10 Phrases To Live By

With the washing-up done, floor vaccumed, clothes washed and beds made, I'm staring at my computer screen trawling through a never ending supply of inspirational blogs daydreaming of the life I wish I could create for myself. Then I came across this fabulous post and decided it was time to Be My Own Hero!

To capture the spirit of the moment and share my motivation with you (and perhaps inspire a little courageousness of your own) here are ten fabulous phrases I love and hope to live by:

1. Follow your passion. It knows where you should go. 

2. You have to put something out there to get something back. 

3. Make your own path.

4. Build your days around what is important to you.

5. Ignore doubters, even when they're in your own head.

6. Collect experiences, not things.

7. Look at your goals everyday.

8. Nourish your mind and body.

9. Never top learning and experimenting.

10. Everything you want and need is up to you to make it happen.

Motivation was found in this Manifesto.

Creative Inspiration: My new home office

Many moons ago I shared with you my dream of creating a home office space. I was yearning for a little spot I could call my own, to sit at and write, spend countless hours on the Internet and escape to when I needed a little R&R.

Obviously, in an ideal world with no financial limits, my personal space/office would be fabulously grand with plush armchairs for reading, a library, artwork and few of my favourite photos....Ok, and an espresso machine! An office similar to these celebrity spaces wouldn't get turned down.

But I was lucky to find a cute desk for under $90 from Officeworks, printed off several phrases and vibrant images from the web to start my inspiration wall, then  I added personal bits and pieces to the area for pizzazz. 

And here you have it. I'm tucked into the corner of our bedroom as we live in a townhouse and currently all available space is full of E's toys, besides I wanted to get away from the television and communal rooms. She's very simple but has the beginnings of something special, don't you think?

Pen holder, scented candle and Tiffany. Swoon...

Inspirational phrases, bright images off the web and Vincent Van Gogh artwork

A Guardian Angel from my Aunt and my most prized photo of Mum and I circa 1982

My trusty filing system and a pile of magazines open on must-read features for creative inspiration

It's from:
Scented candle is from Crabtree & Evelyn.
Inspirational phrases are from Women in Business.
Colourful images are from two great blogs Absolutely Beautiful Things and Table Tonic.
Vincent Van Gogh's La Nuit Etoilee Saint-Remy 1889 was purchased at a market stall in Paris.
Guardian Angel is from Willow Tree.
Desk is from Officeworks. Note: I don't believe mine is still available but this is a similar version.

Parisian Dreamin'

 

The air in Brisbane today is fresh, cool and slightly damp. The rain has been falling on and off for a day and a half with several days of intermittent weather remaining. 

It is on mornings such as this, when I'm obliged to stay indoors and drink copious amounts of Earl Grey Tea, my mind becomes preoccupied with memories of living in Paris. 

The romantic streetscapes, the red wine, the cheese, the coffee, the constant sound of sirens, the walks by the River Seine and along the Champs-Elysees, the mind-blowing history on every corner, the delectable mouth-watering fresh bread topped with bolders of brie....Oh, did I mention the red wine? Paradis! 

 

My trip down memory lane is bathed in divine sunshine because, if I am honest, living there was very difficult. I don't speak the language - despite signing up for an adult education class in French six months before I left - I was alone and only had a mobile that only worked occassionally and limited funds for day-to-day expenses (you know...the essentials: red wine, coffee, cheese and bread). But somehow I made it work, I found my way and I returned to tell the tale.

This is a little life lesson I remind myself of today as I get stuck in the revolving door of house cleaning, washing clothes, cooking E's food and generally playing Mum.

Take a look around. This is life. There are aspects that are foriegn to you, that are intimidating, scaring and down-right boring but you will find a way. Just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time and I promise you will look back on these moments as ones bathed in divine sunshine because you made it your own.

Daydreaming

They say 'what goes around comes around' and never have truer words been said as I look at these pictures and imagine my Mum. I can see her in these dresses attending parties, having fun with her sisters and spending a week's pay cheque on a fabulous new dress. I can see me wearing it all too.

These pieces from American fashion label Emerson Fry are at the top of my Autumn lust-have list. Despite being available for the northern summer, I think they'd work well for our climate too. 

The simplicity, style, elegance and understated 'O' factor - as in Jackie - make these pieces spectacular. And...ahem, do I need to point out the divine Champagne glasses? I want it all!

I am so taken by these pieces (the white mod dress is my favourite) I'm even considering a dramatic change of hair colour. Stay tuned...

Have a good weekend. 

x

Real Estate Heaven

The time has come for Teach, E and I to pick up sticks and set up a new home in a family-friendly house.

We've resided in our current unit for close to two years, which isn't long at all, but I feel like we've done our time here. Then again, I do have a knack of getting itchy feet every 18 months to change postcodes and this time is no different.

Actually, it is slightly different. Now we have a child to consider. A crawling, almost walking, toddler who wants to be in everything, discover everything and chew everything. E needs space, comfort and security - major factors in our search for a new home.  Let's be honest, he's not the only one.

So yesterday I started the mind-numbing task of hunting for our new abode. The number of tired, old, slightly leaning to the left, decrepit houses available to rent in our price range was terrifying. The more I looked the more I remembered how much I detest searching for real estate (especially rentals). The level of crud you have to wade through before hopefully finding something suitable is ridiculous. And hey, if you don't need a tetnus shot before you move in all the better!

Don't misunderstand me, I'm all for shabby-chic and getting my hands dirty to fix 'er up and make 'er feel like home, but the guff I came across yesterday would be better off making a date with a blow torch, or better yet, a bulldozer.

After more than three cups of tea, a packet of chocolate cookies and two hours of searching rental websites, I logged off feeling sick to the stomach (both physcially and emotionally), deflated and a touch devastated. I realised my search for real estate heaven is going to be mammoth! 

I don't think I have high expectations. Surely somewhere in this town I can find a clean, french colonial, four bedroom, two bathroom, air-conditioned house located on luscious grounds with manicured gardens, a pool, study, library, home cinema, wide verandahs, views to the city (but not a deal breaker), plus space for E to play all for the same price as our current rental? 

What! No?

Ok, Ok! I know I'm dreaming. Dreaming of the home I will most likely never own. Dreaming of a real estate heaven only ever experienced by those with celebrity pay cheques or inside trading links to Wall Street.

Yes, I understand it's for my own health that I need to search for something more realistic. Sheesh, you're such a kill-joy! But before I trudge back to reality can I please spend a little more time in la la land and imagine myself cooking a delicious family meal here...

and teaching E to swim here...

 or relaxing with Teach here...

and hosting friends here...

 or maybe curling up with a good book here?

Well, if it's good enough for Bridget Jones, it's good enough for me.




{Images originally from here}

Stylish Bubbles

My sister in-law will celebrate her 40th birthday this weekend with a fabulous old-fashion cocktail party. You know the ones...a simple get together where guests get frocked up more than their fave after 5 jeans, great dancing music, a few tasty treats and good coversation. But more importantly, a decadent range of oh-so-delicious cocktails.