CURRENTLY LOVING CURRENTLY LOVING

  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Newsletter
  • PRESS
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Newsletter
  • PRESS
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Newsletter
  • PRESS

WE’RE ON YOUTUBE!

Instagram

  • POP THE BUBBLES 🥂 .. we have ourselves a winner! Thank you to everyone who entered my recent giveaway with @bellaboxaunz! 🙏🏻 With the cold settling in, it’s safe to say we’re all craving that little bit of pampering! As for one lucky winner, they’re about to get their hands on every little self-care necessity they’ll need for the rest of the season! Congratulations to.. @emmajanecraig_x! 🥳🥳 Slide into my DMs to claim your Welcome to Wellness Autumn Box, courtesy of @bellaboxaunz! For the rest of us, don’t forget that you can subscribe to @bellaboxaunz anytime to receive a quarterly wellness-focused package! ☕️ The Winter box has just released TODAY and oh my — I can’t wait to show you all the brand new goodies in this release! ‘Tis the season for surrounding ourselves with beautiful things, that’s for sure! Speaking of beautiful things, I’ve had many messages about the way I styled my birthday event at @chancerychambersrooftopterrace in Auckland! Whilst I’d love to credit my own stylistic eye.. in large part, I’d be fooling myself. 🤦🏽‍♀️ The truth is, I owe a great deal to the gorgeous team at @kinspire_events! Not only did they provide the most beautiful stylised flower bouquets, they also set up an exquisite balloon display on the garden terrace of the venue! It was an amazing and inspired sight. 🥰 I also decided approximately an hour before the event (I’m painful like that 🤣), that the main room of my venue at @chancerychambersrooftopterrace would look even more stunning, if it were filled with balloons itself! @kinspire_events got straight to work, and I’ve never seen balloons blown up so fast! 😝 They made every corner of the venue come to life, tying together the aesthetic of the garden terrace with the indoor space just perfectly! Thank you for accommodating to my impulsive ideas, @kinspire_events! 🙏🏻 If you’re hosting an event in Auckland, you simply must check out their work! Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!
  • DEAR MONDAY .. ✍🏻 Why you gotta test me like that? I may have entered this week on an inspired note. But it quite easily could have been zapped by 5am this morning. Monday had some rather nifty challenges up its sleeve — and honestly, I’m convinced it just wanted to test how far my positive mindset would go. I woke up this morning and noticed that my phone had no service. It was in a constant state of searching. Warning: apparently this is happening to a lot of iPhone 7s. In my case, it arises more than a slight issue. From the moment I wake up to work out, ya girl can’t do a lot without her phone. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Every element of my job, from blogging to social media management, relies on the damn thing. Fortunately, I consider myself quite the problem solver — so by 9am, you better believe I was outside a repairs store. I was informed of necessary costs and that it would take 10 such days that I didn’t (and still don’t) have. All of this, to receive a phone that might face the same error in a month’s time. A few hums later, I was sitting aside a Vodafone teller, signing my life away on a new phone — such that I hadn’t planned on buying for at least several months to a year down the track. It made me think. Not everything in life is in our control. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things won’t always work out in our favour. Or in a backwards kind of way .. they will. Events like this remind us to be grateful, after all. I was fortunate to be in a position where I could solve the problem. I’ll be the first to admit, that’s a very privileged position to be in. What’s more, if this is my biggest problem on a Monday, I really don’t have a lot to worry about, do I? So what if today didn’t go the way I planned? It was still great. And even better once I enjoyed coffee and vegan treats at the new @snowwhitebakerymelb venue in South Yarra. ☕️ I think I’ve found my spot for laughing off life’s little woes — and the perfect company for doing so too. Thanks to you, @dazvarlamova, for taking these shots, and for semi-validating today’s investment in portrait mode. 🤦🏽‍♀️☺️ That’ll be all from you, Monday! I’m out! ✌🏻
  • #WOMENSUPPORTWOMEN ✌🏻 .. now, there’s a cause l’ll get behind. I must say, I’ve started this week on an extremely motivated note! 💁🏽 This Sunday gone, I was lucky enough to attend the Melbourne-based @minding.her.business event with girl boss in her own right, @jessraeking. In between nibbles of @gourmaeevents’ grazing platter and cans of Rosé by @roseroseallday, we were met with an appropriately-named empowerment panel — complete with @stephaniesanzo, @katesave and @chloeszep. Not only did I take away some key notes for driving my own business goals, I came away with a few inter-personal goals too. 👌🏻 For the most part, these goals had to with empowering and supporting women in as many ways I can. It was so refreshing to see women welcome each other with smiles as opposed to degrading or judgemental looks. If only we’d continue to embrace one another outside networking events to the same extent. Here’s how I’d like to try! 1️⃣ By expressing full emotion! 😱 If I’m impressed by a fellow females’ goals or ventures, I’m going to show it in complete capacity! None of this playing-it-down bull crap. After all, supporting other women doesn’t make me or my own goals any lesser. 2️⃣ By smiling at other women! 😁 Even if we don’t play apart in sharing critical looks, there’s no reason we shouldn’t involve ourselves in breaking the trend! It’s time we shared warmth; an approachable and inviting vibe with fellow women, strangers or friends! 3️⃣ By playing an active part in their journey! 🤜🏻 There’s nothing I love more than when a girlfriend checks in with me to see how I’m pacing towards my goals. Not only is the accountability appreciated, so too is the mere reminder they care! How do YOU actively support the women/men in your life? Any new methods you’re trying to make habit of? 👇🏻 Share with me below! #MHBTribe
  • FITNESS & FOODIE UPDATE 🤸🏻‍♂️🌮 .. it’s been a month full of learning! If you’ve been following my stories, you’ll know that over the past month, I’ve taken on the Fitness and Nutrition programs at @themindfulhubau. After consultations with a nutritionist, I’ve received flexible meal and snack ideas for a vegan diet. 🌽🥒 I’ve also attended weekly virtual training sessions, tailored to my own goals and history with fitness! As you guys know, I wasn’t starting from the beginning. 🏃‍♀️ I’m super into eating in a way that fuels me, and I swear by exercising for bettering both my physical and mental health. With that said, I’m habitual to a point of self detriment. I hold onto healthy habits — as tightly as I do negative ones. I mentioned a while back that I find fasting (or eating little amounts) in the morning to be great for my focus. A positive in one sense, I did find that by the time I could sit down and make a full meal, I’d be starving! I’d overeat and my gut would go wild. 🥴 Rather than making me feel re-energised, I left my first meal feeling sluggish and slow. I was concerned the nutritionist would offer very traditional advice (like eat a big breakfast), completely countering what I’d learnt about myself. Instead, she took on what I said and offered me a range of snack ideas to ensure I could be more mindful at meal-times. She even gave me tips for brunch (y’all know I need them! 😋 That eyes-bigger-than-stomach predicament is reeeaaal). She didn’t tell me to avoid beautiful cafes, like the local, @shanklincafe. 🙌🏻 But she did advise to look at the menu beforehand. To choose water over a heavy alternative, if I’m having a larger meal. All these tips weren’t aimed at weight loss. 🙅🏽‍♀️ Rather, they focused on my enjoyment of food — by ridding digestive issues, and overall, enhancing my ability to listen to my body. As a result, I’m feeling the healthiest and fittest I have — probably since moving to Melbourne. Maybe, even ever.. with thanks to @themindfulhubau. Feel free to use my code “KENZIE” for 15% off your own virtual program (just view the “Shop” tab to explore). 🙌🏻 If you have any more questions, feel free to pop them below!
  • MY FIRST BIG BREAK ✍🏻 .. and the first team to take a chance on me. Let me tell you a little story. Back when I was blogging at about 14-15 years old (indeed, little has changed), I met the gorgeous pair behind @istoria_events_nz. We initially met at a local Auckland restaurant, where we shared our stories, our missions and our aims. ☕️ Each of us passionate and determined women, we instantly bonded. After initially collaborating with the team, I went on to write for them. 👩🏽‍💻 This would be one of my very first freelance/remote copywriting roles. At just 15, it was an ironic foreshadowing to what would later become. I remember sitting on the beach at my bach in Tindalls Bay, tanning and writing an “About” page for the Istoria website. 🏝🤳🏻 I turned to my Mum: “How cool is it that I’m sitting on the beach, but I’m technically working right now”, I said. Years later, you can still find some of my copy on their website. Better yet, myself and the girls have crossed over multiple times between NZ Fashion Week, and more recently, my 21st birthday. You can only imagine how much it meant to have the girls’ incredible paper flower stands, decorating my garden venue, @chancerychambersrooftopterrace. Alone, these flowers are stunning. 🌸 Together, with all the history they hold, they meant the absolute world. To the girls who ignored my age and heard my voice instead, thank you. Thank you for your endlessly beautiful work and for your open hearts. I’m saving this story as a little reminder to self: we all need a helping hand at some point. 🌻 And the only real way to give back — is to pass it on. To take the same unforgettable chance on someone else.
  • FINDING YOUR TRIBE 🌿 .. it’s like intuitive eating: satisfying and life-long. When it comes to the people I surround myself with, I’m all about trusting my gut. I tell ya, I was practicing intuitive behaviour long before it hit the trending page. From eating muesli for dinner, to fostering friendships that feel right, I’ve always let my gut lead the way. And how thankful I am for it’s guidance. I’ve known @clean_andmean since high school, and yet, it took moving cities for us to really come together. I think we must have shared a single day, drinking coffee and roaming Wellington — and from there, that was it. We’d do the same thing for the rest of the year. And forever. As for @chelseasmethurst, I’d shared a giggle with her in a tutorial. Not long after, I decided she seemed a good fit for a hiking buddy. That she said yes (and also directed us to the snack aisle with admirable confidence) was all the confirmation I needed. We’d be life-long friends too. When it came to @a_jaxcreative, my gut did all kinds of things to pull me in his direction. 🤦🏽‍♀️☺️ We began working together at the same cafe, and my stomach would bound each time we even spoke. Eventually, I listened. I like to apply this same gut approach to the career and business partnerships I make. Today, I work alongside people who both inspire and resonate with the journey I’m on. It’s no surprise I gravitated towards @purpleapricotnz to help with my 21st event. They share my spirit for life, and for bringing bold ideas into a magical state of reality. This was one of the most special nights to date, made so by all the beautiful people who surrounded me. By a mesmerising jungle backdrop by @purpleapricotnz, and the most stunning venue to match, @chancerychambersrooftopterrace. The energy that every single person brought to that room confirmed years of gut feelings: this is my tribe. And like this enchanting wall, you make up the layers to my life, to which I never need question. 💕 I simply know. . . 👉🏻 Look by @jaimerandellhairandmakeup. 👉🏻 Photos by @annushkadunstan, edited by me. 👉🏻 @sofia.thelabel Golden Hour dress, courtesy of @hireadressnz.
  • DEFINING SELF CARE .. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Who is anyone to decide what does and doesn’t count? If there existed a counter-movement to self care, I’d argue it’s happening now. And I don’t mean that people are taking off their sheet masks and redirecting to an all-work no-play mentality. Rather, there’s a lot of judgement or critique being thrown at the concept, and what’s “allowed” to exist under its name. I understand the term currently boasts and even justifies a plethora of actions. But am I the only one questioning whether it’d make sense, if this were any different? We can sit here and say that sheet masks or manicures or “down time” don’t define self care. We can argue that the concept only lends itself to addressing anxiety, depression and heartbreak. But then we’d be assuming that everyone exists in the exact same state. Hosting the exact same issues; personality and behavioural conflicts. This is just NOT the truth. Self care connotes such a wide range of feelings, because looking after yourself does not and will not look the same for two people. Self work, by very nature, involves different levels of work within entirely different categories — dependent on who you are and where you’re at. If I’m not dealing with mental health issues, OF COURSE, self care will look different to me. OF COURSE, I’ll be making change in smaller, more subtle ways in my life. This doesn’t mean my change is redundant or any less worthy of my time.. nor the title of self care! For me, self care IS making sure I don’t burn out. It IS setting a time at night to stop working. It IS eating a healthy meal. It IS ordering fries. And it is also: being open to someone when I feel down. Both spending time alone and with others when I need lifting up. Self care is about making space to nourish YOUR inner and outer most self. So if sometimes that means treating yourself to brunch at @highsocietycafe, and other times, that means seeing a therapist, it doesn’t matter where the act places on the spectrum: BOTH COUNT. If you need to take any action at a certain time in order to remain healthy, happy and balanced, it counts — because it counts for you.
  • WELLNESS GIVEAWAY 🧘🏽‍♀️🌻🤸🏻‍♀️ .. let’s start this season by giving back to ourselves. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that I can’t put my best self forward .. when my health and well-being is two steps back. That’s why I do my best to eat well, to sleep and to exercise often, no matter the season. There’s one aspect of wellness I’ve not always been so good at .. and that’s knowing when to take things slow. With thanks to @bellaboxaunz and their beautiful Welcome to Wellness Autumn box (valued at $200), I’ve had every excuse. Now, I’d love to extend the same opportunity to one lucky AUS/NZ reader! If you love the idea of drinking @remedydrinks kombucha on the way to a complimentary @kxpilates class. 🍑 Coming home to a shower with the Native Honey Body Scrub by @organiq and easing into the day with a collagen beauty smoothie, this one’s for you! TO ENTER! 🌻 Follow @currentlylovingblog and @bellaboxaunz! 🌻Tag 2 friends below that deserve a little love! Mental health is a big part of wellbeing, after all. 🌻 BONUS entry: share this post to your story! Giveaway closes Monday 17th of June, 7pm AEST. 😘 Let’s stay well together this Autumn/Winter! Good luck!!
  • SELF-DOUBT SUCKS 🤦🏽‍♀️ .. and no one, not even the most confident, are exempt from its target. We all have our days, right? For me, I’ll have many in which I feel proud to be who I am. I feel accomplished and successful and whole-heartedly capable. And then, out of nowhere, I’ll experience completely contradictory feelings. I may even experience the two extremes in the same day. I’ll meet with a sense of self-doubt that I often convince both my audience and my closest friends, is unnecessary and limiting. During these moments, I’m prone to dismissing all my triumphs. I’ll disregard all the times someone has reached out and told me what I do and who I am.. has helped them. Instead, I’ll feel like I’m providing no value. I’ll convince myself that no one wants what I have to give. I’ll become overwhelmed by a whirlwind of stagnancy. And by a lack of faith. I’ll feel like I’m failing. I should stop trying at all. It’s not worthwhile. I could be doing so much better. All these thoughts run amuck in my mind. And the ironic thing is, I consider myself and present, as a very self-assured and head-strong individual. I am both these things. And yet, this doesn’t exempt me from the bounds of self-doubt. Often the only thing that does, is time. It’s time to reflect, to reset and to gain new sense of perspective. I know that sometimes it’s hard to see the whole picture. And to understand that we’re not failing, so much as we are focusing on just one aspect of our lives. I want you to know that in this moment, whether you’re slightly more susceptible or strong to self-doubt today, we’re in it together. And every moment that we refuse to believe this isn’t our reality — rather, a mere space we’re passing through — let it be said, we’re getting stronger together too.

RECENT POSTS

  • The Power of Re-Invention
    May 5, 2019
  • Redefining Success: The Dress Edit
    March 1, 2019
  • “Adulting” Hack: It’s okay to grow
    February 15, 2019
  • Fashion,  Projects/Collaboration

    8 things I wish I said at #NZFW.

    August 31, 2018 /

    We've all walked away from an event, a person, or a circumstance and wished we'd said certain things. Here's 8 I wish I said at NZFW, as well as a taste for Day Three events; my thoughts on emerging and established designers.

    Read More

    LOVING THE CONVERSATION? LETS KEEP TALKING:

    MBFW DAY TWO // 3.30am Wake-Ups, Nip-Slips and Anna Quan.

    May 15, 2018

    Behind Modern Manners

    January 6, 2016

    World of Fashion (not so Fashion-y)

    April 18, 2016

KENZIE | EDITOR OF CURRENTLY LOVING


"Don't mistake Currently Loving for your average fashion blog. To me and to loyal readers, it is so much more. Currently Loving is about bettering ourselves -- in ways that extend from upping our brunch game to battling with pride. It all happens in the community of Currently Loving. Here we find confidence through fashion; happiness through lifestyle and ourselves through travel. It's about accepting who we are today, knowing in ourselves that we'll be better tomorrow." - Kenzie xx

WE’RE ON YOUTUBE!

SUBSCRIBE TO CL

Consider it an ode to Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." Let's keep in touch.

Instagram

  • POP THE BUBBLES 🥂 .. we have ourselves a winner! Thank you to everyone who entered my recent giveaway with @bellaboxaunz! 🙏🏻 With the cold settling in, it’s safe to say we’re all craving that little bit of pampering! As for one lucky winner, they’re about to get their hands on every little self-care necessity they’ll need for the rest of the season! Congratulations to.. @emmajanecraig_x! 🥳🥳 Slide into my DMs to claim your Welcome to Wellness Autumn Box, courtesy of @bellaboxaunz! For the rest of us, don’t forget that you can subscribe to @bellaboxaunz anytime to receive a quarterly wellness-focused package! ☕️ The Winter box has just released TODAY and oh my — I can’t wait to show you all the brand new goodies in this release! ‘Tis the season for surrounding ourselves with beautiful things, that’s for sure! Speaking of beautiful things, I’ve had many messages about the way I styled my birthday event at @chancerychambersrooftopterrace in Auckland! Whilst I’d love to credit my own stylistic eye.. in large part, I’d be fooling myself. 🤦🏽‍♀️ The truth is, I owe a great deal to the gorgeous team at @kinspire_events! Not only did they provide the most beautiful stylised flower bouquets, they also set up an exquisite balloon display on the garden terrace of the venue! It was an amazing and inspired sight. 🥰 I also decided approximately an hour before the event (I’m painful like that 🤣), that the main room of my venue at @chancerychambersrooftopterrace would look even more stunning, if it were filled with balloons itself! @kinspire_events got straight to work, and I’ve never seen balloons blown up so fast! 😝 They made every corner of the venue come to life, tying together the aesthetic of the garden terrace with the indoor space just perfectly! Thank you for accommodating to my impulsive ideas, @kinspire_events! 🙏🏻 If you’re hosting an event in Auckland, you simply must check out their work! Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!
  • DEAR MONDAY .. ✍🏻 Why you gotta test me like that? I may have entered this week on an inspired note. But it quite easily could have been zapped by 5am this morning. Monday had some rather nifty challenges up its sleeve — and honestly, I’m convinced it just wanted to test how far my positive mindset would go. I woke up this morning and noticed that my phone had no service. It was in a constant state of searching. Warning: apparently this is happening to a lot of iPhone 7s. In my case, it arises more than a slight issue. From the moment I wake up to work out, ya girl can’t do a lot without her phone. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Every element of my job, from blogging to social media management, relies on the damn thing. Fortunately, I consider myself quite the problem solver — so by 9am, you better believe I was outside a repairs store. I was informed of necessary costs and that it would take 10 such days that I didn’t (and still don’t) have. All of this, to receive a phone that might face the same error in a month’s time. A few hums later, I was sitting aside a Vodafone teller, signing my life away on a new phone — such that I hadn’t planned on buying for at least several months to a year down the track. It made me think. Not everything in life is in our control. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things won’t always work out in our favour. Or in a backwards kind of way .. they will. Events like this remind us to be grateful, after all. I was fortunate to be in a position where I could solve the problem. I’ll be the first to admit, that’s a very privileged position to be in. What’s more, if this is my biggest problem on a Monday, I really don’t have a lot to worry about, do I? So what if today didn’t go the way I planned? It was still great. And even better once I enjoyed coffee and vegan treats at the new @snowwhitebakerymelb venue in South Yarra. ☕️ I think I’ve found my spot for laughing off life’s little woes — and the perfect company for doing so too. Thanks to you, @dazvarlamova, for taking these shots, and for semi-validating today’s investment in portrait mode. 🤦🏽‍♀️☺️ That’ll be all from you, Monday! I’m out! ✌🏻
  • #WOMENSUPPORTWOMEN ✌🏻 .. now, there’s a cause l’ll get behind. I must say, I’ve started this week on an extremely motivated note! 💁🏽 This Sunday gone, I was lucky enough to attend the Melbourne-based @minding.her.business event with girl boss in her own right, @jessraeking. In between nibbles of @gourmaeevents’ grazing platter and cans of Rosé by @roseroseallday, we were met with an appropriately-named empowerment panel — complete with @stephaniesanzo, @katesave and @chloeszep. Not only did I take away some key notes for driving my own business goals, I came away with a few inter-personal goals too. 👌🏻 For the most part, these goals had to with empowering and supporting women in as many ways I can. It was so refreshing to see women welcome each other with smiles as opposed to degrading or judgemental looks. If only we’d continue to embrace one another outside networking events to the same extent. Here’s how I’d like to try! 1️⃣ By expressing full emotion! 😱 If I’m impressed by a fellow females’ goals or ventures, I’m going to show it in complete capacity! None of this playing-it-down bull crap. After all, supporting other women doesn’t make me or my own goals any lesser. 2️⃣ By smiling at other women! 😁 Even if we don’t play apart in sharing critical looks, there’s no reason we shouldn’t involve ourselves in breaking the trend! It’s time we shared warmth; an approachable and inviting vibe with fellow women, strangers or friends! 3️⃣ By playing an active part in their journey! 🤜🏻 There’s nothing I love more than when a girlfriend checks in with me to see how I’m pacing towards my goals. Not only is the accountability appreciated, so too is the mere reminder they care! How do YOU actively support the women/men in your life? Any new methods you’re trying to make habit of? 👇🏻 Share with me below! #MHBTribe
  • FITNESS & FOODIE UPDATE 🤸🏻‍♂️🌮 .. it’s been a month full of learning! If you’ve been following my stories, you’ll know that over the past month, I’ve taken on the Fitness and Nutrition programs at @themindfulhubau. After consultations with a nutritionist, I’ve received flexible meal and snack ideas for a vegan diet. 🌽🥒 I’ve also attended weekly virtual training sessions, tailored to my own goals and history with fitness! As you guys know, I wasn’t starting from the beginning. 🏃‍♀️ I’m super into eating in a way that fuels me, and I swear by exercising for bettering both my physical and mental health. With that said, I’m habitual to a point of self detriment. I hold onto healthy habits — as tightly as I do negative ones. I mentioned a while back that I find fasting (or eating little amounts) in the morning to be great for my focus. A positive in one sense, I did find that by the time I could sit down and make a full meal, I’d be starving! I’d overeat and my gut would go wild. 🥴 Rather than making me feel re-energised, I left my first meal feeling sluggish and slow. I was concerned the nutritionist would offer very traditional advice (like eat a big breakfast), completely countering what I’d learnt about myself. Instead, she took on what I said and offered me a range of snack ideas to ensure I could be more mindful at meal-times. She even gave me tips for brunch (y’all know I need them! 😋 That eyes-bigger-than-stomach predicament is reeeaaal). She didn’t tell me to avoid beautiful cafes, like the local, @shanklincafe. 🙌🏻 But she did advise to look at the menu beforehand. To choose water over a heavy alternative, if I’m having a larger meal. All these tips weren’t aimed at weight loss. 🙅🏽‍♀️ Rather, they focused on my enjoyment of food — by ridding digestive issues, and overall, enhancing my ability to listen to my body. As a result, I’m feeling the healthiest and fittest I have — probably since moving to Melbourne. Maybe, even ever.. with thanks to @themindfulhubau. Feel free to use my code “KENZIE” for 15% off your own virtual program (just view the “Shop” tab to explore). 🙌🏻 If you have any more questions, feel free to pop them below!
  • MY FIRST BIG BREAK ✍🏻 .. and the first team to take a chance on me. Let me tell you a little story. Back when I was blogging at about 14-15 years old (indeed, little has changed), I met the gorgeous pair behind @istoria_events_nz. We initially met at a local Auckland restaurant, where we shared our stories, our missions and our aims. ☕️ Each of us passionate and determined women, we instantly bonded. After initially collaborating with the team, I went on to write for them. 👩🏽‍💻 This would be one of my very first freelance/remote copywriting roles. At just 15, it was an ironic foreshadowing to what would later become. I remember sitting on the beach at my bach in Tindalls Bay, tanning and writing an “About” page for the Istoria website. 🏝🤳🏻 I turned to my Mum: “How cool is it that I’m sitting on the beach, but I’m technically working right now”, I said. Years later, you can still find some of my copy on their website. Better yet, myself and the girls have crossed over multiple times between NZ Fashion Week, and more recently, my 21st birthday. You can only imagine how much it meant to have the girls’ incredible paper flower stands, decorating my garden venue, @chancerychambersrooftopterrace. Alone, these flowers are stunning. 🌸 Together, with all the history they hold, they meant the absolute world. To the girls who ignored my age and heard my voice instead, thank you. Thank you for your endlessly beautiful work and for your open hearts. I’m saving this story as a little reminder to self: we all need a helping hand at some point. 🌻 And the only real way to give back — is to pass it on. To take the same unforgettable chance on someone else.
  • FINDING YOUR TRIBE 🌿 .. it’s like intuitive eating: satisfying and life-long. When it comes to the people I surround myself with, I’m all about trusting my gut. I tell ya, I was practicing intuitive behaviour long before it hit the trending page. From eating muesli for dinner, to fostering friendships that feel right, I’ve always let my gut lead the way. And how thankful I am for it’s guidance. I’ve known @clean_andmean since high school, and yet, it took moving cities for us to really come together. I think we must have shared a single day, drinking coffee and roaming Wellington — and from there, that was it. We’d do the same thing for the rest of the year. And forever. As for @chelseasmethurst, I’d shared a giggle with her in a tutorial. Not long after, I decided she seemed a good fit for a hiking buddy. That she said yes (and also directed us to the snack aisle with admirable confidence) was all the confirmation I needed. We’d be life-long friends too. When it came to @a_jaxcreative, my gut did all kinds of things to pull me in his direction. 🤦🏽‍♀️☺️ We began working together at the same cafe, and my stomach would bound each time we even spoke. Eventually, I listened. I like to apply this same gut approach to the career and business partnerships I make. Today, I work alongside people who both inspire and resonate with the journey I’m on. It’s no surprise I gravitated towards @purpleapricotnz to help with my 21st event. They share my spirit for life, and for bringing bold ideas into a magical state of reality. This was one of the most special nights to date, made so by all the beautiful people who surrounded me. By a mesmerising jungle backdrop by @purpleapricotnz, and the most stunning venue to match, @chancerychambersrooftopterrace. The energy that every single person brought to that room confirmed years of gut feelings: this is my tribe. And like this enchanting wall, you make up the layers to my life, to which I never need question. 💕 I simply know. . . 👉🏻 Look by @jaimerandellhairandmakeup. 👉🏻 Photos by @annushkadunstan, edited by me. 👉🏻 @sofia.thelabel Golden Hour dress, courtesy of @hireadressnz.
  • DEFINING SELF CARE .. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Who is anyone to decide what does and doesn’t count? If there existed a counter-movement to self care, I’d argue it’s happening now. And I don’t mean that people are taking off their sheet masks and redirecting to an all-work no-play mentality. Rather, there’s a lot of judgement or critique being thrown at the concept, and what’s “allowed” to exist under its name. I understand the term currently boasts and even justifies a plethora of actions. But am I the only one questioning whether it’d make sense, if this were any different? We can sit here and say that sheet masks or manicures or “down time” don’t define self care. We can argue that the concept only lends itself to addressing anxiety, depression and heartbreak. But then we’d be assuming that everyone exists in the exact same state. Hosting the exact same issues; personality and behavioural conflicts. This is just NOT the truth. Self care connotes such a wide range of feelings, because looking after yourself does not and will not look the same for two people. Self work, by very nature, involves different levels of work within entirely different categories — dependent on who you are and where you’re at. If I’m not dealing with mental health issues, OF COURSE, self care will look different to me. OF COURSE, I’ll be making change in smaller, more subtle ways in my life. This doesn’t mean my change is redundant or any less worthy of my time.. nor the title of self care! For me, self care IS making sure I don’t burn out. It IS setting a time at night to stop working. It IS eating a healthy meal. It IS ordering fries. And it is also: being open to someone when I feel down. Both spending time alone and with others when I need lifting up. Self care is about making space to nourish YOUR inner and outer most self. So if sometimes that means treating yourself to brunch at @highsocietycafe, and other times, that means seeing a therapist, it doesn’t matter where the act places on the spectrum: BOTH COUNT. If you need to take any action at a certain time in order to remain healthy, happy and balanced, it counts — because it counts for you.
  • WELLNESS GIVEAWAY 🧘🏽‍♀️🌻🤸🏻‍♀️ .. let’s start this season by giving back to ourselves. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that I can’t put my best self forward .. when my health and well-being is two steps back. That’s why I do my best to eat well, to sleep and to exercise often, no matter the season. There’s one aspect of wellness I’ve not always been so good at .. and that’s knowing when to take things slow. With thanks to @bellaboxaunz and their beautiful Welcome to Wellness Autumn box (valued at $200), I’ve had every excuse. Now, I’d love to extend the same opportunity to one lucky AUS/NZ reader! If you love the idea of drinking @remedydrinks kombucha on the way to a complimentary @kxpilates class. 🍑 Coming home to a shower with the Native Honey Body Scrub by @organiq and easing into the day with a collagen beauty smoothie, this one’s for you! TO ENTER! 🌻 Follow @currentlylovingblog and @bellaboxaunz! 🌻Tag 2 friends below that deserve a little love! Mental health is a big part of wellbeing, after all. 🌻 BONUS entry: share this post to your story! Giveaway closes Monday 17th of June, 7pm AEST. 😘 Let’s stay well together this Autumn/Winter! Good luck!!
  • SELF-DOUBT SUCKS 🤦🏽‍♀️ .. and no one, not even the most confident, are exempt from its target. We all have our days, right? For me, I’ll have many in which I feel proud to be who I am. I feel accomplished and successful and whole-heartedly capable. And then, out of nowhere, I’ll experience completely contradictory feelings. I may even experience the two extremes in the same day. I’ll meet with a sense of self-doubt that I often convince both my audience and my closest friends, is unnecessary and limiting. During these moments, I’m prone to dismissing all my triumphs. I’ll disregard all the times someone has reached out and told me what I do and who I am.. has helped them. Instead, I’ll feel like I’m providing no value. I’ll convince myself that no one wants what I have to give. I’ll become overwhelmed by a whirlwind of stagnancy. And by a lack of faith. I’ll feel like I’m failing. I should stop trying at all. It’s not worthwhile. I could be doing so much better. All these thoughts run amuck in my mind. And the ironic thing is, I consider myself and present, as a very self-assured and head-strong individual. I am both these things. And yet, this doesn’t exempt me from the bounds of self-doubt. Often the only thing that does, is time. It’s time to reflect, to reset and to gain new sense of perspective. I know that sometimes it’s hard to see the whole picture. And to understand that we’re not failing, so much as we are focusing on just one aspect of our lives. I want you to know that in this moment, whether you’re slightly more susceptible or strong to self-doubt today, we’re in it together. And every moment that we refuse to believe this isn’t our reality — rather, a mere space we’re passing through — let it be said, we’re getting stronger together too.

stay social

Looking for something?

What’s Popular?

The Day I Wore A Short Skirt to Work
The Power of Re-Invention
You look good in anything you wear. Really?
2 Months In: Finding Home in Melbourne.

Go on, have a nosy.

WORK WITH ME

@currentlylovingblog ON INSTAGRAM

  • POP THE BUBBLES 🥂 .. we have ourselves a winner! Thank you to everyone who entered my recent giveaway with @bellaboxaunz! 🙏🏻 With the cold settling in, it’s safe to say we’re all craving that little bit of pampering! As for one lucky winner, they’re about to get their hands on every little self-care necessity they’ll need for the rest of the season! Congratulations to.. @emmajanecraig_x! 🥳🥳 Slide into my DMs to claim your Welcome to Wellness Autumn Box, courtesy of @bellaboxaunz! For the rest of us, don’t forget that you can subscribe to @bellaboxaunz anytime to receive a quarterly wellness-focused package! ☕️ The Winter box has just released TODAY and oh my — I can’t wait to show you all the brand new goodies in this release! ‘Tis the season for surrounding ourselves with beautiful things, that’s for sure! Speaking of beautiful things, I’ve had many messages about the way I styled my birthday event at @chancerychambersrooftopterrace in Auckland! Whilst I’d love to credit my own stylistic eye.. in large part, I’d be fooling myself. 🤦🏽‍♀️ The truth is, I owe a great deal to the gorgeous team at @kinspire_events! Not only did they provide the most beautiful stylised flower bouquets, they also set up an exquisite balloon display on the garden terrace of the venue! It was an amazing and inspired sight. 🥰 I also decided approximately an hour before the event (I’m painful like that 🤣), that the main room of my venue at @chancerychambersrooftopterrace would look even more stunning, if it were filled with balloons itself! @kinspire_events got straight to work, and I’ve never seen balloons blown up so fast! 😝 They made every corner of the venue come to life, tying together the aesthetic of the garden terrace with the indoor space just perfectly! Thank you for accommodating to my impulsive ideas, @kinspire_events! 🙏🏻 If you’re hosting an event in Auckland, you simply must check out their work! Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!
  • DEAR MONDAY .. ✍🏻 Why you gotta test me like that? I may have entered this week on an inspired note. But it quite easily could have been zapped by 5am this morning. Monday had some rather nifty challenges up its sleeve — and honestly, I’m convinced it just wanted to test how far my positive mindset would go. I woke up this morning and noticed that my phone had no service. It was in a constant state of searching. Warning: apparently this is happening to a lot of iPhone 7s. In my case, it arises more than a slight issue. From the moment I wake up to work out, ya girl can’t do a lot without her phone. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Every element of my job, from blogging to social media management, relies on the damn thing. Fortunately, I consider myself quite the problem solver — so by 9am, you better believe I was outside a repairs store. I was informed of necessary costs and that it would take 10 such days that I didn’t (and still don’t) have. All of this, to receive a phone that might face the same error in a month’s time. A few hums later, I was sitting aside a Vodafone teller, signing my life away on a new phone — such that I hadn’t planned on buying for at least several months to a year down the track. It made me think. Not everything in life is in our control. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things won’t always work out in our favour. Or in a backwards kind of way .. they will. Events like this remind us to be grateful, after all. I was fortunate to be in a position where I could solve the problem. I’ll be the first to admit, that’s a very privileged position to be in. What’s more, if this is my biggest problem on a Monday, I really don’t have a lot to worry about, do I? So what if today didn’t go the way I planned? It was still great. And even better once I enjoyed coffee and vegan treats at the new @snowwhitebakerymelb venue in South Yarra. ☕️ I think I’ve found my spot for laughing off life’s little woes — and the perfect company for doing so too. Thanks to you, @dazvarlamova, for taking these shots, and for semi-validating today’s investment in portrait mode. 🤦🏽‍♀️☺️ That’ll be all from you, Monday! I’m out! ✌🏻
  • #WOMENSUPPORTWOMEN ✌🏻 .. now, there’s a cause l’ll get behind. I must say, I’ve started this week on an extremely motivated note! 💁🏽 This Sunday gone, I was lucky enough to attend the Melbourne-based @minding.her.business event with girl boss in her own right, @jessraeking. In between nibbles of @gourmaeevents’ grazing platter and cans of Rosé by @roseroseallday, we were met with an appropriately-named empowerment panel — complete with @stephaniesanzo, @katesave and @chloeszep. Not only did I take away some key notes for driving my own business goals, I came away with a few inter-personal goals too. 👌🏻 For the most part, these goals had to with empowering and supporting women in as many ways I can. It was so refreshing to see women welcome each other with smiles as opposed to degrading or judgemental looks. If only we’d continue to embrace one another outside networking events to the same extent. Here’s how I’d like to try! 1️⃣ By expressing full emotion! 😱 If I’m impressed by a fellow females’ goals or ventures, I’m going to show it in complete capacity! None of this playing-it-down bull crap. After all, supporting other women doesn’t make me or my own goals any lesser. 2️⃣ By smiling at other women! 😁 Even if we don’t play apart in sharing critical looks, there’s no reason we shouldn’t involve ourselves in breaking the trend! It’s time we shared warmth; an approachable and inviting vibe with fellow women, strangers or friends! 3️⃣ By playing an active part in their journey! 🤜🏻 There’s nothing I love more than when a girlfriend checks in with me to see how I’m pacing towards my goals. Not only is the accountability appreciated, so too is the mere reminder they care! How do YOU actively support the women/men in your life? Any new methods you’re trying to make habit of? 👇🏻 Share with me below! #MHBTribe
  • FITNESS & FOODIE UPDATE 🤸🏻‍♂️🌮 .. it’s been a month full of learning! If you’ve been following my stories, you’ll know that over the past month, I’ve taken on the Fitness and Nutrition programs at @themindfulhubau. After consultations with a nutritionist, I’ve received flexible meal and snack ideas for a vegan diet. 🌽🥒 I’ve also attended weekly virtual training sessions, tailored to my own goals and history with fitness! As you guys know, I wasn’t starting from the beginning. 🏃‍♀️ I’m super into eating in a way that fuels me, and I swear by exercising for bettering both my physical and mental health. With that said, I’m habitual to a point of self detriment. I hold onto healthy habits — as tightly as I do negative ones. I mentioned a while back that I find fasting (or eating little amounts) in the morning to be great for my focus. A positive in one sense, I did find that by the time I could sit down and make a full meal, I’d be starving! I’d overeat and my gut would go wild. 🥴 Rather than making me feel re-energised, I left my first meal feeling sluggish and slow. I was concerned the nutritionist would offer very traditional advice (like eat a big breakfast), completely countering what I’d learnt about myself. Instead, she took on what I said and offered me a range of snack ideas to ensure I could be more mindful at meal-times. She even gave me tips for brunch (y’all know I need them! 😋 That eyes-bigger-than-stomach predicament is reeeaaal). She didn’t tell me to avoid beautiful cafes, like the local, @shanklincafe. 🙌🏻 But she did advise to look at the menu beforehand. To choose water over a heavy alternative, if I’m having a larger meal. All these tips weren’t aimed at weight loss. 🙅🏽‍♀️ Rather, they focused on my enjoyment of food — by ridding digestive issues, and overall, enhancing my ability to listen to my body. As a result, I’m feeling the healthiest and fittest I have — probably since moving to Melbourne. Maybe, even ever.. with thanks to @themindfulhubau. Feel free to use my code “KENZIE” for 15% off your own virtual program (just view the “Shop” tab to explore). 🙌🏻 If you have any more questions, feel free to pop them below!
  • MY FIRST BIG BREAK ✍🏻 .. and the first team to take a chance on me. Let me tell you a little story. Back when I was blogging at about 14-15 years old (indeed, little has changed), I met the gorgeous pair behind @istoria_events_nz. We initially met at a local Auckland restaurant, where we shared our stories, our missions and our aims. ☕️ Each of us passionate and determined women, we instantly bonded. After initially collaborating with the team, I went on to write for them. 👩🏽‍💻 This would be one of my very first freelance/remote copywriting roles. At just 15, it was an ironic foreshadowing to what would later become. I remember sitting on the beach at my bach in Tindalls Bay, tanning and writing an “About” page for the Istoria website. 🏝🤳🏻 I turned to my Mum: “How cool is it that I’m sitting on the beach, but I’m technically working right now”, I said. Years later, you can still find some of my copy on their website. Better yet, myself and the girls have crossed over multiple times between NZ Fashion Week, and more recently, my 21st birthday. You can only imagine how much it meant to have the girls’ incredible paper flower stands, decorating my garden venue, @chancerychambersrooftopterrace. Alone, these flowers are stunning. 🌸 Together, with all the history they hold, they meant the absolute world. To the girls who ignored my age and heard my voice instead, thank you. Thank you for your endlessly beautiful work and for your open hearts. I’m saving this story as a little reminder to self: we all need a helping hand at some point. 🌻 And the only real way to give back — is to pass it on. To take the same unforgettable chance on someone else.
  • FINDING YOUR TRIBE 🌿 .. it’s like intuitive eating: satisfying and life-long. When it comes to the people I surround myself with, I’m all about trusting my gut. I tell ya, I was practicing intuitive behaviour long before it hit the trending page. From eating muesli for dinner, to fostering friendships that feel right, I’ve always let my gut lead the way. And how thankful I am for it’s guidance. I’ve known @clean_andmean since high school, and yet, it took moving cities for us to really come together. I think we must have shared a single day, drinking coffee and roaming Wellington — and from there, that was it. We’d do the same thing for the rest of the year. And forever. As for @chelseasmethurst, I’d shared a giggle with her in a tutorial. Not long after, I decided she seemed a good fit for a hiking buddy. That she said yes (and also directed us to the snack aisle with admirable confidence) was all the confirmation I needed. We’d be life-long friends too. When it came to @a_jaxcreative, my gut did all kinds of things to pull me in his direction. 🤦🏽‍♀️☺️ We began working together at the same cafe, and my stomach would bound each time we even spoke. Eventually, I listened. I like to apply this same gut approach to the career and business partnerships I make. Today, I work alongside people who both inspire and resonate with the journey I’m on. It’s no surprise I gravitated towards @purpleapricotnz to help with my 21st event. They share my spirit for life, and for bringing bold ideas into a magical state of reality. This was one of the most special nights to date, made so by all the beautiful people who surrounded me. By a mesmerising jungle backdrop by @purpleapricotnz, and the most stunning venue to match, @chancerychambersrooftopterrace. The energy that every single person brought to that room confirmed years of gut feelings: this is my tribe. And like this enchanting wall, you make up the layers to my life, to which I never need question. 💕 I simply know. . . 👉🏻 Look by @jaimerandellhairandmakeup. 👉🏻 Photos by @annushkadunstan, edited by me. 👉🏻 @sofia.thelabel Golden Hour dress, courtesy of @hireadressnz.
  • DEFINING SELF CARE .. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Who is anyone to decide what does and doesn’t count? If there existed a counter-movement to self care, I’d argue it’s happening now. And I don’t mean that people are taking off their sheet masks and redirecting to an all-work no-play mentality. Rather, there’s a lot of judgement or critique being thrown at the concept, and what’s “allowed” to exist under its name. I understand the term currently boasts and even justifies a plethora of actions. But am I the only one questioning whether it’d make sense, if this were any different? We can sit here and say that sheet masks or manicures or “down time” don’t define self care. We can argue that the concept only lends itself to addressing anxiety, depression and heartbreak. But then we’d be assuming that everyone exists in the exact same state. Hosting the exact same issues; personality and behavioural conflicts. This is just NOT the truth. Self care connotes such a wide range of feelings, because looking after yourself does not and will not look the same for two people. Self work, by very nature, involves different levels of work within entirely different categories — dependent on who you are and where you’re at. If I’m not dealing with mental health issues, OF COURSE, self care will look different to me. OF COURSE, I’ll be making change in smaller, more subtle ways in my life. This doesn’t mean my change is redundant or any less worthy of my time.. nor the title of self care! For me, self care IS making sure I don’t burn out. It IS setting a time at night to stop working. It IS eating a healthy meal. It IS ordering fries. And it is also: being open to someone when I feel down. Both spending time alone and with others when I need lifting up. Self care is about making space to nourish YOUR inner and outer most self. So if sometimes that means treating yourself to brunch at @highsocietycafe, and other times, that means seeing a therapist, it doesn’t matter where the act places on the spectrum: BOTH COUNT. If you need to take any action at a certain time in order to remain healthy, happy and balanced, it counts — because it counts for you.

SUBSCRIBE TO CL

Don't want to miss a conversation about brunch, or, say, Martin Luther King? Enter your email address to subscribe to Currently Loving and receive notifications of new posts by email.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME

Recent Comments

  • currentlylovingblog on Redefining Success: The Dress Edit
  • Anonymous on Redefining Success: The Dress Edit
  • Katie Kuo on 7 MONTHS AND 2600KM FROM HOME.
Currently Loving - 2018 ©