GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

. . . this weekend was one of chignons & pearls and romantic sunday walks along the water; pastel-coloured petals falling on golden coffee tables and afternoons soaked in sunlight; there were cut-crystal glasses of sparkling wine for two, and that certain feeling of feverish restlessness that comes just before the arrival of spring, and also before the final realisation of dreams . . .

hope you had a stunning march weekend, and that it's beautiful where you are, —roséline xo

[a few lovely links below] x

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Some say there is an indescribable magic and poetry in the very experience and effervescence—the way the delicious bubbles gracefully float within the flute, almost like a theatrical dance . . . a dance in celebration of new memories and old; for future moments that captivate, for new marriages just beginning, for an exciting graduation, for a touching anniversary, for the promise of a fresh, new year. They remind of the beautiful joys in life to cherish and hold onto, always. A champagne occasion relies on feeling and experience, and for one to revel and linger in the moment for as long as possible.



And as we celebrate love in all of its essence this Valentine's Day—be it love for dear friends and family, or your significant other—our hearts overflow with happiness for the simple and wonderful opportunity to love and be loved.



And so, today, let's discover how this beautiful golden elixir came about, explore its fascinating history, and tour three unforgettable wineries, as well as look at tips & ideas on how best to enjoy a glass . . .


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. . . just 55 kilometres southeast of paris, near melun, and in maincy, lies a baroque french château, vaux-le-vicomte, one of the places shall always love best; a favourite parisian cousin drove us there one magnificently cloudy day, past tree-lined and winding country roads, old stone churches and fields of crimson poppies, past tiny cafés in picturesque villages, and when we finally arrived, it was utterly breathtaking . . .



[as always, more below] x

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To bury one's nose in a heavenly array of petals seems to overtake the mind and soul, almost instantaneously, like great winds upon sails. Memories of dreams and hopes may spring to mind -- of possibilities, of receiving your first red rose and kiss, of candlelit pathways, sweet notes read time and time again, and warm embraces; of the words, "I love you". Such fond memories, words and feelings are truly a matter of the heart; the very deepest matter of all.



Yesterday, today and tomorrow, we celebrate roses, as their ever-returning connection to Valentine's Day and love is deeply woven in history. According to number of sources, roses are representative of love in all its forms, and more so became a popular Valentine’s Day flower during the 17th century. It all seems to stem back to the simple belief that a red rose was the favorite flower of Venus -- the Roman Goddess of beauty and love.



Hence, the rose has been claimed as the single flower of love and passion. And just who grows these delicate flowers? There are specialists throughout the world, who devote their time, expertise, passion and pursuit of continuing the tradition of growing and maintaining a beautiful part of our history. Today, we take a dip into romance, as we explore ideas on how to use, preserve and give roses, as well as three wondrous and fascinating rose gardens across the globe . . .

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. . . first came across this centuries-old home in normandy last november, and immediately fell head over heels, and so, was utterly thrilled to happen across it again, in the current issue of veranda; and while one is impossibly drawn to the allure of the leopard silk velvet canapé, there are still a myriad of beautiful things to captivate -- the floors, [always, the floors], the gilded picture frames and cashmere throws, the antique bergères in stroheim suede, the grand chandeliers and palest shades of gray, and most of all, that perfect mix of relaxed & refined . . .

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. . . it has been said that the best camera is the one you have with you, and with all the running around these days, and always so many lovely things to capture while traipsing about, often the only camera on hand is my iphone, which have come to rely on more and more for so many things, but especially the camera; and since joining instagram some time ago, have been having the loveliest time sharing little glimpses here and there, of everyday life, and have been asked, time and again, about the photographs in my stream -- how to split images into frames, how to get that dreamy, romantic sparkle, and so on -- and so, thought it might be fun to share a few favourite apps along the way . . .

{p.s.} for those not using iphones & apps, you can view the photographs online with: instagrid // heroku // followgram


lyon in the rain // instagram with toaster filter





"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever . . . it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."

1. accu camera : to steady shots
2. shake it : for polaroid-like effects
3. ps express : for cropping & rotating images
4. snapspeed : a powerful app for selective photo edits & filters
5. instagram : for filters & sharing
6. pro hdr : for combining two of the same images to extend the dynamic range
7. picfx : for filters & favourite {this is glamorous} bokeh effects
8. lens flare : for a large collection of amazing lens flare effects
9. pic frame : to split images into separate frames & create collages
10. toy slr : for creating focus & blur
11. picture show : fun exposures & mirror filters
12. dramatic black & white : for converting images to black & white and adding sharpness

chandelier // apps used: instagram with toaster filter, picframe & picfx




a few favourite things // intsagram with toaster filter


light effects of image on the right, created with picfx


door in geneva // apps used: instagram, picframe & picfx




the window seat of an airplane // instagram with early bird filter, no light effects, only the magical reflection of the sun's golden rays . . .

morning latte // apps used: instagram, picframe & picfx

1. press the up volume button to take a photo
2. access the camera from the lock screen by double tapping the home screen and touching the camera icon
3. when taking a picture, touch on the screen where you want the exposure and focus to be measured from
4. turn on the grid from the options tab, which can help with composition and to keep your image straight
5. use two fingers to pinch the screen to access the zoom feature

. . . after one too many cups of morning coffee, one of the best ways to spend wintry afternoons while working, is with the intoxicating scent of french candles and a perfect cup of tea, especially if the tea is from parisian salon mariage frères, steeped in history and a staggering number {over 500} of varieties to choose from, and best of all, the most beautiful hand-blown glass teapots one could ever hope to find . . .

{p.s.} for vintage lovers, they also have 1930's art deco tea pots

{image & layout by life.style.etc}

. . . one of my most favourite places in the world is versailles, a place so filled with the magic of history and the perfectly ornate stories of times gone by, it nearly overwhelms; often filled with travelers and admirers, one can only imagine how it must have been in the quiet of nightfall, especially the wonderfully mysterious appartements privés de marie antoinette / private apartments of marie antoinette, and the majestic hall of mirrors, enveloped in the beautiful shadows cast by a sea of chandeliers . . .

{images: all photography by the cherry blossom girl}

. . . hello! another exceptionally wonderful weekend of gauzy mornings and dusky bookshops, ruffled eyelet and lacy bedskirts, sunny, sunny afternoons and inspiration everywhere . . . and it's monday again, and as you know, at the end of every week, there are always weekend wishes & a few lovely links -- oftentimes late, {sometimes even sunday}, and yet this past weekend was somehow and completely missed in the whirlwind of skipping town for quieter places, and since still away for a little while longer, thought it might be lovely to include a few things today . . .

happy monday! hope your week is off to a beautiful start,
~ roséline xo

{a few lovely links:}
* at home: sunny yellow & white roses
* for the holidays: naturally beautiful
* recipe: fig & walnut spaghetti {via simple blueprint}
* photography: balloons
* in dreams: once upon a time
* fashion inspiration: lovely leather for him & her
* at home: jen's entryway
* diy: vintage tin scented candles
* for the new year: the prettiest calendar {via d*s}
* in the kitchen: modern tea sets
* travel: hotel belle juliette, paris

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* two lovely things: moments of repose
* a charming mix: polka dots & leopard print
* at the shops: lulu frost
* décor inspiration: tufted velvet & crystal droplets
* preview: lanvin by alber elbaz for h&m
* monday, monday: a brand new week
* travel inspiration: madrid, spain
* for a late autumn: massimo duti
* in the bedroom: tufted satin & bits of sparkle

{best of the week:}
* and most likely the most talked about, re-posted & re-tweeted tutorial ever: holiday hair how-to: the side chignon & best of all, someone who has actually tried it . . .

{recently:}
* thanks so much to melisa for including {this is glamorous} in hgtv's article on decorating with metallics

{& also new today:}
* travel inspiration: le chateau duranti, southwest france

{images: photography by carlotta moye for vogue australia december 2010 via a dustjacket attic; chateau la durantie, photography by one and only paris via junebug weddings; ffffound!; flickr}