ESTHER-FAITH LOVES MATT // A FLORAL FILLED WEDDING LACED WITH GOLD

Photography: Stephan & Nakita

Florals: Rachel Barber

Makeup: Olivia Davies and Al Tucker

Bride's gown: Leanne Day

Rose Tinted Flower Crowns

So although I have crafted many different lovely flower crowns, I must confess that these are still my favourites! A lavish combination of ruby reds, burgundy, seashell pinks, apricots and creams in an array of wild flowers set upon eucalyptus. It was such a delight to create such a challenging and creative design brief from Esther's wild, beautiful imagination. I searched many stores to find the most stunning silk blooms. I looked for orchids, hydrangea, poppies, a peony bud for the feature of the brides crown, wild berries, blossoms and basically anything native and lush.

Can we just dwell for a second on how impeccable those bouquets are? I am still in complete awe on just how well they compliment the flower crowns. Let's be honest they are more exquisite, they have to be. Real flowers are always going to be more beautiful. When paired with those luxurious beaded champagne/gold gowns... oh my! Esther's breath-taking lace gown was custom created by Leanne Day who did a wonderful job. Esther raves about her skills and how great she was at achieving her vision! 

As you can tell Esther-Faith has an incredible eye for detail. Keep watching as I am about to post images of her recent bohemian birthday soiree which she styled like a pro. I started making that particular post and then realized that I HAVE to show you the images of her wedding first because it's beyond stunning.

Please head over to the website of Stephan & Nakita Photography (who are dear friends of mine) to see more images of this darling wedding. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous illustrated stationery designs by Ashleigh Meyer who was a bridesmaid (loooong mermaid hair, swept to the side).

Noteworthy mention is that it was also recently featured in New Zealand Weddings Magazine; Autumn issue, April 2016. If your in NZ, be sure to pick up a copy!

WOODLAND WHIMSY // W/ SAMANTHA [OF] WILD OAK CO

Rose Tinted Photography & Wild Oak Co. Photography

When I was in New Zealand during February, I got to catch up with this gem [Samantha of Wild Oak Co.] for breakfast and an impromptu photo shoot in this stunning location. We discovered this small dwelling of trees close to her humble abode so we ventured there with a few Rose Tinted Flower Crowns on hand and camera's at the ready.   We took turns photographing one another wearing the new crochet lace cardigan I had bought the day prior.

It's so wonderful to collaborate with creative souls such as Samantha. You should be sure to check out Wild Oak Co. which the creative outlet of Sam and her husband Jonathan.

A DREAMY PALE PEACH FLOWER CROWN // FOR LIAH ROEBUCK BRIDAL

Rose Tinted Flower Crowns 

For Liah Roebuck Bridal

These beauties are on their way to the studio of New Plymouth bridal wear designer and lovely soul, Liah Roebuck. I hope it will compliment her stunning designs made from the most beautiful fabrics! If you are in the market for a stunning NZ designed wedding gown or other beautiful garment, be sure to check out her work!

ROSEHIP FACIAL CLEANSER // BY ESSANO SKIN CARE

Rose Tinted Photography

So I've never really posted about beauty products here before, but I'm really liking this Rosehip facial cleanser by Essano. It uses natural ingredients and is made by a boutique company in New Zealand. I love the scent, and it's really gentle on my skin.

Especially with living in China where there's a lot of air pollution, it's so important to keep my skin clean. Plus it's also really wonderful to be supporting a local business from back home.

Also as a designer/illustrator, I was really drawn to the packaging! Was the reason I picked it up in the first place. As you may know, I absolutely love anything to do with roses so it really won me over.

I styled it in this shot with a beautiful Chinese fan my husband picked up for me and some gorgeous silk peonies. I wish they were real, but I'm not in the southern hemisphere. I'm insanely jealous that I'm not experiencing Spring at the moment. It's my favourite time of year and it's a little depressing having two winters in one year. Although it means I'll get two Summer's when I return.

PS. If you follow Essano Skin on Instagram, you can go in the draw to win one of their many give-aways.

PASTEL OCEAN // CANDY SKIES

Rose Tinted Photography
Photo's of me taken by Melody and the Glorious Bandits

I've been on yet another little getaway to the beach this winter. This time it was with my family to Matarangi where my Aunty and Uncle have a bach we were able to use. You may recall we also went there in the summer for a blissful holiday.

I'm treasuring this time with family in such a beautiful location as I know I will miss it dearly when we are in China. I love the New Zealand coast and I believe it is the most beautiful at sunset when the light becomes dusty and dreamy. The best thing about photographing in winter is you get empty beaches void of people. Not that it's a bad thing, but there is something profound about having such a vast and beautiful space to capture. Winter light is also stunning with it's cool white tones, quite a contrast to the warm golden glow of summer.

 I love it when the photo is so beautiful that it needs no editing in the slightest. But really God did all the hard work here, we just happened to be here with camera in hand at the right time with the knowledge of how to capture it. Special thanks to my sister Melody of Glorious Bandits blog who snapped the images of me in my favourite fedora!

DREAMY BEACH ENGAGEMENT SHOOT // ASHLEY LOVES NATHAN AND VICE VERSA

Rose Tinted Photography

These two love birds... At least soon they will legitimately be love Bird's as that is Nathan's surname. I loved capturing the love between this pair at the last light of day. The sky went this pretty peach which reflected on the water to beautifully match Ashley's dress. A dress she bought because Nathan once had a dream where she was wearing a peach dress (cute aye?). The light was soft and ethereal and we pretty much had the beach to ourselves. One of my favourite photo shoots to date.

Love these two so very much! Can't wait for them to embark on the adventure of marriage.

FOREST ANIMAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS // MARIE WADE ILLUSTRATION

All works by Marie Wade Illustration

My heart leapt a little (much like that little jackrabbit), when I saw these beautifully painted foxes, deer and rabbits. They are meticulously painted by my friend of Marie Wade Illustration. Her works have such intricate detail and she manages to apply such control to a very fluid and often hard to control medium. Plus who doesn't love super cute forest animals?

Marie and I met at my cousin's 21st birthday when we were both in our first year at Art School doing a Bachelor of Visual Arts. She did her degree at AUT, and I at MSVA via UoA. It was very strange indeed to meet someone with such similar interests in just about everything. Not to mention the same name.. only spelt differently. We both liked illustration and art (obviously), shared a faith, had a similar taste in music, a knack for sewing, and a love for clothing and vintage.Which I suppose isn't that bizarre since Art Students tend to like the alternative and creative things in life. But it was really great to meet her and her twin Jenna who are to this day, two of the most stylish and lovely ladies I have met.

Go ahead and check out her Art blog updated with all her illustrated works and also give her facebook page a like! x