The New Bohemians Handbook - Come Home To Good Vibes

 

 

I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I came across The Jungalow's Instagram page and Jungalow - A Bohemian Lifestyle blog recently. I just couldn't stop looking! I was excited to find photos (see below) of all the things that make my heart sing:

 

Plants - succulents, cacti and flowers✓

Books, books, books ✓

Bright colour in abundance✓

Textures and patterns✓

Crystals and rocks✓

String instruments ✓

Latin American blankets ✓

Aztec rugs ✓

Colourful cushions ✓

Bamboo baskets ✓

Hammocks ✓

White and wooden furniture✓

Light and airy atmosphere ✓

Hand- painted wood ✓

Watercolour and ink artwork✓

Painted pots, plates, mu and bowls ✓

Beautiful bedspreads ✓

 

In our home is a collection of all of the above!

 

 

  

Then I saw that the blog's founder Justina Blakenely had written a (second) book, and I just had to get my hands on a copy! With lots of vibrant photos of creatively decorated homes, it was lovely to look through. There is also loads of fun and practical design advice on how to make your home your 'spirit environment.'

 

My favourite piece of advice from Justina is 'De-clutter like a minimalist, decorate like a maximist.'

 

 

This beautiful leather ottoman (or 'the potato' as we like to call it) is the newest addition to our home... and surprise surprise, it's from ISHKA!

'Available in a range of vibrant colours to compliment any boho-chic abode, our stunning collection of genuine Moroccan leather ottomans come direct from the leather works of Marrakech. Handmade by skilled Moroccan artisans, these parachute-style ottomans feature a decorative central panel hand-embroidered with silk thread. Centuries-old techniques for curing and tanning leather were used to craft these stylish and comfortable ottomans that are sure to bring the magic of Morocco into the home for years to come!'

What Did Monday Ever Do To You?

It's Trifle Time!

I made this delicious Summer Berry Trifle for Christmas, and it went down a treat! I'll certainly be making it again next year and making it part of the tradition. 

It was super easy and fun to make. Just set the jelly the night before, and then layer all the ingredients in a large bowl. I cheated and used pre-whipped cream from a can - I have no regrets! Next time I will add the cream and berries to the very top just before serving though so they don't have time to sink down too much.

Christmas seems to be the one time of the year when it's acceptable, if not expected to include alcohol as an ingredient in a dessert. It's the most wonderful time of the year! 🎶 

 

Book vs. Movie?

Recently, I've read five incredible books. Recently, I've watched five incredible movies. This is no coincidence.

The natural response when watching the movie after you've read the book of the same title is to make comparisons. To decide in your own mind which is better - the book or the movie. More often than not the opinion is that the book is better. With these particular books, however, I found myself appreciating the differences rather than being annoyed by them.

 

 

 

 

 

When watching the movies, I was pleasantly reminded of the hidden gems of word porn and the amusing or insightful situations I was first introduced to while reading the books. It made me smile when these popped up as inclusions in the movies. It was like watching my imagination come to life!

The parts that were different or where the director of the movie had used artistic licence merely added to the takeaways I took from the one story, just told two different ways. The best analogy I can come up with is to say it's like cracking one egg and then finding it has two yolks. Two for one! As always I have food on the mind!

Discovered Documentaries

Hindsight is a bitch... and in hindsight I should have gotten a flu shot this year!

Many a day home sick meant plenty of time to discover some very interesting and thought- provoking documentaries on Netflix:

 

 

 

 

Remember the Lessons

 

We all make mistakes. Forgive yourself, you're only human.

Small Joys - My 30 Day Gratitude Project

Before starting my 30 Day Gratitude Project, I was in a bad place mentally. I was going through a very rough time, as we all do sometimes. As well as reaching out to my support network for help, I realized that I needed to do something to help myself to get out of this negative state of mind and back to a happier place.

I had to start small, so I decided to write down one positive thing that I experienced or noticed throughout the day, for one month. 100 or 365 days seemed like too much commitment and too overwhelming at the time, but 30 days seemed doable.

I ended up really enjoying noticing these beautiful little every day moments and adding them to the project list at the end of each day. At the end of the month, I'd noticed a huge improvement in my overall mood and appreciation for life in general. It worked! I felt like I'd had one of the best months of my life!

When reading 'The Wisdom of Sundays: Life-Changing Insights and Inspirational Conversations with Oprah Winfrey, I found words by the world's 1# motivational speaker Tony Robbins that explains the logic behind this technique perfectly: 'When you're suffering, it's hard to jump to ecstasy. So the first step I go to is appreciation. Anything. The wind. The look in your eye. Something that I can appreciate, because the minute you appreciate, you get out of your own self. You stop obsessing. Most of your suffering comes from expectation. Right? Trade your expectation for appreciation.'

After all, life is full of surprises and you never know what's just around the corner. What will today have in store? Sit back and watch the universe surprise you...

1. Free lunch in the tea room
2. Going straight to a hair appointment and not having to do my hair in the morning
3. Seeing the kids faces as they received their presents at the Special Children's Xmas Party
4. Finding mixed Pimms and Lemonade packs at the Bottl-o before a BBQ
5. Lying in our new hammock on the balcony
6. Catching up with and old friend and making a new one
7. Colouring in my toucan canvas
8. Laughing at nearly getting pooped on by a pigeon during a photoshoot
9. Hearing the announcement on the radio of the YES vote for marriage equality in Australia
10. 3 yr old boy asking me if we're best friends, moments after meeting me
11. First class back at the gym in months
12. Meeting a dog named Tiggy who snorts from joy when you pat him
13. Incidental exercise while location scouting at Commonwealth Park
14. Winning Ted's Travel Competition
15. Timing the evening's photoshoot perfectly to finish at sunset
16. Purchasing the last remaining Deer-lightful book at Harry Hartog
17. Client shed tears of happiness after seeing their Engagement photos for the first time
18. Free parking ticket from CISAC reception staff
19. An icy pole on a hot day by the lake
20. Patting the cat and all the dogs out a Gundaroo
21. Encouraging words from an Early Learning Centre Director at the end of my shift
22. Celebrating 10 years of friendship with Rozie
23. Made my first portrait sale over $1,000
24. Shopping!
25. Laughing so hard I snorted at 'A Very Canberra Comedy Christmas'
26. Driving home from a photoshoot and seeing a full moon against a pastel sky
27. Stumbling upon the perfect Christmas present for a loved one
28. Cuddles on the couch with Rob, telling each other about our days
29. Finding the most beautiful flowers had bloomed just outside our apartment door
30. Two 5 star reviews on my Facebook page from happy clients
31. Looking through boxes of old childhood memories at Mum and Dad's house

You Ain't Cool Unless You Have a Rock Collection

2017 Memorable Moments

Indonesia working as a tour photographer for Life Before Work: 
Kuta - Greeted by Indonesian tour guide Petty, beach days, water sports (parasailing, flying fish, jet skiing, fly boarding, sea walking), sunset Kecak Dance at Uluwatu temple, Waterbom, Sky Garden, The Slingshot, Night Safari experience, Bali Bird Park
Canggu - temple visits, Monkey Forest, Gayatri Bungalows, white water rafting, Mt Batur sunrise hike on my 28th birthday
Ubud - rice terraces, Tanah Lot, Git Git waterfall, paddle boating at Pura Ulun Danu, Poison bar with a skate bowl, beach party
Gili Air - scuba diving for the first time, morning yoga by the ocean, aqua yoga on paddle boards, sunset wings, happy hour at Raja Bar and Restaurant
Gili Trawangan - sunset swings, Jiggy Boat party, vodka Joss, karaoke bar, bike riding, mini golf, paddle boating and kayaking
Lombok - Rob's visit

Hair Show with Leslie Henshaw

Skyfire

Business tutorial with Sunlit Studios

Janine's wedding in Brisbane

Registered new business name Colourful Creations Photography

Aunty Robbie and Suzie's visit

Moved to Franklin apartment

Sunset viewing with Rob at Mt. Stromlo

The Dream Pod with Duckie

Vendor for the Hotel Kurrajong Wedding Open Day

Creating a home studio space at Franklin apartment

Switched to IPS (In Person Sales)

Visited Unveiled: The Event with Jenny

Fairly floss coloured hair by B-U Salon

Melbourne trip with the girls for Duckie's 30th birthday

Bought 2013 Mazda 2 Maxx Sport 'Betty White'

Lego Expo with Rob

Lunch at the George Harcourt Inn with Rob's parents and mine for Fathers Day

The Dinosaur Museum with Rob

Kerrie's out of hibernation party

Free tickets to footy game at Bruce

Hair workshop at Pony and Pins

Rasa's birthday party by the lake

Orchid Show

Will's BBQ in Canberra

Breakfast with the Alpacas and Llamas with Rob

Beach Blanket Tempest play at Lake G with Rasa and Emily

2nd shooting for Silque Photography

Peter Eastway's Travel & Landscape Photography Presentation with Dan

Author talk by Michael Leunig with mum

Extra for TV show RAKE series 5 at Old Parliament House

Winner of the Ted's Travel Competition

Client cried happy tears after seeing their photos at their Viewing &

Ordering appointment

A Very Canberra Christmas Comedy Night with Rob

Yoga Under the Stars out at Murrambateman

Christmas Day at Mum and Dads house with Keith and Rob in Canberra
Walk up Black Mountain and a drink at the Telstra Tower viewing gallery

The Leap Of Faith

Thinking of quitting your job and making a career change? About to pack up your belongings and move interstate? Counting the days until you jump on a plane for your first overseas adventure? 

Along with excitement and wonder you're also likely to be feeling a little bit of fear... or a lot of fear. You may be running through worst case scenarios in your head or even questioning your decision. It's perfectly normal to feel this way before making a big change. What you're about to do takes guts. Although the feeling may be unpleasant, sometimes fear can be a sign you're about to do something totally awesome! 

Believe you have what it takes to push through the fear and succeed. Feel the fear and do it anyway! Remember, you wanted this for a reason. Go on, take the leap. You never know, it might just pay off. 

Wonderful things could be about to happen....

The picture above was my screensaver in the weeks leading up my trip to Asia, where I would spend the following three months working as a contracted tour photographer for Life Before Work Travel. This ended up being one of the best experiences of my life so far. 

If Toucan, You Can!

Colouring canvas - original pen work by the amazingly talented Johanna Basford.

Succulent Garden

I'm in love with this little succulent garden of mine. Certainly not an original idea, but one I just had to try myself! A bit of sunshine goes a long way- they've grown like crazy since being planted a few short weeks ago! 

Personal Mission Statement

'Businesses create mission statements to provide purpose and direction for the company. But it's as vital for individuals to have a mission statement for themselves as it is for any business.

Creating a personal mission statement forces clarity, helps you define purpose, and serves as the foundation for your life goals. It also helps you identify the underlying reasons for your choices and behaviors and what truly motivates you to make change. You mission statement is about defining the personal, moral and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfill yourself.'

I was inspired by this article to write my own personal life mission statement:

To design and live a life I love.
To be driven by passion, compassion and creativity.
To choose my own path, no matter how unconventional.
To be caring and kind towards others and myself.
To not judge without first understanding.
To always maintain a thirst for adventure.
To never stop learning, no matter my age.
To follow my heart, but take my head with me.
To inspire and be inspired.
To never settle.
To learn from my mistakes, and celebrate my triumphs.
To dare to dream, and make dreams a reality.
To live to my full potential, free of wondering what could have been.
To know that when I lay on my deathbed, I will think to myself, 'That was life done right.'

Crystal Tree of Life

I ❤ my sparkly new Tree of Life necklace! 

Gemstone sun catcher from Crystal Moments