Little Landscapes

Last Thursday saw the return of World Book Day, a day in which small children dress up as fictional characters from their favourite books to attend school, something I know I would have loved in my younger days! I think this is a great way to get children involved in not only the art of reading, but the art of creativity. A way to make sure that they aren’t missing out on the key elements of childhood and those important developing stages. With days like World Book Day it allows children to see that there is a life beyond the screen in this gadget era we now live in!

I will admit that I do enjoy my screen time, scrolling through a world of photos on Instagram and Pinterest while also keeping myself up-to-date with all the goings on in the world, but I do draw the line at reading a book from a gadget. To me there is no better feeling than finding a pretty book (yes, a good cover does call out to me) and getting lost in its pages of storytelling, something that I feel a screen cannot deliver!

It is my love of pretty books that led me to the idea of creating a series of bookmarks, to turn some of my favourite photographs into a print size perfect for accessorising those current reads! I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting to using scrap pieces of paper or loose receipts to mark the page instead of a bookmark… something that seems wrong given how quickly we accessorise our gadgets, so why not our books too? ‘Little Landscapes’ are ready and waiting for you and your books on Etsy! Now you can own your favourite Lavender Line Photography print or typography print in a size that doesn’t require wall space or hanging and one that you can keep with you at all times! A perfect literature meets creativity combination!

Tiny squares ready to make their mark on those current book reads!

Introducing ‘Little Landscapes’, the perfect book accessory to brighten up those pages with your favourite landscape, cityscape, travel of typography print!

A ‘Little Landscape’ perfect for getting lost in that city based read!

Have you found the perfect ‘Little Landscape’ to add to your book collection? Why not mix and match a set of 5 to suit your every reading mood!

February Meets Summer

‘One must maintain a little bit of Summer even in the middle of Winter’ - H.D. Thoread

What a difference a year makes! Last year we saw the end of February become a Winter wonderland due to ‘The Beast From The East’ hitting the UK. This year it seemed that Summer came to play instead! Although it is alarming that temperatures in February were reaching up to 20 degrees in some parts, it seemed a little wrong to waste such beautiful weather stuck behind a computer screen, so… a trip to the coast was in order! The small perks that self-employment brings!

As I wanted to take some new beach photographs and take advantage of the weather to play around with my drone (still very much a newbie), I had the perfect location in mind. So, I packed my kit, filled my car and hit the road with some great tunes for company! It was time to escape to the stunning and picturesque White Park Bay!

Just a girl and her drone at play!

White Park Bay is a beautiful sandy beach located on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. Not only is it a coastal drive to remember, but once parked up the views are incredible! What really stands out is the unusual walk down to the beach, it’s here that you are met with an old country lane that leads to sand dunes and chalk grasslands before reaching a beautiful stretch of 1.4 miles of sandy goodness! It really is the perfect secluded spot to get that much needed dose of Vitamin Sea!

The stunning White Park Bay and a view that I will never tire of!

Hello blue skies and vitamin sea!

The beautiful golden sands of White Park Bay with Portbradden in the background

Such great heights, above the waves!

Any one who knows me knows just how much I love the beach. There is no better feeling than taking some time out to feel that coastal breeze, to hear those crashing waves and to clear your head in such beautiful and inspiring surroundings. It doesn’t matter the weather, a beach day is always a good idea!

The Freedom Method

‘We dream in colours borrowed from the sea’

Back in December I decided to do something that I had never done before, something that would be a memorable way to see out 2018 and kick off 2019 in style! I decided to take part in my first ever outdoor dip! Yes, I have swam in the sea when on holiday, but never on a cold winter’s morning in December… and it was the best decision I could make!

It was a post on Instagram that first drew my attention to the monthly outdoor swims that take place at Helen’s Bay Beach on the last Sunday of each month organised by The Freedom Method. Hollie from @TheFreedomMethod is a Life and Mindset coach with a great outlook on life. Her approach to mindfulness and wellness is inspiring, she reminds us that it is ok not to be ok all the time, and just how important it is to take time-out from everyday life to focus on our personal wellbeing with a medium that suits us best. It seemed only right that this was an event I should take part in, one to tick off my bucket list and a morning spent in my favourite surroundings…. who can say no to a beach sunrise even in cold temperatures!

Sunday. December. 8am

Catching that sunrise at Helen’s Bay Beach

Although cold at first, I found that my body adapted better than I expected to in such temperatures. Yes, I will admit that it was hard to push through that barrier and make myself swim, but once I made that push it felt liberating. I now see why this has become such a popular hobby for many, not only do you get that great sense of achievement doing something completely out of the ordinary and out of your comfort zone, but you feel great afterwards… free! It’s something that I would definitely recommend to others and something that I look forward to continuing throughout 2019!

Here’s to catching those waves and making beach memories!

‘Life is a beach, enjoy the waves’

The after!

Postcard Appreciation

Postcard: A small, commercially printed card, usually having a picture on one side and space for a short message on the other.

As an avid collector of postcards and someone who makes sure to pick up one (or three) wherever she goes as a keepsake, I felt it important to incorporate postcards into my line of work.  I wanted to create a series of postcards that represented who I am as a photographer as well as appealing to customers.  I wanted my collection to be multifunctional in that they kept to their main purpose as well as being a special photography print that can be framed and displayed in the home.  That is when I decided that some of my favourite Typography prints would be the perfect images to use in creating inspirational and motivational postcards, little words of wisdom to help you dream. inspire. do!

Are you an avid postcard collector?  Do you make a point in finding the perfect postcard to send to a friend or loved one?  Or are you someone who feels the tradition of the postcard is a thing of the past?  I personally am determined to keep the postcard craze going, to keep adding to my collection and to keep sending to my nearest and dearest! After all, there is no better feeling than receiving that handwritten piece of mail when you are least expecting it!

Lavender Line Typography postcards available to purchase now on Etsy!

Have you found the perfect typography postcard that suits you or a loved one?  Lavender Line Photography postcards now available for purchase on Etsy!

Nothing beats the feeling of receiving that handwritten piece of mail, to know that a loved one spent time selecting their card and took time out of their trip to send a little holiday keepsake!

An Afternoon With Audrey!

'I never think of myself as an icon.  What is in other people's minds is not in my mind, I just do my own thing' - Audrey Hepburn

Tuesday marked a very special day, a day when I got to see first hand one of the true Hollywood greats and an idol of mine's stunning 'personal collection' exhibition in London. I can't express the feelings felt when walking around Christies and seeing all items up-close and personal, an exhibition I just knew I had to get myself to even if in such short notice!  From photographs to film scripts and clothing to accessories, it was a truly stunning exhibition for any Audrey fan and one I wish was a permanent feature instead of items going off to new homes around the globe.

A dream come true for this Audrey Hepburn fangirl!

A beautiful and welcoming poster print of a favourite Audrey Hepburn photograph when entering #AudreyAtChristies exhibition.

Some of my #AudreyAtChristies favourites!

Chasing Those Sunsets...

'It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream' - Bern Williams

Anyone who knows me knows my love of sunsets.  There is no better feeling than finding that perfect spot to relax and watch the sun go down.  From those calming blues to those perfect pastel pinks, it really is the best form of daily medicine!  It seemed only fitting that a sunset post should be my first official blog post!  

Towards the end of April I set myself the task of capturing some new sunset scenes using famous Northern Irish locations as my setting, something that I have been keen to do for a while now but never got round to.  So, once our Northern Irish summer hit in May I made sure to set aside some time to go capture that golden hour goodness!  From the Cavehill to the Giant’s Causeway, Mussenden Temple and Benone beach, these are just some of the beautiful locations I have captured the dreamiest of sunsets.

Below are just some of my favourites, some of which I have made available on my Etsy shop, a perfect home decor treat!  Be sure to keep an eye out for new sunset locations!