endless waves of transformation (i.e. an update)

These are difficult words to write, and I've agonized over just how to get them out. I figure simply is probably the best way, so here goes...

My husband and I separated recently.

It goes without saying that this is a very sad time for me, and also a time of huge transition. And I find in times like these that I turn to the words of other, more talented writers who can express themselves so much better than I ever could. These words from Elizabeth's Gilbert Eat Pray Love (I'm such a cliché, I know) are bringing me much comfort today...

"I look at the Augusteum, and I think that perhaps my life has not actually been so chaotic, after all. It is merely this world that is chaotic, bringing changes to us all that nobody could have anticipated. The Augusteum warns me not to get attached to any obsolete ideas about who I am, what I represent, whom I belong to, or what function I may once have intended to serve. Yesterday I might have been a glorious monument to somebody, true enough-but tomorrow I could be a fireworks depository. Even in the Eternal City, says the silent Augusteum, one must always be prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation."

- Elizabeth Gilbert

a very musical weekend

This weekend I got to see 3 amazing acts: Death Cab for Cutie, David Stringer and Jai Uttal. I am feeling VERY lucky! My friends and I had so much fun at Death Cab for Cutie (confession: I kind of felt like I was in an episode of The O.C.) and then the next morning Katie and I drove up to Newcastle for the Bodhi Festival.

This was the Bodhi Festival's first year, and it was a completely by donation yoga festival. We watched a really interesting panel, then enjoyed some good ol' fashion kirtan :)

gratitude, day 3

Today I'm grateful for fresh white dahlias. It's the little things in life, don't you think?

gratitude, day 2

First of all, thank you all so much for your kind words of support and encouragement on my last post! It means the world to me, truly.

And moving along to what I feel grateful for today...

That would be tea and cake in the morning, just cause. The cake is a delicious vegan chocolate cake made by my friend and baker extraordinaire, Katie.

Reminds me of one of my favourite French sayings: Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Amen.

a week of gratitude

You may have noticed that I've been absent from this space for a while. And the truth is that it's been a really tough week. For now, I'm still too sad and raw to write about it, but I will, and soon.

But for this week, I was thinking that I'd like to get back in the swing of blogging because this little blog does bring me a lot of pleasure, something that I could use right about now. So I thought that each day this week I could just post a photo of something I'm grateful for, and a few words. Starting today...

This photo was taken last night by my friend Anna at a yogis potluck. Today I'm grateful for friends, for the friends in the photo (I'm on the far right trying to write an 'A') who make awesome vegan food and are always so helpful and more generally for all of my friends, both near and far.

pinterest love

Some things I'm loving on Pinterest this week...

this tutorial for a dream catcher necklace via Kinsey's blog, this is happening...

Source: sincerelykinsey.blogspot.com.au via Gabriela on Pinterest

this cake (via whole family fare)

Source: wholefamilyfare.blogspot.com via Gabriela on Pinterest

this pose

Source: google.com via Gabriela on Pinterest

these words. words to live by.

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Gabriela on Pinterest

this outfit

Source: aplomb-aplenty.blogspot.com via Gabriela on Pinterest

this bedroom styled by Pia Jane Bijkerk

Source: designspongeonline.com via Gabriela on Pinterest

this hairstyle (though I definitely don't have the talent to recreate it)

Source: peonyandfig.tumblr.com via Gabriela on Pinterest

What's been catching your eye on pinterest lately? p.s. you can find me on pinterest here

bicycles and beaches

Above photo by husband

It rained this weekend. A lot. But in between storms there were pockets of blue sky and bright light, the kind that makes you want to run outside to soak it up. On Saturday afternoon husband and I took advantage of one such pocket of time and hopped on our bicycles for Surry Hills.

Just as we got there the skies opened up and we were lashed with rain. We ducked into a cozy cafe to wait it out, where we enjoyed chai and fries in the meantime. On the way home, the sun came out and I stopped to pick these stems, now adorning the walls. I'm not even sure what they are, but I love them.

These 2 pics by husband. On another note, isn't it the best when you rediscover things in your closet? I've had this skirt for oh, about 10 years, but had completely forgotten about it. Now that I've remembered, I don't want to take it off.

Yesterday the pocket of sun was in the morning, so husband and I headed to Dee Why for a swim after I finished teaching. The power of an Australian ocean never ceases to amaze me. Where I grew up in Vancouver, the ocean is almost always calm. Here, you're pummeled from all sides as soon as you step in.

But the thing is, once you get used to it, you start to crave it. There's nothing quite like ducking and diving through big waves to make you feel alive.

rainy mornings

note to self: self portraits are so not my strong suit!

I'm pretty sure that most bloggers experience this at some point or another, but sometimes I struggle with keeping this place positive versus being honest. To be honest, for various reasons that I won't go into here, it hasn't been the best week ever. Hence the very light posting...

And while summer in Sydney is normally warm and sunny for months on end, we are currently in the middle of our wettest summer in years and the coldest summer in about 50 years.

After a frustrating Thursday, I woke up today (Friday) to more rain. Then I decided that instead of wallowing I would buy an umbrella and go for a walk in the rain. So I did. I ate the yummy granola that my friend made for me, then went out to get a coffee from the neighbourhood place where everyone knows me and makes me feel like I live in a village.

I took some photos in the rain then meandered over to the post office where the book I've been anxiously awaiting, My Heart Wanders, was finally in my mailbox. I'm back at home now, and wouldn't you know it, the sun is peaking out and the sky is blue! I'm going to go take advantage...

Happy weekend friends! xx

laneway festival

Feist!!

m83! above photos are all from nicole

active child on the left

feist on the left, m83 on the right

This weekend was a pretty spectacular one. It started off with a bang with a satsang lead by Mother Maya. Saturday was filled with two sessions with Mother Maya and a housewarming party.

Finally, on Sunday I spent the day at Laneway Festival with Nicole. I'm a little bit obsessive about music, so it was an absolute treat to spend the day hearing old favourites (Feist) and discovering new people to love (jonti). We were especially lucky since the sun decided it was high time to make an appearance, and it was hot all day long.

Feist was definitely my highlight (I LOVE HER) but some of my other favourites were: m83, jonti, the drums, active child and portugal the man.

I love summer in Sydney.

awkward girls jean shirt challenge

{photos by husband}

Shoes: Saltwater sandals. Skirt: Anthropologie. Top: Roxy.

Ok, I'm doing an outfit post. Crazy, I know. I saw on the Awkward Girls blog (which is super cute, you must check it out!) that they're hosting a jean shirt challenge and I thought: "I just got a denim shirt, I want in!"

Hope you're all having a nice Monday!

my creative space: the girliest pillows ever!

It is really hard to take nice, light photos in my house!

A while back I went through a pillow making phase. I think it's because making pillows is really easy, and therefore appeals to the side of my personality that needs instant gratification. Then one day husband was all: "Will you stop making pillows already?!? We're running out of places to sit." This was followed by something to the effect of: "It's nice that you make things for the house, but can you please try to use less pink? It's getting kind of girly in here."

Being the nice wife that I am, I obliged. On both matters. Until this weekend when I was sitting in front of a pile of beautiful fabric that my friend got me in Turkey. Most of it was pink, and I wanted to make something quick! So I whipped up these very pink, very girly pillows. Sorry husband.

A note on the sewing: very basic. I sewed up two pieces for the front. The back is lapped (i.e. two pieces of fabric that overlap each other, thereby creating a gap to put the pillow in) because I'm afraid of zippers.

For more creative spaces, go here