The sand between toes.. BBQ's with friends on the beach.. the sun disappearing into the horizon.. let's face it there's just something about summer.

Wherever you are in the world the warm relaxed days carry a feeling in the air.

In Australia we have some of the most amazing beaches to enjoy through the sunshine months. World famous spots like 'Noosa Beach' (pictured below) with it's white sand, cafe's, welcoming vibe, becomes a hive of activity as people flock to enjoy one of the best times of year. 

Further South at the iconic 'Bondi Beach' the energetic are out early, making the most of the cool start to the day and breathing in the fresh air. The walk around Bondi beach is one of the best in Australia and whether you're out and about or people watching from across the road in the cafe, you can't help but feel on holiday in that place.

Wherever you are this summer make sure you take some time, look around for a spot by yourself or with others, and truly appreciate what is all around you. They say 'an ocean breeze puts the mind at ease', so slow down, enjoy the view and stop and breathe. 

The Noosa is our bestseller here at John Taylor Watches. A combination of Rose Gold casing and a Blush leather strap makes this a feminine combination. Yet whilst being feminine its minimal design makes it not overly fussy. Below are some ways you can style your very own Noosa timepiece.

 A little background behind the name. The Noosa is named after one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, Noosa Beach. Having been to Noosa many times I am always taken back by its beauty. Noosa as a whole is a blend of the Australian beach lifestyle and upper class elegance. The streets team with tourists shopping at the exclusive boutiques, coffee in hand, scoping out the best spot for lunch. There are certainly relaxed vibes but it takes a pretty penny to live in Noosa.

When I wear the Noosa I am always surprised by how many different ways I can style the Noosa timepiece. The Blush makes it’s perfect for jeans and t-shirt casual yet it’s a great date night look too.

 Creating a distinct woman’s watch, the Noosa is one of my favourite designs.  I believe the Noosa will remain a core product for John Taylor Watches for a very long time. Make sure you show us how you style your Noosa timepiece using the hashtags #myjtstory & #johntaylorwatches.

Last week I was pondering my next blog adventure and thought I would put together an outfit. When I typically do this I try to think of basing it around 2-3 colours maximum. This gives the look a continuity and a streamlined effect. The eye of the beholder doesn’t have to focus on ten different things when they glance your way. 

For this look I featured one of our good friends here at John Taylor Watches, Hello Parry is an Australian clothing brand really making their mark on the fashion industry. This top is called the ‘Anoushka’ top and with it’s on trend gingham design, it’s a great piece to add to your wardrobe this Autumn. 

For the bottom half I choose a simple black denim mini skirt, opaque black tights and knee-hi boots. The main feature here really is the top and accessories. 

For the accessories (and this is wear I think the outfit pulls together) I chose a simple black velvet and pearl choker along with the John Taylor Watches Bells design timepiece. A few carefully chosen black pieces keep this outfit interesting yet not overboard.  For my handbag I went with this classic tote design from Colette by Colette Hayman. 

Essentially I am not a girl who spends an exorbitant amount of time putting an outfit together but I truly believe with a few keys pieces you can look extremely put together and ready for any occasion. 

1. Warm Lemon Water: I have heard this one talked about for years and never really been keen until recently. The New Year brings a 'new me' and I am embracing it with open arms. Warm lemon water every morning has helped with my digestion and also gives your body a boost of Vitamin C.
   
   
2. Start a journal: Whether it’s a gratitude journal, a prayer book or simply a place to scribble down thoughts, a journal is a great way to help align your mind. I’ve found when I get all my thoughts down I feel more centered and ready to face current issues that are going on in my life. I feel grateful for all I have and open to new opportunities. 
   
   
3. Hydrate! We have had this drummed into us for so long and there is truth in the drumming. There are so many benefits that outweigh the constant trips to the bathroom. Clear skin, less snacking, excess hunger, the overall health benefits are too numerous to list! I like to carry my favourite water bottle around with me and also on occasion add fun flavours like lime and berries. 
   
   
   
   
4. Get some sun! Getting enough vitamin D is essential for strong bones and a good mood. Get out of the office or study chair at least once each day to take a walk and get some vitamin D. 10 minutes a day is all you need.
   
   
5. Sleep More. I know what your saying…ok, this is a habit I could get behind. Getting enough sleep of a night is essential for your overall health. I have recently found an awesome function on my iphone called the Bedtime function, which alerts me when I need to head off to bed to get my 8 eight hours in. Although I usually ignore it, I am trying to train my body to obey. 
   
   

The temperature is starting to rise ……. Summer is here!

One of my favourite times of year is Summer. Packing up the car, towels, sunscreen and BBQ’s. Good vibes are all round. Beach cricket and relaxing in the sun. Let’s face it Summer rocks! Below are some essentials to make Summer and your trip to the beach the best yet!

Eyewear. That morning sun can be deceiving and often we can underestimate the power of those rays. If you don’t want to have premature ageing around those eyes, grab your favourite pair of sunglasses. Preferably for a day at the beach you would go for a polarised pair which cuts the glare off the water. Not only do you look chic but you’re protecting your eyes.

Snacks and Drinks. The last you want to do is to finally have your beach set up, lie down and hunger strikes…but I don't wanna move and where is the closest shop? Perfect solution is to bring your snacks and drinks down onto the sand with you. Consider bringing an esky or cooler down to keep your drinks cool. Cutting up fruit and snacks in containers will save you the mess and inconvenience of preparing on the sand.  Get rid of the guilt and choose healthy options.

Shade. It may seem boring and practical but trust me, when it’s 35 degrees on a hot Australian beach you will be grateful for carting down that gazebo or umbrella.

A cute cover-up. We put a lot of focus on the best pair of swimmers or bikini, but when it’s time for a break from swimming a cute cover-up is what makes our beach fashion perfect. Whether it’s a crochet dress or cotton playsuit, comfort and style go hand in hand.

Ultimate Playlist. Beach tunes are the perfect companion for a great beach experience. Creating the right vibes and putting you in the mood for relaxing, fun and beach awesomeness. See below our Summer Playlist!

Spotify Playsuit for Summer

You are walking along the boardwalk, early in the morning, not before sunrise, not at sunrise, but just after. There are people around. Bikers, runners, people checking out the first waves of the day. Not far from here, people are still rolling out of the bars and clubs and slinking into their hotels. There is personality here, something to be proud of, something to think about, something to revel in. There is style here. Of course, it is not home. No, it is not that.

Home is something else. It is a place inside you. You carry it without everywhere you go, but that is the funny thing: it stays elsewhere too. It comes with you, but only in part, never in whole. With the John Taylor collection, you can make this part of your home a little bigger. You can express yourself a little more fully and tell the world a little more clearly just who you are.

You are not someone who wears what everyone else is wearing. You are not someone who is pulled in by every trend or who looks only to labels as your means of discerning the fashion from the fakes. You are passionate. You care about your life, and we do too. Blending city living with that experience of living on the coast, we are offering an unmatched chance to be fully you, unadulterated, unfiltered, unhinged, uncensored.

We have set a lofty goal for ourselves: to capture the essence of serenity and to complement it with top-quality craftsmanship. Are we up to it? Sure, we like to think we are. We like to think that our timepieces are the perfect addition to your life. Carefully tailoring our timepieces to embody sophistication, cool, and the uniqueness that is you, we are proud of the lifestyle brand we have created.

 Go beyond that boardwalk, and there is an even bigger world out there. It lies beyond the crash of the waves. It is bigger than any street. It encompasses everyone you have ever known and will ever know, and it reflects the whole of your life. There is time to enjoy it, too, if only you will take it. That is what John Taylor is really about: taking the time. It does belong to you, after all.

Forget the ordinary. Escape the mundane. Accept only the thrilling, the exciting, the real, the true. Welcome to John Taylor.

Whenever I head off on a trip I spend probably two weeks prior stressing over what I will pack. It becomes so overwhelming that I tend to wait until two days prior before I put anything into a suitcase.

Where will I be going? Is there a pool? Are we going out to dinner? All these various occasions require different outfits, different footwear and different accessories. A first world problem I know, yet still one I have to deal with time to time. 

On recent travels to Hong Kong I had an epiphany with my packing and I have some thoughts on dressing for travels and what to pack that might be helpful to some. 

My first thought is let your accessories do the talking. Whether it’s your John Taylor watch, pair of converse sneakers or in my case Louis Vuitton cross body speedy, that’s what makes the travel outfit chic. A diamond bracelet teamed with your John Taylor Watch adds an immediate element of class for a dinner out. 

Keeping the outfit simple is important, as it needs to be when walking extensive amounts. By keeping it simple you have more freedom to change things up with your accessory game. 

Another tip is to keep everything in a similar tone or shade. For this trip I packed a lot of white and blue, crisp and cool shades. Outfits were easier to style when things were similar in tone. By wearing say a white t-shirt and slacks, you can always pop on a floral cover up to completely change the look of the outfit, and it weighs next to nothing in your luggage, bonus! 

Fit was the important factor. Hong Kong is a city that requires a lot of walking so keeping my outfits cool, breezy and a comfortable fit was important. I chose flowy dresses, loose blouses and black comfy tights. 

A major part of enjoying my travels is feeling comfortable, chic and put together. With just a little bit of planning and some clever accessories this is made a whole lot easier. 

When it comes to style there are hundreds possibly thousands of takes that each and everyone of us could have on which John Taylor watch is perfect for you! 

Being the co-creator I have access to every style and I am kind of glad for that. Every five minutes I change my mind on my favourite style and why. Let me give you a break down on my thoughts on the six different styles. Keep in mind that this is purely my opinion and there are no hard and fast rules on any of the styles. How I choose to style my watch is my opinion and I so value YOUR opinion. When your JT watch arrives make sure that you tag #myjtstory or #johntaylorwatches and we can all have a look how you uniquely style your watch! I am certain that you will inspire not only me but anyone else who sees your picture. 

THE BYRON: The Byron, a famous Australian beach, is to me is our most traditional design. A classic tan strap paired with silver hardware is the ultimate traditionalist. A pair of Chino’s for a guy with a white linen shirt, add in the Byron and you are ready for drinks on the terrace for a sundowner. For a woman, the Byron is gorgeous with dark blue skinny jeans and also that same white linen classic shirt. I would even make the look pop with a red lip. 

THE NOOSA: The Noosa is stunning, clean and crisp white face, with rose gold hardware. I would call Noosa our feminine watch but the call is yours, if you’re a guy who rocks blush and rose gold GO for it! Typically when I look at the Noosa I think pearls, chambray blues and white skinny jeans. 

THE COTTESLOE:  Many people that I have talked to on my travels have assumed the Cottesloe with it’s black face and brown strap is decidedly a male watch. I actually disagree. I believe the black face and tan strap is such a gorgeous strong style and I have worn it myself with either blue jeans and a black top or even a more day appropriate black dress. 

THE WHITEHAVEN:  The Whitehaven is certainly a statement. All white its fresh, minimal and clean appeal makes me imagine white bohemian flowing dresses. The Whitehaven surprised me with it’s versatility. I have worn this during the day with a more relaxed style and even at night with a beige short dress and strappy nude heels. 

THE BELLS: A unisex style and once again an understated elegant watch. Black on black design is truly a gorgeous addition to any outfit. Today I paired a short denim dress with black tights and boots, the Bells looked amazing. Definitely a standout accessory, yet didn’t overwhelm in any way. 

THE BONDI: The Bondi is certainly elegant, black face with gold hardware immediately dresses up any outfit. My dad being a professional is often having to be quite well dressed day to day and the Bondi was a natural choice for him. I think for a man, this style, is a confident expression of style. For me I love to pair the Bondi with lots of gold rings and bracelets to bring out the gold hardware. 

If there was a word that expressed our John Taylor Collections I would say versatile. There isn’t a style I wouldn’t wear, yes I am slightly biased but I do believe in what I have helped to create. As I mentioned above I would LOVE to see what style you end up choosing and how you make your watch work with your lifestyle. 

We all know that skill or passion is not the only thing you need to achieve success in life. If you don’t have a charming and elegant personality, you might end up in the failure category in spite of having the best talent and skill in your  field. You need to do anything to make yourself a better professional every day, and wearing a watch can boost your confidence as a professional and even add a certain charismatic element to your personality. Although people often argue smartphones and other electronic devices are all that's needed to keep the time, millions of people still buy and wear watches as it can bring the following few elements in your life that can really make a big difference both personally and professionally.

Watches Bring Elegance and Charisma in Your Personality

Only a few people have the charisma in order to pursue their career in a corporate world or become popular in their social circle. Most people have to try harder in order to get that kind of social charisma and watches surely bring a particular charisma to your personality, which makes you confident and fearless no matter how tough the other one is.

Watches Let You Enjoy Professional Success

Have you ever felt the need to find out what the time is during an interview? Most of us do and imagine if you’re looking at your smartphone during an interview. Won’t it destroy your chances of getting the job at the spot?

Job interview is the one of the toughest tasks for employees to go through especially if you’re applying for a job for the first time. You just have a degree but don’t have much relevant experience to convince the customer on paper. Now it depends all upon your interview skills. Remember the quotation, “First impression is your last impression” and your job interview requires you to get your first impression to be great. First impression won’t come with your skill and talent to answer the questions being asked during the interview but it’ll actually be the kind of personality you have and how you feel towards the required job. Here you need essential life changing factors like confidence, fearlessness, a risk-taker and a perfect professional. Watches will surely help you boost your skill set.