La vie en rose x
Proud mummy/cousin moment: My lovely daughter, Bella modelling t-shirts designed by my beautiful-inside-and-out cousin Nathalie. I’ll write a longer post when Naths has her full e-commerce site up and running but until then check out her Facebook page because Naths is one of the amazing people of this world – I think all the products (not just t-shirts) she designs and sells are super cool..and this is doubled when you know her story, and the story behind the story.
Nathalie lost her sister, Sam and Sam’s baby daughter, Ruby Rose in the horror of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. As a way of grieving and celebrating her sister’s vibrant life, she started creating and commissioning art works based on the phrase ‘Sam says enjoy life’ to capture and treasure Sam’s spirit. These were then sold on behalf of the charity set up in their names.
Not only does this send a powerful message of joy over adversity, but many of Nathalie’s products are made by women’s charities, one of which is based in Barcelona and helps women recently released from prison by teaching them seamstress skills whilst earning a fair wage.
Love can be so many things.
So if the day is a downer, the suppers in the dog..or the dogs in the supper, just know that worse things can happen and take a step back..and enjoy life..because a certain person says so…
And believe me, she knows.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
you’ve made me cry and you haven’t yet blogged in full yet? Gold rings to you both…thanks for sharing
Hugs to you xxx. I simplified everything a fair bit..Sam was a real character and Naths has different ways of illustrating and capturing that. Another post.. xxxxx
Heartwarming story…how inspiring. I wish her well with this and its so lovely that being creative can help others think about how very lucky we all are. X
This August, our quieter month, I’m going to add to the portfolio with one of my collage/paint pictures..pictures from Sam’s eclectic life below, her face dominant. Haven’t painted for a while, but I am looking forward to it xxx
Your family possesses amazingly creative DNA! I’ll be cheering Nathalie’s success.
There must be a floating creative gene!..I have sisters who are musicians, cousins that write, a Grandmother that wrote..Aunt and Uncles who are highly creative..maybe it is something in the blood? Nature or nurture..the environment you’re brought up in must have an influence and I do believe a great deal can be taught..but that final bit..it has to be inherent.. xxxxx
Such a poignant read (thanks for sharing such words of wisdom …) and such adorable photos and T-shirts !
PS : Bella is “magnifique” ! XXX
Merci ma belle! When I write the story it still feels a shock and utterly wrong xxx. I had to bribe Bella to wear her hair down..she puts it up every day..one day she’ll learn.. xxx
Love the progression of poses from Bella. First of all, cool, then poised, ladylike, coquette and finally….pure kid. She’s a natural
Scary eh…and she’s only six…but in those photos? Going on 16…I did a double take xxx
What a truly amazing story of triumph over loss…
wishing Nathalie much success in her work…
and of course the same for Bella in her modeling 😉
She is incredible and one of the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet. Re Bella..I think we may deprive the fashion world and stick to mummy and her camera! xxx
Your Bella is bellissima :)…and your cousin’s story as well.
Arrrr. Thank you..I think she is, but then I know I am biased!! Xxx
Sharing your story makes us stop and think how precious life is and out of tragedy a positive has emerged enabling more creativity to continue and succeed, a poignant and beautiful opportunity and giving others a chance to gain working skills hence giving them hope. PS gorgeous pics a delight. Wishing you every success
Wonderful story , one that only Life can write. i also have tears in my eyes like many other here.But it’s the uplifting spirit that lies beneath that is so amazing.
Thank you for sharing this!
It’s strange..writing it down felt like sensationalising what happened..but it is a story that should be told, and never forgotten xxxx