LUNA PARK

Wearing: Topshop shorts.

Wearing: Topshop shorts.

nos·tal·gia (noun):

"A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations."

Luna Park, located in Milson's Point on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, is an amusement park that first opened in 1935. With its terrifying entrance (a grinning, kitsch clown face) and its old-fashioned rides, a trip to the park is certain to reignite childhood memories for most Sydney-siders. While the Rotor (essentially a large, upright, spinning barrel) is probably the most popular ride, I prefer the grandma-like pace (and views!) of the Ferris Wheel.

My friend Lois (who would ordinarily abandon me in favour of all the sickening rides she could possibly manage) took these photos, did my makeup and helped style. We share a love for all things nostalgic, which means we almost never disagree when styling a shoot.

In Luna Park, we attempted to recreate a bygone era -- one of small, simple pleasures: long summers, homemade clothes and childhood birthday parties, and first dates -- all of the things that we imagine might go with a "trip to the fair".

It's always nice when you're genuinely excited about the prop food, isn't it?

It's always nice when you're genuinely excited about the prop food, isn't it?

My favourite "ride" in any park.

My favourite "ride" in any park.

It's amazing how some bows, a ponytail and pink fairy floss can instantly transport you back to childhood... <3

It's amazing how some bows, a ponytail and pink fairy floss can instantly transport you back to childhood... <3

Wearing: Vintage hat and dress.

Wearing: Vintage hat and dress.

And of course, no trip to Luna Park is complete without some of my favourite naughty snacks: fairy floss (that's cotton candy for you Americans), hot chips (fries!) and frozen coke.

Waiting (im)patiently for food...

Waiting (im)patiently for food...

Two of my lifelong loves: frozen coke and hot chips.

Two of my lifelong loves: frozen coke and hot chips.

Wearing: Vintage dress.

Wearing: Vintage dress.

Wearing: Topshop shorts.

Wearing: Topshop shorts.

Just day-dreaming about how much I love fairy floss...

Just day-dreaming about how much I love fairy floss...

La Bella Vita

"La bella vita"

MEANING:

"The good life" or "The beautiful life".

We live the beautiful life here in Sydney, Australia, and on a recent sunny, Saturday afternoon, my friend Lois (@loisvega -- new website coming soon!) and I forewent the beach for once in order to snap some film photographs of the lovely Bella, blogger and model extraordinaire (shebethesound.com) at her home in Maroubra.

Mostly drawing from my own wardrobe (and a few caps borrowed from male relatives), it was lovely to see how some of the feminine pieces I've recently accumulated (as well as my ever-growing hat collection) translated when mixed with Bella's more ecclectic, clean style as well as her exotic looks.

There is something so decadent and at once feminine about dressing up to laze about in one's own home. Whether it be in the confines of a bedroom--sunlight pouring through an open window; the courtyard of a garden; or resting on a borrowed skateboard, watching the sleepy suburban neighbourhood pass you by.

It's a firm belief of mine that the modern woman doesn't have to sacrifice glamour for comfort, or femininity for "cool" factor. We are more adept than ever at throwing together high street and low streets looks, and toughening up or dressing down girlish dresses or bodysuits with a well-chosen shoe or cap. Bella embodies this ability in her own daily style, which is one of the reasons it was such a pleasure to dress her.

I'd been dying to shoot my vintage black dress (picked up at Mirth Vintage, Greenpoint, BK) for ages, and I knew she would look great in it. Meanwhile, Lois was on hand, not only to capture the moment with her film camera, but also to help style - adding a chair here, a piece of jewellery there and toughening up looks such as Bella's beautiful Elle Macpherson lingerie by requesting the addition of a bomber (and some sass).

Wearing: Kimono and Rings, Model's own. Artwork by Leanne Thomas.

Wearing: Kimono and Rings, Model's own. Artwork by Leanne Thomas.