I know a lot of extremely talented crafty, arty ladies and I’m a lover of beautiful, unique, make-you-stand-out things. I also love decorating my home with things that make me smile and images that evoke emotion, create mood and that make my home a little Shangri-La way from the world. I decided to put together a little list of things ( featuring such bright, beautiful items as the Wheel of Life art print by Team Kitten – pictured above) that have been rocking my world this year. While ‘having stuff’ and accumulating things isn’t very high on my priority list – I’ll choose awesome experiences any day over material possessions – I do love to surround myself with lovely quality pieces that outwardly expresses my personality and loves to the world. I love decorating myself and living space! I hope you enjoy it. Support independent businesses and artists!

 Rings by Lotus Medes

Sew-Your-Own Sugar Skull cushions by Hungry Designs (Check out my interview with HD’s Amanda Whitelaw)

 Handmade Candy Apple Red Blossom Bobbypin Set by Honey + Hive (Check out my interview with H+H’s Kaelah HoneyBee)

Earrings by Snatch N Feathers

Baby Blue Flowers with Lilac Accents Soft Cup Bra by Purrfect Pineapples (cruelty-free lingerie)

Latex Bows by Abigail Greydanus (Check out my interview with Abi)

The Sayang Purse from LoKoa (Check out my interview with LoKoa’s Brie)

Glimmer & Shimmer by Foxes Cosmetics (Check out my interview with Foxes creator Tina De La Celle)

Handmade Beauty by Diva Zappa Knit Art creations (Check out my interview with Diva)

Crystal Love Necklace by chase.dakota (Check out my interview with c.d creator Sammi)

Betsey Johnson Panther Watch

Woman with White Cross 2 Art by Heather Gabel

A is For Arsenic Taxidermia Collection necklace

Klub Kid Vintage Fanny Packs (Check out my interview with KKV’s Ramdasha)

Lady Alchemy Elektra Cuffs (Check out my interview with LA’s Erin Lee)

MYOB Rest In Peace Pyramid Earrings from Patricia Field

Velvet Pins Sweet Poncho (Check out my interview with VP co-creator Catherine Maddin)

 The Art of Carolina Echeverri (Check out my interview with Carolina)

 What treasures have been rocking your world this year?

 Wishing you all Happy Holidays! 

Last night independent Gold Coast store Sneak & Destroy (which has the goods if you’re looking for quality sneakers, clothing, hats, toys, decks and random cool things) in partnership with Vans presented One Offs II – an evening for emerging and professional artist’s to showcase their talents by producing a ‘OneOff’ custom design on classic sneaker silhouette – at Comb Gallery, Coolangatta with a party at Neverland Bar following. There was so much awesomeness! I can’t wait for the next one! My favourites of the night were by Team Kitten (pictured above)!

Kid 9

Kiel Tillman

Nick Chalmers

Layla Knight

Dane Williams

The Blind Kid

Claudio Kirac

Shida

Squidtank

You can check out photos of the first One Offs here.

Support local business and artists!!

Create Forever!

If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when? ~Rabbi Hillel

We tend to define ourselves by the roles that we play in life and base our decisions on the expectations associated with those roles.

We define ourselves by our relationships (e.g. I am a loving daughter/son, I am a single mother/father, I am a wife/husband, I am a best friend), groups we are a part of (e.g. I am a Buddhist, I am a New York Yankees supporter, I’m a punk, I’m a hip hopper), our geographical location (e.g. I’m an Australian, I’m a Californian, I’m a New Yorker) and by our practices (e.g. I am vegetarian/vegan, I’m a golfer, I’m a painter). While these things all represent different aspects of us they are not who we are at the ultimate core of our being.

You can change your job, you can move cities, change relationships, your ideas, your wants (desires) but who you are at your core is perpetual without beginning or end. It’s the one thing that is with us for life. You can’t get away as much as you try (ha!) I believe that who you are at your core can never be lost completely… despite how much we try to bury ourselves under ‘stuff’ or activities we distract ourselves with.

I came across an exercise in one of my favourite books: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga by my man Deepak Chopra which has helped me get to the core of it all, of myself. It’s helped me think about and understand who I really am and what I really want. It’s helped give me a solid platform, a starting point to take off from whatever the destination.

Deepak asks us to ask three questions that are essential to ask ourselves:

1) Who am I?
2) What do I want?
3) How can I serve?

I thought I’d share the exercise with y’all here. Hope it’s helpful! Here goes:

Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed for a few moments. Sit down, close your eyes, start with some slow deep breaths, and settle into the awareness of your heart area. At around 15 second intervals ask yourself, who am I? Who am I really? At first you may get answers like the above mentioned. Keep asking yourself over and over until answers arise for deeper within. Then repeat the exercise asking the other two questions.

I’ve found that this exercise has help raise my awareness on so many levels. It’s something super easy that anyone can do regardless of religion, cultural background etc. I dare you to try it ;)

“My philosophical belief in life is that we have a meaning and a purpose for being here. All of what we do is important to drive towards that purpose. That comes from a spiritual place. It’s not necessarily a God or set of laws that’s in a scripture. We have an obligation to do our best and reach our goals that were meant for us… Everything I do is part of my purpose or meaning in life. That’s what guides my decisions.”
~Louis Posen, Hopeless & Subcity Records (book extract).

Please take the time to check out the Take Action Tour that Louis has helped create. His work has raised over 2 million dollars and has been donated to over 50 non-profit organizations. We CAN make a difference!

Happy exploration!

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