Wearing: Marianna G swimwear

To be completely honest I didn’t know much, or anything about the Blue Caves before I landed on Zakynthos. I foolishly overlooked all signs pointing to their beauty as one of the top tourist locations on the island in favour of Navagio Beach.

On the morning of the shoot with Marianna G swimwear we were told the weather was too bad to visit the beach at Navagio, despite being on crystal clear and flat waters of the port. Somehow we found a captain with a boat willing to try and take us there. Not even half way the wind picked up and waves were suddenly enormous, and as we clung to the bouncing boat while we turned around I imagined being those ‘stupid tourists’ who capsized on a far too crazy expedition.

Heading back we were able to make the most of our experience with the serene and completely empty Blue Caves system. Our captain must have really liked us as he was urging me to leave the boat, climbing on to and through the caves and on to the cliff face. There isn’t much more of a surreal situation when the boat then left the cave, leaving me behind perched on the freezing cold and rough suspended rock pylons above the glowing blue’s in the water beneath and knowing I was one of the very few to sit here. This day will forever be unexplainably postcard perfect in my memory banks.

Photos by myself and Walt Loveridge

Wearing: Zara jumpsuit (similar here), Sophia Webster sandals, Proenza Schouler bag, House of Holland sunglasses, Jennifer Zeuner necklace, Rebecca Minkoff rings.

After I left Greece I flew back home to Berlin for a night. I decided to challenge myself by leaving my bigger luggage bag behind and only taking carry on to Paris with 2 outfits, as I was only going to be there for a few nights. Of course my plan didn’t last long and before I knew it I was straight to trusty Zara for a cheap and last minute outfit. I have an infactuation with jumpsuits and loved the feeling of making this one a dressed up janitor while wandering near the Louvre.

Photos by Zanita Morgan

Wearing: Isabel Marant dress, Sophia Webster sandals, Karen Walker sunglasses, Michael Kors watch, Gorjana cuff, Luv AJ cuff, Rebecca Minkoff rings.

I’ve been shopping online so much recently, and only realised when I arrived in Berlin and visited some boutiques to get a feel of the shopping, designers and vintage here (yes vintage recommendations are in the works!). While travelling ASOS has truly become my saviour. I only need to be in one place for 3 days and the postman always arrives earlier anyway, affordably refreshing my stale 23kg’s luggage wardrobe. I find it hard to shop in store without being able to ‘cart’ my items and sleep on it overnight, especially when it is a few hundred dollar piece I only just fell in lust with.

I have only purchased 3 pieces in store since I have been in Europe, a vintage top from Mauerpark Fleamarket for €15, a staple white bomber style coat from Cos and this Isabel Marant dress. I’ve realised that these days I cannot hand over money in the physical world unless it is an incredible bargain, or I completely and utterly adore it, and can see myself wearing it for years to come.

Photos by Walt Loveridge

Wearing: Asos dress and sandals.

Navagio Beach, otherwise known as Shipwreck Beach on the coast of Zakynthos. Sheer cliffs outlining the blue Mediterranean seas and white sands of this paradise cove that is the alleged smuggler ship ‘Panagiotis’ final resting place. Unfortunately bad weather around the island meant we couldn’t go down to swim at ‘Smugglers Bay’ and see the shipwreck up close, which is only accessible by boat. But I honestly didn’t mind as soaring above the cliff in my overwhelmed state was enough for me.

I feel like I say it often here, and in real life but there are truly some places that I cannot put in to words. I feel like I have stood on the cliff edge overlooking this beach many times before, but it was just from overpowering wanderlust for this specific place that I was slowly considering the dream real life. It finally did happen in real life on a significant day to me, a very personal milestone that meant I was standing here literally in shock realising how much I have seen, how far I have come to get here.

A beautiful local woman (whom was the receptionist at our hotel who went completely out of her way to help us) drove us around the island to ensure we saw as much as we could for the one full day we were there. To my complete shock she told me how she had never been to the Blue Caves or Shipwreck Beach. Not only was I experiencing it for the first time but I also got to share it with her, someone who has lived on the island for years. Isn’t it funny when people travel across the world to see what we have in our own backyards…

Photos by myself and Walt Loveridge

Wearing: Asos playsuit, Samudra clutch, Karen Walker sunglasses, Asos sandals, Michael Kors watch, Gorjana cuff, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet, mesh rings.

I landed on Zakynthos in the late afternoon and practically shed my luggage, heels, and everything extra (bra included) to run down to the beach to watch the sunset. After being in Athens for events it was so refreshing to instantly switch to island life, and I didn’t even mind ruining my sandals whilst being distracted with the enjoyment of the Mediterranean lapping at my feet. Playsuits and anything backless are my weakness, combine the two and it is the piece I will live in for days on end during summer.

Photos by Walt Loveridge

Wearing: Marianna G swimwear, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet, borrowed Zakynthos hat from the boat’s Captain.

Zakynthos has been at the top of my bucket list for years now, ever since I saw a documentary on Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach over ten years ago. As part of my collaboration with Marianna G swimwear while in Greece, I had the opportunity to choose the location for our shoot. Despite our efforts mother nature rules over all and decided the waters were too rough to enter Shipwreck Beach. Instead we sailed through, and even inside the idllyic Blue Caves.

I feel like I am always chasing summer around the world. And while doing so I feel like I am always searching for the elusive perfect swimwear. It is so hard to find a beautiful one piece that wasn’t made with either ‘over 40′s cover everything, or under 20′s reveal all’ in mind. When I first spotted these Marianna G swimsuits I knew I had found the best of both worlds.

Photos by Walt Loveridge

Wearing: 1/ Asos shorts, Supermuse top (similar on Asos here), Alexander Wang handbag, Asos sandals, Michael Kors watch, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet,Rebecca Minkoff rings.  2/ Asos top, Supermuse skirt (similar here), Isabel Marant sandals, Reece Hudson clutch,  Jennifer Zeuner necklace, Rebecca Minkoff rings, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet and ring.

I have visited Athens previously but all for only 1-2 day stopovers on the way to the Greek Isles. Unfortunately I didn’t get much more time in Athens again but it somehow felt much longer, seeing and getting to know the people more. I was in Athens for the Marianna G swimwear show, getting to spend time with the beautiful Marianna herself. I had a sneak peek of the classic and classy cut out one pieces from backstage before the show, selecting a few to take with me to Zakynthos for our collaboration.

After the show Chiara and I wandered Athens in the afternoon heat for hours until the sun set from atop the Acropolis, trying to soak in as much as possible. We saw Ethnikos Kipos (National Gardens), Parliament, the main shopping district with the quaint Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea nestled between the high street stores. Towards the Flea Market but didn’t have time, so up through the historical neighbourhood of Plaka up to the Acropolis.

Last year while I was chatting with a young 30 something old local he explained how the financial crisis had affected him, basically being fired from his not well paying job only to then be able to compete for the exact same job (along with dozens of others suddenly unemployed), but for less than a quarter of the pay.

Despite still battling financial troubles it was amazing to see that over the last few years I have briefly visited, it does not seem to have broken their resilience, love for their country and seeing others enjoy it too. I hope more people can aim to visit and support Greece tourism much more, and know it is not all about drinking on the Greek Islands but to experience the hospitality, incredible sunsets and of course… the food.

Photos by myself and Walt Loveridge

Wearing: Camilla & Marc dress, Stylestalker Bomber, Sophia Webster heels,  Jennifer Zeuner necklace, Rebecca Minkoff rings, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet and ring.

On our last night in Athens we enjoyed a very late dinner in an incredible restaurant perched on top of a cliff, and even by night had views to the rocks in the water below and out across the shimmering sea. This Stylestalker bomber is perfectly lightweight with mesh sleeves to wear as a simple layer on the warm summer nights. I didn’t get to shoot the outfit while we were there, instead when I landed on the island of Zakynthos the following day before I burst with excitement!

Photos by Walt Loveridge

Wearing: Asos shorts, Supermuse top (similar on Asos here), Alexander Wang handbag, Isabel Marant sandals, Michael Kors watch, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet, Rebecca Minkoff rings.

The moment I am seaside I feel at home. Growing up in a reasonably small town right on Australia’s coast line has made me feel like a fish out of water when I am no where near it. When I’m at home I can hear the waves crash while I’m in bed at night. Being Australian everyone assume we can all surf, which my lanky, uncoordinated self definitely cannot. But bring on bodysurfing in big waves in the Pacific! The last few years I haven’t actively made the time to spend there like I used to, but of course it is one of the most simple things to take for granted.

I’ve only been in Berlin a few weeks and didn’t feel the full effect until I flew in to Athens over the incredible blue waters of the Med. After a scorching day exploring through Athens it was idyllic to come back to this. Even though I never got the chance to dive in, the ocean breeze and tasting the salt in the air is enough to refresh any mind.

Oh and these white shorts, neither I or anyone whom repeatedly asked to feel them could believe they are by Asos. The thick geometric texture emphasises the curved shape that flares outwards. Perfect alternative for denim shorts!

Photos by Walt Loveridge

Wearing: Asos top, Supermuse skirt (similar here), Isabel Marant sandals, Reece Hudson clutch,  Jennifer Zeuner necklace, Rebecca Minkoff rings, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet and ring.

While in Athens I attended the collection show and lunch event for the swimwear label Marianna G. The morning’s luggage lottery resulted in getting my ladylike fancy pants skirt on. I adore pieces that sneakily show skin or shape in a tasteful way, like backless anything, long sleeved pencil body cons and this revealed shoulder top. I am glad to have scored a seat in the shade, or else would have resulted in some no so welcome shoulder tan lines.

Photos by Walt Loveridge