Wednesday 30 July 2014

Inspired By :: { Camille Styles }


Happy Wednesday my lovelies :) So as I promised in Monday's blog, I have a new friend to introduce to us all today hooray! Super talented, ridiculously creative, and one of the world's most highly sought after stylists, there is pretty much nothing she can't do. She has a fabulous blog, she styles and creates content for major brands such as Kate Spade New York, West Elm, HGTV (and heaps more), annnnd her brand new book is being launched this coming October. Hello! Camille has been a huge source of encouragement and inspiration on my personal journey, and I wanted to thank her by introducing her to you all and telling you all how incredible she is! :) So without further ado, it's my absolute privilege to introduce to you the lovely Camille Styles.


You started Camille Styles Events in 2009, how did this come about and what gave you the courage to chase the dream of starting your own company?

After working as an event planner for other companies, I always dreamed that one day I might own my own… then when I was 25, I had an “aha” moment that I was already equipped with all the skills and experience I needed to do it sooner rather than later! I think that as young women, we often feel like everyone else is the “expert,” when so often, we already have everything we need to go after our dreams. Most things are learned by doing, anyway! We just need the confidence to go out and dive in.


Tell us what does a typical day looks like for you?

I wake up around 6am and start the day with a cappuccino and a quick scan through emails and social media. Then I get my 2-year-old daughter Phoebe up and dressed, and my husband Adam and I take her for a long walk around the neighbourhood. I love starting the day with quality family time — we get caught up on everything that’s happening in each others’ work lives and go over goals and challenges for the day ahead.

After dropping Phoebe off at one of her grandmothers’ houses (we are so lucky to live in the same town as both our parents!), I head to the office, whip up a green smoothie, then spend the next few hours meeting with my team about upcoming stories, working on blog posts, answering press inquiries, or working with brands on upcoming collaborations. If it’s a day where I have a photo shoot scheduled, I’m on location for my entire workday — which is a nice way to shake up the routine and constantly keep me on my toes!

 

If I don’t have a lunch meeting, I work right through it and eat a big salad at my desk, because at 3pm when Phoebe wakes up from her nap, I’m officially on mommy duty. We spend a couple hours in the afternoon having fun with just the two of us — a trip to the park, swimming in our backyard pool, meeting friends for ice cream, or a long trip through Whole Foods are some of our favourite outings. 


In the evening after Phoebe is bathed and in bed, I make dinner for Adam and me, pour a glass of wine and we get to enjoy some “grown-up” time over a nice meal together. Since becoming a mom, I’ve become much better about carving out times when I’m disconnected from my phone and emails, and just focusing on spending time with family. After dinner, I might catch up on emails that came in during the afternoon, do some stretching and a few planks, and wind things down with whatever show we’re watching at the moment (cannot wait until Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey come back on!!)

3. What was your very first project? How did you make your way from there to where you are today with a fabulous team of sixteen contributors?

I launched my blog, Camille Styles, as a creative outlet while I was also running my event planning business. Since so much of my job at the time depended on making other people’s visions a reality, my blog was the place where I could indulge my own aesthetic and explore the things that I loved. Over time, I slowly began building a following and when we reached a certain level of readership and I could start supporting the site through advertising, I took the plunge to make it the company’s full focus. 


 

The Writer's Ink readers are big dreamers, what would be your advice for those who are wanting to step out with a new and creative idea?

When you start a business of any kind, prepare yourself for the fact that there will be a day when you want to give up — I considered throwing in the towel and applying for a more “corporate” job so many times in the early days of my business! But if you start with a clear vision and a true passion for what you’re doing, that will help you push through and hang in there when the going gets tough. You’ll realize that those challenging times are a passing season that your unique vision can withstand. And ultimately, being able to make a living doing what you love is so worth it! 


You're about to launch your first book Camille Styles Entertaining which is very exciting :) Congratulations! How that all came about and when will it be released?

Thanks! This book is a longtime dream of mine… I still pinch myself to think that this massive project I’ve been working on for the past 2+ years of my life will finally be released on October 28th! The book is all about inspiring readers through the seasons with ideas for life’s big celebrations, as well as showing them how to infuse beauty into their daily lives through the food they make, the rooms they design and the outfits they wear. It’s packed with simple details and creative shortcuts that make everyday moments feel special (with 75 simple + seasonal recipes woven throughout.)


What other projects are you working on now?

Camille Styles will be launching a big site redesign at the end of the summer. We’ve been working for the past few months to create a new design that will make the site easier to use on every device, and a more accessible and easier-to-navigate resource to readers as they plan their menus, homes and celebrations. I’m so excited for our readers to finally get to see what we’ve been cooking up!


Obviously you're someone who dreams big :) What are some of the other things bubbling away in your heart you'd love to see come to pass? 

I am a big believer in taking it one day at a time, and right now, I am so thankful for my family, my friends, and being able to do what I love every day. Right now my focus is really on making Camille Styles the website, and Camille Styles Entertaining, the book, as inspiring and creative as they can be. But who knows? I’m sure that any day now, I’ll suddenly feel the itch to dive headfirst into some new creative endeavour!


And now for the fun part
-----------------------------------
60 Seconds with Camille Styles

* my secret hidden talent is…
Almost no one knows that I was a pianist for 12 years!

* my favourite subject in school was…
English literature. I couldn’t believe that I got to read great books as “assignments!” 

* the thing that makes me feel most alive is…
Watching my daughter laugh.

* my hot drink of choice is…
Cappuccino.

* when I want to feel inspired I…
Travel to Europe!

* if could visit Australia I would definitely want to see…
It's beautiful beaches and the Sydney Opera House.

* the book I'm reading at the moment is…
The Secret History, by Donna Tartt.

* my happy place is…
A tie between cuddling with my daughter in bed, or sitting on our terrace with my husband and a glass of rosé.

* if I had unlimited time, money and resources I would…
Live at the beach. (Someday!!)


Thank you so much Camille for sharing today with us!!
Love you guys... Have a great day ;)

Love Nat xoxo

All other images - CamilleStyles.com

PS... here are some pics of Camille's gorgeous home :) Enjoy!
  




Monday 28 July 2014

Introducing... Camille Styles.

Hi friends happy Monday! As I write this blog I'm currently surrounded by a bed full of clothes in neat little piles... I'm sorting and attempting to tick eight million gazillion things off my to-do list before I head to Alaska/New York on Friday. Four sleeps to go... shivers it's a bit exciting! I had a wonderful dinner with some of my family last night, including my beautiful grandparents and aunties, so that was a nice way to wind down the weekend. What did you get up to? Something beautiful I hope :)
Another thing I am reeeeally excited about this week is introducing to you a new friend of The Writer's Ink! A few of you have been asking about the interview I recently did with Camille Styles so I am happy to announce it will be launched this coming Wednesday 30th July. :) 
Camille is the founder and director Camille Styles Events and über-popular lifestyle blog CamilleStyles.com, and she loves sharing her inspiring ideas for beautiful and carefree style. She's smart, business savvy, and boy can she style a party! 
I stumbled upon her website CamilleStyles.com two years ago. At the time I was about to take a step of faith into a new (and slightly scary!) season of creativity. Hearing her story of building her company from scratch (now a well-oiled machine with a team of sixteen creative contributors) really encouraged me to take that giant leap into the unknown. Her creativity in styling events and creating beautiful moments has been a constant source of inspiration to me as I follow my dreams! Here are some fabulous examples of her creativity below. :)


Over the past two years, Camille has inspired me in many different areas. Though we are miles apart, (she lives in Austin, Texas with her hubby and little girl), I've watched her chase her dreams, take on new projects (including renovating and decorating her brand new studio) and create many, many beautiful moments.
So..... before you get to know her, I thought it would be cool to show you some of the amazing work she is world famous for. 


So stay tuned for the launch of the latest "Inspired By" serious, featuring Camille, this Wednesday 30th July. I know you will love hearing all about the fabulous things she does.

But for now... grab a cuppa and prepare to be inspired. Click through these videos and enjoy! X

Christmas Morning Brunch for Kate Spade






Have a great Monday friends... make sure you do something new and fabulously creative!

Love Nat xoxo

PS - And if you think of any other creatives you'd love me to interview just let me know.

 Images and Videos - All CamilleStyles.com

Thursday 24 July 2014

Fear is still (and will always, always be) a liar.

Fear is so silly don't you think? Well I mean, when we're affected by it's sneaky discouragement, illusive intimidation and overwhelming anxiety, okay let's be honest it feels more 'in-your-face-dangerous' than 'silly'; but that moment we realise just how pathetic and obviously untruthful it is, bah-bye... fear's power goes right out the window. 

A few days ago fear did it's best to try to take me down. After two amazing weeks in the UK and Paris for my dear friends' wedding  (yes stay tuned for wedding, London and Paris posts to come!) I arrived back in Melbourne, and after sleeping eleven hours, I woke on Monday morning feeling completely discouraged and full of fear. You see, it wasn't just the 'PHB's (aka Post Holiday Blues), it was a million teeny tiny thoughts buzzing through my mind all to do with the leap of faith I am about to take next Friday. 
In just over a week I am jumping on a plane to lead a team of twenty wonderful new friends around Canada and Alaska for four weeks. Now this isn't the thing that made me nervous (although the thought of that might scare some people) but not me! No no no... I am 'super-duper-beside-myself-squealing-with-excitement' thrilled about this adventure I am blessed to go on. So what is it that might be trying so hard to intimidate me you ask? Well, it's what I'm doing after the tour that's causing quite a few butterflies to be fluttering around in my tummy...
At the end of August I am going to New York for two months to finish writing my book. Yep, I am doing it. Six chapters of "Anything Can Happen" are written, with five to go, (plus editing) and I have been dreaming of this, talking about this, praying about this, imagining doing this, for months now. And now the time has actually come. But on Monday morning, I wasn't so excited. Those evil thoughts that mask themselves as friends, (but actually just want to bring you down) you know the ones... What the heck are you doing? How are you going to make this work? Are you crazy? No one else is doing this! What if you fail?... Well they came at me with their best shot, they tried their hardest to score the winning goal, but in the end... they lost. Sor-reeee. The moment that fear came in, I prayed. The moment I prayed, God stepped in. And God always wins.
Nothing can stop God's plans for our life. Our Dad in heaven placed things in our hearts long before we were even born (Psalm 139:16). And along with every dream he gave us the courage, boldness and power we need to run after it. 

"I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind"

There is no fear in love. And we are sooooo loved by him. Do you know how much you are loved?! All of heaven is applauding you right now. You are precious and special and you have amazing gifts and abilities. I believe that every one of you reading these very words, whether it's the 24th of July 2014 or many years down the track, you my friend have something amazing in you and I am cheering you on as you journey to see it released!

This life is short friends. We only get one shot at it. What have we got to lose? We have to just go for it! My passion is to stir people to dream and be released and flourishing in everything they have been created to be. THAT is why I am going to New York to finish the remaining 5 chapters of "Anything Can Happen", because I truly, truly believe it's going to encourage lots people. So hand in hand with my God, off I go.
Back in 2012 I posted this blog... it was true then, and it's still true now...
So today is the day for YOU to take a risk. What's it going to be? Something you have been thinking about for a while maybe? Just go for it! What have you got to lose?!

Love you guys lots... always cheering you on.

Nat xoxo

Images 1, 2 + 4 - Nat Box 
Images 3 + 5 - Pinterest


Wednesday 16 July 2014

Interview with Camille Styles.

Well hello from Paris my friends! The girls and I have been having an amazing time exploring the sights of Manchester and London (see my Instagram for all the wedding and sightseeing fun!), and now we are here in the City of Lights :) So... aside from all the travel excitement... I have something fun to share with you! Last year I started a fun blog series called Inspired By :: where I interview amazing writers and bloggers from around the globe who inspire me. 

Thus far I have had the pleasure of interviewing Vicki Archer of French Essence, and Jen Ramos of Made By Girl... and now I am SUPER excited to announce that the next Inspired By will be featuring the amazingly talented and super creative Camille Styles. Camille has long been an amazing source of encouragement and inspiration to me, and I am really looking forward to sharing with you just how she has inspired me over the years. So my friends, stir up the creativity and stay tuned for this incredible interview next week! :)

Sending love from Paris!

Nat xoxo

Thursday 10 July 2014

Friday Fashionista :: { London Style }

Aloha from the UK lovelies :) I'm in Manchester at the moment, hello Summer! I'm here for my precious friend Miriam's wedding tomorrow (eek soooo exciting!)... and boy are we are celebrating!! There's nothing like being reunited with a great friend after two and a half years apart, add a wedding into the mix and you have yourself an absolute dream!!! I'm here with three other girlfriends from Australia, and needless to say we are all having a ball. Endless tea parties, many many laughs... and loads of other crazy moments we will remember forever! We spent Tuesday having a spa day here at stunning Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa (where Becks proposed to Posh by the way...) and today will be spent at the beautician and doing last minute wedding preps. Then on Sunday after the wedding, us bridesmaids are headed for London-town (then Paris eek!!!)... soooooo in preparation for our London fun, I thought it would be cool to share some fab London fashion to inspire us all! Hope you enjoy. :) xoxo (PS... check out my Instagram for wedding fun!) 



























So stunning hey. The funky, edgy and gorgeous style that is LONDON. Makes my heart swoon! What have you got planned for this weekend? Have a really fun one and be sure to hang out with some people you love. Why not get in touch with an old friend and have a coffee or a chat on the phone. Friendships are such a gift from God hey, so let's make the effort to cultivate them this weekend... 

Sending love to you all :)

(Ps... stay tuned for the exciting announcement of my next "Inspired By" interview... coming next week)

Love Nat xoxo

Images -  Pinterest


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