Heatwave

In memory of:

The heatwave New York experienced last week (short-lived, but glorious)...

And of Summer in Sydney, where most days are spent by the beach, in and out of the water, with friends and family like Lois Vega (the total babe featured here with me) and Elaine Kwok (the beauty behind the camera lens), who turned up at the beach this particular afternoon, camera in one hand, with the other hand ushering me into the water for an impromptu photo shoot.

Here's to heatwaves. May New York experience one again VERY SOON. In the meantime, I'll just hide indoors from the rain (it's literally storming as I type) with a glass of Beaujolais, binge-watching Friends for the millionth time whilst looking over these photos (yes, the water really is that blue. And yes, I really was that tanned). Oh, Summer. Come back to me. <3

“All in all, it was a never to be forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world.”

— L.M. Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams

“Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.”

— Ada Louise Huxtable

Photography & Edits by Elaine Kwok (teawithnostalgia.com)

Wearing: Somedays Lovin' Bikini, Urban Outfitters Sunglasses, Subtitled Shorts, Topman Hat

LUNA PARK

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?

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

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...

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

Wearing: Vintage dress.

Wearing: Topshop shorts.

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