FRIDAY SOUNDS: BALLADS AND BLUES - MILES DAVIS

Wishing you all a great Friday!  Currently really into some bluesy jazz and this album quite perfectly does it for me

For your listening pleasure via Spotify BALLADS AND BLUES

Image via Wikipedia

IT'S JUST A BAD DAY...IT'S NOT A BAD LIFE

Having a bad day really sucks.  It not only sucks on too many levels to mention, it also sucks all that good life and energy right out of you.  Why do things affect us so heavily some days, and not at all on others?  Why oh why oh why....  

So today is just 'one of those days' - didn't start off as a bad day - but it got progressively worse and by the time I walked through the door at the office I was ready to pack my bags and head on out for the first island with sandy shores and crystal blue waters that my wallet would allow.  Living in London, as amazing and inspiring and cultural and fashionable as it is,  some days can be a right chore.  Getting up at the crack of dawn,  in order to miss the morning madness of commuter hell on the underground at rush-hour... and then what happens - signal failure.  Signal failure!  Yes in 2015 we still have something like signal failure - not on one of the lines, but on 3 lines and 2 of them are my only options to get into work on the other side of London.

And then to be greeted by my boss with a 'well love, that's why people leave earlier nowadays so they get to work on time' ..... and that was it!  My journey is a good hour and a quarter on a good day.  I leave the house by 6:45 so I can be there at 8 am and .... its not even my dream job!  And from there on things can spiral downwards pretty darn quick if we're not careful!  I guess it was a bit of a light that has gone on for me today....

So instead of dwelling on that - I thought I would focus on some ways to overcome the negativity of todays bad day.  To allow it happen, but also to allow it to pass through me without affecting me, and affecting my frequency and energy for too long.

THOUGHTS ON CLEARING THOSE BAD DAY BLUES

1.  Remember - you're only human and its ok and perfectly normal to have a bad day every now and then

2.  Remember - a bad day is only a bad day - even though it may feel like its a bad life, its only a bad day and remind yourself of it

3.  Be alert when you are having a bad day as it may well highlight some underlying issues - which may need addressing.  See where your mind goes and take some gentle little 'notes to self'.  No need to make any major changes just yet - but be aware and be alert of what surfaces when we're having a bad day

3.  Take a moment and think about your bad day and try to understand what is causing it
       could be something external - a bad journey into work (uhm check)
       could be someone external - boss making a comment about the already said bad journey into work   (uhm check)
       and if its nothing external - start looking at things like diet.  Its a well known fact that what we put into our bodies plays a major part in our wellbeing and outlook on life in general.  So fill up on serotonin boosting foods  
' “Studies show that dense carbohydrates can solve this problem because they increase the brain chemical serotonin, which is a mood enhancer," says Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD, a nutritionist and wellness manager at the Cleveland Clinic. '  
                                              and lots of greens and leafy salads and spinach.  I just stumbled on an interesting ready which you may find helpful too on those ever looming bad days -  7 bad mood busting foods

      Do a bit of research - any kind really, but for now we're looking at mood busting foods, and for me knowing that has already helped - I now know that by adjusting what I eat, it can assist in bashing my bad mood;  and there's never any excuses to learn something new and useful!  And remember to share your findings with fellow readers and friends and followers.

4.  Take a moment and think about just 5 things to be grateful for

5.  Take a moment and lift your 'emotional gaze' to the horizon.  Ever so often we keep our eyes so fixed on the path in front of us, and at the smallest little bump in our way, we want to cry a river.  Lift your gaze, look over all those little bumps in the road and you may not even feel them as you journey forward.  In other words, stop looking just 3 steps ahead, and focus your gaze on the amazing sunset that's filling the horizon with a magnitude of beautiful colours and bright oranges and yellows and pinks and purples and slowly fading into blues.  Always have something to focus your energies on, a little project - or a new book to read - or join a new group or activity.  Stretch your horizons by lift your gaze

6.  Smile - see its not that difficult.  I often find myself when in full concentration, that I can look ever so serious - a lot more muscles in our face are contracting when we're in this state - by smiling we are relaxing our features and our gaze - and not only will we look better - we'll also consume less energy in doing so and quite possible feel a bit lighter.

7.  If you're having a bad day - do something unexpectedly kind for someone else

8.  Be good to yourself

Last thought I'd like to share - and its a chat I had with my mum this afternoon.  She will be 83 the end of the month - and is the most inspirational and wonderful woman in my life.  Even though she is still very active and does a lot creative crocheting, and gardening and even baked 82 christmas cakes last year!  Yes amazing!  She sometimes has real difficulties with her heart, and feeling very low of energy and tired.  So today she was telling me about this revelation she had when she was being examined by her cardiologist on a recent visit after being quite unwell.  Mum said she thought about being young and how the youthful have boundless energy, they are always fun and positive to be around and they exert such positivity.  She said just there and then she decided that she will not be bound by her age or what's expected at her age - she will focus on feeling young and feeling youthful, on feeling positive and on feeling happy and grateful everyday.  My mum is a very positive person in general - but I was so happy when she shared this wonderful little gem of inspiration with me.  So grateful that I have such a wise and inspiring mother and that I still have a mother. You go mum!  Loveyouloads x

So with that - and apologies again for the ramblings today  - but I often find writing helps clear my thoughts and understand feelings and emotions better once I've had a good session on my blog. If you got this far, thanks so much for reading.  And here's to finding new ways to fight those moody blues and bad days.

Images via Pinterest here  | ON WORDS TO INSPIRE ON A BAD DAY |

COFFEE ANYONE?

Nothing better than a steaming cup of the good stuff to give us a little boost come mid morning.

And oh... don't these lush pics just make you lust after a nice and smooth rich cup to savor and enjoy.  Its not just the coffee, the taste and aroma, the time it takes to brew, and that little boost after the first sip .... its also in the time you take to really enjoy the moment of enjoyment.... does that make sense?

Ah I think coffee's ready!  Enjoy xx

Images via Pinterest, 

For more lush coffee moments feel free to join me here | COFFEE MOMENTS |

BEAUTIFUL WATERCOLOURS BY SATSUKI SHIBUYA

SIMPLEXITY

ALTITUDE

OCEANICA

JUPITER

ALPAMAYO

EVAPORATE

PINNACLE

SENTIENCE

Inspiring works of art and inspiration 

And I quote

"S A T S U K I   S H I B U Y A  is a painter, artist and spiritual thinker, living and working in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Her work is based upon intuition, energy and spirit, exploring the realms of the unknown to bridge the gaps between the traditionally tangible and the unseen. Through watercolors, visualizations of universal metaphysics appear with a focus on themes such as nature, energies and aspects of everyday life. Each piece created embarks us on an unique and personal journey into our own souls in hopes that we emerge not only inspired about peace and harmony, but also with enlightened appreciations for this world in which we all live and share."

Have a beautiful and inspired week everyone - and make something beautiful of today!

Images via SATSUKI SHIBUYA

TRAVEL WITH ME TO ... BRUGES

Next weekend I will be travelling to Bruges.  I booked a ticket on the eurostar and I found a nice little apartment on airbnb close to the station.

I am travelling light... very light indeed!  
Passport - check
Eurostar tickets - check
Bank card - check
Phone - check
House keys - check
Comfy shoes - check

A very different approach to my usual and very elaborate planning and packing exercise which normally starts a good 2 to 3 weeks before I go away.  So much time is being spent on getting ready for the experience, and I needed a new take on travel and on the experience of being somewhere new and free.  For myself.

So I decided to get a new take on travel, to go solo with the bare minimum, to wonder the streets without a heavy bag and cameras and chargers and guidebooks and maps.  I will wonder free and take in the sights and sounds and sit in cafes and people watch and enjoy being somewhere new and exciting without knowing too much about what to expect.

But there is one little catch.... All the necessities I will need to find and purchase on my first day.... deoderant, toothbrush and toothpaste, shower gel,   pajamas and underwear.  I want to experience the city and go where the locals go to do and go about their everyday lives.  I'd like to take in the touristy sights as well, but I'm more interested in spending time in a city and do everyday things. Maybe I'd like to move there some day and now I can experience the everyday in a quick weekend visit.  I'l'll be honest, I do have a bit of wanderlust and I am perhaps exploring a possible where next....

Makeup... now that is the one thing I will need to really try and go without. I don't wear much, and quite like a more natural look, and don't normally leave the house without - unless I'm out the door for my run.  But oh what a difference just that bit of blusher can make!  So we will have to see how I manage the 'real' au natural for this trip.  Maybe I'll nip in for a mini make over somewhere... would that be cheating or cleverly beating the system (my own system that is)

I want to see how much lighter we can really live and how much more life I'll be getting out of it. I'm excited and looking forward to sharing my findings as I go.

Anyone else up for a 'travel me light challenge'

Any pointers and tips would be welcomed

Have a great and restful day

* GIVEAWAY* 2015 CALENDAR DOWNLOAD

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Design:  Lindé Davies

Today I'm very excited to share my 2015 Calendar download with you all.  Originally designed to be used within an app on a tablet - you may also wish to download and print.  This is one of my gifts to you for the year - and I hope it will help you being a bit more organised but at the same time use something a little bit different and unconventional and hopefully fun! You are free to use it in whichever way may suit you best and do share with your friends as well.

I originally came up with the design idea early 2014 as I wanted some form of monthly record of important dates, or notes - which I could easily access and update from my tablet.  I wanted a month to view and nothing to complex as I use google calendar to keep track of any meetings or get togethers with friends.  I could not find any apps that suited this purpose and decided to design my own.  My idea was to develop it into an app for 2015, but work got in the way, and I decided to; instead of waiting another whole year before I launch, I will share this download with you now.

I download my calendar into an app called Papyrus which is android and windows compatible.  It is free to download and in general a very useful tool if you like taking notes, or making sketches etc.  Each page is infinite to start with, and I will run you through how to set-up your pages shortly.

I have designed the calendar to have lots of white space around the edges - this I find useful to write little lists of reminders, or to add something to my shopping list, or even when I start planning a party or dinner, menu ideas or guests to invite.   You can sketch or doodle or just keep the white space free.  Any feedback or ideas any of you may have, please feel free to drop me a line or get in touch (details below)

If there are any app developers out there that would like to help me bring this little calendar to life via an app - please please please do get in touch!

The steps to set-up the calendar in Papyrus is a little bit long winded.... but hopefully it will be worth it in the end.... here goes!

Open a new notebook

Add a new note

Click page settings and set as follow -

Page type:  Blank

Page size: A4

Page direction:  Portrait

Then click add image 

Next you will have the option to crop it

Don't crop the image unless you want to loose the white space around the edges - click the little icon with four squares and it won't crop your image

Next it will add the image to your notepage - I normally stretch it to fill the entire page

Click the tick to save and...

Go to the next page and do the same and add each month in turn

(this seems like a slightly lengthy process; but really its only a few clicks and you'll be all set.  And if you may find a better app or a quicker set-up then do give me a little shout, would love to year from you!)

Here is the link to the dropbox download and and there is a pdf with the full calendar as well 

You can reach me via info(at)lindedavies(dot)co(dot)uk

or misslinde(at)gmail(dot)com

2015 CALENDAR DOWNLOAD

or Via My 2015 Calendar

IMPERFECT INSPIRATION

Truth be told ... keep the inspirations coming you lovelies, no matter how small you think your contribution may be - share share share and keep sharing, someone out there needs to hear what you have to say.  You never know - it may just save their day!

Image via Pinterest

VIPP SHELTER

Imagine a steel and glass shelter, hidden deep in a Swedish forest, surrounded by trees and a lake. Imagine this steel and glass shelter, fitted out with all the modern and stylish VIPP accessories you'd ever dream of needing.  Just imagine you can own this pre-fabricated shelter by VIPP at the click of a few buttons and a €485,000 price tag which includes freight and installation, oh and did I mention all this in only 6 months to delivery? 

What a wonderfully superb concept - elegant, minimal and a very small footprint.  A stunning open plan industrial living space, inviting the beautiful outdoors in through the vast glazed sliding panels.  Swoonworthy starts right here!  To learn more about the VIPP shelter, visit the website here

Images via various 

First spotted via nordic design