A Long Hair Love Story...Beauty Confessions

I've a confession to admit...I have always been a long hair gal.

Although I like to chop and change there's one thing I always covet eventually...

Any guesses? A little more to play with, braid with and pile up on your head. Even swing off over a jetty if you feel the need... 

I was a little lost in my long hair fantasy...but then... I saw the dreamy vintage wedding of James & Aubrey from Bleubird Vintage and I was hooked...

If you haven't seen this wedding and you're a romantic lover of vintage perfection - click here and get ready to swoon.. 

That was it...confession time -  

I had to get that long, gorgeous hair,

But shhh don't tell!

I'm LOVING my new brunette long locks!

If  you're hearts a flutter thinking your hair deserves a little extra glamour

 check out PARKSEBEL hair extensions at Kooshka Hair in Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast. A BIG thank you to the sassy Daniella Saville & ubercute Joshua Walker for fulfilling my latest hair dream!

I guess I have a penchant for the dramatic..see me take the plunge from Platinum Blonde to Brunette thanks to Team Kooshka in the post A Dramatic Makeover - Well if it's good enough for Angelina

For your own hair love story call Kooshka Hair on 5444 7715 or visit them at 1/20 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba.

Images via www.pinterest.com, Vogue, www.etsy.com  & www.bleubirdvintage.typepad.com

Noosa just got a whole lot hotter..Cuban Night at Bistro C

So Noosa has been declared the Riviera of Australia. European chic and  international with an abundance of Parisian cafe chairs. Well now you can add a whole new flavour to the mix. How would you like a slice of Cuba with your cocktails on a Wednesday night? Head for Bistro C & treat yourself to a Tie Me Down cocktail and see the hottest Cuban salsa dancers... trust me - it's hot, hot, hot and transports Noosa to a sizzling Latino world.

Perfect for a girls night out, although I'm sure conversation will stop when a certain male dancer takes to the floor. For couples it's a chance to get lost in your own lambada world, even the waiters were swinging their hips between tables, with ours flashing a grin & apology of - 'I just can't help it..I'm Cuban!' If you can help it,  just sit back & indulge in dinner and drink the spicy, Latino atmosphere in. Get there early to catch up over dinner, the music & dancing start at 7.30pm...


Noosa + Cuba + Ubercool Chic Styling of Bistro C = LOVE

 

You can find Bisto C Restaurant & Bar on the beachfront at Main beach overlooking Laguna Bay -  49 Hastings St, Noosa Ph- 5447 2845 or visit their website here.

A Girl, A Beach & A Horse - EQUATHON Noosa

There is nothing quite like the feel of the wind in your hair as you bolt across an open field on horseback. Driving across the golden sands of Noosa North Shore next to the pounding surf of the Coral Sea is the ultimate mix of freedom and adventure.

Now I have found something even more tempting and thrilling. For a truly heavenly experience, you need just three things - a horse, the ocean and galloping across endless miles of gorgeous wild beach.  This is the story of a girl, a beach and a horse and it really is quite the fairytale.

My adventure began at the prestigious award winning Equathon Noosa, home of the best horse riding adventures in Noosa. This special place is owned and operated by champion horse rider, Australian triple Olympian Alex Watson and his partner Rebecca Harr.

Alex fell in love with Noosa and knew this was just the place to bring his dream of creating horse riding adventure tours to life. The landscape and natural beauty are perfect with a choice of trails through the beautiful Noosa Hinterland and access to ride on such a gorgeous stretch of beach.

Now every great adventure has to have a love story and drawn to this horse riding dream, an American traveller named Rebecca left the United States to join one of Alex's week long horse riding trails. Yes - you guessed it. Girl meets her very own cowboy and out on that Noosa Hinterland trail the pair fell in love and change both their lives forever. Don't you just love a good love story and imagine them still riding out there together?

The trail takes us along a bush track filled with wallum grasses, paperbark and scribbly gum trees. Their trunks patterned in erratic, zig zag graffiti tracks from their resident artist scribbly gum moth. It's such an Australian landscape, and so peaceful except for the gentle thud of my Stockhorse's hooves on the ground. When another sound filters through on the breeze my heart skips a beat. The mellow relaxation changes into anticipation as I make out the sound of surf pounding on the coastline and realise we have reached the beach.

Stepping out on to the endless sand and taking in the beauty of the Australian coastline, the feeling of freedom is exhilarating - pure joy. The wide open space is liberating. We have room to stretch out, lead our horses into the shallows and dance along the tide. The more adventurous riders take it in turns bolting along the sand, with the sound of the waves and hooves splashing through the water.

It's a dream held by many - to ride a horse on the beach. Teewah Beach with its dramatic panorama and unspoilt beauty doesn't disappoint. 'Luckiest girl in the world' did run through my mind as I galloped alongside the Coral Sea...

Some come out here on a romantic horseback ride with a marriage proposal in mind. It’s just that kind of lifetime memory. I am green with envy that some local horse owners and trail leaders at Equathon enjoy this landscape to ride on at any time for free. It's not just the beach though, there are many reasons to find your own long-term four legged soul mate here.

The Noosa Hinterland, Rainforest and countryside is gorgeous and the Trail Network here immense. The secret beauty that can only be seen by hiking or horseback is a pilgrimage that must be done.

For visitors to Noosa and locals without their own trusty steed, Equathon offers days of wandering through all this lush beauty and the chance to get to know the diverse landscape on horseback .

The 7 day Bush & Beach Horseback Ride includes the true bushman thrill of a cattle muster on a stock horse. Days spent out exploring on horseback till sunset with dreamy evenings in a luxury B&B's mid-trail is a special kind of escape people come from around the world for.

Equathon's real heart and soul are the beautiful, responsive and well cared for, Australian Stock Horses. The friendly trail leaders love their work, this place and what they do. You can tell this place was born out of love and a dream...

The 2hr  Bush & Beach Ride costs $125.00, the crowning glory is riding along the open coastline of Noosa North Shore. For an extra $40 you can enjoy a private tour and an even more exclusive adventure. All Skills and abilities are catered for.

Equathon organises Escape packages which include beach rides & Noosa accommodation as well as offering a complete horsemanship learn to ride program supervised by Alex. Private coaching from an  Olympic Equestrian - now that's style! You can also bring your own horse to stable at Equathon overnight and experience your own magical sunrise ride on the beach.

The drive to Equathon is an easy journey from the cosmopolitan world of Hastings Street. Just head to Tewantin and cross the Noosa River aboard the sleepy car ferry to find yourself at Noosa North Shore. 

Equathon can be found at Beach Road, Noosa North Shore

Tel -  (07) 5474 2665

For more details visit the Equathon website

It's true there are Wild Horses at Rainbow Beach - Noosa Life&Style's most popular post... it seems like everyone wants to adopt a wild brumby.

Explore Noosa with a 4WD Beach Safari and find a landscape straight out of Ayers Rock in the post The Red Canyon - Noosa North Shore

Dreamy Photo Shoots - When Art & Music Collide

I have completely fallen in love with these dreamy images of local musical duo, He Said She Said, created by talented photographer and artist, Tracy Naughton. More recently still, I was blown away by her gorgeous portrait of artist Evangeline Cachinero as Frida Kahlo.

Tracy was lovely enough to talk to me about her work and these stunning shots on the eve of her next show RIDE - a creative fusion of art & live music...

Tracy..these images of musical duo, He Said She Said are hauntingly beautiful. Did you come up with the location and styling yourself?

Thank you! I did style and find the location myself. I love the vintage look and brought the props and one of the dresses Ayla was wearing to suit the mood and vision I had in my head. Ayla & Michael came dressed for the shoot which turned out to be perfect as well - then we got Ayla into the dress I bought her for a variation. Both styles worked so well and they are such lovely people, it just made the shoot just flow so easily.

Recently you have been working increasingly more with musicians and artists, creating some powerful images. You seem to enjoy capturing the spirit and mood of musicians in your work. Is this something you see yourself doing more of in the future?

I would love to do more work with bands as I have a big affinity to music. It inspires me in many ways, so to be able to surround myself with things that I love is very rewarding.

Is it instinctive how to portray your subject? Does it come from way you see them or the message you feel from their music or art?

Yes definitely. I have ideas of how I see them and discuss it beforehand obviously to make sure it suits their vision also. I think the thing that makes it work is involving the artists as well and making sure they are happy in the outcome.

How important is the link between art and music to you?

The link between art & music for me is basically a blurred line, they go hand in hand like cheese & crackers. Musicians are artists that need conceptual art in some form to promote their product. When I'm creating, I am endlessly inspired by music, so it's a seamless bond.

The intoxicating shoot you did recently with artist, Evangeline Cachinero styled as Frida Kahlo must be a favourite of yours! Was the concept to use portraits of iconic artists as inspiration your idea?

Yes this was my idea, Van had posted something online about when you Google Spanish artists her name is linked to Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali (try it, it's true). I love art history books filled with photographs of amazing artists. I'm fascinated with how they lived and the stylised portraits they participated in. These were artworks in themselves.

As an artist, you seem extremely passionate to promote other artists and the creative movement on the Sunshine Coast. Do you think it is an exciting time to be an artist on the coast?

I think the potential is there. I am excited by what I am seeing and it's definitely growing, but without continued support from our community for our artists, we could lose the momentum. I am just trying to do all I can to help raise awareness that there is something very cool happening and it's there for people to enjoy and immerse themselves in, if they want it.

You're famous for taking breathtaking images of the natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast. Is capturing musicians and artists just more creative food for your soul or are you heading in a new direction?

I love all forms of creativity - it is food for my soul and I would never categorise myself. I'm open to everything and surrounding myself in what I love.

Your latest project has been described as an event to celebrate Arts, Music & Culture on The Sunshine Coast. What can we expect to see at this Saturday's event RIDE?

The night will kick of with He Said She Said - who are the loveliest, talented duo, doing amazing versions of some very popular songs, but also have their own repertoire of original songs. You do not want to miss them, they are on from 6pm..

Then from 8pm, The ever energetic Floating Bridges - a massive crowd pleaser, everyone will be dancing to these local favourites.

On exhibition will be my photographic artworks of Evangeline Cachinero, Artist Claire Matthews, The Floating Bridges, He Said She Said, & The Nowhere Art Group. There is also a bar and light food will be provided.

It's a great night out! We would love to see as many people turn up as possible to support these artists and art in general!

Was this event a long time in the planning?

The ideas started forming around a year ago so. With so many people involved, there was quite a bit of planning to do.

Artist - Claire Matthews shot by Tracy Naughton

Is it too late to get tickets?

No, it's not too late - you can buy them at Backbeat records in Nambour or directly through me and pick up at the door. There will be door sales on the night, but numbers are limited, so I do suggest pre buying tickets.

RIDE is on Saturday 17th March 6pm - 10pm
at Ground Zero Gallery - 80 Howard St, Nambour
Tickets $10 via Backbeat Records or contact Tracy to reserve


The angelic sound of Ayla Scanlan of He Said She Said, who will be featuring at RIDE on Saturday night

Tracy Naughton can be contacted via email at naughtys@bigpond.com​.au or find her on Facebook at Let Me Sea Artwork & Photography here

Visit the Let Me Sea Website to view more of Tracy's gorgeous work.

For more details on the talented contemporary artist Evangeline Cachinero, known as one of the top rising stars of the Australian art world, view her artwork on her website here.
For upcoming news on He Said She Said - find them on Facebook here.

Tandem Surfing & Surf Dogs - Noosa Festival of Surfing is Here!

I have always been slightly in awe of the Surfer Girl. My idea of a day at the beach is slightly less adventurous. This Surfer girl, however, is a whole new breed of cool! I can't get enough of these Tandem Surfer shots and this weekend you can see them for real....

This Sunday brings the Festival of Surfing to Noosa. It's Australia's favourite surf festival and she is turning a milestone 21!

Just one more eye opening suprise for this ex-city girl. It seems like Noosa's Festival of Surfing will bring lots of crazy sights.

A spectacular exhibition of the world's best Tandem Surfing couples will be held on Friday March 16th & Saturday March 17th.

Oh, how I love these images! Meet Lani and her master, former world tandem surfing champion, Chris De Aboitiz, putting in their practice this week for the first official dog surf event in Australia - The Surf Dog Spectacular.There's a special prize for 'Best in Surf'.

 The sport started in the 1920's in Waikiki. There are now huge annual competitions in California & San Diego. As part of the Festival visitors & locals of Noosa will enjoy their own Surf Dog Spectacular to be held on Sunday March 11 from 4.30pm.

 

It’s not all Tandem Surfing or Sea Dogs on Longboards surfing. You can register to compete with or watch stand up paddle boarders, the best longboarders worldwide, tag team surfers, finless and yes...I am really wondering about the family challenge? It's all happening here and in true Noosa Style, you can watch it from the Festival’s specially created Beach Bar. Coronas at sunset, anyone?

The Hawaiian-style Beach Bar will be the centre of a festival village at First Point, with views of all the action in the waves and the entertainment stage from the upper deck. Free live music will kick off each afternoon as soon as the surfing has finished, with BBQ food stalls & wood fired pizza. Enjoy free surf movies, Zumba dancing, fashion parades, celebrity guests – including the world’s best surfers and don’t forget those breathtaking Noosa sunset's.


The Noosa Festival of Surfing starts on Sunday March 11^th and runs through to Saturday March 17^th, 2012. The soul, spirit & magic of Noosa has made this the largest Surf Festival worldwide in terms of competitor numbers - that's not including the surf dogs!

If your dog seems keen to try a new sport - surf dog clinics will be held in the next few weeks in Noosa. Chris De Aboitiz has taught many dogs to enjoy the waves with his Natural Balance Dog Training Program. Details can be found on the Noosa Festival Of Surfing website below.



Chris & Lani enjoying the sunset........

Check out all the details for the Festival at www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com





Images via www.visitnoosa.com ,Sunshine Coast Daily,
www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com

 

Flame Hill Vineyard - It's Time to Stomp Some Grapes

I had heard wistful ramblings about the beauty of Flame Hill Vineyard in the mountains and the tempting idea of being allowed to jump up and down in a barrel of grapes. Grape STOMP Harvest Festival was finally here, and we were ready to experience our own slice of Europe on a hill.


I was going to jump in grapes to my heart’s content on one of the hinterland's highest mountain ridges, whilst staring out to sea. I know what you’re thinking - me, please, now!


Flame Hill Vineyard is sigh inducing gorgeous - perched high in the Mountains in Montville with guinea fowl roaming through the vines. There is something so perfect about sitting on hay bales drinking wine in the sunshine - the world just seems so complete.

We could have been in Tuscany wandering around the rows of grapes. What is it about a vineyard that just brings out the romantic in me? One day I just need a few vines in neat rows. A cellar full of award winning home grown wine shouldn't be too much to ask, really? Till then, I'll just come to Flame Hill and dream, while listening to jazz fill the vineyard..Summertime..wafting through the mountain air...

This isn't just any perfect lazy day in an idyllic vineyard, where all we will do is sip gorgeous wine and scoff gourmet farm produced food. This is an action, adventure day, with visits from the gods! The moment of expectation arrives to the sounds of contagious bongo beats. Stunning Greek Goddesses appear in a crate pushed by Tractor and begin the Grape STOMP ceremony with their beautiful tribal dance.

They mesmerize and share the magic of the harvest with their beaming smiles, mythical body paint & graceful jumping feet. The drumming of the awesome Human Rhythm performers, the theatrical spectacle of the wine nymphs dance..yes - Flame Hill Wine Stomp is a rather special event and we haven't even got to the unveiling of those barrels filled high with Shiraz grapes.

The finale sees each goddess show us how it's done, they climb into the grape filled barrels and gracefully sway their hips and stomp. I'm hoping by next festival, I have improved my stomping technique. It's not so easy to appear as graceful as the gods on such unsteady feet. Wide eyed children are invited first to share the stomping joy..it doesn't take long for every festival goer to get their STOMP on, find a barrel and start crushing grapes under their feet.

We stomped and squished and nearly lost our balance - have you ever tried grape stomping? It's messy and a riot especially after a couple of bottles at Flame Hill.

This is definitely a ritual worth joining in every year. You can even relive old Greek island partying - dress in a toga if you will. I did hear Caesar was dining in the restaurant, you never know who you will meet at Flame Hill. The Harvest festival includes live jazz all afternoon, the vineyards own eccentric entertaining mascots, including Raymondo - who you will have to wait to meet to understand.

There are lots of difficult choices to make at Grape STOMP Should you choose a gorgeous gourmet feast on the deck of the restaurant, grab a table under the marquis or lay out a blanket with a hay bale to lean on and settle in for a long afternoon?

I just wonder if there is any colour as decadent as crimson - at STOMP..it's the flavour of the day, in the wine, in the grapes.

There are 16 wines to choose from under the Flame Hill Label, their award winning varieties flourishing out of the volcanic soil of the vineyard's hills.


For some, I guess the day's festivities can get a bit much....

Surrounded by well dressed revellers, grape stained from the knee down - this was definitely a moment to remember. We can say we came, we saw, we stomped. You know it's a good evening when you are pulling stray bits of straw out of your clothing and washing grape stains off your feet.

Others may have to spend a little longer getting cleaned up.....

Don't miss the next Harvest to find your own tribal moves. It's amazing what a drum beat can do to your body, trust me - you may surprise yourself as you follow the goddesses in dance, jump in a barrel and then wander the grass with crimson feet.


Montville is in the Sunshine coast hinterland, it's a gem of a village that will have you wondering if you have flown overseas. It's a place so European and beautiful, surrounded by Australian rolling hills and stunning views just a short drive from the beauty of the coast.

The Cellar door at Flame Hill welcomes visitors for tastings, the vineyard restaurant , a stylish escape from reality as you enjoy fine dining with a sublime menu that embraces the produce of their own 250 acre farm. With all those wines to work your way through and such a spectacular view, I would plan to stay a while.


I'm heading there to enjoy a Sunday Brunch one day soon. We'll start with sparkling but you never know, we might end up lying on a rug in the vines with wine and cheese all afternoon. It's just that kind of setting - what's the rush?



You can find Flame Hill Vineyard at 249 Western Avenue in Montville in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast.

For restaurant bookings, Flame Hill Stomp 2013 enquiries or to order a gourmet picnic basket call the vineyard on (07) 5478 5920

Lunch at the Vineyard & Wine Tasting's at the Cellar Door from Thursday to Monday

Don't forget Sunday brunch!
To find more details and the date of STOMP Harvest Festival 2013 visit the Flame Hill Website here...