put a crown on it. 4.

the last of my winter floral crowns just happens to be my favourite. i used bright purple kale, which flourishes over the colder months. this big, bold bunch turned out the best. which is your fave?

Photography: Fiona Galbraith Crown and Styling: Nicole Valentine Don

new girl.

yes, just a little later than most...i have fallen for Jennifer Lawrence. though i didn't wholeheartedly buy her oscar win and Silver Linings Playbook for me was all about Bradley Cooper (my bet is he will win an academy award one day)...she does make it all look so easy and holds some sort of je ne sais quoi? furthermore, she is a total babe who is super relaxed and fun in interviews. et voilà, my latest girl crush.

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another version of paris.

i was scrolling through pinterest and stumbled upon a beautiful image of a parisian cafe called 'la maison rose'. clicking through further led me to Kris Atomic's blog and more of her beautiful photos of paris. they reminded me of my time in the city of lights and have me itching to get back! le sigh.

all images via here

winsome in white.

the mantle got a milky makeover for its second photo shoot with the wonderful Fiona Galbraith. the snowy palette reminded me of home and for this, the styling ended up inspired by North America. my handmade (by me) native arrows, a mini totem pole and a 1930's American steel guitar set the broad foundation, while an amethyst crystal highlights the purple accents and brass deer look on. do you love it? or is pretty in pink your fave?

photography by: Fiona Galbraith Styling by: Nicole Valentine Don

pondering happiness...

you know when you filter back through saved images on your desktop and notice a cohesiveness to a seemingly random mess? therein lies proof, that there is method to our madness (and clues into what makes us tick).

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daydreams in muted tones.

paris and turbans, always.

images via pinterest

i heart eva.

i finally figured out who the girl is that i kept seeing and loving around pinterest. i mentioned her here and here, not knowing who she was; just that i loved her style. the mystery is now solved, she is Eva Fontanelli, editor of italian ELLE magazine. i adore how she seems to add an element of youthfulness and fun to all of her outfits teamed with that big, warm smile.

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bohemian bathroom.

my bathroom only became complete when i got this old mantle cut to fit over the tub; i slide it across at bath time and it makes the perfect shelf for a glass of red wine. light the candles and a heavenly scene is set.

photography: Fiona Galbraith styling: Nicole Valentine Don

daydreaming of: painted elephants.

i just got my august 2013 issue of National Geographic in mail and the story on the gloriously embellished elephants of Northern India stole the show in all their resplendence. Charles Fréger's images have me organizing a trip (in my head) to Jaipur in the near future. W.O.W. get the issue my friends, these second hand versions do not do them justice.

which one is your favourite?? i think mine is the purple.

put a crown on it. 3.

the next instalment of the winter crowns i made that were shot by Fiona Galbraith, i used succulents.  i was imagining a halo of green, but succulents actually show a great variety of colours, especially in colder months. the thing about these is that you can replant them when you're done or keep wearing it...mine still looks amazing a month later and even has some little sprouts growing. i quite like how it turned out; next time i would add more and more to make it really overwhelming and beautiful.

Photography: Fiona Galbraith  Styling and Succulent Crown by: Nicole Valentine Don

the cutest ever award:

this adorable gal wins!!  outfit + sun shiny happiness perfection.

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apple of my eye.

this past christmas, my grampa whittled me a mini arrow out of rosewood; i just love it so. i wanted to show off its teeny tinyness, so i shot it next to an apple. so cute, right?

soft inside.

there's something about this work, 'body box' by: Caroline Gates. i didn't want to like it, but i just couldn't look away and the more i look, the more it grows on me. also, being a child of the 80's, i loved the game operation (remember?!)...maybe that has something to do with my intrigue here.
furthermore, it shares striking similarities to this little guy that i loved so.

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hair inspo: 90's.

oh, claire with your sleek barretted bob and winona with your cute cropped do- you girls look good.  it seems as though you could have both; you start out with the super crop (check) and then grow it out into the bob. perfect plan.

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put a crown on it. 2.

this north american/european summer has been rife with music festival style posts; how to dress like a bohemian, love child festival goer. no ensemble was complete without a floral headband (occasionally sub in a native headdress) in the mix, am i right? well, though it is stunning year round, it is actually winter in australia and i've felt a little out of the loop on the floral headband party train - you know i can't get enough of pretty head pieces > evidence here. i decided to make some special winter wonders with the buds that thrive and survive through the cold, starting with the little red topped cactus - the kind every kitchen in the 80's was home to.  i originally imagined the images to come out quite frida-esque, though these remind me more of Even Cowgirls Get The Blues.  

just call me Bonanza Jellybean:

photography by: Fiona Galbraith  styling & cactus crown by: Nicole Valentine Don

pretty in pink.

here is the latest creative effort of myself and Sydney photographer Fiona Galbraith, starring my fireplace in all it's mexican rosiness. this punchy hue was inspired by a trip to mexico city last year. makes me miss this pop of pink in my life now, but it was always for a good time, not a long time. stay tuned for more mantle colourways in the series.

*check it out on the blog of super cool L.A. designer Justina Blakeney too.


helloooooo sunshine! *(i made the sign)