if you go down to the woods today...

Photographs by Maddie from etta photography: Styling by Whimsy Petite Styling

A short while ago a gorgeous customer (and now friend) of mine sent through a few pictures from her 'teddy bears picnic' themed family portrait session. I was completely smitten with the sweet vintage styling of the shoot and the fact that she chose to wear one of my creations was just the icing on the cake! 

Tash Kimlin is creative hand behind Whimsy Petite Styling. Miss Tash is available to style shoots with professional photographers if anyone is interested in adding a special touch to their investment {whish is really what a professional shoot is isnt it!}

This is what she told me about the shoot -

we wanted a family shoot that captured our personalities, the things we like and the importance of family in our lives.  I love vintage, op shopping and treasure the many lovely pieces we have had handed down to us from both sides of the family.  From the day I got my first NS dress I knew I would be wearing it in our fmaily shoot...so it all came together beautifully!!  What transpired was a vintage picnic {or teddy bears picnic} in the woods one beautiful late summers afternoon...Sharlize enjoying some of my favourite childhood books, Syrahna playing with The family heir loom teddies and Grandmas knitted doll ....and Byron and I simply enjoying one anothers company and watching the children {even the tea cups and cameras are family heir looms too}.

 Thanks so much for sharing miss Tash. I am so honoured that you chose a naughty shorts dress for such an occasion. Mwah! 

Bec x

rise and shine...

Last year I found myself getting really run down. I was sewing till past midnight, waking three times a night with a restless baby, forgetting to eat breakfast and surviving on coffee and cake... Not really the recipe for healthy living. My clever mum suggested that I started having a healthy smoothie for breakfast every morning. It has been perfect for me because I don't have to think about what to eat and I never skip it!

My smoothie has -
1/2 cup whey protein isolate
1 tablespoon of vital greens
2 tablespoons of yoghurt (with live cultures)
1 tablespoon of Udo's oil Omega 3/6 blend
1 tablespoon of psyllium husk, or lately 1 tablespoon of Coles fibre mix...
1 cup of water and a few pieces of ice...
1 frozen banana

The end result is a delicious, green-looking banana smoothie. Not quite as sweet as one made with ice cream but still totally yummy. And even though its made with water, the oil and yoghurt make it a nice creamy consistency...

And Zavian loves it too....

dresses: handmade by me, shoes: lotta from stockholm, tights: country road

Hello lovely friends. Happy Thursday! I hope you have had a productive and inspiring week. It can be so SO hard to get back into the swing of things after an extra long weekend. Never fear! The weekend is almost here again. 

I have been sewing. I made up the folky print version of the new style dress while I was grading the pattern, and I am happy to tell you that I think I have the fit spot on. I am always nervous when I am rolling out a new style. I have made a little bit of progress on my first orders, but I am working slowly as the details in this style demand my full attention, and you know my mind has been elsewhere of late...

Yesterday I finished of the sweet little kitty dress for a favourite customer of mine. I don't always love a children's novelty print, but this one in particular has stolen my heart. It is the perfect blush pink and the kitty has vibrant blue eyes and soft little details. It is kitsch perfection.

As you can see by the pictures I am getting pretty excited about migrating South to the cooler weather. I broke out the cardigans and stockings for the photos, but I had to rip them off as soon as we were finished because it is still so hot up here.

Thanks so much to Levi for taking a handful of pictures for me.  As much as we are going through a difficult time it's so nice to know that I can call on him to give me a hand when I need it. No nastiness here...

Bec x  

making plans...

Well, I can't actually believe it, but I am in the process of rearranging, sorting and packing my stuff to move back to Perth. At this stage I think that Zavian and I will be loading up the car within the next couple of weeks and making the drive down together. Once we get there we will be living with my mum  until we figure out a more permanent arrangement.

I have a handful of orders that I would like to finish before we are in limbo again. Once again I would love to thank all of my beautiful customers and supporters for such kind words of encouragement. You all make me feel like anything is possible.  

2012 - this has been a crazy year so far. It has not been all roses, but I have a wonderful feeling that this year will prove to be the start of an amazing journey. All shall be well!

I hope you have enjoyed a fun filled Easter long weekend. 

With love, Rebecca 

camera adventures - lunch with nan and pop

While we were in Perth I took a drive with my little sis to visit my dad's parents. Of course I took my new camera along. My poor Nan was getting very frustrated with me taking pictures of her while she was trying to talk. She makes her bed everyday with a display of her precious teddy bears. I think one of my favourite photo's here is the one of her delicate little hand smoothing her teddy's dress. And I particularly love the shot of the bread... 

Any tips? I am going to invite some constructive critisism. 

Bec x

getting on with things...

I don't love hanging up washing, but when it's vintage floral and new fabric scores it doesn't seem to be such a pain. Fresh air, sunshine and a bit of solitude is just what the doctor ordered, methinks...

Today I am pottering around in the studio, grading the new pattern for my latest orders, and playing around with a few collars... Easy does it. 

While I was away I collected my new DSLR. It is love. Are you thinking about getting one? Right now I am wondering how I ever lived without mine. 

I hope you are having a most wonderful week so far.

Thank you all for your kind words and well wishes about my news...

Bec x

changes...

Things in my life are changing. Levi and I have made the decision to split. It was not an easy choice to make, however I believe that we both feel positive about the decision and we are looking forward to the next stage of our lives... I am feeling so relieved that we are both on the same page with our feelings, and I genuinely feel that we will remain close and we will continue to share the life of our precious baby girl. It is still a very tricky and emotional time, so I am going to ask for a little patience and understanding when it comes to sporadic blog posts and naughty shorts updates. 

Thanks so much for all of your support. It truly means the world to me. 

Bec x