Operation Happiness

Reminiscing of the endless summer days skipping through fields of flowers and frolicking under the blue sky. Next time you have a free moment, drive to a remote sunflower patch. We all get caught up in our own minuscule problems that the awe inspiring things around us are taken so easily for granted. Have a day of simplicity. Lie on the ground and soak up the warmth from the sun until everything becomes a hazy blur.

The sunflower's symbol of life and vitality combined with its power to evoke joyous memories served as my biggest motivation to create THE RADIANT crown (shop HERE). Along with that, here are some inspirational photos featuring sunflowers. I'll call this 'operation happiness'.

Picture Source:

1, 5, 9 my own 

http://www.nicolemunchelphoto.com/

http://www.perfectweddingday.ca/

http://www.nastygal.com/

http://www.brendasweddingblog.com

OUTFIT POST: Unkonventional

  Top: Paint It Red ... Skirt: Miss Unkon ... Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Crown: P&P (Own Etsy store ... shop HERE) 

I found the perfect setting to shoot this beach-cross-bohemian outfit so finally, my photos aren't set on the street in front of my house. True fact that this Miss Unkon piece is the first maxi skirt I own, hence in that sense, I'm a bit of a virgin. Although, it's safe to say that my very first long garment has been welcomed into my wardrobe with great pride. 

Firstly, because of the unique patchwork mix of textures. What I mean by that is; this skirt isn't a banal one material piece, instead it has subtle peek-a-boo inserts of delicate lace (which I already managed to rip a bit... oops). I decided to reinforce its breezy and carefree attitude by pairing it with a white lace crop top from Paint It Red and some Navajo inspired accessories. Since the maxi is pretty high-waisted, I figured a crop top would show just the right amount of skin without crossing the vulgar line. 

Secondly, I was so excited upon realising the skirt was by Miss Unkon which is a label that's quickly crawling up my list of favourites. Their 'dreamlike and creative storytelling' aesthetic reflects such a youthful, feminine but also unconventional vibe. Many of their designs are very original (I haven't seen anything similar to this maxi dress) and combined with their high quality fabrics, this label is definitely one to watch. Fingers crossed that I get accepted as press into Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in order to view their newest collection on the runway. 

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OUTFIT POST: St Louis Valentine

Dress: Miss Unkon ... Crown: P&P (own Etsy store, shop HERE) ... Shoes: Zu Shoes 

 February 14th ... Valentines Day. For those who have a significant other and can also manage to take a day off important commitments ... I envy you. Personally, although the former exists, I know that the latter is unlikely since I'll be sitting in a classroom learning about the notions of Romanticism (oh the irony).

However, this post is dedicated to what I WOULD be wearing on the 14th. I'm sticking to a fail proof formula; traditional pink or red, flowy frock and a handmade floral garland (shop HERE). Movement is something that I admire in a dress and this one by Miss Unkon is what I call the perfect 'happy dress'. Allow me to explain. 

You know those off days where all you want to do is sink into a hole and sleep (or weep)? What you should do is pop on your favourite frock, pump up some deep house lounge jazz rap dupstep (whatever floats your boat) and just dance! Flick that hair, fling your arms and in the words of my friend Carly ... Shimmy Shimmy Shimmy!

Everyone knows how an instant mood booster feels like and that can translate into a piece of clothing. Therefore a 'happy dress' is a particular garment infiltrated by feelings of fearlessness and freedom and associated with everything positive. 

So on the 14th, no worries if you're celebrating independence. Just don't be a sulky pigeon. Grab your girlfriends, do the aforementioned steps and have a gorgeous 'Galentines Day'. 

Floral Crown 'Behind the Scenes'

As you would all know, I own an Etsy shop selling custom made floral crowns (see HERE). I've been getting a few emails regarding the making process for a while but I never provided an answer.

Mainly because, there really isn't anything spectacular about the creation of these accessories. The photos above should give you a sufficient look into the 'behind the scenes' process of my 'label' (notice how they're in inverted commas, so please don't expect anything Chanel fashion studio worthy).

Let me spell it out for you simply:
1. I don't own a studio. I make my crowns on the same table in which I do my homework and I store my spare flowers in an unwanted suitcase.
2. It's not a tedious task. An episode of Skins or Revenge should see you to the completion of one crown. For best results, I put on my hour long playlist of Lana Del Rey (on repeat of course). She really does set the mood.
3. Once they're done, I go to Australia Post who sends it out in one of those (iconic) brown parcels.

I do just want to thank all of my followers who has supported this hobby turned business either through the amazing comments or the purchase of a crown. I love that fuzzy feeling after knowing that a parcel is heading towards an eager customer. It also thrills me to be messaged that I've made somebody day brighter and happier. This store has personally opened up a lot of doors; it's now stocked in a Brisbane boutique called Rocket Science (shop HERE) and my Etsy picture has been chosen as the (for the lack of a better word) face for an event in L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2013 (see HERE).

Thank you all again!

OUTFIT POST: "Be a Bright Red Rose ...

 Top: Myth Conception ... Skirt: Princess Polly ... Shoes: Siren

Crown: P&P (own Etsy store ... shop HERE) ... Necklace: Sportsgirl 

Zipper Cuff: OASAP (shop HERE) ... Claw Cuff: OASAP (shop HERE and HERE) 

... come bursting the concrete." - Charlie Brown, Coldplay.
Those were the lyrics that initially inspired this look. Such a beautiful metaphor, can you just imagine a bright red rose literally bursting through the concrete? Powerful stuff ...
I've always wanted to shoot with my massive THE DEL REY crown along with a red rose in my mouth. There's something so Lana Del Rey about that picture and it's perfect since she's my other muse for this post. Well that minuscule dream came true today complete with cobalt blue, lace cut outs and an explosion of flowers. I also have to give a shout out to today's arm candy in the form of oversized zippers and animal claws (courtesy of OASAP... shop HERE).
In all honesty, a bit of Coldplay, a bit of Lana Del Rey never hurt anyone.

THE GLORIOUS

 New Crown: THE GLORIOUS ... Shop HERE 

OUTFIT POST: Fresh Blooms

Top: Princess Polly ... Shorts: Paint It Red ... Shoes: Zu Shoes
Crown: P&P (own Etsy store: shop HERE)

Officially the first post of 2013 ... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

With the request of my friend to make a floral crown for a NYE celebration, I ditched an end of the world rave party (congratulations everyone for surviving) and opted to sit on my ass and channel my inner genius and creativity. All jokes aside, the result of the anti-social 3 hours was the mother of all floral crowns ... so intricate and complicated to make. Trying to tackle all the stubborn wire made me so crazy I had to punch a pillow in the midst of the mayhem.

This cursed crown however ended up being the center piece of this look in which I styled all the pieces accordingly. I'm wearing shorts from Paint It Red which was sent to me from winning an Instagram contest ($500 worth of clothing). My styling train of thought was literally this simple; floral accents on shorts compliment the flowers on my crown, shorts have black lining ... so black shoes and top will tone down the craziness ... pink belt: well that just works with the general colour palette.

Final Note: Shooting on the road is dangerous... don't try this at home kids.

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NEW Floral Crowns + Instagram

THE DEL REY: shop HERE 

THE PURITY: shop HERE 

THE ROSETTA: shop HERE 

Finally!! I can finally reveal the excuse for my sporadic and quite shallow posts of late. Over the past week, I've been working on some floral crowns for a Brisbane store called Rocket Science (Check out their store HERE and Facebook HERE). As of right now, they're still an online boutique selling quirky independent brands and they contacted me through Etsy to stock some of my crowns for their upcoming physical shop. 

If you are located in Brisbane, do go check out the opening on December 1st at 181 Brisbane Street, Ipswich.

If you're interested in my floral crowns and want to be updated for new listings, follow me on Instagram (primpedandprimed), Twitter or go to my Etsy store. 

Instagram: @ primpedandprimed.