HANDMADE CERAMIC RITUAL DISHES - AN URBAN VILLAGE CERAMICS

With my hands in clay I somehow find a little escape - a little retreat from the day to day 

Creating pieces of work and imagining where they will be used - in candle lit environment with soft neutral interiors - and natural breathable plaster wall finishes... the gentle fragrance of incense floating and nudging you to explore and wonder deeper into this safe haven of pure indulgence.

Finding a quiet spot with a low bench - we take a seat and allow our breathe to gently slow down with each inhale - and then an even slower exhale .... closing our eyes down we are transported yet again.  Staying present - we allow each inhale and each exhale to bring us back to this moment.

Healing sounds bringing us closer allowing us to feel deeper into the quiet - creating a spaciousness from within

Just being here now...  You are enough

My ceramics are slow made - and with intention - and I hope you were feeling somewhat transported while reading this post - as you would be when holding one of these beautiful ritual ceramic pieces

With love

Lindé x

An Urban Village Ceramics

Etsy | An Urban Village Co

INTERIOR INSPIRATION | ANKE DESIGN STUDIO - D.O.M. LANCKORONA

Stumbled upon Anke Design Studio via Pinterest.  The muted tones and the use of natural materials are in such perfect harmony here - creating a space where one can feel calm and at ease and unwind as soon as you step through the front door 

I wish we could see more of this beautiful and mindfully designed space.  I have linked the website below if you wish to visit any of their other projects

Wishing you a creative and productive week ahead 

 Images via https://www.anke-design.com/domlanckorona

MONDAY MUSINGS

 I am currently on a little lag between projects - so January has been all taking time to get back into a good flow again and about catching up with admin and just rearranging my life somewhat.  Taking stock.  When things get busy I always find that I don't take the same time to start my day mindfully - and reflecting on the past year I can see clearly how that impacted things somewhat.  Now that I have a bit more time I am building on a new solid foundation - so when things start to pick up again I'll be able to continue in this manner and flow.

This will also help me to have a more mindful approach to projects and clients alike. By starting the day more mindfully - with intention, with meditation and prayer I am allowing myself to come back into alignment with what is meant for me.  And what is not meant for me will pass me by.  I am surrendering control and trusting .... and quietly on the sidelines building on my inner world so I can be strongly rooted - yet flow without being uprooted.  And that means looking after myself and my wellness first.

There is a beautiful quote from 'The Tao Of Woman' 

24 Grounded

'Stretching herself too thin, she breaks her connections. Staying too busy, she has no time.  Doing for others she neglects herself.

Defining herself only through others, she looses her own definition.

The wise woman waters her own garden first.'

Not all projects and not all clients are meant for us - and when we are in a more intuitive flow we are able to discern, our intuition will guide us and projects will flow accordingly.  On the other hand the opposite is also true - sometimes we say yes to projects or people, when deep down we can feel our gut instinct saying N O.  Have you experienced that as well in your life or career or a project or relationship.  Would love to hear some insights from your experiences and how that has impacted your approach now.

I also decided to get back into blogging again - to share inspiration, and random thoughts, bits and pieces of my work - some mindfulness reminders and anything that might pop in for me to share out into the world.  It would definitely still be more about architecture and inspiring interiors - but blended with a more mindful approach ... it might even become 'The Psychology of Space' 

Who knows what the future might hold - but today I am feeling somewhat inspired...

With love

Lindé x

HANDMADE CERAMIC JEWELLERY DISH - AN URBAN VILLAGE CERAMICS

I honestly forgot how much I loved to blog - to find something inspirational online and to share that out into the world.  I guess life got a little bit busy back then as I got more and more into my creative flow of creating things out of clay.  I took my first course at Turning Earth way back when in the Spring of 2017 when they just opened their new studio in Walthamstow.... and it truly has been the best gift I could have ever granted myself.

Fast forward to 2023 - and I am still in awe of the magic - and the alchemy that can bring something so modest completely to life. 

This is a one of a kind jewellery dish I made towards the end of last year - it has a beautiful Belgian lace imprint and hand carved edge detailing.  The glaze is absolutely dreamy and I almost wanted to keep this little dish for myself.

But - if you are lucky enough to head on over to my Etsy shop 'An Urban Village Co' today you might find this beauty still available for one lucky shopper and keeper of magical things to be.

The necklace is from a gorgeous South African sustainable jeweller called 'Soul Design Jewellery' - I choose 'Love' to be imprinted onto the one side of the disk and 'Bali' on the other.  

If you would like to follow my ceramics journey on Instagram - you'll find me here 'AnUrbanVillage_Ceramics' - do say hello and I'm excited to have you follow along with me

Much love always

Lindé x

POWERFUL AFFIRMATIONS TO START THE DAY

 
Hello hello there, and wow!  What a ride since my last post on the blog... September 2018 wow!

I won't even know where to start - so for now I won't.  But .... I am back and excited to start sharing again all that inspires and motives and keeps me going though this lifetime

I would love to hear from you if anything I share may resonates or have made you ponder for a moment or two.

These beautiful affirmations are from Hanako Therapies 

I have saved a few more on my Inspire Pinterest Board here

Sometimes we can feel a sense of overwhelm when so much is beyond our control.  It is exhausting to say the least.  The idea is to not allow the overwhelm to take away from our sense of being. 
To notice the overwhelm but then to choose again.  To choose a softer feeling and to choose a lighter feeling.  To reclaim the present moment as fully ours and to focus on just one small thing that is good, that can bring us joy, that can allow us to feel even the slightest of upliftments.  To vibe higher - it is as easy as said and done... but it is a daily practise and to constantly keep checking in on ourselves

To keep our thoughts in alignment with what is for our greatest good 

So today - let's focus on 'being' on 'surrendering' on 'going gently' 

With love

Lindé x

BALI TRAVELS - MY BEAUTIFUL STAY AT VILLA KUBU - 2015

I just stumbled upon this post - unpublished... from 2015 - my first visit to Bali .... so let me share this experience with you anew.....

It was only a couple of months ago that I stumbled upon Villa Kubu a luxury villa complex in Seminyak, Bali... I wrote a little blog post here, but little did I know at the time, that a few months later I'll have the opportunity to stay at Villa Kubu.  And even now as I'm writing this post I am a little bit overcome by just how wonderful this life can be in the here and the now.

So here we go.... I'll paint the picture.... I'm sat on a comfy lounger by the pool, my breakfast arrived a little while ago and I have the soft and soothing sounds of sweeping and birds chirping and co cooing in the trees.... The water is stirring invitingly and I realize with a very grateful heart that I have found paradise.... thank you

The morning had come and gone and I've been for a little wonder.  Back now at my little paradise villa and am relaxing by the pool.  Feeling peaceful and calm and just enjoying the gentle passing of time.  

Book your beautiful stay at Villa Kubu - this is Villa 11 

AKOKO - VISUALISATION AND DESIGN BY FARM VISUALS

Visualisation by Farm Visuals

Visualisation by Farm Visuals

Visualisation by Farm Visuals

I met with the client for this beautiful project towards the end of 2017.  He wanted to create a contemporary Nigerian cuisine experience - the setting to showcase the ambiance and best of Nigerian Culture

Aji off course was also interested in using our beautiful natural Clay-works clay plasters for the interior walls and ceilings to represent the rich heritage of open wood cooking - the oldest method of cooking known.  Shown here is a beautiful rustic clay plaster to represent the smokey ambers and glowing red ames.  The rest of the interior will have a more contemporary feel - in keeping with the theme

Introducing Aji to Jack from Farm Visuals came next - and together they could develop the brief and design the Architecture Concept for what will be a truly unique restaurant and dining experience in London

I am super impressed by how lifelike these visualisations are looking and even more excited to see this project come off the ground

Amazing work from the guys at Farm

Image renders via Farm Visuals

FLEXIROAM FOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL DATA NEEDS

Nowadays we can hardly go half an hour without checking our phones let alone half a day

So for some the thought to be without connection while abroad may be quite a frustrating one

Most of the UK network providers now offer coverage in most of Europe without any additional costs - but travelling to further flung destinations could either leave us with hefty phone bills when we return home; or having to resort to using the Wi-Fi at the accommodation and cafes and restaurants - not ideal if you want to post that Insta story while in the midst of a tropical downpour in the middle of a deserted island chasing waterfalls…

Well the guys from Flexiroam have come up with the perfect solution. 
A nifty little SIM you attach to your current SIM, and insert back into your phone. And an even more nifty little app which allows you to switch between your home SIM and your flexiroam SIM in A couple of clicks- and voila soon as the airplane hits the tarmac you're online and good to go .... Before the seatbelt signs are switched off.

It's easy to top up and their customer service is second to none.

And to top it all - the good people behind flexiroam have kindly come up with a wonderful 35% discount for any new customers purchasing a new starter pack using the voucher code below at checkout - and if you join using this link both you and I will get another 100mb of data added to our accounts

Amazing right! "To get Flexiroam for yourself, please use this link (roam.my/4R6JFXX6) to download the app and then use (URBAN35) at checkout to get 35% off your Starter Plan. Code valid for In-App Purchases only - Not valid for Lite Plans and Local Data.” Now … where in the world would your wonderful travels be taking you?

I'm off to Bali this evening- my flexiroam SIM loaded and ready for a week of nature : beauty : culture : bliss and touch of excitement... 

#flexiroam #dataroaming #travelling
#travels #balibound #balionmymind #sponsoredpost

SPOTIFY

Hello there

It's sure has been a while...

Thought I'd share a little insight into what I'm listening to from day to day - you'll see a new gadget to the right with a Spotify Playlist

This will change from time to time - or maybe week to week, let's see how this goes

And hope you enjoy this new addition to my blog... currently listening to a lovely mellow | Smooth Jazzy Grooves | playlist via Spotify

Lindé

xx

Image via Pinterest

VILLA VERDE - TULUM DESIGNED BY CO-LAB DESIGN OFFICE

Wow... so where does one start - a perfect tropical retreat in an eco-conscious neighbourhood with cobble stoned streets - a short bike ride to the beach...
This is Villa Verde in Aldea Zama, Tulum, Mexico - and this is one for my list for next year...


Images via Villa Verde AirBNB

Designed by co-labdesignoffice