fashion

Happy holidays

Posted on by Keya

Good day to you my vacation loving vixens,

Apologies for the delay in getting this months blog post written. As I’m sure a lot of you also are in the midst of, I have just got back from taking an extremely needed break away to Spain. What with my full time job, teaching my spinning classes, spending time with my loved ones and investing my time in writing my blog you can imagine how I jumped at the chance to get away with one of my girlfriends to Europe this month.

(Image courtesy of google images)

The combination of sun, sea, sangria and snoozing on the beach was amazing beyond belief and I have come back home feeling relaxed, recharged and ready to face the second half of 2018.

I have been extremely fortunate enough in my nearly 32 years on this earth to have been on some unforgettable vacations around the world and I have seen some incredible natural wonders along the way. However, one thing I feel I am slowly getting better at but still haven’t mastered is the art of packing – especially lightly. Haha.

I remember when I was in my late teens/ early twenties and we would be escaping for our summer holiday as a family. I used to take a full 14 day’s outfits both for day and evening time and only wear a handful of them especially during the daytime where you mainly live in your bikini and beach towel anyway! Why do we feel we need to pack everything but the kitchen sink as if we cannot possibly buy anything that we may have forgotten at our destination?

Granted it does depend on where you are going and what kind of holiday it is. Obviously you need a different wardrobe style for a 4 day city break than you do for a weeks beach trip but I thought I would highlight my top tips for packing smartly this year.

For daytime I completely encourage that for a weeks holiday you can pack a different bikini or swimsuit for every day if you are lucky enough to have them (I was guilty as charged of this on my recent break.) One little word of advice though – make sure they are a similar size and style (I am partial to a bandeau top) as you really won’t want to look like a patchwork quilt of tan-lines by the end of the holiday 😊

For daytime I am definitely a cut off shorts and vest kind of woman. I usually pack a few pairs of either denim or chino style which can be mix and matched with various tops so it looks like a completely new outfit each day – result!

For those balmy summer nights believe me from experience you will be not be putting on your highest Jimmy Choo shoes each evening (unless you are staying in a exclusive resort destination then lucky you). My go to is definitely a smart pair of tan leather wedges. They literally go with everything, accentuate your tan and also give you that coveted bit of height us average height ladies NEED! Mine are from Guess but the high street also does some awesome styles too – try Zara or New Look to bag your own pair.

(Image courtesy of google images)

Clothes wise what on earth do you wear when the weather is still hotter then bath water and the sun is high in the sky until 9pm? For me, someone who loves the warm weather but feels their body just wants to expel all water as soon as I step off the airplane – then my go to attire is loose fit boho style dresses or fitted A line styles in bright colours or prints.

By keeping your hair and make up natural you can really go to town on your outfits as holiday dress can be so much more fun and eccentric than your everyday style – embrace it! By packing smartly and efficiently, who knows you might even have space in your luggage for a nice memento to remind you of your time away also. Well that is what I am telling myself ahead of my trip to Cyprus in a few weeks anyway ☺️

Until next time, take care

Keya x

London in lights

Posted on by Keya

Good morning my bashful Brit’s,

Yes, that time has once again come around for London to showcase its first fashion week of 2018, held in February. I always feel a huge sense of pride that my home city is one of the lucky places on the fashion calendar to hold its own fashion week amongst the greats in Milan, Paris et al. Below I give you some of my favourite looks and the key emerging trends from the S/S shows.

(All images courtesy of google images)

Victoria Beckham

Her collections up to now have always lives up to her namesake in the Spice girls and this show did not disappoint. She paired buttoned up blouses with floaty, pleated skirts and court shoes and super soft knitwear with high waisted trousers in warming maroons and lilacs. I love how VB has found her niche of elegant workwear style which can easily transcend to after work drinks with friends or an impromptu business meeting with an potential new client. There really is no excuse not to feel your best in her designs.

Mulberry

I always think fondly of trips to Selfridges when I was young wandering around the designer bag hall, gently tracing my fingers along the butter soft leathers and classic styling of this infamous accessories design house. Fast forward many moons and I have fallen in love once again with the almost princess like designs seen below in the palest of pinks against the stark contrast of the strapless body peeking out from underneath. In comparison to the matching prints shown later in the show in autumnal hues of browns and burnt oranges – it really was a show which shocked your visionary senses.

Temperley

I have always thought of Temperley as a brand synonymous with the central London elite – people who shop for their scarves and hats in Liberty, chutneys and jams in Fortnum and Masons and their stockings in Wolford – an older demographic than my generation but this years collection has hit the nail on the head. Every look that sashayed down the runway had young, fun and fresh all over it. I particularly loved the simple black roll neck sweaters teamed with the paisley print ankle skimming skirts and also the long sleeve blue panelled dress would not look out of place in my work wardrobe with a pair of buckled ankle boats and my oversized Armani high necked winter coat. Oh so elegant.

House of Holland

I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to secretly hangout at any of the members clubs around our beautiful city in the hopes of somehow becoming friends with Henry Holland. He has just always seemed like such a genuine, down to earth guy and every collection graces my favourite celebrities as soon as it is shown on the runway. This years showcase was no different. There was a play on the trusty football fan or Harry Potter house emblem scarves tied jauntily to one side over polka dot dresses which captured the London way of dressing entirely; oh wait, it’s a little chillier than I expected outside, let me add another layer….it all just worked perfectly and FYI Henry, I still want to grab a drink with you next time you are home! Haha.

Burberry

Oh Burberry, my life long friend. I remember clearly when I was in secondary school and I caught the first glimpse of one of your amazing bags in the shop window of the flagship Bond Street store. It was love at first sight. I even still have my classic camel trench coat which was handed down to me by my mum (who used to wear it when she was my age – it fits me like a glove, what are the odds!)

Although now I am more into the subtler approach to wearing this luxury brand I really loved the almost pyjama style design of the matching suits and visors displayed in this show. Also the tribute to love conquers all with the rainbow pride colours filled me with so much joy. The world is evolving so much, fashion needs to morph with it too I say.

Richard Quinn

And last but not least I cannot fail to mention our royal highness gracing the front row of the Richard Quinn show. Whilst there to present him with the best newcomer designer of the year award she didn’t disappoint in showcasing her own unique style in a matching twin set in the lightest grey and simple but elegant pearl earrings. She was the perfect backdrop to the beautifully colourful designs gliding along the catwalk in front of her.

What other city in the world, pairs fashion royalty in the likes of luxury brands which have withstood economic recession and the test of decades in the business, the ever present front row maverick Anna Wintour and ACTUAL royalty HRH Queen Elizabeth – London as always we salute you.

Until next time, take care

Keya x

Coming into focus.

Posted on by Keya

Good morning to you my visual media vixens,

For this months blog post, I am ecstatic to have been able to interview my friend Garry McManus, who is an Ibiza based videographer. His talent for capturing those intimate and special moments on a couple’s wedding day is a rare gift, which I am sure you will see from some of the pictures I have included in this post. Without further ado, I introduce to you Garry.

(Images courtesy of Maria Simon photography)

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Hi Garry, thank you for agreeing to this interview. For those of my followers who don’t know you, can you just explain where you live and what you do for a living?

Hi Keya, first of all I´d like to say a big thank you for asking me to feature on your blog.
I live in Ibiza and have been here full-time for the last 4 years since my son Noah was born here on Dec 8th 2013.  I´ve been coming to Ibiza since 2004 and fell in love with the island many years ago. The energy here is like nowhere else in the world and it just feels like home so it just always felt right being here and where I feel like myself more than anywhere else in the world. It´s funny looking back to 2004 as I had never been to Ibiza apart from when I was too young to remember and I just booked a one way ticket thinking I´ll see what happens…
That summer I stayed for 4 months and things worked out so well it was crazy but little did I know that this beautiful island had so much more in store for me. It´s hard to explain but it´s been the making of me in that I have my beautiful son Noah here and the career I dreamt of. I sometimes joke and say I´ll wake up one day back in my old life but for now the dream is real and I keep that in mind everyday to stay focussed.
I have my own business here called Infin8 Images which I started back in 2014 working as a videographer which is my absolute dream. It started as a hobby just back in 2011 when I was travelling through Asia & India and I´m just drawn to it all the time and work from home when I´m not filming so I often find myself at the computer editing. It´s my meditation and I love it so I´m happy to put in the hours. As Steve Jobs once said… The only way to do great work is to love what you do. I´m fortunate that I’ve found that and to do it in a place like Ibiza but the journey to this point was far from easy. You just have to take a leap of faith and give it everything if you really want to do the thing you love.
I actually met you at one of the amazing Swankys events a number of years ago. Do you have fond memories of those years?
Yes we met many years ago during a different stage in my life. I have some great memories from those days and the guy´s from that era of my life are all still my best friends to this day with Parris also living here in Ibiza and the godfather to my son so we´re still close. He´s a DJ so we´re both in the creative industry and now we often have a chess night with a glass of red wine to wind down and chill as we both have hectic work schedules. Swanky´s was really the first of it´s kind with what we did and so many people had a lot of fun so I always look back with fond memories but I´m happy to have moved on to the next chapter in my life now.

3) Do you ever miss the modelling world?

No I don´t miss it at all. I never really enjoyed it to be honest and only really liked doing jobs with the guys so I was happy to leave that all behind. Many of my friends have had great careers in modelling but I feel much more at home behind the camera filming.
What made you get into videography and how did you start out?
I always loved photography but my background is in sport. When I first left school I was a professional footballer doing that for 3 years at Southampton until the age of 19 when I was released and my whole world fell apart as I had no clue what to do from there. I was fortunate enough to get into the modelling and promo world whilst at uni meeting some amazing people along the way all through my 20s doing some really fun jobs so I was having fun working but I always knew that it wasn´t a long-term career path and often thought what my next step would be but never really knew until I had the urge to buy my first DSLR camera back in 2009. I was heading over to New York for a few days and thought it would be cool to get a camera and take some nice pictures. I had a blast and people loved the pictures which gave me the confidence to pursue it. Being around the modelling world at the time helped as I was able to do some test shoots with friends and it kind of picked up from there. I then went travelling through Asia in India over a 2 year period where I really got into it and fell in love with taking pictures. It took me to some incredible places especially through India but I never had it in my mind about being a career as it was so hard to break into the world of photography and make money so I always just thought it would be a hobby. Maybe the best thing I did was starting to film whilst in Cambodia during 2011 and teaching myself how to edit as I went. I´m sure those first videos would make me cringe but it´s a progression and everything has to start somewhere so I have to thank my 2011 for starting as it ultimately created the opportunity to have the life I have now.
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What is your favourite kind of shoot to do?

My main line of work is filming weddings. It´s been an incredible journey from 2014 to now which I sometimes look at and say how did this happen, it´s crazy but I appreciate every minute of it. The thought of filming weddings back in the early days around 2012-2013 when I was still living in the UK didn´t interest me and I thought I´d never do it but as soon as I did my first wedding here in Ibiza I was hooked. It´s a whole different ball game and the weddings here are amazing. That´s not to say the weddings in England aren´t good but I just feel like I´m in a bubble here and everything reflects that. I will often have client meetings sat around swimming pools with Noah playing in the pool splashing us which wouldn´t happen in the UK and that makes it feel extra special having him involved on some level.

It´s a very personal experience filming a wedding so I like to meet the couple before the big day and really get to know them so we´re more like friends and they feel comfortable with me having the camera on them. During the day I try to be in the background as much as possible but during the getting ready shots i´m often in hotel rooms with a lot of people so they have to feel at ease with me being there so I get the natural shots.

Also, knowing that they´ll have the film in the family for the rest of there lives and beyond makes it a very special experience and creates a really nice connection between myself and the couple. The feedback over the years has been incredible which I don´t get from shooting anything else like fashion as an example which makes it all worthwhile and makes me want to create something special for every couple.

Couple´s often have film screening parties at home and send me little video clips of everyone watching which makes it feel very real and that´s when I feel the pressure as up until then i´m on my own making the edit so seeing people watch it and their reaction makes me see and feel the importance of doing a great job by giving the couple a film there proud to share.

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Besides work, what hobbies do you have or what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Well I have to be honest that over the last 2 years it´s been non stop work as things have really taken off now so I´ve neglected my hobbies for the time being but when I had the time and when I go back to them my hobbies include… Kite surfing, Bike rides, gym and i´ll be doing a yearly snowboarding holiday with Noah. For me, kite surfing is the one which I learnt 2 years ago and plan to do some amazing adventures around the world kite surfing in all the best places with Noah making a movie of our life together as we go. I´ve been filming him since he was born with this in mind so now that he´s getting a little older we can start doing some adventure sports and make things a lot more interesting. It´s going to be amazing, I can´t wait to share those experiences with him seeing his face.
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Have you mastered the work/ life balance?Definitely not! I´m a workaholic but if I´m honest I was always drawn to taking pictures, filming and editing when I wasn´t working back before this was my career so now I just get to do what I enjoy the most and can make a nice life from so I never feel like I´m working. I do have to get the balance back in my life more than I have now but starting a business from scratch doing something I haven´t made money from previously in another country isn´t easy but I´m happy that it´s paid off so I´m happy to work as much as I need to make things the best they can be.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Right now I call these the building years… It´s like playing chess. I have my goals and surround myself everyday with my vision board which is now a whole wall full of things I want to attract into my life but it´s not about the material possessions it´s about the freedom and the choice to do what I want whenever I want with the people I love. I want to create a life full of adventure that I can share with my family and friends and film the moments along the way so we never forget. I didn´t have much growing up but I owe my determination to that upbringing and wouldn´t change it for the world but I want my mum to have a nice life so I have that in mind. I´d love to be the best wedding videographer in the world so right now my focus with work is on that and then I´d like to branch out into other areas of filming but I also love boats and plan to buy a boat so I can go between filming and being out on the boat fusing the 2 together as I´d be filming people have fun on the boat so for sure in 10 years that´s the life I imagine living here in Ibiza. And then travelling with my family having adventures and seeing the world together during the winter months.
Thank you so much for your time Garry. For those of my readers who are looking for a Videographer, what is the best way to get in touch with you?
If you´d like to see any of my films you can view them via my Vimeo site – https://vimeo.com/user7009494
My website www.infin8images.com is currently being updated with lots of great new content at the moment. If you´d like to contact me for any work related inquiries you can email me at infin8images2016@gmail.com.

Now for a bit of fun, here is my infamous quick-fire round. Just answer with the first one which comes into your head. 

Sea or snow?Sea

Book or podcast?Book

Formal wear or casual? Casual but I do love a good suit.

Couture or street style?Street style

Beach or pool side?Hmmm… Beach

Clubbing or bar hopping?Bar hopping but prefer a good restaurant with nice food and a glass of red wine.

Photographs or videos?Videos

until next time, take care

Keya

Forza Italia

Posted on by Keya

Good day to you my stylish superstars,

This past week we saw Milan Mens Fashion Week and it did not disappoint. For this instalment, I have picked out the key looks which certainly piqued my interest for the start of 2018.

(All images courtesy of google images)

1) Colour

Whether it was suits in bold primary colours or just a hint in a tie or sock, this year was all about colour. Continuing with the theme of trouser legs tapering in tight at the ankle and paired with a box fresh pair of trainers, this look was everywhere last week. If you are a little uncomfortable with going with head to toe colour, ease into it with one standout piece (it could even be a colourful pocket-chief to begin with) then as your confidence improves, up the standout ante.

2) Head and Eyewear combos.

From earlier posts, you would know I LOVE sunglasses. In my opinion, there is nothing that brings an outfit together like a perfectly coordinated pair of eyewear. This season though, when these eye wonders were paired with a fedora or trilby, it amped up the style to an 11. Even in the harshest of European winters, there is no excuse to not keep your head warm while still looking chic. There are so many varieties of hats on the market also, there is certainly one to match every occasion.

3) Tailoring.

I am such a huge fan of tailoring in my own wardrobe. The impact a perfectly fitting suit jacket worn over an a-line dress is dramatic at best, so you can imagine my delight when I saw how tailoring featured heavily in the catwalk shows in Milan. From three piece double breasted with accompanying pocket watches to the classic staple of a city work suit, I love the clean lines and simplicity of this trend. I am sure it is one to continue for many years to come.

4) Mellow yellow.

I am a huge SUMMER lover, especially in London so anything that reminds me of this season during the cold winter months is alright with me. The cat walks were awash with every shade of yellow and it just instantly puts a smile on my face. You can honestly go as bright as you dare and there really are no rules when it comes to this hue. Either pastel, canary or mustard – go with whichever shade works with your skin tone to incorporate this colour into your winter wardrobe.

5) The younger generation stealing the show.

We all know that fashion is evolving but style is everlasting. I still can recall, having Doc Marten boots in every colour to match whatever outfit I was wearing for the day when I was a child and I definitely think my love of Fashion was ingrained in me from birth. The younger generation were definitely stealing the show this year also, from two tone trench coats to father/ son matching aplenty but one thing I know for sure, these stylish young gentleman are surely going to be on our fashion radars for many decades to come.

These are just a few highlights from the awe inspiring Uomo Pitti 2018 but if there are any trends here that you just love, then my advice is to GO FOR IT. The world really is your oyster when it comes to personal style. Although we all have fashion fails at times, surely it’s more fun to have given it a try than to always play it safe.

Until next time,

Take care Keya x

Happy new year to all of YOU.

Posted on by Keya

To my devoted, festive season followers,

After a whirlwind year filled with living overseas, unbelievable holidays, nights out and some absolutely epic memories made, we say goodbye to 2017 and welcome in the New Year.

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for continuing on this journey with me, reading each post and giving me your amazing feedback. Writing is in my veins and it really is my passion, so the fact you even take the time to click on my blog fills my heart with pride and love.

My pledge to you is to continue bringing well researched, thought provoking content from both the Fashion and lifestyle areas – hopefully inciting a fresh sense of excitement every time you see a new post published.

For now though, wherever you maybe in the world, I wish you a huge Happy New Year with an abundance of good fortune for you and your families for 2018.

Until next time, take care

Keya x

(Image courtesy of google images)

Be your own number one fan.

Posted on by Keya

Good day to you my creative, beautiful creatures, 

For this months post I wanted to explore the realms of our own personal comfort zones and doing something that both exhilarates and scares the life out of you; by trying something foreign and new 😀

As I’ve told you all in one of my earlier posts, since as young as I can remember I’ve always had a real love and passion for fashion and beautiful things. I used to pour over my mothers fashion magazines at home, oogling the wonderful outfits and the picture perfect surroundings. Most of all, I wanted to put pen to paper and write about these collections however. This is where my love of the English Language flourished from and at school, I could not get enough of the almost poetic prose which filled my heart in those classes. 


(All Images courtesy of google images)

Although sadly I was unsuccessful in obtaining a place on my desired Fashion journalism course at university, the passion for my creative writing never extinguished. I still followed the fashion weeks around the world each year and would write short articles in my notebooks of my highlights and lowlights of the shows. It was only just over two years ago that after multiple people close to me persuaded me to continue my pursuit of writing, that I bit the perverbial bullet and started this blog. 


I can not even begin to tell you how petrified I was to write that first entry. It wasn’t for selfish reasons though of how many people would even read it, it was just that idea of putting myself out there and doing something that was completely unfamiliar.

That first entry feels like a distant memory now but through the catharsis of writing each post,  I honestly feel as though I’ve unlocked a part of my soul which was lying dormant inside for so long and I am so proud of how far it has come to date 😊

With this renewed sense of adventure, the next chapter of my journey has now begun. This past week I took the plunge again and I finally set up my fashion is my passion Instagram page. If you enjoy my writing, then my social media page is going to be the visual side of my love for Fashion and also will give some sneak peaks into my own everyday style. I would love you to check it out on Keya_fashionismypassion. 

Also as so many of my closest friends and family have always asked me to help them find that perfect outfit for a special occasion or to just be more adventurous with their own style, I am going to be offering personal shopper experiences either in person with me or tips via email if you are not local so please feel free to send me a private message on my Instagram page and we can get started.


It is so important in my view as we grow older to strive to learn something new and challenge ourselves every single day. I would rather know I had tried and failed at something than to never have tried at all, after all we only have this one life – go out and seize it ❤️ 

Whatever it is that ignites that fire inside you, whether it be art, higher scholarly education, fitness, lifestyle – make today be the day that you take that first step to making your own dream a reality. I believe in you, so make sure you are your number one fan also. 

Until next time, 


Take care

Keya x

Pony up 

Posted on by Keya

Good morning my horse racing aficionados,

This past weekend I spent an awesome day at the races for ladies day which was so much fun. For those of you who know me personally, you would know that I love any excuse to get dressed up so when the invite came through to go, I jumped at the chance 😀

In the past I’ve been to ladies day at Ascot in the U.K where fashion is extravagant and edgy but all with an air of sophistication. From the moment I got to Doomben racecourse I was in full scout mode for anyone who I thought looked chic and venue appropriate. Below are some of my favourite looks from the day. 

Ladies day isn’t just for the women to steal the show…




It’s amazing what a pop of colour in a suit jacket or trouser can do to stop you in your tracks. The variations in prints too from the classic navy stripe pyjama style shirt to the tartan check really made these dashing gentleman stand out to me. Also, kudos definitely go out to the tasseled loafers and some of the interesting eyewear seen here – who said glasses cannot be an outfit enhancer 😀

All on the head…


What would the races be without headwear and wow there were some awe inspiring creations to behold on the green. I just loved the confidence of the black and grey jauntily placed fascinator with those divine cat eye sunglasses and also how the blue and purple head piece above really steals the show against the white dress and classic Chanel 2.55 – pure and regal. 

More than one can be done…


I really love how even though we are all unique and plan our outfits individually, some groups of friends or couples have an incredible ability to complement each other without even trying. The light and dark contrasts compared to the shocking yellow and floral print really worked wonderfully together and also I’m a huge believer in the couple who dresses well together, stay together 😀

Friends to be revered…

Now it’s time to give my friends their times to shine, I mean look how amazing these girlies look – from the glowing mumma to be to the Canadian lovelies rocking their lame and flirty floral headbands, the azure lace to the winter whites and also the asymmetrical wonderment, I felt proud to be spending my day with this awesome bunch. 

Women rule the world…



Ladies day wouldn’t be ladies day without the stars of the show and wow did these women not disappoint. I just loved the subtle accessorising of the fur stole to bring the outfit together or the lace headpieces which either offer a exciting contrast or match another element of their outfit completely. The use of colour in the pastel pink or the cobalt blue or even just the black is best all worked perfectly. It was great to see some of these beautiful women heeded the theme of floral and feminine also and I’m sure you agree their effort really should be applauded, they all looked spectacular 😀

Well my wonderful followers, if you are planning to head to Stradbroke day this weekend or other racing events later in the year, hopefully the outfits I have captured here can give you some inspiration on what dressing for the races either here or in the UK is all about. Be brave, be bold and most of all be BEAUTIFUL ❤️


Until next time, take care

Keya x

Yearn for Yard family 

Posted on by Keya

Good morning my wonderful, fashion loving, incredible followers,

Wow, do I have a treat for you all today. As I mentioned to you late last year one of my resolutions for my blog for 2017 was to endeavour to bring you interesting, thought provoking content with each entry which is why as you may have noticed I’ve scaled back my posts to once a month now. This gives me time to research and gather my input so I can be excited and proud of every post I deliver to you. 

For May’s edition, I have managed to gain an all access interview with the sister duo who make up the awesome new company you ALL have to get on board with, Yard Family. 

K – Hello Emily and Alice of Yard Family, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. First off, could you perhaps explain to myself and my readers, how did you come up with the name “Yard Family”?

YF – We wanted the name of our business to reflect our philosophy, which is to get together with loved ones i.e. family, friends, etc and enjoy the great outdoors – whether it’s your backyard, beach, park, or off the beaten track!

K – What is the concept behind the business and how did it originate?

YF – These days, where technology like iPhones, computers, and computer games are an easy and available source of constant entertainment, it is easy to forget that there are so many beautiful places right on our doorstep that are there for us to enjoy. We believe that time away from the barrage of social media and digital entertainment is of paramount importance to the enjoyment of life, health and vitality.
We are both mothers with several children each (Alice has 4 and Emily has 3), and we can see that there is a huge temptation to allow kids to use technology as a convenient source of distraction.

Our own families’ philosophy is to get outside with the family, kids, and friends as often as possible (and the weather allows!) and soak up the sunshine and fresh air. We wanted to create a product and brand that promoted that quality outdoor time, in a way that is stylish and fashionable. And so Yard Family (and the Yard Blanket and other products) was born!
K – For those of my readers who do not know both Emily and Alice are mothers to a total of seven children, how do you find the time to invest in Yard Family around your already busy lives?

YF – It definitely requires juggling and balance! We usually make the most of the time the kids are at school, during nap times, or in the evenings after the kids are in bed. Every now and then if we have a particularly busy period where we are working on a collaboration or a sale, our amazing husbands step in and take over the childcare duties to allow us the time we need. But we have definitely found that the more you have to do as a mother, the better your time management becomes! Otherwise it would all end up in disaster!

K – Has being family yourselves (Emily and Alice are sisters) helped or hindered the day to day running of Yard Family? Do you have the same creative and commercial ideas about new collections for the brand?
YF – Thankfully we are a pretty amazing match – Emily is the business end of things and Ally is the creative. We bounce ideas for collaborations around and are usually in agreement with most of each others’ ideas. We are both willing to give in to the other if one of us feels strongly about doing something the other isn’t so keen on. But that happens very rarely!
K – What would you say is each of your strengths that has helped make Yard Family the success it has been to date?
YF – Ally, being the creative genius, does all the photos, product styling, and graphics. Emily does the writing, emails, manages the website, and other technical things. We try to keep those boundaries pretty clear as our strengths definitely lie in what we do best!

K- Where do you see Yard Family in five years time?
YF – We hope to continue to have a successful business that we can manage from home, expanding as our children grow and don’t need us as much! We would love for families all over the world to own and enjoy a Yard Blanket, for our products to feature with some well-known lifestyle brands, and generally have a name that is synonymous with quality time and the good things in life.

K – Can we expect any new designs or further forays into the luxurious, family outdoor living in the near future?

YF – Absolutely. We are always brainstorming new ideas and have some great plans for expanding our range up our sleeves. As we grow we will be branching out into other lines and products, all in keeping with the philosophy of Yard Family!

K- For those who wish to purchase any of your beautiful creations, what is the best way to do this?

YF – We have an online store at http://www.yardfamily.com where you can see our range and the details of each product. We ship worldwide for a flat fee of AUD$50, and offer free shipping within Australia. We accept credit card, PayPal and Afterpay, which allows you to buy now and pay later!

And with that, Emily and Alice are back to their families and day to day lives. What an inspiring and creative duo they truly are, thank you so much for the interview 😀

Until next time, take care 

Keya x

Incredible Iris

Posted on by Keya

Good day to you my fashion loving friends,

I recently watched a documentary about the woman who I am dedicating this months blog to and she truly was so inspirational to me that I just had to introduce her to you if you may not have heard of her in the past. I give you the awe inspiring woman who is Iris Apfel. 


(Images of Iris courtesy of google images)

In her earlier career she was a successful interior designer and business woman but now she is best known for her incredible dress sense and style acumen.

She is the queen of accessorising and bigger is definitely better in her opinion. I really admire how she mixes a vintage Chanel necklace with a costume trinket that she picked up in a flea market in India or some other far flung destination. 

She is regularly spotted on the front row of most highly sought after designers shows at New York fashion week and her opinion of their collections is invaluable. 


Her style has clearly rubbed off on her husband who she been happily married to for over 50 years and also the unique finds from their explorations of the world when they were a young couple can be found scattered around their cluttered but shabby chic apartment in the city. 


She has lent her vast collection of jewellery to exhibitions which were widely populated by the public and she also takes part in styling segments on many day time chat shows or interviews. 

One of the things that really resonated with me about her however was how in her words she says she has never been beautiful so she needed to find another way to make herself stand out in society. Looks fade but style is truly timeless. Her approach to dressing  is it doesn’t matter if those Gold hoop earrings cost $5 or $500, if it complements your outfit and makes you feel beautiful for that one night then that is the objective achieved. 

I have always been a huge accessories person in my own life; I rotate my earrings and rings on a daily basis to suit my outfit of the day and I also have my opulent, one of a kind pieces which come out on special occasions. Those closest to me though know the familiar sound that precludes me when I walk into a room. The jingle jangle of my stacked bangles and bracelets on my right wrist are my trademark (you can imagine the tan line I permanently have during the summer haha) but that is my own take on being individual and making my own style shine through every day. 


 Now what are you waiting for, those awesome marcasite chandelier earrings are not going to purchase themselves 😀 


Until next time take care

Keya x

Big is beautiful 

Posted on by Keya

Good day my curveous chicks,

I am sure you have noticed as have I recently, advertising campaigns gracing our screens of “real women” in the Dove commercial and plus size models sashaying down runaways at most fashion shows so for this weeks post I wanted to showcase a few actors and models who are making waves in the industry and I LOVE it. 


(All images courtesy of Google images)


Dascha Polanco

When one of my friends recommended Orange is the New black to me I admit I was at first sceptical but after the first episode I was hooked. I find it so interesting the dynamic between the different ethnicities and also how the relationships between the inmates build with each episode. I loved the storyline with Daya played by the gorgeous Dascha. Her fuller figure suit bold dresses with cut out details and her complexion really makes this dress pop. 

Melissa McCarthy

From the moment I saw Bridesmaids at the cinema, I thought that Melissa was the breakout star. She is so funny she brings me to tears and she really knows how to dress on trend and age appropriate which I think is so important for the older woman. Some styles can be frumpy when dressing a bigger frame but she really knows which designers suit her. 

Ashley Graham

Like the day I first heard the term “super model” I also remember the day the first plus sized model walked down the catwalk and Ashley has really found her niche in successful runway and editorial campaigns so early in her career. She really knows how to show off her hourglass figure and accentuate her curves with the peekaboo neck line and thigh high split of this red dress. I love how she pairs this va va voom number with simple hair and shoes – with a figure like that accessories should be kept to a minimum. 

Rebel Wilson

With a host of hilarious movies and adverts under her belt this Aussie star is on the rise. I loved her in pitch perfect where although her weight was initially made fun of, her talent shone through and I love how her fun attitude transcends to her sense of style on the red carpet also. This navy, sparkly long sleeved shift dress is both flattering and clings to her curves effortlessly. I love the classic court shoes and curly hair also – as though she has just stepped off the a beach in Sydney straight to a red carpet event. 

Jonah Hill

Although he has made countless films, for me I loved him in Wolf of Wall Street. His dress sense in that movie was all pastel golf jumpers and plaid trousers but he really knows how to pull off a tailored suit and tie for a premiere. The importance of a great fitting suit should be a staple of every mans wardrobe, finding the balance between broad shoulders and a thicker middle can make for the most attractive look for any man dressing for an important occasion. 

What with Joan in her fitted dresses in Mad Men to Oprah Wimphrey on her daily chat show, there are so many personalities on our screens which are constantly pushing the boundaries of what society deems attractive and it’s so exciting to see even fashion designers are including fuller “real” women in their campaigns. It is so important to show the next generation that they do not need to be super skinny, have cascading blonde locks or be of a certain skin colour to be the best version of themselves they can be. Beauty should not be defined by any of those parameters, it truly is in the eye of the beholder. 

Until next time, take care

Keya X