new love

Sophia Kokosalaki <3

Oh to die for Brian Atwood Heels! <3

The best body lotion ever! (yes, Mecca Cosmetica again!)

New Red Sichuan Restaurant opened up in Canley Heights (i would go MILD for the hotpot - it's frickin spicy and i LIKE spicy!)

As always, I love to update on my findings. I've been a bit MIA with various gigs and tinkling the ivories a lot BUT, here were my recent findings :)

How i love beautiful things, tasty things!

Of course, there's always the music and to be honest, not a fan of Bruno Mars' Grenade. Cee-Lo Green on the other hand, i'll have YOU on repeat thanks :)

The Mark Ronson & Biz Int'l record has been on repeat in the car as well - eclectic, awesome and refreshing!

A stint in Melbourne for December with visits to Darwin and Cairns before Xmas is on the cards so I'll be clickin away on the camera!

As always, concerts to support especially this coming Tuesday (because The Artisans - yes, that includes me, are playing!) is the Make A Change concert at Melbourne Town Hall - Tues 16th Nov 7:30pm. Hope to see u all there xxx

Love and grace,

Van-Anh

Much love and grace,

ac-ac-ac-accessories!

So like i said, accessories are my latest obsessions so in my meanderings on the net, I came across Kashen Jewellery. Not only is it awesome but it's an Aussie Perth-based designer which makes it awesomex2! I've picked up my necklace and it's due to arrive next week. There's only 1 collection up so far called After Midnight with a 2nd one due to come out for Summer. The first is all based on glass materials with an emphasis on purples, oranges, salmon and black. The 2nd is moreso leather like cuffs and pendants.
My favs are definitely these:


And to continue my newly found love for handbags, After The Apple. Sigh! Their concept is fantastic, with 12 bags every season in the same concept design/shape eg 'The Slouch' or 'The Everyday Bag', 'The Handbag', 'The Messenger' to name a few. Of course the style and print changes each season and right now, it's 'The Tote'. The bags are only stocked at Lucette in Paddington and Designer Forum (and of course, you can buy it online). It looks great but seeing it in real life is every MORE amazing. I almost got a fright when the SA said "It's real python skin". I almost dropped the bag. The texture was so soft! The bag comes in print and black, both being striking. The print for your statement days and the black for just an amazing-black-bag!




Lastly but not least, CC Skye. A fav of Nicole Ritchie's, the label never gets it wrong. Glam-rock it is, my cuff arrived this week.

Have a lovely weekend! The sun is out so time to get those Vitamin Ds in!
x
love and grace,
Van-Anh

accessories crazed!

I think with fashion, everyone goes through phases. Remember when we saw shoulder pads and ran for the hills - now everyone has at least one in their wardrobe. Remember when harem and drop crotch pants were a no-no - now pretty much every label has one of those selling! There is no doubt that fashion gets recycled. Vintage is always in for the very reason that it's vintage and no one can bad-mouth it!

Right now, my phase sits with maxi-dresses and accessories. The blend of rawness and chic gives that down to earth feel yet still clean cut to strut it by day AND night without being OTT. Statement all the way.

So some of my favourite finds so far:

Lucette Robotic Maxi

Uscari Zen Crop Top <3

Uscari You're Never Alone Shorts (OMG!!!)

LowLuv by Erin Wasson (and totally affordable with free shipping on tobi.com)

In God We Trust 'Shake n Bake' necklace

And the best thing about tobi.com is the free shipping and how fast it is! YAY!

Off to do my Hanon 1-60 for a month!

love love,

Van-Anh xx

Treesje, Fluxus and more

So it's been yet another while since i've blogged. The last couple of weeks, i've spent focusing on writing some more music, a bit of a break from teaching is always good because i've come back with a lot of energy for the kids! We did a performance for NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation) Global Illumination at the beautiful Summit Restaurant with Scarlett Belle

Performing with Scarlett Belle (Tamara Jaeber and Reigan Derry) with Luke Robinson (guitar) and Adaja Black (backing vocals).

If you're into the House scene, you'd be familiar with Miss Adaja Black! Check out her myspace! killer of a voice!

Onto the little precious things in life, the more tangible goodies, here are some of my favourite things right now:

Treesje Runaway Bag

heart heart heart this bag - coz i'm such a hoarder, but also because the gunmetal color is totally rock n roll, timeless! i have a lot of respect for Treesje in their design. A little bit about them:

California-based design duo, Laur Darrah and Sheila Nazarian have made their mark on the accessories world since launching their luxury handbag collection, Treesje in 2005. Both women are passionate about accessory design and are committed to creating original, intricate pieces that capture the essence of their chic California style. Treesje features signature hardware and a vast range of leather finishes, colours and silhouettes, including hobos, totes, satchels and more. Worn by Jennifer Aniston, Molly Sims, Courteney Cox Arquette and Lindsay Lohan to name but a few.

As for a wonderfully awesome basics range, don't look past Fluxus. I came across it whilst shopping in Melbourne, not really available across Australia that much but i'd order straight from the site. Some of my favourites are:

Fluxus

Inspired by the mid-century art movement and Los Angeles inner-city culture, FLuXuS breaks away from tradition and encourages the advancement of self-expression through fashion. Having commenced in 2007, it's a label for men and women mainly with cotton, tri-blend and their signature burnout!

Over and out for now.

Keep it real, keep it down to earth and don't get your head tangled in the clouds!

Love and grace,

V-A

Dawn Lu Shoes - walk in bliss, not blisters

Helloooo lovers!

It's been a while since i've done an entry - quite the frantic with the recent Thanh Bui & The Artisans Show at Bankstown Town Hall. It was awessssommeeeee!!!! Thanks to DeeTee designs (www.deeteedesigns.com.au) for the amazing Ga-ga-licious dress, Dawn Lu for her amazing Dawn Lu Shoes (check out her facebook fan page - Dawn Lu Shoes), Zoe for Zoemou jewellery and You've Inspired Me for their iconic tree-roots Tee.

More so to the point, Dawn Lu Shoes. I'm in love. My new favourite shoes in both ballet flats and sky-high heels, 13cm with a rubber sole. Need i say more?

These are the ones i have and they fit like a glove!

Check 'em out guys! Only online sales so far, so if you'd like to try them on, i'm holding a high-tea shoe party Oct 6th. Email me on vananh.piano@gmail.com or go onto Dawn Lu Shoes facebook fan page for details :)

Shoes, oh glorious shoes!!!

Off to dinner.

much love and grace as always,

Van-Anh

AJE

This is on my pre-order list - coming in ivory, faded khaki and black. Who is it? It's Australian designer label, AJE.

I'm in love again. In love with AJE right now, that is. just LOVE their collection. a couple of items is a LUST, but everything else, LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
Only 2 seasons in, they have really built up a unique style and it's brilliant! Totally wearable, statement pieces but not OTT.
From their winter collection:

Biker boots

The lovely Bambi modelling the collection

Must I say more? It's just so perfect!!! YAY!!!
gotta run.

love and grace,

V-A

Stefanie Kruger

I've never been a huge one on jewellery but recently, i've come across so many little quirky pieces. Speaking of coincidences, I was trawling the net and came across Stefanie Kruger.

If you check out her stuff, it is amazingly beautiful, quirky and kitschy! and not to mention totally suitable for ANY pocket! LOVE! These ones are my favourites:

Fish pendant

Diamond cut

Enjoy the rest of this beautiful Sunday! Back to the music-making for me xx

Love & grace,

V-A