Buy Yourself Some Flowers
On the way home today, I walked past a lovely flower shop. Instead of buying a bunch I picked out four that I loved and put them together in a little posie. A little something to brighten my desk and my day.
Self Help
"Put your ear down next to your soul and listen hard." - Anne Sexton quoted by Matt Haig
Mental wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing. I've recently started reading Matt Haig's bestselling book, Reasons To Stay Alive which I would highly recommend if you suffer from depression or anxiety or know someone who does. I keep turning back to this page. Lovely.
National Gallery
When I get the occasional week day off of work I love to have a quiet stroll around an art gallery. Week days are less busy and it's easier to linger over the paintings. The below picture was taken in the National Gallery. It amazes me that we are lucky enough to just wander in to see such masterpieces for free.
Watercolour Classes
A couple of months ago I took myself along to a watercolour class organised by the lovely Emily Quinton from Makelight at her wonderful studio. The class was led by Emma Block whose work I have admired on Instagram for a while (see below for an example of her lovely posts). Emma taught us about how to mix colours, which pigments work well with others and why. We also learnt about different techniques to achieve different effects, such as putting water on the page first or using a dry brush.
Since trying the class I've applied the techniques I learnt every time I paint. It's made me feel more confident and I've experimented more with new ideas. And I had a lovely day meeting some fellow creatives and eating cake : )
For information about Emma's classes, click here. For information about Emily's classes, click here. I'd really recommend both.
Ryan Adams
Sometimes you need a 'go to' artist who is like a comfort blanket. For me, that artist is Ryan Adams. An ex-boyfriend introduced me to his first solo album Heartbreaker about 16 years ago and I've seen him play live at least ten times since then. I can't actually describe what his voice is like when you hear it live. I once saw him play an acoustic set at the Royal Festival Hall and I nearly passed out from not breathing. Just stunning. Let me know who your 'go to' artist is in the comments below. Who takes your breath away?
#littlebitofpretty
Spotted this pretty colour combination on the commute this morning. The right purple and green so lovely with white. It's so nice to have the time to walk slowly and take in the view.
The Chronicles of Nadiya
It's not often these days that a television programme really absorbs me and makes me stop what I am doing but The Chronicles of Nadiya on BBC1 was a rare exception. If you can catch it on iPlayer or download it, do. Such warmth and a family full of love.
Playing With The Light
I walked slowly on my commute home and spotted this bit of light in the trees. I love taking photos straight into the sunlight as everyone tells you not to. The effect of the rays on the lens and the warped light can sometimes be really magical.
Nigel Slater
"Yet I had made something that was mine, something that fitted what I had an appetite for that day."
A chef and a poet and one of the only people who's ever left me a little bit star-struck! Today was a day for Nigel Slater cook books. Overcast and grey, it was the perfect day to hideaway and bake. My favourite ever of his recipes is the chocolate and hazelnut cake on the last pages of the 2002 version of his book Appetite. This cake is so popular in my family that my brother-in-law once asked for it as a Christmas present.
A Walk In The Woods
Sometimes a walk in the woods is as good as a mini-break. Listening to the trees always makes me think of Enid Blyton's The Enchanted Wood, one of my favourite ever books. And the light through the trees is always magical.
