Finding Inspiration - International Women's Day 8 March 2014

Great gals are my inspiration this week - International Women's Day 8 March

Wild and Precious

365 Grateful

Christmas 2013

I have been interested in the story of Hailey Bartholomew and her photographic book "365 Gratefuls". Her journey was inspired by her effort to fight depression - over the course of a year she took a Polaroid photograph each day of anything that she felt grateful for. Through her project of looking for the good in things she saw her personal life transformed. Hailey posted her images on flickr and her project went viral - having an accidental yet far reaching effect on the lives of many others, some embarking on their own projects. Her work has appeared in newspaper articles, blogs and magazines globally and she is now making a documentary on the extraordinary powers of gratitude.

I cried a big 7 months pregnant cry when I read the Foreward to her photographic journal - having been able to relate to her story at various times in the past. I live a life so full and amazing yet somehow the day to day pressures of being a mother at home with a child and housework and daily chores can be exhausting and soul destroying - as much as it is wondrous and rewarding. I know there are many other women out there who experience the same feelings.

I was so inspired by Hailey's story that I have started my own 365 Gratefuls over the past few days, as a personal experiment. I have noticed a positive shift in my perspective. I have slowed down and focused on details I had not paid attention to. I am more calm and am enjoying the small moments. My first 'grateful' is for Christmas - being able to spend it with my family and my friends.

Wishing you and yours an amazing Holiday Season and New Year 2014 - may you find many things for which to be grateful. 

Shop It Like It's Haute

Shop haute-to-have.com's 3-day Christmas Sale. Starts today. 

MyWitness Personal Safety App

My brother Adam Jones has launched his amazing Personal Safety App - MyWitness. Watch the demo video and download the app.

Om Shanti

I love how relaxing it is practicing yoga while my 2 year old blows the recorder outside the bedroom door.

Coffee With Mary Kay

I recently had a facial makeover with a local woman who is a rep for Mary Kay Cosmetics. In my ignorance I had never heard of the brand but I was totally surprised at how great it made my skin feel - it has been uncharacteristically neglected after two years of motherhood and pregnancy, always being outdoors living on the farm, lack of sleep, dehydration and just general laziness.

As we shared life back-stories over coffee and cosmetics it occurred to me that it wasn’t really about just buying a lipstick, but rather about the female relationships and bonds formed through these events - not so much about making that American Quilt but about personal tales woven like tapestries in between. Steel Magnolias are alive and well and living rural NSW.

This remarkable woman’s story was inspiring and encouraging and reminded me of how grateful we have to be for what we have, even in the face of adversity. It has been a major struggle for me some days living where we do. Lack of culture and convenience aside, it gets bloody lonely. I know that I am not the only person to feel this way simply because I live on a property in the middle of nowhere - more of us are living alone, often in cities, working long hours and feeling a palpable sense of isolation and disconnection. Needing to have some 'tribal bond' is a very primitive and deep rooted part of human nature and perhaps that is what makes us want to reach out. Making friends can be difficult so as much as I have never been a group kinda gal, I have to say that I am thankful for social support networks for bringing people together, offering the hope of friendship and communication, even to have a laugh and possibly enrich someone's daily life just a little. Thanks Mary Kay.

Get your Ghoul on

I am late with my tricks and treats for this year's All Hallows Eve. Thank gawd for my go to home girl Martha Stewart who has some last minute Halloween suggestions for one of my favourite celebrations.

Take the Plunge

Sunday in Thailand

Finally I have been up to something interesting enough to make me want to blog about it. The monotony of being a house frau/farm hand/working Mum has got the better of me lately and I have had a major case of bloggers block. Every time I come up with a literary epiphany I sit down to write and nothing comes out. Who the hell cares about what I am going to say? I have come so close to publishing tips on how to keep a 2 year old occupied and how to braid my bay leaf tree, but, thank the Lord, I have not. At least for now the curse has lifted and we are spared.

It was my partner’s Birthday last month and as a gift to him I booked us a Thai cooking class this past weekend, at Spice I Am in Darlinghurst. He hates curries so it was a gamble, and one which paid off big time as he really enjoyed it. It was one of the best things we have done in a while and a really great way for the two of us to spend a day together without child, learning something new. Sujet Saenkham, Executive Chef and Director of the successful Spice I Am restaurants in Sydney, was so inspiring - his back story is both remarkable and humbling and we loved every second of his class.

There were three dishes on our menu to make – Gaeng Ped Yang - Roast Duck Curry, Som Tum – Green Papaya Salad and Pad Prik Khing Pla – Stir Fried Crispy Fish Fillet. The spice level was enough to send me into an early labour being 4 and a half months pregnant, but they were delicious and simple to cook - given a highly talented Thai chef held our hands through every step, the “Market” table where we gathered all our fresh ingredients was fully prepared for us, and the clean up was non existent due to the amazing staff. And we enjoyed a great glass of wine at the end with our meals we had cooked. I was so spiced up I couldn't even drink all of mine. 

As well as having delicious self made take out for lunch the next day, we have come away ready to build our vegetable patch – with Chillis, Kaffir Limes, Basil, Cherry Tomatoes and Papaya as our starting crop. I also have three new meals to add to my very small repertoire. Guess what we are going to be eating all Summer?