Take Me Back Colour Study

As a creative person, I'm always at my happiest and most content when I'm making art or creating something, anything. Last week I was horribly sick with a gross head cold and stuck in my bed with little to do and only my laptop to entertain me. I think it's safe to say that I started to go a little crazy. So, now that I'm well enough to move from my bed to the living room and sit upright, I knew I simply had to get my creative juices flowing again.

Colour studies are in no way my best photography, they're not really for anyone but myself. I created this exercise a while back when I was having one of my worst creative blocks. I've found that sometimes all it takes to break out of it is creating something, even something fairly mediocre. So, I use these colour studies as a way to practice my photography, design and photoshop skills and to challenge myself to create something every day.

Matt, Fran and I visited the most gloriously stocked retro haven in Upper Hutt. Take Me Back is full of hidden treasures from the 60s and 70s. You can just imagine my utter glee when entering this store for the first time. Kitch decor, psychedelic patterns and dinnerwear in every direction, piled high and gleaming with old retro-y goodness!

I'm also currently in the process of trying to sort out my outfit for Fleetwood Mac on the 16th. When I booked the tickets at the beginning of this year it felt like a million years away and now it's less than a week, so crazy. I managed to score the most incredible 1970s navy blue and orange floral maxi dress with the biggest dagger collar (pictured above). So, that's a definite contender for my concert outfit. I'll make sure to keep my Instagram (here) and blog updated with our Auckland adventures and Fleetwood Mac experience later this week!

It does feel good to be back in the land of the living. Like most sane people I hate being sick and there's nothing worse than being stuck inside all day just feeling lousy. But, I can't wait for the next few weeks of thrifting, photographing (fun new shoot coming soon) and bopping to Fleetwood Mac. Stay tuned!

Bella 🌼

Depop September Preview

The month of September is going to be an epic one for my store, with so many new colours, styles and funky pieces coming your way! I've had an overwhelmingly positive response to my store so far and I've managed to gain some knowledge of the best selling pieces and items that you all want to see more of.

So this month I have lots more funky flares and wide-leg pants, fluffy bucket hats (which always sell within two days of uploading)! Then as we've officially entered Spring I can justify selling some more Summery dresses, tank tops, short-sleeved blouses, skirts and shorts. As always, I aim to keep the look I'm selling as cohesive as possible and enable buyers to mix and match pieces together to create fun and unique outfits. Last month I sold a huge bundle of six items to a lovely buyer all the way in California. It means so much to me that not only New Zealanders but buyers internationally are loving my pieces.

Along with my usual weekly drops, I have two exciting curated collections coming to the store this month. The first being my much anticipated 'Retro Collection'. This will be a small selection of some of my favourite true vintage pieces, mostly 60s / 70s. Quite a few of them are from my personal closet and several I've thrifted specifically for the collection! I can't wait to release them all soon, I've had so much fun sourcing each piece and styling them with a new backdrop etc. (See the first row of photos above for some sneak peeks).

The second collection that I'm excited to announce for the first time is 'The Fran Collection'! If you read this blog or follow my Instagram then you'll know who Fran is (if not, see her Insta here). Fran and I have been collaborating on several different creative projects together and she allows me to use some of her amazing photography on this blog. So, I agreed to sell some of her favourite thrifted pieces on my store in her very own curated collection. Fran and I have a very similar style, so I'm sure you'll all love her pieces too! You can expect to see 'The Fran Collection' on my store in early September, or read about it here.

Check out my store here.

Bella 🌼

The Fran Collection - Depop

It's finally here! The official collaboration between the lovely Fran and my Depop Store is now live!! You can now shop from Francesca's own closet, with a selection of curated pieces straight from her collection available on Bella Foster Depop (here).

Fran and I have been combining our creative skills and ideas recently to create all sorts of new and exciting things. Fran takes amazing photos that I use on my blog and we've now released this fun little pilot collection of thrifted gems from her closet. The collection is small and exclusive, there is obviously just one of each item, so get in quick before they sell out! All items will be released in one drop and it's first in first served.

With six beautiful items up for grabs, including shirts, a dress, snakeskin pants and a GAP jacket, Fran has put together some of her favourite pieces for you to buy, wear and love! See the full collection below.






I'm completely obsessed with the true vintage baby blue button-up, which is unisex and would look amazing on a funky dude too. The black mini dress, decorated with a 90s floral design is the ultimate little black dress and looks incredible with knee-high boots. The collection also features two funky mesh tops, one with a super cool oriental print across it. The GAP denim jacket is such a gem, lined with a beige furry material, it's perfect for Winter. Then, of course, the most epic faux snakeskin semi-flared pants ever! These pants are the most amazing statement piece and would look great with some chunky black boots.

'The Fran Collection' will be dropping on my Depop store this week, so keep your eyes peeled on my stories for the official drop!

My Depop store here
Fran's Instagram here

Bella 🌼

Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon

Isn't the sun just glorious? As we enter Spring I'm so excited to see more of it. Sun makes everything better, being warm makes you happy, productive and healthy. I can't wait for beach days, riding the scooter around Oriental Bay and the smell of sunscreen. Unfortunately, this vivid image of Summer is still several months away, but a girl can dream.

Despite the sunny glow that these beautiful images have, it was bloody freezing (hence the purple fleece). These photos were taken by the wonderful Fran, who managed to make Matt and I look slightly less awkward in front of the camera when told to simply stand there. I spent the day with Fran and Matt mooching around town, taking photos in Yans Supermarket and the neighbourhood surrounding it. We made Betty Crocker cookie mix (after the long search for an egg at The Cube) and instant noodles for balance.

I loved the way Fran played around with opacity when editing the first image, so I decided to do the same with the rest. I used opacity a ton in my year 12 photography portfolio to create a sense of movement in my images. I think it's a really useful tool and something that I often overlook when editing photos. I especially love the way the images turned out where I changed the opacity level on the pattern. This technique can sometimes make a relatively average image into a much more visually interesting one.

As always, full credit to Fran for these photos and you can check out her Instagram here.

Bella 🌼