Blouse | Hat

Necklace | Top | Cuff | Rings – Reality of Dreams | Bohemian Bardot | Azure set | Imaginary Air set | Black Sands set | 7 Ring stack set

Cuff | Rings – Reality of Dreams | Bohemian Bardot | Azure set | Imaginary Air set | Black Sands set | 7 Ring stack set

Bikini | Bodychain | Necklace | Rings – Poetry | Om | Twin Triangle

Flash Tattoos | Rings – Elephant | All seeing Eye | Arrow | Tipi | Stackable Turquoise | Double Vibe Turquoise | Phobos Deimos

Nishka Leg Chain | Bikini | Self Tan + Bronzer

Photography – Bobby Bense

Model/Styling/Photography – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Benbow Historic Inn, Richardson Grove State Park – California

There’s just something in the air, the earth, the energy…I’m forever drawn back to Northern California. It somehow feels more like home to me. Perhaps being in the northern hemisphere I feel somehow closer to my Finnish origins. I also wonder whether it has something to do with the energy flow, and the impact each hemisphere has on the way our chakras spin…. Regardless of the why and my inner musings, I love this place like home. The ancient redwoods, the crystal clear rivers, the diverse landscape, so full of vivid colour and beautiful wildlife. As much as I yearn for the ocean and beach now, my heart still sings with joy when I’m amongst the trees. I feel at peace as I recall early childhood memories of Finland, sitting in the forest picking berries.

On our recent Norcal adventures, we were lucky enough to spend a glorious week in Humboldt county. Bobby’s family have a multi-generation long annual tradition of summer camping amongst the redwood grove, along the beautiful eel river. It’s always so much fun when we get the chance to go back to the states and join in on this family adventure. Hot summer days were spent rafting on the river, rock jumping and exploring the redwoods. The kids were always so happy connecting with their cousins, chasing lizards and catching tadpoles. We stayed just 5 minutes from the park at the absolutely divine and elegant Benbow historical Inn. Originally built by the Benbow family in the 1920’s, this majestic hotel was once a secluded getaway for many hollywood stars. What once was over a 14 hour journey from San Francisco is now around a 5 hour beautiful scenic drive.

We spent many a balmy night at Benbow eating dinner amongst the ancient trees, overlooking the river, serenaded by local musicians. We indulged in the most impeccable food, so much of which was organically grown right there in their immaculate gardens. As dusk would set in the stone bridge would light up and the whole inn turned into this magical twinkling fairyland.

Hopefully we’ll be back again next year to keep the family tradition going and create new and wonderful memories.

With love and gratitude,

Helen xx

All text and images copyright © Helen Janneson Bense 2020