Last Saturday was International Women’s day, and despite the fact the women’s accomplishments should be celebrated any day, having a specific day devoted to women’s empowerment allows everyone to reflect on the truly amazing feats that women are capable of achieving. It is recognition of the political, economic and social achievements of women in the past and present and is looking ahead at potential opportunities for success. From all corners of the globe, women of different backgrounds who speak diverse languages congregate to celebrate the struggles that women have overcome as well as to raise awareness of the conflicts that remain in the lives of women today.

Inspiration is something which I don’t lack in my life, as I have my beautiful mother and older sister as my role models to help guide me. A woman who has become a role model overnight due to her rapid success in Hollywood is Lupita Nyong’o. At the seventh annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, the Oscar winner delivered an inspirational speech on how she overcame her low self-esteem to follow her dreams. She described a letter that she had received from a young girl with dark skin who had considered buying skin-whitening cream- until she noticed a lady with the same dark complexion on the world’s stage. Unknowingly, Lupita’s success inspired this girl to change her view of herself as well as to imaginably thousands of others. She concluded her incredible speech with an important message to young girls:

“I hope that my presence on your screens and in magazines will lead you, young girl, on a similar journey. That you will feel the validation of your external beauty, but also get to the deeper business of being beautiful inside. There is no shade in that beauty.”

Some people are capable of making a difference despite not anticipating the impact it can have on others. On top of being a young woman who has already made her mark in Hollywood and in the lives of many girls today, the lady knows how to dress to impress. Donning a heavenly pastel blue Prada gown which complimented her in every way, Lupita shone on the red carpet. I especially loved her addition of the headband, which is not something which can be easily pulled off. Perhaps it’s not so subtle but I may have a girl crush.

..And now back to a less glamorous place. Weather in Melbourne has actually been consistent for the past week which is a rare event. The warm temperatures have meant that I could still leave my jeans behind and sport a pair of shorts. I do like bustier tops, however I find that it can occasionally look too- dare I say it- ‘teenybopper’ and cheap when worn simply with skimpy shorts or a skirt. Instead I like to match it up with a cardigan or in this case, a light white shirt!

Shirt- H&M

Top – Minkpink

Shorts- Glassons

Bag – Zara

Shoes- Novo

Yay to celebrating women’s empowerment!