LIVING & LOVING LIFE INSTYLE

There are always periods in life where the scales are tipped unevenly when it comes to work/life balance. Late nights in the office and waking up in the middle of the night to write down to to-do lists are sure signs the candle is burning two quickly at one end and you often find yourself wondering whether it's all worth it? A simple 9-5 job starts to sound more and more appealing. Something that simply pays the bills and allows you to re-discover what your home actually looks like in daylight.

But does a 9-5er get the reward at the end of it all? Do they get to see the culmination of all their hard work in one big fantastic week of retail love jam packed with inspiring creatives from across Australia and the globe? Do they get to be a part of a community dedicated to design in all it's forms and work with the best god damn team in the exhibitions business?

The simple answer is no, they aren't as lucky as me. They don't work for Life Instyle.

While our team might be small, what we lack in numbers we make up for in passion and I am proud as punch at what we managed to pull off at our most recent event held earlier this month. Above is just a glimpse of the goodness that was Life Instyle Melbourne.

For more check out the video by Extra Mile Pictures here

Photo Credit: Emma Scammel

STICKY BEAK // NICOLE RICHIE'S SUMMER SOIREE

For about the last 10 years there is one girl I have dreamt about switching lives with in a freaky-friday-esque style scenario. She is my style icon (post The Simple Life - let me get that straight), creator of fashion & accessories label House of Harlow, daughter of music royalty and all round totally cool chick - Nicole Richie. She epitomises fashion's 'contemporary boho' and now after reading her guide to dining alfresco on Domaine Home recently I can see she carries this relaxed eclectic styling through in both interiors and entertaining too.

Take a sticky-beak at the recently rennovated gardens of her Laurel Canyon abode which she unveiled with an intimate summer dinner party for Domaine. You can read all about it, along with a guide to shop Nicole's style and recipes for the amazing middle-eastern style feast here.

And FYI Nicole, i'd be more than happy to drop everything and jump on a plane for the next dinner party xx

Photo Credit: Justin Coit

WINDOW SHOPPING // BABA SOUK

Celebrating indie design Baba Souk is an online retail oasis showcasing not only Canadian owner Stephanie's designs but the talents of those she discovers around her. Baba Souk is a hub for creative collaboration and Stephanie is passionate about hunting for treasure to share and inspire.

Here are my faves including these cute little treasure boxes which come in an amazing array of colour and pattern combinations.

1. Eye Pot  | 2. Black Feather Pendant | 3. Moroccan Pillow | 4. Have Mercy Screen Printed Poster | 5. Twig Pencil Set | 6. Small Treasure Boxes

WANDERLUST // CUIXMALA MEXICO

Ecoluxe resort Cuixmala hooked me in with the chevron dome roof... and then i saw the rest, picked my jaw up off my desk and knew I had to share it with you all. This exotic destination on Mexico's Virgin Coast is a millionaire's playground hidden amongst the jungle.

Originally the home of British billionaire Sir James Goldsmith, Cuixmala is now managed by his daughter Alix and quite fittingly Cuixmala translates to "the soul's resting place" in spanish.