Do What You Love

Went back to my Hampshire roots recently and enjoyed poking around Alresford, a sweet little town in the ancient New Forest with a real working steam engine.  Here are a few of the things that caught my eye… What a lovely house the old Postmaster had! Love the boot scraper outside the door This pub isread more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from painter Sally Stafford and TV presenter Desha Peacock *** Sally Stafford I am not a writer…I’m a painter. Eight years ago I wouldn’t have been able to say that. I was a technical writer working freelance for internet security companies. But in my heart I have always been anread more >>

Here are a few more of my discoveries from the Saltaire Arts Trail Makers’ Fair… Geraldine McCullagh (Made at Greenview) Have had my eye on these lovely bags for a while.  Geraldine makes most of them using fabric from Liberty’s.  She told me she also teaches sewing workshops in the picturesque village of Holmfirth – mightread more >>

It’s that time of year again when artists open their houses for all and sundry to come and have a nosey (and view their art!).  I spent a wonderful day today wandering Saltaire Arts Trail and spending too much money at the Makers’ Fair in Saltaire Village.  Here are some of my lovely discoveries… Cathyread more >>

Today’s Do What You Love interview is a little different to the others.  Author of blog ‘The Frugal Style’, Melissa Vest lives in Arkansas, USA, and is an alumni of the Do What You Love e-course.  She found that after years of struggling to understand what she wanted to ‘do’ as a career, the e-course reallyread more >>

[Taken in the Sahara desert last year] Isn’t ‘wanderlust’ such a juicy and delicious word?  Lusting after the freedom of wandering  I’ve got it right now Feels like time for a little trip I’ve pulled my rucksack out of the cupboard and I’m ready Ready for sun on my toes and wind in my hairread more >>

[image: Uli Schade for Elle Decoration] I have long been intrigued what it is actually like to be a professional stylist.  Today London-based freelance stylist and author of ‘The Homemade Home’ Sania Pell opens the doors on this profession, sharing what it is like to spend the day surrounded by beautiful things, see your workread more >>

When I put the Do What You Love e-course out into the world for the first time at the beginning of the year I had no idea the impact it was going to have on participants – and on me.  Every day of the six-week class was a new adventure, offering new discoveries about myself andread more >>

The team (including our fab teachers!) from L-R: Ellie, Hannah, Lex, Rachel, Flora, Suzanne, Louise, Priscilla, Chris, Juliette, me, Paul  Image: courtesy of NavyBlur It is not possible to deliver something like the Do What You Love retreat without an army of angels – and I was blessed with the best.  Shiny happy people, fullread more >>

[Image: NavyBlur] In a sunny lodge on a hillside strung with vintage bunting, with floor-to-ceiling windows letting the light pour in, and a wooden deck perfect for tea breaks, a group of lovely ladies worked some kind of creative poetry.  The delicate dreamy work that came out of Priscilla Jones’s class wouldn’t be out of placeread more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from costume-maker Jane Grimshaw (who has made costumes  for films which have gone on to win Oscars for Costume Design) and artist Laura Bruzzese  *** Jane Grimshaw When I was first asked to write this piece about myself I thought, “How hard can that possibly be?”  Well it turns out quite flippin’ hardread more >>

[Image: NavyBlur] For someone who loves both paper and journeys as much as I do, Rachel Hazell’s class ‘Maps, Charts & Other Discoveries: An Extraordinary Expandable Sketchbook Journal’ sounded like heaven to me.  And wandering around her class during the Do What You Love retreat, that’s exactly what it appeared to be.  [Image: NavyBlur] There wasread more >>

(image: NavyBlur) American painter Flora Bowley has woven her magic once again – and this time it was here in England, for the first time ever.  (image: NavyBlur) Having taken a fantastic class with her last year I just knew that Flora would be perfect for the kind of retreat I wanted to create – where the paintingread more >>

(image: NavyBlur) Wow.  The inaugural Do What You Love retreat was everything I hoped it would be and more.  People connected, created, laughed, cried, shared, opened up, grew, made friends – and more than a handful said it changed their life.  It was a beautiful thing to be part of, and I thank everyone involved from the bottom of myread more >>

(image by NavyBlur) There is nothing quite like a dream coming true, and that’s what happened at the Do What You Love retreat, held in a beautiful part of the English countryside last week.  There are so many things to tell you and show you, so many people to thank and memories to share.  But rightread more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from Australian artist Cathy Kirwan, and California-based designer Gina Morrison.   *** Cathy Kirwan   Exploring the notion of ‘doing what I love’ has been an interesting experience.  Before I could even start writing I had to ask myself  “am I doing what I love”?  Which led me to the next questionread more >>

(message inside the birthday card from my little goddaughter) This is so perfect in it’s imperfection, don’t you think? ***

I love birthdays… somehow the day seems magical.  Full of love, light and laughter.  I’m off for a special dinner but I just wanted to share this beautiful gift from my parents.  A bracelet made of antique silver spoons, engraved with the words ‘do what you love for life’. So perfect. *** Thank you toread more >>

So excited to open Marie Claire (June 2011 edition) and find myself featured on page 151 as part of a four-page special on the Inspire & Mentor campaign which paired some of Britain’s ‘most exciting young female entrepreneurs’ with leading successful businesswomen, and was so valuable for me.  It is amazing timing just a week before my business mentor, Kanya King MBE, joins usread more >>

Sometimes cake, tea and laughter is all a girl needs – wouldn’t you agree?