Topshop – Personal Shopping

Lilt x Topshop 01Lilt x Topshop 18Lilt x Topshop 14Lilt x Topshop 02 Lilt x Topshop 03 Lilt x Topshop 05 Lilt x Topshop 08Lilt x Topshop 10Lilt x Topshop 13Lilt x Topshop 16Lilt x Topshop 19If you read my recent post, When life gives you lemons, you will know that I have had some on and off issues with my internet connection over the past month. This is precisely why it has taken me such an incredibly long time to write this post, but earlier this month I set off to Topshop with Bec from Frocks and Crumpets and our friend Jayne, for an afternoon of Personal Shopping.

For those of you who may not have heard about it before… Topshop/Topman offer an amazing (and complimentary) Personal Shopping service for both men and women.

After making an appointment, we were sent a quick and simple email questionnaire asking for details, such as our likes, dislikes, style icons, sizes etc, which gave the Topshop peeps some insight on what we might be looking for.

On arrival we were met with our own individual rails of clothing to try on, specifically picked to our styles, needs, likes and dislikes etc.  Our looks were pulled by the gorgeous, lovely and stylish Yianni, (who is a close friend of mine, and pretty much one of the few men I trust enough to choose clothes for me).  Whilst we sipped on cider and ate delicious little “LiLT” cupcakes made by Box Brownies , Yianni run us through each look, giving us ideas on styling, mixing and matching and set us off on our merry way to play dress ups in the spacious changing rooms.

We had a ton of laughs, there were some spot on hits, and some pretty hilarious misses, but what was really great about it was the opportunity to step outside the comfort zone and try on some pieces which I would not normally go for (like the lacy skirt which I’m dying to wear).

There is absolutely no pressure to buy, and they also offer the service for the dudes (served with beer, brownies and x-box). So if you’re looking for a bit of a change in your shopping experience, a different take on “your style”, or some help build your wardrobe, definitely give the Topshop team a go. xo Luci

Back on Pinterest

Lilt PinterestI’ve recently jumped back on Pinterest after a few months of neglect on my account. This Winter weather has me craving sun, smiles and extra bright colours!  Follow me here to see what is inspiring me.

When life gives you lemons…

Lilt When Life Gives You Lemons

Late last week, due to winter sickness, I took a day off work to stay in bed, rest up and drink hot-gingery-lemony drinks.   I was feeling rather sorry for myself, but happy that I’d get to be lazy all day and maybe watch a nice movie on my Apple TV or surf the Internet for pretty and interesting things, in between bouts of sleeping.

Setting off on my plan to lie down between cosy blankets and do eff-all, all day long, I was rather frustrated to learn that my Internet connection was not working.  I set off to problem solve, involving pretty much everyone who lives in my household, and the “Telstra guy” to help me.  I needed to solve this. Like I said, I was sick and feeling rather sorry for myself.

 All bills had been paid, the month had ticked over, so we had full Internet speed, and so it was suggested that I turn all modems, computers etc off and back on.  After turning the modem off and on, the Apple Extreme off and on, and the Apple Express, off and on….uh….I don’t know…..7 times, I had to admit defeat.

 I was extremely frustrated, I was angry that I couldn’t get it working, and I may have sworn at inanimate objects (which is very silly when you think about it… The TV can’t hear me)

 I jumped straight for my phone, which had an Internet connection. I needed to quickly Facebook something, Tweet something. Damn it, INSTAGRAM SOMETHING!!! Did.  Then I was suddenly awash with the realisation that hey…. I didn’t HAVE TO be on the Internet all day. I could even maybe, who knows?, it sounds crazy but… I could read a book!

 I’ve always been aware of it, but it really highlighted to me, that as a Designer I spend most of my work hours in front of a computer, and having a blog which I care about means I also spend most evenings on the computer, researching, editing photos and coming up with content.  I’m often on my phone, checking what’s going on with my friends on Instagram or reading articles that have been recommended by the people I follow on Twitter.  It’s so easy to just reach for technology when it’s all around us. Which is why it is so important to make the time to step outside and get involved in activities which do not directly involve a phone, a computer screen, or an internet connection.

 Now I am completely aware that as I write this post, I am in front of my laptop typing away, and that to post it I will need my (sometimes) trusty Internet connection.  I get that posting this on my blog is somewhat hypocritical. But you know, I’m ok with that.  I love that the Internet gives me the opportunity to communicate with others, the fact that I can access information from all over the world. I like having the option of being connected.  But my little, experience made me realise how dependent I can be on being “connected”, and made me question, what are some of my favourite things to do that do not directly involve being connected to the interwebs?

 So here goes…. here are some of my favourite things to do, which do not involve my computer screen.

 1. Last Sunday, with the help of some sunshine, and my fella, I set off to the park to sit under a tree and read a book. It was a really relaxing and lovely thing to do. If you add a picnic blanket some olives, dip and cold cuts…it’s pretty much the best day ever.  Currently I am reading Grace: A Memoir

 2. Often when I am bored and need to get out of the house on the weekends I will head to NGV or ACMI to catch an exhibition.  There are always so many great exhibitions in Melbourne. At the moment there are three which I am very keen to see. Hollywood Costume at ACMI,  Dior & Yamamoto  and Monet’s Garden  both at NGV International.

 3. I am definitely a novice, and have a few projects that need finishing, but sewing has become a new little hobby for me. I try to make it a rule to invest in a short course or two every single year wether it be, drawing, sewing, crocheting, painting etc. I like that it keeps me learning new things, helps me practice existing hobbies, and allows me to meet new people with similar interests. I often do my short courses at RMIT and CAE.

 4. Another new hobby for me is jogging. Although I don’t really feel like I can call it jogging yet (I’m currently doing a program called Run 5k which slowly builds one up to running 5k (no surprise there).  I’m really enjoying it and find it’s a really nice way to clear my head and be active.  My current motivation is the fact I will be running the 5k run at the  Melbourne Marathon this October.

 5. Music has always been a massive part of my life. I grew up in a household where there was music playing every single day.  When I was living with my sister one of my absolute favourite pastimes was to sit outside in our back yard and play music together. She plays the guitar, ukulele and keyboard. I however have stuck only to the uke in current times.  And although I am a complete newbie at it, and very rusty as I have not practiced in a while it was such great little hobby. I love that we would teach each other songs, share ideas, interpretations and create all these different sounds.  Something, which now I’ve written it down, I should really be getting back into. You should watch this video because it is awesome!

 So there are some things, which I love doing, that do not need wi-fi. And although I will still be spending time on my phone instagramming, and on my blog typing away, I’d like to think that I will now be a bit more aware and take the time to do some of these important activities, which get me outside and make me happy.

 I’d absolutely love to hear what some of your favourite pastimes are too! So please,  go on, leave a comment below.

Blogger Profile – ThreadsLike

Lilt x Threadslike 3Lilt x Threadslike 01

Lilt x Threadslike 2Lilt x Threadslike 002Lilt x Threadslike 003Lilt x Threadslike 004Lilt x Threadslike 005Lilt x Threadslike 006Lilt x Threadslike 007Lilt x Threadslike 008Lilt x Threadslike 010

There are many  inspiring  and  established street style blogs out there. The Sartorialist,Jak & Jil, Street Peeper to name just a few.  But right on our door step, and winding through the streets of Melbourne, Sydney and soon, the world, is Dan Roberts.  Photographer, fashion enthusiast and creator of street style blog ThreadsLike.  I had the pleasure of meeting Dan earlier this year through mutual friends, and have been following his blog closely ever since.  Not only is Dan a really nice guy, but he has an incredible eye for capturing the beautiful, stylish and inspiring moments happening just around the corner from us.  I asked Dan to tell us a little about himself and the journey of ThreadsLike, which has now become one of my favourite street style blogs.  Seriously, keep your eye on this guy, He’s going places.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start ThreadsLike.

I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, which is where, in a way, I fell into the fashion industry. Ever since, fashion has become an integral part of who I am, and my intrigue into the creative/design side of the industry grows each and every day. I was working for one of New Zealand’s preeminent fashion designers for about 4 years before I decided it was time for a change of city, and also a time to start developing my own body of work.

 ThreadsLike was in motion a long time before it actually took on it’s own domain name and before I was prepared to share it with the world. I went on a trip to Tokyo, which kind of changed the game for me. I’ve always had an attraction to city culture but something in the intensity of Tokyo really clarified that for me. It gave me more perspective and respect for how city culture works, and how it influences so many aspects of our lives.

 Photography has always played a large part of my life, ever since my sister gave me my first camera back in the day. It was something that’s always been there in my life but I’d never taken too seriously. While I was working for the designer in NZ I started shooting a few fashion shows and behind the scene type frames and really fell head over for fashion photography.

 I touched down in Melbourne and knew it was time to show the world what I had to offer, that’s when ThreadsLike was thrown into the mix and it’s been a work in progress ever since.

 What catches your eye when you’re out on the streets?

Personally when I’m out on the streets I’m looking for frames that are more than just ‘good’ fashion. I think what I’m looking for at its simplest form would be called ‘style’. I think the most memorable frames happen when there is cohesion between my subject, their fashion and the environment. In my eyes Streetstyle has so much more to offer than a static, up and down frame of someone wearing something cool. As a photographer I try to capture a story in all of my frames.

 It’s really situational, you can be out all day, and at one moment during that whole day, something happens and you see an outfit, a personality and story right in front of you. You have to react straight away or the moment disappears and you’re left kicking yourself for missing the frame.

 Lately I’ve been shooting a lot at fashion week material and that essentially is the same deal. It’s hunting out those little moments that happen when most other photographers have put their cameras down. I think creatively it’s really challenging shooting at fashion shows. There are a lot of people shooting, and finding your own rhythm and standpoint is really important in getting frames that are engaging.

 Do you ever go out looking for a specific theme? Or is it a matter of just keeping your eyes open at all times?

I mean everyone has a preference/style, but I try not to specifically look for themes when I hit the streets. I would view my work as documentary so keeping an open mind is pretty important. I think themes naturally happen over an unknown amount of time. There might be a theme that only lasts a season, or there might be a larger theme/idea that is present for a few years. One of the exciting things about the documentation I do will be building a body on a timeline that will be able to be viewed in years to come.

 Who are some of the people that inspire you and why?

Like a lot of people in my position, the first inspiration of mine was Scott Schuman. He took me to exotic streets around the world and introduced me to an array of interesting characters. Scott produced, and continues to produce some of the most romantic frames in the Streetstyle scene. His photographs tell stories unlike many others, and I still love looking through his blog roll regularly.

 More recently I’ve been influence by the likes of Tommy (Jak&Jill, Tommy Ton), Phil (Streetpeeper), and Nam (streetfsn). The way these guys are documenting international fashion weeks around the world is quite inspiring. Tommy especially has been a huge influence in my work over the last 12 months. Tommy has an eye for detail and a way of framing an image that is pretty unique. He’s captured some incredibly provocative frames that have definitely been an inspiration.

 Plus it helps that I got to shoot shoulder to shoulder with these guys recently up in Sydney. They are genuinely nice, fun guys and it was an honor to be running down the street chasing elusive girls with these three.

 What’s involved in a typical day of blogging for you?

Generally I’m up and about pretty early. Ready and out the door with my camera around my shoulder on my way to the first coffee stop. It’s really just a matter of where my feet take me on the day. Sometimes I can spend a whole day in town discovering new laneways, popping into a few stores I regular, going from coffee stop to book store and back to the streets. I spend a lot of time in the inner suburbs too.

 At the end of the day you can find me at my computer in the editing suite, with the music turned right up before I pop out to meet friends for a few drinks or go to an opening or viewing of a new collection. I try to keep in contact with local designers as well as looking at what’s going on internationally.

 If it’s a typical day during a fashion week then it’s shooting from sun up to sun down. Usually a quick dinner with friends from the industry follows, then into a long night of editing and not much sleep. Fashion weeks are definitely all action, but I thrive in that environment so it seems to work out.

 I’ve been working on a few different photography projects and collaborating with a few bloggers etc around Melbourne lately, so it’s definitely been a busy schedule over the last few months. But I love every second of it!

 What are some of the most interesting reactions you’ve had when taking photos of someone on the streets?

Recently there was this cute little Japanese girl who I’m pretty sure I made feel like a superstar by asking her if I could take her photograph. She actually screamed and jumped around the pavement when I asked her, which as you can imagine isn’t the greatest thing to happen on the streets in town!

 Generally people are really good about being approached though, which I really appreciate. Sometimes I’ll end up and a great conversation with the people from in my photographs, and it’s that social side that I really enjoy also.

 What is next for ThreadsLike?

Right now I’ve got a few projects happening here in Melbourne, which I’m in the storyboarding/idea building process of. I find it a really interesting part of my job, and one that’s become a rather constant evolution. Whether I’m being kept up at night with a million ideas for photographs shooting around my head, or whether I stumble upon an amazing location somewhere out of the blue, it’s a continual process/journey for me.

 ThreadsLike is also looking to go international in the next few months. There are things in the pipeline to get over to a few international fashion weeks and cover the streets from different cities around the world. Travel is an essential part of my growth and interpretation of the world around me, so I’d like ThreadsLike to travel as much as possible and continue to grow. In what direction it may go, who knows, but I’d love you to come along for the ride!

Designer Profile – The Bag Department

LiLT x The Bag Department 007

LiLT x The Bag Department 005 LiLT x The Bag Department 001

LiLT x The Bag Department 006 LiLT x The Bag Department 008

LiLT x The Bag Department 01

As a person who carries pretty much everything but the kitchen sink with me everyday, I am constantly on the look out for a roomy, functional and beautiful bag.  I have spent the last year with a fairly attractive  but completely impractical everyday bag, which I am now happy to replace with my new, roomier, prettier and definitely more practical friend – The Chloe.

My gorgeous new bag is by Australian label The Bag Department, which was launched by Elise Townsend in 2012.  With a practical and interactive concept, The Bag Department gives you the option  to customise a pick of three classic and versatile bags, The Madison, The Chloe or The Coachella, allowing you to choose the colour of your leather, hardware and handle for a fun little way to add your own touch to the product.

 I’ve been keeping my eye on this great Melbourne label for a little while now, and last month I was the lucky winner of a competition which was held by The Bag Department and Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily (you can check out my entry here).

Elise was kind enough to take some snaps of her working space. I then caught up with her, at Crabapple Kitchen for some delicious brunch, to claim my prize and a have a chat about her exciting new bag line.

What made you start your own bag label?

I started my own bag label after struggling to find quality classic leather bags at a reasonable price. I was frustrated as a customer and wanted to create an online platform where customers felt involved in the creative process. I have always wanted to run my own business and the idea of allowing customers to create their own bags from a curated collection was the perfect opportunity.

What do you think are the absolute essentials in a woman’s bag collection?

I believe there are only five essential bags and everything else is a derivative of them.

1. Clutch

2. Hip Bag

3. Small tote

4. Medium/large everyday bag

5. Weekender


Once you have the basic sizes you can start to play with your colours to match your wardrobe. This is what we do at The Bag Department. We currently have styles 3, 4 and 5 and will be expanding to all five essential bags by the end of the year. In terms of colours I think it is essential to have a black bag, something neutral be it Chocolate, Tan, Beige or Cream and something fun like Red, Navy or Giraffe print. I believe you should invest in classic colours first and if you want something fun invest in a classic trend like Red, Navy or Animal print.

Do you have a favourite bag from your current collection?                     

I love all three styles, they have all been designed to be classic styles that will never go out of fashion. They all come in classic colours that will never date so it is really tricky to choose only one. My favourites this week are the Tan/black/cream combination in the Madison, Cream with gold hardware in the Chloe and the Black with gunmetal in the Weekender. I find that all styles work seamlessly with my wardrobe – it is impossible to pick a favourite.

What inspires your bag design and creative decisions?

My designs and creative decisions are inspired by an infinite number of things. In terms of bag design I am inspired by the world around me. It could be a colour or shape I see whilst out walking or a current trend in a magazine. These inspirations then get tied back with The Bag Department brand values of being classic and functional.

My creative decisions are inspired by my customers; I created The Bag Department for them. I ask my customers a lot of questions to create the best possible creative decisions for The Bag Department. As you can tell from the detail in each bag, to the website design; every creative decision at The Bag Department has been done with the customer in mind.

What is your favourite part of the design and production process as a bag designer?


My favourite part of the design and production process is when the samples arrive. I get to see what I have designed as a sketch come to life in the form of a bag. I must admit I do love the whole process and enjoy every step from idea to sketch to final result. It is all extremely exciting and still fascinates me everyday.

If you could design a bag for anyone in the world, who would it be?         

This is a really tough question because the whole premise of The Bag Department is getting my customers involved in the process of creating a bag for themselves. I would love Olivia Palermo to design a bag with The Bag Department, she is such an inspiration.

What is next for the label? Where do you see the brand going in the future? 

The next immediate step for The Bag Department (which is currently in motion) is expanding the range to the five essential bag styles. I will also be adding some bag accessories and expanding the curated selection of the already existing styles. Something to look forward to is The Bag Departments online magazine that will be distributed quarterly to our subscribers, first issue out August 1st. I am very excited to share that we will have an interview and style advice from Lauren DiBartolo, Director of Australian Styling Institute amongst other fabulous features. If you sign up online today you will receive $25 off of your first order.  Sign up now > http://eepurl.com/AP8gH

In the future I see The Bag Department being in every woman’s wardrobe as their staple bag of choice. There are lots of things to be excited about for the future of the brand that I cannot disclose at this time, so stay tuned.

Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to start his or her own business in fashion accessories?  


In the words of Winston Churchill…“Never never never give up”.

Fail Fast. Learn from and listen to your customers. Make sure you have a point of difference. Above all work hard and do your research, if you are not willing to put your heart and soul into your business then don’t bother. Harsh, but so is reality.

How would you describe your personal style?

I think my style comes out in the outfits I create with Polyvore for my social media accounts. It is a comfortable, classic, polished look with a few trend pieces thrown in for good measure.

I absolutely love your blog and Facebook page, it’s so upbeat and always has some wonderfully inspirational imagery and quotes. What’s your favourite quote. Or personal motto?


Thank you that is so sweet. One of my favourites is “We are what we repeatedly do.” Aristotle. For me it is a reminder that I am in charge of my life and everything that I do. Only I can create what I want for my future. On a lighter note I also love; “My Daily Routine: Wake up, Be awesome, Go back to sleep.” Cheeky and to the point!

You can follow the bag department on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebagdepartment Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/thebagdept Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebagdept 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/thebagdept

 

May Instagram

lilt-blog instagram MaySome photos from Instagram during May. I haven’t been as click happy this month for some reason. But still, here’s a little of what’s been going on.

Pretty skies / Dancing the night away / Celebrating Mother’s Day / 1st day of training for October fun run / Finally mine!!!! THE Life With Bird Dress / Charlie’s Angels bonfire party (naturally)

if you so wish, you can follow me at @lucianacorrales