On a sunny day in April, ring goes the old shop telephone and Songy Knox (Photographer) says: "I've met someone we have to help, are you in?" What do you say?!
This is a women who does not suffer fools, with an impressive corporate career behind her, Songy is now creating a biz following her passion and that edgy, direct communication style remains her trademark.
She rings, you listen!
"CJ, you have to meet Sue, she's bald too and is just beautiful, when I hugged her I just knew we had to spoil her!" said Songy with a sense of urgency and compassion.
So over a cup of detox tea at Chapels on Whatley, she filled me in and we brainstormed.
"Let's partner with Plunkett Homes (who were keen to give back too) and who built her new house", You see, when building her new home, Sue was scratched by her dog Tigger on one of her breasts. It was out of character for him to do this.
The scratch wouldn't heal and remarkably it was found; CANCER. An aggressive form (yet caught early) ... Sue now feeds Tigger, caviar.
No lumps no bumps in the bust region ... No reason to be suspect. Tigger has earnt his place on the sofa!
Team Plunkett wanted in to spoil Sue after hearing her story and hoped to share the story to help more women.
New outfits, check. Styling tips, check. House ready, check. Sue agreed (brave and check check) ...
While still undergoing treatment our new friend Sue is bubbly, upbeat and purely inspirational when visiting LFB with her Mum, Margaret and 12 year old daughter, Jaime.
3 generations, 3 different styles with Team LFB: 3 reasons: look, feel, be.
Look good is to feel great is to be ... (Happy and Healthy) the difference!
Le'V was on hand to style our guests, Stephanie entertained us with ideas, me ... well ... I just kept dancing around in what was a packed house this particular day in Autumn.
Then came shoot day ...
At the house, where neighbours gathered ... Sue's hubby, Michael shared that they almost didn't move in.
Wig no wig, ahhh ... lets shoot both.
Six months from the completion date, they had the tragic news of cancer confirmed. "Building a new house as many will know is stressful, it is amazing how your priorities immediately change and project driving a house build meant nothing after learning of Sues, cancer" he told me. "I just wanted to focus on Sue," he emotionally shared "and moving in was not exciting, it was a frightening time."
Songy and I met the fam after they had lived in the stunning house (that feels like a home) six months after moving in. It is filled with love and hope.
With the magical touch of the make up brushes, Ali (make up artist) adds some gloss and glow to our 3 strong ladies while 2 beautiful men, hubby Michael and son, Bailey ... wait. Oh and site manager, Paris (the little black pooch) goes about her business. Here goes ...
Fam shot (taken by my assistant, Sophia on the day) ...
Fam shot with some photo bomb assistants ...
TV reality show shot;
Would love a caption for the below shot ... comments please!
To see more of the pics captured on this touching day pop over to Songy's gallery.
Check Sue and the crew out in the Sunday Times today ... Hot off the press
A special thank you to my assistant on the day Sophia (who is Jaime's bestie) who captured some of these behind the scenes shots for me.
If you would like to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Centre who Sue speaks so highly of ... follow this link.
Thank you, Songy for including me and Team LFB.
Thank you Sue and fam for your new friendship and trust. We hope all of your hopes come true.
A very Happy Mothers Day to you, Sue and Margaret and to all of our LFB'ers out there. To the Mum's lost, you are never forgotten.
With a smile and big wishes for a cure to cancer ... CJ & Team LFB x
Almost 2 years to the day an email landed in my inbox and that's where it started:
A relationship with a lady I have come to admire and together build a business with.
Some might not call her a lady (smiling) many would definitely call her a cheeky women with a very naughty and super nice streak.
It's amazing over a period of time what you learn about someone and in turn yourself. How you grow and naturally change. Le'V as we affectionally call her, in recent months has grown a baby in her belly.
A baby girl. There is much excitement as we are in the business of girls' wellbeing, albeit grown up ones.
If you remember back to this shoot ...
Le'V only days before this shoot had discovered the stalk had been (now there's a story) and with a surprise she was with child (in the very early stages). So, while this may have looked like cocktails ... It was in fact, mocktail!
When you are in business, the people around you are so important. In fact, scratch that. In life the people you select to have around you are imperative to your own positivity, growth, appreciation of all things, success, ups and gowns, I mean downs.
While this week ahead marks a new chapter in our lives and business, as Le'V takes a short break to prepare for the birth, little LFB welcomes some big personalities and talent to our team.
Introducing; Stephanie. Steph is originally from NZ and has successfully completed fashion internships with some of our most admired high street brands from across the globe both in NZ, USA and Australia before making Perth her home.
Steph has a lot to offer and Le'V and I are super pumped to have her contributing to the further expansion of brand LFB in a full time capacity AND she loves chatting as much as we do however her accent is so much more travelled than ours.
As someone who loves to create a community in all that I do ... Here's our latest family portrait! Can't wait for the one when we have our youngest baby team member in it (hurry up, bambino).
Who's our 4th member? That would be Mel Mars. Her name needs to be in lights. So movie star. Melissa is a Mum to 3 lads, wifeeee to cutie, Tim (he will like that) and after having worked in a fab friend of mines biz, this longtime friend is now hanging with Team LFB.
Mel, loves fashion and can often be spotted with at least 2 wardrobe changes a day when in house. Experimenting she tells us.
So not counting our behind the scenes crew who prefer to remain behind the scenes ... together we love what we do and hope you will join us in a cheer or two for our dear Le'V, a new baby it will be.
This is probably a good time to make a ... Recruitment notice: an opportunity exists for LFB'ers to join the holding the baby task on a visiting basis. Positive vibes essential. If you can sing a lullaby that will be advantageous as will the ability to change nappies with grace and no mess (I can't cope with mess) then applications should start applying in person in approximately 6 - 8 weeks!
Le'V will be returning to work and like all of our LFB'er Mums she knows it takes a community to raise a baby and while I am scared stiff at holding such a small treat, I am super proud of my partner in our passion for fashion biz and can't wait to sing to Le'Baby in French.
Vanessa merci d'être comme une famille pour moi et pour faire tous les jours une surprise et de joie pour nos 2 ans ensemble et le nombre à venir xxx.
Pop by this week to check out the bump ...
And as Easter is fast approaching our trading hours are;
Good Friday - Closed
Easter Saturday - Open
Easter Sunday - Closed
Easter Monday - Closed
Anzac Day - Open (oh FYI, Mrs S is opening on this public holiday toooo)
See you soon to play up!
With a smile ... Caroline & Team LFB xxxx
PS: Good luck to Le'V's partner ... Rob x
PPS: Hurry back from maternity leave!
Feeling vulnerable is something most of us seek to avoid. On joining forces with Songy Knox who so kindly donated her time to capture my Worlds Greatest Shave experience, she set me the challenge of doing an Autumn Winter fashion shoot with me as the bald model.
It all sounded fab up front however this very 'un model' was having regrets. Note: We had agreed, no photoshopping. Heightened anxiety set in ...
I wasnt nervous about going pink, nor the shave (well maybe a bit) or the reaction of others ... No I was regretting committing to a photo shoot.
Well, there was no backing out now!
With Le'V on hand to style this ol girl up, I had fake eye lashes applied for the first time ever and a quick blow dry (just kidding) ... together Le'V and I headed to the Design Merchant studio, where Songy, Juliet and Molly were on hand to meet us for an afternoon that was fun, fabulous and for a good purpose.
Molly was keen to join in, she asserted herself into a number of activities on the day.
Juliet from Design Merchants happens to be a longtime LFB'er who loved having a sneak peek at new season garments selected for the day.
Our purpose today, was to show that bald is beautiful and unite with women who are currently doing it bald. You be the judge...
Songy had her work cut out for her directing un model me however we loved her straight to the point approach which stretched me well beyond my comfort zone.
Molly just loved the company and so did I ...
I loved learning about angles and lighting while being told to stand this way or that ...
Climbing ladders in heels (yep) I pick my lemons like this often...
Couldn't resist getting a shot in my favourite undies, you know the ones? We swear by them, seamless and remember to go up 2 sizes. This merino wool vest is delightful ... A lust have, must have!
The above; is one dress every women needs in her wardrobe! The sunnies make you feel like a rock star and are available at our friend, Alice's ... Hunter Store.
With extra lipstick added, the above is my fave shot ... You can pre order the dress online. I've got it back to front - you can wear this at least 3 ways. I am smiling albeit you can't see it!!!
We are still raising money, so please share our message with the links as it can all be done simply online or in store at Look Feel Be.
We have until the end of June to help the good folk at the Leukaemia Foundation, help others.
A super shout out of love to contributors;
- Songy Knox for her generosity and art
- Le'V for her styling, make up & coaching skills at Look Feel Be
- Juliet Borshoff for allowing us to use her Design Merchants studio and her assistant Miss Molly for keeping us all real & bringing us extra joy
- Leukaemia Foundation for helping millions of people in the past, in the now & tomorrow
To all the friends, family, LFB'er fam, suppliers, business associates, the postie ... who gave or when they couldn't in dollars, they shared the message in the hope that someone would. It all makes a difference.
In signing off ... here are 10 things I like about being bald:
- No bed hair, ever
- Feeling of being truly clean
- Time saving
- Feeling the elements
- Sensory bonus when head massaged
- Others reaction
- Raising money
- Minimised fear 'just in case' ... lets be honest with 1 in 3 of us having the potential ...
- Greater love of what I do have (my lashes and brows are so appreciated)
- One more thing off my list
With a smile ...
CJ & Team LFB xxx
The start of a fresh year always brings back memories of hot summers, plenty of ice cream, covering school books (gotta love contact), staying up late surrounded by an air filled with promise of new adventures near.
What do you remember about this time of year as a kid?
We hope you have started your year relaxed and had time to reunite with fam & friends.
The year of 2014 (Year of the Horse according to Google) And hopefully that means we’ll gallop into January (its already the 11th) with a healthy list of promises (resolutions) of what will be - no pressure of course. How many of you do this, we wonder?
The term failing to plan is a plan to fail is vaguely playing in our ears however so is the ‘living in the present’ theory. Most will have an opinion on what’s the best method to start the year so while bringing up the topic, we are more interested in wishing you love, health and happiness.
This year I, (CJ) hope to share more quality time with hubby, Paul (thus now having Sundays off), looking after my health by revisiting Pilates & traveling (watch that space as LFB’ers, you will get to ‘somewhat’ come along). Sharing time with friends I have not seen since opening LFB with any quality. Oh and of course happiness for me comes when we keep stretching our little LFB with new initiatives to keep you (and us) entertained.
Le’V is hoping to give birth to a beautiful baby in May (she twitches) whilst trying to share her time with her man and fur baby ChloeDancer (post baby late night feeds), maintain her LFB influence (yay), continue to have excellent energy.
This year we will be hosting many workshops to connect with the ‘look good’ aspects of LFB, the ‘feel great’ attributes and the ‘be the difference’ initiatives. You can get your tickets online to our January workshop (which is this coming week).
If you have any workshop topics you would like us to consider, do yell!
Product wise there are new designs coming in fashion (from across the globe that will be, as always limited in numbers & different), jewellery (from very fine pieces to bold deco inspired fashion items), A shoe … Wait until you feel the AW14 Wedge Boot.
Just saying “you will want!” … Note: we will continue to only do a statement shoe each season not a collection and many other interesting & quirky finds from our travels.
The LFB offering will continue to evolve as we all grow.
We wish to turn the volume up on our online store to care for like minded women further afield and who knows, realistically the year ahead is written in the stars. Let them shine brightly on us all …
Happy New Year (albeit it is already the 11th)!
With a smile - CJ & Le’V - Team LFB xx
PS: Here’s a fashion tip for the first month of the year …
Christmas is fast approaching and we wanted to wish you a very happy one before the festivities ran away with us.
What a year! I hope you will have time to reflect back and feel a sense of satisfaction while looking ahead with positive anticipation. It’s always a time of consideration, appreciation and degustation, both Vanessa and I feel.
As we slow down enough to get present, we are grateful to you for your continued support of our little business that celebrates its 3rd Christmas and the friendships we have made, the lessons learnt and the fun had.
So with not a lot of time left here’s a few gift options for you to consider when going through your naughty and nice list …
These are our own products made right here in WA
LFB baby candle $20, LFB essential oil room spray $20, LFB perfume oil $49, LFB big candle $60, LFB Christmas cheer diffuser $69
Remember we use only the finest of essential oils and soy. No chemicals are used.
Why not a LFB Gift Certificate …
When you buy a gift certificate for $100 or more you will be gifted on the certificate a complimentary make up session with our resident make up artists (us) with a value of $69 as an extra bonus for your loved one to use anytime in the new year.
We use the beautiful Arbonne make up collection and give tips too.
In January & February we will be hosting a ‘refresh your look for the new year’ workshops
Dates and topics;
Thursday 16 January is with an emphasis on taking an old piece from your wardrobe and refreshing it (recycling, up cycling, LFBliking)
6-8pm. $20 a ticket (incl light food & champagne)
(redeemable on a purchase in the same month)
Thursday 13 February is with an emphasis on Bodyshaping enhancement tips (with the clothes you choose) for size 14/16 plus
6-8pm $20 a ticket (incl light food & champagne)
(redeemable on a purchase in the same month)
Thursday 27 February is with an emphasis on colour, make up & hair
6-8pm $20 a ticket (incl light food & champagne)
(redeemable on a purchase in the same month)
Bookings essential to secure your seat.
Closed from 25 December through the New Year and will reopen on Saturday the 4th of January at 10am.
Our online store will remain active at www.lookfeelbe.com.au
Please note we will be closed on Sundays in January as experience tells us you are all at the beach or in air con with a book (smiling).
If you have a current layby, please collect it before 24 December so you can wear it for your holidays.
Hot news as we head into a heat wave: It appears the Christmas Stalk arrived early at Le’V’s house. We will have a baby (Le’Peanut) in the fashion house!
Due in May 14 and the great news for all of us, she will return to work in the Spring perhaps with one of those baby sling things from our friends at SoSi on her so we can all ga ga …
Look out for the ‘how to dress for maternity success’ workshop next year’ … Smiling!
Happy Christmas with big smiles - Caroline (CJ) and Vanessa (Le’V) xx oh and now Le’P x
PS: We have a very talented young lady from Perth College performing every Saturday from 11 on our piano in store, pop by for a festive listen
Our last post was in late August as we danced our way through turning 2 celebrations. Where has the time gone, we ask ourselves. Visualise crazy woman with hair standing up on end and make up running from sweat beads with big eyes wide!
So what's been happening? What's not been happening! Well, we hired a house. That was fun. We took over for an afternoon the Blue Waters Perth Mansion on Canning Highway in Como. Do you know it? It has been a childhood fantasy of mine to own this Art Deco beauty and to have it for an afternoon into the evening was a true delight. It was to be the setting for our Look Feel Be Summer 2013 Signature Collection photo shoot...
Lots of fun was had with Andy (the Fox) otherwise known as my Design Partner on this collection, Juliet Borshoff, who was on hand representing Design Merchants (our scene setter for the day and allround, great LFB'er gal pal) along with our dear, Le'V modelling away with that trademark smile. She did an amazing job! Oh and we must acknowledge Poppy Poodle ...
The full LFB Summer collection can be seen online (and ordered) and don't forget to check out more images in our Look Book
Dropping in to check out the goings on at the ol Blue Waters residence was friend of LFB, And Andrea who we love and who could not resist capturing some further goings on ... check out her blog from the day
Then came Melbourne Cup! We partnered with Sittella Winery to host our Launch of the LFB Summer Collection with 140 guests. Oh what fun. The team at Sittella did everything. Well almost, Dancers (our always preferred, healthy, models) from Greenroom Entertainment were on hand to rally up the catwalk LFB style and as the race raced, frocks flowed and gasps were aplenty.
A big thank you to Lynn (love thy neighbour) from The Green Door Florist for making the floral head pieces for us!
It was a great afternoon topped off by Andy winning the sweep stakes!
And with the sun shining through November we head quickly to December...
Big kisses from all us of here at LFB!
Stay tuned for our next blog (promise you won't have to wait so long) with Christmas gift ideas to get you through the Christmas cheer...
With a smile ... CJ x
PS: Don't forget to book in for a special occasion make up session if you are heading out somewhere special over the festive weeks (bookings essential)
Two years ago on September 1 we opened the doors of little Look Feel Be Maylands as highlighted in a recent mailer out to loyal LFB'ers and to mark the occasion we went dancing!
Joining forces with great neighbours Estudio Nuevo we hosted a night of fun, fashion and dancing ...
Guests arrived on the trademark LFB red carpet sporting their Look Feel Be best ...
We all enjoyed fine wines from our friends at Sittella's Winery (delicious) which helped limber us up for the dance moves to follow...
Someone say Flamenco? With a variety of LFB'ers performing it was not only entertaining, it was inspiring ...
In between our dance workshop (which was not only a work out it was a crack up!) some of our LFB'ers put their hand up to show us their talent and we must say, they put us to shame (well some of us - wink wink) ... Check out Crystal doing her thing!
In between the dance floor moves, three of our finest LFB'ers debuted their modelling career in a... shall we say, 'fringe format - freestyle' way ... boasting new season garments, just in!
The LFB models did a fantastic job and were welcomed back for an encore! It was actually quite hard to get them off the Birthday stage. Pop in this weekend to see the pieces! They will be on line in next week or so (if they last that long!)
With a few magical moves across the dance floor by guests spontaneously moving their hips (male and female) there was a terrific vibe in the room ...
And then with a surprise out came LFB'er Gemma with her partner wearing a sizzling new season dress (hot!) ...
Thank you to all who came along and to the many beautiful LFB'ers who wrote to us to acknowledge our event that could not join us in this instance and the difference we have made to them. It means a lot to us.
Let the music continue in store (wish we could fit Tim into our little LFB everyday) - we look forward to dancing with you soon and don't forget we have many offers in our Birthday month ...
With a smile and a big thank you ... CJ & Le'V along with Team LFB x
PS: To see more pics from the party go to our facebook page!
With a leave note from our husbands and with Le’V holding HQ in fun, fashionable shape.….we were authorised to leave Perth city bound for weather fit Bali to start the production cycle of the ‘Look Feel Be’s’ Summer Collection; “aujourd'hui permet de voyager à thé”.
Over the past two years, I have been bringing together an extended team in Indonesia who are talented in the art of producing quality garments.
Fortunately my LFB Design Partner and all time crazy women Andy is on board to co-drive our design development (including pattern making and sampling) process with loving help from Le’V (our fit model among other business talents), myself (all round go to girl) and the off shore team headed up by Putu (production and quality control guru). Enough background.
Let’s fast forward to departing. With two massive suitcases full of patterns, design notes and samples, not to mention the key fabric for the range, we check in.
This is the first time Andy has left her 5 year old son Connor and gone away. She was military like in her prep regime with three days of his favourite meals carefully labelled in the fridge by day and all school uniforms ironed (including undies) stock piled ready to go in perfect condition. With a list for hubby to follow she gets in the car with guilt and anticipation (leaving her man in charge) that all will be chaos and hunger!
It is on boarding the plane that Andy confesses she has a fear of flying.…
With the help of Cody who Andy adopts as her personal flight attendant confidence kicks in as does the fun…..
It seemed like the longest flight, however, it had been a full on two days prior, so both of us were a little tired. Thank goodness we booked the ‘express service’ at the airport. If you have not tried this service, consider it. Flight Centre can organise it for you. EFFICIENCY plus. We were whisked through the airport (no lines) to see our long time driver with a big smile.
Peeling off the layers, it is super warm as we drive to the hotel; Bliss. No orange skin here (if you missed Vanessa’s disastrous fake tan experience check out the last blog) it’s all glowing white x 2!
Thanks Estelle Johnston (no relation) at Flight Centre Maylands for organising such a ripper deal and to Mr Boss man at the hotel for the upgrade!
Day 1: Up at 6am. Eat Indonesian breakfast. When in Rome you must, both Andy and I believe. Prepare at length notes before going off to finalise some additional fabrics needed. This all sounds rather glam perhaps, however, it is intense. The fabrics must perfectly match back with others previously selected, meet a price and width guideline, and be of high quality, oh and available in the volume we need.
After a late fuel stop for lunch (Indonesian of course) we are ready to bounce into’ Indo LFB offices’ with refuelled energy to burn and strong iced coffees in hand for the team.
Laptop out, fingers start typing into the production schedule as we work through samples, patterns, samples, patterns, theories, yield return on fabrics to be used, patterns, samples.… 4 hours later we are just about complete on all fronts. Phone rings and we all run out the door to dinner in different directions.
Andy and I selected a relaxed restaurant for dinner which turned into ground hog day. The common answer to all our questions….“I don’t know but I will find out.”
Escaping back to our room (thanks again Mr Boss man – have we said that already?) we stay up talking like school girls (sms back and forth with Le’V) for hours and hours brainstorming where to, how to, what to, who to and all the while loving the work of team, go to.
Day 2: Up at 8am. Production schedule emailed to ‘Indo LFB HQ’. Eat Indonesian breakfast. Tears appear thanks to extra chilli sauce we have both fallen for. Andy decides we will have the morning off. Well she has the morning off as I semi-work on laptop, poolside (love wi-fi – roof top style) while watching the reaction of others as she struts a new ‘flown in especially, Victoria Secret Sponge Bikini ‘.
Bored (and a little too red – overcast does not mean safe to baste)…. we decide to go adventuring and make our way to Seminyak. Both of us don’t mind a walk so we hit the pavement…me in my new shoes (some of you may recognise this style). I ‘now’ have them in every colour available. White was the last colour needed to complete the set!
Talking of colour … we decide it’s time for me to pop a copper coat on my hair and that’s where Bill (a dear friend of many of my dear friends) enters with Wella in hand. All while Le’V has a hair update too (connected!) unbeknown to us.… a fringe is now in the Maylands house.
LFB’ers, do stop by and visit his team when in Bali. This hottie was the smile behind Head Office for Hair in Perth many a year ago. Check it out on FB.
With new locks, Andy’s feet having experienced some reflexology and an off cut of Aloe Vera from the salons stash, we walk into ‘won’t ever let you down,’ Ultimo Restaurant for an early, inexpensive dinner. While this might all look glamourous; Andy and I have worked 7 days a week for weeks preparing for this trip and take a mo to acknowledge to do list; check check ...
Last day: Check in with Le’V, Le’Indo, Husbands and Connor (in no particular order). Eat. Indonesian breakfast. Meet fab Japanese guest who shows us that being different brings us together.
We do some more work while enjoying some warmth. Monitor our irresponsible sunburn. Hear from ‘Perth Now’ via twitter that weather warnings are in place for Perth on the way to airport. I look at Andy, she looks at me. We call out to LFB’ers via FB for up to date weather reporting when Virgin Crew we flew up with walk by and give us their word to help scared, crazy women Andy (by chance they remembered us – go figure) get home safely.
Timing as they say is everything! It’s a true team effort this LFB community show; we thank you, LFB’ers for continuing to be an important part of our crew.
We do hope you will love the LFB summer collection when released in November.
Oh and here are some, 'take on a trip,' must haves we suggest ...
(Scarf $49. Bag $99. Ballet pumps $70. Primer $50. Tinted Moisturiser $55)
With a smile … CJ x
PS: Thank you Connor for being a good boy while Mummy was away! x
