we’ve just returned from a family camping trip to dorset.  there are some beautiful beaches along this stretch of coast especially the world heritage site durdle door featuring a huge, natural limestone arch.  we reached the beach along a cliff path where ollie and lottie discovered lots of emerald coloured rose chafer beetles shimmering jewel-like in the sun amongst the pretty yellow flowers that were dotted about.  the arch itself towers out of the crystal clear sea and is a truly spectacular sight.  the kids had so much fun jumping in the waves that we came back the next day…

…the next day was warm but in the afternoon a mist descended and wrapped itself around the cove.  the light and atmosphere were amazing, the arch became mysterious and seagulls magically appeared from the mist with a cry only to disappear again. it felt like a fading memory and a beautiful end to our holiday.

late afternoon sky reflected onto water…

the sun sets on the london olympics 2012…

i spent a lovely saturday recently visiting wimpole estate, near cambridge, with my family.  the kids enjoyed the farm and got to pet lots of animals but i really loved the gardens the most.  they have a beautiful walled garden filled with flowers, fruits and vegetables.  we spent a long time wandering around it looking at all the lush vegetation.

i took my horse-mad daughter to greenwich to see the olympic dressage event.  the venue was such a spectacular setting with amazing views across the london skyline.  although we didn’t know a great deal about dressage we had a wonderful time and couldn’t help but be caught up in the atmosphere of it all.  afterwards we hopped on a bus to north greenwich and got a return ticket on the cable car across the river as the sun set on a very memorable day for us both.

i feel so happy that the olympics in my home city has been a success.  there have been so many beautiful settings for the various events.  the organisation of it all has been really well done, with the games makers living up to their name.  the enthusiasm of the watching crowds has been so joyful to watch and of course all the olympians have been truly inspirational.  best of all team gb have won lots of medals!  it has brought great pride to our country and deservedly so.

shades of blue.

a floral themed editorial shoot for the just-released summer issue of betty magazine.  i love working with the fabulous betty team and this latest issue is full of gorgeous inspiration for the summer ahead!  for my instructions on how to make the paper flowers and to see more of my photography shoots for this issue order your copy here.

photography and paper flowers…melanie jones

styling…charlotte melling

model…tali at bookings

on petals…

at taylortaylor