Enlightened beings came here to learn, so sometimes life teaches us a lesson

When experiences that we so often class as "bad" happen in our lives, some of us can start to think, I must have been really terrible in a past life to deserve this. That isn't the case. The reality is that they are being given the opportunity to be an enlightened being who came here to learn from the experiences of life, and sometimes that means life teaches us a hard lesson.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime and it is your job to figure out which it is and what they have come to show, teach or give to you. In life you will realise there is a role for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, some will love you, and some will teach you. The ones who are truly important bring out the best in you. They are the rare amazing people who remind you why it's worth it.

People get so focused on goals and destinations in life that they often forget it is about journey. It is the path we take that we often share with other people, in some cases we don't get to travel as far down the road with them as we would have liked.

We cannot change yesterday, and we cannot predict tomorrow, but we can live today. So be alive. Never let one day pass by without a smile.

If I could walk on water

If I could tell you what's next

Make you believe

Make you forget

Sometimes it is all in your memory so what better way to remember all these lovely things and moments than with a beautiful dress. The scene of a poppy field is gorgeous. I love the fluffy clouds and the bright blue skies with the trees standing watch over the poppy field. It is a calming scene and I adore that it is on a dress. It really is a work of art.

Dress: Poppy Fields by Bernie Dexter

Shoes: Kurt Geiger Carvella

Simple Minds: Don't you forget about me

Won't you come see about me?

I'll be alone, dancing, you know it baby

Tell me your troubles and doubts

Giving me everything inside and out

In another life, or a parallel universe I am cooking Lamb Nihari, Tarka Dall, Spicy tea chickpeas and Saag Aloo today. "Happy Birthday Adi xx Gone but not forgotten". In this life I'm hosting the "Not a birthday party, party"

Katy Perry - The One That Got Away

The disambiguation of Atomic

I find disambiguation amusing, I like the way that certain words fire lots of patterns in my mind. Atomic, is one of those words. I can't help but have a moment of adding "icity" and reminding myself that atomicity is a fundamental principal of good database design, I think of atomic power, the atom, atomic numbers, Deborah Harry and heaven for fend Kerry Katona, at which point my mind has a mini cringe. Uggs boots, fake tan..........

Atomic kitten, it isn't even as though it is some clever play on Schrödinger's cat! It is just like rap star who insist on being "ice cold", which is actually really rather warm, now -273.15°C or absolute zero. That's cool, geek cool ;) Which leads me on to "glamour" models, I'll be impressed by the woman who calls herself "Blue Topaz" as gemologically speaking that has perfect cleavage!

Dress: Atomic

Shoes: Aldo

The Courage of our Convictions

The ability to let go, to change tack, to rethink and to move on, is not just a precious freedom; it is an essential tool for anyone who aspires to climb life's most important ladders. The ladder of self discovery, grant yourself that option, far too often we create our own prisons and enchain ourselves.

 

We create a cage from which we attempt to change the world, or other people, yet we never talk about changing ourselves, of letting going of our self imposed limits as to what we believe we are capable of. 

 

We should have the courage of our convictions but we should not be a convict to them. Sometimes it is about holding on and letting go.

 

Dress: Convict in purple

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Check - A surprisingly diverse word

You have to like like the word CHECK. It is great and incredibly diverse.

Check? - A question

Check. - A response.

Check! - A statement of fact in a game of chess

Check. - A pattern

Check - An imperfection in wood or glass

I like the simplicity of checks, essentially just squares of colour but they are so pretty. This simple print has white, pink and black squares running through a dove grey back ground. I like the combinations of colours. The dress is in the secretary style with a wide collar and matching grey buttons. This is a nice dress for work and is great for spring. 

Dress: Bettie Page Clothing

Shoes: Mary Jane in white by Bordello

Mathematics, Beethoven and the patterns in nature

1824 – World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer's supervision. The use of mathematical devices is deeply embedded in Beethoven's music. Therefore, this is one of the best places to dig for information on the relationship between mathematics and music. I'm not saying that other composers do not use mathematical devices. Practically every musical composition has mathematical underpinnings. However, Beethoven was able to extend these mathematical devices to the extreme. It is by analyzing these extreme cases that we can find more convincing evidence on what types of devices he used.

Mathematics, music, art and nature are all so intricately interconnected. Mathematics is a beautiful language with which to describe the world. 

The fibonacci series and the greek golden number and fractal patterns are all around us in everyday prints, nature and paintings. So as a method of appreciating the patterns of nature I thought I would wear my miami print dress. The cool crisp green and the life chiffon makes this a pretty spring dress and great for the sunshine. It is my magic monkey banana leaf dress.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony was one of my Dad's favourite pieces of music, I used to dance to this when I was little. My best friend Les like my Dad is a Mathematics teacher in Vienna, so the Vienna connection makes me think of all the fun I have had on my adventures in Austria. Pfirsichspritzer and pool, I am honoured to have been asked out to pool night on so many occasions. It is highly entertaining, opera singers and radio news readers and that's before we get to the mathematicians!,

Dress: Sarong wrap in Miami print by Vivien of Holloway

Shoes: Aldo

Mad dogs and Englishmen..............

It's a beautiful day which makes a change for the Bank Holiday, personally though I am leaving the sunbathing to Boudi, who partially qualifies under the heading "dog", she is bonkers rather than mad but we wouldn't change her.

I am having a creative day today which is pleasant so I am wearing my what a catch shorts with a white halterneck by Vivien of Holloway. If you can't make it to the seaside you can always bring the seaside to you. All you need is the power of your imagination, today is a day to dream dreams, think big thoughts and wait for the dice to land.

Shorts: What a catch

Top: Halterneck in white Vivien of Holloway

Shoes: Schuh

Success is simple, you just have to keep getting up

Success is a simple thing, all you have to do is keep getting back up. It isn't about never been knocked over, or everything going to plan. It is about getting knocked down 10 times and getting back up 11.

We talk about good and bad times, we don't want the good times to end even though we know that eventually all things run their course; and well the bad times can't pass fast enough. Life is that symphony played between the two. It was so beautifully summed up in the opening line of a tale of two cities - It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." - Khalil Gibran 

"The sharp thorn often produces delicate roses." - Ovid.

Lace is delicate just like roses, and pretty like them too. I love the floral pattern on the lace overlay of this dress with the sheer sleeves. I like green it is one of my favourite colours to wear and it looks lovely combined with the lace and the pencil skirt. It reminds me that I can be delicate and strong, it just about how you deal with the thorns.

Dress: Peasant dress in antique lace by Mode Merr

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Happy Star Wars Day! The long and short of it

Star wars day and my sisters 50th Birthday party, how exciting? It is as good as it gets because it means outfit change :) Love it! It is also Saturday and that means shorts day :)

I like this outfit, the cardigan is really soft and snuggly and I love the sailor collar with the anchors on it. It looks really sweet, the red shorts are my favourite tailored ones from pin up girl clothing in a chirpy bright red and as ever heels. 

Cardigan: Hell bunny

Shorts: Tailored shorts in red by pinup girl clothing

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

I am always telling my friends to stop borrowing worry, and to cross certain bridges when they come to them and not to over think the obstacle before they actually have to face it. It is like the lyrics from the Baz Luhrman song.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

I find the concept of solving algebra with bubblegum ironic, probably because I am violently allergic to chewing gum and most likely bubblegum. Solving algebraic equations has no need to be fatal, so no fear of me attempting the bubblegum approach, but then again I am fab at algebra so it isn't something I worry about!

Life is best when you keep it simple, so try to change the things you can, accept the things you can't and hope that you are clever enough to spot the difference. Oh and if all else fails try to see the funny side of things, it is good to laugh, laughter is soul food.

A simple but stylish dress today in Olive green and Cream. I like the wide collar, and the upturn on the sleeves I think they are pretty and draw attention to your face. The buttons and the 3/4 built in belt which ties in an adorable bow at the back finish this off in a sweat and subtle manner.

Dress: Diner dress in Olive Green by Heartbreaker

Shoes: Aldo

This life is what you make it

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realise it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

― Mother Teresa

“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world.

As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soulmate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything.

Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” 

― Marilyn Monroe


The quotes above make me think about what I call my New Life, this is the one that I might not have chosen for myself. For a while I wasn't particularly keen on it either, this was until I realised that we have to be willing to give up the life we planned to live the life we were meant to have.

This is the life I was meant to have.

Today's dress is an important dress to me, it symbolises my New Life. It was the first non black dress that I bought in my New Life as I was easing my way back into the concept of colours. It needed some work from Grandma, and when I tried it on at her house I will confess - Marv, Grandma and I all welled up and had a moment. You see I want this New Life not my old one.

The classic dove grey combined with a powder pink is feminine and understated. The attention to detail is wonderful, the little flicks and buttons on the sleeves, the piping around the neckline. The lovely pin tucks down the front with the sweet like round pink buttons. The belt and pockets are just the icing on the cake.


Dress: Avondale in pencil skirt originally by Bettie Page Clothing, revamped by Grandma

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

May Day and and the Iron Duke

It's May. In fact it is May Day so it is time to think of maypoles and may queens and lots of other exciting things. It is also the birth date of the Duke of Wellington or Sir Arthur Wellesley.

 

We all think of Waterloo and Seringapatam when we think of him, or we think of shoes, but it is interesting to note he also coined the phrase "Publish and be damned" amongst many others.

Back to May day though, lilac blossoms in May and it is a beautiful flower and I love the smell of it. Given that I thought I would wear my lilac Jackie O suit today. I had a lilac outside my bedroom window as a child I love peeking over the purple clouds of flowers to see the world beyond my window, so for me this is the colour of spring.

Now this Jackie O suit is super special, possibly because only a few weeks ago it was "a little bit big", Grandma did look a little shocked when she realised that I could put the skirt on without undoing it and that it fell off my hips. OOPS! Grandam said "a little?". Ah well it is all relative. So this is totally revamped and restyled by the seamstress to the superstars Grandma :)

Suit: Jackie O in Lilac originally by Bettie Page Clothing, remodelled and revamped by Grandma

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Happy Hawaii five 0 Day Caz!

Happy Hawaii five 0 day Caz! You are the best big little sister I could have asked for. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Hard as it is to believe on this day in 1963 my sister was born, and it was a momentous event. My big sister is truly tiny, she make me look ginormous which I kind of enjoy it isn't often that I get to be the biggest LOL Her tiny frame hides a huge heart and a large laugh. I have to confess most of the amusing family stories generally end up through series of unfortunate circumstances with my sister and I sharing a bed. 

You are a dedicated follower of Pandora, you have a PhD in Hope, so keep that box safe and remember that a bit of faith in a better tomorrow is all you need.

I'm lucky to have you, Love you loads Caz XxX.

 

Today you’re 50

No doubt, for lost youth you hunger

But remember these words of wisdom
“No wise woman ever wished to be younger.”
So put up with your old joints

While embracing your new wisdom

Five decades on, and you’re still ticking
Nowhere in sight is that bucket for kicking

 

Happy Hawaii 5 0 day :) Given the celebration of 50 glorious years of my big sister and the hawaiian theme I just had to wear my hawaiian ocean dress. I remember explaining it to Jo - "Yeah it's fab it's turquoise, it's got turtles and dolphins and fish and atolls and everything on it"..........She was a bit worried as I was wearing it to her friends wedding, but when you see it, it works. I love it, we call it my finding nemo frock (there are no clown fish on the hawaiian ocean print dress).

There are three songs i have to pick for today

1. The theme to Hawaii 5 0 because it is good to dance too

2. London Calling - The Clash because it is my sisters favourite

3. Fluorescent Adolescent - it wouldn't be a family do without it! 

Dress: Sarong wrap in Hawaiian Ocean print by Viven of Holloway

Shoes: Aldo

Please sponsor Marv - She is cycling for Combat Stress

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MCCS75

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Unfortunately, youth is no longer on your side
You’re most decidedly over the hill
But on the bright side, old age and treachery
Will always beat youth and skill.