Pencils of Promise

OK. This blog has always been about things that inspire me.

People. Objects. Products. Thoughts. Anything.

This week I watched a video about one of the most

incredible people-Adam Braun.

I watched an interview with him and Jonathan Fields

(posted below if you have 30+ minutes for the

longer version) and I was dumb-founded.

I watched it twice each time feeling more selfish,

self-absorbed and humbled.

How could someone SO young have such an incredible

and self-less vision?

What was I thinking about when I was in my early 20's

(nothing as profound and life-changing as Adam-for sure.
I don't think that even changed much in my 30's!)

In the longer interview you get more or a sense of the kind of

family background and ethics Adam was brought up with

(he has 2 African adopted brothers).

His Grandmother who was carted off to

Auschwitz with all her family (who perished)

survived, and became his main inspiration.

Nothing has inspired me like this for a long time.

It really made me think about, what am I here for?
What will be my legacy? (especially as I don't 
have children).

I don't have any answers yet ( and 
I may never have them)  but I am hoping by having that 
question at the forefront of my mind as I go about my
daily life, something will be ignited.

It also made me realize just how self-absorbed 
I have recently been with my own obstacles
(some of which I have written about here).

It doesn't mean my obstacles didn't exist.
It just made me realize I had no real perspective.
If I did have perspective, they would not have
taken up so much head space.

Sometimes you need to come across
a story like this to just get you back
on track.

PLEASE, if you have just 30 minutes, grab your favorite
drink, make yourself comfy and watch the full story.

If you have children that moan about doing their homework
or going to school, get them to watch the short version ;-)

I would love to hear about anything that has recently inspired

you. It doesn't have to be on a big scale or hugely profound. But just

the fact that you felt inspired, means our minds and hearts are still

open.

I would also love to know your thoughts on the above.

xxxxx

Reflections+ Irrational Fears

So this week was my birthday.

No big milestone birthday, but quite an emotional

one for me. You see I finally reached the age that

was to be the age that my young Mum died.

I know this is totally irrational.

But it's been a mental milestone

that I have been dreading for as long

as I can remember.

It drives my loved ones mad.

But I can't get past it.

It finally arrived on Monday,

and everything is still the same. 

There was no big

clap of thunder. The sky did not

turn black. I didn't hear

Charlton Heston's voice booming

at me through the clouds.

No, everything just ticked

along as normal.

Was that what was "supposed" to happen?

Did I miss the memo?

So I tried not to think about or

mention "the number"out loud.

Instead I tried to reflect on what

I have learnt during my

forty-something years on this planet

(admittedly this was a struggle ;-)

I've learnt that:

* most fears are totally irrational

and that I still haven't mastered how to

not let what hasn't happened affect me as

if it has ;-)

*at all times I am where I am supposed

to be. So stop bloody fighting it ;-)

*it might take a day, a week or 

a year, but what we want will find us

*you should be able to count your

very closest friends on just one hand

*that there are still so many women

around the world who will never reach my age

as either their national life expectancy or circumstances

will dictate that

*every morning I am credited with 86,400 seconds.

It's for me to use every second wisely because

every night the slate is wiped clean and any

time I did not use is just written off.

*there is usually very little a good lipstick, heels and

chocolate won't solve

*and to…………..

NEW: Perfect for Spring. 

Available here

NEW: Is it only me that wants 

to channel her inner J-Lo?

Available here

So what has age taught you?

How do you deal with

irrational fears?

As always I love hearing your

views and thoughts.

xx

Missing In Action + Leopard Lust

OK, so where do I begin?

It seems I have been away from blogging a long time 

(and I have certainly missed my wonderful

blogging friends).

So what happened?

LIFE!

Some good; new website, new blog (still in

progress as not 100% in love with it yet), 
lots of new products, re-connecting

with some old friends, being a support for

others and a "general"

feeling of gratitude and well-being.

Also some stressful things happening

(which I am learning is inevitable when

you are caring for an elderly parent

who is determined to hang onto his 

independence, and can be as 

stubborn as  a mule).

The last few weeks have been challenging,

rewarding, exciting, frustrating, overwhelming,

scary………..you name it, I've been there.

I've run the gamut of emotions, but managed

to come out the other side-lipstick in tact!

 I am STILL here trying my best to march

along, head held high, heels clicking with attitude,

waterproof mascara on tap

and still lusting after "leopard" .

What is it about animal print that makes

me go ga-ga?

Is it just me?

Does that feeling wane as the months get hotter?

Great styling

Is it just an addiction that grips one during the

cold months?

I so need this bag in my life right now. I am sure it will solve all my problems ;-)

I'm thinking not as I see more and more wonderful

interiors using animal print.

And then there are of course our wonderful

new rings out this week.

These gorgeous pieces are designed by a wonderful

Spanish designer from Madrid (Belén Bajos),

and I can't wait to show you even more of her

gorgeous pieces in the coming months.

But first, shall we just lust after these together?

For my blogging friends only, I am offering a 15%

discount on any of the above rings.

Your discount code is: BLOG15

And the offer expires on 17 March

(St Paddy's Day + my birthday).
If  you any queries just
drop me an email.

I would love to know your thoughts

on my new pieces, on my new website and of course

on animal prints in general.

Happy weekend you little "tigers" ;-)

xxx