24/52 {The Favourites Edition}

 

A portrait of my little wren, once a week, every week, in 2013

 

Sage - adorned with a hat and a necklace, she turns the dial to make her music box play - her three favourite things, right there in a nutshell!

 

 

This week {and every week}, I popped by to visit the gorgeous Sarah at To Gather and Love and my heart was warm as I witnessed her precious boys, doing exactly what they do best - exploring and discovering amongst nature's wonders. 

 

{The 52 Project, inspired by the ever lovely Jodi}

 



P.S. if you love creating with your wee ones, you might like to enter my giveaway, especially for the little artist in your world. Good luck!

The Little Artist {Volume Two}

"To play with colour is to play with magic" - Ursula Kolbe

{author of my most favourite guide to facilitating art experiences with young children, Rapunzel's Supermarket}

 

 

As predictable, weary tears begin to surface toward the end of yet another whirlwind day, crisp, white ceramics, laden with colour, are placed atop her thrifted table; her sunshine-yellow chair drawn ajar to entice. Frustrated, tired grizzles are soon forgotten as her hands and mind meld to create a dance of wonder upon the beckoning page. Hues intertwine and new shades emerge as slapdash fingers hastily explore. Fragments of colour chaotically combine, as another masterpiece from our wee artist is complete.  

 

Sage creates with Veggie Baby Finger Paint care of the delightful Boodle and Bear. These beautiful hues are made from the milling of real blueberries, beets, pumpkin and spinach, and contain no dairy, wheat, sugar or preservatives - making them safe for even the most curious, young artist!
 

Sweet Marnie, a mother of two littlies, established Boodle and Bear - her family-based, online art supplies store, after she found a huge gap in the market for safe, easy-to-use, eco-friendly products, specifically designed for young children.

"It was concerning to me to find that many art supplies produced by large corporations contain toxic chemicals that can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or accidentally ingested whilst children use them…  Buying eco-friendly art supplies is a small step in caring for our world and our children."

 

To celebrate the potential and capabilities of even our littlest creatives, we have an entire set of Veggie Baby Finger Paint {RRP $40}, to give away to one lucky Fields of Sage reader! To enter, simply leave a comment, either in the blog comment section below or on our facebook page {doing both will give you two entries}. The winner will be chosen via random number generator {according to comment order} and be drawn in one week – on Friday, June 21^st at 8.00pm.

Good luck!

 

If you just cannot wait to immerse your child in a world of colour, Boodle and Bear currently has an enormous 40% off EVERYTHING in store! On my wishlist for Sage is this set of bamboo paint brushes and these divine water soluble pencils. But be quick - this amazing  40% off sale is available only while stocks last! Also, be sure to pop over and give Boodle and Bear a little 'like' on facebook to stay up-to-date with their frequent specials and incredible product range. Happy creating! x

 

23/52 {The Daddy Dressed Me Edition}

A portrait of my little wren, once a week, every week, in 2013



 

Sage - a frosty, early morning walk with Daddy and Rudi, allowing this Mumma a much needed sleep in. Waiting with baited breath this week, as we anticipate news of this gorgeous seaside town becoming our new home...

{The 52 Project, inspired by the ever lovely Jodi}

Memory | The Sling Diaries

Grandma's Garden

 

Etched deep into each wrinkle, each crevice, each pore, are moments of hardship and heartache, of laughter and light. Diligently carved by nature's swift hand, life's inklings lay engraved upon her velvet-soft face. Perhaps millions of smiles and hundreds of frowns, each furrow has a story, each gully, a song. 

 

As the delicate passageways bear witness to a life so graciously lived, it's the contours and causeways imbuing the heart that will tell of her tale - long after she has forgotten. Scandalously thieved, so mercilessly robbed, haze begins to overwhelm a mind once crystal clear. Words, names and memories fade with the slowly setting sun, white noise distorts perception, reality and truth. Yet in the face of confusion, frustration and loss, the soul within speaks crescendos of essence and love. Her gentle touch, warm embrace, her softest caress, silently declare all that is important, no words need be found.

 

Sage, as you grow and age through the years, your older self may too forget of life's valleys and peaks. Memories of triumphs and tears may long have departed, but your story lies here, ready and waiting to be told... now and forevermore.

 

 

 

Sage is wrapped with love in the Essential Linen Sling in Driftwood|Mint by Sakura Bloom

 

Tired

Lately I've taken some time out from this space... time that has been an absolute necessity for both my heart and my health. Throughout the year, I've prided myself on managing this mothering-working-blogging juggle, not to mention all of life's other incidentals thrown in along the way, but for the past few weeks I've been struggling to keep all balls aloft.

It's that time of the year where sickness is endless and unshakable. Where parent-teacher meetings run late into the evening meaning home time is well after dark. Where emerging molars require frequent night time snuggles and then toothpicks to make it through the next day.

Text messages from friends go unanswered, meals are cooked based on convenience over nutritional value and household items are hidden in bizarre places during speedy preparations for real estate valuations. RSVPs to upcoming birthday parties are weeks late, the comment sections of favourite blog reads lack my thoughts and an insurmountable washing pile is forming in our tiny laundry.

Uninspired and oh so weary, the time came for a mini disconnect. Although difficult for this self-confessed perfectionist, sometimes I need to be okay with the fact that I just can't do it all.

And my idea of pure perfection right now?      

... a blissful, uninterrupted early night!


What's yours?

22/52 {The Close of Autumn Edition}

A portrait of my little wren, once a week, every week, in 2013

Sage - basking in the final days of Autumnal colour, picking her favourite "app" from the over crowded branch


This week I visited Jenn over at her lovely space Monkey and Squirrel, and was just a little jealous of darling Penny, swinging while admiring a sun-soaked Italian countryside vineyard. Ahhhhh...

{The 52 Project, inspired by the ever lovely Jodi}

21/52 {The Stylin' Edition}

A portrait of my little wren, once a week, every week, in 2013

Sage -  we could not prise this furry hat from your grasp during our recent visit at the thrift store. You wore it with pride, running though the isles exclaiming "aat! aat!" to everyone you saw.


This week I visited the insanely talented Kelli at her lovely space, All Things Inspiring and witnessed the sweet bond between divine Rylee and her cat Bam in these seriously beautiful shots. {Plus I'm a huge sucker for a floral jumpsuit/headscarf combo! Isn't she just the sweetest?!}

{The 52 Project, inspired by the ever lovely Jodi}

Sage's 14 Month Video {& 15 Month Photos}

 

Somehow I've managed to fall an entire month behind in posting your video and photo updates, but this week, "the catch up" is at the very top of my to-do list! Despite the busyness of life, I still love taking snippets of time in the quiet of the evening to compile and edit moments - both the memorable and the mundane - and to reflect on just how quickly you are developing and growing before our very eyes. Even while sorting through {the 1000's of} images and videos from just the past month, I can see incredible changes to your independence, your understanding and your personality.  You amaze us every single day! Your Daddy and I often look at one another and shake our heads in wonder as you master new skills and attempt unfamiliar words and sounds {even if your favourite phrase at the moment is "no more" every time we are about to start eating!} I know we are probably a little biased, but we think you are the cleverest, most beautiful little girl we have ever laid eyes on!

 

Here are your adventures as a 14 month old...

 

 

 



20/52 {The Sweetness Edition}

 A portrait of my little wren, once a week, every week, in 2013

 

Sage and her "Dad Dad" - oh my heart!

This week I popped by Little Earth Stories and smiled at Ellery's portrait as the combination of his teenage pout, baby blues and headstrong independence reminded me of someone very close to home...

{The 52 Project, inspired by the ever lovely Jodi}

Inspiration | The Sling Diaries

 

Beauty lay waiting... silently anticipating the slowing of my hurried feet,
                                                                   the calming of my meticulous fingers,
                                                                   the clarity of my crowded mind.

Biding its time, beauty graciously surrendered to the bustle at the fore
and with a dignified smile, she rested, knowing that, in time, her true magnitude would be unveiled....


unveiled with your unveiling.


Upon your dawning, my eyes were awakened. Subtlety gave way to luminosity and the world's vast canvas revealed more colours and light and splendour than I could have ever dreamed. I found beauty in every crevice, each expanse; its allure pure and captivating.


With you, came a beauty-filled life.


My heart holds no boundaries, nor does my mind fathom a moment without you here

My love for you is infinite... endless

Like the ocean

All images courtesy of the extraordinary Tim

 

 

Sage is wrapped with love in the Simple Silk Sling in Fig by Sakura Bloom

19/52 {The Fishy Edition}

A portrait of my little wren, once a week, every week, in 2013

 

Sage - awed by a majestic, underwater world during a late night visit to the Sydney Aquarium

 

This week I visited the beautiful {and VERY pregnant} Amber at her wonderful space, Happiness is Eva {one of the first blogs I ever read and loved}. Her darling Eva is the epitome of a princess in this gorgeous capture, and she will be THE sweetest big sister - hopefully by the end of the week!

 

{The 52 Project, inspired by the ever lovely Jodi}

13 for 13: Herbs & Spices

Our herbs and spices have been stored in disarray ever since we renovated our kitchen a few months years ago {my goodness, has it really been that long?!}. Between then and now, I became distracted by the growing, birthing and raising of Sage and so only recently, when I listed my 13 for 2013, did the motivation finally strike to change our chaotic, uninviting 'system'.

 

Jars were purchased, as were some sweet pantry labels, and our earthy-toned condiments had a new home in no time at all...

 

Despite taking up a lot more space in the cupboard, I adored the ease of access and couldn't help but smile at the complimentary hues all lined up, side-by-side on the shelf. In fact, I was so taken by the fresh, clean aesthetic that I decided then and there to completely overhaul our entire pantry, in hopes that one day, it may look remotely similar to those I so long for. With husband and child in tow, op shops and discount stores were busily scoured until our car boot was brimming with glass canisters of all different shapes and sizes.

 

At home, we set to work; pouring and sifting, labelling and placing. Along the way, we scrutinised 'used by' dates as well as our food choices; endeavouring to be more mindful of our wholefood journey. Supplies were positioned to ensure the healthiest options were always within view and most easily accessible, with the less wholesome options placed out of sight, in hard-to-reach locations.

 

We still have a long road ahead in the quest for filling our bodies with the less processed and less refined, but surely having a pretty, organised pantry is a good motivator, right?!

 

Tell me, which herb or spice do you use most regularly? For us, coriander is our staple - especially during the warm, summer months. We put it, fresh from the garden, in pretty much everything. Also, Si adores a sprinkling of oregano on top of tomatoey, home made pizzas.

 

Delish!