Silk, lace, silk, lace….pretty much all I want in my wardrobe…..well except for a lot of jewels! Beautiful, delicate, feminine, detailed, textured, simply divine. For an edgier boho look I love to layer with some leather and serious hardware.
This beautiful beach day I had the works! Lace, silk and some serious jewellery overload – chunky labradorite and crystal quartz, and some heavy tribal jewels.
As always loving Myee Carlyle’s latest creations. Their crystal necklaces are next level. The attention to detail and quality of the crystals and leather used can be seen and felt. The silk they use to create their beautiful designs is lovingly hand dyed with plant extracts, providing you with an amazing piece of consciously made clothing.
Nothing quite like the feel of silk on your skin and sparkling light from crystal jewels that instantly remind you of the goddess that you are.
A few weeks ago…or maybe even a month now (WOW!) I had the pleasure of visiting the Hobo + Hatch pop up shop down south in the beautiful town Cowaramup, in the Margaret River wine region. The vibe and beauty of this town and shop was so relaxing…I didn’t want to leave! If you get the chance to stop by on your travels it’s a must! So many of my favourite labels like Rue Stiic + Arrow Divine all in the one place. And what a space it is! So perfectly decked out with peacock chairs, divine tapestries, worldly jewels and cow skulls. See pics below!! I was lucky enough to pick up one of their yakadiyak wool/cotton shawls and it’s been keeping me warm and cosy during this sudden seasonal shift right into winter! And not only are they divine, each purchase supports communities in Nepal. “By purchasing from our Yakadiyak range you’ve helped make a small difference in the lives of others. We will continue to donate our time & money to the Nepalese community that touched our hearts & forever changed our soul” – Leona, Hobo + Hatch. Nothing better than wearing conscious clothing. Feels soooo good in so many ways :))))
These photos featuring this beautiful scarf, were taken a couple of weeks ago when summer was still hanging around for one last party :) The golden light in the afternoon seems to intensify during this time of year. The sunsets are so brilliant and deep, just like the autumn leaves. It’s yet another magical time of year with so much beauty to be thankful for.
Photography – Bobby Bense, Helen Janneson Bense
Model/Styling – Helen Janneson Bense
Location – Sorrento Beach, Western Australia
Outfit Details
Shawl (natural) – Hobo + Hatch | Instagram | Facebook | Visit in person shop 2, 64 Bussell Hwy, Cowaramup, Western Australia
And here are some photos of the Hobo + Hatch pop up store and bts hanging out with owner and beauty Leona..and seriously loving her outfit soooo much! Shop it HERE + HERE + HERE xx
It’s been plentiful love vibes here in the Janneson Bense abode, with V day a couple of weeks ago, and last weekend’s anniversary celebrations. My amazing husband took me on a wine cruise along the swan river to commemorate our 6 divine years of marriage. And it was incredible! The thoughtfulness, the romance, the wine, the food, meeting so many wonderful people, creating new connections, the luxury of cruising along the river in the sunshine, being thoroughly entertained by the hosts and captain of Captain Cook Cruises. They both actually sang us songs on our return trip and they were amazing!
I wanted to wear something really special on this day. My handmade Loveleigh lace dress was absolutely perfect for the occasion. One of a kind, consciously created with love.
I kept my jewels simple and gold with Anna Beck, Torchlight Jewelry and Heather Gardner. While we played at the wineries I wore my Flower Gypsies flower crown, remembering back to the magical flower arrangements at our wedding. As evening set in and we returned to the dock, we strolled along the river, reminiscing on that beautiful moment when we became husband and wife. The sun was setting and it was the perfect end to a perfect date.
Something that came to my attention on this magnificent day was the choice we have to make the most of any experience in life. When we try new things and adventure out of our comfort zone, we can choose to either see everything that is wrong with the situation, or everything that is amazing and awesome. Pretty much goes for a lot of things in life. When we choose to see the blessings and wonder that exists, the opportunities for connection, for fun, and a whole universe of love and joy, open up to us. Our experience is enriched and we are nourished. Like anything it takes practice, though the more we practice gratitude and joy, the richer our life becomes.
I feel very honoured to share with you all a little about the super lovely Morgan, inspirational designer and creator of LOVEleigh designs. I feel so privileged to wear her divine clothing, knowing that each piece goes to supporting people in great need. Nothing better than wearing conscious clothing you love, knowing you are helping to change someone’s life. Pretty amazing hey. Here’s my interview with this phenomenal woman….
When and how did LOVEleigh begin?
LOVEleigh Designs officially began in June 2011, I was back in Canada for my best friends wedding and found I had quite a bit of time on my hands. Not wanting to work for someone else, and trying to fuse ideas of intertwining my passions, I ended up in a spontaneous trip to the fabric store where my mother and I scoured the shelves for hours and came out with a couple hundred meters of fabric. From then on, it was go time, and I haven’t stopped or looked back ever since. My mum had taught me how to sew when I was a young girl, but growing up with only a brother, I was always more interested in welding rails for snowboarding, working on my truck in mechanics, or building random things in woodwork. I could never have imagined I would end up in this world.
Eventually I started making my own clothes because I felt I couldn’t find anything ‘unique’ and ‘original.’ For years friends and strangers had asked me if I would make clothing for the public, which I was always very uninterested in doing. The push I got from my mother to go ahead and just ‘explore with an open mind and an open heart’ turned out to be a life changing one. After my 8 week stint in Canada sewing and selling, I decided that when I came back to Australia I would pack up my life in Sydney and head up the coast, for warmer waves, and a new lifestyle. After a short stint in Coffs Harbour, I found myself, barefoot and smiling in Byron Bay. That was over two years ago, and I am still here now (with a few adventure in between, of course!).
What are you most passionate about in life?
I definitely have a lot of passions, I think being a Scorpio, I am by nature, a very passionate person. Family and friends are of course my number one, I love to travel, explore, get in the ocean all day every day. I’m discovering though, from a very young age, I have been passionate about something that is very near and dear to my heart, and that is helping others. From my passion, has come compassion. Since I can remember, I couldn’t walk past a homeless person in the streets without emptying my pockets, or at least trying to put a smile on their faces. I used to barter with my Dad when I was really young to try and get my allowance early, only to spend it giving a few dollars here and there trying to help those a little less fortunate. I truly believe I have been so blessed into the life I’ve been born into. So I decided after traveling around South East Asia solo on my first big trip in 2007, that i needed to do more. I decided to go back to uni, but I was going to spice it up a little and move to Australia!
I studied my Masters in Human Rights at UNSW in Sydney and part way though my degree was fortunate enough to be selected for an amazing internship in Switzerland at the UN advocating for refugee rights. After graduating, I took a job running a water-based NGO in Malawi, Africa. I’d never been to Africa, and I’d never ran an entire NGO, so it was a huge leap, but I always try and step out of my comfort zone, so the next thing I knew three weeks later I was on a plane to Africa. Working in Malawi myself and my 11-man team of local villagers went around to 12 different villages and using grassroots initiatives helped the villagers build water pumps and toilets, while providing hygiene education to all. The experience was incredible, daunting, exhausting, liberating, and inspiring all in one breath. While I was there, I had a lot of time to reflect on my life, my company, and how I wanted my future to be. I kept having circulating ideas that I wanted to work for myself, doing something creative, I wanted to have fun and travel the world, and I wanted to make a difference in peoples lives. In that moment, my worlds collided, ethical fashion, it all made so much sense. That weekend I headed out to the local markets and started purchasing the most beautiful traditional Malawian fabric from the local women. I ended up coming home with about 60 lbs of fabric from my time working and exploring Africa. In purchasing my fabrics from the local women there, I was able to help them to provide for their families. Like that isn’t enough, I was also able to provide my customers with unique limited edition, sometimes one-of-a-kind garments, hand made, with a very hopeful story behind it.
I then met a little boy while I was there named Often (pronounced Orphan), whose family was having troubles paying for his school fees (primary school is free in Malawi, and secondary school you must pay for). After meeting with his headmaster, talking with his family and crunching some numbers, I was able to figure out a way to put him through school. Proceeds from select garments, made from the African fabrics would go towards putting Often through school for the year (and feed an house him!). I am happy to say I am putting him through school for a second year in a row all thanks to those LOVEleigh supporters out there!
What do you love the most about LOVEleigh?
What I love most about LOVEleigh, is probably easy to guess. I love that I can make a difference, little old me! I love that I get to help people that just need a little bit of love and care. I love that simply by sharing my story, others are inspired to help and spread the LOVE. I also love that my mother, who is the most incredible woman in the world, and talented beyond belief, has given me the skills to start LOVEleigh and is so proud of me. I love that my Dad, who is a man of his word, and has some seriously strong ethics, has taught me how to run an honest company, and grow organically. After my time in Africa, I promised myseIf to never forgot about the people I met, the things I accomplished and the lessons I learned. I promised to keep talking about global issues, to always be an advocate for those whose voices cannot be heard, and to always try and help whenever I can. I was lucky to be born into the life I have, so for the rest of my days I will try and make others lives as happy and filled with love as mine is :)
LOVEleigh has let me do all of this, and to everyone out there who has supported me, you are the reason this dream has come true for me, and indirectly, so many others!
What are your future dreams for LOVEleigh?
I am fortunate to travel a lot, I recently did a road trip through Mexico with my best friend in October and had the opportunity to meet some local women, and buy fabric from them. My dream is eventually to take the production of LOVEleigh Designs out of my own two hands and offshore, by starting a women’s collective (in this little magical town I spent some time in), in Mexico. Providing women with the skills to sew, and offer them affordable, safe housing, and courses in family planning, nutrition, women’s rights and small business management.
I would love to still spend 3 months of every year working on a project somewhere in the developing world. I believe strongly in education in all capacities, helping people to help themselves.
I hope LOVEleigh Designs will continue to inspire others to help each other and make the world a better place.
I am eternally grateful for beautiful souls like Morgan. For her caring, compassion, love, the action she takes, the empowering message she inspires in others, for sharing her skills and passions with us all. The world is richer and a more peaceful place with this divine earth angel sharing her passion and love.
This is the first post featuring the magnificent LOVEleigh designs. I have more in store coming soon!
Her all encompassing wings expanding with each breath
Taking pause in those in between moments
Ever so slowly and mindfully contracting her wings
Each turn bringing forth a greater unfurling
One of my great passions, and quite the honour for me, is to share and wear consciously made clothing and jewellery. Handmade pieces, local, sustainable, eco friendly, anything made with heart that calls to my soul. I also really love supporting small businesses, that I hope will one day become bigger businesses. Lisa’s Closet is one of those amazing creators that endlessly inspires me with her artistic direction and connection to the divine. When I received my package I was just flawed. It arrived in the most amazing box with so many thought out details (pictures below). It was all just so wonderful, and then I opened the box to discover the most awe inspiring silk kimono and crochet shorts inside. The first thing I saw was the angel wings painted on the back. It seriously took my breath away. These wings are hand drawn, waxed, and painted in accordance with traditional batik practices…it truly is a labour of love.
This was by far one of my favourite photoshoots to date. Something about being on holidays, on an isolated beach, wearing luxurious and high vibrational clothing. The loving energy carried within these hand made garments opened our hearts, and brought out the playful side in both my husband and I. At one point, as I stood within the cave connected to the divine, it was as though I could feel the presence of Arch Angel Gabrielle. I slowed my breath, and each moment felt like an eternity. I watched in awe as water moved through the caves, in and out, and I pondered upon that lingering space between the peaks and the valleys…the in breath and the out breath. It was a moment of utter bliss. I was beaming for the entire day and it was as though we had both been touched by an angel. From our hearts a golden light shone ever so brightly outwards to the stars.
And since this is my first post of 2014 I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year! May you all discover the magnificence that resides within each of you….and feel such an abundance of love that it ovewhelms your heart with so much joy it could burst.
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