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Via Puck Glass Studio in Poland

Eclectic colourful maximalism design aesthetic

Bright coloured country chic - interior design

I’ve found an approximation of the design style I love and have always instinctively wrapped myself up in – like an old comfy jumper. In terms of clothes, how I decorate homes I’ve lived in, this blog….eclectic maximalism. Not that anybody else would give a s*** really but I’m leaving this here as a note to my future self so that I know how to furnish a home in some faraway place where I will (eventually) become a home owner. 🏡

A Danish flower designer’s home in Copenhagen

Peace and Love Emoticon sculpture Via Murano on ETSY

I think how people choose to decorate their home signifies their approach to life and their personality.

Below is the orange velvet modular sofa of my dreams. A 1970’s Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda sofa or perhaps would one that could fit into a cosy semi-circle in a sunken loungeroom type scenario.

And a blown glass chandelier just to make it more glam and bougie in the loungeroom

Bougie chandelier by Murano on ETSY

There’s a rebellious part of me that never cared what others were doing or wanted to follow trends because I just wanted to find things that pleased me personally, make me happy and felt right, even if other people find me or how I live a bit weird, extra or OTT. I collected a lot of small things that are strongly linked to a beautiful memory or moment or a person or place I love. I now have a lot of things that when I look at them are steeped in meaning and memory. I always fall in love with others who are like that too…who understand the need to be that way…it’s something inside of me that I can’t help.

What style do you like and most identify with in terms of how you dress or decorate your surroundings? Let me know below.

Here’s a song to go with it by Cocteau Twins, their music is so cosy, dreamy and romantic.

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #131

This week, a peaceful quote from Buddhist monk Joan Halifax, a yummy coconut rice recipe, a lesson in enchantment from René Magritte, an encouraging possum and more, it’s edition #131 of Interesting Things! Welcome friends…

When we walk slowly, the world can fully appear. Not only are the creatures not frightened away by our haste or aggression, but the fine detail of fern and flower, or devastation and disruption, becomes visible. Many of us hurry along because we do not want to see what is really going on in and around us. We are afraid to let our senses touch the body of suffering or the body of beauty

Joan Halifax

Ottolenghi’s coconut rice with peanut crunch

Go ahead and blow your own hair back with this amazing combo of coconut, rice and peanuts!

In search of Japanese Indigo

Japan Blue or Japanese Indigo is one of those colours that I am hugely attracted to. Here a traditional expert craftsman Mr. Kensuke Yamamura’s Aizome Kasuri Kobo, who specialises in creating natural indigo dyed, hand-woven kasuri talks about his making process.

Why emotions like anger, sadness, boredom and anxiety are actually helpful to us

angry gif philosophy - sad anger depression

Once evoked, anger is associated with a “readiness for action,” and your thinking focuses on the obstacle.

If nothing in your current situation is worth responding to, the aversive experience of boredom can motivate you to seek new situations or change the way you’re thinking.

Once evoked, anxiety is associated with being prepared to respond to danger, including increased physical arousal and attention to threats and risk.

Sadness brings thinking that is more detailed and analytical. It makes you stop and think. The benefit of the stopping and thinking that comes with sadness is that it helps people recover from failure.

Via The Conversation

Mesmerising artisans who make Venetian glass

Extremely relaxing and almost impossible to look away.

“Enchantment is the oldest form of medicine.” ~ Carl G. Jung

Sixteenth of September (1956) by René Magritte

“Growing from the earth to the sun, a tree is an image of certain happiness. To perceive this image we must be immobile like the tree. When we are moving, it is the tree which becomes the spectator. It is witness, equally, in the shape of chairs, tables and doors, to the more or less agitated spectacle of our life. The tree, having become a coffin, disappears into the earth. And when it is transformed into fire, it vanishes into air.”
René Magritte

The enchanting Scottish Borders via Love This Land on Mastodon

The Scottish Borders are also beachy, windswept and wild. And a sunny day in Scotland is as rare as hen’s teeth, but when it is sunny the place comes alive in bright green, blue and red heather. I like the name ‘Borders’ because it hints towards the place being the borderland to an unseen world. I found these pics on Mastodon. It makes me long to go back there, Scotland is a place to me that always felt like home.

Dressing as a member of the Tudor royal household

Leader versus Boss: an infographic

I know which one I prefer. One is motivating, respectful and kind the focused on other people the other is demotivating, negative and focused on themselves. In all fairness, it can be hard to focus on other people and to keep people feeling motivated and happy – this is harder than it looks. Via Cool Guides on Reddit

Ad Parnassum by Paul Klee (1932)

Paul Klee’s 1932 painting Ad Parnassum is considered a masterpiece and stands as a pinnacle of his pointillist artistry and meticulous craftsmanship. He drew inspiration from his journey to Egypt in 1928-1929, Klee masterfully constructs a vibrant color field from individually stamped dots and lines, culminating in a striking pyramid crowned by the sun.

“Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage: it can be delightful.”
~ George Bernard Shaw

MOY – Forest Dungeon

A crunchy and funky tech house number.

Positive Possum believes in you

See his tiny balled fists?! The moral of the story is….it doesn’t matter how tiny your fists are…it only matters how hard you clench them!! So try harder and do it! DO THE THING!

Did you enjoy this collection? let me know what you think of it below. Thank you for reading my dear friends!

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Comforting thought: A 10th century Japanese poem about courage

Although the wind
Blows terribly here
the moonlight also leaks
between the roof planks
of this ruined house
~ Izumi Shikibu, 10th Century Japanese poet

Short film: Celestial wonders in downtown London

Remember that if you wall up your house too well you will stay dry, but you will stay moonless. We should strive to let the world into our lives, let love into our lives, let other people into our lives and let the night of risk and vulnerability into our lives. Our knowing and our fear keep out the moonlight. By letting the moonlight into our ruined house, we let in tenderness, courage and healing. ~ Joan Halifax. ‘Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet.

Exquisite Japanese paintings of an enchanted forest by Hirō Isono (1945-2013)

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Travel: A floaty late summer serenade in Munich 2008

Walking through a majestic and manicured gardens in Munich I heard a delicate and heartfelt serenade on the violin from a faraway stone rotunda. I walked there and took a seat among two people who appeared in a stupor of enjoyment. They were both sitting in the late afternoon sun, lulled into a dream by the beautiful music and inhabiting their own worlds entirely. It was a peaceful moment.

Cycling adventures at dusk in Wrocław

Wrocław is a little city which has the feel of a large town and isn’t as overcrowded as some of the bigger and more populous Polish cities. At various times in history, Wrocław has been engulfed in Bohemia, Hungary, the Austrian Empire, Prussia, and Germany. So this place has a very mixed and cosmopolitan feel.

In 2015, the Mercer survey of the Best City to live, ranked Wrocław within its top 230, the only city in Poland to be included in that ranking. In 2016, Wrocław was named as the European Capital of Culture and the World Book Capital. I visited this beautiful city in 2016 and then again 2019.

South-west Poland is mostly flat and the infrastructure for cyclists is pretty good here. There are safe pathways snaking through the city and along the Odra and its tributaries. You can also cycle past farmland and pretty poppy fields leading into the city. You can easily and quite safely commute around here on bike.

I found the bike paths on the side of the Odra particularly appealing, because there were bars and cafes along the route and cathedrals, old Renaissance-era buildings with a climbing vines and everywhere verdant green foliage. It was the most romantic cycling trip I think I’ve ever done.

A Week in Wrocław: City of Vibrant Culture and Beautiful Secret Hang-Outs

Looking over the Odra river

Bridges of Wrocław

The Grunwald Bridge is probably the most beautiful in Wrocław and was designed in 1908-1910. Before World War II, Wrocław had 303 bridges. Nowadays there are 100 bridges and 33 gangways remaining.

This unique number of bridges is because of the idiosyncratic geography. The city is the meeting point of the rivers of Oder, Ślęza, Widawa, Bystrzyca, Dobra and a dozen or so streams. Along with this, there are 25 islands in the city.

Almost all of these bridges are cyclable, although they vary in the amount of car and pedestrian traffic they have, and so some are more difficult to navigate than others. Also, as it’s a medieval city – expect that your bike will shudder over cobble-stones and uneven brick roads on these little wee bridges. Although this is more of an enjoyable quirk of the place. The view from these old bridges and islands onto the Odra and cathedrals is incredibly breathtaking and I recommend doing this as the sun goes down. If you go on a week night during summer there will be less tourists and you may even have the back alleys to yourself.

Here are some more bridges that you should put on your list for a cycling or walking trip through the city.

Besides the Grunwald and Rędzin Bridges, the following bridges are also worthwhile to see:

Zoo Bridge (Most Zwierzyniecki)
Tumski Bridge (Most Tumski leading to Ostrów Tumski)
Sand Bridge (Most Piaskowy)
Mill Bridges (Mosty Młyńskie)
Freedom Bridge (Most Pokoju), Szczytniki Bridge (Most Szczytnicki)
Jagiellonian Bridges (Mosty Jagiellońskie)
Warsaw Bridges (Mosty Warszawskie)
Pomeranian Bridge (Most Pomorski)
University Bridge (Most Uniwersytecki)

I’ve read a lot of moaning online about how the cycling paths in Wrocław aren’t that good if you compare them to Denmark or Germany – however I’m comparing them to the ones we have here in New Zealand, and the bike paths were still far better there. You can find out more about cycling in Wrocław and bike hire here and here.

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Via cool guides on Reddit

10 things I know for certain

List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

People will remember you for your love and goodness not how hard you worked or how much money you made.

Learning new things in areas that interest you is always going to benefit you and create joy in your life.

Nothing is certain in the world, so hold those you love close and tell them you love them.

Being quiet and taking a break from the world is always a good idea and a way to show love and respect for yourself and your mental health.

You can know what’s going on in the world without exposing yourself to reading and watching negative news….its always going to be depressing so just avoid it.

Even the most awful memories or things that happened to you in the past can be healed.

Nobody has all of the answers about anything including yourself. We’re all just as clueless some people are just better at hiding it.

Connection with other people who understand you and love you for who you are should be the most important thing to try and achieve.

Animals make the best friends and you can build a strong friendship with them without the need to speak words.

Animals and children should always be protected from harm.

Nature is the great healer that nourishes and inspires. Just walking in nature can be enough to change and improve your mood, your day and if done regularly, your life.

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #130

English painter Jane Wormell's vibrant gardens have a classical feel

Dive deep into Frida Kahlo’s diary, explore ancient methods of espionage, ways to describe someone’s voice, a painting of a joyful Victorian era garden and much more, it’s edition #130 of #InterestingThings by #ContentCatnip

A sweet human and sunfish friendship lasting many years

“Greenie” the sunfish waits by the dock for Holly Jorgensen, swims with her and jumps out of the water for treats.

2024 UPDATE:

This spring, just after ice out, Greenie the sunfish once again returned to Holly’s dock. This marks the ninth summer Holly and Greenie will spend together.

Holly is currently writing a book about their adventures. She’s titled it, “Greenie & the Girl: an Enchanted Fish Memoir for all Generations.” For more information, here’s a link to Holly’s blog. Via Kare11

How to make a heraldic design

Don’t be a part of the problem – be the whole problem!

This wild ferret or whatever he is has my full endorsement. Found via Mastodon

Dogs on a waterslide is the best thing I’ve seen in ages

absolutely the best thing you'll see all day..

😄pic.twitter.com/1BzQckMeQI
— Sheetal 🇮🇳 🚩 (@Sheetal83879466) July 4, 2024

Data Memory Access – Anthem

A dreamy, uplifting 90’s trance track lifted from the vaults.

AI Helps Unlock the Secrets of Orangutan Chatter

Orangutans, those clever, tree-dwelling philosophers of the jungle, have long intrigued scientists with their mysterious calls. A new study in PeerJ Life & Environment, led by Dr Wendy Erb from Cornell University, has begun to decode this secret language. Over three years, the team collected hundreds of long call recordings, revealing a symphony of sounds starting with soft, bubbly notes that crescendo into powerful pulses. By combining traditional audio-visual analysis with machine learning, they identified three distinct pulse types among the calls of 13 orangutans. This study highlights the astonishing complexity of orangutan communication, suggesting a vast repertoire of vocalisations still waiting to be deciphered, showcasing the rich tapestry of their world. Via Cosmos Magazine

Secret communication, often in weird ways, lies at the heart of espionage

Spies, or scouts, have had to communicate secretly since time immemorial. In ancient Greece, Histiaeus, the ruler of Miletus, shaved a slave’s head, tattooed it with a message, and waited for the hair to grow back. He then sent the messenger on the long journey from Persia to Greece to urge revolt. Upon arrival, the messenger’s head was shaved again to read the message.
Via MIT Press Reader

Words to describe someone’s voice: an infographic

Via Cool Guides on Reddit

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Frida Kahlo’s incredible diary

Discovered this post about Kahlo’s diary via one of my all-time favourite bloggers on WordPress Lamp Magician, who explores the depths of Jungian psychology, art history, archaeology, symbolism and brings it all together in a beautiful way. Read more

Knowing the bare facts of her life gives us much-needed context for her images, but ultimately we must deal with them on their own terms as well. Rather than explaining her painting to us, Kahlo’s diary opens up an entirely new world of imagery—one very different from the controlled self-portraiture of her publicbody of work—to puzzle over.

Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.

Jim Morrison — Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free. Jim Morrison

Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.

Jim Morrison

And the angel said, “Go forth and synth, spread out beats over the earth and multiply your tunes upon it”

A mob of red deer stags in Richmond Park by photographer Emma Hughes on Mastodon

They were on the edge of the woods and unless you stopped to look from most angles they were perfectly hidden, I crouched down to take the shot, that’s when I could see how many there were (shot with a long lens it looks like I was a lot closer than I actually was).
Emma Hughes

English painter Jane Wormell’s vibrant gardens have a classical feel

See more on her website

Did you enjoy this collection? let me know what you think of it below. Thank you for reading my dear friends!

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