I put a spell on you...

I think I have mentioned here before the wonderful Spell and the Gypsy Well, when we were in Byron Bay recently, we were lucky enough to find their little shop...Abby was so excited, because she is very inspired by their website.

I treated her to a couple of pieces of their clothing, which we put away until Christmas day...

And here are my girls, with Abby wearing her 'Spell' top...she made the little shell necklace from a shell she collected on our travels.

I had the collecting bug too, and scored lots of driftwood to make a mobile for the beach house...

I was also excited to see all the lovely dreamcatchers in the Spell shop...I really enjoy making these for people, and can't wait to begin creating again.

I thought I would leave you with a picture from our Christmas Day...it was a very busy one, celebrated with my family at lunch time, then Ian's for dinner...Phew!

Roadtrip...Part Two

...and then we found paradise! At a beautiful national park called Jervis Bay, we encountered one of the most beautiful beaches I'd ever seen. There were wallabies and kangaroos along the rainforest path to the beach, which opened up onto this amazing view...I could have stayed here for days. The water was crystal clear, and the sandy, squeaky white. The perfect place to take a dip and just 'be'...I will definitely be visiting here again one day - sigh.

This gorgeous little village nestled into the countryside is called Tilba Tilba. It is filled with quaint little shops surrounded by cottage gardens. We stopped for a hot chocolate and to do a bit of Christmas shopping.

I couldn't resist snapping a pic of puss relaxing on the porch...even though I don't own a cat, I have always had a soft spot for ginger pusses...

There were lovely little antique shops...we fell in love with the little Noddy car at this one, but resisted the urge to buy...

Our last day was spent in a little fishing hamlet called Eden...so pretty...

We enjoyed a lunch of the freshest seafood, which was delicious. I had the scallops, which were amazing, and Ian had to try the mussels.

I have definitely caught the travel bug, and totally recommend these amazing homes on wheels - in my opinion, the best way to explore the countryside. It literally took 5 minutes to pack up and keep moving if we didn't like somewhere, or wanted to chase the sunshine. We just pulled over when we got hungry and made something to eat, or popped the kettle on for a cuppa.

Ten days really wasn't long enough for such a journey...there were places where I could have stayed much longer, but we only had a small window of time to travel. Next time, we will definitely take more time...oh yes, you can bet there will be a next time!

So well done for hanging in there, if you got to the end of this post! I am looking forward to popping in to see what everyone else has been up to. Happy 2012 my friends...I feel it is going to be an incredible year, and I look forward to sharing with you here...

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...