Pretty in Pink

I am not one who would normally go for a dress like this ... however, there is something very enchanting about this image that just captured my imagination...

A beautiful evening, champagne, gorgeous shoes and a very charming dinner partner, lots of talking, laughing, clinking glasses ..... oh to be whisked away .....


Image: via So Pinkin' Cute

Today's inspiration .... Edgar Degas

"Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things" 

Edgar Degas

Image:  Rehearsal, Edgar Degas

My True North Star!

Over the past few months I've undertaken some intensive writing courses and via these courses a journey of self-discovery has also taken place.

I teach others about alignment and finding their passion then walking their true path ... you know the one that sits in head and heart....

I found that I had strayed from my path .... I think I took the 'other' fork in the road and found myself on a journey that others had chosen for me.  The path that they thought I should follow because that would be best....

This week my head and heart aligned and I can safely feel and see my way forward on my path.  The one that I have chosen for me ... I walk hand-in-hand with me on this path and I am confident that my North Star will guide  me to where it is that I am going.

xx

Image: me

Baby Stars

This is such a beautiful image of baby stars forming!

Very inspiring....  very dreamy ...

Enjoy xx

Image Pink Baby Stars glow in infared image of the Serpens Constellations Star Forming Regions via NASA http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_842.html

Let your spirit be free

To roam and just be

xx

Happy Friday!

Starting to take shape

I have been working away and my new book and I am really excited about the changes that have started to take place ... insert *squeal* here ...

My second book that I started working on late last year, which is probably about half way through it's first draft... is no longer the book that I am writing or working on - not at all what I had expected to have happen!

Taking part in a writing course over the past few weeks has seen the most amazing little character come to life. She is just gorgeous, full of life, inquisitive, fun and a little bit cheeky - in a good way!

I am so looking forward to her coming to life along with her friends and I can not wait to see the adventures that she takes us on...

xx

Today I Love ....

Dreaming of a holiday... what better place to wile away the days.... ahhh

So pretty!

Enjoy your weekend xx

Enjoy your Weekend

The storm clouds rolling in ....

The view out across the lake ...

Such a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Enjoy your weekend xx

Images: Me

Feels like a lifetime .....

Feels like a lifetime since I was last on blog..... have been busy helping out my mum after everything that has happened .... trying to spend time with my little guy whilst he is on holiday and before the madness of big school starts next month ....

Too many hats over the past few weeks with all manner of other things... looking forward to returning to normality - or at least my take on normal this week!

xx

A new year ... some new plans

To say that the end of 2010 was a little rocky would be an understatement...

Mixed emotions .... sad, happy, relief, emotional all mixed up together.

The start of the new year always brings joy for me. Not one for new year resolutions as such, however I love the excitement of having a fresh slate to plan for the year and setting my goals. Allowing myself the time to sit quietly and really look at the things that I would love to be doing in the year of 2011.

I love to include something that I've never done before... and over the years this had lead to some very amazing adventures and memories that always bring a smile...

I've spent NYE in Times Square New York

Danced in the New Year Sabah, Borneo

Visited the Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo

Published my first book

Had a beautiful Baby

Went the the Rugby World Cup

Watched Luciano Pavarotti sing with Dame Joan Sutherland

Hiked the Grand Canyon

Heartfelt memories that made my heart sing for very different reasons ... grateful to have given myself the space to do these amazing things ... today I write my new list of milestones that I would like to reach this coming year ....

Today I feel renewed and blessed xx

Image: Zen Blossoms Photographer: Love88

Enjoy 2011

Just a quick note to wish everyone a wonderful, happy, healthy & gorgeous New Year.

Have a wonderful 2011! xx

Image: Happy New Year; Photographer: Filomena Scalise

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Retail_and_Sales_g195-Bag_p21042.html

A sad day

The old double edged sword ... always hits you when you least expect it, doesn't it?! Umm...

We knew that my Grandmother was very ill and even though you know it still doesn't make things any easier when the time comes for their spirit to leave you here and they go off to be with their soul mates.

On Friday I found a link and perhaps a connection to my Grandfather's missing family.... We have been searching for over 40 years if not longer... an email was sent off to them with a huge amount of hope that we have a connection...

My mum was so excited by the news when I told her on Friday night and her excitement was also that she would have a chance to tell my Grandmother ... something small to make her smile and give her something else to think about other than being ill and in pain....

Then on Saturday night my Grandmother decided that her time here with us had come to an end and she passed away peacefully in her sleep to be with my Grandfather ...

Love you both so much xx

A little light..

I have been searching for such a long time now, trying to find out any information that I can that would perhaps lead me to my Grandfather's family ...

Although I don't know if they survived WWII or not, I have space in my heart that I keep for them in the hope that there is someone for me to find.

Today I went onto the net again as I always do and typed in my Grandfather's surname and for the first time a listing came up ... the spelling of the surname was the same.... similar towns came up .... a family tree is trying to be established!

So today I wrote to this family in English and then translated my letter into Polish and sent it off .... I hope with all my heart that we may be a 'together' and that I get to share this news with my Grandmother before she passes away ....

Now the waiting for the reply .... xx

Image: Baltic Sea, Poland Photographer: http://www.socksoff.co.uk/walls04.html

Happy Holidays

Wishing you all a wonderful and very Merry Christmas!

Time spent with family and friends

Lots of laughter throughout the house

Warm hugs

Tinkling of glasses

Kisses from your little ones

Chatter around the table

Smiles all round!

Image: Vintage Christmas Card unknown

Albert Hall

Beautiful image of the windows in Albert Hall.... we had such a fabulous time at the End of year Celebration concert for our little guy's school yesterday.... wonderful wonderful time ..... so many talented children!

The youngest performer was 3 years old with the oldest being 16 years old ... so good to see all the children working together and being part of a community!

Congratulations to you all xx

The Harvard Book store

When I started travelling, one of my wish list places to visit was the Harvard Book Store ... I had this amazing image in my head about what it would like inside, the books that they carry, what the people would be like that worked there ..... and how it would feel to be an author and have a book in store!

Such a dream....

I did visit the Harvard Book Store and of course fell in love with ... it did turn out to be everything that I had imaged from 8 years old... still not 100% sure how I got to fall in love with it from 8 years old though!

It was warm and inviting, had beautiful books all around .... I still remember purchasing my copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" ... to me it was perfect!

Image: Harvard Book Store photographer; unknown

Christmas Tree fun

We were looking for a few different things to do for Christmas this year and came across this on the Donna Hay website .... what fun to do this with the kids!

Looking forward to having a go at it with my little one!

From Donna Hay's Style Ideas, Celebrations:

A fun alternative to a traditional tree is to outline one in nails on a board, then run string or wool around the shape and decorate it with these spiced cookies. Full of Christmas flavours – cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice – and sparkling with a dusting of sugar, they make a delicious change from the usual decorations. Roll the dough a little thicker than normal, pierce a hole at the top with a skewer (to loop with strong thread or pretty ribbon) and cook for a little longer than usual at a lower temperature to make sure the cookies fully dry out.

To see more styling tips, please visit Donna Hay http://www.donnahay.com.au/index.htm

Image: Christmas Tree, Donna Hay

Text: Style Ideas, Donna Hay

Around the corner

Working away ... feeling a little behind with the new book ... focusing on getting it back to where I'd like it to be next week ...

Christmas and the Holiday season is definitely upon us as we jump straight into December, finishing up the school year, Christmas concerts, tree decorations .... all the fun things that make us smile!

Image: Heidi Tree with sparkles; unknown

Just keep swimming

Today I feel like Dora from Finding Nemo as I chant "Just keep swimming Just keep swimming" over and over to myself...

A hectic few weeks ... strange things happening ... sad things happening ... writing writing and some more writing is what I feel my soul needs...

"Just Keep Swimming Just Keep Swimming"

Image: via free wallpapers