Bloom, Grow, Love....

Alicia Bock's images make me ache with longing, longing to hang them on my wall, longing to be where they are taken, longing to have taken them myself.

They are beautiful, magical, mystical, gorgeous....

In an age of crystal clear, hyper vivid photography these images with their scratches and speckles are all the more special. They do what I love most in photography, transport you to a magical world - not a fantastical world, these are very much of the real world, but they are the real world with all its beauty highlighted, all its uglinesses faded into oblivion....

Alicia's prints are available to buy on Etsy.

Felt and chiffon...

White felt and chiffon shawl, by Oyku on Etsy

via Etsy Wedding

Perfect polaroids...

All Things Bright and Beautiful is one of my very favourite blogs. I am always astounded by the beauty and originality of her finds and I read every post with the wish that I had written it myself.

I usually manage to resist the urge to reproduce All Things Bright and Beautiful here, but the urge to pinch these stunning polaroids by Cathleen Naundorf was irresistible. I love polaroids and these are among the most beautiful that I have ever seen...

Images by Cathleen Naundorf , via All Things Bright And Beautiful

A Snippet of Style...

Peonies by Julie Toy

via {frolic}

Galle lace...

These hand made lace bracelets would make gorgeous and unique bridal jewellery. Jewellery with a conscience...

"Each purchase provides much needed funds to those who have begun the long process of rebuilding their lives. Our Lace Bracelet is designed to be a decorative adornment to any wrist whilst making a visual statement of your support for the women who make them."

In December 2004 Sri Lanka was among the countries hit by the Tsunami, which killed between 265,000 and 310,000 people and decimated the homes and livelihoods of many of the survivors.
The Power of Hands Foundation was set up by Andrea Galer, a film and television costume designer who also designs bridal wear and who has sought to use materials from uniquely skilled craftspeople around the world. The Galle region in the south of Sri Lanka has long been renowned for its crafts, particularly its lace making which was introduced by the Portuguese in the 1th century.

Andrea set up the Foundation to help try to repair the livelihoods of the Sri Lankan lace makers whose lives had been devastated by the Tsunami and the loss of the tourist industry which has all but vanished in its aftermath.

The Power of Hands Foundation sells beautiful lace bracelets and lace by the meter online and Andrea uses it extensively in her costume designs for the BBC and in her bridal designs.

Images from The Power of Hands Foundation.

Jose Villa...

Jose Villa takes the most extraordinarily beautiful wedding photographs I have ever seen. He is one of those rare creatures who still uses film and the colour and light in his images are just gorgeous....

His black and white images are just as delicious....

All images from Jose Villa's blog...