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 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!

Beyond the standard gallery wall.

Photo by: Jeremy Greive 2013

check out my latest round-up of creative ways to dress up a gallery wall in your home for JB Est 1979, HERE.

seasonal floral crowns.

Photography: Fiona Galbraith All crowns made by: Nicole Valentine Don

four seasons have come and gone since I started my floral crown series; I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favourites. the top 3 images are winter, then 2 for each season thereafter (even though we technically did more). which one is your favourite?  i think mine are still the cherry blossom antlers, but they wouldn't fit in the grid!  

5 ways to embrace open concept shelving in the kitchen.

here

check out my latest interiors round up for JB Est 1979 to find out how embrace the bohemian goodness of open concept shelving in the kitchen, HERE. can you handle it?

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

inspiration: instagram.

moon play, bokeh and souvenirs from the south of france; these are a few of my favourites from my recent instagram posts. follow along @little_nicki_ if you're not already!

i heart Istanbul.

oh Istanbul, how do I love thee? let me count the ways! i love your colourful little shops, restaurants and hotels. your rooftop terraces delight, as did your sounds and smells. i love your call to prayer, evil eyes, yogurt tubs as flower pots, carpets and textiles galore. i love remembering your crooked little streets; the simple little cafes set up on skinny sidewalks and the scrappy stray kittens that tip-toed along them. i especially love that at the end of a long day exploring your neighbourhoods, my hair would smell like...roasted chestnuts. i will most definitely be back! *click through for more pretty pictures

Found.

All photos: Nat Geo Found

STOP what you're doing and listen up! National Geographic have a MUST SEE tumblr full of archived images that i only just discovered today. set yourself aside some serious time to take in this magic- wow.wow.wow. 

bling-a-ling.

Photo by: Fiona Galbraith

what could i be up to over at JB Est 1979 today; click HERE if you want to see the most simple DIY jewel display option ever!

inside the artist's studio.

here

i am just loving these images of artist Louise Bourgeois' home and studio in New York City; completely untouched since she passed away. i love the piles, the duck egg green and the writing on the wall. why does a mess always look so romantic and beautiful in an artist's bohemian home, but not in my own?

interiors round-up: COLLECTIONS.

‘The Way We Live with The Things We Love’, 2009 Photography: Gilles de Chabaneix

my latest round-up of inspiring interiors images is up at JB Est 1979, it's all about collections and how you display them. what do you collect? how do you show it off? click HERE to check it out.

the window boxes (and the like) of Italy.

the plant life in Italy is just incredible. this is just a small sample of the flowers and window boxes i saw around Rome and Tuscany. there were plenty we drove past that i couldn't get a photo of as well...my senses were overwhelmed by the colours, lushness and creativity behind them all. click through for more: