Color Palette Blog Walk: The Color of Joy

Today I am super excited to be participating in the Color Palette Blog Walk hosted by the amazingly talented color genius herself - Brandi at Brandi Girl Blog.  The theme for this round is 'The Color of Joy'.  

Being the total nonce that I am, I signed up to participate without actually having any means of creating a palette (friends and family take note: Photoshop is high on the xmas wish list this year).  Luckily Brandi came to the rescue and, using my photos and my rather poor color descriptions, put these amazing palettes together for me - thank you! So, with a massive debt of gratitude to Brandi, here are three palettes based on three things that bring me joy.

1. Autumn

Let's conveniently ignore the fact that this photo was taken in Spring, because really it does scream Autumn doesn't it?  That soft, hazy light; the gorgeous red of the leaves; warm days, cool nights; comfort food; scarves and boots - oh Autumn you bring me so much joy!

2. Sea

One thing I've really missed about living in Asia these past years is the easy access to the (clean) ocean.  It's not even that I love to swim (actually I'm a bit of a wuss - I'm easily freaked out by seaweed and things lurking unkown in the ocean depths; this fear hasn't been helped by a bad Bondi beach experience involving a stinging jelly fish who didn't want to let me go...) but there is something about being close to that big salty body of water that is immediately calming.  Whether you're strolling along a windy beach in the midst of Winter, or leaping off a rock in your underwear because you've completely overheated in the height of Summer, there is something just so incredibly cleansing about the sea.

3. The Little Things

Joy isn't all about big events and big holidays, more often than not joy is found in the little things.  Joy, happiness, often comes from noticing all those little things that happen to us and surround us every day. It might be this morning's perfect coffee, the smile from a stranger in the street, or the sunshine streaming in your office window.  It might be a favourite print that you've had framed, a holiday souvenir that you treasure, or a piece of furniture that has a history all of it's own.  Or perhaps it's just admiring the wonderful harmony between this purple-grey succulent, olive green Hornsea bowl and rosewood sideboard.  Whatever it is, I'm always grateful for the little things.

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Want more?  Why don't you have a stroll around the other blogs participating in the blog walk?  And please allow for regional time differences - if their post isn't up yet, it will be up shortly.

Francesca at Francesca Watson Designs

Lori at Pretty Things

Marsha at Marsha Neal Studio Blog

Cindy at Sweet Bead Studio

Kerry at Kab's Concepts

Cynthia at Ornamental Style

Linda at Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings

Erin at Treasures Found

Brandi at Brandi Girl Blog

Jenni at Jenni's Beads

Shari at Exploring the Wonders of Life

Fish!

A fishy GIF.  Just 'cos it amuses me.  Happy Wednesday all!

What I wore...

Well, weren't you were all so ridiculously nice to me for my first what I wore post?  You've really only got yourself to blame for my continued narcissism...Here's pretty much what I'm living in at the moment, now that my favourite season is here.  

For me, Autumn dressing is all about not overheating, not turning in to a red cheeked sweaty mess (so glamorous, right?).  I love Winter layers so when the temperature drops I'm sorely tempted to start playing with boots and coats and fun knitted mittens.  But I hate overheating with a passion, and there seems to be some arbitrary day when the air-con is turned off and the heaters are switched on regardless of the fact it's still 22 degrees and sunny outside...so instead I turn to leggings and shift dresses and I stay cool and happy.  

My favourite thing about this outfit?  It is so very easy to wear.  It's one of those outfits where in your head you feel like you're strolling about in your PJs, but you actually look pretty damn pulled together. Plus, the best shoes ever  - I love the colour blocking - which are surprisingly comfortable despite the rather high heel. Also, the bag (see below).  Thank you for bringing a burst of sunshine in to my days, Kate Spade!

Dress: Mango

Stockings: Not sure, but they are 200 denier and they are ace!

Shoes: Nine West

Bag: Kate Spade

Piggy: Fruit Fly!

It's kind of strange that both posts have featured a Mango dress, because I don't really like Mango all that much (although I do like Penelope Cruz!) and I find their sizing is all over the place.  Some non-Mango posts (maybe some vintage!) will be along shortly, depending on whether you all shower me with compliments again...

Death by Doxie: The Hounds Want Something Edition

See that look?  The one of total focus, commitment and intensity?  The look that in Elfi's head says 'I want what you've got, and you want to give it to me' like some sort of Jedi mind trick?  Well, that's the look that accompanies every meal and every snack around our house...

The BIG Project

Do you have a big project in your life right now?  One that is years, possibly even decades in the making?  One that fills you both with unbelievable excitement and a healthy dose of trepidation when you think of it?  For me right now, our big big project is the house we recently bought in Sydney, Australia.

While we are living overseas the house is being rented.  But one day, when we final settle down a bit, it will be the house my husband and I will live in.  We have quite a few more years yet of moving from country to country, from rented apartment to rented apartment, but one day this house in Sydney will be our first real home.  

And it's going to be my responsibility to make sure it is a home we love.  You see, eventually we'll be renovating. Or, more accurately, I'll be renovating - at some distant point in the future, while my husband continues to work overseas, I'll come back to Australia and play foreman.  Even though it's a long way off, it's already an idea that fills me with eager anticipation (and stomach churning anxiety)!  

I've channeled some of this excited energy into creating inspiration books for different areas - the garden, bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, etc.  It is so much fun pouring over interior magazines and dreaming away...  Imagine how chock full of ideas these books are going to be by the time I actually get to work? Yikes!