Stevie Nicks: Self Portraits

Who knew Stevie Nicks was Queen of the selfie, before the term was even invented?! These self portraits of the (my favourite) singer were taken at home and in hotel rooms throughout the mid-seventies. They have just been released from the shoe-box under the bed, to the public for purchase through the Morrison Hotel Gallery; signed by Stevie!  I love the capturing of make believe in real time; what is more significant to the viewer- the dress up aspect or time and place? It may seem frivolous, but how wonderful to have this strange chronological collection of moments.

Here's what she has to say about the work:

"Some people don't sleep at night - I am one of those people. These pictures were taken long after everyone had gone to bed - I would begin after midnight and go until 4 or 5 in the morning. I stopped at sunrise - like a vampire... I never really thought anyone would ever see these pictures, they went into shoeboxes, where they remained. I did everything - I was the stylist, the makeup artist, the furniture mover, the lighting director. It was my joy - I was the model..."

A girl after my own wild heart; this makes me feel even better now about my floral crown photos!

I heart Nice.

Nice was more than nice.  It took me a couple of visits to get into its groove, but when I did - it was L O V E.  I found it a bit hard to figure out at first; it seems really ritzy and grand, but I was looking for a bit of soul. That is what I stumbled upon along the Cours Saleya on a Monday- the antiques market of Nice- ooh la la. If you're into treasure hunting, you could spend all day at these...I wish I had!  Bascially anything you could ever imagine to find, you will probably come across at these vast markets. The worst part is that most of the objects I wanted were large furniture items, which you have to just admire and not take home. The best part about these markets stalls

I heart the South of France - from Eze to Monaco.

I know what people mean when they refer to 'The South of France'; it's more than a beautiful place, it's a feeling.  I fell in love with this land of the purple bougainvillea in a heart beat.  The water is so crystal clear blue and at the end of May when we went, it was perfectly crisp.  We stayed in Eze bord du mer, but you could stay in any number of spots along the coast and be happy...overjoyed, even.  Stay in a place up in the hills if you can, so you can have that quiet away from the beach and get the best that this place has to offer.  You'll need to rent a car, which is quite expensive, but worth it; we went with Hertz from the Nice airport.  Go to Eden at Plage Mala to treat yourself for the day on a sun bed with ice cold rosé- I didn't even like rosé until this trip, but in this region of France it is magnifique!

lust list: Lena Dunham & Missoni for Target.

Hero to all GIRLS- Lena Dunham- has written a book (and was given a 3.7 million dollar advance to do so...just quietly...).  Alexa Chung's book I was happy to flick through at the shop, but this I want to READ!  

Also, I'm not even sure how to contain myself over the anticipation of the Missoni for Target collection coming to Australia- Ladies, please, please save something for me!!

I heart Antibes.

 

I haven't posted about my trip to the South of France yet, because it was TOO good!!  I just haven't even known where to start.  That all ends here, because I've decided to go with the beachside village of Antibes.  It was one of my favourite stops along the Côte D'Azur.  There was something quite quaint about it, with a slow and easy quality compared to some of the other bigger cities along the coast.  If you only have a day, all you need to pencil in is a trip to Picasso's studio turned museum (you immediately understand why he chose to call this place home. *keep in mind that the musée closes between 12-2pm) and then park yourself on the beach.  I would choose this spot above at Juan Les Pins; it was a gorgeous cove that was tucked away from the main coastal strip. I had the best baguette mixte (ham and cheese) of my trip in Antibes, so be sure to get yourself one of those too!

I heart San Remo.

While vacationing in the South of France, we popped over one Sunday to Italy for lunch- crazy, I know! We headed to the seaside town of San Remo, which was only about an hour from where we were staying in France- Eze Bord Du Mer.  It was amazing to watch the scenery change almost instantaneously as we crossed the border from France to Italy.  France was more manicured, clean and ritzy, whereas in Italy there seemed to be more farmland, clothes on the line, colourful buildings in muted tones; a little rough around the edges, just the way I like it.  We parked along the coast where all the kitsch little beach clubs are set up.  It was a dark and moody day, which I think almost added to the charm. I didn't catch the name of the place with the red and orange umbrellas, but I am aspiring to one day sit up on the little rooftop and look out to the Mediterranean.  I loved the colours of all the signage and the attention to detail- wrought iron gates in the shapes of clouds, sunshine (you'll see this motif a lot along the coast of France as well) and zig zagged waves? A ziga ziga ah! Because it wasn't exactly beach weather

Missoni X Converse.

Missoni high top Chuck Taylor's?  Yes please!!  I'm coveting the far left, though I'd be happy with the far right (or any in between). I actually thought I would treat myself to a pair, but alas there are no size 6s left in either. Cute though, right? 

Search For A Stylist contest.

well, the cat is out of the bag- I was announced last week as the WINNER of Inside Out magazine & The Home's Search For A Stylist contest!!!!  Lucky me!!  As the winner I get a job as Head Stylist at The Home, to style a real cover of Inside Out and $1000 dollars to spend at The Home, which I intend to entirely put towards french linen!!! I was very unsure when I first heard about this whole thing (I think it was shock...), but I made it through my first week of work and it was w o n d e r f u l. such a lovely team and so many creative ideas being pitched and produced on a constant basis- I am over the moon, truly. I will be sure to share some of my favourite projects on here with you all; stay tuned.

*above is the winning mock-up cover photo I styled, shot by: Guy Bailey, whom it was an absolute pleasure to work with.


pinch me.

fresco towels.

my momma knows what's up! she has just introduced me to Fresco Towels online. W O W. not only are the selections insanely gorgeous, I love the brand ethos as well- all inspired by travel and history. I am 100% coveting a poncho now and that eagle beach towel. 

location scouting: Sydney's beaches.

yesterday, on what was a very brisk, but beautiful and sunny winter's day in Sydney, we went on a little trip around Sydney's Eastern Suburbs beaches to check out venues for a very special future project. i loved aspects of everywhere we visited, the more quaint in details, the better. the hands down, shiver inducing, showstopper for me was

flowers and plants: italy and france.

along the coast of the south of France and into Italy (we visited San Remo for lunch one day), the plant life is in. cre. di. ble. never have i seen such huge cacti and vivid flowers in bloom. i think my favourites were the giant mother in law's tongues, but if you like bougainvillaea

holiday in your own backyard!

today is my first day off in two weeks, so i thought i'd take some time to take my time...if you know what i mean. first, i put on an outfit that i didn't have to consider whether it was comfortable or sensible to 'work' in the whole day- i love that. we went out for breakfast and then went for a walk along the coast on this unseasonably warm winter's day in Sydney. it was so fun to explore my own backyard (that's how i refer to the beach, because it technically is!). i really felt like i was on a holiday, seeing the beauty in my surroundings as if for the first time. what a refreshing approach to the day!