A Bohemian Life

I might just be getting cabin fever from being holed up inside all week recovering from this flu and broken toe. 😞 . I’m all geared up for a weekend of sunshine, fresh air, hobbling and exploration! 👩🏻‍🌾 . With my luck, it’ll probably snow for the first time in 60 years 🤦🏻‍♀️ Yup, according to records, the last time it snowed in Brisbane was in 1958 😱 According to the 4 people who saw it. 🤔 . Yes. I’ve been getting a good dose of honey lemon water, paracetamol and google during my convalescence. 🤯 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #thehappynow #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution #curated_nature #morningslikethese #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #natureinside #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons #myetsyfind (at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)

I came into the life of a creative late. I doodled, sewed, and played the mandolin haphazardly through life. I was brought up in an environment where dabbling in the Arts was exactly that ... dabbling. You were allowed to fart around with it once you’ve completed all your homework and duties. Then later in life, that was replaced with projects and deadlines. The few times I “dabbled”, I always felt guilty. Have I done everything I’m suppose to be doing first? Because, in my mind, allowing myself to indulge in the Arts supposedly translated to neglecting my responsibilities as a human. 🌻 . But the truth is, the Arts is a part of our Humanity. The indescribable part of you that wants to belt out loud to a song that you love. That part of you that ugly cried copious amount of tears at the ending of a beloved story. That part that gets goosebumps of wonder and delight at the first sight of a captivating image. THAT is your humanity connecting some imperceptible part of your soul with the beauty of the universe. 🌻 . Whether you do this or not for a living, give yourself permission to indulge in any form of art that moves your spirit. You will know it’s the right one for you because you are inexplicably drawn to it. Like a flower that is naturally drawn to the sun, let that feeling of warmth and nurturing guide you to what your spirit needs. 🌻 . You need it in more ways than you know 🌻 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #thehappynow #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution #aquietstyle_space #curated_nature #morningslikethese #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #natureinside #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons #myetsyfind

It’s finally happened. After 18 months of flu-free bliss, I’ve been struck down by The Flu. 😷 . And not just the regular kind either. It’s the deadliest of them all. The MAN FLU. ☠️ . You know... the one with that inflicts it’s poor victim with lots of heavy pregnant sighs. And pitiful groaning and mewling. It doesn’t help that I broke my toe too. 🤕 . So, I just want to apologise in advance if I’ve growled at you or flip you the bird 🐦 recently and in the near future. It’s not you. 🤗 . Okay. That’s my public service announcement for the day. 👮🏻‍♀️ . Back to moping around and flopping dramatically on the couch for the rest of the week. Peace Out✌🏼 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #thehappynow #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution #aquietstyle_space #curated_nature #morningslikethese #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #natureinside #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons

They said bring a plate. . But they didn’t say a plate of what. . This is the problem with inviting friends who are makers. . The border between Passion and Obsession is littered with paint, brushes, twine, clay, wood shavings and empty thread spools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #thehappynow #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #curated_nature #morningslikethese #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #natureinside #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons #whpcolorpop #myboohoostyle #creativityfound

“Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don’t go along with that. The memories I value most, I don’t ever see them fading.” ~ Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go ✨ . Late in the night, my husband and I walked for hours in the cold night air. All through this city we call home, while our daughter slumbered away under the blankets in her stroller ✨ . We have both lived in lots of different cities and countries. But this place has always felt like home ✨ . Thank you Brisbane for being such a safe haven for us to plant our roots and for our memories to blossom from. You are magic ✨ . #ViewsOfBrisbane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #thehappynow #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #curated_nature #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons #whpcolorpop #underthefloralspell #wanderlusting (at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)

@creativelysquared @cardly_net #cs_specialdelivery When I had to choose my elective subjects for high school (many many moons ago), I wanted to pick one “easy” one that will help to ease the study load so I can focus on working on the other majors. I ended up picking Home Economics. 🍎 . Ooooh, I hear some of you wise souls having a quiet chuckle to yourself now. You know what I didn’t know then. Home Economics is tough. It is very tough. 🍎 . Learning how to make flaky pastry in order to create croissants, choux dough to make eclairs, hollandaise sauce and ooooh, my ultimate nemesis, Bombe Alaska, right from scratch. I would have wept in class from frustration if my hands and nails weren’t encased with raw buttery pastry all the time. So much for easy. 🍎 . But. It turned out to be the class I had the most fun. It was the one class that nurtured and inspired all of us to create. I always looked forward to receiving my weekly task sheet. Create a thanksgiving dinner for a million vegan gluten free diabetics using only apples. Well. It might as well be. The tasks were always so obscure for me! But what fun we all had! There were no wrong answers. Everything was open to your personal interpretation of the scope. 🍎 . It’s been over 20 years since those classes but I still practice everything I learnt. I learned the joy that comes from cooking for yourself and those you love. I learned that no matter how limited your resources are, you can never run out of creativity 🍎 . I learned too that the secret ingredient in the perfect apple pie short crust pastry is freshly ground nutmeg. 🍎 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #thehappynow #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #curated_nature #morningslikethese #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #natureinside #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons #whpcolorpop #creativityfound #styleonstillness #underthefloralspell (at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)

This wasn’t the photo I was going to take for my #wip shot. The timer beat me in this race before I was ready. ⏱ . When I saw it in my gallery, the first thought that popped into my head was, “There she goes again..: #foreverfaffing around” 🤦🏻‍♀️ . While it didn’t capture my current project as I intended, it reminded me of something fundamentally more important for me. 🌈 . We can be our worst critics and I catch myself passing judgment on myself. The truth is, this is not faffing around. It is akin to searching for the radio station on an analogue radio. A process of fine tuning the dials within me. I do this until I find the perfect frequency. And you know when you have it, it’s the perfect soundtrack for this particular moment. 🎼 . Faffing around is a much needed and equally important part of whatever we are trying to achieve. Don’t knock it. 🙌🏻 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #thehappynow #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution #aquietstyle_space #curated_nature #morningslikethese #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #natureinside #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons

#cs_specialdelivery @creativelysquared @cardly_net 🌱 When Mother Nature comes visiting and bearing gifts 🌱 . My garden has been such a source of continual delight for me. Though my beloved Magnolia blossoms have entered into their deep Autumnal sleep, the evergreens, my ever faithful friends, continue to bring cheer and lightness into the spaces in my home 🌱 . I still have moments of struggle but I think I am getting better at embracing how to #livethelittlethings 🎐 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution #aquietstyle_space #curated_nature #morningslikethese #theeverydayproject #chasinglight #inspiredbynature #natureinside #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons

Adopt the pace of nature : her secret is PATIENCE ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 🍃 . I was having a lovely conversation with my wonderfully clever, (she not only has a PhD in engineering, she’s an amazing handstander!) friend @cryptocodecg about what it is about handmade that has us so enraptured 😍 Interestingly, it’s also how Marisa and I met. Our love of handstands! 🤸🏻‍♀️ Yes, when I’m not here, you’ll find me upside down balancing on my hands. 🙃 . You can’t rush a handstand or you’ll topple over. You can’t hold your breath in a handstand or you won’t have the strength to hold it. 🎐 . But slow your breath down and you’ll find that you have slowed time right down to a quiet whisper. Where anything is possible in the in-between spaces. 🍃 . When I am making my bags, I find the same thing happening. My breath is slow, gentle and meditative. The noisy chatter of the mind is tuned down. And in its place, there is an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and serenity. To be here. To have breath. To have time. To hope. 🎐 . Pictured here are all the things on my table today. All slowly, lovingly and patiently made by my favourite teacher of all, Mother Nature herself 🌱 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #freepeoplestyle #bohovibes #boholuxe #bohostyle #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution #whpoddlysatisfying #aquietstyle_light #curated_nature

#cs_inthebag @creativelysquared @kinnonaus Goodbye Weekend 👋🏻 It has been all too fleeting but you’ve scattered my worries and woes away in the short time you were here 🍃 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #freepeoplestyle #bohovibes #boholuxe #personalstyle #bohostyle #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution #whpoddlysatisfying #aquietstyle_light

#cs_inthebag @creativelysquared @kinnonaus asked me this week what I had in the bag and this is it! A book to occupy the in-between moments in my day, my trusty glasses because my eyesight is atrocious and my favourite turquoise and wood bangles. I love wearing bangles because they make me sound like a walking wind chime. And my theme song is Ding-A-Ling-A-Dong 🤣 . Remember I shared a photo of the thick chunky silver grey twine on my birthday? The one I’ve been hoarding for a long time because it was just too pretty to use? Well, I treated myself on my birthday and made it into this shoulder bag 🙌🏻 . Yes, I’ve been told, I really know how to party!!! 🤪 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #freepeoplestyle #bohovibes #boholuxe #personalstyle #bohostyle #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #wearethemakers #whomademyclothes #myeverydaymagic #inmystudio #fashionrevolution

This photo has been sitting on my phone a week now. Ever since @irene_rasetti started a wonderful conversation about how deeply connected we are with our past and lineage. There’s a lovely photo of Irene holding a large beautiful copper pot overflowing with flowers to accompany the beautiful story she shared 🌱 . I’ve been sitting with our conversation all week. Feeling and meditating on all the feelings bubbling gently beneath the surface. Working up the courage to share it here. 🍃 . I only just told my Mom last month that I started making bags. Yup. Me. A grown woman of 41 with 3 children. I didn’t know how to explain to Mom why I’ve stopped practicing law after 15 years of it and I’m now indulging in making bags. Yes. I was sure Mom would say it was a wasteful indulgence after all the years of studying and working. Just so that I can fritter my life away irresponsibly, playing with string. 🍂 . Because the truth is, I don’t really know why. Other than a call to do so now. And I don’t think “Dunno, Mom 🤷🏻‍♀️” was going to be a persuasive reason for my cause. 🥀 . So, fearfully, apologetically, timidly, I muttered my truth to Mom. Her eyes glazed over initially just as I dreaded. I hurriedly pulled out my phone and shove the photos of my bags under her nose. At that moment, she exclaimed, “MY MOM used to make bags like these!!” 🌻 . I had no idea that the Grandmother who passed away when my Mom was but a girl and whom I’ve never met used to love weaving and making bags too! I’ve never known her presence. I only know of how it’s absence has impacted on my life because it’s a loss my 73 year old Mom still feels keenly everyday. But. In that moment, I knew my grandmother was sitting in that space between my Mom and I. . Whether we know it or not, we are an intricately woven tapestry of our past, our history, our heritage and the very fabric of our being started with threads that began when the earth was still young. 🎎 . As Irene said “I think if we all took some time to discover these parts of ourselves, we wouldn’t be so lost and disconnected.” 🕊 . This is a photo of my Mom and I on my wedding day. Right before my Dad and her walked me down the aisle🎐

From July 1, 2018, single-use plastic bags will be removed from @woolworths_au @colessupermarkets @bigwaustralia and BWS Liquor Store’s across Australia. What a wonderful undertaking by these major retailers! 🌱 I look forward to seeing other retailers follow suit soon and an increasing number of mindful changes in the world around us 🌱 . In preparation, I made myself a spacious, lightweight and stretchy shopping tote from 100% natural sisal to carry my produce. I designed it so it can stretch to almost twice it’s original size. I’ll make a video of it when I next do my groceries and share a before and after. But for now, I’m so happy with it! 😍 . Do you know sisal, like all natural fibres, is eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and bio-degradable? If you purchase an organic natural sisal like the one used here, you know that no pesticides and fertilisers were used. 🌱 . I recently read @plantpoweredprue’s blogs on ways to recycle, reuse and reduce our impact on the environment, including links to reusable shopping AND produce bags. It’s a wonderful series and I personally love Prue’s instastories and her adventures with living sustainably and mindfully! 🌱 . So Australia, are you ready? 🌱 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #freepeoplestyle #bohovibes #boholuxe #personalstyle #outfitideas #bohostyle #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #minimalmovement #nothingsordinary #bohochic #wiw #whatsinmybag #coachellafashion #MyEtsyFind #brisbaneanyday

A few years ago, Holly’s Grandmother gifted us the Wild Plants & Wild Life reference books from @qldmuseum for Christmas and it is still our absolute go-to guide for learning about all the weird, wonderful and exotic species we come across in our backyard and on our travels. 🔍🦗🌱🐜🌿🕷 . If you live in Brisbane or know someone who does, I highly recommend these lovely resources. Because “The Grass is Greener Where You Water It” (~ Neil Barringham) and there’s so much native beauty to be discovered right amongst your local community 🌈 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #freepeoplestyle #bohovibes #boholuxe #personalstyle #outfitpost #outfitideas #bohostyle #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #minimalmovement #nothingsordinary #bohochic #wiw #whatsinmybag #coachellafashion #MyEtsyFind #brisbaneanyday (at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)

“We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things; because the shadow always follows. Choose a place where you won't do harm - yes, choose a place where you won't do very much harm, and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.” ~ E.M. Forster, A Room with a View 🍂 . We had been planning and looking forward to this weekend for many weeks now. We had plans for long walks in the outdoors, relaxing, resting, indulging in lots of ice cream. Unfortunately, circumstances were such that it didn’t go as planned at all. Not at all. While we were deeply disappointed, we did get to enjoy a lovely warm Autumn Sunday in the sunshine, napping under the trees in the park and company of one another. . Goodnight River City, you’ve been good to us 😘 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For @monalogue and @irinahp with love 💌 #bci_week3 . #nestandthrive #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #minimalmovement #nothingsordinary #whp🌲 #VisitBrisbane (at South Bank, Brisbane)

“I’ve got scarves and boots from 1970 that I still wear” ~ The Legendary Steven Tyler 🎶 . Ain’t that the truth? 🙏🏻 I’ve had this scarf for almost 20 years and it’s still a tried and true favourite. 😍 And Autumn in Australia means it’s Scarf 🧣Season ... finally! Yessss! 🙌🏻 We only get about 3 months (and that’s kinda pushing it) of the year when it’s chilly enough to legitimately wear a scarf here in Queensland. . Today wasn’t one of them. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Which is why this one is still hanging here. But I live in hope for tomorrow 😁 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #freepeoplestyle #bohovibes #boholuxe #personalstyle #outfitpost #outfitideas #bohostyle #aquietstyle #hygge #minimalmood #minimalmovement #ofsimplethings #creativelifehappylife #craftsposure #livefolk #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #makersvillage #calledtobecreative #madetocreate #theweekoninstagram #verilymoment #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #minimalmovement #nothingsordinary #bohochic #wiw #whatsinmybag #coachellafashion #MyEtsyFind