Sittin' Pretty

Sav Wears

Dress - Blue Juice

Ring - Elm

Shoes (Not Pictured) - Rubi Shoes

Hey Gang! So I'm twisting things up a bit with this outfit post. It's a bit more of a personal one, so here's a few cute family snaps for you all. Last Saturday, when the weather was better than todays', I was lucky enough to be sitting pretty with my fab family. The day was filled with speeches and old photos, to celebrate my Godmother's 50th birthday. We were in beautiful Sydney harbour, in the Park Hyatt hotel. As you can see from the pictures, the hotel is absolutely beautiful and the view is just incredible! Let me know what you think of these more personal posts in the comments :)

Happy happy birthday to my wonderful Aunty Janine xx

 Be sure to follow Zola on Bloglovin' so you don't miss my regular Tuesday posts xo

Sculptures By The Sea Video

Hello munchkins! It's Tuesday! Hope you're having a most wonderful week. So far my week has consisted of ice cream, yoga, weird weather, a creepy science documentary, and an incident with a berry... lets not get into that one. As intrigued as I'm sure you are, this weeks post is about my weekend adventure to Sculptures By The Sea.

Sculptures By The Sea is an event that is put on in Sydney every year that showcases well... sculptures by the sea. There are a huge variety of sculptures that are positioned around the Bondi to Tamarama walk. As usual, the sculptures were super interesting. They range from 'woah thats amazing' to 'I have no understanding or appreciation of art.' I guess thats how I respond to most arty things actually.

Art aside, what I really love about Sculptures By The Sea is just how popular it is. The crowds were huge, which I'll admit was annoying at first. But I love to see Sydney getting out and enjoying life and all these cool artworks. It's what our city is famous for, and why I love it so much. Especially because the festival is at Bondi, which is such a famous beach. I think it's really cool that our culture as Sydney is one that is out enjoying everything that life has to offer.

I was not planning on this being a motivational rant/essay about how much I love Sydney. I'm going to stop, and you can watch this nice video I made you :)

And to other news, School is out and blogging is in. Well... thats not entirely true. Assesments are out and blogging is in. I'm working hard to post more regularly this summer, because once a week just isn't enough! Especially more fashion and videos, because their always fun. Let me know what else you want to see by commenting below. You can also send any messages to me via Instagram Direct @zolablog. One more quick thing, if you like my posts please please spread the love and follow me on Bloglovin' here.

Check back for a new post later in the week!
Till then, stay fab xo

Thoughts on 1989

Last Tuesday, the latest Taylor Swift masterpiece was unleashed to an undoubtably ruthless twelve year old army of Swifties. The new album titled 1989, after Taylor's birth year, is sure to be loved by all ages.

The new tracks are fresh and upbeat. A welcome change to the heartbreak ballads of Red. Their all about the songstress and her New York single life. Although Taylor has been stressing the lack of love songs on this album, there are still a few love themed tracks. But who's complaining?!

The first track on the album is 'Welcome to New York'. It starts the album on a feel good note, with an awesome beat. The lyrics tell the story of Tay in this new city of opportunity. It's followed by the equality catchy 'Blank Space'. I have to admit, I wasn't a big fan of this one the first time I heard it, but it's so dang catchy! I've had it stuck in my head all week, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The third track on the album is 'Style', which again, I wasn't too keen on upon the first listen but its got that cliche pop vibe that makes it play round and round in your head. 'Shake It Off' is the next big track on the album. This one was the first song to be released, and it brings out the message of this album beautifully. Swift directly addresses every judgement she's ever been given, and just accepts them, pulling apart some truth to the rumors. Not to mention the video *fangirls* 


The eighth track on the album is 'Bad Blood'. I'm sure it will come out eventually, but at the moment I have no idea who this is about. Whoever it is, Taylor is really upset with them. Heartfelt lyrics aside, this one has a great beat. Musically, I feel like it is a lot stronger than other tracks on the album. The verses sound quite Lorde inspired too. I love it! Possibly my favourite song on the album! Actually, I might have spoken too soon... I'm also loving I Know Places. Again, the beat is quite strong. The lyrics are interesting to listen to, if anyone feels like a bit of a decode. It also has this cool little echo thing going, which is different. The chorus is a trademark Swift, ridiculously catchy! This one reminds me of Lorde too. Their very cool and collected, without trying too hard. 

The next noteworthy track on the album is 'Wonderland'. The vibes of this track are just well... wonderful! As far as I know, it is only available on the deluxe edition. If you're considering it- trust me, its worth the few extra bucks. This track tells a cute love story with Alice and Wonderland references, and sly comments to the media. The chorus is such a hope filled state of confusion with the lyrics 'We found wonderland, you and I got lost in it. Life was never worse, but never better.' Another catchy chorus will make this one of the biggest tracks on the album. The final track is 'New Romantics'. This one sounds like Lorde the most, with the lyrics as well as the beat. It's a different perspective from Swift, about the hard times, and well... how we can ignore them and go partying. Its such a rebellious sound for Swift, who has become famous for her innocence. As much as I love sweet Taylor Swift, its refreshing to hear these upbeat melodies.

As a whole, the album is much more Pop than anything Taylor Swift has done before. Many of the tracks are quite similar, but are still catchy and great for those I'm-home-alone-dance-parties. Its clear Taylor is getting older, as we hear her beat and lyrics change. I can't decide how I feel about it, her old music is so great but I'm also a touch obsessed with a few tracks on this album. I'm sure many will be thankful to see Taylor finally doing something different with her music. She will face losing her younger fanbase and her role model status with this new set of honest lyrics about love and life. But nothing could even come close to beating Taylor Swift at this point in her career. Who knows where she will go next?

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!

Hello lovely readers! My very first giveaway has come to a close. I would like to thank everyone who entered very very much. It was so nice to see all of you with the giveaway photo on your feed. Now for the moment you have all been waiting for! The winner is...
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MIA PUTTNICK!

Congrats Mia! Be sure to send me your address via Instagram Direct so I can send you your prize. Again, thanks so much for everyone who entered. My giveaway will be back next year for Zola's second birthday, and I already have something great in mind. Stay tuned for tomorow's regular Tuesday post. I'll be sharing my thoughts on Taylor Swift's new album, 1989. Also, I've been doing the Photo A Day challenge on my Instagram this month, so check it out @zolablog. 

Stay chilled,

How To Ace Your Final Exams

OH MY GOSH MY FINAL EXAMS START ON MONDAY AND I AM FREAKING OUT!
Raise your hand if this sounds familiar. Well, before you turn to coffee, late night cramming and hardcore procrastination - take a deep breath and read this post.

1. Make a study schedule
Before you get stuck into your exam prep, make a study schedule. Make a note of what you need to learn for each of your subjects, and how much time you need for each subject. Think about allocating more time for subjects you might not be as good at. Plan out when you're going to study, and specifically what subjects you're going to study when. Don't forget to include time for snack/youtube/read this blog breaks. This might seem like a bit of trek - but its worth it! Promise!

2. Learn how you learn
In order to study effectively, you've got to study the way you learn. Theres a whole bunch of quizzes you can do online that will tell you your learn, but this one comes up first on Google, so obviously its super professional! Check it out here, http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

The types of learning are visual, aural, reading/writing, and kinaesthetic. So obviously if you're a visual learner you want to be looking at diagrams, aural learners will learn from speaking things, reader/writers can write notes, and kinaesthetic have to get moving!

I'm a bit of all of them, but I learn best from writing, so I make notes for most of my subjects.

3.  Quiz yourself
I find that quizzing myself is one of the most effective ways to learn content. Get some little notecards, like the kind you use for palm cards. Write a question on one side, and the answer on the other side. Borrow a family member and get them to quiz you, or just quiz yourself. It's a really good way to check how well you know your content, and an even better way to learn the content you don't know!

4. Take exercise breaks

Can I just put it out there - focussing for a long time is very very hard. So hard. It's so important to break it up. I normally study for around an hour on a subject, then take a 10 to 15 minute break. I'll be honest, in that 10 to 15 minutes all I want to do is hang out on Instagram. From experience, its so much better to drag yourself out of that desk chair! Get moving! I love to bring out my hula hoop, do some star jumps, or even stretching and yoga. That little bit of physical activity will help you focus on your study when you get back to it.

5. Eat Lo Gi
Lo Gi foods have a really slow release of energy, so they will keep you going for longer. These foods should be your go to foods on the days you have your exams, as they won't leave you with that dazed hungry feeling. Some examples of Lo Gi foods are oats, grain breads, peas, corn, carrot, mushroom, tomatoes, lettuce, nuts, chocolate, apples, strawberries, oranges, milk and yoghurt. Get creative and cook up some delicious lo gi food!

There are my study tips! I hope they've been helpful for you. I wish you all the best of luck in your exams, remember not to stress out. Be well prepared, and walk into that exam room with your head held high. Sadly, you won't be hearing from me next Tuesday as I'll be buried to deep into the exam hole to dig myself out and write this blog. But no worries because I am so so so excited for what is coming, and you should be too. Lastly, DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY BY FOLLOWING ON BLOGLOVIN AND INSTAGRAM! COMP IS DRAWN 3RD OF NOVEMBER X

Symmetry

Savannah Wears

Necklace - Thomas Sabo

Top - Surry Hills Markets

Skort - Princess Polly

Shoes - Rubi (not pictured)

What a week! Since we last spoke I've accomplished many great achievements. I've been more sick than I think I've ever been in my life, I've watched an entire season of Offspring, and I've spent more time on the couch than any other piece of furniture in my home. Solid effort Sav.
But in the midst of it all, I realized that I do not post as many outfits as I used to - and I miss it! I really do. So, here you go.

I found this skort in the city a few months ago, and I just had to have it! You know how it is. I just love the lines and symmetry, that the print creates. I paired it with this little white shirt, that I scored at Surry Hills markets a few weekends ago. It's quite minimalistic, but the little zig zag pattern puts a unique spin on it. Its cropped too, which I thought was quite interesting. 

I wore this little outfit to high tea over the weekend. My Grandma treated us girls to little cakes and other goodies. What a babe! Here's a little piccy from the afternoon. 

More Offspring awaits! 'Till next week we can chat on Instagram @zolablog :)

Click here to follow on Bloglovin' x

How To Op Shop Like a Pro

ITS TUESDAY! My blissful holiday of adventure has come to a close, and its back to the books with finals in less than a month. I'm hoping your first day wasn't as much of a slap in the face as mine, and if it was, I'm about to make it a whole lot better by enlightening you with my Op Shopping tips. Lets get started!

1. Think about your timing

Op Shops rely on donated items, so obviously stock doesn't come in as regularly as other shops. So, you're likely to find the most stock after a lot of people have donated stuff. I'd say the best time of year is around spring, because everyone is doing their spring cleaning. If you want to get serious, the best day to Op shop is supposedly a Tuesday. This is because everyone cleans out on weekends, and the monday is spent sorting the clothes.  

2. Go Op Shopping in cool places
This one is a serious key to success. The Op shops with the coolest clothes are always the ones where the fashionable people live. For example, some areas I know in Sydney include Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, and Glebe. I also really love the Op shops in Avalon and Manly. You can find all the Op Shops in Australia on this website, http://www.opshop.org/ .




3. Take a bag
I know all my favourite Op shops are always short on bags. Often when you buy something, there won't be a bag available for you, so play it safe and bring a little tote bag when you go on an Op shopping trip. 




4. Be nice to the volunteers
My lovely Op Shop buddies Aimee, and Caitlyn. 
This is just a general ethics one, but its super important! All the people that work in Op shops are 100% volunteers. Their often super cute old ladies, actually. So be friendly and polite!




5. Look thoroughly 

Op shops can have a tonne of stock, and their not usually as well set out as your average store. Go ahead and get in the spirit by taking the time to dig through the racks. You're sure to find something awesome. 

6. Go out of your comfort zone

An Op shop is probably a place you wouldn't normally shop, so don't be afraid to go for things you wouldn't normally wear. Try finding some vintage, and brands you wouldn't normally go for. Make sure you try whatever it is on first though!

7. Get creative!

One of the reasons op shopped pieces are so cool are you can make them totally your own. Often I find amazing fabrics, cool accessories and fun styles, but something just isn't quite right. This is where you can get creative! Think as big or small as you like, and don't forget to have fun with it. Try bringing out the sewing kit, a pair of scissors or even dye. You could even just style something a little differently. For example, I scored the cutest pair of shorts from an Op shop in the holidays. They were wayyyyy long, and I never would've worn them, but with just a few rolls around the bottom they were transformed into a cute boyfriend short! For only $9!

8. Don't forget to look at the rest of the shop
You'll probably head out on an Op shopping excursion with clothes in mind, but don't forget the other sections! When we went Op shopping, my friend Aimee turned to me and said 'what I love about Op shopping is you never know what your going to find!'. It is so true! You'll often find a treasure trove of books, shoes, and jewellery. I even found some records! 

9. Don't give up

If your Op shopping trip isn't a success, don't give up! Op shops have new stock coming in all the time, and honestly it's not very consistent. Sometimes I'll go op shopping and want to buy everything, and other times there's nothing that catches my eye. If you don't find anything, make sure you go back. It might also be a good idea to try your luck at a different shop.

10. Think about donating

Op shopping is so much fun, but it wouldn't work without donated items. If you're in the mood for a wardrobe/room clean out, sort your good quality things into a bag and take it down to your local Op shop. You can donate pretty much anything from wetsuits, to those old High School Musical DVD's. Plus, all the money made on the things you donate goes to charity! #winning

So there you have it! Happy Op shopping!

P.S. My Instagram has been going crazy over the past few days, so a shoutout to my new followers! If you want to join the party follow me @zolablog

P.P.S. If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, your missing out!! Keep scrolling for all the details x