELVET UNDERGROUND

2011-07-17T21:09:00.001-07:00

DIVING FOR PEARLS

2011-07-16T03:37:00.000-07:00

I’M NOT SURE IF ITS VALID TO DO SO, BUT I AM ADDING SOMETHING TO MY BUCKET LIST, POST EVENT.

THIS WEEK, I SWAPPED MAKEUP & EMAILS FOR DAWN STARTS & OCEANIC ADVENTURES - I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SPEND THE WEEK IN DARWIN, NT WITH ICONIC AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY BRAND, PASPALEY. PASPALEY ARE THE WORLDS LEADER IN SOUTH SEA PEARLS.

I SPENT TIME OUT ON THE PEARLING FARMS, A 90 MINUTE SEA PLANE RIDE FROM DARWIN. STAYING ON THE MV ROSLYNNE, A $20MILLION SHIP THAT ACTS AS THE MOTHERSHIP TO SIMILAR ‘WORKING’ PEARLING BOATS IN REMOTE COVES THAT ARE HOME TO PASPALEY’S PEARL FARMS.

TO SAY I LOVED IT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. UP AT 530AM WITH THE SHIPS CREW. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE JUST SOME OF THE MANY HANDLING A SOUTH SEA PEARL GOES THROUGH TO GET TO THE TIME OF HARVEST. I GOT COVERED IN MUD & GUTS WHILE CUTTING PEARL MEAT OUT OF THE SHELLS AFTER THE PEARLS HAD BEEN EXTRACTED. DE-PANNELLED SHELLS OUT OF THE NETS TO PREP THEM FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO WORK ON.

I WITNESSED THE JAPANESE PEARL TECHNICIANS AT WORK & MET SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE, WITH AMAZING STORIES. IT WAS SUCH A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, HAVING WORKED WITH JEWELLERY FOR A LONG TIME, TO SEE HOW MUCH TIME, EFFORT, NATURE AMAZING WORK & HUMAN CARE & PASSION THAT GOES INTO HARVESTING THESE PEARLS WAS SURREAL. EXPERIENCING SUNRISES & SUNSETS IN THE REMOTE SILENCE OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA, WATCHING SHARKS CIRCLING OUR SHIP DAY & NIGHT, & TALKING TO THE CREW WHO JOURNEYS ON THE PEARL FARMS & BEYOND HAD TAKING THEM ON SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING ADVENTURES I HAD EVER HEARD.

BELOW ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP TO THE PEARL FARMS, NONE OF WHICH DO JUSTICE TO THE BEAUTY & SERENITY THAT GREETS YOU & ENCAPSULATES YOU IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

A HUGE HUGE THANK YOU TO PASPALEY FOR ALLOWING ME TO EXPERIENCE THIS. THANKYOU CHRISTINE, RICHARD, SKIPPER RICK, NUNNY, TONY & THE ENTIRE CREW....

AN EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET & HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN ADDED TO THE TOP OF BUCKET LIST, WITH A BIG TICK NEXT TO IT. – SW

[ABOVE] HEADING OUT TO THE PEARL FARMS VIA PASPALEY MALLARD SEA PLANE

[ABOVE] DINGY FROM PLANE OUT TO MV ROSLYNNE

[ABOVE] ON BOARD WORKING SHIP MV MONTARO WITH A HANDFUL OF FRESHLY HARVESTED PEARLS

[ABOVE] GETTING DOWN & DIRTY CLEANING THE PEARL MEAT OUT OF SHELL ON BOARD THE MONTARO

[ABOVE] CLEANING THE PEARL MEAT!

[ABOVE] COMMUTING BETWEEN BOATS - NOT A BAD OFFICE!

[ABOVE] SKIPPERING THE MV ROSLYNNE!!

[ABOVE] ENJOYING AN EXQUISITE NT SUNSET

[ABOVE] ONBOARD MV ROSLYNNE

[ABOVE] A MAGIC SUNRISE ON THE MV ROSLYNNE LOOKING OUT TO SUPPORT VESSEL MV CHRISTINE

[ABOVE] SHARK!

[ABOVE] WITH SKIPPER & NEW FRIEND, RICK.

[ABOVE] COMMUTING BACK OUT TO THE SEA PLANE

[ABOVE] PASPALEY MALLARD SEA PLANE WITH MV ROSLYNNE IN THE BACKGROUND

[ABOVE] LEAVING THE FARMS - THE MV ROSLYNNE

[ABOVE] BACK IN THE PASPALEY DARWIN SHOWROOM WITH 'THE PASPALEY PEARL'

'THE PASPALEY PEARL' ; ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SOUTH SEA PEARLS IN THE WORLD. THE PASPALEY PEARL IS POSSIBLY THE FINEST PERFECTLY ROUND GEM-QUALITY PEARL EVER FOUND & HAS BEEN DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE THE HOPE DIAMOND AT THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON. THE PASPALEY PEARL WAS HARVESTED AT A PASPALEY PEARL FARM IN 2003 & IS A RARE 20.4MM WHITE ROUND SOUTH SEA PEARL WITH A MAGNIFICENT PINK ORIENT.

FRENCH LACE SHOES

2011-07-03T04:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Exquisite French Lace Shoes;
You make my heart beat a little bit faster.
Come home with me? - SW

DANCE IN THE RAIN

2011-07-02T23:39:00.000-07:00

'LIFE ISN'T ABOUT HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE STORM.
IT'S ALL ABOUT HOW TO LEARN TO DANCE IN THE RAIN...'

FAIRY LIGHTS + RAIN

2011-07-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

DREAMER

2011-06-29T21:47:00.000-07:00

THOU SHALL NOT TAKE SHIT

2011-06-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS

2011-06-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

SARAH & I ROAD TRIPPING TO AUSTIN, TX. JUNE 2011. YEE-HAR. - SW

AND MY TOMBSTONE SHALL READ

2011-06-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

ITS OFFICIAL; I AM A SLAVE TO SHOES. I CONTINUED TO ABUSE MY CREDIT CARD TODAY. ABOVE, MY NEW CHANEL BALLET FLATS. (AND MY TOMBSTONE SHALL READ: 'SHE DIED POOR, BUT GOD-DAMN SHE HAD AN AMOUNT OF SHOES') - SW

THE LOOK OF LOVE

2011-06-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

LOVE THIS RECENT PHOTOGRAPH OF JEN ANISTON & HER NEW BEAU JUSTIN THEROUX. SO NATURAL & HAPPY. LOVE TO LOVE. - SW

OSCAR & THE PIRATES HAT

2011-06-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

I WANT TO WEAR BEAUTIFUL RED OSCAR DE LA RENTA & WEAR PIRATE HATS. - SW

DARE TO DO IT, BUDDY

2011-06-22T19:14:00.001-07:00

"OH, DARE TO DO IT, BUDDY! TRUST YOUR HEART."

-J.D. SALINGER

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MOVIES QUOTES...

2011-06-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

TOP FIVE THINGS I MISS ABOUT LAURA. ONE; SENSE OF HUMOR. VERY DRY, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE WARM AND FORGIVING. AND SHE'S GOT ONE OF THE BEST ALL TIME LAUGHS IN THE HISTORY OF ALL TIME LAUGHS, SHE LAUGHS WITH HER ENTIRE BODY. TWO; SHE'S GOT CHARACTER. OR AT LEAST SHE HAD CHARACTER BEFORE THE IAN NIGHTMARE. SHE'S LOYAL AND HONEST, AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN TAKE IT OUT ON PEOPLE WHEN SHE'S HAVING A BAD DAY. THAT'S CHARACTER.
I MISS HER SMELL, AND THE WAY SHE TASTES. IT'S A MYSTERY OF HUMAN CHEMISTRY AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, SOME PEOPLE, AS FAR AS THEIR SENSES ARE CONCERNED, JUST FEEL LIKE HOME.
I REALLY DIG HOW SHE WALKS AROUND. IT'S LIKE SHE DOESN'T CARE HOW SHE LOOKS OR WHAT SHE PROJECTS AND IT'S NOT THAT SHE DOESN'T CARE IT'S JUST, SHE'S NOT AFFECTED I GUESS, AND THAT GIVES HER GRACE. AND FIVE; SHE DOES THIS THING IN BED WHEN SHE CAN'T GET TO SLEEP, SHE KINDA HALF MOANS AND THEN RUBS HER FEET TOGETHER AN EQUAL NUMBER OF TIMES... IT JUST KILLS ME. BELIEVE ME, I MEAN, I COULD DO A TOP FIVE THINGS ABOUT HER THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY BUT IT'S JUST YOUR GARDEN VARIETY WOMEN YOU KNOW, SCHIZO STUFF AND THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT GOT ME HERE.

--Rob, High Fidelity

A DAY WITH McQUEEN

2011-06-21T11:24:00.001-07:00

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”

—Alexander McQueen

TODAY I SPENT THE MORNING AT THE MET AT THE ALEXANDER McQUEEN - SAVAGE BEAUTY EXHIBITION. IT ACTUALLY TOOK MY BREATH AWAY. THE MOMENT YOU ENTERED THE EXHIBITION, YOU WERE TRANSPORTED, IN TRUE McQUEEN STYLE, TO A PLACE THAT IS A DARK AS IT IS ROMANTIC & BEAUTIFUL AS IT SAD. BELOW ARE SOME IMAGES & ALSO A VIDEO TAKING YOU THROUGH THE EXHIBITION, NARRATED BY THE EXHIBITION CURATOR, ANDREW BOLTON.

THE EXHIBITION SHOWS WORKS FROM McQUEENS COLLEGE DAYS, THROUGH TO COLLABORATIONS, COUTURE, READY TO WEAR, COSTUMES LADY GAGA MADE FAMOUS, PLASMA SCREENS SHOWING THE MAGIC OF HIS THEATRICAL RUNWAY SHOWS & AN OUT OF THIS WORLD HOLOGRAM OF KATE MOSS.

THIS IS TRULY A MUST SEE FOR ANY FASHION OR ART LOVER.

A TRUE CREATIVE GENIUS. MAY HE BE IN A PLACE THAT IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE DREAMS HE CREATED. - SW

[ABOVE] ME AT THE MET. SKIRT (DRESS); SASS + BIDE, TOP; MADEWELL, BAG; CHANEL, SANDELS; MICHAEL KORS, BELT; VINTAGE.

[ABOVE] THE ROMANTIC MIND
[ABOVE] ROMANTIC NATIONALISM
[ABOVE[ ROMANTIC EXOTICISM
[ABOVE] ROMANTIC PRIMITIVISM
[ABOVE] ROMANTIC NATURALISM
[ABOVE] ROMANTIC GOTHIC & CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

"There's no way back for me now....I am going to take you on journeys you've never dreamed were possible"

--Alexander McQueen

*PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MET MUSEUM

PATRICK DEMPSEY...STOP CALLING ME. OR NOT.

2011-06-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE (LUST) ABOUT PATRICK DEMPSEY. I MEAN, I REALLY HAVE NO WORDS. THE MAN IS BEYOND DIVINE. AND HE'S A DOCTOR...McDREAMY MUCH. - SW

CREATIVE FRIENDS

2011-06-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

LATE NIGHT DINNER IN NYC TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF 'MY NEW YORK MENAGERIE ' BLOG CREATOR & DEAR FRIEND, JANE YOUNG. IF YOU ARE NYC BOUND & WANT TO KNOW THE BEST PLACES THAT ARE NEW YORK'S BEST KEPT SECRETS (NO LONELY PLANET RECOMMENDATIONS HERE!) . BE SURE TO CHECK THIS BEAUTIFUL BLOG BEFORE JET-SETTING! - SW

DEAR NOAH..

2011-06-19T10:38:00.001-07:00

INSPIRED BY, ERTE...

2011-06-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

FRENCH ARTIST, ERTE'S WORK IS MESMERIZING. SO ELEGANT & FEMININE, BUT WITH A POWERFUL STANCE. I AM TRULY CAPTIVATING BY THESE BEAUTIFUL WORKS OF ART. - SW

THERE IS ONLY ONE CHANEL...

2011-06-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

[ABOVE] LONDON LAMP POSTS

LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE SECOND DUKE OF WESTMINSTER, HUGH RICHARD ARTHUR GROSVENOR, WAS SO LOVE-STRUCK BY MADEMOISELLE 'COCO' CHANEL BACK IN THE LATE TWENTIES AFTER THEY MET AT A PARTY IN MONTE CARLO IN 1925, THAT HE ORDERED ALL THE LAMPPOSTS IN WESTMINSTER TO BE ADORNED WITH HER INITIALS, ALONGSIDE AN ORNATE W - THE DUKE'S CREST. POOR OLD HUGH WAS LEFT HEARTBROKEN WHEN, DESPITE HIS EXTRAVAGANT GESTURE, CHANEL TURNED HIS PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE DOWN SAYING: "THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL DUCHESSES OF WESTMINSTER, THERE IS ONLY ONE CHANEL". THAT TOLD HIM....... SIGH. - SW

CHANEL CUP CAKES TRES CHIC...

2011-06-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

DISNEY TRICKED ME.

2011-06-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE...

2011-06-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

WHEN I GROW UP

2011-06-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

I WANT TO BE STEVIE NICKS. - SW

TEAL STILETTO BOOTS

2011-06-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

YOU HAD ME AT, TEAL STILETTO BOOTS. - SW

ROAD CALLED LIFE...

2011-06-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

“AS WE DRIVE ALONG THIS ROAD CALLED LIFE, OCCASIONALLY A GAL WILL FIND HERSELF A LITTLE LOST. AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I GUESS SHE HAS TO LET GO OF THE COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA, BUCKLE UP AND JUST KEEP GOING.”

- CARRIE BRADSHAW

ME + MJ

2011-06-13T23:38:00.001-07:00

A FRIEND WILL BAIL YOU OUT OF JAIL, BUT A TRUE FRIEND WILL BE SITTING IN THE CELL BESIDE YOU SAYING 'SHIT, WE REALLY SCREWED UP. BUT DAMN, IT WAS FUN!' - ABOVE, ME + MY PARTNER IN CRIME FOR 16 YEARS, MJY. - SW

TITANIC v LOVE BOAT

2011-06-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

'ONE WOMAN'S TITANIC IS ANOTHER WOMAN'S LOVE BOAT'

- CARRIE BRADSHAW

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL

2011-06-10T11:09:00.001-07:00

IMAGES FROM LACHLAN BAILY.... THE MAN IS GENIUS.

NOT NEGOTIABLE

2011-05-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL STILETTOS. SOMEBODY RESUSCITATE ME. I NEED TO OWN THESE SHOES. IT'S NOT EVEN NEGOTIABLE. - SW

PARIS AND CHAMPAGNE WITH ONE BROWN SUGAR CUBE

2011-05-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

I COULD SEE THE LIGHTS FROM THE RESTAURANT

I COULDN'T QUITE PERFECT THAT NONCHALANCE

PARIS AND CHAMPAGNE WITH ONE BROWN SUGAR CUBE

AND WE DANCED WHILE THE BAND PLAYED "SHE'S NOT THERE"

KISSED ME IN THE RAIN BY THE RUE VOLTAIRE

IT'S A PERFECTLY GOOD WAY TO RUIN THOSE SILK SHOES...

BEDAZZLE IN HARLEM

2011-05-19T21:15:00.001-07:00

Tonight I was lucky enough to attend a Jazz & Blues honouree dinner in Harlem, NYC. Pre dinner, we were treated to a concert at the Apollo Theatre, where Macy Gray & Lou Reed performed... Amazing night, with amazing people.... What does one wear for such an event? Well, for a soulful, bluesy night, I busted out the bedazzle... - SWx

Sequinned Top: Vintage

Skirt: Exclusive for INTERMIX

Shoes: JIMMY CHOO

Bag: Splice Boutique

Ring: Samantha Wills - Safari Nights Ring

GYPSY. FREYA. NEW YORK.

2011-05-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

MY GYPSY TOLD ME I WOULD MEET A 'FREYA IN NEW YORK. WHO WOULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON MY LIFE'. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, TILL I MET FREYA. IN NEW YORK. WHO HAS MORE OF AN IMPACT ON ME THEN I CAN EVEN PUT INTO WORDS. TRULY ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET. GYPSY WAS RIGHT. - SW

[ABOVE] FREYA & ME, IN NEW YORK.

SHOES + PARIS

2011-05-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

WHATS NOT TO LOVE?

2011-05-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

SWIMMING AT SUNSET

2011-05-17T10:32:00.001-07:00

OCEAN SWIMS AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET ARE ONE OF THE MOST SIMPLISTIC PLEASURES IN LIFE. THIS IS A PHOTO OF ME TAKING A SWIM AS THE SUN MELTS INTO THE OCEAN IN MEXICO. THIS PHOTO MAKES ME HAPPY - SW

CREATIVE GENIUS

2011-05-17T08:51:00.001-07:00

THIS IS THE RESULT OF AMAZING PEOPLE. OUR NEW LOOK BOOK 'PORTRAITS OF DUSK' SHOT IN NEW YORK CITY. IT IS AN HONOUR TO WORK WITH AN AMAZING TEAM, SPECIFICALLY FABIO ONGARATO OF [FABIO ONGARATO DESIGN]. A TRUE CREATIVE GENIUS - SW

KARLS LIBRARY

2011-05-17T08:48:00.001-07:00

AS A COLLECTOR OF FASHION & ART BOOKS... I AM VERY GREEN EYED ABOUT KARL LARGERFELD'S FASHION LIBRARY. AND THE STAIR CASE TO THE LIBRARY. I AM JUST JEALOUS IN GENERAL. - SW

A CARE PACKAGE FROM A CARING PERSON

2011-05-17T08:39:00.001-07:00

IN A DIGITAL AGE, TO RECEIVE ANYTHING OTHER THEN A BILL IN THE POST IS A LUXURY. LET ALONE WHEN THE MOST AWESOME OF AUSSIE CARE PACKAGES ARRIVES ON MY DOORSTEP IN NYC. AMAZING. - SW

LOVING EARLY DAY STEVIE NICKS...

2011-05-17T08:32:00.001-07:00

I ADMIRE

2011-05-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

‘I love food and hate exercise. I don’t have time to work out… I don’t want to be on the cover of Playboy or Vogue. I want to be on the cover of Rolling Stone or Q. I’m not a trend-setter… I’m a singer… I’d rather weigh a ton and make an amazing album than look like Nicole Richie and do a shit album. My aim in life is never to be skinny.’

- Adele

CHRISTIAN DIOR DELIGHT

2011-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

WHILE I SHOULD TAKE SHARES OUT IN COSMETIC STORES BECAUSE I SEEM TO SPEND AN ENDLESS AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THEM! ONE PRODUCT I HAVE STARTED USING RECENTLY IS THE CHRISTIAN DIOR Crème de Rose LIP BALM. AS ITS TITLE SUGGESTS, IT IS A REALLY SOFT ROSE FLAVOUR, IS SPF 15+ & IS A NATURAL SMOOTHER & PLUMPER, ALL IN ONE. THE PACKAGING IS SUPER CHIC & THE BEST THING? ITS AVAILABLE FOR ONLY US$26 AT SEPHORA... [BUY ONLINE] - SW

RAINY NIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY

2011-05-15T15:31:00.001-07:00

MOODBOARD

2011-05-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

DESIGNING THE DAY AWAY IN NEW YORK CITY. THIS IS A SHOT OF ONE OF THE MOODBOARDS FOR NEXT SEASON... - SW

ART IS...

2011-05-15T08:05:00.001-07:00

APARTMENTS IN THE CITY

2011-05-14T08:09:00.001-07:00

I MISS SEX & THE CITY. IT IS MY FAVOURITE SHOW OF ALL TIME. LIVING IN NYC NOW, I LIVE 3 BLOCKS FROM 'CARRIES HOUSE' ON PERRY ST, IN THE WEST VILLAGE... THE FAMOUS STAIRS ON WHICH SHE SAT PONDERING LIFE & SMOKING CIGARETTES IS NOW SECTIONED OFF BY A SIMPLE ROPE, BY RESIDENTS WHO ARE SICK OF WOMEN POSING & SCREAMING ON THEIR STOOP. (TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY HAVE POSTED A SIGN THAT SAYS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A PHOTO HERE, PLS LEAVE A FEW DOLLARS FOR A LOCAL CHARITY).

SO, IN MY QUEST TO DECORATE MY NYC DIGS, I TURNED TO OUR FAVOURITE NEW YORKER'S APARTMENT FOR INSPIRATION... BELOW ARE PICS OF CARRIES APARTMENT, PRE BIG, POST BIG & THEN LIVING WITH BIG. WE ALL MAKE CHANGES IN OUR LIVES WHEN AN RELATIONSHIP ENDS/BEGINS (I USUALLY CHANGE MY HAIR!), I THINK THE PROGRESSION IN CARRIES INTERIORS REALLY REPRESENTS THIS, AND WHILE I DREAM OF LIVING H=IN HER & BIGS APARTMENT, I THINK MY FAVOURITE WILL ALWAYS BE HER SINGLE GIRL APARTMENT.

I WILL MAKE FURTHER POSTS ON INTERIORS THAT ARE INSPIRING ME, BUT WOULD LOVE YOUR COMMENTS ON CARRIES APARTMENT & WHICH INTERIOR YOU LIKE BEST & WHY? COMMET [HERE]

[CARRIES SINGLE GIRL APARTMENT]

[CARRIES POST BIG BREAKUP (BUT PRE MARRIAGE!) APARTMENT]

[CARRIE & BIGS APARTMENT]

RELIGION?

2011-05-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

CHRISTIAN. AS IN CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN.

AMEN. - SW

PINK MACAROONS + FAIRY LIGHTS

2011-05-10T15:41:00.001-07:00

PINK MACAROONS & FAIRY LIGHTS IN NYC.

WHATS NOT TO LOVE ABOUT TUESDAYS? - SW

FASHION SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE_

2011-05-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

PICTURES OF YOU, PICTURES OF ME

2011-05-10T06:33:00.001-07:00

CHELSEA PIER

2011-05-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

THE VIEW ON MY MORNING RUN TODAY - CHELSEA PIER, NYC. JUST BEAUTIFUL - SW

CINDERELLA IS PROOF

2011-05-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

DEAR CREDIT CARD....

2011-05-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Credit Card,
You should break up with me. I am nothing but abusive to you & all you do is give me pretty, sparkling things. Our relationship is very one way.... Even when you send me a letter every month, sometimes I don’t even care to read it. I understand I may need to seek help, as I do take advantage of you, however I am very honest in saying I will continue to abuse you until such time as you make the decision to move on.
Sincerely, Samantha.

(Ps - Thank you for the JIMMY CHOO's that you got me today. I mean, they are kind of amazing...)

BE TRUE

2011-05-05T14:11:00.001-07:00

SHE WORE GOLDEN PANTS

2011-05-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

New York City Nights.... in gold sequinned pants! Going against my own rule of never wearing one designer head to toe, I stepped out in sass & bide gold pants, bodysuit AND jacket.... Overkill?...Maybe, just a little. But hey, how much fun are gold pants!? - SWx

----

Jacket, Bodysuit & Pants: sass & bide

Shoes: Isabel Marant Ankle Boots

Bag: Splice Boutique Leather Clutch

Ring: Samantha Wills Safari NIghts Ring (Available July)

SO, I LIKE SHOES.

2011-05-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

I must have been a magpie in a past life. I am continually drawn to sparkly shoes.... Was I born under a disco ball? (Mum - I know you read these posts, pls don't answer that) - SW

SIMPLY STUNNING

2011-05-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VOGUE COVERS - ERIN WASSON ON VOUGUE AUSTRALIA, SIMPLY STUNNING. - SW

THE MAGIC OF MOSS & LEIBOVITZ

2011-05-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

ITS NOT SECRET I HAVE A HEAVY GIRL CRUSH ON, KATE MOSS.

BUT THAT ASIDE, HOW EXQUISITE IS THIS IMAGE OF KATE, SHOT BY ANNIE LEIBOVITZ IN PARIS, 1999?! - AMAZING - SW

MY MISTRESS...NYC

2011-04-29T17:21:00.001-07:00

IF SYDNEY IS MY WIFE, NEW YORK CITY IS MY MISTRESS.

THE SKYLINE DRIVING IN FROM JFK TODAY. I LOVE THIS CITY - SW

STING + TRUDIE

2011-04-27T18:18:00.001-07:00

"WE LOVE EACH OTHER, THAT'S A GIVEN, BUT TRUDIE LIGHTS UP MY WORLD WHEN SHE COMES INTO A ROOM. I DO NOT TAKE HER FOR GRANTED. RELATIONSHIPS ARE NOT EASY, AND I DO NOT THINK THEY ARE PARTICULARLY NATURAL, BUT WE'RE LUCKY BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY LIKE EACH OTHER.’

– STING

STYLISTS GUIDE TO NYC

2011-04-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

I AM ACTUALLY ON THE COUNTDOWN TIL THE RELEASE OF SIBELLA COURT'S NEW BOOK, 'THE STYLISTS GUIDE TO NYC'. HER FIRST BOOK, 'ETCETERA' IS A TREASURE TROVE OF INSPIRATION & I AM HAVING ANXIETY ATTACKS TO GET MY PAWS ON HER LATEST OFFERING. (DEAR AMAZON, COME MAY 1ST, YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR GAME FACE ON. I NEED MY COPY DELIVERED AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT.) TO CHECK OUT THE AMAZING TALENT OF SIBELLA, GO TO [THE SOCIETY INC] - SW

IMAGES: thesocietyinc.com.au

LEST WE FORGET

2011-04-24T04:57:00.000-07:00

[ABOVE] MY GRANDFATHER IN NEW GUENIA

[ABOVE]
MY GRANDFATHER, FAR RIGHT, 1945

[ABOVE]
MARCHING IN 1986

[ABOVE]
HIS MEDALS

[ABOVE]
RETURN HOME LETTER, 1946

THIS PHOTOGRAPHS ARE OF MY GRANDFATHER,

RONALD THOMAS CHARLES WILLS, SERVING IN WWII, IN 1945.

HE WAS ALWAYS ‘GA’ TO ME. I THINK HE LOOKS SO HANDSOME IN THESE PHOTOGRAPHS. FOR CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR, MY FATHER GAVE ME A GOLD WATCH GA USED TO WEAR & IT IS ONE OF MY MOST TREASURED POSSESSIONS & WHICH I WEAR WITH PRIDE.

HE USED TO CALL ME HIS ‘BABY DOLL’ & I MISS HIM EVERYDAY.

TO ALL DIGGERS, PAST & PRESENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.

TRUE BRAVERY. TRUE HEROES.

TO MY GA,

THINKING OF YOU TODAY & ALWAYS.

I MISS YOU. I LOVE YOU.

LOVE SAMANTHA, YOUR BABY DOLL. X

LEST WE FORGET