So today I thought I'd post about something a bit different. Christmas is only five weeks away now! Does that scare any of you? Christmas is often one of the most magical time of the year, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Budgets go crazy & unless you're extremely organised, it can be a bit of a nightmare.

I decided I didn't want Christmas Shopping to turn into a not so lovely time this year, and hopefully it won't be for you either...Today I have compiled 5 Tips to help make Christmas gift shopping more of a breeze. I've been following all of these this year & it has worked a lot better for me, so maybe it'll work for you too.

Well September you were, and still are; Super, surprising, styling (for the first part), shocking & finally sunny. In just over a month I will be on Summer Holidays & making my way through the DIY's & scrumptious Recipes I've been pinning as well as starting some other projects. I can't wait!

In the meantime, here is what my iPhone & Instagram documented this month. I also use Pic Fx a fair bit too, if you don't have that app you are missing out-It is like a never ending wardrobe of filters, to borrow a Narnia reference.

August, for lack of a better word you were AWESOME. You were also amazing & awe inspiring. September is just around the corner bringing change, surprises & more. Today is all about August though & here's my month captured by Instagram. For more of my photos throughout the month you can follow me @nanawintour, if you'd like.

Fact: I love sleep. It's luxurious, relaxing & the ultimate way to unwind. I'm one of those people who has to have complete darkness too, all doors & curtains have to be completely closed. So it comes as no surprise really that today's Monday Marvel, which is perfect for sleep indulgence is one of my favourite things. Today I bring you the eye mask.

I don't know if it's because of what I'm going through in my personal life right now, but I was incredibly taken by how real Katy's story & struggles were, and still are. After watching Part of Me, the new documentary chronicling one of the busiest years of Katy's life, you'll realise hers is not a manufactured pop success story.

I love a lot of things, but I'd have to say feathers are one of my favourite symbols. When I think of feathers I think of freedom, flight, headdresses & couture gowns. Believe it or not, a lot of couture pieces will feature feathers in their design. See, even designers recognise the beauty of feathers!

Well June you have been joyous and extremely cold+busy+fun. Half of the year is gone and I've only got a month left of playing Peter Pan, as of today. Now that's frightening food for thought.

Anyway, here's a look at the month that was June! For more of my updates follow me @nanawintour over on Instagram. Captions are below!

I love looking at nail art & designs, whether they're done by professionals or amateurs. It's always interesting to see where people are getting there inspiration from. More often than not it will be drawn from what's curently happening in the fashion world.

Today I bring you some of my favourite looks, many which can be easily done by you at home. There are plenty of nail art tutorials around as well like Leah Light's or vlogger Fleur De Force's.

An extremely gifted artist wrote in her first column for V Magazine; "An expertise in the vocabulary of fashion, art, and pop culture requires a tremendous amount of studying...in my downtime-I was analysing and studying my library."

It is with that in mind that I bring you my new Monday post. It is so important to constantly surround yourself with inspiration. For instance, I have a fashion magazine library, a shoebox full of magazine tears, notes from friends and art prints among other things. If I walk into a clothing or shoe store, I will be able to tell you what designer has inspired a piece.

Every Monday I will be bringing you something I've found which has personally inspired me. It could be anything; from an editorial, to a window display, a book cover or even a quote I've read. I hope that it'll inspire you to always have your eyes open and to always seek out creativity.

                                      
                                 
                                Candid image of Gaga in Auckland, via Tumblr

I've been collecting cards and letters sent/given to me for years now so it's hardly surprising that I enjoy buying and saving cards from places I visit.


These are six of my favourites, although really I love them all:


1) Cat postcard by Evie Kemp. This came with my lovely bornite necklace featured here. It has a cute little message on the back and reminds me of my Melbourne+Sydney holiday last year. Holiday+Necklace=Good times.

2) Bunny Cat by Bird in a Bunny Suit. This comes from one of my favourite New Zealand illustrators and was purchased as part of a bundle at a craft fair.

3) Lily Cole photographed by Miles Aldridge from the National Portrait Gallery. This is from one of my favourite galleries in London. I'll have to go back some day.

4) The Beatles photographed by Linda McCartney. Again this came from the National Portrait Gallery. Check out their online store. There's a great selection available and if you're ever in London you cannot leave this off your itinerary!

5) Dorothy True by Alfred Stieglitz. This comes from MoMA in New York. It is one of my favourite photographs and has made multiple appearances on my pinboard.

6) Queen Elizabeth II silkscreen by Andy Warhol. This was from a series of three from memory at the National Portrait Gallery. This print really does the actual work no justice, but like the previous card it gets a lot of screen time on my pinboard.