Veterinarian, Blogger & Mother. Cecylia shares her musings on life and style in the same breath. She passionately believes that "every day is worth dressing up for."
Call me insane but I visited the Werribee Zoo on Labour Day in the 35 degree heat. It was not easy to transition from the cooling comfort of the 5 star Mansion Hotel & Spa at Werribee Park to the dry and dusty grounds of an African-esque savannah. The trip was so worth it though, and the extreme heat only made the experience more authentic. It was my second safari bus tour, but the tour guide taught me new things (did you know that the giraffe’s muscular heart is about 60-70 cm long! In order to circulate blood up its elongated neck and to the rest of its body? Or that Przewalski horses are now extinct in the wild so the only chance you can see them is in zoos? Or that an emu is really just a giant bird wearing lipstick and tights? Ok the last one was not so scientific…). Despite the heat, I’m so grateful to see all the amazing creatures sun-baking. Now I know why they were eyeing off my hat…
Vintage hat, shades, bag & blouse/ Edenborough Evans necklace & ring / Etam skirt / Tom Gunn shoes
The Werribee Zoo has a special place in my heart because I went to vet school just around the corner for 2 years. So when I drive down the M1 freeway, wonderful memories of uni friends and our shenanigans come to mind. I cannot believe that I’ve only just visited the zoo this year! You can come centimetres close to commanding carnivores and visit the herbivores in their backyard via your own car or an educational safari bus tour. Seeing them nestling and resting in the sunshine makes me wonder just who has the better lifestyle… In our digital age, it’s wonderfully relaxing to spend time with wild animals. So if you’re heading to Werribee Zoo, don’t forget these stylish essentials:
1. A Hat: you can cap it, visor it, or wide-brim it. You could wear the gold standard: the round hat with a tie under your neck, or if you actually care about your appearance, then I’ll let you in my secret. To prevent this straw number from joining the zoo, I simply asked the lovely café ladies for an elastic band to be placed on top of the hat.
2. Sunglasses. There’s only one rule. The bigger the better. Think Jackie O. They not only help shade you from the enthusiastic sun but also the dust on the bus.
3. A bag with a strap or handle. My dear stylistas, clutches are not created for the zoo. You may forget them and it would be wrong to see the animals wearing leather…I chose a straw bag for obvious thematic reasons, and I’m not worried about it getting dusty or dirty. Plus if I did leave it behind, it may be a delicious treat for the vegetarian animals.
4. Comfortable shoes: Since my feet slipped into these Tom Gunn Bordeaux leather sandals a few weeks ago, I’ve been finding it difficult not to take them everywhere. They were my sole saviours walking around the vast zoo grounds.
And last but not least, plenty of sunscreen and a constant marvel for splendidly-designed creatures!
So animal-lovers, do you know if the photo above is that of a cheetah or a leopard?
[spoiler title=”中文版”]前几天我在炎热的天气下拜访了Werribee野生动物园。从Mansion Hotel & Spa at Werribee Park旅馆的空调环境到非洲式，干燥的野外不容易。但非常值得，因为那极端的高温带给我们更真实的体验。这次是我第二次坐野生动物园巴士，但导游又教了我新的知识。你知不知道长颈鹿的心脏有60-70厘米长？因为它得将全身的血液流上它超长的头颈。你是否知道Przewalski马已经灭绝了？因此你只能在动物园里看见它们。你知不知道鸵鸟是只穿着连袜裤和涂着口红的大鸟？：）尽管天气闷热，我很高兴看到那么多动物享受在阳光下的休息。现在我才知道为什么它们一直盯着我的帽子……
我特别爱Werribee野生动物园因为在大学读兽医的时候我曾在Werribee 校园住过二年。所以每当我开车上M1高速公路时，许多校园的回忆很深刻地返回。真不敢相信今年我才第一次来游览野生动物园。你能靠近食肉动物，通过自己的汽车在草食动物的 “后院”里参观它们，或登上教育性的野生动物园观光巴士。看到他们在太阳下休息，让我不知道到底是它们还是我们谁拥有更好的生活方式…在我们的忙碌生活中，与野生动物一起放松对我们身体调整好有帮助。如果你前往Werribee野生动物园，不要忘了这些时尚的必要：
1。一顶帽子：越大，越牢越好。那种在脖子上有领带的最好，但它们不怎么时髦。我戴的这顶圆帽子其实很松，风一刮就会飞，但为了防止这根稻草帽加入动物园，我问了咖啡馆的女士们给我的帽子一根松紧带。
2。太阳眼镜：越大越好。它们不仅帮助你遮蔽热情的太阳，也排出灰尘。
3。有带子或手柄的包袋。我的亲爱的stylistas，手抓包不适于带去动物园。你很可能会忘掉它。因此我选择了草编包，我不用担心灰尘将它弄脏。另外，就算我忘了它，它可能是一顿素食动物的美食。
4。舒适的鞋子：自从几个星期前我的脚踏进这双Tom Gunn的深红色凉皮鞋后，我几乎每天都想穿它们。一整天我穿着它们在动物园里走路，它们是我脚的救星。
当然，去参观动物园的另一样必要是大量的防晒霜和一颗孩子般的好奇心！
动物爱好者，你知不知道，上面的照片是只猎豹或豹子？[/spoiler]
Ahh haha I love this post! The zoo looks amazing! <3 I'm not sure if it's a cheetah or a leopard… big dotty kitty! x
lol totally dotty :D Isn’t she gorgeous!!!
This reminds me of my senior trip with my class to the zoo…haha we were all these older teenagers running around like little kids again. Haha, so fun! :)
Trendy Teal
wow…lovely pictures. I cant wait to visit the zoo again :).
I also love your simple but chic outfit :)
wonderful pictures!
http://giaa-fashion.blogspot.com
Lovely photos, zebras are so beautiful & giraffe so adorable aren’t they?
Your skirt and bag are very nice.
It had better be a cheetah because I am a super cheetah lover! Your outfit looks so comfortable, yet pulled together. :)
(Oh and I guess cheetah because of the black ‘teartracks’ running down from its eyes… it’s a marking I LOVE about the cheetah!)
oh love the zebras!
i like your skirt!!
Totally a cheetah (they are long and lanky for speed). Leopards have more of the tiger/lion body – more muscular. Yes, I watch a lot of Nat Geo. :)
Love your zoo outfit! You had to be the most stylish person there – I love going to the zoo!
the shots are adorable … I always wanted to vistit such a place! love love love….
You look great. love this post!
Thank u so much for your amazing comment.
Lots Of Love,
Nicole
http://www.nicoleta.me
amazing photos! that looks like you had a great time :) I like going to the Zoo :)
Hello! I just came across your blog, and I love it! It’s so cool that you’re a vet and stylist! Such an amazing combo :) I’ve decided to follow you! If you get a minute, I’d love to know what you think of my latest outfit post! While you’re visiting, follow along so we can keep in touch! :)
xo, elle from Living in Color.
Your animal photos are fabulous! I think it’s a cheetah.
Love your look, it’s so safari chic!
Great pictures!!! in love with ur sunnies
xx
I’m voting cheetah :)
The elastic band tip for the hat is a great one, thank you! I have a similar wide brim hat that I always try to wear to the beach and it blows off my head constantly, haha.
Looks like such a nice place to visit. I’m going to have to compile a little to-do list for my next Melbourne trip. :)
Thank you again for introducing me to cupcake central and catching up for a bit – I realise now I forgot to take any photos, but it was a definite trip highlight for me. Enjoy fashion week next week!
yes a girl needs to be resourceful when the odds are against her right? When I say odds, I mean the wind :D You will have to have a must-visit list next time you’re down! Let me know if you would like a hand to compile it. Glad you liked Cupcake Central too, I’m craving their cupcakes now!
I never got a chance to go back for more cupcakes, wish I had! I definitely think they need to expand and open a Brisbane store. I’ll be the first customer! haha :)
WOOT I’ll let Sheryl know!! :D
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