Henna

From the first moment I saw the film The Little Princess I have often fantasised of India. The opening scene of Sara frolicking in an Indian river surrounded by luscious greenery and enchanting light. Her Indian inspired bedroom with a large white canopy draped across her four cornered bed, the quilt tapestry mixed with rustic and vibrant burnt orange and turquoise colours, her walls are patterned, antique metal; a fantasy world of beauty and culture. I have often tried to live in this fantasy world for most of my life – my bedroom is a sea of mandala inspired quilts, vintage elephants, candles and incense holders.

Recently a roommate of mine returned from India and she was covered in majestic Henna art. Why I have never experimented with Henna before I do not know, but for all you ladies out there that are after some beautiful, magical and inspiring body art (that is not permanent) than henna is for you.

It is a very simple process. For those who haven’t done it before and are a bit nervous draw a rough outline of the pattern/image you want so you have a tracing line. You can use either white or brown eyeliner.  After that it is super easy, follow the eyeliner trail with the tube of henna. Once the pattern is complete let the henna dry for at least half an hour. I left mine on overnight, as I wanted to make sure it would definitely stain my skin. The next morning I got a butter knife and scrapped the hardened paste off. Voila all done.

Soul Searching

Thoughts –

Monday to Friday my life is a blur of working, eating, sleeping and exercising. These five days, unfortunately, seem to be more about existing than actually living. Therefore on weekends I need to get out. To do something out of the ordinary. I need to feel like I have lived and accomplished something for the week and on weekends I would much rather spend my time travelling and exploring the outdoors than sitting inside. So that is exactly what I do. 

I love exploring places I have not seen before. I always get over excited and awestruck by beautiful and unfamiliar scenery. It is truly amazing how stunning this earth is and I often forget that when I am surrounded by this concrete jungle. 

Recently I escaped the concrete slabs the city calls land and travelled to an abandoned railway line. The railway line has been covered with forestry and is now a magical cove of loveliness. Although it is only tuesday I am already wishing I was back exploring this wonderful world. 

Jacket - Vintage leather jacket

Skirt - Tree of life 

Top - Cotton On 

PS . In the end I went barefoot. I could say its because I am a gypsy but really my boots just couldn't handle the enormous amount of mud. For those thinking of visiting, take some gumboots 

xx

My Darling...

I couldn’t sleep one night, I felt agitated, angry and alone. Everyone around me was resting peacefully and I was tossing and turning. He was in my head for some reason, not because I felt anything or had any attachment to him but because I think I once did and never expressed it. It needed to come out. Twenty minutes later I had written down my stream of thoughts. Written down what I thought, what I felt. I don’t think I have thought of you again since I wrote these words down. 

Goodnight 

xx

Everyone warned me but I knew I loved you so. In the beginning it was so honest and true how could I say no?

Midnight wanderings of strangers, runs in the downpour of the storm. A kiss goodbye and a kiss hello. Oh my darling I loved you so. You left sunflowers at my door, pancakes on my table and fleet foxes in my ears. Oh how I loved you so. 

But eventually the walls came up, I pushed you away, put on a face of complete serenity to keep you at bay. Inside I was dark and in turmoil; an intricacy of beautiful, dangerous lines. I was scared that if you saw what encompassed me you would leave me behind. In the end you walked, slowly, but surely, not from the dark turmoil but from the fact that I tried so hard to keep it at bay. 

I would pull you close when I couldn't hide anymore and push you away again when all was settled and quiet inside. You yourself became a twisted artwork darker than I. I didn't even know who you were anymore. My finger painting of freedom - or my Davinci, so coded, intricate and closed. I hoped you were the finger painting I loved so much. I tried to love the other you, I even said I did, but in my hearts of hearts I knew it was untrue. But darling please know that I really did love you. 

They told me to leave. Never gave reasons why, just said he is no good for you, I now understand why. Im not sure why I didn't listen, didn't leave...all I do know is that sufjan is my soul and you my darling were the beat to my rhythm. I never even knew you my davinci, my finger painting, my darling. But oh I loved you so.

Homemade Muesli Bars

I have such a sweet tooth and I usually dislike all of these 'healthy' takes on naughty treats. Sweet potato brownies were inedible and chickpea cookies were just all sorts of wrong. So you can understand my hesitation when it came to making a new 'healthy' treat. To my surprise this one was actually delicious. So delicious that they were gone within 24 hours. 

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup wholemeal plain flour
1/4 cup pepitas 
1/4 cup flaked almonds
1 cup dried fruit
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt flakes
1/3 virgin coconut oil
3/4 rice malt syrup or honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Method:
Preheat oven to 170
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. For the 1 cup of dried fruit originally the recipe was supposed to have 1/4 each of sultanas, goji berries and dried cranberries. Im not really the biggest fan of those dried fruits so I added half a cup of dates and half a cup of dried apricots (in my opinion this was the better choice) Meanwhile place oil and syrup in a small saucepan; bring to the boil and boil until the oil is melted. Remove mixture from heat and stir in extract
Add the oil mixture to your bowl of dry ingredients and stir. If the mixture seems still use your hands to combine the mixture more thoroughly. Spoon mixture into a prepared pan and press down firmly. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Remove from over. Cool on wire rack and then enjoy :D 

You + Me

The drive was long and weary. I had not slept in days, only flickers between weariness and wide awake. I wanted to go away though; the weight of the concrete jungle bearing down on me was becoming claustrophobic. I drove through country towns, rainforests, and fields of abandonment, finally reaching you.

Lost in thought I strolled next to you. I took photos, memories, and moments to treasure. I sometimes find it easier to take an image and remember the moment through the photograph. My mind is so cloudy I find it hard to see the truth sometimes.

I smiled. I know you want to see me smile, so I do. 

My body in nothing but undergarments, I danced. Neither with style, nor rhythm but I didn’t care. I danced with reckless abandonment and you danced along with me. I felt happy. I felt me.  I smiled and it was real.

I walked with you by the seaside and I was happy.