A few nights ago my husband Gary & I were invited along to the House of Dior exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria by our friends at Strateas Carlucci. The exhibition celebrated seventy years of Haute Couture (1947 - 2017), in absolute elegance. 

In Parisian styled rooms, under the light of glowing crystal chandeliers stood 140 works; extravagant creations by Christian Dior himself and the seven designers that followed Dior after his passing - Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri -  the best of the best, who all stepped in to one of the most important roles in the fashion world in continuing to shape and re-invent the iconic Dior silhouette and bringing it to where it stands in magnificence today. 

What was unique about this exhibition was being able to talk to the ateliers from Paris who were demonstrating the techniques they use in their work. From the beginnings of a garment to it's completion, the attention to detail employed by these incredible seamstresses is more than impressive. Patience, skill and dedication to the art form are evident in every stitch and buttonhole.

Any form of art on display is always inspiring. I have an immense appreciation of the hundreds of hours involved in creating each piece and also the importance of collaboration in the making of a masterpiece. I drew parallels from this with the creation of music - from working with songwriters, fellow musicians, producers, mixers and masterers to create a record. All of these creatives, incredible in their own right, come together in the light of one name, in this case, the iconic name of Dior.

NP 😘 

Sometimes our bodies can tend to get a little over burdened due to toxic exposure from the foods we eat, those daily coffees we drink and even from the air we breathe. 

I thought I'd treat my body to a heavy dose of mostly green juices in an attempt to rid myself of low energy, fatigue, bloating and an annoying redness on my cheeks. Who wants any of that?! Seriously...

It's been a couple of years since my last juice cleanse that I did with Pressed Juices, which I found to be an amazing reset for me that I really felt a difference from. My mind was clearer, as was my skin, I had more energy and I was more conscious about what I was eating and drinking. I guess after a while I got lazy and my sweet tooth took over, as did a caffeine addiction.  I was unintentionally passively breathing in other people cigarette smoke, usually at my outdoor gigs - I hate that so much! Note to smokers...move away from the singers please!! Travel air is never great either, and I was getting my fair share of that too.

Enough with all of the toxic contributors, so here I am, 3 days in, to flooding my body with litres of cold pressed goodness and I'm feeling pretty good! This time around, I am trying mostly green juices from Organic Avenue. I've also been adding in a little Super Elixir to one of my juices for some extra alkalising green power! I haven't completely been doing a 'cleanse' I wished to, as a few of my juices were a little fizzy, so I substituted with healthy food, nuts and a square of dark chocolate. I guess that has made my 'detox' a little easier for me. I haven't really felt 'detoxy', but I can say I am feeling bright as daylight, definitely not bloated and I'm as happy as I can be! 

Life just seems so much easier when you feel good on the inside. I encourage you to get some greens into your bodies too! Don't we all want glowing skin, clarity of mind a a flat stomach?! Sounds like that #newrenaissancelife

NP xx

#cleanse #detox #health #wellness #pressedjuices #superelixir #organicavenue

I went to my Soundcloud earlier today to pass on a link to my friend and saw that 'Beyond All Else' has been played almost 120K times. I'm feeling shocked, grateful and pretty happy! Please continue to keep listening and sharing #BeyondAllElse around!

Thank you to everyone for your support so far! 

NP x

Just one of them days...

🐌 Pre-order for my song has been pushed back until the 17th September, but I promise you will be able to get it on iTunes and everywhere else in the digital world then 😆! The official release date is the 23rd of September so stay tuned! 

For now you can catch my song 'Beyond All Else' on Mi-Soul, Oz Urban Radio, Soul d'lite, Neo2Soul, Urban Movement Radio & Indie Music Network (UK, Philadelphia and Australia) - or you can tune in digitally from anywhere.

I trust that God has set the perfect date for my 'Beyond All Else's' official release.

NP xx

#BeyondAllElse #BAE #newmusic #beyondallelseyouremine #futuresoul

I just returned from a sunny week in Bali, where I was singing at Ku De Ta's annual white party.

As in all the places in Asia that I have visited so far, the streets were steamy, the variety and colours of fruit and the smell of food had my stomach rumbling at all hours, then there is also that familiar gaseous sewer scent that gets up in your nose all of a sudden when you're dreamily adventuring down the street too. Brings you back to earth. I mostly enjoyed walking for hours on end around Seminyak, Legian and Canggu discovering little cafes and eating smoothie bowls along the way. I could easily be a vegan if I lived over there...but before I would become a vegan I would go to Plantation Grill. When you arrive at Plantation you are taken up a lift and walked into a place where you are (pretty much) teleported to New York in the 1920's. I had a date night with Gary, we felt pretty special. Waiters are dressed in white and push around carts housing creme brule, pannacotta and other delicious things, (trust me to immediately have my eye on the desserts...the zucchini flowers are great too), there are the most breathtakingly tall windows that look out onto the beach, smokey incense filled air, marble tables and leather booths and a Gatsby-esque powder room.  #ThingsToDoBeforeBecomingAVegan #dessert #eyesontheprize

The people in Bali are the sweetest.  As for the driving, lets just say it is consistent. I'm always in my own little utopia, so I really had to be on guard when crossing the road over there. Cars and scooters were seriously coming at me from 8 different angles. The stress of the traffic wasn't at all an issue though, nothing could ever bother me over there; not when you are being treated to 2 hour massages and milk baths and facials every day. I was pretty content.

The reason for my trip to Bali was to sing at Ku De Ta's annual white party for their Midsummer Night's Dream event. On arrival, I felt like I was walking into a fairytale. There were starry lights hanging from a tree at the entrance, moss covered ground glittering with holographic sequins and a projection of ballet dancers, (check my Boomerang on Insta). For my performance I was surrounded by incredible dancers from different parts of the world, (if you need something to inspire you to hit the gym, it would be being around them for a minute #theultimatefitspo). After my performance I sent a photo to my sister Seda - she thought I was dressed in drag, I reminded her that I was meant to be Titania from A Midsummer Night's Dream, (it may have had something to do with my heavily painted on glitter eyebrows, headpiece and glittering floor length cloak). #kudeta #whiteparty #midsummernightsdream

There is something about the place that is magnetic and I can feel it drawing me back. 

NP xx

#newrenaissancelife

I'm feeling incredibly humbled that I get to open for #Brandy for her Perth show next week.

For those who know me will know how much this actually means... Nobody runs like her and she is the Queen of layering vocals...and her tone...Don't even get me started on that! Brandy has inspired me beyond measure!! I am so honoured that I get to be her support act in the city I was born and grew up in. 

This is a dream for me.

NP xx

He looks like he is wearing a halo probably because he is!

This humble man has been there from the beginning of my music career and since has mentored and encouraged me and given me opportunities that I could only ever dream of.

I am forever grateful. A big reason that I do what I do, I owe to him. 

Thank you Ash! 

NP

Oh the pressure of the first post!

Well firstly, I’d like to say ‘Welcome' to my blog that I am calling my 'New Renaissance Life’. 

The world is dependent on the beauty that we create in whatever art form that may be. It is dependent on what fills our air, our minds and our eyes; both negative and positive. My hope is that we dwell on all that is true and which draws us closer to a fuller, purer life.

I would like to share with you my #newrenaissancelife; the ordinary life (and lives) that we live, that if we stop to think about it, is extraordinary. I want to be able to share the things that I am grateful for - the wonderful everyday things that light up my life; whether it be through family & friends, music, fashion, beauty, art, lifestyle or food, (sorry in advance if I post too much about food…I do love eating). I want to share with you the moments that we all enjoy, the simple things that brighten up a sometimes cloudy day, to write about all the things that renew me, the things that I hope can inspire and renew you too! 

I look forward to hearing from you about your experiences and I invite you to hashtag #newrenaissancelife for the things that inspire, that uplift and keep us looking upward!

NP xx