redrosesformytruelove.

every sunday I go to the local markets and buy my fruit and veges... as I were pondering around the stores I came across a store selling roses. Those babies were only 10 for $6, so obviously they were a MUST HAVE. To top it off, the store owner wrapped them in newspaper which just gave the all so vintage look. I was so inspired that I decided to do a photo shoot using these exquisite beauties..

As I was photographing my whimsical gorgeous daughter, it dawned on me, red roses, LOVE, soul mate, valentine. My true love would defiantly have to be my daughter Laini. She has to be the most beautiful kindest person I know. She truly is my best friend, and a inspiration to me. 2010 was a tough year, going through my diagnosis, losing a breast, doing chemo, losing my hair... Lets just say I had some moments! But my eleven turning twelve year old daughter went through it all too... And truly she was my rock. She picked me up when I was down, she was optimistic, joyful and always dependable. I am truly blessed to have the most joyful, kindest daughter ever. The two of us have gone through alot, but we have come out of the other side smiling and shining, and have a unbelievable bond, that I believe no other could match.

So laini, these roses are for you. I love you. I thank you. You inspire me. You are my true love. xoxo

aussieday.

We really do live in the luckiest country in the world. Australia is a natural wonderland of beautiful beaches, crystal blue waters, amazing ancient rock formations and pristine rainforests. We have historic townships, bustling cities, vivid landscapes and exotic flora and fauna all adding to its unique appeal.

Our lifestyle is second to none, and let's face it, Aussie's are cool people!

I particularly appreciated Australia when I did chemo this year... I had no insurance so I had to go through the public system.... Now I know a lot of people complain about our health care system, and I must admit even my files were misplaced which held up me getting my chemo done. But I also knew just how lucky I was to be able to get treated for free. If I was living in another country I would have has to pay for all the chemo and medication out of own pocket. I have read breast cancer blogs over in America,and if you didnt have health cover, it would cost you tenths of thousands dollars to get treated. I jokingly said to my Oncologists nurse that I was surprised the government was keeping me alive! If thats in America, imagine if you were in a third world county with a life threatening medical condition. In Australia we are very muched looked after. So yeah, I partied this year for Australia, and boy does Australia know how to party!

This Aussie day I went to Mooloolaba beach for the Havaiana big thongs competition.... I have never seen the beach so crowded. It was an awesome day. There were tents set up on the beach... people bought there bbq's down, eskies and there Aussie spirit! There was the Australian flag everywere... people even dresses up in costumes... the atmosphere was captivating...

Every state competes participants by buying a big blow-up floating Havaiana thong and paddling out into the ocean and linking hands..

Bondi won - getting a whopping 2068 inflatable Havaianas on the water! Mooloolaba finished with 1167 floating Havaianas...

Across the states nearly 7,000 people took to the water in a huge showing of Aussie spirit, raising over $60,000 for Nippers and $20,000 for our mates recovering from floods in Queensland.

Hope your Australia day was great xoxo

imissedyou.

Dear Beautifuls, I missed you....

I have been offline for a while, and I have missed all you lovelies sooo much xoxo.

About 1 year ago I was on fire! I had so many plans and inpirations for summer of coconuts... BUT as some of you might know, I had the shock of being sick with breast cancer, and my plans were placed on hold while I did chemo etc (yuck, yuck!).

The great news is i'm back... feeling the most healthy, happy and relaxed, that I have been in a long, long, time..... So great infact that I have overhauled the business to reflect exactly how I feel. Everything is now bright, loving, healthy and happy :-)

Just recently I went for a routine blood test, and finally after a year of being first diagnosed my results came back as normal. I was so overly estatic that I treated my daughter and I to an oversea's trip! So far I have only booked a one way ticked to Maylasia... but I have plans to go to Vietnam, Cambodia and India... I intend to go for about 6 weeks.. I want to do some volunteer work in an orphange. I have done some research and apparently you can pay to do volunteer work.. More and more people of privilage countries are opting to do these sorts of holidays. I personally think it will be incredibally grounding. And I think for both my daughter and myself, it will open our eyes to realise just how spoilt we are, and have a greater appreciation to the simpler things in life.

Theres also some exciting news with SOC (summer of coconuts). We have so much new stock coming online... More and More clothes. Accessories,necklaces, earrings, bracelets, shoes, hats, scarfs - everything is just so amazing. Checkout some of my favourites that are online at BUY IT NOW prices.

LOVE YOU GUYS - glad to be back xoxo

gifts that keep on giving

As some of you lovelies might already know we are selling sterling silver toe rings for only $9.99 100% of our profits will go to our sponsor children and whatever money is left over from that each month, will go to the Geraldine Cox organisation. (Geraldine Cox organisation, is a orphanage that care's and nurture's orphaned children). These are a perfect idea for a gift - A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING :) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

This little venture is taking a little longer to take of the ground... Prob for a number of reasons...

1) With me being currently been diagnosed with breast cancer, a lot of my time has been taken up with Doctors, Oncologist, Surgeons, Naturepaths + not to mention the running of summer of coconuts - Therefore not all my time and effort has been put into charity that we support...

2) Toe rings are really a summer thing... so I guess not a lot of people are wanting these, this time of the year..

But yes, I am excited to let everyone know we have sold 1 (most people would want to give up after only selling 1, but not me, this fuels me to only do more). So instead of giving 100% of profits to the Geraldine Cox organisation, I decided to up the anti, and match that sale and donate a whole $20.00! (Two sponsor children also get sponsored each month regardless what money is raised, but I would like to sponsor more!)

I know I know, a lot of people out there might say this is a pretty dismal effort, but I promise you all you lovelies out there this is only the start, and bigger and better things will stem from this. Im thinking I might branch into other types of jewellery - or maybe into hats and scarfs (now thats appropriate to both me and Geraldine) and 100% of profits will go towards the Geraldine Cox organisation. (If your wanting to purchase one of these sterling silver toe ring... here's the link)

But you know there are so many charities out there that sell stuff, and the money raised goes towards their plight. I think these types of money raisers are the pefect gifts! Gift that keep on giving... So next time you need to buy a gift for someone, and they just dont need anything, you should consider some of the following charities xoxo

1) http://www.commonthreadz.org/ - I adore this idea! What happens is orphan's paint a picture, then that picture is screen painted on a TEE-SHIRT, you buy the shirt, money is raised, then the dosh goes back to a orphan. Its a WIN WIN situation. (I have given a few of these shirts to my boyfriend, he loves them).

2) World Vision Australia

World vision has got a few gift idea's. They have some particular nifty idea's for christmas gifts..... Check out there website!

3) Pink Ribbon Shop

This organisation is the plight against breast cancer... There are some lovely gift's that you can purchase for your gal pals - and yes another WIN WIN!

For those of you know that know about the Geraldine Cox organisation - I have put a copy of our previous blog for you to have a little read...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoxoxoxoxooooooooooooooooxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxxxoxoxoxooooooooooooooooxoxoxoxooxxxxxxxxxxxoxoxo

Geraldine Cox organisation

Geraldine is an amazing amazing heart warming lady who devotes her life to caring for orphaned children in Cambodia. Please check out her website to get detailed information about her & the organisation... http://www.geraldinecox.org/

She is known affectionatly as Big Mumma, Geraldine is a Mother to over 200 cambodian kids. She is a well known figure for hope and development for both orphaned children & for those whose parents are simply just to poor to keep them.

I have always had a sponsor child, and my heart really breaks for people living in those conditions. People like Geraldine Cox have my utmost respect and admiration. To devote there lives to these homeless hungry lives...

I have been particularly drawn to this organisation as this lady with an amazing heart hasbeen diagnosed with breast cancer (like me) . Breast Cancer is another things in life that just dosnt make sense. It targets anyone. It has no preference to age, nationality or even gender. It dosnt care if your one of the nicest person, the hardest worker or you have the warmest heart... and it dosnt care if your a person who devotes your life to orphan children, like Geraldine Cox.

I am praying for a swift recovery for Geraldine Cox, so she can contine her amazing work for the orphans in cambodia.

welcome winter 01-06-10

{Dress LUKA, Jacket SUNNYGIRL - both items found on our ebay store xoxo-summer-of-coconuts-xoxo}

I LOVE YOU WINTER, I really really do... I just wish you were a little bit warmer :)

The top 3 things about winter:

1) The fashion! Let's face it, winter does walk all over summer when it comes to fashion! Boots, Jackets, stockings, beanies and scarf. Winter is so whimsical and fashionable.

2) The food! Hot roast with a glass of red. The aroma's of amazing food cooking in the slow cooker!

3) The photograhy - outdoor photo's always photograph unbelievably crisp and clear...

Another thing that I love about winter finally arriving is that summer is getting closer to saying hello. Let's face it, I truly am a summer person, it says it all in my name!

So with the winter sun shining brightly Nicole quickly put together this outfit inspired by our vintage theme, and we put together a much overdue photoshoot. Dosnt she look adorable? This little floral number can be found @ our ebay store xoxo-summer-of-coconuts-xoxo

upside down

Can we please start May again? I feel like Ive missed a whole month...
Hopefully Ill be back into a routine soon.

Things to do this month...
1. healthy eating plan....
2. exercise...
3. do a kind deed...

I need to get myself to the markets this weekend and say hello to the sunshine and get some fresh flowers. That always motivate me and make me feel good :)

destiny in the meadow

Isnt it fantastic when you have one of those days that seem to sing all day! I love my job and the best thing is about it is the artistic aspect {yes photography, my passion}. The craft of putting things together taking the photograph. I get such a buzz out finding a range, putting the range together, and photgraphing it for people to see how beautiful they all are. Winter vintage fashion, combinde with crisp winter days, pefect sun rays, beautiful inside & out Destiny {model} results in pure art..

Destiny & I decided on a spontaneous shoot, to capture the moods of our fashion. Lately we have been doing so many of the photo's inside that we havnt been able to present the true spirit of the clothing, and its so utterly exciting to be able to show you all this.

Soooo, it was just so bliss spending a couple of hours out in the medow, this location was so beautiful with ladybugs fluttering around the wild flowers and birds tweetering in the background. It was peace, perfect, and such a welcome change to spending so much time in front of the laptop. I have almost got my sanity back! Isnt life just so wonderful when work dosnt feel like work! {If only everyday was like this}.

{All clothing can be purchased online @ www.summerofcoconuts.com.au, or online auction @ Ebay}

{All clothing can be purchased online @ www.summerofcoconuts.com.au, or online auction @ Ebay}

If anyone is interested in hiring the beautiful Destiny for modelling work - please email admin@summerofcoconuts.com.au

On the fashion front - we have an amazing collection that is currently getting listed on both Ebay and our website. We have found an amazing new supplier, that just reflects our true spirit. We were just gigling with glee when we found all our new treasures... We are sure you love them as much as we do.

On this note - we would like to thank everyone that is inviting all there friends to join our fan page. It has been so overwhelming the support we have had from everyone, and our fans are nearing the 2000 mark.

If anyone donst realise, this month we are giving away a $200.00 mystery clothing parcels. All you have to do is join our facebook page, then suggest you friends to the page... Have a go- you might just get some new funky clothes for your wardrobe xoxo