If Paris was hard to edit, Italy has to be even more so. Splitting my time between Tuscany and Venice meant so many varied and beautiful landscapes, but it was the incredible bursts of rendered colour that captured my attention.
As hard as it was, here are a few of my chosen faves that have me reaching for the paint charts...
Montmartre / Christian Dior
Barbie Exhibit at Les Arts Décaratifs
Montmartre / Bastille
Grand Trianon, Versailles
Café de Flore / Tour Eiffel
Monet's Garden, Giverny
Some of my favourites from Paris. How I even edited it down, I'll never know...
Also, see my previous post on Dior for some drool-worthy behind-scenes imagery.
I first stayed at La Maison Favart a few years ago on my Honeymoon and I'm so happy to have been back here again on this current trip. On top of the marvelous exterior, there's just something so incredibly whimsical about this beautiful, boutique hotel. From the smoke-grey walls to the pink upholstery of the breakfast room, it's the perfect blend of Parisian charm!
But, somebody better pass me a croissant while I pack my bags...I've got a plane to catch *sniff*
Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
I had originally intended this post to be something of a re-cap of my visit to the Christian Dior museum in Granville. The museum displays pieces from its archives, along with rotating exhibits - the current being 'Femmes en Dior' which includes 49 gowns and photographs of loyal, royal and celebrity clients and spokes models of the fashion house.
I was due to take an early train this morning, however the current transport strikes in Paris meant that it was cancelled, which was more than a disappointment.
So imagine my surprise, upon visiting instead the original Dior flagship store on Avenue Montaigne, to find a very special 'open house' at the Maison next door as part of the LVMH Journées Particulières event. Opening their doors to small groups for one weekend only, the beautiful spiral staircase led to rooms and rooms set up with displays from each area of the design house; couture, jewellery, accessories and parfums.
I can't even describe how incredible it was to see - and hear - each worker explain his or her process. I don't even speak French, but it was clear for everyone to see how each individual piece is created. I'm still pinching myself that I was able to have such an up-close experience with such a special design house and to see so many iconic pieces IRL.
It definitely more than made up for that missed train to Granville...
The illustration above is based on Christian Dior's Lady Dior Pre-Fall campaign from 2014, photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. One of my all-time favourites.
En route to PARIS!
City of lights, sighs and fairy floss skies!
Kensington
Chelsea
Notting Hill
Flowers of Liberty
A selection of my favourite images from my week in London; an explosion of pink and floral.
Spring fling at its finest!
Just woke up in London; home of Big Ben, Prince George and Harry Potter!
Oh - and rows and rows of those amazingly beauty sorbet houses. Can I just move in, already?
Just touched down in TOKYO!
It's no secret that Japan is one of my favourite countries in the entire world and I'm so excited to be starting off my adventure with the bright lights and floral scents of Tokyo + Kyoto.
While I might have JUST missed out on sakura season, I'm bound to be blown away by the azalea and wisteria that will be in full bloom this week. Not to mention the sartorial choices of the cos-playing, colour-loving, Harajuku Girls. KAWAII!
P.S I wish I had the guts to take my hair to this colour...
...as a man that looked a lot like Patrick Swayze once said during a Summer in the Catskills.
Only I haven't been fired for dancing too dirty, I'm off on an overseas adventure for the next 4 weeks!
While my shop will be closed for the duration of my break (you can purchase prints in-store at Signed & Numbered) I will be updating my blog and social media channels with highlights of my trip!
I made sure to build up a wee portfolio of new work to post while I'm away - suited to each city I visit - so do keep your eyes peeled and follow the hashtag #birdytravels to catch up on what you might have missed.
For now, though, it's Sayonara, Ta Ta, Au Revoir and Arrivederci from me!
Well, hello 2016!
I'm finally back at my desk after a lovely and long Summer holiday - the best part of which (aside from Christmas and New Year) was spent in this beautiful little slice of paradise, with my husband and friends.
Goremans Road is a property in the Byron Hinterland, a lush tropical wilderness full of sunshine, birdsong, and sparkling water. I don't think I've ever had such a relaxing break. It could have been the clear blue skies and rustling palm trees.......or maybe it was the endless supply of Mojitos. I guess we'll never know!
I hope you all had a wonderful break over the holiday period - I'm excited to see what the coming year is going to bring!