finding gratitude

And so here we are...February already and the end of it to boot.

The year that was...the trials and challenges and the heartache.  Finding good things to focus on and surrounding myself with gorgeous souls has helped immensely in finding a balanced wellbeing.

Planning wonderfully exciting escapes to long ago cultures with a beautiful spirit and long held traditions has been such fun and the most lovely of distractions.  Remembering past holidays and thinking of sharing their stories in this space...even if it was so long ago.

Reminding myself that there is much to be grateful for and even more good things to unfold...that finding peace and balance and calm amongst the crazy is the best tonic to move forward on this journey with grace and determination.

so very grateful for an afternoon spent with this amazingly beautiful and inspiring friend.

and equally grateful that this little lady is on the mend.

winter colour

camellia love...the prettiest winter blooms you ever did see.

faith

sometimes

the best thing you can do is

not think

not imagine

not wonder

not obsess

just breathe

and have faith

days end

wedding gifts and collected treasures

a pine cone from Byron View Farm

seashells from our Tasmanian honeymoon

macia

battering the grapes and frangipani

{thankfully, that is all she did}

january...

has been unbelievably hot...the sticky, muggy, can't-get-comfortable kind of hot!

finding 'cool' with the blues around me...

the sea so beautiful

and flowers gathered from the garden against my blue wall

January has been kind...new beginnings and little celebrations.

 This year holds hope of all sorts of wonderful.

Wishing you happy in the months ahead too x

christmas snippets...

twinkles and sparkles,

little treasures,

a first christmas,
special treats...

x

star above...

When this little treasure blooms in the garden it means...

autumn is nigh

{and my mama is smiling}

moments of merry

a full heart

x

{oh my, this made my heart sing…thank you dear angela x}

nature's lessons...

Despite being battered and bruised in the ferocious hail storms we experienced a few weeks ago, these beauties are flourishing…a lesson for us all perhaps.

tea with me...

This charming print reminds me of four of the most inspiring and beautiful ladies...

because it is Kylie's poetic words and sweet drawings

because it is Alischa's gorgeous letterpress that has added such a soft tactile touch to it

because it echoes the enchanting flower walls that Pia creates

because without Sarah, I may not have stumbled on their treasures all those years ago

Wouldn't it be magical and wonderful and perfectly lovely to share afternoon tea?

borneo aglow

a little corner of the world that holds memories 

of treasured moments

of carefree and idyllic days...

of the happiest of times

I spent a large part of my childhood growing up in Brunei, Borneo...and it was magical.  When I came across Philippa's gorgeous vintage map lamps I was smitten and wondered if one of Borneo was even a slight possibility.  It was!  On days like today, with the rain outside, it casts the warmest of glows about my little creative space.  Perhaps the glow is in part due to the memories I hold and in part due to the delicate nature of the 1904 map so lovingly given new life by Philippa.  Regardless, I adore it.

You may remember when it arrived...

remembering home...

Christchurch Cathedral 2009

Today will be an emotion filled day as Christchurch remembers the deepest loss - the 185 lives lost, most of them one year ago today.  The loss of loved ones cuts deeper than all the other losses.  Today, we remember them.

We acknowledge the loss of homes, livelihoods, communities that have been disbanded and buildings and places that hold memories.  

Today, we remember all those losses.  

Kia Kaha Christchurch.

hello spring...

so lovely to see you once more...your bright and pretty colours are always so welcome.

lazy days

I've been a little under the weather with a nasty head cold so my days have been lazy to give my body time to heal.  I'm eternally grateful to have my little home to cocoon myself in...so many around the world are suffering and in fear of what may yet to come.  Such beautiful cities, towns, villages across the pacific devastated.  These are places I've visited or lived...it makes my heart break.

comforting glow

I stepped outside this balmy spring evening and caught a glimpse of my creative place all aglow.  Soon the jasmin at the window will bloom and the gorgeous scent will fill the room.  I do so love this little place - it wraps it's warmth around me and takes my imagination to far off places...it lets me dream, believe, create.

peek inside

...a tiny corner of my home.

lost...

my creative 'mojo'...the ideas are floating around like soft, silver lined clouds in my head.  But do you think I can get them down on paper?  No.  So I've spent time in a little corner of my home just pondering.  I think it's partly to do with the explosion of excitement tinged with such sadness at the arrival of a little bundle of joy.  I might just chat with my special star tonight...it'll help I know.