A Mini Escape With Mindful Moments Coasters!

“You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction” - George Lorimer

That feeling of complete satisfaction when you finally tick that big job off the to-do list!

As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I can be the worst at putting off the photography work needed for Lavender Line Photography because my attention is needed elsewhere within the business or I run out of time from one week to the next. So, I decided that enough was enough and that this would be the week when I finally put that long awaited job to the top of my work to-do list… and I am very pleased to say that I can now finally tick a product shoot with my Mindful Moments Coasters off the list!

Mindful Moments - a must have photography accessory for your favourite mugs and glasses! A coaster with purpose, encouraging you to : Breathe, Relax and Seek Everyday Magic!

I’m not sure if it was a lack of inspiration that kept this shoot on the back burner, but once an idea came to mind I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and photograph these beautiful coasters, a product that has always done well for me at craft markets, but one I would like to make available online too. I mean who doesn’t love the idea of some sunset vitamin sea and some words of wisdom to accessorise their favourite mug or glass?!

Mindful Moments Coaster : And Breathe

Mindful Moments Coasters were created to help give that sense of mini escape with that first cup of tea or coffee in the morning and that evening glass of wine. To take the time out to just : Breathe, Relax and Seek Everyday Magic!  These coasters also make for the perfect workspace accessory, a way to brighten up your desk area with a beach scene, and help inspire you when things might feel a little overwhelming. A Mindful Moment to put yourself first!

Mindful Moments Coaster : Seek Everyday Magic

Mindful Moment Coasters are now available for purchase on Etsy, the perfect touch of North Coast vitamin sea to gift yourself or that someone special, don’t miss out!

(Also available for purchase at @Storybox)

Lavender Line Photography Meets May!

‘This is a growing season….so bloom wild and untamed’ - Butterflies Rising

Goodbye May, Hello June!

Summer season is finally here and although it feels more like Winter has returned with the wind, rain, hail and cold spell that has decided to hit, I am excited for a Summer season of adventures and some new opportunities along the way!

May has been a month to remember with my first ever Aurora Borealis surprise sighting, a visit to the Ulster Museum to see two of Caravaggio’s paintings back together again to celebrate the National Gallery’s 100th year.  A day trip to Edinburgh, a city that I had not properly explored before but enjoyed every action-packed minute off it, and a lovely 36 hour trip to London to celebrate ABBA Voyage’s second anniversary with Benny and Bjorn, keeping to that premiere weekend / first year anniversary / waterloo 50 and now the second anniversary tradition!

Although the photography print side of the business has been a little slow on the build up to Summer (Etsy seems to be another platform suffering with the algorithm these days) things have still been busy at Lavender Line Photography.  I find that when one side of the business is a little slow it means I can focus on the admin side of things that I have been putting off as well as photographing bits and pieces of my own work which at times I am guilty of putting on the back burner… hello to that never ending to-do list! May also brought two exciting small business shoots, one a celebration with my lovely small business friend, and another working with a new small business that I will post about next as it is important to me to support the small business that I work with.

So, here is to June and what this new month will bring to Lavender Line Photography! What’s on your June / Summer 2024 cards?

Northern Ireland Meets Northern Lights!

‘This scene feels like what I once saw on a screen, I searched aurora borealis green…’

May 10th 2024 : A date that so many of us will remember thanks to the very special light show that mother nature unexpectedly treated us to!

A big bucket list wish of mine has been to see the northern lights, something that I thought would happen some place Scandi in the thick of Winter. Never did I think that I would get to have my first northern lights experience straight from my back garden in Spring, but what a dream come true it was!

With so much negativity in the world right now, it was so lovely to see social media timelines filled with excitement and beauty.  A simple moment that made us all stop what we were doing, look up and appreciate this beautiful planet of ours and all that it has to offer!  A night that I will always remember, when the sky became beautiful shades of dancing lavender!

Love From The Emerald Isle

‘Whether it’s St Patrick’s Day or not, everyone has a little luck o’ the Irish in them’ - Laura Sommers

Hello March and hello St Patrick’s Day bank holiday weekend!  In honour of the Emerald Isle I decided to put together a small collection of some favourite coastal locations showcasing what this beautiful island of ours has to offer!

I won’t lie, it wasn’t an easy selection choice as there are so many dreamy locations that I have been lucky enough to photograph over the years, but I’m sure you will agree that the Emerald Isle has a coastline you don’t want to miss out on… especially when it comes to chasing sunsets!

From Ballycastle to Whitpark Bay, Dunseverick Castle to the Giant’s Causeway, Murlough Bay to Murlough Beach and let’s not forget the stunning coastline of Ireland’s most northernly point: Malin Head, just to name a few!

So, which location would be your first choice to tick off that bucket list?

P.S. Don’t forget that you can add a touch of your favourite Emerald Isle moments to your home decor by browsing my Love Northern Ireland and Love From Ireland Etsy shop sections, or getting in touch to request a customised photography print just for you!

Winter Postcards

‘Take time to chase the snowflakes’

This week finally marked the first proper cold spell to hit Northern Ireland and the first snowfall of Winter 2024!

As I am someone who loves the four seasons and the weather that each season brings us here on the Emerald Isle, I have been patiently waiting for that first dusting of snow to hit and thankfully it happened on a week that I could work from home and enjoy every second of it during my walks.

Don’t get me wrong, it does not compare in the slightest to the stunning Scandinavian snow scenes that I have been seeing on Instagram with total snow envy (something that I have put on my bucket list to experience next winter), but it is a start to our Winter 2024 and it can only get better!

Below are some of my favourite moments captured from the week; from snow on the beach to walking in a winter wonderland. Now if only this Storm Isha that we are currently being hit with could do one and return the white stuff to us! ❄

When Six Small Business Dreams Become One Reality!

‘I wake up with a new idea and new dreams every day, and I follow that dream, as they say’ - Dolly Parton

Well I think it is safe to say that when it comes to blogging I have every good intention in keeping on top of it, but then finding the actual time to do it becomes almost impossible as a small business owner! This is something that I am going to schedule time for in 2024 so that I can sit down at the computer and keep you updated on all things Lavender Line Photography, but until then here is a quick roundup of all things LLP in Autumn 2023…

A lovely first time trip to Rathlin Island, a fabulous 4 days (should have been 5 but that is a whole other post) in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, a new print series coming very soon, and a beautiful Pop Up Shop that myself and 5 other small business friends have created together to make for an unforgettable shopping experience this holiday season!

I will talk more about Rathlin and Copenhagen in separate blog posts, along with the new series of work, but this post is dedicated to our beautiful The Portview Pop Up!

The Portview Pop Up, a must-visit this holiday season!

When six small business dreams become one reality!

I think I can speak for most small business owners right now in saying that this year has been one of the toughest years when it comes to business and selling work.  Shopping habits and spendings have changed (my own included) and for the first time it has left me a little unsure of what the future may hold.  I am very much a ‘day by day’ kind of gal and so thinking ahead can make me feel a little uncomfortable and uneasy, but I do know that things need to change come the new year, and with that means adapting the business once again to suit current climates and situations.

It was these sorts of small business chats with my lovely Portview Crew that lead to the discussions of possibly teaming up together this Christmas to create something magical, and so during a very casual Monday morning business breakfast catch-up our Portview Pop Up was born!

The Portview Pop Up is a collaborative venture between myself and five other small business friends located in Portview Trade Centre, our mission: to offer an unforgettable shopping experience while helping to promote the importance of small business and supporting local.

From Photography to Faux Flowers, Vegan Hair Care to Watercolour Prints and Jewellery to Storytelling Gifts With Purpose…. there is a little something for everyone this Christmas!  So, if you are in the Belfast area this November and December then be sure to pop into The Portview Pop Up, we are open every Thursday - Sunday! Not only have we come together as 6 very different businesses, we have also given the opportunity to 8 other small business owners to showcase their talents with our Small Business Saturdays and Sundays, meaning The Portview Pop Up is the perfect place to browse and shop with its ever-changing format!

 
 

Be sure to pop in and say hi this holiday season, and if you can’t unfortunately make it then be sure to check out the links to each fab business below :

Innocent Chaos

Jude Fenton Art

Lavender Line Photography

Monday’s Child

Storybox

Studio A114

More photographs and videos from our lovely Pop Up to follow very soon!

A little more information from our press release :

The historic Portview Trade Centre, once a pioneering spinning mill from the early 1900s and celebrated for its progressive employment of women and blend of traditional craftsmanship with innovative technologies.

Rachel McIlgorm, founder of Storybox NI CIC said, “The collaboration aims to demonstrate the resilience and creativity of the local business community while providing a tailored shopping experience for all.  By supporting local enterprises, visitors and customers can not only find one-of-a-kind treasures but also play a vital role in bolstering their neighbourhood’s economic well-being.

Lynette Murray of Studio A114 said, “When 6 business women put their heads together they create brilliance.  A Christmas Pop Up has been put together so beautifully to showcase how you can shop small and support local businesses this Christmas.”

Goodbye July, Hello August!

‘Breathe the sweetness that hovers in August’ - Denise Laverton

Hello August, hello to another month of Summer and hello to chapter 8 of 12! I’m not quite sure how we have gotten to this point so quickly, but here we are! I’m embarrassed to say that my July to-do blog list hasn’t quite gone to plan, but maybe it’s something that is better suited to August and the phasing out of Summer instead!

Image and words by @words_by_wilde_road

Calendar 2023 - Ballycastle Beach, County Antrim

July, well what can I say about July other than it has now officially broken all records for being the wettest month in Northern Ireland since 1836! I’m not someone who usually minds bad weather, but the constant July rain has meant that I wasn’t able to get out with my camera as much as I had planned to which has been really disappointing! So, here is to the power of positive thinking and August having some perfect shooting weather to create some new coastal prints just in time for that seasonal change!

And just incase August does not want to play ball and it is another month of record breaking grey skies and rain, then August’s wallpaper will be the perfect dose of daily colour with that much needed sunset vitamin sea for your phone lock screen (now available for purchase on Etsy).

Hello August : bringing a touch of that Lavender vitamin sea to the new month ahead! Now available of purchase on Etsy

A Black & White version to match incase Lavender isn’t your thing! #TwoForThePriceOfOne

The month ahead at just the simple tap of your phone screen!

Here is to those August adventures, to the return of sunshine and making this month one to remember! Let me know if you have any exciting August plans in the comments.

Goodbye June, Hello July!

‘Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August’ - Jenny Han

It’s hard to believe that we are now into what could be known as one of the best months of the year…my birthday month! I know I say it each new month, but where exactly has the time gone?! To think that we are now more than half way through 2023 is crazy to me, but what a fab few months of adventure it has been!

I do want to give each 2023 adventure a blog post of its own (it’s on my July to-to list), but here are four sneak peek words of what’s to come : London, Stockholm, ABBA Anniversary! Until then, here is to July and the new month ahead, to another year around the sun and to chasing adventures whatever they may be!

Image and words from : @girlandhermagic

Incase you missed it, July’s wallpaper is now available for purchase with what I hope will be your Summer motto : Everything, in time. A perfect touch of sunset vitamin sea meets the new month ahead at the simple tap of your phone screen, and if the quote is not for you then don’t worry, you can have it with or without text with both phone wallpapers included! #TwoForThePriceOfOne

Hello July Wallpaper: Why not add a touch of that sunset vitamin sea meets the month ahead to your July phone lock screen!

A July wallpaper perfect for that Summer motto : everything, in time!

Now to make a start into that July to-do list!

That Emerald Isle Magic!

Happy St Patrick’s Day Weekend! ☘️

It’s that time of year when all focus is back on the beautiful Emerald Isle and the stunning sites and locations it has to offer!

I may be a little biased, but it makes me so happy and proud to hear just how many people have fallen in love with our wee country, the special memories made with loved ones and how they can’t wait to come back and explore more of the island, recreating the magic!

It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job, to see my photography prints make their way to new homes around the world and knowing that they are that special keepsake gift to mark an unforgettable trip. It’s a feeling that will never grow old!

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge : have you crossed it yet?

Reflection : Dublin’s famous Ha’Penny Bridge

The North Coast : it doesn’t get much better than a north coast sunset!

To Moher : the famous Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

From Belfast to Dublin, the Giant’s Causeway to the Cliffs of Moher, Five Finger Strand to Whitepark Bay and the Cavehill to the Mourne Mountains…just to name a few! There is a little something for everyone to celebrate their love for the Emerald Isle!

So, why not treat yourself or a loved one to a favourite Lavender Line Photography print this St Patrick’s Day Weekend with some Northern Ireland and Ireland best sellers!