I’ve been full of the cold this week with a foggy head and a throat that feels like it’s full of razor-blades — but you know what, this is when writing a gratitude list and sending the Universe a big kiss is the most important! It’s easy to be happy and grateful when things are cruising along swimmingly and life is just so damn good and opportunities are flying your way at breakneck speed. However, it’s when we’re feeling a bit under the weather, or down on life for whatever reason, that we really have to call on our extra reserves of energy to uncover the good stuff. Happiness is a choice after all, and you get back what you give out. So here I am, giving out big love and huge thanks for a week that had plenty of high points to be delighted over!
1. Frankie Magazine’s World Map
I’ve always been fascinated with maps of the world and spinning globes. I remember my Dad had this fantastic Encyclopedia Britannica Atlas when I was a child (maroon leather bound) and I used to flip through it all the time, dreaming up travel adventures and memorising the capital cities of each country. Major map nerd, no? You can imagine how thrilled I was when I picked up the latest Frankie Magazine and found it contained this beautiful illustrated map. Not sure where I’ll put it yet but it’s purrrdy.
2. Farmers Markets
Crisp and crunchy Pink Lady apples, deliciously fresh bread, tomatoes that taste like tomatoes should, sweet, juicy, delectable pineapples. These are just a few of the reasons I love going to our local Farmers Markets at Palm-Beach/ Currumbin. The difference in how long the produce lasts in our fridge compared with the fruit and vege offerings of the large supermarket chains is phenomenal. A packet of lettuce we buy from the supermarket is normally rendered “unusable” (read: soggy) after three days, but we find that the lettuce from the growers markets (where you can literally taste the nutrients bouncing out onto your tongue!) will last us at least a week, if not longer. Can’t argue with that! The markets also have this awesome village vibe going on that we love – live music playing, face-painting for little ones and of course, plenty of coffee carts to satisfy the caffeine-lover in your life (hello Ramai!)
3. Breathtaking travel photos
Wow. Wow. Wow. These photos from The Coolhunter of Norway/ China/ India/ Norway pretty much left me speechless… and desperate to book a trip overseas. Anywhere. Thinking we need to start planning our honeymoon soon so we have a big trip to look forward to. Travel (or even thinking about travel) makes me so so so ridiculously happy! Thankfully we have four days in Melbourne coming up in a few weeks, which is going to be rad, lots of fun things on the agenda already!
4. Fashion Illustrations (and The Lane!)
I continue to be inspired by the gorgeous wedding website The Lane. The site is seriously a daily feast for the eyes and the recent guest post by Sybil Steele (the genius that directed their awe-inspiring L’Amant short fashion film) on fashion illustrations has definitely been one of my favourites yet!
If you love pretty things (who doesn’t?!), I highly recommend you make today the day you head over to The Lane to swoon over their reams of stunning inspiration for stylish brides. Karissa and the team have impeccable taste, and that sense of style is the thread woven through everything they do, including their newly launched event styling services.
Oh and one more thing – I finally finished off my entry for The Lane’s Dream Wedding Competition yesterday so I’d be forever grateful if you could cross all your fingers and toes for me! It was so fun to pull together all my inspiration for our big day, I can’t wait for May 2012 to roll around! Which leads me to….
5. My amazing fiance
I’m so excited to marry this gorgeous soul next year because he makes me smile this big all the time. Because he writes me love letters and has the most beautiful heart of anyone I’ve ever met. Because he’s funny, brilliant, insanely generous, thoughtful, a fantastic listener, a font of positivity. But mostly, I love this guy with every inch of my being because his number one goal in life is to be happy and to ensure the people around him are happy. And I think it goes without saying – I’m one very happy (and lucky!) girl. xx
6. Reading
I love books. Love them! My parents started me reading very early and I haven’t stopped since. I can get quite obsessive when I’m into a good book – walking around the house with it in one hand while I get ready for work in the morning, sneaking a few pages in on my lunch break, staying up far too late to read “just one more chapter.” I adore biographies, books on positivity and living your dream life, nutrition/ health manuals and books on writing, which is why I’m loving Natalie Goldberg’s seminal book “Writing Down the Bones” at the moment. I’m actually quite surprised I haven’t read it before now. It’s one I’ve had on my list for years but had never gotten around to reading; however, I do believe books find you when you’re meant to read them and the timing couldn’t be better for reading this one now.
I’m still in “love/hate” mode with reading books on my iPad – love the concept and cost-effectiveness, but I miss the feeling of having an actual hard copy tome in my hands. We have two bookshelves in our bedroom and I love looking at my collection with their colourful covers and beautiful typography. You don’t get that with an e-book! I think I’ll go back to buying paper books and just use the iPad for when we travel.
Just on books, have you ever used Goodreads? What are you reading at the moment – send any good recommendations through! PS: how amazing is Karl Lagerfeld’s book collection in the image above? JEALOUS!
+ I have to say, I’m totally loving pulling these lists together each week – so rewarding! Reflecting back on all the things that have brought a smile to my face in the week prior is so good for the soul.
+ Your turn, tell me in the comments what’s on your love list!
i love that photo of you both, look super happy and sweet together, congrats, those travel images are stunning, were is that clear gorgeous blue water, stunning!
Thanks so much Marissa! There’s a funny story behind that photo actually — we had our camera on the tripod (with a remote in hand) and accidentally pressed the remote about a million times thinking it wasn’t working. Then the camera went BANANAS so this was snapped as we were cracking up laughing, trying to work out if it was taking the pics properly or not! We seriously got about 100 random shots – we’re a bit special, haha! The blue water is in China which I was a bit surprised to find out, how amazing is it? Thanks so much for stopping by xx
Thanks Marissa, appreciate your comment! And Rach, thanks for making ME so happy, I love you and your kind words.
Rach those photos of the Farmers Markets are amazing – and I could not agree more, there is nothing more revitalising than my weekly trip to the Farmers Markets at West End (Bris) every Saturday. The vibrant colours and amazing smells from all that beautiful produce, freshly baked bread (and a few delish treats) make for the best clean slate start to the weekend. I feel it that re-connects me with nature and health and wellbeing. LOVE xx
Ramai: Love you! x
Liz: Thank you pretty lady — I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts of the markets. So nice to have a little ritual that sets the tone for a healthy, happy weekend and week ahead xx
*I LOVE that today is the day I find out whether bubba number two is a boy or a girl!! I am so lucky!!!!
*I LOVE that we have left over spag bol for dinner tonight…it always taste so much yummier the next day!!!! : )
*I LOVE that on Saturday night we will be celebrating a girlfriends birthday over dinner and wines!
Love form Mary!
xxx
Mary: I LOVE LOVE LOVE your list!! xxx
Another awesome list, Rach! The farmers market down @ Palmy/Currumbin is my usual stomping ground on the weekend too – makes me feel so happy and good to be surrounded by such lovely food and happy people!
If you’re after some amazing reads, I recommend the following books…I’ve been devouring books for the last 2 weeks since I started uni holidays (a nice break from textbooks!) and I have to say, they are all fabulous and should be enjoyed with a hot pot of tea!
1. The Bride Stripped Bare – Anon.
2. Before I Go to Sleep – S.J. Watson
3. Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen
4. The Other Hand – Chris Cleave
5. Unbearable Lightness – Portia De Rossi
Hope you feel better soon xxx
Shanny: Thanks for your lovely comment, hopefully I’ll run into you at the markets soon. I’ve read 2 out of the 5 books you recommended but will check out the others after I finish the Natalie Goldberg book… thank you so much! xx
Love your list… and you need to stop with the travel photos – making me want an overseas adventure at a time when it really isn’t possible ;)
I loooove farmers markets! The Bundall racecourse ones are fabulous too, bustling and full of energy (and closer to my end of the coast), but the ones at Southport Sharks are super close to home, small and easy, and one million times better and more fun than the grocery store!
My love list:
Holidays and the freedom that comes with waking up to a day with no plans.
Op shops – the joy of the hunt and the treasures and bargains discovered.
Cooking and eating wholesome and fresh veggo food.
Having my boy by my side – I am so lucky that we have the opportunity to go through our uni degree together!
Very committed of you to do a weekly list – I couldn’t keep up with my monthly one, time flies so fast!! :)
Jasmine: Awesome love list! YAY for uni holidays and double YAY that you and your love get to study/ have holidays at the same time… I want to hear all about your op shop finds! I’m craving a random road trip with op shop hunting along the way! Thanks for your comment lovely xx
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