Be reckless..

When you hear the word 'reckless' you think about something done without thought, something dangerous, something negative. But what about the wild, spontaneous side. The impulsive, 'let's just do it'. Yes, we're in a culture where most people think of the cautious 'what if's' and the 'what happens if' scenarios. Personally, I think we think too much! Yep, totally ground breaking stuff here!!! Although you can't put spontaneity in your diary, have it at the back of your mind, angling to go for another adventure. A small or large dose of spontaneity but a whole host of fun. Just go, go walk, go drive! Let's be a little reckless (the good kind)...

Time for tea...

I suppose any time is time for tea, but there's something so nice about pulling out some fine china and taking a minute or two to do nothing but sip your cup o' tea. I'm going to start to take five minutes out of my day to do just this, nothing but tea. Along the way, I may make a little photo doc, nothing too wild, just tea...

Busybusy...

These past few weeks I've been snapping, editing, writing, baking, making, sticking, sanding, hammering, stapling, painting, drawing, merchandising, selling... I've been a little busy! Busyness is strange. Sometimes it can feel like you've been swallowed up by an endless list of to-do's that keeps on getting bigger. But then sometimes, it all just sweeps by in a second. Confusing right? Or maybe not! For me, if I'm whole-heartedly loving what I'm doing, the hours skip by without even a thought. But the real challenge is when something comes along that, let's just say, isn't so appealing and easy to love. I'm quite a positive person but it's hard to keep it if all you can think about is avoiding the task in front of you. We all do it, no hiding! I've learnt that if you dabble a little in the avoided task, sandwich it between something that is more up your street, you slowly break down what you need to do. It sounds easy and I'm sure many do it, but instead of forever avoiding the unwanted, tackle it a little at a time, in between what you do love. At the end of the day, you cannot love everything. So, for those to-do's you're trying to dodge, not anymore. Start small, add some fun, but most of all, start!

A year for adventures...

I love that feeling of excitement you get when you head to somewhere new, scouting out the new places, the actual exploring and most of all, the experience! Being free to roam around and feel anonymous in a new city where all the streets are yours for the taking. Over the past year or so I've been trying to broaden my adventures, across the UK, across the world! Through work and on my own I've had an amazing opportunity to open my eyes a little more to what's out there. But it comes with a challenge, you need a little more courage and a lot of love and energy for taking that step to do something different and new. Too many times people become stagnant and repetitive. They love their routines, living their lives to the clock. But how about cutting back a little on the mundane repetition and try something new??? Same old same old has that comfy, cosy, snug feeling, but, exploration brings freedom, excitement and most of all, an adventure!!! 

So...what will your next adventure be?

Inside the Mocha Cupcake...

Meet the inside of my soon-to-be Mocha Cupcake... Sorry to tantalise your tastebuds, but I'm afraid there's just not quite enough to go around. Some people shy away from baking their own tasty treats, which I've never quite understood. What's better than home-baked  goods??? Ok, so perhaps baking itself is an art form, sometimes the batch cooks perfectly, the next time, lopsided, sinking and not looking so picture-perfect. But hey, give it a go. Most of the time, even if it doesn't quite look how it should, it tastes just as good. If not, then you've messed up the ingredients and well, that's just plain old simple life skills...using the correct quantities and said ingredients. Baking is all about following the instructions, no winging it here. Once you get to know a recipe, that's when you can start mixing things up, throwing in some different flavours, you name it, it's your creation. Easy, no really...

Set up shop...

So I'm a keen baker and an ideas kind of person. Pieced together, I set up my first mini 'shop' at a local event over the weekend. For a long time I've wanted to do something like this as a creative baking outlet. The years of thinking about it mixed with friends and family's tastebuds encouraging my venture, I finally took the plunge. A chilly, grey morning welcomed my beginnings. All set up, I was raring to go! The hours passed by, the baked tasty treats were flying out at a steady pace, almost to an astounding sell out. I was actually doing it! I was selling my own baked goods. One idea finally out of my head and straight into action, the first of many new adventures I know fo'sure...

Fairtrade Today...

What’s exciting about being around today in this generation, where there’s a growing ethical movement, is that consumers are searching for more than just a product. The focus isn’t the price point, but rather the farmer, the produce, the story! We face ethical dilemmas everywhere with food, clothing, beauty; do I buy this super cool, of-the-moment t-shirt made in a sweatshop or do I invest in an organic Fairtrade t-shirt from a cooperative in Africa? Being ethical is a lifestyle, not just a fad!

With easy access to the internet and the media, these great ethical businesses, who are collaborating with workers in developing countries, are able to support, stand up and share the inspirational stories from the voices that cannot. Not only this, but also, through the use of social media, these sorts of companies, who ten years ago would have struggled, can now get their message out and most importantly, get their products sold to benefit their Fairtrade partners! Transparency is key.

So the challenge for us all is to pause for a moment to consider the product and its story, before we hit the ‘add to basket’ button...

Let's get painty...

I'm all about supporting companies that have a great ethos, are doing something great and are great! Compromising what you buy just because it's doing something good, in my opinion, isn't always the best way of going about life. There's so much great stuff going on out there that you can go for something that's doing good AND that you love. Go for the whole package!

So when I was looking for a more eco-friendly paint for a couple of projects I'm working on, the world wide web pointed me in the direction of the good folks down in Cornwall, Nature Paint. They're focussed on producing natural, non-toxic, safe paint, whilst sourcing ethically and to add to the pot, the paints are Made in Britain. The paint arrives in the form of a powder with instructions. All you need to bring to the table is water, your chosen mixer and a strong (ish) arm, and away you go....

No one's looking, everyone blend in!

I recently read a really interesting article about how brands need to blend in if they want to be noticed and be successful in these ever-changing technological days. Ironic really! But I believe there's a lot of truth within it. The companies that show you cool, interesting articles, newcomers to the music scene, tasty restaurant/cafe finds, city hot spots and more, are the companies who are succeeding with their social media platforms. They're attempting to seek your friendship as opposed to just trying to promote something. It's a simple but time consuming act. But done well and authentically, it could bring your wildest dreams to reality... happy, loyal consumers! Blend in but think outside of the box, multi-tasking is key...

The Mindless Journey...

You stand on the platform.
Staring into the empty enclosed space.
The breeze builds and builds and builds.
The train glides by.
The doors smack open.
The tiniest of tiny spaces opens up.
You think you've hit the jackpot.
You squeeze into your cosy space.
The doors slam shut.
Your journey begins.
Until tomorrow train, we'll meet again!

Walls...

So this little guy joined the ranks of my wall at the weekend... Another tick on my checklist of mini creative projects, this being the most minimal. Although, hanging wall art is definitely an art form in itself! On another note, I have been doing a few more stretching creative tasks, but I'm keeping them on the down low for the moment whilst they're still in the test stages (deets and possibly photos to follow some time or other). I can tell you, however, that I am absolutely loving dedicating some time just to letting my ideas run wild (outside of my head). A definite must for those big thinkers out there...

Beasts Of The Southern Wild...

An unbelievably beautifully shot tale of a father and daughter living their lives in The Bathtub, an abandoned, waterlogged area in Louisiana, where community is rife. The film starts with a dazzling array of lights, laughter, fun and dancing - an annual festival to warn off the looming storms. Hushpuppy, the daughter, is a feisty but courageous character who takes a strong grip on life, learning from her father, Wink, about the world of survival. 

If you get the chance to watch this movie, definitely do! It may be a little premature, but I'd almost go as far to say that this could be my favourite film of 2013 (and we're only in February!!!) Enjoy...

Vogue-made...

I completed my first official creative side project at the weekend. It was probably the most simple, 'big' project I've done in a while. But it felt good to have made this little bedside table number from an old collection of Vogues that I have kept over the years.

So how did it come about I hear you ask... A month or so ago I was at an event where we had some stools made from books, hence the inspiration. But the idea developed when thinking about how I needed a bedside table. To which I noticed my large stash of Vogue magazines in the corner of my room, sitting, waiting to be delved into again. Putting two and two together, the Vogue-made bedside table was being built (in my head). It took a while to get going with collecting all of the parts and putting aside time to piece it all together. But, I did it! 

Here's to many more exciting projects that I have building up in my head. Soon friends, they'll be making an appearance into reality...

p.s. I've had a lot of requests already to make people their own mag-table, but unfortunately I'm going to have to decline but instead perhaps I've inspired you to make one all by yourself and feel the satisfaction of getting creative!!!

Walking the walk... Talking the talk...

So here's to the start of the second month of the year! It's whizzing by ever so quickly already. I challenged myself in the new year to set creative tasks. However busy I may get, I'll always have a little creative something something on the side. One of those, the more simple of them all, my wordy photos.

This months one, titled "Walking the walk. Talking the talk." is about my decision for actively doing what I'm constantly thinking and talking about. I have a real heart for trying to do good, through being kind, making people smile, but also choosing to buy and support companies that in their own spheres are actively stepping outside of the box and being champions for those around the world who are in need!

Remember folks, actions really do speak louder...

Fire bright...

It's been another long slog since I last posted. But hey, life isn't always about being locked into the norm!

So, we've reached another year, the year 2-0-1-3! Highest yet!!! I've realised I dream a lot about all these big creative ideas but never put them into practice, whether not enough time, energy or willpower to fulfil. To which I've decided to break things down to manageable pieces, ie. mini creative projects. I like photos and I like splashes of text. Combine those two and that's what I'm going to try and keep up with this year. Here's my first.... January's a cold month. Fires are used in abundance to warm our toes. It's cosy, it's relaxing, it's ON fire!