Is It Really Bad...

Is it really bad that I kinda can't stand the thought of taking another single photo of an 'architectural marvel' or 'historical monument' or 'priceless sculpture'? So much so that I just end up doing this whenever the camera comes out in that direction?

Does that make me a naughty, disinterested designer? Would my old interior architecture lecturers hang their heads in dismay?

Oh Woops... Catch Up

Oh geez, everything's going by so fast!

It's involved a bit of this...

Some of this...

And then lots of this!

Mmmmm gelato.... soooo goooooood.....

Home in ten days! Exciting!
Then it's back to the real world, the design world, and maybe some serious blogging... or maybe not. We'll see.

The Red Door Gallery

I found a little store on Victoria Street in Edinburgh, that made my heart go 'weeeeeeee!'. It's called The Red Door Gallery and it is filled to the brim with all sorts of lovely homewares, artwork and other design nick nacks and goodies. See their blog here!

I Heart Edinburgh

Well the city that has stolen my heart so far would have to be Edinburgh. I couldn't get enough of the friendly little city, it's gorgous old buildings, quirky alleys and secret passageways, and some really good pubs!

We met up with some high school friends for three days of fun in Scotland before heading to Dublin. Here are a couple of highlights, including a road trip into the countryside, a comedy night, a big night on the turps, and a walking tour...

New York, New York

I am writing this on a full stomach of scrumptious Pad Thai, after a full on four days of New York fever.

We have squeezed in as many things as we could possibly squeeze, like walking the Brooklyn Bridge at 3 in the morning, standing atop the Rockerfeller Centre, enjoying live jazz at the Fat Cat basement bar in Manhattan, learning to play shuffle-board, strolling central park, relaxing at Coney Island, marvelling at Times Square, doing laundry like the locals in Brooklyn, riding in the yellow taxis, navigating the subways and so much more.

I'm pooped, but no rest for the wicked! Let's see what Europe has to offer...

Los Angeles

Today we flew into Los Angeles, and decided to be tourists and hire a car to cruise the touristy spots.
We headed straight for Hollywood, then through Beverley Hills, and finished the day at Santa Monica pier.

It's not really my kind of city - it's grungy, it's dirty, it's run down and smoggy, but it is certainly an eye-opener!

Driving down Rodeo Drive, we rubbed bumpers with the latest Porsche, Mercedes and Audis, and you can see consumerism is alive and well in these parts considering the Versace, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany stores are still doing business! The 'beautiful people' are beautiful, the 'plastic people' look awfully plastic, and then there are all the cliched characters at the other end of the spectrum too, but you can see how this diverse range of people make the city what it is, even if it is all very superficial feeling.

Santa Monica Pier was tired and run down, but kinda fun all the same. I loved the buskers and pier entertainers performing weird and random things. There were parrots and maccaws, jugglers, hooler-hoopers, mimes, contortionists and acrobats. It was a good wander for the afternoon.

Next up we're off to New York, hoping that hurricane Earl isn't going to create problems for our flights!

View From The Top

It's only taken us 6 months and up until our last day on Salt Spring Island to make our way up to the top of Mount Maxwell to appreciate the truely magnificent view. Not only can you see Salt Spring in all it's beautiful glory, but America in the distance in one direction, and Vancouver Island to another. Talk about feeling on top of the world!

So that's it from Salt Spring, time for new adventures. I'll keep you posted!

Phosphorescence

A few nights ago some friends took us down to the shoreline to show us the phosphorescence. They are little algae that sparkle like glitter in the ocean when you gently disturb the water. It was so amazing! They show up best when it's really dark, and after a day of really warm weather.
Apparantly skinny dipping in a mass of these little things is like basking in a glittery whirlpool! 

I would have loved to get a photo of it but obviously with camera flashes and things it would never have worked, so I found this beautiful artwork as an example. Of course, if a jelly fish eats the microscopic algae, it too will light up, just like this.

Artwork by Jennifer Clark, found here.

Lucky

I follow the blog of a very talented Perth photographer Samm Blake, (whom I secretly have always dreamed would photograph our wedding). Her latest post, showcasing once again some stunning wedding photos, included a little bit about 'luck' and being a 'lucky person'. Here is a little excerpt from her post, but please pop over to read the full context and see her brilliant work! These words rang very true for me...

How to create your own luck:



1 – To be one of the “lucky” people, you need to share their amazing ability to focus. Clearly define your goals. Make them so vivid and real you can taste them. Regardless of the distractions and small detours, staying connected to your dreams is crucial.


2 – In order to arm yourself with the same advantages as “lucky” people, you need to become an ardent student. Lucky people thirst for knowledge constantly. Be prepared. Be determined to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. Only then will you be able to recognize it’s potential, while others ‘just can’t see it”.


3 – Motivation is a difficult task it seems for all of us. We’re either motivated or we’re not. But how does one become motivated? No “lucky” person lives by “Murphy’s Law”. When faced with a challenge, obstacle or downright failure, instead of being depressed and lose your motivation, do what the lucky person does. Become even more committed to try a different approach, a new way, but try again. Failure can actually be a motivator to the lucky person.


4 – Attitude and motivation go hand in hand. One acting as a catalyst to the other. No matter how dyer your circumstances, never let on by your demeanor and displaying a negative “oh, poor me” attitude. You can be a “glass half full” kind of person, but how about being a “How can I keep this glass refilled?” type person? A lucky persons attitude is contagious.


5- Expectations can be a tricky thing. Most of us are dosed with well meaning remarks like, “Don’t get your hopes up” or Don’t expect too much”. Lucky people were either never told or didn’t take it to heart. They DO expect much. Not as in a spoiled child throws a tantrum to get what they want. Rather they believe they WILL receive! Any great sales leader will tell you, “always ASSUME the sale”. It’s not a matter of IF, it’s a matter of WHEN and how much.


{Instructions from How to Be A Lucky Person}

'Poladroid' Overload

I was just re-reading through the great tutorial by BobbyRobin for making Polaroid style photo boards, (as I have big plans for all my travel photos when I get home), and followed her link through to this site and woooaaahh baby talk about getting carried away and having way too much fun with this application. Procrastinators beware!

She's Got A Ticket To Ride