{Celebrate} Happy new year....

Happy new year!  I wish you all the best of everything.... x


Image: One

{Inspire} Get started...

"A year from now you may wish you had started today"

- Karen Lamb -

Image: One

{Nurture} A moment of repose

After the frantic Christmas shopping, sociable days celebrating with family and friends, and having eaten, drunk and been merry, the next few days will be a moment of repose.  Some calm and quiet to re-charge the batteries .... before the new year celebrations rev up.


Image: One

{Love} It was a very good year

Trying to find something festive to watch on TV, I was pretty much assaulted with adverts for cut-price sofas, bargain home electricals and enticing ads for that dream holiday.  Yep, it's official, Christmas is over - the world has moved onto the next thing.  In TV world, it's already 2012!

Usually I'd be right there amongst it, writing my goals and resolutions for the new year, always focusing on my next achievement.  But 2011 has simply been a cracker and so I'm reluctant to let it go just yet.

2011 was the year..

... I married Jack. On September 16th at 1pm my life changed.  There are so many special moments to the day (and the week with busy family and friends that led to it) that fill my heart and my memory that I cherish now and always.

... I learned who my true friends are.  It surprised me how enlightening our nuptials were in shining the spotlight on family and friends who really are ones to treasure, highlighting their many wonderful and unique qualities.  Enlightening also in magnifying some things I'd over-looked in people who I thought were close family and friends that, in reality, aren't.  A hard but valuable lesson.

... I made a leap in my career.  I'd always played it safe, liked the security and stability of the status quo in my working life but, deep down, I knew I wanted and needed something different and, without the safety net, I made a leap.  And it worked out. 

... that the fog cleared a little.  I got to know myself a little better and got a much better view of 'me' - what I want from life, what I love, what I want to let go, the life that I want to create for myself and my family.  This blog is just one, small part of that.  

... that each and every day I know that, bad days accepted, I am one very lucky girl.  

Image: One

{Friday digest} Links to linger over 23/12/11

T'was (the night before) the night before Christmas... Enjoy a little link selection.


One: I'm dreaming of a White Christmas....
Two: Tried and tested, this lavender hot chocolate is divine
Three: Seeking a little inspiration for my own little creative space in the world
Four: If only I could channel this chic little look...
Five: Festive nail art for Christmas Day


Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas x


Image: One

{Love} All wrapped up in a red ribbon....

It's about this time of the year that I start to fret.  Gifts are bought, wrapped and sat prettily under the tree waiting to be delivered to friends and family as we travel the length of the country over the festive season.  Yep, it's a little too late to be questioning the gifts I've bought.  


It's not that I've been reckless and opted for thoughtless pressies - quite the opposite.  I love finding just the thing for the wonderful individuals in my life but I always have the fear that maybe I've not hit the mark or, worse, got it totally wrong!  Does anyone else feel like this or am I ready to be classified??


Heck, there's mulled wine, mince pies and festive films aplenty to distract me until the moment of un-wrapping!!  Just remember peeps, I love you - underneath that paper and ribbon is a little piece of my heart so be gentle!!  Fake a smile if you need to!


Merry Christmas all x


Image: One

Christmas: my way or the highway?

I'm Emma, I'm 33 years old and I've never spent a Christmas away from home.  There, I've said it.  My family know how to do Christmas and I love it so I've never wanted to stray far from the nest for this, my most favourite day of the year.  This one, the first as Mrs G, will be a first in another way too - I'll be letting go of the proverbial apron strings and spending the day at my lovely in-laws.


I'm wondering which of our family traditions I can weave into the celebrations:
- Singing Christmas carols a little tiddly at Christmas Eve mass.
- Waking everyone up with the tummy-fluttering "has he been?"...
- Dipping into the Quality Street/Roses/Matchmakers (whatever's nearest) for a pre-breakfast indulgence
- The stocking that, each year, contains the following as standard: clementine, gold coins, socks and a CD (the one pressie chosen by Dad).
- Getting our gladrags on and helping out with Christmas dinner while dancing around to one of the afore-mentioned CDs and trying to avoid getting cooking debris over said gladrags!
- Having that first drink way before lunchtime, unacceptable on any other day but par for the course on Christmas Day
- Getting into new PJs in the evening and cosying up to watch a Christmassy film.


I'm looking forward to sharing a new kind of Christmas - and maybe adding to my traditions swag-bag for my return to the nest next year....


Image: One

Q&A Inspiration with... Jenny Blake of Life After College

I can still remember the girl in the year above me at school that I looked up to -  "a good all-rounder" I think the teachers called her, and confident and popular to boot.  A role model.  Fast forward twenty years and Jenny Blake is one of my grown-up equivalents.  With proven success in the corporate world at Google, Jenny took a courageous leap onto her own path to, in her words, "live big" and LifeAfterCollege.org is the result.  Speaker, author, coach and yoga teacher - Jenny tells a little more below...


Tell me a little about you/your blog/your mission!


I blog at LifeAfterCollege.org to help others "Wake up, Live Big and Love the Journey" through a mix of my own personal experiences and practical tools and templates. I recently made one of the hardest decisions of my life - I quit my job at Google after five and a half years to build my own business as an author, speaker and life coach. I was terrified that I'd end up in a van down by the river, but I'm thankful to say that so far, 5 months in, I've broken even. Finally, I love dogs, dancing, music, travel, and cupcakes :) 


What is your vision of your best life? 


In my best life I'm waking up every day, going for a run, reading with a nice, warm cup of coffee, taking and/or teaching yoga class, reading more, and doing meaningful work (not busy work, and not stressing over the small stuff). I feel like I'm closer to that vision now more than ever, so I'm really trying to focus on enjoying and expanding every moment, and remembering to express my gratitude for my life. 

Can you tell us about some of the challenges/obstacles/fears you've faced and how you've tackled them?


My biggest obstacles are usually internal, I can be my own worst enemy. For a while it was the thought that I'm not smart/pretty/original enough, then when I would succeed, I'd have fears that it was all going to come crashing down at any moment. I'm a highly sensitive person prone to over-thinking and anxiety, so that's why exercise and yoga are so important for keeping me balanced. 

Have you ever thought you had everything planned, only for life to show you an alternative?


Absolutely! I thought I had landed my dream job when I was working at Google. I bought an apartment, bought a car, and was working in Career Development. And yet, something was missing from my life. I started to feel over-worked and unhappy. Little did I know that those feelings were planting the seeds for me to soon quit my job, rent out my house, and move across the country from San Francisco to New York to pursue the roller-coaster of self-employment. I left the corporate ladder and the "American Dream" I had created behind in order to live a life of freedom and spontaneity. 


Has there been a 'defining moment' that has changed your life/your view of life?  What has been the nudge in the right direction for you?


I had a terrible case of "book block" and even though I had a first draft of my book written in 2008, I couldn't bear to look at it or see it to completion...for SIX months. I felt horrible - like I was watching my dream die on the vine. Then I decided to "act as if" and attend a local Speaker's Association meeting. While there, I met Michael Larsen, the author of the book How to Write a Book Proposal, and he gave me his copy. I realized it was time to get back on the horse and at least TRY to pitch my book idea to literary agents and publishers. That set me on the course I'm on today, where my book eventually was published by Running Press (after 27 rejections from other publishers) in March of this year. I learned that when something is meant to be, spontaneity and opportunity WILL work in your favor, but only if you meet it halfway with your own conscious effort. 

If you were to look back and offer advice to yourself, what 3 pearls of wisdom would you share?


Don't be so hard on yourself, and release judgment of others. 
Express gratitude often. 
Don't sweat the small stuff. 

What book, piece of music, blog, quote or person inspires you the most?


Martha Beck is an author and one of my personal idols.  She wrote the books Finding Your Own North Star and Steering by Starlight, which I recommend to every single person I know! I love quotes too - one of my favorites is "action is the antidote to despair" (Joan Baez). 


Image: One

{Friday Digest} 16/12/11

I've jumped over the technical-challenges hurdle and here, belatedly, is this week's links to linger over....


One: Extremely excited about the launch of The Everygirl.  Roll on February...
Two: If I was wealthy, I would definitely be a Temperley girl.  I'm coveting the beautiful, midnight blue sparkly dress from the label's anniversary collection.
Three: Loving the gift-wrapping inspiration at Made By Girl
Four: Loving a little leopard found on Erin Ever After
Five:  Lake Jane's gratitude list has me wanting to write my own..
Six:  Hoping I can re-create the chic little top-knot found at this is glamorous for my festive 'do! 
Seven: When beautiful illustration and sumptuous silk collide, these gorgeous scarves from L'Avion are the result


Have a happy weekend x


Image One

YOU can be that change....

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Mahatma Gandhi

Image: One

{Go Girl Tuesday Tips} Go out on a limb...

The story of a very windy, wintry night, a long day and a 6-hour round trip .... oh and a whole bag of nerves.

It's my story.  Yesterday's story.  When I saw that the gorgeous Lauren of Aspiring Kennedy and lovely Helena of A Diary of Lovely were hosting a bloggers meet-up, something inside me wanted to RSVP a big, fat yes.  But then, I live about 200 miles from where this little shindig was being held on a cold Monday evening in December and I had work commitments that are non-negotiable.  Oh and the small matter of a fear of social situations where I know no-one.  In short, there was every reason to venture home after a hard day's work to a hot dinner, bath and pyjamas!  And, normally this is the path of least resistance I'd have taken.

The story turns out a little differently.  I put my nerves to one side, stumped up the train fare and made the journey to the capital.  And, boy, am I glad I did.  My panic over having to make small talk was unfounded - I met such a lovely group of like-minded, creative people that topics of conversation flowed like the delicious elderflower juice at the venue.  What on earth had I been worrying about?

What I thought would be too scary, too much effort and too late a night (it was and I LOVE my sleep!) was well worth it.  How many times have I taken the easy route?  Too many.  On this night, I was fuelled by my love of writing and by a little tickle in my tummy that told me three words - go for it!

{Friday digest} Links to linger over this weekend...

One:  It's time to be-deck our home with festive fancies.  I love these jewel colours.....  Sumptuous!
Two: I was house-hunting with hubby recently and I nearly made an on-the-spot offer for a house we viewed on the basis that it had a home bar!  (Luckily he's far more rational!) Maybe putting some of these tools for cocktail wizardry on my Christmas wish-list would be a better option... 
Three: Ooops more stationery!  This time personalised notebooks found via MatchbookMag
Four: First snowfall of the winter had me all a-flutter...  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Five  I love stationery, almost as much as I love One&Other so their round-up of 2012 calendars was a match made in visual-inspiration heaven.  Here goes...
Six: I'd needed a bigger home for starters but I want to get hold of this photo frame and fill it with happy memories....
Seven: I don't ski and I certainly don't have the loose change for this BUT how amazing are these Chanel skis!!


Have a happy weekend x


Image: One

{Share} The best things in life are...

And a few of my own:
... Your favourite meal cooked for you by someone else
... Wrapping yourself in a towel that's been toasting on the radiator
... Baking something complicated, whether it turns out or not
... Doing the thing you were scared of
... Gusty winds that take your breath away
... Finding a forgotten fiver in your pocket
... An unexpected invitation
... When it's not your turn to do the dishes!

What are yours?...

Image: One

{Go girl} How do you say no?

Christmas time.  The excitement of social gatherings galore.  The pursuit of perfect gifts for your nearest and dearest.  Feeling inspired to at least attempt getting creative in making your own Christmas pudding/mince pies/mulled wine (insert as applicable). Perfecting the appropriate sentiment in dozens of Christmas cards.  Oh, and the art of making your home a cosy, welcoming space to entertain and, given half the chance, relax on those wintry nights. 

Is it just me, though, or does the pace take just a little of the enjoyment out of it? 

Stop. 

What do you WANT to do? 

WHO do you want to share it with? 

Make your choice to spend this oh-so-precious time how YOU want to spend it.  For me...
... finding and decorating a real Christmas tree.  Ahhh, the scent of fir-tree and hot mulled wine, I can smell it now!
... entertaining our fabulous friends this weekend with a little festive shindig.
... family times to celebrate Christmas and bring in the new year.
... a make-my-heart-soar carol concert is definitely on the must-do list.
... plenty of I'm-too-old-for-this traditions (you're never to old to put out a carrot for Rudolph are you?)
... my first Christmas as a wifelet!

Image: One

Q&A Inspiration with... Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge

Christmas has come early for me as I have one of my biggest inspirations, Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, here to share for our Q&A Inspiration this week.  A former freelance journalist and contributing editor for House & Garden, New York Home and In Style, Grace started the design blog in 2004.  It now has, she says in her first book Design*Sponge at Home, a daily readership that would fill New York's Madison Square Garden.  While I'm smitten with her enthusiastic, 'have-a-go' attitude that comes across in her writing, I'm in even more admiration of her encouraging, altrusitic spirit.  She's keen to share the platform - Grace has established D*S Biz Ladies, a series of national meet-ups to support budding design enthusiasts, and founded the Design*Sponge Scholarship to assist art and design students in pursuit of their creative endeavours - their best life! 


Tell me a little about you and your blog...

Both my blog and my life (which are pretty intertwined these days) are about trying to live the most fulfilled, creative life possible.

What is your vision of your best life?

A balance between personal and professional- and enjoying both so much that you occasionally lose yourself in either.

Can you tell us about some of the challenges/obstacles/fears you've faced and how you've tackled them?
My biggest challenge is knowing when to take a break. I struggle with it a lot and find the best cure is to surround yourself with people you trust who remind you (and force you) to stop every now and then to appreciate what you have and what you do.

Have you ever thought you had everything planned, only for life to show you an alternative?
Yes, never more so than in 2011. It's been a difficult year for me, but it's been an exercise in embracing life's ups and downs and really, truly remembering it's a journey and not something you have "figured out" right away.

Has there been a 'defining moment' that has changed your life/your view of life?  What has been the nudge in the right direction for you?
My defining moments are usually negatives that turn into positives- moments where I regret a decision I made or see something happen that I never want to have happen for me. I find I best define myself and my life by knowing what I DON'T want more than what I do.


If you were to look back and offer advice to yourself, what 3 pearls of wisdom would you share?
Take a break. One day your optometrist will tell you that you have the eyes of a 60 year old. You can still stop that.

Time is more valuable than money. Don't worry about paying bills- worry about enjoying what you have around you now.
Invest in your friends. They are your family away from home and worth every second of time, energy and love you have.

What book, piece of music, blog, quote or person inspires you the most?
I go back and forth between inspirations, but this quote has been special for me lately (it was originally written to me in a middle school note):


"Barn's burnt down- Now I can see the moon." -Masahide.


It's a good reminder to me that sometimes things that seem terrible can reveal something even better or more beautiful.

Image: One

{Friday digest} Links to linger over this weekend

{One} It's acceptable to talk about Christmas now, right?  So, first up is sharing this fab idea for mini wreath Chrismas cards.  I want to get crafty!!

{Two} Well really it's way too chilly now to be talking about ice-cream but these beautiful images from Pure Photography made my mouth water for some of the cold stuff.  Plus I adore the vintage spoons....
{Three} I can't decide whether I want to hibernate in this home (cabin?) shared by SF Girl or get out into the fresh snow in the backdrop
{Four} I should maybe rename this Friday post Cocktail Hour as I somehow always manage to sneak a delicious cocktail recipe in here.  This week is no different with a rosemary lime creation from Joy The Baker
{Five} It's that time to put on the old razzle dazzle and I'm fancying this floaty cocktail dress for the festivities
{Six} Old time love
{Seven} For those that like to capture life through a lens, here's a few ideas for your Christmas wishlist...

Image: One

{Love} What are your classic Christmas movies??

Ahhhhh, December - it's the most wonderful time of the year!  The excitement of giving colourfully-wrapped gifts, family get-togethers to look forward to, glitzy knees-up's with friends, sing-a-longs to the classic crooners, people being that little bit more generous with others and grateful for their lot.  It really is the season to be jolly!  And as a die-hard romantic, the most loved-up, feel-good films are the Christmassy-kind so, now we're officially in Christmas month,  I don't need an excuse to dust off my old favourites:

Santa Claus: The Movie: This is one I HAVE to watch with my sister and brother's each year (if not together, then in synchronicity at our opposite ends of the country!).  I still remember being taken to the cinema to watch this and, to me, this is 90-minutes of Christmas magic.  "Can you say yo?".

White Christmas: You've got to love a bit of Christmas schmaltz.  I can get lost in the fashion, giggle at the give-away film sets, yearn for a little of the old-time romance and, the best part, belting out the classic of White Christmas with Bing et al. 

Love Actually: With an opening scene that suggests "love is all around", I'm hooked.  I adore the different flavours of love in this film - the love at first sight between the Prime Minster and "his Natalie", the unrequited love between Juliet and Mark (who could fail to swoon at the "to me, you are perfect" storyboard), the assuredness of little Sam over his American sweetheart and, my favourite, the sweet, silent love between Jamie and Aurelia.  Gets me every time!

The Holiday:  Maybe not the classic Christmas film.  It isn't the festive feel that appeals - it's watching the friendship unfold between Iris Simpkins and veteran film producer Arthur Abbott as she awakens from being the "best friend" into a "leading lady".  Each time I watch it, I'm just waiting for the line: "I think what I've got is something slightly resembling .... GUMPTION!" 

It's a Wonderful Life: The ultimate Christmas film.  I adore the romance of this black and white classic - "George lassos the moon".  I'm with George, feeling every rock-bottom low and the euphoric high.  It's impossible not to want to be surrounded by your family for the festivities watching this. 

Snuggle up with some mulled wine and one of these classics and I promise you you'll soon be feeling merry and bright.

.... x

Image: One

{Nurture} Go on, spoil someone today...

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

- Maya Angelou -

Image: One

{Go girl} What a day of puddle splashing and toddler tantrums can teach you...

I'm not sure who was most excited about spending a day at the Winter Wonderland at Stockeld Park - me or my nephews, Alfie (4) and Finn (2).  What with polar bears, an enchanted forest, a helter skelter, ferris wheel and (stop press) Father Christmas, it was sensory overload. 

It all started well - awe at the forest's talking tree, the excitement of jumping wellington-feet first into muddy puddles, giddiness of running around the maze (despite the many dead ends!), stunned into silence by the big man with a "bowl full of jelly" but, as they say, all good things come to an end.  When hunger pangs mix with feeling the chill of the biting winds, and not to mention tired little legs, things can quickly take a turn for tantrum-town.  And I love it!!

They are so expressive!  At the points when they were excited by the puddles, rides and running over bridges we found in the maze, they were so full of joy.  Maaaaan, life could NOT be better! 

Then there was the polar bear - the queue couldn't move fast enough for Alfie and Finn to get close to the walking, talking polar bear they spied with excitement as we entered the park.  Then, when we got closer, the excitement turned to doubt - silent, sulking doubt.  Hilarious! 

And have you ever seen a sunny disposition turn to dark clouds more quickly than a hungry toddler?  That spaghetti bolognese wasn't there pronto and so we were all treated to the bottom lip from one and a cool aloofness from the other.  I was busy having a silent chuckle to myself, while my sister and her hubby tried to entertain and pacify both boys until the slow-mo waiter finally arrived with the goodies.  Comedy gold.

One day with the gorgeous pair was such a breath of fresh air.  I'm so used to moderated behaviour.  Being (or acting) the way a professional, responsible grown-up should.  Being aware of what you say, how you say it and, the dead giveaway, body language for fear it may not be, what's the word... appropriate.  Bottling up anything on the sliding scale of uncontrollable giddiness to sheer anger and frustration if it's not the right environment to showcase these beauts.  In a nutshell, compromising that puddling-jumping you inside.

Throw off the shackles.  Dance wildly to music you love.  Devour your food like there's no tomorrow - who cares if it ends up around your mouth?  Express delight and excitement loudly and forget the carefully considered diners on the next table.  Scream and shout if something is just wrong.  And, if all else fails, feel free to sit in silence and sulk.

Have a childlike Tuesday x

Image: One

Q&A inspiration with... English Mum

With a saunter around Becky Wiggins online home EnglishMum, there's evidence a-plenty of the self-professed nurturer at work.  Recipes for soda breads, cinnamon buns, slow-roasted pork and the odd cocktail or two, sit alongside straight-from-the-heart accounts of her home-life and travels.  Home economist, blogger, wife and mum, and deservedly short-listed for the Red's Hot Women Awards, I'm delighted that Becky shared a little about her best life for the spring-cleaned Inspiration Monday!

Tell me a little about you and your blog...

I'm a mum to two teenagers and very proud wife to a pilot.  I work as a home economist, recipe tester and developer, but my blog seems to be taking up more and more of my time! We live in the home counties with a very disagreeable cat and a slightly neurotic greyhound.  I'm very much a home body and you'll find me in the kitchen, usually.

What is your vision of your best life?

I think I'm more or less living it!  As I get older it seems to me that it's less about how much money you make and what material things you have and more about being comfortable in your own skin and happy.

Can you tell us about some of the challenges/obstacles/fears you've faced and how you've tackled them?

We moved to Ireland a few years ago because of my husband's job.  It was tough leaving my family and friends and, although we settled, we missed home.  Recently we've moved back and I'm the living embodiment of the phrase 'home is where the heart is'.  I'm back where I belong!  Sadly we've had to leave our beautiful home behind, but it's made me realise that without the people you love, it's really just bricks and mortar.

Have you ever thought you had everything planned, only for life to show you an alternative?

All the time!   We'd just bought a house and were quite settled when the hubby's job came up in Ireland but we coped, and lived there reasonably happily for a few years.

Has there been a 'defining moment' that has changed your life/your view of life?  Or a series of events?  What has been the nudge in the right direction for you?

I don't know about a 'defining moment', but when my husband lost his job in Ireland he had to come back to the UK without us to find work.  We lived apart for a few months and it really made me realise that what I wanted was to be a mum and a wife, and everything else was secondary.  I'm a nurturer!  Once we were back together, everything fell into place - my blog's continued to grow in popularity and I'm loving my life now.

If you were to look back and offer advice to your younger self, what three pearls of wisdom would you share?

Don't worry what other people think of you. It's important just to be yourself. If they don't like you, they don't like you.  You should never try to change to be what somebody wants.

Cherish the people you love.  It's so easy to take our family and friends for granted, and having lost some of those really dear to me, it's made me really conscious of keeping in touch and making an effort.

Don't stay in a job that makes you unhappy or because it's what somebody else wants.  Pursue something that makes you happy!

What book, piece of music, blog, quote or person inspires you the most?

I have a friend called Erica, who writes a blog called littlemummy.com.   She's an incredible entrepreneur and is really inspiring.  She's also a great sounding board when I feel my life's going a little off track. She always seems full of creative solutions.

{Take action} Be you

"It takes a lot of courage to grow up and be who you really are." 

e.e.cummings

Image: One

{Quality time} All the fun of the festive fair

Excited crowds at the Christmas market.  The smell of gluwein, sugary crepes and spicy goulash in the air.  Generous measures of red wine in cosy Nordic bars.  Oh, and a little playful moment on the carousel...

{Friday digest} Links to linger over this weekend

One: I'm a believer.....
Two: As a big sis myself, I love snooping at famous sisters so I loved W Magazine's 'Sister' shoot
Three: The freshness of elderflower, the fizz of champagne .... what's not to love!?
Four: I'm going to have a bash at making these clementine macarons.  Festive and delicious...

Have a happy weekend x

Image: One

{Quality time} ... in Paris

Oh if only to rewind a whole year - I'd be back in beautiful Paris with my mum and sister.  It was freezing cold but there was more than enough mulled wine, hot chocolate and .... oh, French champagne to keep the chills at bay.  A white-out in the UK meant our flight home was cancelled so we had to stay an extra night ..... What a shame, I hear you cry - except we could only book into a flea-ridden hotel next to the train station!  On the plus side...

Our Parisian highlights:
... Walking away from Le Tour d'Eiffel over the bridge to turn and see it light-up.  I know Parisians find it tacky but we LOVED it!
... Drinking champagne on the Champs Elysee
... Taking a wrong turn and ending up on the beautiful Place Vendome
... Queueing forever for the Monet exhibition at le Grand Palais.  We made our own entertainment
... The Christmas market at La Defense where we devoured raspberry macarons and met Santa Claus!

{Take action} A fresh pair of eyes

It's funny how people notice your little idiosynchrocies and quirks.  I've mentioned before that instead of writing new year's resolutions, I create a new year moodboard - it's become a little ritual.  In fact, I've already started curating pictures from blogs and tearing photos from magazines, as my 2012 vision board comes to life.  And so, while this little creative pursuit of mine has become second nature to me, I wasn't aware how aware my family and friends were of it - how 'me' they saw it.  So much so, that it was mentioned in the speeches at our wedding and the board above created by my little sister to mark the occasion.

I love it.  It's my most treasured one yet...

{Romance} Autumn sunshine stroll

Just for the love of this picture....  Crisp November afternoons.  Hazy sunshine.  The last of the autumn leaves.  Walks arm in arm.

Image: One

{Inspiration} I need your help to ignite this thing!

She had me at hello!  I luckily bagged a slot for Kristen Domingue's Magnetic Branding call a few weeks ago and, within seconds of it starting, I was hooked - I could almost hear Kristen's vibrant, bubbly personality crackle down the line!  Now here was a lady with passion...  I wanted some of what she was having!

Her story intrigued me.  A successful entrepreneur (femme-preneur as she would call it) working in a city she loved, Kristen made the bold move to change track ... all based on an instinct that something just wasn't quite right.  A bold move, no!?  And, to cut to the chase, Ignite was born - a boutique style and brand consultancy for femme-preneurs.  And here she was, sharing some of her insights with us lucky ladies. 

Fast-forward two weeks and I could do with a little help with my Magnetic Branding "homework".  I've completed parts one (purpose) and two (excellence), but need some fresh eyes for part three (what the world needs)...

The Purpose part encouraged us to look at the things that made us most feel alive.  Or those things that you'd do even if you're not getting paid for it.  For me, that bit was easy.  I feel alive when:
I'm helping people or have made a difference... When I can make people feel loved and cared for... Writing... Creating... My blog... Learning about what makes people succeed against the odds, and using these nuggets to inspire others...  Looking for inspiration and images in magazines/blogs and creating moodboards... Being surrounded by family and friends....

Excellence really challenged me.  It required me putting myself out there and asking my nearest and dearest what things come to me easily that they are in awe of.  Things they'd love me to teach them.  With toes curling, I text this question and held my breath when I read their responses:
Being creative... Thoughtfulness... Listening to people and helping by "breaking things down into smaller steps"... Offering new perspectives... Being highly organised... Knowledge of music (especially the stories in lyrics)... Writing...  Creating inspirational moodboards... Being a loyal friend...

With What the World Needs I've come a cropper.  It means putting myself out there again and asking people: which people in the world are hungry for the combination of skills in Purpose and Excellence?  Who could make use of this unique combination?

I'm being brave and asking you.  Answers on the back of a postcard ... or comments below. 

Image: One

{Friday digest} Belated links to linger over this weekend

One: For someone who loves photography AND all things retro, I'm wanting to get my mitts on this little Mamiya beaut
Two: These are a few of her favourite things - Jenny's of Aubrey Road that is.  What are yours? 
Three: Pass me the watercolours, I want to have a bash at this
Four: I adore this idea via Sweet Paul of a Christmas wreath made up of family photographs
Five: I've (eventually!) written our wedding thank you cards so I'm now snooping around for some cheerful Christmas cards.  This selection from Oh So Beautiful Paper is oh so merry and bright!
Six: Forget the ugly, bulky nylon laptop bags, this is the stylish option on my wish list
Seven: Hugging a hot, smooth cup of coffee on a Sunday morning.  Bliss...

Have a happy weekend x


Image: One

{Be} Are you striving for perfection?

For someone who's been feeling like they're permanantly running half an hour for their life recently - me! - this gentle reminder turned up just at the right time ...  Thanks Kelley Moore for sharing.

Image: One

{Inspiration} Hands up if you'd like a sprinkle of Lucy Chadwick's magic...

When fashion and art collide, here's the delicious result...  British-born Cambridge grad and art gallerist, Lucy Chadwick, is the new muse fronting a gorgeous Zara ad.  The beautifully-shot short film follows Lucy's cooler-than-thou life from her upstate New York apartment to the barn/creative space she is renovating.  Aside from the enviable style Lucy has, I love to see someone so evidently living their passion ...  Clever Zara - I'll be wanting to get a piece of this action, even if the soft grey jumper and a top knot is as close as I'll currently get.  Check out the video here

Images: All sourced via le fashion

Free prize draw: Friend up for grabs

Lucky you!  You've won a free draw into the Friendship Lottery and you could win one of the friends below:

Friend One: Takes time out of her day to ask how you are and really listens to the answer.  Tells you you look good.  Makes you laugh.  Gives you a hug.  Looks out for your best interests.  Is willing to put you first.  Celebrates your successes and encourages your talents.  Helps you to see your true qualities.

Friend Two: Starts the day by criticising your outfit.  Tells you you really ought to get back into your swimming/yoga regime.  Hasn't the time in the day to look out for you - you're firmly last on the list.  Reminds you of your flaws.  Overlooks your talents.  Pushes you to do whats expected rather than listen to what your really want.

Ok, I'll give you a little time to think about it.  Hard decision?  Well, I have news - they're both me.  I was Friend One and Two yesterday. 

I was lucky enough to spend time with one of my girlfriends yesterday evening and was the friend I strive to be - supportive and game for a laugh.  Friend One.  I don't always get it right but I'd like to think that I make the effort to be 99% there.

Then there's Friend Two.  I was lying awake in bed with my mind racing through the day that had been and I realised - I'd given myself nothing but a hard time all day.  I have eldest child syndrome, a typical Type A, so I'm always going to be driven and push myself, but I realised this had gone into overdrive lately and, quite frankly, I'd been a rotten friend to myself.

So this week I'm going to be a little kinder to myself, a bit more easy going and, in my mum's words: "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Image: One

{Take action} Are you ready to snuggle up?

I'm not sure if it's the approach of the sociable festive season or the wintry nights sending me into hibernation, but my cleaning session went into over-drive this weekend.  You know all those little jobs that you notice but never have time to do?  Done and dusted - literally!  Photo frames hung, cupboards cleared out, desk re-organised - I was a one-woman cleaning whirlwind.  There's something about being able to use a duster AND a power-drill that feeds my independent streak...

And it's made all the difference to our home.  It feels calmer, somehow.  Cosier.  A welcoming retreat as the nights draw in.  Snuggle up....

Image: One Two