Love List #5

Happy Friday! This is becoming my favourite post - I look forward to writing these Love Lists every week.

PINTEREST::

Images via Love List

LINKS::

:: I love all these layered looks! They're for winter, but still - New Zealand doesn't get that hot anyway.

:: We don't buy Nutella often (it's a bit expensive here, and I also have no self-control around it) but I might have to make an exception now! Nutella Cinnamon Rolls... yum yum yum.

:: I love this DIY Calendar (with tassels and pom poms, as well!)

:: This blog post from Amanda Genther on pushing past the fear of failure really helped me this week

:: A desk makeover from Jess Lively - I'm gathering inspiration for my new art studio

:: This is a cute little diagram from ProductiveMuslim about spiritual productivity in one minute. It's about quality over quantity!

:: An interview with Stacy Adimando (Food Editor of Every Day with Rachel Ray). I love that all these interviews end with the question "What advice would you give your 23 year-old-self?"

MY WEEK::

This week I'm grateful for ::

:: rainy days and caramel hot chocolates :: my husband and his unwavering support and encouragement :: grilled chicken and cheese sandwiches :: planning future adventures to exotic locations :: playing around on photoshop :: banana and chocolate chip muffins :: lunch with friends :: colourful patterns to play with :: mentally decorating and organising my future art studio :: slow walks in the late afternoon :: getting emails from people who read my blog! ::

What are you grateful for this week?

Handmade/Heartmade // Moorea Seal

I've fallen in love with Moorea Seal Jewellery, and I just had to share some of my favourites.

I'm eyeing up that agate pendant with the quartz stone, and those leather bracelets! How could you choose just one?

Swoon. 

Check out her Etsy shop for more handmade goodness, and her blog for design, style, and behind the scenes features.

On Fasting

Since the month of Ramadan, I've been attempting to fast a few days a month. Although fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory, it is encouraged to fast regularly outside of Ramadan as well. Not to the same extent, but a day a week, or a few days a month. 

Fasting is considered an act of worship in Islam; it is a way to cultivate self-control, by abstaining from food and drink during the daylight hours. It also increases gratitude - gratitude for the sustenance that we have and an increased feeling of love and care for those who are without. 

Today I am fasting. As it is almost Summer, the days are much longer - fasting today is from 3.46am until 9.05pm (dawn til dusk). 

Being On The Job Hunt means that my schedule is flexible and I am able to work around my fasting hours to make things easier. I am somewhat out of practice with fasting long days, so I'm doing my best to go easy on myself.

Last night I decided to stay awake until dawn - I had a late dinner, an early breakfast around 2.30am, and made sure to keep up my water intake during the night. I then slept from dawn until midday. Since then I've kept physical activity to a minimum and used this as a time to slow down and reflect.

From the outside, the idea of deliberately abstaining from food and water sounds a bit weird. But you know what? The more I fast, the more I love it (and the easier it gets). Somehow fasting brings me a sense of peace - I move slower, I contemplate my actions more, I appreciate more.

And honestly, that first sip of water after a day-long fast tastes absolutely divine - and that's when my gratitude reaches an all-time high!

Image credit

Love List #4

Happy Friday! Here's a round up of my favourite things from this week.

PINTEREST::

Images via

LINKS::

:: Recipes for Caramel Apple Cheesecake and Spiced Chai. Yum!

:: There's a bit of skill involved in styling a headscarf

:: I love the Channeling series by Kate - my favourites so far have been Hermione, Belle, + Ariel.

:: Painting the legs of a table (or a desk) is such a cool way to add a pop of colour to a room

:: Practicing gratitude is so important

:: This is a very pretty DIY polka dot scarf

:: A very good reminder - have goals and work towards them consistently!

MY WEEK::

This week I'm grateful for ::

:: spending time with family :: exploring a bit more of my home country :: Ice Chocolate :: sunshine & double rainbows!! :: a bunch of gifted magazines - perfect timing for all the flying I did :: flavoured water :: watching lots of movies with my husband - It's almost our 4 year wedding anniversary! :: fruit mince pies :: sleeping in :: continuing to stay motivated in this job hunt! :: learning some new photoshop tricks - I'm such a newbie :: Cambodian food for dinner and reminiscing about past travels there - I miss it so much :: chips & dip :: getting ready for some big plans and changes in 2013 ::

What are you grateful for this week?