Welcome to the curation for the month of December.

This little series is a project of mine where I aim to introduce you to some beautiful small businesses to follow and possibly purchase from. The feedback from my previous curations has been awesome. Many of you have found gift ideas, purchases for yourself and some amazing new business people to follow.

This month’s theme was ‘Leading Ladies’. This moodboard was all about taking charge, with a touch of murder mystery Hollywood glamour.

This mood has felt very sultry and a little dark. So I wanted to pull together some products and businesses that feel glamorous and will help you to be the leading lady that you are and get through this holiday season and the end of the year that was 2020.

This month’s curation is a little one with six beautiful businesses featured. I also haven’t created a monthly limited print this month, with all of the end of year wrapping up, and the festivities. But I will be back on board next month!

So please take a look through, give each business a follow, give them lots of love, and hopefully make a purchase if you love a piece!

One. Madnatter Hats

The ever talented Nat from Bare Self (the beautiful brand I designed and created the ‘Her Chocolate’ packaging design for) has another beautiful business. She is so creative and talented. These pieces are truly one of a kind and fit in so well with the glamour and old world feel of the December theme.

Nat says,

“At Madnatter Hats, I design unique, hand-crafted hats inspired by the natural beauty and landscapes of Queensland's Scenic Rim Region.

Over lock down, we built a beautiful new studio and I upgraded my web page. Now customers can design their own hat on my webpage just by clicking on the ‘design your own’ button. This has been fun for people, as I live out of town & sometimes it was inconvenient or time consuming to drive all the way out to me. This is also great as I don’t have bulk pre made hats taking up space in the studio that aren’t quite what the person wants or don’t fit properly.

Making hats for my customers is my time out. I can escape from the world for a bit and have quiet time. I love creating something different. The design your own part is really fun as some of the combinations people do, I would never have thought of myself.”

Shop here.

Two. BARETHREADS

I came across this beautiful store on Instagram and found they were based in South Africa and didn’t ship to Australia. And then with a little more digging, found they opened an Australian office! These pieces are gorgeous and are bound to bring some Hollywood glamour to your outfit.

“Our brand launched into the Australian market in October 2019. We operate out of our offices based in Melbourne. We offer our customers a hand-picked collection of must-have accessory pieces. Collections are small, and tend to sell out quickly, so we encourage our customers to shop or they might miss out.”

SHOP HERE.

Three. GIRLFRIDAY

I am just a little obsessed with anything organisation related. While I’m a digital planner kind of gal, I do find there is something special about putting pen to paper. I particularly love a wall planner and having had an ugly Officeworks piece for 2020, I’m pretty keen to get my hands on this beautiful GirlFriday wall planner to organise my client work and projects for the year.

Chloe says,

“Your ‘go-to’ girl when it comes to tracking, budgeting, dreaming and goal-smashing… and generally making things happen! The place you can turn when you need help, focus, motivation and a plan to beat the overwhelm. Your stylish accessory, new best-friend and all-round life companion!

Do you have a side hustle? Demanding job? General overwhelm from trying to juggle money, life and business?

Meet your GirlFriday.”

SHOP HERE.

Four. ALLPORT MILLINERY

Another beautiful Instagram find! Sophie creates the most beautiful bespoke hats, bound to top off that elegant look for a big event.

Sophie says,

“My business started when i couldn’t find any millinery pieces for the races that i liked personally, every piece i tried on felt cheap, mass produced and didn’t spark joy. When i started creating pieces and people wanted to purchase them i realised that the headpieces were more than just a physical, materialistic thing they were a little piece of me, my imagination, creativity and passion that transferred to the customer, a little slice of magic.

My business is about creating beautiful handmade millinery that makes women feel incredible inside and out for any special occasion.

When we invest in ourselves and support handmade or local businesses we directly impact the whole social and economic ecosystem and help someone live out their dreams.

My pieces can be purchased online and I also have lessons available here.”

SHOP HERE.

Five. LUMINOSA

The ladies at Luminosa are always so friendly and helpful with all of my makeup needs. I recently had two custom blend foundation sessions (one when I was tan and one when I was pale/normal) and I’m so happy with the gorgeous foundations I got. They sit so well on my skin and are perfect just for me.

I thought they would be perfect to feature this month because as a leading lady, a sultry makeup look can be killer.

Ellie says,

“At Luminosa our goal is to make you feel amazing in your own skin. We simply give you the confidence to feel as beautiful as you already are. We have created a safe space where you are free to be YOU.

Our Toowoomba salon specialises in makeup, tanning and brows and we stock all of your favourite brands such as SLIP silk, Pixi, VaniT and more.

We ship all over Australia and offer personalised beauty advice as well as one on one and group makeup lessons and workshops called Insider Sessions. You can find us on our socials @luminosalove or via our website.

Ellie has included her favourite products for a sultry look…

A bold red lip - My personal fav is Velvet Concepts Cashmere Matte in Flambe
A sexy smoky eye - Velvet Concepts Eye Gems are so quick and easy to use and don't budge all day + night for extra drama add Velvet Concepts Velour Eye Pencil
Flushed cheeks - Add a touch of colour and glow with Velvet Concepts Rouge Sticks + Glow Domes

Shop here.

SIX. JOHN AND LUNA

I came across the beautiful little business through Instagram when another Insta friend shared their beautiful earrings. I’m all about the pearls. And these pieces are just simply elegant. I’ve got my eye on the Callistos - oh what a leading lady I’ll be in these!

Teresa says,

“John and Luna is a Sydney based jewellery brand. All pieces are handmade by myself in my home studio located in the North West of Sydney, Australia. Each piece is made out of 14k Gold and Sterling Silver and completed with high quality stones and fresh water pearls. We believe that finding the perfect piece of jewellery should never be confusing, the perfect piece should just simply, speak to you. Simple. Versatile. Beautiful.

You can purchase through our website. For custom orders please email hello@johnandluna.com or send us a DM through our Instagram.”

Shop here.

And lastly… Heidi Lou DESIGN

Last month I launched my brand new Dreambound collection, 33 prints to inspire you to dream big with no limits. I’m not doing a limited print this month (because this month has been crazy!) so please jump on over and have a peruse through the pieces and their meanings.

They make for the perfect present for your friend who needs a little dreamy ‘leading lady’ inspiration, or as a treat for yourself.