Climbing over a forgotten trunk at the side of the road was like stepping back in time. I took my favourite shoes onto this leafy carpet and waded carefully along this bluebell path. I have an insatiable love of the wild and anything that comes close to being foresty. If I so much as see a bird, I start swooning and Killarney National Park was meant to be our first stop last Monday when Mr. Goddess coaxed me back from the UK for an Irish road trip.

Exploring this place was like stepping into the past

One of the things on my to do list in life is to take a week off and visit an ancient forest. One day, one day!!! I have a deep love for getting lost far away from nowhere and I got a little bit of that feeling when I climbed over a fallen oak and slipped down into a deserted brown leafy path cutting through an intoxicating bluebell wood. Exploring this place was like stepping into the past. It was quiet and peaceful with secret ancient sounds and scents.

The reason I’m wearing my Topshop shoes and tie-dye socks? We didn’t even reach the national park before we spotted a fallen tree at the side of the road and it was too late by the time I’d clamoured over it….. a whole bluebell wood stretched out before us. Yes you guessed right, within a few minutes I’d slipped off my shoes and left them on this fallen tree stump. Do you think they look like they were born from this tree?

I walked barefoot through the bluebell path, careful not to shake one. (My grandmother used to tell me a folk tale about a bluebell ringing out a sound that only fairies can hear and they would rush from their hiding places and enchant you – never to be seen again). If you don’t believe in fairies you might agree that what my Gran was really trying to do was to stop us trampling and plucking the flowers as children so as not to weaken the following year’s bluebells. In the UK now bluebells are rare and a protected species.

Okay, so it’s back to the city with tales of bluebells in my head…. But the scent has stayed with me somehow. I’m also remembering something about their stems….the sap can be used as starch (they kind of smell like it). Here’s a little link to loads of British bluebell walks if you fancy a tiptoe next weekend.

Oh and a friend has just reminded me that the bluebell was voted Britain’s favourite wild flower recently. Their scent is so good. But there are so many others to love too….

Had my first iced latté of the ‘summer’ today, sitting outside this afternoon – very cooling while I looked through these photos of Argentine model Milagros Schmoll whom I met while hanging out with the rather lovely Sir Paul Smith – Om my god, I love him so much… I’ll show you more of our fun soon. His backstage is different to any I’ve ever experienced, FUN, FUN, FUN! Just thinking about him puts me in a good mood.

Observing and capturing little moments

I’m in Ireland today and it’s super shiny sunshine. I think we brought too many cameras (huge extra baggage fees) which makes me wish I could survive with only a little Canon G11 camera accessorised with a beautiful bespoke strap like Milagros in the pictures above. I’ve also seen photographers use this little camera as an extra so often behind the scenes at fashion shoots/shows that it’s the little shining star of fashion everywhere.

I was asked by a French magazine yesterday to summarise what I try to capture in The Goddess Guide books/blog?  I blurted out that ‘I like observing and capturing little moments’. I think that covered it…., but after the interview I thought um, maybe you should capture ‘little’ moments using a ‘little’ camera G?

Anyway… I’m thinking of getting an extra small camera as well to tuck into my bag so of course I’ll have to find a strap with LOTS OF COLOURS. Yep, something like Milagro’s own strap backstage at Paul Smith A/W2011. I love how it matches the Paul Smith blue shirt and Paul Smith oatmeal cardigan.

Where did she get her camera strap? ‘The Market on Portobello Road and it wasn’t very expensive’.  I think it’s beautiful. If you see any interesting bespoke straps about over the summer, let me know (it might help me curb those excess baggage fees). xx