I loved making my list from last year happen… and I’ll carry on with some of the 38 things for sure… alongside this new list of 39 things, which I started on my birthday last month, while we were away travelling… and already things are starting to build & happen…

My 39 things -

1. Own a bike

2. Visit New York

3. Share/teach my work & passion live in person

4. Continue running my e-courses and create more…

5. Throw a 40th party next March with Naomi, just like we’ve done for other milestone birthdays

6. Attend a retreat or workshop just for me & my creative development

7. Learn how to do proper make up… it’s about time

8. Attend a TED event or the DO lectures

9. Play with a polaroid land camera

10. Celebrate 20 years together by doing something special

11. Buy a house

12. Support Luke & the boys through this transition and see them fly into this next chapter of their lives

13. Collaborate and nurture the collaborations already happening

14. A workspace of my own… maybe?

15. Not to have to worry about money

16. Create a book or have an exhibition or both

17. Make a film for a family that aren’t expecting it but will appreciate the memories to hold on to

18. Wear more dresses

19. Build on the ability to travel more… For work and pleasure

20. Make a Time Capsule film a month for us & a film of our summer

21. Go on a road trip – spontaneous or planned… either way or both…

22. Yoga. Regularly. Not just now and again

23. Build my portrait business… Photograph more moments, more people, more families & real stories. Make Time Capsule films for other families and day in the life films for people running creative businesses

24. Stay at the colour hotel – Palm Springs

25. Go on or organise a creative trip with like minded people

26. Photograph a birth or two

27. Go to bed earlier

28. Cook something new each month

29. Visit somewhere new each month

30. Have a trip with my girls for all of our 40th birthdays

31. See Ben Howard live

32. Watch and capture murmiration

33. Give back

34. Expand my personal projects into something.

35. Finish my portfolio site

36. Carry on living in colour, making colour happen and believing in the magic…

37. To be sponsored for a creative project – not sure what yet, but I’m open to possibilites

38. Visit as many beaches as I can

39 . May we all stay healthy, be happy and appreciate the little things. Be grateful always. And be together.

Back in October last year I was so grateful to travel to California to be part of Oasis with my lovely Shutter sisters. I’ve shared parts of the trip here, but in my head, I always knew I wanted to combine it all to make a Time Capsule film of my moments there.

But November and December were consumed with moving house and then there was Christmas. Most of January has been taken up with creating A JOURNEY, so it’s only been this past week I’ve dipped into my footage and started playing around.

Perhaps the snow encouraged me too, so I could re-live the warmth, the light and colours of California again. They really blow my mind! If only we had just little of it here…

So I’ve made my Time Capsule. It’s a totally indulgent film, I know that! Just little snippets of what I saw… the colours, the light, the sunshine, the beach, all the things I love… and me being silly, clearly addicted to stop-motion and I figured if you don’t have anyone else willing to be in front of the camera (like I normally do with my boys)… I put yourself in it! It’s my story anyway.

So this is my story…and how very very lucky I was…

Where you stand tells the story – loads of people do it, it’s not original in any way, but it’s still how I like to tell a story, in fact I couldn’t do it any other way. It’s where you find yourself… it’s that moment when you look down… it’s about the little details… the colour, light, shape, texture and a fabulous pedicure.

This is the story of where I stood in California… now if only I could step back into each frame… I tell you what… I’d do that in a heart beat.

At the moment I’m a mixed bag of emotions… Do you ever get that? Lately there’s been a balance of excitement and fear running around in my head.

Lots going on will do this to you. Packing the house, letting go of stuff, staying positive about the future, projects brewing, motherhood, supporting the one you love and then there’s trip to Oasis. Phew!

No wonder this five feelings keep cropping up.

Excitement :: Going to LA and Palm Springs next week!, how did that happen?… It seemed so far away and now it’s almost here… Numbers are getting crossed off the list for sure.

Fear :: Leaving my family for so long. Gulp. They will be fine, they’re even having an adventure of their own. Will it all be ok?

Excitement :: Seeing and being with so many creative souls & the energy and inspiration that brings. Stepping away from reality and having 9 days just to play & shoot… Wow. 

Fear :: Will my time away go by too quickly… Will I get everything I want to do, done? What will it be like? Making new friends, seeing old ones… Feeling nervous for sure.

Excitement :: Sunshine!. Really. Can I really have a mini summer next week?

Feeling unbelievably grateful for all that lies ahead. Here’s hoping the fears are balanced out, even out-weighed, by the excitement. The yin yang of life.

How you feeling? What’s making you excited and fearful all at the same time… Happy weekend…

Last month I took part in a polaroid workshop with my friend Kirstin. I’m sharing more of the details over at Shutter sisters today and Kirstin is sharing her view here.

I thought I’d share some more behind the scenes photos of our time there…

…and larger versions of my favourite polaroids… I have a couple of polaroids of Kirstin, but I’m saving those so she can be in my Women I Know Series.

Can’t wait to shoot more polaroid at Oasis… just got to find a camera to take with me!

Some projects evolve from something… some pop into your head at moment you don’t expect…

Then some just happen and you don’t even know they’re happening, till you notice you’ve created a project from nowhere.

Now this project is nothing ground breaking, it’s just plain silly really and it’s certainly not going to take my artistic levels to a new high. It’s a personal project… it’s just a story I’m telling.

As I was clearing the ridiculous amount of photos I have on my iphone, I saw a pattern, I saw the same shots reoccuring… me in bathrooms. This “in the loo” series has been going on since I got an iphone, and it’s going to continue in all it’s silly glory!… perhaps it will be my life long project. It’s my story of every bathroom I visit, a kind of diary (well almost…).

I’m heading to LA for Oasis in two weeks (yes! this IS exciting news) I’m sure there are cool bathrooms over there. From the loos of London to the loos of LA! Hooray!

On another note : Fancy hanging out in LA? Go on a photowalk & have some food?… Kim and I are putting together a small gathering, if you’d like details… sign up here.

“The fastest way to bring more wonderful examples of abundance into your personal experience is to take constant notice of the wonderful things that are already there.” - Esther Hicks

I’ve been finding comfort and beauty in the sky lately… Then that quote landed in my inbox and it all made sense.

These are my five favourite views for Five Fact Friday. Happy Friday x.

{All taken with the iphone.}

I do love a field of wheat… at sunset.

{Shot at Jeanine & Joe’s wedding in the field behind the barn} + {other photos here}

*There’s still time to sign up for Creating Time Capsules starting on Sept 10th… Loads of inspiration for creating your own films of your memories.

Goodness!… I’ve just booked my ticket for LA to be part of this magic with these lovelies… so I’m making the days count.

Kim & I are heading to LA a little bit early and we’ll be hanging out one afternoon taking photos, making movies and probably eating, do you fancy joining us? We’re not sure what or when yet, so please head on over here and let us know if you’re interested.

On with my five facts… this week it’s about California.

1. Last year Shutter sisters camp was my first trip away on my own, probably ever (I can’t remember). Flying half way across the world was scary and exhilarating. I can’t wait to do it again.

2. The Cali light… yes, the light is really as dreamy, creamy, glowy golden as it looks in those West Coast photos.

3. I find there is something wonderful about foreign money… it’s almost like toy money. I always like to keep a note or some coins from every trip as a memento.

4. Birds on a wire, I don’t feel I’ve seen this in the UK (maybe I’ve just never come across them… I’ll probably start seeing them everywhere now) saw it a few times in California.

5. Travel is the best. Opens your eyes, feeds your soul etc. All those cliches are true.

Do you want to play five facts with us?… come on over. There is still time to sign up to the next round of Behind The Scenes, today is the last day of the 2 for 1 offer. We’d love to have you.

This is the last week of the first round of Behind The Scenes… It’s been an incredible journey for Kim & I, we’ve poured our hearts into the content and shared all we can about our creative journeys online. The Behind The Scenes course gives load of inspiration, practical tips and tutorials for enhancing your online space and so much more. Registration for round two opens on August 1st… details here.

One of the missions today is asking everyone to answer 5 questions… little bits of information can give a real insight into who you are and what you like, helping you connect with more likeminded people or start a conversation.

We’re having a blog hopping linky party… and here’s my contribution.

1. What makes you happy?….. in 5 words or less….?

Family, sunshine, camping, creativity, sleep.

2. Which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to really sing… you know, not just kareoke.

3. Which words or phrases do you overuse most?

Amazing!

4. What is your favourite book & movie?

Book – (This is super tricky, but currently…) The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. I keep going back to it.

Movie – Some Like It Hot… the ending still makes me chuckle.

5. If you could go anywhere in the world for a creative retreat where might it be?

India & Mexico. I can’t wait to bask in all the colours and textures.

SO… now it’s your turn.