A Weekend In Paddington

Hello my friends, how was your weekend? It’s been beautiful again here in Sydney. Have I told you how much I love Spring?…just a few times! This morning, after a spot of breakfast, Simon and I wandered through the streets of Paddington. Streets that after living here for a year are so familiar but that when I’m charging up and down them to go propping, or off to a shoot I’ve a barely have had a moment to stop and take it all in. I know that when I’m back home I’m going to miss these tree-lined streets and their beautiful townhouses & pretty ironwork balconies so this morning we paused as we strolled along and I took a few Snaps. Simon’s been {patiently} teaching me a great “vintage” effect in Photoshop that just makes the snaps even prettier.

I’m so desperate to get a little more re-acquainted with the camera now that I’ve got a little more time on my hands. I had the ridiculous idea that when I left London and came out here I’d only be working a few days a week and would be able to work on some of my own projects. It didn’t really turn out like that, well hopefully now’s the time.

New Botanicals {Country Style Shoot}

So remember couple of months back I was fretting about the weather before a big outdoor shoot? No…well I don’t blame you!, Any way, the shoot  was for the October issue of Country Style which went on sale this week. I was asked to shoot an outdoor feature that included the Botanicals trend which seems to be everywhere at the moment, and this was the outcome…

Client, Country Style. Photography, Sam McAdam. Styling, Marie Nichols.

After shooting in studio so much recently it was such a treat to get out on location. I found the most amazing gardens in Camden which is about an hours drive from Sydney.We also shot this months Country Style cover on the same day {complete with a couple of cute furry friends}. I’ll take a pic over the weekend & show you.

Happy weekend friends x

A year in Sydney

It was a year ago today that I rocked up in Sydney, with nothing but a suitcase and a whole load of dreams. What a year it’s been. Only two more months until I head home to the UK so I’m off out to make the most of my time left, but I’ll be back later to share another recent shoot with you x

{A few of my Sydney snaps}

Bedroom Update {New Idea shoot}

Yellow is a colour that really makes me smile. So when New Idea asked me to create a spring time bedroom with a splash of colour and some super thrifty ideas, I grabbed for a tin of yellow paint and several tins of yellow spray paint {well technically I just pointed Simon in the direction!} Here’s the results…

Client, New Idea. Photography, Maree Homer. Styling, Marie Nichols {me!}

So a $10 junk shop lampshade &  a $15 Ikea stool were given a spray job. Several crochet doilies we’re popped into a tub of dye {I had visions while doing this of mum and I dying hundreds of them for the wedding!} And the lovely folks at Upon Design created the wall sticker. Now I know some people get really hung up on matching your colours perfectly but for this room I wanted to show that you can mix a couple of shades of yellow and it will still work. In fact I think it works better, I’m not a big fan of too matchy matchy!

Cheap and cheery summer bedroom…done! oh and here are the moodobards & sketches.

My initial idea was to strip the old lampshade totally and just spray the frame-work. However when I found the shade it had such a beautiful lace design that it seemed a shame to rip it off, so Simon suggested spraying the lot – he’s a clever fella! And just goes to show all the best design “evolve”!

Heaps more to share this week. New’s from home, a Country Style shoot and a super simple project I styled for Real Living.

Meet you back here tomorrow? x

File Me Pretty {Notebook Magazine}

Morning my friends, feeling crafty? Well here’s a very cute and simple project that I shot for this months Notebook. Covering plain old Manilla files in fabric transforms them in to something quite beautiful, the perfect place to store all those, take way menus; torn out recipes and crafty bits!

Client; Notebook. Photography, Craig Wall. Styling; Marie Nichols

Beautiful Lace {Vera Wang}

While on the hunt for all things wedding I came across these beautiful invites by Queen of the Bridal Catwalk Vera Wang. I love the laser cut lace style detail, such a simple idea and so effective, gorgeous.