Zany over Zara

Move over H&M I have a new obsession: Zara

I literally cannot stay away from this oasis of beauty and style. Each collection is practically spot on. I constantly come home looking sheepish and hiding multitudes of dark blue bags behind my back. Even though the temperature in honky town rarely falls below 30 degrees and due to sweltering humidity I'm working up a sweat just getting to my castings, I decided I needed/had to have this cherry red blazer.

I left the store swearing that was it. I was content, I didn't need anything else. I got about 100 meters out of the store before turning and literally running back into my air-conditioned heaven. I scurried out like a rat with a big piece of cheese five minutes later clutching yet another bag containing these super-cute, high-waisted floral shorts.

Unfortunately they don't come with perfect, tanned pins (I wish my legs looked like that) but they are really flattering. I took my new purchases out on the town last weekend and we had a grand time. (I stole the hat when we crashed an Indian themed party).

I cannot rave enough about Zara. They have everything; beautifully tailored blazers, cute playsuits, stunning dresses, super hot heels and great bags.

Although I have now issued myself with restraining order that states I cannot go within 100metres of any Zara store I’m sure nothing will hold me back when the new season collection is released in August.

These are some of my other Zara purchases:

Birdy the bride

Two days of shooting; 30 wedding dresses, 57 evening dresses, five formal up dos, 1000 bobby pins, a can of hairspray, the most horrendous collection of plastic, kitten-heeled shoes whose tackiness could only be rivalled by the mixed bag of diamante clip on earrings and bracelets. Oh yes my dears this was not a walk in the park -this was real work.

A one-hour train and a five-hour bus ride

saw us arrive in smoggy, humid ChenXhou. China is exactly how I remember it from four years ago. Chaotic traffic, greasy food and awkward but amusing language barriers.

Luckily I was working with some of the most chilled out Chinese I’ve ever met. The clients were sweeties who were intent on getting fellow Aussie model Katrina and myself to try their suspicious looking Chinese ‘delicacies’.

Highlights from the shoot include the 40-year-old Mr Chio singing along to Lady Gaga’s poker face, getting high on numerous Coke Zero’s, and stealing the photographers camera.

I like to think of catalogue jobs, as an exercise is patience. Long hours, language barriers and logistical issues equal somewhat tense moments. For example the client decided, as I was so chirpy she would call me ‘little bird’. It was cute for about 20 minutes then it was just annoying. After 12 hours of shooting and her yelling, “fly pretty little bird” I could feel my patience slipping, no flying out the window. I couldn’t suppress the references to Nora from A Dolls House and all that feminist studies slipping into my mind. But more frustrating I had no idea what she wanted me to do! Jump? Flap my arms? I’m a person I can’t fly! I’d been zipped, squeezed and laced in and out of 27 corsets and the chirpy little bird had flown away long ago.

What always amazes/fascinates/horrifies me about bridal shoots is that these dresses could one day actually be worn down the isle. Yes even the baby pink princess dress complete with sequined, butterfly detailing and a five-meter train could be someone’s dream dress. I guess everyone has different tastes but I hope when my day comes that I will remember these three things I’ve learnt:

1. I can't take myself seriously when I'm wearing ten layers of lace and tulle,

2. Petty coats went out of fashion 100 years ago for a reason and

3. Corsets are a form of legal torture that should only be worn in the bedroom where they are sure to be quickly removed.

I want future husband to look down the isle and see a goddess gliding towards him not a meringue.