{favourite five: artist photographer romina shama}

It is true that a picture can convey a thousand words through just one still image -- but what if that image is so divine it simply takes your breath away and there are no words?

Romina Shama is a Swiss-born, Egyptian-Italian fashion photographer and film director whose works will leave you utterly speechless, for she does not merely photograph her subjects, but rather, it would almost seem that she is illuminating their thoughts. Romina, who lives and works in Paris, combines the raw beauty of natural light along with the classic style of an analog camera to produce a strikingly delicate and cinematic effect in her photos. Her photography leaves us wondering about the romantic daydreams of her subjects and makes us long for the heavenly, dream-like escapes portrayed therein.



Having studied film in addition to photography at Central St. Martin's School in London, Romina and the work she produces have undoubtedly been impacted by aspects of cinema. This week, we asked her:

......................................................................................................

{what are the five most intriguing ways the study of film has influenced your photography?}

1. Roland Barthes wrote: "... an image produces death while trying to preserve life". This very feeling is exactly what attracted me to photography. I started thinking that in avoiding life, I may be able to portray it. I started focusing on capturing "absence", or the "let go" feeling in all my subjects and landscapes. I decided I wouldn't "take" them.

2. There's a cinematographic feel to my photographs and a very photographic feel to my films. They are linked. Together they help me avoid the fact that we perceive time as linear.

3. Films that are made for the sole purpose of creation inspire me very much. To me, they make time feel dimensional. Sometimes, they make me want to capture every frame of them.

4. The timelessness of great films.

5. The fact that I always wished I could pause life and rewind it at times.

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* interior designer: tricia foley
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré

~ laily

{images: all photography by romina shama}

Easy and Simple Hair Style Tutorials

Messy low side ponytail tutorial via A Cup of Jo

As a hairstylist, you may find it amazing that I only blow dry my hair about 10 times a year.  I usually pull it up, or let it air dry in loose waves. I do apply product and help sculpt those waves, but my hair is much healthier without the constant heat damage. Since it's already getting so hot here in Texas, and frizz season is upon us, I found it fitting to post some of my favorite casual hair styles that can be pulled off the face from fashion bloggers, that are easy and stylish. Ponytails are so blah, so make it a bit more fun!

I used a thick strip of lace to accent this bun.

I made a loose ponytail, then pulled out the front crown area, twisted it and pined it in.

I did the same thing here, just with a bun. Pulling the front and twisting it gives a little more style and volume.

Braided top bun tutorial via Cup of Jo

The perfectly messy french bun  tutorial via Experience Parisienne

Three cinnamon buns three buns hair tutorial via Cup of Jo

Triple bun can be seen here on Ashley too.

 Ashely from I Believe in Unicorns has amazing long hair style. 

 This ponytail roll is so cute.. looks very easy to do as well. After you secure your ponytail, take a thin section of hair and wrap it around the elastic and pin in place. Then, take your tail and roll it under, also pinning it in place.  If you do a bit of backcombing prior to doing the ponytail, your pins will stay more secure.

 Her loose side updo is perfectly unperfect.

  

 Love Ashley's hair bow. I don't think I have long enough hair to attempt it.

 Love Kristine's hapahazard bun. It's clipped back at the bangs and loosely pulled back low on the side.

 Kristine's floral headscarf is tied in a knot over this loose bun.

Kristine's high side bun is unusual in that it's tight, but it's so cute on her.

 Kristine's low, side ponytail is loosely wrapped under the elastic for a full effect. 

It looks like she has a twist going on near her side part as well..

 Sydney has a simple braid one one side of the hairline, and pulled into a low, side wavy ponytail.

 Sydney's famous bun that sparked her Bun turorial video.

Also, Elaine from Clothes Much has a super cute crown braid tutorial here.

{hair how-to: sexy & tousled}

. . . before dashing out the door with a latte and mile-long to-do list, a very favourite way to wear my hair {besides a chignon, of course!} is in soft, loose waves, a little tousled, a little sexy and a little '70s -- wonderful for the work-week, but especially so for the weekend, but whether it's a downtown lunch meeting or a late sunday brunch, it's always perfect for breezy april days . . .

......................................................................................................

b e f o r eoy o uob e g i n,op e r f e c tot h eos e t
three essential steps, for just enough volume & bounce to be the building block of any style:

o n e
begin with freshly shampooed hair, for a beautiful, natural shine

t w o
massage volume & body mousse through the roots, then blow-dry hair smooth, using a large round brush if your hair is naturally curly, or a paddle brush if your hair is naturally straight

t h r e e
for body, you can use hot rollers, velcro rollers, or a large curling iron; for a curling iron, randomly twist slices of hair around the barrel and carefully pin up until cool, and you're set for any of the sexy, tousled styles below...




e a s y t w i s t
a ponytail on top, pulled up in the back, then turned over on itself like a bun--but only half done; one elastic band (and a couple of pins if your hair is really thick) should do the trick





u n d o n e u p - d o
a random parting, a few loose tendrils left out and a tiny bit of back-brushing on the crown, gently lift the top and sides, ease it all back and hold with an elastic band





s o f t b u n c h e s
let hair fall into a natural, off-centre part, then gather the lengths into two ponytails and fasten very loosely with ribbon just below the shoulders







n a t u r a l b o d y
or, if your prefer, for an even less laboured look, after hair is set, simply brush out just enough that it looks a little lived-in, being careful to not straighten ends, keeping a few relaxed a curls

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} previous how-to's:

h a i r
* a side chignon
* a classic chignon
* a double-knot

e v e r y t h i n g e l s e
* a braided brass hex nut bracelet
* a sweet nothings garland
* a classic english hand-tied bouquet
* summery ombé napkins



{images: from glamour uk, fashion editorial, the big easy; model: lindsay lullman at next models, london; photographer: simon emmett; creative director: charlotte-anne fidler; hair: sam mcknight at premier; makeup: mary greenwell at premier; nails: andrea fulerton at emma davis via fashionising; steps adapted from glamour uk}

{have a beautiful weekend + late-sunday links}

. . . there is just something about sundays -- everything seems to slow down to a perfect pace, and whether off to the countryside, catching flights or catching up on beauty sleep, it is nearly impossible not to relax on sundays and it's positively luxurious . . . and while last week was filled with loveliness, working in sun-drenched cafés and evening walks with the dog that ended in new summer wedges and a little black dress, there is a certain hope about sundays that always leaves time for brunch, a good book, the flower markets, handwritten letters, and moments lost in daydreams . . .

hope you're having a wonderful weekend & that it's beautiful where you are, ~roséline xo

......................................................................................................

{a few lovely links:}
* photographer: maggie harrsen
* DIY: pretty paper clips
* at the shops: french cleaning supplies
* upcoming: a brand new magazine
* décor inspiration: canopy beds
* spring shopping: these & these
* travel: corinthian club, glasgow
* print & pattern: new designs by coralie bickford-smith
* and more: patterns
* at home: pure gold
* and more: porter chairs
* at the side: this room & that dress
* from the archives: dusky blue & driftwood grey
* make a difference: all proceeds from this print & this print will help

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* monday, monday & a few lovely links
* two lovely things: all that glitters
* style inspiration: beautiful details
* thought for today: il n'est jamais trop tard...
* the last of the great icons: farewell elizabeth taylor
* storage inspiration: on display
* spring collection: french chic
* champagne picnics & wishing you a happy spring
* simply chic: portfolio clutch
* favourite five: rachel ashwell

{& new for the weekend:}
* art print: love, love, love

{images: chloé fall 2011 rtw via vogue, photography by marcus tondo; decoracion de interiores via eclecchic; style.com; 812 park avenue via rdujour; eclecchic; rodarte spring 2011 via vogue, see also a glamorous little side project}

{style inspiration: pretty pleats}

. . . currently playing with the notion of a quick trip to new york -- {only pause for consideration being, taking the trip without p, who is has always been my constant travel companion} -- there would be meetings & appointments and catching up with friends, as well as a launch party, meaning, of course, much planning and dreaming up ideas of what to wear, and imagine something floor-length and with sleeves, cinched with a bow and flowing in pretty pleats a whispery shade of champagne-drenched honeysuckle may be just the thing . . .







* CLICK TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS POST >>>

{two lovely things: red hair & lipstick}

. . . often thought to clash, red hair & lipstick actually looks rather fetching, don't you think? . . . and despite the myriad of beautiful options for taming winter tresses, still clinging to a chic and messy topknot or a classic chignon for simplicity's sake, although now may be a little inspired to weave a tangle of braids . . .

{photography by ellen von unwerth, via a glamorous little side project}