Inside Tips From Westfield Insider Alyce Cowell

Westfield Insider Alyce Cowell is the envy of many women - me included! She shops for a living and gets paid to do it - imagine that! I caught up with her on her recent trip to Perth to find out what trends she loves, who her fashion icons are and what we can expect this summer season - here's what she had to say:

What should every woman have in her winter wardrobe?

The four main trends this season are shimmer and shine, lady-like, sixties and print-clash

•  Shimmer and shine is a lot of sequins, glitter and Lurex.
•  Lady-like  - lots of cinched in waists, full skirts, structured tops and pointy heels.
•  Sixties are high necklines and mini hemlines.
•  Print-clash could be a floral pants with a striped top.

• •  Must have items:

•  A statement coat
•  A great pair of jeans
•  A good pair of boots
•  A hat
•  A black dress

Which celebrity in your opinion has a rocking style: 

My answer to this never changes – I am obsessed with the Olsens - they’re my absolute favourites. 

I think they are amazing. 

Spring/Summer trends what can we expect to be wearing in the warmer months?

I’ve noticed lots of neon touches like bags, shoes and accessories – a little splash of it looks great.I think we will see lots of colour.

Which celebrity in your opinion has a rocking style: 

My answer to this never changes – I am obsessed with the Olsens  they’re my absolute favourites I think they are amazing. I just love that they wear whatever they want and don’t care what anybody thinks I love how they kind of just throw something on and they look so good – just effortless.
I also like Diane Kruger I think she always looks great.

How long does it take for you to get ready?

Usually it takes me about an hour.

If I know what I’m wearing it’s significantly less and if my hairs done, again it’s a lot less time.
I think the biggest thing for me is choosing the outfit and I feel better about myself if I like my outfit for the day.

Do you find that there’s more pressure on you now to look amazing now that you are the Westfield Insider – or do you have bad days? 

I absolutely have bad days and if you see me at home where I’m just blogging I’m wearing my zebra print bathrobe so it’s not that glamorous at all.
I’m not glamourous all the time that’s for sure and that’s probably why I take my time to get ready.

Favourite stores to shop in: 

Sportsgirl - it’s my favourite because I always find something I like there and there is always such a range.

Even if you feel like it’s too young for you or doesn’t suit you their accessories are great so there is something there for everyone.

I love Sussan for the accessories.

Wittner for their shoes and Lovisa for their jewellery.

Fashion rule you live by?

My motto is WWMKD – What Would Mary Kate Do.

It's a little motto I live by and somebody actually made me a bangle with that engraved on it for me.
I find one of the best tools to use if you are really not sure where to start with fashion is to pick someone you love – whether it’s someone with the same body shape as you or you just admire what they wear.
Google them and you can get so many ideas from their outfits.
If I’m ever stuck I just think of the Olsens because I love their style and I’ll use their outfits as inspiration. 

We went to: FIVE Bar, Mt Lawley

We enjoyed: Lemon, Lime and Bitters

She wore: Dotti pants, Sportsgirl blazer and tank. Accessories by Lovisa.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Shopping a topic every girl can relate to

Dreaming up my new look!

Relaxing at FIVE Bar

Rocking cobalt blue!

Five Minutes with Manu Feildel

HE’S the cheeky French chef who danced his way into our hearts on last season's Dancing with the Stars. But long before this showman could dance he cooked, cutting his teeth on shows like Ready Steady Cook, Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules. I spent five minutes with the flirty Frenchman in the lead up to this year's Good Food and Wine Show. Here's what he had to say:

INSPIRATION:
Cooking in Choos:In the cooking world is there anybody that inspires you?
Manu:
My family is full of cooks - they all inspired me to cook.

PHILOSOPHY:

Cooking in Choos:Do you have a  cooking philosophy?
Manu:
Cook with love, and keep it simple.   Using great, fresh, local ingredients and cooking it simply is the best rule   in the kitchen.

WA:

Cooking in Choos:What does West Australia produce well?
Manu:
Your truffles - AMAZING!!!! Just don’t tell my friends back in France!

SIGNATURE DISH:

Cooking in Choos:Do you have a signature dish?
Manu:
My sausage! It is my Scallop Boudin Sausage with Crab Bisque Sauce.

PERTH SHOW:

Cooking in Choos:What can Perth fans expect to see at the show?
Manu:I cant wait to see everyone in Perth in July.
I plan to have a lot of fun with the audience at the GFWS so make sure you turn the weather on for us.

The Good Food and Wine Show will be held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre from July 13 to 15. A foodies paradise it will feature more than 250 exhibitors and celebrity chef demonstrations by Ainsley Harriot, Adriano Zumbo and George Calombaris. For more information visit www.goodfoodshow.com.au.

COMPETITION
Cooking in Choos has a three double passes to give away to this year's Perth Good Food Wine Show, to win simply visit Cooking-In-Choos on Facebook and answer this question: Who did Manu Feildel beat to take out the coveted mirrorball trophy in last season's Dancing with the Stars? Pop your answer below or on our Facebook page to win and remember the more you share the page to your friends the more chances you have at winning - Good luck xoxo

Cheeky Cherries!

Manu & I at last year's GFWS

Buddy Valstro - The Cake Boss at the Everything Baking Expo Perth

Today I was lucky enough to meet one of the most talented people in the baking industry - New Jersey's The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro! 

Here for the weekend Buddy visited Perth to the delight of his fans at The Everything Baking Exhibition. Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre he has one more show here (tomorrow) before jetting off for a one-show only event in Sydney on Monday. 

The exhibition, the brainchild of Julia Pergoliti of Cupids Delight it features chef demonstrations, the latest products and services in the cake decorating and baking industries with 

Buddy Valastro the cake king of Hoboken most certainly the highlight. 

Buddy a fourth-generation baker and owner of the famous Carlo’s Bakery in New Jersey appeared today for a special masterclass where 30 budding cake decorators and bakers got to experience a once in a lifetime one-on-one tuition from the Cake Boss himself.

Buddy will make his final appearance in Perth tomorrow from 9am during a live demonstration for fans. The Buddy's Surprise show will give fans the chance to hear the chef's top tips and he might even share a few secrets.

Tickets for the Buddy's Surprise show are $65 and tickets to the expo are $16.

For more information visit Cake Artists Australia and to read more about the man himself visit 

Carlo's Bakery .

P.S What was he like in person? An absolute sweetheart!

Some of the cakes in the Everything Baking Cake Competition - Ah-mazing!!!!

Australiana themed cakes were popular

Snags on the barbie, vegemite, surfboard & boomerang - very Aussie!

Love the colours on this one

Award-winning OZ cake

A tribute to The Boss

And another - very cool!

Showing me how it's done

Doing what he does best

THE BOSS

A quick pic before continuing on with his Masterclass

Read my ishoperth interview with The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro

Belle-Donna - Catching up with Belle Bijoux

Last year I got to meet Fremantle-based accessory designer and mother-of-two Belle Bijoux of Belle Bijoux Australia . Since our first meeting you could say that I've become a little OBSESSED with her ah-mazing bags, shoes and leather goods. Having started from her home studio more than 10 years ago her business has gone from strength to strength. Worn by celebs including Mia Freedman, Katy Steele, Jessica Simpson, Cate Blanchatt, Jennifer Hawkins, Megan Gale, Kate Cebrano and Sophie and Gemma Ward,  I caught up with her yesterday to find out how 2012 was treating her so far and what direction she was looking to take her business this year.
Here's what she had to say:

It's been a few months since we last spoke how have things been going since we last chatted? 

Busy is a word for it.. I've been hugely inspired of late.

I'm constantly dreaming up new collections.. more shoes.. jewellery.. new year, new creative energy!

Last year you won Cosmo's FFF Award in the entrepreneur category - what was that experience like and has it helped with the exposure of your brand? 

I was extremely honoured to be one of the finalists but to take out the title blew my socks off!

I just never thought it would happen.

It has given the brand a lot of exposure Australia wide and I've gained a heap of confidence in myself and in my brand.

What's the latest with Belle Bijoux? I believe you are planning to start your new shoe line - how has this been going for you? 

I've always done a shoe here and there but this summer the Millie wedges I did went, well, lets just say 'ballistic' so I'm bringing out a few extra styles for Winter and then again for Summer 2012/13. I'm very excited about expanding this part of my business as are all the shoe loving woman out there.

What's on the agenda for this year have you got any exciting coming up? 

I'm in discussions with a distributor in Singapore which is wonderful so if all goes well I plan to head up there to  check it out.

Launching the shoe and new jewellery collection is what I'm most excited about.

What is your favourite Belle Bijoux bag? 

Of course it's the Evangeline - the colour for winter is cobalt blue (bluebird blue) it's to die for!

You've come up with some fabulous collections - where do you draw inspiration from? 

I can't really pin point it but I'd say vintage fashion has a huge influence, travel, old films and just from people watching - Fremantle is great for that!

Tell us about Mister Sun and what we can expect from your next collection? 

Mister Sun was all about the ocean, sunkissed bombshells and the beach!

The next collection will be a little more mod 1960's!

What are some of your goals for this year, where would you like to see Belle Bijoux take you in 2012? 

My goal this year is to really relax into my business and to go with the flow.

I would like to take opportunities as they come my way not necessarily go chasing them.

The most important thing for me is that I enjoy what I'm doing and that means I have to go at my own pace.

You're a mother of two  how do you juggle motherhood and running such a successful business? 

It can get tricky but having a very supportive partner helps a lot.

My children are also very supportive too, they love what I do and they get as excited about it as I do, especially my nearly teenage daughter Elianah - she's already desiging for me.

"I have the direction for AW.. a back pack mum a pack pack.. with really long straps.. and you know what I think I'll just do it and name it Elianah!"

What advice would give women looking at starting a home business in order to make it successful? 

To have a very clear understanding of what they want to create and achieve.

It took me a few years to really have a clear understanding of my brand and where I wanted to take it.

If you can have that before you start you are going great guns. 

Belle Bijoux is celebrating her birthday this week and is offering shoppers 50% off her Mister Sun collection - visit Belle Bijoux to find out more.

Hurry offer ends January 23.

Belle's favourite bag the Evangaline in Coral

Bonnie Bag in mint

Mirella Wallet

Oh Millie you're so fine, you're so fine, you blow my mind - Oh Millie!! Millie Wedges black

Millie Wedges Coral

Millie Wedges mint

The beautiful Belle with Evangaline - love this shot!

Evangaline & Belle's partner Greg

Future BB designer Elianah with little sister Evangaline

How cute is this pic Evangaline being piggy-backed by Greg on the beaches of Freo