Happiness Wednesday: Insecurities.

(image: blog)


Happy Wednesday! These are fast becoming my favourite posts of the week.... last week I spoke about the power of positive thinking which I have found to be very valuable in my life. 


This week I have been thinking quite a lot about one thing.... insecurities. I often find the negative voice in my head to be wandering and telling me I'm not good enough, slim enough, attractive enough, clever enough, interesting enough. You have to quieten this voice and feed it with positive energy is what I have learnt. Ultimately, you have been made who you are- you are good enough, pretty enough, you have WORTH. Self-worth is so important and must be built upon for the foundation of a solid life.


If you find yourself feeling insecure remember the famous quote by India Arie. This quote calms my mind sometimes,


'Thankful for all my impurities and insecurities... because I know its God just perfecting me'


Even if you dont believe in God, this quote is great because it makes you think, you can use any negative trait, anything you worry about, for the ultimate good of your spirit and soul. You can become better and stronger and beat those niggling worries! You are good enough!


Have a happy week.


And remember, we all feel insecure...its how we respond to those insecurities that makes the difference.


xxxxxx

Catch up.. and you x

Hi everyone,

(image: weheartit)


So I didn't post yesterday because in England we had a public holiday which meant we all had time off work and could play longer! yey! I had a really good extended weekend which was filled with seeing family and friends, and of course having a good old lie in.


On Sunday, I had a family barbeque for my cousin who is leaving for the year to study abroad and a close friends engagement party which was wonderful! 


Yesterday, I went with my best friends to a concert of two female singer-songwriters. One of them has become a friend. I heard her sing first two years ago and she has the purest, most beautiful voice. She sings jewish acoustic-soul music and trained as a jazz singer, and she writes all her own songs. She has so much talent, due to religious observance she only sings in front of women so if you want to check her out, please dont listen in front of husbands/ male friends, but she has a stunning voice and music that can bring you to tears. Her name is Delia spiers and her myspace is : www.myspace.com/kolishadelia


Was so great spending time with my best friends and sister this weekend! And now back to work and sorting  out details for my upcoming masters degree!


And how are you all my lovely readers? What did you spend your weekend doing???


Much love xxxx 
      

Peace.

'Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me...'  (Seymour Miller and Jill Jackson)




x


(image: vi.sualize.us)

A new blog, a quote and a weekend.

(image: weheartit)


Hello all, its Friday! woop. I love fridays don't you?


I have a few things to share in this post. Firstly, my friend Charlotte, a very talented aspiring writer is starting to blog. She is going to write on literature and do reviews, with her trademark wit. Please go and have a look at this wonder of the blog world :)- http://www.charlotte-on-the-web.blogspot.com and spread your love xxx


I wish you all a wonderful weekend, I saw this famous Dr Seuss quote online and I thought it was very inspiring and true. So I will leave you with it,

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss



Have a great weekend xxx

Thoughts on a Thursday...

(image:vi.sualize.us)


Hi friends,


So today is a thoughtful day.. I have been thinking a lot about life and future and so many things! I start my masters degree next month and I just got my welcome pack, saying details for fees and reading lists and enrollment. Whilst very exciting this is also nerve wracking- I'm going to be a student again!!


Other thoughts...


I am reading all books by David Nicholls. My dad had 'One Day' which you must must must read. A true masterpiece. And I can't wait to see the film with Anne Hathaway! I'm now reading Starter for Ten- a book about university challenge and a student longing to fit in. Its quite funny. Not romantic like One Day but still great writing. I am lucky that my wonderful Dad is also a book worm like me so I get to borrow his books!

(image:via)


I also read the Help by Kathryn Stockett last month and the film is out soon... oh books and films. I am so excited to see them both.


Lastly I just want to say Happy Birthday to my very special Dad who I know reads my blog!! 


How is your thursday??


xxxxx 

Happiness Wednesday: Positive Thinking

(image: via)

Hello everyone,


Happy Wednesday! I must confess that this week it has been a struggle to think positively however I would like to spread some happiness and feel happy too!


So....


Positive thinking is vital for a healthy mind and soul. Visualise a time when you were at your most happiest and carry it with you all day, keep referring back to that image. Let it fill you with joy and know that you can create your future and you have the power to change your life, and become joyful again.


Divert your mind with happy thoughts! You could make a happiness mantra ' e.g. happiness, peace, joy' that you say to yourself every morning, write out in your journal or just think when things are going wrong.


Listen to calming music- I recommend India Arie. Her lyrics and melodies are inspiring and heart warming.


If you find yourself thinking a negative thought, replace it with a positive thought. Why waste time on the negative when you could be focusing on your blessings?


Positive thinking can be a struggle, but you can change your mindset. That doesn't mean thinking sad and negative thoughts is wrong, but if you find yourself thinking them too much, switch to thoughts of happiness and peace. Your heart will thank you for it.


Have a happy Wednesday- remember, calming music, happiness mantra, visualisation and happy thoughts. Write out your thoughts in a journal and challenge them on paper.


Love


El xxxx  

Because sometimes all we can do is dream....

(image: pinterest)
'
'Us soul birds are seeking to give life to our wings and wings to our dreams, with the intention of making our world a better place'


India Arie.




What is your dream? x

A whirlwind.

(image: blog)
This week has been very busy and beautiful for me in its own way. A total whirlwind. I wrote earlier in the week about overcoming anxiety and phobia... which has been a crazy journey for me. One where I have literally had to use up the last reserves of strength i've had, where at times I have failed... and at others succeeded.


This week was generally a week of succeeding.


*I went on a day trip to Windsor with some very special friends :)


*I went to my friend Penina and Simon's wedding..... and it was so wonderful to see Penina in her bridal gown.... and both of them looking so unbelievably happy. It was special to dance-such a lovely occasion.


* I saw an amazing friend who has been so supportive and who I hadnt been able to see for six months.


So I thank God for supporting me even through difficult times and for bringing me to many of you in the blog world. You have helped support me in ways you may not know :) Thank you for your kind comments.


Wishing you all a wonderful week.


El xxxxx

Smile...x

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'Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
Though there are clouds in the sky..
You'll get by'- Smile, Nat King Cole. 




These lyrics are some of my favourites and they always remind me to smile. I hope you are having a good weekend and if not, these lyrics will inspire you.


With love


xx

Music that tells stories...

I have found a beautiful acoustic song by the band Boyce Avenue. It is soulful, and tells a story... i connect to it emotionally and I'm sharing it with you all so you can experience the beauty for yourself. Enjoy. xxx

Todays photo inspiration.

This old school picture of Marilyn. I love her make up.


x


(image: via)

Happiness Wednesday: Overcoming Fears.

Dear friends,

(image: blog)


Today is Happiness Wednesday again! The weeks are going so fast..


'I will face my fear . I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. When the fear has gone... only I will remain'- Frank Herbert  


Today is a very happy day because I have managed to overcome certain fears that had been holding me back in my life. I never believed that I could get rid of a fear that was at one point- a real phobia and making my life quite difficult. It took a while, many months and reading and following specific books and ideas (mainly using distraction of the mind) to get over this phobia. To desensitise myself and make myself stronger and happier. My friends have been a huge bed rock of support too.


And so yesterday I was able to kick the phobias butt :P and just have a happy and enjoyable day with friends, frolicking in a beautiful town called Windsor outside London where the Queen has a home! (castle), walking through trees and pathways, viewing the castle and hills and of course visiting fudge shop and my favourite place in the world- Cath Kidston!.


So i want to reach out to anyone reading this who also suffers any type of anxiety or phobia- because you can and will get there. I honestly thought my anxiety would hold me back forever but it hasnt ! I've worked on it slowly over many months to get better and I would say i'm 95 percent there. There are days when I have bad days and days when I have good days, you just have to feel it, go with it and above all... distract your mind so those thoughts and sensations don't flood in.


If you are feeling fearful- remember- you are the one in control. And if you have a good support network, you can do anything. I was taught that even if you don't have a good support network- you must rely on you.You are stronger and more capable than you could ever imagine.


I send you love and happy thoughts today.


xx

Paris.

(image: via))

Today I have been dreaming. I have been reading a book called 'One day' by David Nicholls about two friends who fall in love after many years, trials and tests. And they fall deeper in love in a little garret in Paris, where she has been working as a writer. A romantics dream. So today my dream is going back to Paris (where my great-grandmother was from), with someone I love... or falling in love in this very special city....

Laughter and eating cake....

(image: haveandholddesign.com)

A stroll in the city centre....

(image: Deborah Michalski)


A Paris park....

(image: 'Love in Paris by Lizhen Afanstein)



Happy Monday, What are you dreaming about? xxx

Paths and Trails.

(image: visualizeus.com)


Last night I found my folder where I keep things, pictures and cuttings that inspire me. And as I made sense of all these pictures of life, fun, laughter, pain, retro fashion, the eiffel tower, funny love notes printed in magazines.... I found a quote amongst them all printed in black and white. I hadn't seen  it for a long time and didn't remember it was there...   


It said,


'My motto is from George Eliot: Do not go where the path may lead: go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. That says it all...'


Heres to finding our path.
x 

Weekend- May you have sunshine x

'Keep your face always towards the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you'- Walt Whitman.


Have a lovely weekend. xxx


(image: vivalabreee.blogspot.com)

Operation Cup of Tea- Anti London Riots. Part Two

(image: www.operationcupoftea.com)


Yesterday I wrote a post about Operation Cup Of Tea, the campaign of Englands anti-rioters, to simply stay at home and have a good old English cup of tea, rather than burning the streets and looting . The campaign was set up by Sam Pepper and every day since Tuesday night, people have been posting pictures on facebook of them drinking cups of tea. Its now going to be made into a bill board apparently.


Even more amazing, is that Sam has now set up an Operation Cup of Tea charity, to help those communities affected by the rioting. He has developed, 'stay in and drink tea' tea bags which you can buy from the charitys website: www.operationcupoftea.com, with all funds going to support those affected.


It is incredible to see the generosity and kindness in the wake of such awful attacks and know there are still so many good people in my country! :)


Lastly, in Peckham, South east London, people have covered a boarded up shop front with post-it notes saying how much they love the area and speaking out against the riots.


Here is Sam speaking about the Cup of Tea campaign:  

This is the reason I love living in London.
x

Freedom in Music.

Many of you may know that one of my favourite singers in the world is Joss Stone. Joss has been around since 2003, and has the most stunning, soulful voice. She truly feels music when on stage and often performs barefoot, she just embodies freedom in music :)


Here is a song to brighten up your Thursday, her covering 'Come together' by the Beatles. (she writes all her own music usually):

Enjoy.


xxx

Happiness Wednesday: Community Spirit

Dear friends,


In recent days, England has seen a shocking level of violence, criminality, looting and arson across its major cities for 4 nights now. From what normally feels like a safe country, gangs of young people have been engaging in 'copy cat riots', after a riot was sparked Saturday night after the death of a black man in North London.


In the past few days, cars, homes and businesses have been set on fire by mobs, bottles thrown at the police and the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Mayor of London have returned early from their holidays to take action. The PM has been chairing emergency meetings.


I watched in disbelief on TV as places across my city went up in flames on Monday night. Last night, the riots spread to Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and the Midlands. 16,000 police were deployed across London to stop it happening again last night. The police cells in London are full with hundreds of arrests being made and people being tried in court already, sitting through the night.


Others have died protecting communities or being involved in riots.


However, despite this very scary and unusual thing happening in my country, we have seen an amazing amount of community spirit. People serving cups of tea to police on riot shields, those gathering in the streets to clear up the broken glass after the riots with brooms, people speaking out against the riots and OPERATION CUP OF TEA- us anti rioters expressing our protest to the riots on facebook by simply sitting at home and drinking cups of tea.

(image: dailymail.co.uk)


So community spirit is alive and well. There are good people in my country despite the evil being perpetuated and making people scared to leave their homes at night.

image: (tommiekiddy.com)
image: facebook.com)


I wish you a happy Wednesday and I hope that the trouble in our society gets better. x

'Monday Monday' :)....

(image: imgfave.com)
Hello everyone,


The start of the week has begun! Did anyone else think the weekend went by really quickly?


I thought I'd share with you some of my goals for the next few weeks and things I want to do:


1. Continue reading Nelson Mandelas book 'Long Walk to Freedom'
2. Go and see Tracey Emin exhibit, Emin is a famous modern artist who does quite shocking work. Shes most famous for using her unmade bed as an art work!

(image: saatchi-gallery.co.uk)


3. Finally going to see Bridesmaids at the cinema!
4. Get my hair dyed blonder again.
5. Go into London and do something fun.
6. Get through my Gossip Girl dvds. I started yesterday with season one! 
7. Do some reading to prepare me for my masters course.
8. Find full time work for next month or so. 
9. Be happy, smile :) and give to friends and family.


Also- my sunflower project has been very successful! I grew about 14 sunflowers and have given some away to family and friends as gifts. Have more to give away... I recommend buying seeds of any flower and growing them if you have the space :)


Have a wonderful week! Do you have any goals or plans?


With love xxxxxxx 

Your Heart.

'If you want to know where your heart is, look to where your mind goes when it wanders..'- anon.



(inage: Marie ALamode Blog)

Loves of the day...

Dear friends,


Today I am going to show you some things I am loving at the moment, and I'd love to hear what you're loving too! 


1) Fabric Owls- so adorable. See how to make them here

(images: themakingspot.com)




2) Tea pots and Tea sets:


Especially Cath Kidston ones....

(image: victorias-vintage.blogspot.com)


3)  Vintage Photography such as: 

(image: manictroutblog.com)


Just look at that dress!!


What are you loving this weekend??? Have a great one.


El xxx

Thursday Optimism.

  (image:mixedplateblog.com)

'No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.'- Helen Keller

Have a very Happy Thursday!! xxx

Happiness Wednesday: Joy in the Little Things.

(image: vi.sualize.us)


Today I'm going to talk about finding joy, peace and contentment with the small things in life, with the little details we surround ourselves with every day but may not notice because we are too busy to appreciate them.


My friend in Ghana sent me this wonderful quote last night which I thought summed up Happiness Wednesday to a tee,


'God, give me joy in the simple things'

(image:Katarina Ailic)


As really its the simple things in life that we should love and appreciate. Our bed, having a roof over our head, that flower growing by the sidewalk, being able to see and hear the wonders of the world, connecting with the world over the internet, birdsong, babies babbling, a butterfly flying on a plant or bees buzzing and making honey. The friends, partner or family you have in your life.


When we stop to appreciate our world and its beauty, we find joy.


May you have a joyful, peaceful and contented Wednesday.


xx

A song that made my day.

This is Laura Izibor on One Tree Hill singing her beautiful song 'Can't Be Love'.


I love her soulful voice as she sings, soul music speaks to me.


This made my Monday and probably Tuesday too :). x  

Vintage Weekend :)

Hello lovely blog followers :) Its 1st August... where has the time been going?

(image: All Gigs website)


I had a truly wonderful weekend and I hope you did too. Yesterday, Sunday 31st, I went up by train to Southbank which is right in the heart of London near the London Eye, Big Ben and by the River Thames, hence its name. While I was walking over the Jubilee bridge with my good friends and sister, all I could think was how beautiful the city looked in the sunshine, the water glittering as we passed. Yet that isn't the only good thing because....


I was on the way to a Vintage market!!! For the past few years, I have been following vintage fashion mainly clothes of 1950s and some 1930s/40s accessories, for example, beautiful hand mirror sets. Some of my older followers may remember me buying a 1930s hand mirror last year. Anyway, so we went down into the market which was part of the 3 day long Vintage Festival. Our friend was working at the Cath Kidston stall and had her hair done in 1940s style with red lipstick, she looked fab!


The market was packed with vintage clothes, bags, shoes, jewellery, hand mirrors, even a manual on How to Make a Wedding from the 1940s! There must have been about 50 stalls and it was bustling. So exciting. I bought a ring with a little teacup on it and a long pocket watch floral pendant which I am wearing as I write this blog. The image below is very similar to the ring I bought.

(image: Jelly Button Jewellery)


So as we wandered through the stalls listening to music of old, climbings over piles of vintage holdalls, furs, hats, gloves... it was lovely to think of bygone eras and know that they havnt really died but in many ways are being relived through our generation. That was a nice thought!  


What did you get up to this weekend? Have a great Monday.


PS. I really want to go to the new Tracy Emin art exhibit here!