Salt Water Cure

I've been longing for the sea lately. Floating in warm salt water while gazing up at a blue sky would be wonderful.  Sadly, I'm not likely to be floating in a warm sea anytime soon so I'm consoling myself by admiring these beautiful photographs by Bawk Bawk & Bree Madden instead. 
 

Cinque Terre by Bawk Bawk

To The Sea by Bree Madden

Sea Wave by Bree Madden

Sea Storm - by Bree Madden

Floating//Cinque Terre by Bawk Bawk
 

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears and the sea"

 

- Isak Dinesen

 





Sky Blue...

There's been a distinct lack of blue sky lately.  Here is a collection of beautiful things to brighten up any dreary day -

Firecrest Wall Birds by Anna Wiscombe

Solar Quartz Necklace by Daria

Vintage Samsonite Travel Bag from Ani & Rose

Golden Sky Pillow Cover by Elle Moss

Woodland

Woodlands and forests have always been a place of fascination for me.  There's nothing more peaceful than a stroll through the woods on a lovely day. Here are a few items that remind me of a woodland stroll. 

Golden Hare Illustration by Chasing The Crayon

Fantastic Mrs Fox brooch by Gabrielle Reith

Vintage Botanical Mushrooms picture - Et's Place

Vintage Woodland Flowers book - This Fun Thing

I hope you like my selection. 

Northern Lights

I absolutely love the colour combinations in this selection. Hope you like them too.

Iceberg print by Tabitha Brown

Turqoise Ombre bracelet by Trincar Uvas

Hand Dyed wool by Haute Knit Yarn

Bag - all mine and a January sale bargain from TK Maxx

January

After the warm reds, golds and glitter of Christmas. After the decorations have been taken down and the last of the chocolates in their jewel coloured wrappers have been eaten, everything feels a bit dull and a bit grey. January can sometimes feel like you are living life with the volume turned down. At least, that's how it feels to me.

Well, here are a few things I've stumbled upon lately to add an affordable touch of glitz to those cold, grey January days.  I hope you like my selection this week. Have a fabulous New Year!

Sunnyside Bubble Bar - Lush

Gold Owl Sweatshirt - Sealmaiden

Gem Confetti Drops Earrings - Anthropologie 

Herkimer Diamond Ring - by Lumafina

All you need is love...

I finally got to watch Moonrise Kingdom this week after being desperate to see it for months and I wasn't disappointed. It's a stylish, heartwarming little film about two twelve-year old kids who fall in love and run away together. I absolutely loved it and I would recommend watching it if you haven't already.  I also stumbled upon some amazing vintage teen romance novels on Etsy this week. I didn't buy them so they are probably still up for grabs if you're quick.

The beautiful handmade papercut is by the very talented Stars & Scars.  I borrowed the photo from her Facebook page and you can also find her hand drawn/handmade jewellery on Etsy.

I bought one of the cushions featured at the bottom of the post, myself several months ago and I love it dearly. I have it sitting on our bed and it makes me smile whenever I see it. I always think it would make a lovely wedding or housewarming gift for someone too. It's nice to have or give something a bit more unique. I hope you like my selection this week.

Vintage teen romance novels from ismoyo

All You Need Is Love papercut by Stars & Scars

Custom Heart Tree pillow by Cozyblue

The small print - this blog post has not been endorsed by any individual or company. Products selected by me purely because I like them.

Arrows

I've been really into arrows lately for some unknown reason. Perhaps my inner warrior is trying to burst it's way out.  Here's a small selection of lovely things I've found recently around the internet. Hope you like them.

Arrows (print) by Kate Miss

Arrows clutch bag by Red Ruby Rose

Arrow necklace by Heather Kent

Personalised custom tree slice by JumpOffThePage

Possum Living?

There have been big changes recently at work and my post is to be made redundant in August. I haven't completely decided what I want to do yet but scouring the Internet for jobs seems the obvious first step. For some reason, my heart just isn't in it. While I don't earn a fortune at the moment, I do have a reasonably good salary and part of me enjoys the little luxuries it brings. However, in reality a 9-5 office job just isn't for me. What I really want to do is work for myself, from home (even part of the time) running an Etsy shop. Yes, I know that there are many people following the same dream and in some ways I think it's a little crazy of me because it's not as if I have anything spectacularly different to offer the world (I make jewellery amongst other things).

This past year, I've undergone some major changes and some of the things that used to matter to me a great deal no longer matter to me at all. I've been doing a lot of soul searching recently and I've realised that life is too short to spend 40 hours per week doing something you hate. I know that many people feel like they don't have much of a choice in the matter but I feel like I do have a choice and now is the time to take it.

I recently came across a documentary about Dolly Freed. Her book, Possum Living was published in the 1970's and became a cult classic. Although I've never read the book, I found the documentary interesting and inspiring even though it is clearly a little dated now. Dolly believed that people shouldn't have to work if they didn't want to and could still be completely self-sufficient. Obviously, I don't want to go to that extreme but it does show what you can do with a little ingenuity.  Watch this space.......

Etsy Sunday

Today's Etsy Sunday spot goes to the Lovely Elle Moss. 

I fell in love with Elle's work (see below) when I came across her Etsy shop in 2009.  With so many beautiful prints to choose from, it took me until late last year to finally decide which one to buy.  After much deliberation, I decided on 'Jodie' and was thrilled with the quality of the print when it arrived.  I've since had it frame and it looks absolutely beautiful. Now I just to have to get the living room decorated so I can hang it up......

tie by Elle Moss



You've Gotta Have Heart by Elle Moss



Dorothy by Elle Moss

 All photographs are Copyright of Elle Moss.  Prints (in various sizes)can be purchased at Elle's Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/ellemoss?ref=seller_info

Etsy Sunday

Today's Etsy Sunday spot goes to Janine Basil. Janine is based in London and makes the most wonderful headpieces and hats I have ever seen. Her colourful, fun and retro designs will definitely make you stand out from the crowd.  I have selected a couple of my favourites below:

Ruby Red Glitter Mini Burlesque Crown by Janine Basil



Feathered Yellow Fascinator by Janine Basil

There are many other wonderful designs which can be found here at Janine's Etsy Shop. Go buy something!