Life is what you make it.

That is a phrase seriously, seriously taken advantage of. Too many people stumble around life waiting for things to come to them, being solely disappointed when people or events don't live up to their own expectations and totally being affected by emotion and random events (Harry Palmer). 


If life is what someone else makes it, or some event, or some reaction, then you will not be living as the source of your creations. You will harvest experiences you do not wish to experiecnce, over and over again until you intergreat them, which some people never achieve in their lifetimes, they accept it on, 'thats just how things go', or, 'this is just how I am'.


The power that human beings have is incredible. Although, news broadcasts will showcase mostly the bad side of morality; greed driven, violent, irrational, head conscious, selfish, alienating, belief protective etc. For me, and thousands of other people I know, these are not traits worth investing interest in. We are not simply bodies filled with these qualities, we have the power to choose. If people spent half as much time practicing compassion, REALLY feeling what another feels and accepting that the only thing between us are our beliefs, and that they can be changed, the world would be a better place.


"Taking personal responsibility for your life is a necessary process. The power in personal responsibility is that external causes no longer produce internal reactions. Personal responsibility restores your choice as to how you react to people or events." - Harry Palmer.


A lot of the things I have said have been inspired by a phenomenal man, Harry Palmer, Author of the Avatar Materials. If you have had any insight, or interest in anything I've said, and would like to be a part of the team that wants to change the world for the better, visit the Avatar website. The first step is taking personal responsibility for yourself, your creations and you beliefs in which you built yourself upon. From this place of reclaiming source, you will see truely magical and inspiring things happen.


It is your life, deliberately choose how to live it, and If your not sure how to do that, visit the website above. 

destroyed.

So, I'm utterly in love with cooking, I take it very personally and its a true passion of mine. I'm quite good also. I like to do everything from scratch and tonight was no exception. I made lamb koftas from leg of lamb, spiced with cumin, paprika, chilli, rosemary and salt. With lemon and red onion, parsley, mint, lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes with a spiced yoghurt sauce. All wrapped in corn wraps (organic ofcourse, ha!).

But anyway, it was delicious etc etc. I saved some for my boyfriend, some of the salad, the accompaniments and the skewer of lamb. Then, I look up, and see my brother take ONLY the lamb off the plate and stuff it in his face. I almost died.

FUCK! I saved it for someone who'd appreciate it, ACTUALLY has a palate and enjoys my cooking. I had to stop myself from crying. I don't know if anyone else in the world feels these sort of thigns when it comes to food. I feel like I had something stolen from me. I yelled at him, but thats never satisfying, he doesnt care. Its like, you save up for your dream pair of shoes and as you go into the store where the last pair IN THE WORLD lies within your grasp, some fat, completely unstylish girl buys them then throws them in the rubbish bin as soon as she gets home. Agh, this is such a whinge. But I feel better-ish. I'd feel better if my boyfriend had my kofta in his mouth, as weird as that sounds. I wanted the enjoyment for him, as my brother is a brut and wouldn't get it. He snarled at the salad too. skjdlakd.

I love cooking, I hope someone else gets it.

Love. Part One.

Florence is prompting this post, I LOVE her voice, its like sex to my eardrums. Tantalizing.

I thought I'd write a snippet on love, because, a) I'm completely head over heels in love and b) its absolutely amazing. Whether your in love with shoes, or writing, or sport, or animals or people, the feeling of love is like the best and most motivating feeling I've ever encountered. 

I think its most important though, to love yourself before you love anyone else. Otherwise its for the wrong reasons, and you'll be loving them out of a need, rather than in deliberacy. This was my biggest lesson I've ever learnt, and I'm glad I learnt it young, so I stopped my destructive relationships and victim downfalls.

Because, needing someone is no good. You shouldn't need anyone to make you feel anything. In all honesty, and after months and months of divulging into my own consciousness did I learn that no one can inflict anything upon you, unless you give them permission, or responsibility over your feelings. You wouldn't let someone totally unworthy of your feelings make you cry, or upset.. So why give other people the credit for your happiness? You merely let them into your life, and experience alongside them, happiness, a nice connection etc. 

Companionship, camaraderie, partnership, alliance, amigos,  friendship, soul mates, are just decisions made with another. Which I find more romantic, than this concept of fated love. Although I'm the first to say that things happen for a reason, I also think you have to be open to the opportunity for it to come into your world. AND make the decision for it to last. 

My mother mentored me these things as I was going through heartbreak after heartbreak in high school, but hey, don't most of us need to learn for ourselves before you take notice or decide to change? I certainly did. And I now admire her words, as she too has learnt the lesson, and lives it much better than me, giving space to my dad, and he the same for her. The best thing she ever said to me, while I was 'devastated' after an ended relationship, was, "would you still love him if he was a fat, balding old man in a wheelchair?", I instantly shuttered and said no. "Then don't worry about it, it's not meant to be" she replied. 

As for my partner and I, were more like conjoined twins. We don't sleep apart as a rule and if the only time we meet for the day is in the morning and before bed and during sleep, then thats quite out of routine, and rare. This is the most treasured and brilliant relationship I've ever had. Its a lot of work, work I'm quite happy to be involved in, day in, day out. 

This is the first romantic relationship that I've ever had thats been a partnership in the truest sense, we work together, to achieve goals, to achieve stability and to support each other every single day. We also don't need eachother, so when were together, our time spent is much more spacious, we can play in eachothers consciousness, tell jokes, get serious, talk, and have true camaraderie. Were also best friends, soul mates and choose to be together every morning, every night. There's the magic too, its not all this formulation, constructed, agreed upon relationship. Mostly, its totally whimsical, when I look at his face, I see everything I use to be, and then I see the clarity of what I've achieved with him by my side, and I'm thrilled to wake up next to him every day. Life partners and all that. He can calm my mind in the busiest moments of confusion. 

If your reading this, your my home, and I love you.

So there, thats not everything I've got, but its a beginning. 

BANKSY.

(images via Google)

‎"Only when the last tree has been cut down, and the last river dries up to a trickle, will man finally realise that we cannot eat money, and reciting old proverbs makes you look like a twat." - Wall and Piece, 2007, Banksy.

Banksy, for me, is king of social commentary (present day). He is hilarious, and clever in his 'Brandalism' and graffiti street art. I am purchasing his book, Wall and Piece this week as I got a decent pay this week. If your interested in social commentary through art, graffiti, street art or art that provokes thought, Banksy's your man. I'm always very inspired after sitting down and reading about him, looking at his work etc. 

Bloom.

(Images via various Tumblr's.)

So, in the fear of sounding corny, SPRING HAS SPRUNG. Well, at least it did yesterday, and the day before, today looks bleek. Correction: Today is wonderful. (I just looked outside, ha!) 

In the spirit of spring, I'm going to clean my room, throw away things I no longer care for, like printed tees from last spring, wool tights etc! I'm also going shopping today to pick up some transeasonal things to kick start my new wardrobe. 'Cos September is really like coming out of hibernation, you can kick off your furrs, duffle coats, wool tights, many layers of black and grey and opt for something lighter, more colourful and dare I say it, FLORAL. (I personally do not like floral, and its kind of a bit undermining to continue to bring florals out around Spring, EVERY year, like we dont know its Spring, or that you sold this to us LAST year, but maybe in a slighly different shade.) ANYWAY, I'm excited. New clothes, more sun on my face and on my paintings, more air, less butter and sugar to keep me warm. What? Butter and sugar doesn't keep you warm? Thats probably just my food addiction. 

Pro Choice

Image via the hanging sun.

I have a serious issue with NO CHOICE people, or beliefs shall I say. I know that everyones entitled to their own opinions, but if you wonder for a while about your beliefs and whether or not if everyone believed the same thing as you did, would the world be a better or worse place? (H. Palmer)

I think in a world only one choice, which was pro choice, every one could be happier. 

I love this image, it says so much about this issue, and men. God knows men are not my favourite subject. But lets not get into that right now. Its far too long winded, and I'm hungry, and have to get up to make a point in contributing to this world. At least in some way. (always positively) Ha!

ORGANIC CARE!

I’m all about living an organic life. So I’ve begun what will no doubt be a horribly expensive adventure! Making the switch after spending hundreds of dollars doing it will be so worth it! I may be making a more human sized footprint compared to my now enormous economic footprint! Getting responsible really!

So, I’ve recently made the switch to using all organic and natural skin care products, thanks to my wonderful friend Denise. She is a health and well being professional, a teacher in human consciousness and my personal mentor. Denise gave me a starter pack via amazing New Zealand brand, Trilogy(paraben/chemical free and all natural, wooo). I now use their Cream Cleanser, Hydrating Mist Toner, Nourishing Body Lotion and Energising Face Lotion. The cleanser removes make up and cleans my skin in a some creamy formula without any burning, scrubbing, or dryness. I then use the mist to tone and awaken my face and then slather it all over with the face moisturiser. YUM! 

To add to my list, I’ve just bought: Sukin Body Scrub and Rosehip Oil. Cannot wait to jump into the shower tonight! Sukin is Australian owned and made, paraben free, no animal testing, no animal products (yo, vegans!), no preservatives, no synthetic fragrances, no artificial colours, bleaching or deodorizing! Their products are seriously wonderful, for you and the planet! Oh, and are certified organic. I seriously get excited over this stuff.

Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! Instead of buying expensive brushed and nail care, you can now  buy all over the place, EcoTools, earth friendly beauty tools. I bought a loofah and am buying all my make up brushes again with this brand next week! Their products are made from all natural materials without using animal products too. These brands should be paying me for such a good write up haha.

I also use Organic Care (or thats not their site, otherwise, their products are found in all supermarkets) shampoo and conditioner, which is chemical free, organic, Aussie owned and made and their bottles are made from corn starch, which means an less CO2 emissions produced in their making and no petrolleum or crude oil to be seen!

Anyhow, click on any of the brand names and find their sites (except EcoTools, go to Priceline instead!). It will be so worth it, these products ACTUALLY work, and you feel better, look better and know that you doing your part for the co creation which is our planet!  

Pen & paper.

A large pencil, pen and ink drawing. I usually do things from a more abstract perspective, mostly because I never knew how to draw observationally or realistically, those days seem to be coming to a close. Enjoy!

Day 01: A recent picture of yourself and 15 facts about yourself

I used to be really good at answering questions about myself, way back when my ego was on fire and commanded all control over my body/thoughts etc. But I’ve since quietened that annoying, pestering voice inside my head that was completely self centered and concerned with looking/acting a certain way to impress people that don’t really matter. I’m sure we’ve all been there. And at the end of the day, you look in the mirror and wonder where it all went wrong. Or where you were? Who were you? 

Alas, lets begin this challenge in celebration of my egos demise and see where it goes. I will focus more on staying in feel than trying to form a reference or image for the people who read this/will ever read this. Because if you’ve never known me, your the lucky ones. You wont judge me on the impression I left.

1. I’ve been overseas 4 times in the past 12 months. 2. I’m Maori. 3. I’d rather spend a night in with my parents than numb myself and get a hangover. 4. I would like nothing more than to move off the peninsula, the consciousness down here is suffocating. 5. I can confidently say that I’m happy being with one person until I die. 6. Sometimes I feel like I’ve lived 5 lifetimes in the past 12 months. 7. Sometimes I feel like an old soul observing the world. 8. I’m 5 foot 3. 9. 19 years old. 10. Aspiring artist. 11. I miss my best friend. 12. I want to be in Europe, painting all day every day. 13. The strength of my resistance is absurd sometimes. 14. I have amazing creating abilities. 15. I’ve reached a personal sense of peace, personal responsibility and awakened to the real reasons as to why I exist.

Interesting? People will say yes, people will say no. I think appreciating that people believe differently and that, that’s okay, is key.

Pepper? Yes please!

So i've obviously been living under a rock to have only found this deliciously addictive blog!

I will never claim to have mad style or know everything about right now trends and how to work vintage, but i do read and lust over A LOT of fashion blogs. And my favourite ones are always ones where you can waste hours on looking and woo-ing and being inspired.

I'm a very visually driven person, I learn better by using visuals aids, I can memorise basically anything thats presented to me visually. I feel happier when surrounded by things I find aesthetically pleasing, and so to waste time looking through these beautiful blogs is not really a waste of time at all. 

The other big plus, SHES AN AUSSIE! Which makes me feel that her style is closer to home, ya know, more achievable. (does that make sense?) Its a recognizable thing, comforting to see Aussie products and brands throughout her profile, visiting Melbourne etc, feels a bit more real.

Anyway, I love her blog, and store, and collaberations etc. Check it out. 

Garry Pepper Vintage

Bloglovin!

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Old loves.

1. Natalie, 2. Stephen, 3. Rose, 4. Stephen, 5. Me, 6. Me, 7. Natalie.

Just some old photos that I've taken. Love.

That kind of boredom.

Have you ever had that kind of boredom/mundane unawareness that’s so mild that you seem to live with it for weeks on end without fully recognizing it? You always feel slightly off, like you’re out of alignment with any goals but its cruisey so you just keep with it? Then one day, it builds so fast and everything you read/watch/touch or interact with feels like its throwing everything you hate right in your face that you snap. You see it all over TV; every ad you watch is for a company or cause that you don’t believe in. Or yet another infomercial for a Snuggie/Ab King Pro/Zumba etc. Every newspaper article that you glance over either has some seriously stupid alliteration of pun about AFL heroes, or AFL players having a huge night on the town including violence and sexual harassment. (I don’t like AFL players, can you tell?) I mean everything that you seem to notice makes you notice more and more how bored and irritated you are. Then just like that, POP.

         What follows is usually a 1 minute-hour long spiel about how bored you are, what’s not right in your life, who’s not right in your life, what your doing wrong, what everyone else is doing wrong, why things cant be different, why don’t people care more about animals and less about sport and then finally asking for a solution to all your indoctrinated beliefs.

         Or is this feeling called clarity? 

Te Amo.

Rihanna, this is why your my absolute favourite. Secret jealousy over the other girl in this clip. 

Wait, its not a secret. I love Rihanna.

Assessment.

With my mid year assessment on Monday morning, I will be going art mad. I don't think I'll have clear vision after I'm done due to the intense painting I'll be doing. On a positive note, Masterclass is on tonight, and second to art, I LOVE FOOD. 

Will post photos later this weekend!

Thinking of you.

Love you x

Living studio.

"A Studio That Lives". This video really got my artistic juices flowing. I want a studio that I can spend all my time in, surrounded by inspirational clippings/photographs/drawings etc. Video courtesy of Igor + Andre. Check out their blog, its very uplifting! 

Vanilla Bear

Miss you already.

Johanna

Images courtesy of Johanna Nyberg. This girls illustrations are amazing! She puts her own spin on some very iconic fashion images, this is the kind of illustration I admire. They remind me of drawings I've done in the past, but better haha. The line work seriously captures me. So simple, yet so complex. Beautiful work.
Check out her blog here!

New!

So, I'm joining the world of blogging. I want to start a conversation about art and all things creative. I have no idea what to do really, but I do know that I want to share my love for art and creativity. And what could be better than sharing your work and admiring others at the same time? I'm just going to see where this goes, hopefully I can inspire someone along the way. I'm labeling this initially an art focused blog, but who knows, I don't like to be contained within one label. So this will be personal, covering everything that I love.