Lisa Defazio THE Unofficial Ambassador of Everything

I have grown up in Melbourne Victoria where the cuisine is world renown and we have a great depth of culinary variety. Our city is vibrant and diverse, so even when I am familiar ground I am thoroughly spoilt. My comparison when I travel is...

'Is as good as I can get at home?' 

I love to cook, fine dining and occasionally fast food but of course it must be good. Often a meal can be one of the more memorable markers of traveling or life in general. I will never forget the Lobster Pasta I enjoyed at the Grossi Restaurant when it was in Eltham many many years ago - little did I know that the restauranteur would go on to be a hugely respected and famed chef. I had my unconventional 21st at Florentino's as it was known in the day. I think I managed to confuse my friends but the Spinach Gnocchi was divine.

Word of mouth is very powerful - I have taken some ordinary advice but upon reflection it was from a person far removed from me, we were after different things. The good meaning individual sent me off for a wonderful afternoon of shopping that turned out to be cheap knock offs and a less than desirable food court in Thailand. No harm done - what I can tell you is what I have found to be remarkable in the many places I have been. you can see my instagram profile lisadefazzio for examples of what delights or excites me.

Culture is a subjective experience, I do not long for the mundane. I want to know the people, see the back streets hear some back stories. Find the proverbial hidden gem and I seem to have a nose for it. There was a wonderful little cafe I found in Sapporo called Eamon's Chouchou that had charming smiley cutlery that was so full of character it is still in my head today. Then there is the local fare like that found at No 35, Attica, UAE, B'stilla Cantina to name a few.

Art, fashion, food, retro reflections, interviews and my fabulous friends. Subscribe to my youtube channel 

Lisa Defazio 'Have You Got a Minute?'

It is about to get very interesting!

Put Some Shizzle in Your Drizzle! Vintage Glassware

I do love collection of beautiful objects and price or origin has never been my motivator I don't think anyone could ever accuse me of being a snob and here is proof. This adorable set of glassware is a pretty adhoc and is not extraordinary in anyway but I love it being a reminder of a finer era.

 Check out the very short video and vote yes or no to the hair do - did!

I would love some more signature Jonathan Adler pieces like this little Lion to compliment some of my vintage items they blend in beautifully...and did you note I am looking out for fellow collectors? If you have a friend you might recommend please share the video with them.

MAKING VINTAGE FASHION FIT

I love shopping vintage as many of you know, there is the thrill of the find the treasure aspect of it that makes it so exciting. Recently I came across a diamond in the rough this tiger print full length dress. I instantly responded to the print and the richness of the colour so I purchased it along with a few other things from Take 2 markets which always offer up some goodness.

The amount of the garish print was overwhelmingly costume like although I think Florence Welsh might rock it, for my every day or night out I would have to work on this. 

The side seams were crooked and I suspect the previous owner had closed long side slits.

I had a vision it could look more like this, more current and wearable with staying true to some aspects of the original design.

Here is a sketch of the work required to take the basic sack like design to something that would suit my figure type.

I need fitted and a certain length or I quadruple in size, I am tall with square shoulders and can look large if I don't wear a fitted garment, so these are the steps I took to retro fit it.

I would recommend the following guidelines as I have learned the hard way...

• Try the garment on with the heel height you intend to wear it with especially when deciding on the hem length.

• Align the darts - measure measure measure. 

• Always cut hems 6cm longer than required - if you cut it too short it is all over and you won't wear it. If you do happen to cut it too short you can use a facing but this becomes arduous and is no fun - I like immediate results.

• Make alterations less than you think then keep taking in as required, if you are too aggressive with the alterations and unpicking is needed this is never ideal and can damage the garment.

• Keep trying on and refining as you go.

• Use good scissors invest in a large pair of tailors shears one smooth cut is brilliant and once you get use to the weight and size you can use the tips for fine cutting - you will thank me trust me.

• Check your iron setting before you give the garment a final press - start with a cool iron, gone are the days of heavy pressing and be warned some synthetics melt onto the iron and this destroys your unique find and your iron - very ruining.

• Keep offcuts.

Once you have tried the garment on a number of times and refined the fit and given it a final press you can head out in your unique find.

I love this dress and have made a video on my youtube channel about this project - hop over here give it a watch and subscribe! I think I will wear it with my tan boots and a fitted black jacket or cardigan for  work and some really clashy heels and accesories when I head out perhaps magenta or cobalt blue shoes. See you on the Retro side and thanks for reading!

Day Two Phuket Pullman - Thailand Redefined

There is a difference between a #hashtag and a face, a label and an icon and I think I may have just found both at The Pullman Phuket Arcadia Nai Thon Beach where we experience life face to face and icons are created. There is just so much about this place that impresses me.

The resort is 40 - 50 minutes away from Patong but is a world away. This is Thailand re imagined and I think it is a beautiful elegant redefining of a tranquil paradise that the world has been waiting for this is Phuket and Thailand at its best.

 PHUKET ARCADIA NAITHON BEACH

My morning started with a personal Yoga class on the roof top of the gym surrounded by an incredible vista of the rolling hills and the bays, whether my head or tail was up or down every view was phenomenal - that was day two at the Pullman Phuket it looked a little something like this...there were two of us and the instructor nice and private.

Then onto breakfast the award winning breakfast buffet - delicious and caters for every taste from pastries and traditional offerings to exotic fare - unbelievably good!

Then there is the view - day two and no desire to leave this resort its sprawling natural beauty just keeps offering more up at every turn.

I can see the beach but at present it can not compete with this place - perhaps tomorrow I will make it there. There is so much to share and I can only speak from experience and from the heart when I say this place really must be experienced to be believed. More tomorrow x

One Day in Paradise - Kuala Lumpur and Phuket Pullman

There is something between booking a trip and the experience it is the unknown. Within that space may lie anything from unarticulated expectation to inaccurate marketing messages and overblown promises. I recently booked a trip on line through a third party better known as webjet.

Hotels usually come with a reputation many of which precede them. One knows what to expect when booking at one of the Hilton or Sheraton Hotels where a certain level of service and luxury is an expectation that is almost guaranteed. They promise to deliver and in my experience do. This is one of the key reasons I have chosen them as a preferred brand for my accommodation stays. Which brings me to my recent choice of establishment The Pullman Phuket Arcadia.

I have never been to Thailand and was perhaps a little cynical about the destination after all it is a very common holiday choice for Australian travellers. With little expectation and a little research post booking I set off for my 8 night Thailand experience. Like I said I was a little cynical - I couldn't picture myself doing the typical Thai experience but the package was perfect for my requirements and I took the plunge via Kuala Lumpur.

Melbourne to Kualar Lumpur 9 short hours a fantastic 9 hour stop over there where I managed to very easily store my hand luggage, jump on the express train, get a metered cab to The Petronas Towers, had a tour of the towers and may I say to my delight KL really offered up some really interesting architecture a mix of brutalist, 60's modernist and wonderful 70's delights, tucked underneath the Petronas Towers is a fabulous blend of shopping that is world standard - the Chocolate dipped potato chips particularly caught my eye in the lower good court along with some fabulous shoes and boutiques.

Petronas Tower

Fascinating mix of architecture in Kuala Lumpur

I had some amazing Malaysian food and then headed to the Lake Symphony’s dancing fountains and KLCC Park (a free family friendly water park) to lie on the grass and watch families at play. May I say I found the Uniforms very dapper and impressive in KL might have to capture them on my way back home. I meet so many lovely people in that short time - a very friendly city.

Walking from Petronas towers to KLCC park I am dwarfed by the towering trees of the park

Back to the airport collect hand luggage an hour and 15 minutes later I landed in Phuket...wardrobe Tropical Pack Hack working thus far - but that's a blog for a later date.

OH MY! I knew my transfers were organised and that I had chosen a really lovely place to stay full stop - I have done all that before and it is pleasant but usually a pretty pedestrian experience but not this time. I was greeted by an elegantly dressed woman warmly and professionally and so the journey begins. A very short car ride that includes ambient music, drinking water and captivating scenery that is like a fast forward of iconic imagery flashes before you as you are taken to the resort.

The entrance to the Pullman Phuket Arcadia belies not of its secrets tall dark walls and signage greet you and from there it is all just a little bit wonderful.

There is nothing like the disappointment of a film everyone has raved about so I wont rave too much, this really is a place that has to be experienced first hand. What I will do is tell you is a little bit about my stay. I have been here less than 24 hours and I think I have fallen in love and I think it's with this place.

This is called checking in here - seriously - no exaggeration required.

Loved finding beautiful surprises like lovely navy Chambray robes, Umbrellas and a gorgeous beach bag complete with sumptuous beach towels. the well lit space for your luggage and large mirrors - brilliant!

 I must say this space invites you - I am so looking to writing here and sharing this experience - stay tuned more tomorrow!