Pre Ghana Thoughts

I am currently sitting in the heat of the English sun (i know, sun, shocking!) ordering things for my holiday, sorting out insurance etc etc. This sunday I will be going to volunteer for 2 months in Ghana, Africa. I am going to be working for an NGO that helps empower women in business and teaches them about water, sanitation and health.

Very excited and also a little nervous about impacting negatively on their culture, I hope that I help rather than hinder.... and that I make good relationships with the people out there. I know there will be challenges along the way, I may meet people with malaria with AIDS.. these diseases are preventable and its going to be hard to see that and know you can pay for their treatment.. what do you do?. Cultural dilemmas, the way I am viewed as a person from the West. Wanting to make more changes than I possibly can in 2 months of being there and knowing when I leave things will stay the same..........

I hope it is a rewarding and fulfilling trip that will empower me even more to make a difference ...

El xxx

Back after a Break!

Hello wonderful blog friends!

Sorry I was away for a while!!! All has been rather crazy here, my best friend and housemate just got engaged to her lovely boyfriend, and its so wonderful. :) Love is truly in the air...

I am also off to Ghana to volunteer pretty soon so have been enjoying reading all about the country and what it may bring. Nervous and excited!

And lastly... I am currently craving the Cath kidston uk print bag (see above!)

Whats news with you all?

El xxxxx

Fell in Love With A.... 1930s Hand Mirror!

Hi,

Readers of my blog may remember that earlier this year, I purchased a 1930s hand mirror and clothes brush!! Well look at this beauty I just found on the same antiques website. Its from the same era and I love the gorgeous floral design, but I am not going to buy it as I am still a poor student :(

Even so, isn't it beautiful??? I'm thinking of starting a collection...


El xxx

Can't sleep

Hi!

Its 3am here and its been so hot in London today, like hotter than the meditteranean. I am boiling and I cant sleep.................

How are you all? How were your weekends?

El xxx

My week....

Hi everyone!

Sorry i havnt written for a while have had a rather busy week. How are you all? I hope well.

I have had a very lovely week with friends and family, playing badminton in the garden......enjoying the sunshine in my new pink maxi dress (in love..), eating ice cream lollies on white latticed chairs, oh and did i mention the amount of cheesecake that has been consumed this week? (a religious festival here that we had that practically prescribes cheesecake!). I have enjoyed the baby babble of my little cousin- watching her learn to stand, and I found out this week that...

I AM GOING TO GHANA TO VOLUNTEER!

I'm so excited. Its a dream of mine to see an African country.

This weekend I am helping out backstage at a charity talent show. What are you doing?

El xxxxxx

image:google

Florence Welch, A Style Inspiration

'She first dyed her hair bright red when she was nine, and since then it’s meandered through the entire annoy-your-parents spectrum, only returning to her trademark auburn 18 months ago. She describes her look now as – deep breath – ‘half gothic bat crow winged fantasy, half golden 70s Stevie Nicks white witch. And a smattering of disco go-go hotpants', Daily Mail, UK.

I love you Florence Welch, lead singer of UK band Florence and the Machine! For your creativity, your awesome hair, your style and your songs!

And for describing yourself as a white witch with disco hotpants.

El xxxx

Quote of the week

'A butterfly is a flower with wings'

Japanese writer of ' The Book of Tea', written in the 19th century.

These past few days I have been doing research for an essay on the perception of art and culture in Japanese society using the ideals of Zen Buddhism and how it relates to the Anti-art movement and Dadaism. Very complicated stuff, of which I have had to learn a lot on the spot. The basic principles are that we must live in the moment, have serenity and peace with our surroundings, find beauty in the mundane, that every day life IS art. I am relating this to Japanese tea ceremonies (which changed from being at one point a material form of entertainment to a more simple, spiritual idea promoting humility)......and the art work of Yoko Ono and others.

So I am rather tired but I found this lovely quote for you all. And thought it was beautiful. It comes from 'The Book of Tea', an amazing book I recommend to all.

With love,

El xxx