Done

In progress

Still to look forward to

I wore this Monsoon dress in July last year with a belt but this time I was all about wearing it free and easy. It's a curious piece; a long boxy shift style dress with short sleeves and a little loop detail to the neck (which does make it look a little bit like it's back to front). The material is quite stiff and uncompromising but after a hot iron it lays lovely and flat. The design is a funny one too. Regimented. Black and white with a good bit of yellow too, which naturally led me to pin corresponding colours in my hair.
How do you wear yellow? It's easy. In moderation. Little accents, accessories, a top, flowers in your hair.... Don't be shy. Yellow is possibly the most uplifting colour you can sport, no kidding!
I can't help smiling.
Can't decide whether I can spy a tricep on my arm or a mucky smudge. Let's err on the side of positivity and call it muscle definition.
Say you're smiling plenty these days too?
Sophie

Being happy. That's a broad subject, isn't it? I recently read two great posts by Rosie “Should happiness be so hard” and Alice “Catching dreams” which didn't really resonate with me at all. I know, I'm pretty sure I'm the odd one out. By nature I'm a realist, a pessimist according to some,but I don't dream big (or at all really), there is no yearning for something amazing to happen; as far as I'm concerned - this is it, there is nothing more. It seems not to be the case for everyone which I suppose is for the best.

The mundane rigmarole of modern life can drain our inspiration with regrettable frequency but I have the answer for myself. Take joy in more. Look closer, take time to see the finer details, appreciate the smallest of things as well as the bigger picture.

The long grasses and open spaces, with hot winds and racing clouds. Birdsong all around and planes in the far distance leaving graffiti across the deep blue skies. The fluttering of butterflies and darting dragonflies, dancing in pairs by the river; teasing and flirting before settling down. The gentle hum of bees on each bloom; they buzz around to inspect before landing on each flower and crawling around to indulge in the pollen in abundance. The fish swimming upriver; pausing to feed, jumping to catch flies on the surface and vanishing before you can catch sight after hearing the 'plop'.

Learning to let the great outdoors restore my balance and fill me with joy has been the best discovery of my life; it's so simple and so accessible. Don't get me wrong, I'm not brimming with happiness at all hours of the day, but what I do know is where to go when I'm feeling a little empty.

I wish everyone could find what they are looking for with such ease. Find it and cling on to it for dear life.

Sophie

PS. I shot myself running around in the grass and it was such great fun