This last year I’ve embarked on a paleo journey of sorts, and it feels so good I just can’t go back. I just keep delving further in to a healthier and better way to do food and living, and keep finding more ways to shop and eat that are really beneficial, not only for me, but for others too. (more…)
Most people in blog-land have probably communicated their thoughts about the new year already. I’ve taken a month to formulate mine…. and a crazy month its been. It really does feel like 2013 is a year of change, not just for me and my family, but for lots of people around us too.
I’ve been pondering what to include in this blog this year, I love good healthy food, interesting design and the odd spattering of inspiration and thats the dominating content, but I have some other things burning in my heart that I want to get out.
You see, I’m a bit passionate about seeing people doing things that they love, or really want to do. I believe that every human is made with a purpose, and that to be truly content, and getting the most out of life, we need to find that purpose. This is a multi faceted philosophy, but the most simple way to talk about this is in the area of career. (I use this term fairly loosely.)
My story is this. I’ve worked for many years in communication, marketing and a bit of graphic design. During December and January I got offered a few opportunities in this area, and so I started on the path to take them up. Partway down the path, I suddenly realised my hypocrisy! I profess this passion for seeing people do what they love to do, yet here I was continuing on a path mediocre. I literally thought to myself…
“How long will I keep doing things I’m only half enjoying, when I know in my heart, I’m meant for other things.”
I have known for a while now that I should be in a more design driven career. I’m obsessed with interiors, furniture, design, colour, problem solving, innovation to make better things, and am constantly coming up with ideas for objects, events and experiences.
So, I jumped! Out of a safe, comfortable chair into a brand new, unworn and slightly uncomfortable chair… Diploma of Interior Design & Decoration. It’s a risk, committing time and money, sacrificing the ability to generate income to contribute to the family with 2 small kids. And although I am an advocate for all things new and exciting, it was a little bit difficult!
Now I feel like I can write about this. I’ve jumped and I want to share a bit of the journey here. But the main thing I want to do this year is find others who have made or are making the jump too. People who are sacrificing in some areas to ensure they are content and purpose driven, people who are just simply enjoying what they do, people who are passionate about making a difference. I’d like to tell some of their stories too. So please keep an eye out for these, if you’re at all interested in making some changes for a more content life.
Happy 2013!
My all time favourite magazine Real Living is having their readers competition. So I thought I’d enter a few photos. I didn’t have as much time as I’d like to sort out the rooms around my house, but did enough to create some beautiful spaces and get some snaps. They were mostly already like this, but I just added in a few of my favourite items and rearranged some things to look a bit stylish.
Most rooms in my house have a combination of something I’ve made, something new, something second hand/vintage style, and some kind of free or super bargain decorative piece. This type of style works well with the old Queenslander house style house we live in. Lots of wood and warm colours make a cosy home!
Loungeroom: The painting is one of mine, and I just grabbed some branches from the tree outside for a natural look with height. My hubby brought home from work the gorgeous wooden Scotch box with a map of Scotland cut out, and the cute wooden chair was from an auction.
Bedroom: We have a lovely 4 poster bed with netting, so I’ve gone with a romantic vintage look with roses, lace and pearls and vintage ads.
Entranceway: One of my favourite things is this interesting wooden shelf I got at an auction for like $10. I think its an old document sorting tray, but makes a really unique shoe rack! I found the piano seat under one of my old houses, and made both the storage box and coffee sack canvas myself.
Crafty shelf: I love love love having an eclectic array of storage vessels. They make a great display as well as being functional for storing bits and pieces. I create the chalkboard storage boxes myself, and have collected many little boxes, suitcases, tins and baskets along the way.
At my mums the other day, we discovered an old Paul doll. If you recall Barbies rival Sindy, you’ll remember her beau Paul. Well, the poor guy was mixed up in some of our old toys naked, with some vicious stab wounds to various parts of his body. I decided to make some paper clothes for him. The clothes didnt turn out that great, but what it reminded me and inspired me to do was make some paper snowflakes! I thought this would be a great idea for easy christmas decor, and I won’t have to spend a cent on this.
You’ll need
Vintage book pages (this is my current favourite thing to try an find uses for)
Scissors
I cut large book pages lengthways, and then fold them into 4, cut some diamond and circles and whatever shapes you like, remember that to make a heart or arrow you cut half the shape in lengthways to get one. Like the trees I’ve done here.
Then I cut the piece down the middle again to make two skinnier ones, and tape them all together to make a string of pretty paper! You can adapt this however you like, and it’s great for kids if you they are of scissor using age!
Have fun!
thefolksylife 