Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts

Saturday, 16 November 2013

living heavy//travelling light














Hello again.

Excuse, if you will, the chorus of crickets that have consumed this blog these last few months.
Truth be told, I almost never made my way back here and even now it feels a little like I'm trying on an old dress that doesn't quite fit any more.

For a while there it seemed like life and it's wicked sense of humor had been pulling some of it's best moves to trip me up and send me out of step with the music. I let a few key events get the better of me until I literally stooped beneath the sad & sorry personal rain cloud I was totin'.

My bad run culminated in the death of my beloved Nana Kitty on Sunday who was, and will ever be, my hero. 

Coming back to Ireland for the funeral has slid all of my bad luck into a new perspective and I realize that any heart sickness I might feel now will somehow, over time, evolve into the footnote to a new, and happier, tale.

During a particularly rotten week when I was ready to crack some skulls my family whisked me away with them for a few days in Weymouth on the South coast of England. It's incredible what a dose of sea breeze, fresh, salty lungfuls of air and several rounds of tea and crab sandwiches can do for the bluest of the blues.

So here's to wiping the slate clean, picking myself up after yet another tumble, and finding comfort in old dresses.




Thursday, 29 August 2013

surfs up!








Here are just a few iPhone shots I took during my road trip to Cornwall with Free People last weekend!
I kinda rued never getting my driver's license because the minute I saw the turquoise VW camper the girls had rented I wanted to hop behind the wheel and drive it straight into the sunset! What an awesome set of wheels!!
The trip was a total blast and I had such a great time making lots of memories, sunburnt noses and shoulders, and a few awesome new friends along the way.
Full guest post coming very soon over on the BLDG blog.
I'll keep you posted >.<



I'm so glad that you're here! Why not hitch your wagon to Stars in Jars?
>.<




Thursday, 22 August 2013

free people road trip



Let me see....spectacles, testicles, wallet+ watch.

Ok, I think I have everything >.<
No sooner have I arrived here in London and I'm hitting the road again!
I could have done cartwheels on the moon when this exciting opportunity came up a few weeks ago.
To celebrate their UK launch, clothing brand Free People are hosting a weekend long road trip to the pretty seaside town of Newquay in Cornwall... and they invited me to come down and cover the event for their blog!

Wild stories of VW camper vans, live music and beach yoga classes have my heart skipping beats and I'll probably burst with excitement on the train down there today. To even be asked is such a huge honour and I'm stoked that this brand are launching in my homeland~ I love losing myself in their collections, they always stir the wildness in me.

If you fancy following the fun in Cornwall this weekend you can do so on instagram: #fproadtrip

Back soon!
(with sand in my jorts probably ^.^)

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

mi casa













A little peek inside my new Chiswick residency!
 I can't tell you how good, and grown up, it feels to live in an an actual house again. After years of living in tiny Korean studio apartments and my room in my parent's home, to have so much delicious living space is kinda rocking my world right now.

I'm slowly adding twigs and feathers to my new nest. My bedroom is a work in progress, I've had a blissful few days re-watching Girls season 1 + 2 on the laptop while slowly unpacking and decorating. I'll be doing an IKEA run tomorrow to pick up some furnishings and doo dads to bring it all together and make it my own. All these months of pinning home decor will finally be put to good use as I'm full of ideas!



Hey! Did you vote for Stars in Jars to win the Free People UK Guest Blogger competition yet?
I was overjoyed to be selected for the final three and I sure would appreciate your vote!




Friday, 16 August 2013

oh lovely readers...I need you!


My heart did ten back flips when I discovered Stars in Jars made it to the top three in the Free People UK Guest Blogger competition this week!!!

I submitted this post into the competition and then didn't give it a second thought so to be told I made the final 3 was so joyful! 

The next stage of the competition is to rack up the most votes. I just took a peek and I am trailing WAY behind the other two finalists haha!! 
Their posts are stellar though so muchos kudos to them >.<

If you, lovely readers, could take two seconds to click on the link below and vote for Stars in Jars today you will receive one sparkly unicorn and a magical rainbow cape in the post tomorrow.

Not really, but you will have made one girl very happy ^.^

Go team!!





I'm so glad that you're here! Why not hitch your wagon to Stars in Jars?
>.<

Monday, 12 August 2013

link party ♢ weekly wishes #6


...time has run away with me, in just three short days I will be boarding a plane that will fly me into the next phase of my life. Eeshk!
I'm going to be a Londoner again and my heart could burst I'm that excited.

Today is a flurry of folding and packing, checking off lists and re-organizing piles.
And for making big decisions on what is important enough to bring and what can be let go of and left behind.... both literally and symbolically.

I've decided to dedicate today's weekly wishes link up to a few affirmations for 'London V.2'~ just a little contract with myself that will help me make the absolute most of this move and avoid returning down paths best left in my past:

△ Be a present participant, not a passive observer of my own life~ looking back over the past couple years I recognize that there have been times, moments and events which I have not taken an active part in and enjoyed to their fullest potential. By continually practising mindfulness I won't be a passive participant any longer, instead I'll make an effort to be present and active in each precious moment.

△ Keep one eye on my heart and one ear on my soul~ I've learnt the hard way that ignoring something that your soul is screaming for doesn't lead to anywhere good. We have a little inner guru working away inside of us that only has our best interests at heart. It's tricky to tap into what he's telling us at times but it's a necessary tool and well worth the practise.

△ Cultivate connections: friendship, communication, intimacy, conversation. All are vital to happiness and sense of self worth. Don't ever neglect them or shut them out. 
& don't be afraid to reach out, there'll always be someone there to hear you, whether you believe it or not.

△ "Change is a present activity, not a future event"~ This motivational quote has helped me no end in these last few months of healing and growth. These are words to live by and draw from in those moments when I just feel like phoning it in. 


Thanks again to the inspirational Mel for this wonderfully motivational link-up~ the posts I've written for them have unwittingly ended up being some of the most cathartic and therapeutic posts I've written!
Her blog is also a massive resource for positivity, honesty and self love. 
Go check The Nectar Collective and get your own spoon of honey!


Wanna join the party every Monday?
Click below!

The Nectar Collective


Hitch your wagon to Stars in Jars!

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Friday, 2 August 2013

⋙⋙⋙currently⋙⋙⋙

                                                                                  
⋙⋙⋙ planning⋙⋙⋙





Sometimes it feels like my life is a non-stop cycle of packing and unpacking suitcases!
I remember around ten years ago when I first caught the travel bug an aunt of mine told me she can' t ever imagine me settling down in one spot and that I'm destined to roam the planet living a nomadic existence. 
I'm pretty sure 21 year old Louise  cocked an eyebrow at her at the time but looking back on my twenties and forward to my future I realize...aunties can be the wisest of sages!

I've spent the last ten years drifting between England, South East Asia, India, South Korea and Ireland. 
Right now, at the grand ol' age of 30,  I'm thirsty for a lick of stability so I'm packing my suitcases (once again!) and heading back to lay down some roots in my old stomping grounds in London.

Truth be told I can't wait to nest there for a little while. Forever's a scary word...who wants to know where they'll be at forever? But for now, this is what I want and what I need.
So for now it's folding and packing and last minute visits and a head swimmy with to-do lists.
I can't wait to post a tour of my new West London digs!
T minus 13 days. Ack!


⋙⋙⋙ listening⋙⋙⋙

To a bit of this + a bit of that.
Old, new, borrowed, blue.
Here's a tiny collection of songs that have seen me through the summer. Why not have a listen while I introduce you to some gorgeous gals?

                                                      ear candy 13 by louloubelle on Grooveshark


⋙⋙⋙ reading⋙⋙⋙

I'm donning my matchmaker hat to share some of my current favourite blog reads with you today.
Some are new finds and some are tried and true...all are worth a visit and a nice comment from a new reader ^.^


1.  Suzy Krause + the Skyscrapers// this one's a new read for me but I just love Suzy already! She's a blonde Norwegian with constellations in the freckles on her arms. Now why did I never think to describe mine that way?! Suzy's a snappy writer and I really enjoyed her post about New Yorks' soundtrack.

2. Stylonylon// Another new love. I am just besotted with Julia's style aesthetic (can you believe she had a baby recently, just look at that bod!)  Julia and I have both entered posts into the Free People UK Guest Blogger competition and I adored reading Julia's entry introducing her cool neighbourhood
First stop Clapton after I get back!!

3. Nishaantishu// I can't remember how I stumbled across Freya's darling blog but I am so glad that I did. An ex-pat Bermudan living in North London with her boyfriend, she paints such a beautiful picture of her surroundings and I've loved viewing my home city anew through her fresh eyes. I can't wait to meet up with this lovely lady when I move back over!
  Are you a tea lover? Freya has a  fantastic tea giveaway that is ending today so go get your entry in now!

4. Lost Boys + Lovers//  Sadie has fast become one of my favourite people on the internet. Such beauty, style and presence. I've loved following her story online from her recent move, to her vintage clothing business ventures, to motherhood to her recent 28-day whole foods cleanse. Such an inspiration! 

5. Whit B Nimble// I met Whitney back in South Korea where we were both English teachers. Since leaving South K I've loved keeping up with her adventures back home in the U.S, road tripping across the Southern States with her boyfriend Angelo and her new adventures working at the Grand Canyon. Each post is such a lovely little picture story. She also posts wonderful instagram photos!

6. The Fox, Frugal// I've had the best time rummaging around in Jen's archives since discovering her blog just the other day.  She has such a pretty life "making dreamcatchers, memories and music in the heartland." 
Also her wedding was to die for! Say hi to Jen today!


⋙⋙⋙ eating⋙⋙⋙



Here's a peek at my "balanced" diet lately. Lunch today was berries, yoghurt, a power smoothie of raspberries, cucumber and coconut water... and a pastry. For balance!


⋙⋙⋙ watching⋙⋙⋙



This haunting little indie film stayed with me long after I watched it and left me with a lot of questions (which is something I love in movies)



Sound of My Voice is about a journalist and his girlfriend who go undercover to join a cult whose leader claims she is from the future. Low-budget but beautifully shot with genuinely moving moments, I highly recommend this!

⋙⋙⋙ writing⋙⋙⋙

*ahem*
Let me direct you to this gif which verily sums up what has happened any time I attempted to write this summer....


I don't think summer is my creative season...too many distractions! 
I'll try again in autumn >.<


⋙⋙⋙ learning⋙⋙⋙

{{source}}


Today I'm linking up with:
High Five for Friday @ Lauren Elizabeth


Hitch your wagon to Stars in Jars!!



Monday, 29 July 2013

link party ♢ weekly wishes #5

{{image source}}
Sometimes I wish I could hammer a nail into the centre of my forehead and wear a sign there that reads "Work in progress". 

Thanks to Melyssa's lovely link-up I've been reminding myself daily that it's really ok to trip up and fall down, to muddy my cheeks and scuff up my boots. It's the striving for better-ness along the way that counts. I don't believe that a 'perfect' human being exists, rather our whole lives are one big never-ending journey of self-improvement.

Last time I posted my 'Weekly Wishes' I said I wanted to focus on strengthening my heart chakra by practising forgiveness, love, contentedness and yoga.
Two weeks flitted by and I thought I did pretty good; I bit my tongue when I got frustrated with my parents, I offered to hang out with my young cousins while they are on summer vacation when I would rather have had a Woody Allen marathon, I made concious efforts to put my own convenience to one side in order to make others around me happy.

So far, so "pat me on the back for ain't I good".

Yesterday morning I received my first negative comment.
A lady posted a comment telling me she couldn't finish reading because of my "foul language" and that I wasn't her "cup of tea".
I was stung.... embarrassed, hurt, angry, ashamed. 
 My knee-jerk reaction was "oh my god I've offended someone and the evidence is all over my dirty little blog for all to see...delete, delete, DELEEEETE!"
I deleted her comment and enabled comment moderation for the first time ever. I basically did everything short of running and hiding under my duvet while at the same time telling myself I'd done the right thing by ignoring her and getting rid of any evidence that there could possibly be someone out there who might not dig me or my blog.

But, as the day went on the comment and my reaction to it stuck in my throat like a bad taste. I couldn't shake it.
I started to wonder if I really had done the right thing.
 Was I really being honest with myself by deleting the comment, or my readers for that matter? Is the best response to negativity or criticism to run and hide from it? Was this the reaction of a strong, assertive, self loving person?
No, no...no.

I wish I could go back and un-delete that comment. Deal with it in some other manner or thank her for her honesty, even!
I shouldn't place so much importance on what one person thinks of me or on the impression I want to make on a lot people I don't even know.
 This is my space, my creative outlet. I can write well written and meaningful posts or sloppy posts or drop the occasional S-bomb here and there if I feel so inclined and not expect rainbows to be shot up my ass by every single person who finds themselves reading. 
And I refuse to edit myself! This is me. I can swear and belch AND write about my spirituality and self-improvement at the same time. I won't hide what I'm about and I'll make no apologies. 
I can't please everyone.
 And that's okay.

This is my new promise to myself: Don't shy away from criticism, face it head on and take it on the chin like a bad-ass.


Now, I'm off to disable my comment moderation ^.^


Wanna join the party every Monday?
Click below!


The Nectar Collective

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

What She Ate// Baker's Choice







Chai Tea Coconut Scones

I was almost dreading the approach of this week's 'What She Ate' theme. The tropical conditions that have overcome this wet little country have knocked us all for six. It's all we can do to peel ourselves away from the sun loungers outside these days and the dogs seem to have attached themselves to the cool porcelain of the mantelpiece in the living room, startled by the immense heat.

Just as the thought of baking anything was starting to become unbearable to me today, it happened... as if by magic, the sky darkened and the storm clouds rolled in. 
For me there is no better excuse  for hot, buttery scones and tea than a wet cozy afternoon stuck indoors.

I adapted this scone recipe from a vegan recipe I found online. My recipe isn't strictly vegan though as I had to tweak here and adjust there to make do with what we had in our kitchen cupboards. 
I also tossed in a few little 'extras' for added yumminess ^.^

Ingredients
(makes 9 scones)
~ 2 cups flour
~ 1 tsp baking powder
~ 1/2 cup butter
~ 1/2 tsp sea salt
~ 1/2 cup dessicated coconut
~ 1 cup chai tea (soak 2 chai teabags in boiling water, I used the Twinings variety)
~1 tbsp flaxseed
~1/4 cup maple syrup
~ 1/4 cup honey
~ 1/3 cup brown sugar
~ 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
~ 1tsp vanilla extract
~ ground walnuts
~ roughly chopped Lindt coconut chocolate
~ toffee yoghurt

method
~ Heat oven to 400 F/ 200 C
~ In a large bowl mix flour, coconut, salt and baking powder.
~ Add butter and mix with fingers until dry ingredients are coated.
~Brew tea in a measuring jug and add flax seed, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, vinegar and vanilla.
~ Pour wet ingredients into large bowl and stir with spoon.
~ Fold in ground walnuts and chocolate, knead lightly and roll into a ball.
~ Place dough ball in fridge for 20 minutes.
~ Remove dough and roll out onto floured surface, using a cutter cut 9 scones and place them on a floured baking sheet.
~ Brush each scone lightly with a little toffee yoghurt to make a sweet glaze on them.
~ Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes.



I was tempted to serve these with a glass of chai tea but I reckon it is possible to have too much of a good thing so I opted for a mug of regular tea the size of my own head instead!

These turned out delicious despite the fact they are semi vegan and I am more used to my Mom's scones baked in the good old fashioned Irish-style with eggs and milk as well as butter. These had a very delicate chai tea flavouring but you could definitely make it out (I'd probably use 3-4 teabags next time though) and the maple syrup and brown sugar with the walnuts gave them an almost flapjack-like flavour. 

Please share if you ever give these a try, I'd love to hear how they turned out for you!
Now, how about have a peek at the other 'Baker's Choice' editions this week:

I'll be back with another 'What She Ate' on August 9th with the them 'At the Farmer's Market'~ I can't wait for that one!

x