Roadtrip...Part One

I'm back! Happy new year my beautiful friends! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and an awesome new year! So, remember in my last post (a bazillion years ago) I told you that we went on a most wonderful adventure? Well, finally I am able to share some photos with you...courtesy of my new camera which was a birthday present - lucky me! Probably not so lucky you, because I have so many photos, and not a clue which ones to leave out. I wanted to share with you how beautiful the east coast of Australia is...from the incredibly beautiful beaches to quaint seaside villages and little country towns.  So indulge me, if you will, grab a cuppa (or you may need something stronger) and enjoy our little roadtrip.

We began our journey in the incredibly beautiful Byron Bay, renowned for it's gorgeous beaches and the eclectic folk who call it home. The vibe here is amazing - totally my kind of place. We enjoyed moonlight strolls along the beach, wonderful restaurant meals, dancing in the street to local buskers, and a long walk to the lighthouse, which sits on the eastern most point of Australia.

The day was just perfect for our walk, and we were even treated to the sight of dolphins frolicking below us in the waves. Just magical. Of course I stopped for a little yoga overlooking the ocean!

This is our beautiful home on wheels, which we nicknamed 'Mother Maui'...truly, you realise how very little possessions you need to be happy when you live like this. Why do we complicate our lives with so many 'things' - hmmm, something to ponder!

You just know I had fun playing with my new camera, and checking out the wildlife! Look at this gorgeous bird's nest...now that's what I call recycling at its best...

Only in Byron...Santas on surfboards - I love it!

After Byron Bay (sniff, I really didn't want to leave!) we stopped in a beautiful place called Yamba, and Ian and the girls dared each other to jump off the rock...yours truly chose to just take photos...

I just stood on a rock...I know, I'm a daredevil!

There was always lots of things to look at along the way...

and I just had to stop and buy some jams and chutneys from a little roadside stall for my dad.

Then we had a picnic lunch at this incredible national park, where the sand dunes reminded me of Sex and the City 2, so of course I had to have an impromptu photoshoot, he hee.

Here's another shot of Mother Maui, bless her...and that's Georgia.

and a little friend who watched us while we ate...

Kookaburra in the tree...

Then it was onto Sydney, where we caught a train in a very deserted station...eerie!

To see the Harry Potter exhibition! I have to tell you, Georgia grew up as a HUGE Harry Potter fan - she has read the books and watched the movies a million times. She used to wear the glasses and cloak around the house, and even had a Nimbus 2000 broomstick, made by her friend's dad...when she turned 12, she was most disappointed when she didn't receive a letter to Hogwarts...you get the picture. So, it was a VERY exciting day for all of us.

Then a stroll along Darling Harbour...

And then onto Sydney Harbour for my Birthday Eve drinks...

We spent my birthday at a gorgeous seaside town called Kiama, where we shared a fisherman's basket on the wharf overlooking the ocean.

Enjoying the view...

The blowhole at Kiama

So, I will share the rest of the photos in part two...stay tuned...

The most magical time of the year...

I have been absent from this blog for a loooong time, and I apologise. You see, our computer is completely exhausted...it is full of viruses and we need to replace it. So that means, I haven't really been able to check out all my favourite blogs as often as I'd like, so I hope that everyone is well, and that you are all getting ready to celebrate Christmas with your family and friends.

I have been on the most wonderful adventure this past couple of weeks, and can't wait to tell you all about it (and yes, I have lots of photos!) We took a roadtrip! An adventure of the most wonderful kind...gypsies in a home on wheels, travelling from place to place, stopping wherever our heart desired. It was magical. I have to tell you what a beautiful land this is that I live in - makes me incredibly grateful that I live here. It has only whet my appetite for more travel, and we can't wait to do it again.

This journey began in Queensland, and we made our way down the east coast of New South Wales, Australia, stopping at quaint seaside villages along the way. I promise to share photos as soon as I am able to upload them. While away, I celebrated my 45th birthday at a beautiful town called Kiama. We ate a fisherman's basket and sipped wine, overlooking the ocean. It made me so happy...

So until I am able to sort out my computer issues, I bid you and your families a most magical Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year. May it bring you much love, happiness and magic x

A Magickal Wedding

Yesterday, on the 11/11, we celebrated the beautiful wedding of my dear friends Wendy and Timothy. It was a truly magical evening. We witnessed their handfasting ritual beneath the canopy of a beautiful tree, inside a sacred circle decorated with an abundance of fresh flowers.

As they exchanged their vows, the sun set in quite spectacular fashion over the city skyline. Theirs was a pagan ceremony, and there was most certainly magic in the air, for the timing couldn't have been better.

The sweet scent of the flowers hung in the air, intoxicating with their perfume...a wedding feast of absolute abundance was layed out to share, and we spent the evening lounging on blankets and cushions in the soft grass, except when we were dancing to one of the many incredible artists who played their music into the night. There was a Mariachi Band to begin, then some gypsy music, followed by the divine Wendy Rule herself, treating us to her magical vocals.

Then it was more talent, with Kerri Simpson and Monique Brumby singing together. Afterwards, we enjoyed a Burlesque act, followed by more music and dancing.

At 11.11pm, we had a lovely candlelight ritual...I feel truly blessed to have shared such a wonderful evening with dear friends and family.

Janet, Wendy and I have been friends for 40 years!

The talented groom, Tim made the incredible cupcake holder, complete with Dia de Muertos figures on top.

Everyone looked so beautiful and colourful...

Happy Halloween

Wishing you all a wonderfully magical Halloween...

Celebrate your Gifts

The weeks are flying by, and as the seasons change, I feel a deep metamorphisis within myself. These past few years have been a time of renewal for me...of transformation and growth. The Transpersonal Art Therapy I studied a few years back began the peeling back of many layers. The process was often times painful, but I am at a point in my life now where I feel so alive and appreciative of all that I have experienced, good and bad.

I will not lie to you...it has been very difficult at times. But completely necessary. I was living a life of excess, and knew it was not good for me, or those around me, but I felt trapped and unable to make changes. The insecure person I was was desperate for approval and the need to 'fit in'.

I spent a lot of time alone, but never lonely, exploring my creativity and just enjoying the quiet. I began meditating, taking long walks and, as you know, yoga. I really began to love and honour myself again, and I felt myself growing stronger and stronger.

As I delved deeper into my own truth, I began to find the courage to say no, and to begin to live authentically. Again, not easy, because people as a rule, don't like change - it's too scary, and it forces them to look at their own lives.

As I continue on my journey of self re-discovery (for that is how it feels - coming full circle to my unique essence, with the added bonus of maturity and wisdom which comes from making mistakes and learning from them), I find myself re-connecting with friends from my past, who are like-minded and share the same interests and beliefs.

The beautiful photo above of the peacock in all his majestic glory was taken while catching up with a gorgeous friend who I went to school with, and have not seen in many years. I can honestly say that spending the afternoon with her was wonderful, and the hours flew by talking about the years in between. When the peacock displayed his beautiful tail like that, it was as though he was putting on a show, just for us, and I can't descibe how excited we were!

As we ate our lunch, he sauntered past, and I remarked how his beauty astounded me, and how amazing Mother Nature is. He reminded me of my own gifts which I share with the world, and how it doesn't serve anyone to hide those gifts.

When I first began my blog, I was unsure at first, and a little self-conscious to say the least, but the process of taking photos and blogging has changed my life. Once upon a time, I would never have posted any of my art here, because I always would compare it to someone else's, and I never felt that I measured up. I am happy to say that I have come to a place where I am happy to post my art, knowing full well that it will never make it onto the walls of an art gallery or be sold for thousands of dollars, but it is MY art, so that makes it special, and if it inspires even one person, then my heart is full. 

I hope that my story inspires you to celebrate all of your gifts and to share them with the world. Honour yourself for the amazing person that you are...

...and just because I love em, check out my new red shoes! A gift to myself...hee hee

Below is one of my favourite quotes, given to me by a beautiful friend who I studied Art Therapy with.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,  fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson