Full Moon ~ Full Life

This New Year's Eve marks a very special evening.  It is a full moon as well as a full lunar eclipse.  A powerful night with an opportunity to reflect, reveal and find your true spirit.

Taking the time on this night to contemplate the storms that we've encountered throughout the past year, the challenges we've faced and the moments that have tested our limits.

 Embracing the solitude, hardships and difficulties with an open heart creates transformation.  And knowing that the wonderful moments are so much sweeter when we journey through the highs & lows.

 

And once the storm settles...

The strength unearths itself from deep within.  The realization that you can do anything.

The moon is always full.  When it reveals itself we see it as whole but it is always there!  That is the same of our human spirit ~ it may take some moments of fragility, imperfection and hardships to see our full spirit but it is always there.

Peeling back the layers, breathing new breath and releasing everything into the wind.  Allow the lessons that have been learned to be just that ~ lessons.

And then, like a blank canvas we start anew.  Awoken.  Fresh.  A quest to live this life fully ~ to be alive in this world! 

Shed all the layers.  Set yourself free and open yourself up to the light!  Happy New Year!

 xoxo love,

jolie

{All photos by Paolo Roversi}

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Snowy Moments

The splendour of fresh snow, the stillness after a snowfall and all of the moments found in between.  Here's to enjoying the stillness!

xoxo  love,

jolie

{photo sources:  dreamtraveler, wojtekfrompoland via photobucket, LIFE, Stephan Wideman}

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Magic of the Holidays

"Love makes bitter things sweet.

Love turns copper to gold."

~Rumi

As the final nights before Christmas pass by and the flurries of sparkling snow swirl through the sky ~

the holiday magic is in full swing!  Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season! xoxo

{Photo sources:  Beauty Comma, Anthropologie, New York ~ wallpaperstock.net, 100 Layer Cake, Come With Me, last two ~ Anthropologie}  

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Embracing the Winter Wonderland

Spending evenings with great company and enjoying every opportunity to indulge in the glitz and glam of the season.  Silk ribbons and gold jewelery, royal velvet, soft cashmere and perfume.

And when the morning comes... staying in bed all afternoon soaking in the sunlight with mimosas and delicious pastries.

 {phtoto sources: Anthropologie}

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Warm Winter Nights + Window Shopping

Finding a quiet evening during the holidays to grab a hot tea and stroll through the city streets is always an annual tradition.  People watching and window shopping make for an absolutely perfect evening.  Bringing the nostalgia to you ... Bergdorf Goodman on 5th Ave in NY always creates the most magical windows.  Enjoy! xoxo

love, jolie

{photo sources: Bergdorf Goodman & Susanna's Sketchbook}

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Peace, Peace, Peace

"Eat for peace, breathe for peace and dance for peace." ~ John Lennon

~ A lovely tribute to the truthful spirit, John Lennon, over at Gala ~

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Ashes and Snow

Although the exhibition began many years ago, I had to share these phenomenal photos from the show Snow and Ashes.  These incredible moments are captured by Gregory Colbert, a Toronto born artist, who has combined film, writings and photography to tell the story of animals co-existing in harmony.

The most amazing part is that none of the photos are superimposed or digitally collaged.  It is a mixed-media experience and everything the audience sees is what the artist himself saw through the lens.  The website alone is an adventure through the wild!

How magical is this photo?!  Dancing through the ocean with a whale!  It evokes such power and freedom.  Gregory is quoted as saying that "When I started Ashes and Snow in 1992, I set out to explore the relationship between man and animals from the inside out. In discovering the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards restoring the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals.”

The title of the exhibit comes from a beautifully bound book that is a component of the show.  It comprises of fictional letters written from a man to a woman about his journey through the wild.  365 letters to be exact and in the 365th letter the source of the title "Ashes and Snow" is revealed.

Who holds the wisdom in this photo?

To add to the experience Colbert created the Nomadic Museum to travel the globe and house this exhibit.  It evolves as it travels and is a collaboration with innovative architects who specialize in sustainable structures.   This temporary museum will continue to change as the exhibit grows and travels the world indefinitely.  To date it is the most attended exhibit by a living artist in history.

Gregory at work.

Visit Ashes and Snow for a taste of the journey. {All photos from Ashes and Snow}

xoxo love,

jolie

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The 9 Muses

 The Nine Muses in Greek mythology, poetry and writings are the women who inspire the creation of literature and the arts.   Bringing kings and poets their source of knowledge through theater, songs, myths and poetic lyrics.  The daughters of Zeus (King of the Gods) and Mnemosyne (Goddess of Memory) each muse presided over a particular portion of literature, art or science.

The muses are also the spirit within all of us that sparks the creative process.  They are inspiration, embodying that which fills us with prosperity, abundance and joy.  That buzzing energy of excitement and motivation that moves you is the muse within.  Honour her and the rewards will be abundant!  

Muses in Myth

Calliope | Muse of Epic Poetry

Clio | Muse of History

Euterpe | Muse of Lyric Poetry

Melpomene | Muse of Tragedy

Terpsichore | Muse of Choral Dance and Song

Erato | Muse of Love Poetry

Polyhymnia | Muse of Sacred Poetry

Urania | Muse of Astronomy

Thalia | Muse of Comedy

{photo sources:  The Muses by Eustache Le Sueur, Terpsichore Muse of Music and Dance (1739) by Jean-Marc Nattier,  Apollo and The Nine Muses (1856) by Gustave Moreau,  Hesiod and the Muse (1891) by Gustave Moreau, Parnassus (1496) by Andrea Mantegna}

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Dramatically Revealed ~ Ludwig Design

The work of Ludwig Design is masterful!  An interior stylist of sorts based out of France, Ludwig has his Master's Degree in Architectural Interior Design and an innate talent for creating sheer beauty!  He has artisans and specialists on his team bringing a taste of French decadence to homes around the world.  Like fashion, interior design really brings together art in its many forms (photography, painting, illustration) and it intrigues me that the idea of combining colours, textures and pattern draws out such powerful emotion.  It lures the senses and draws you in.  I'm sure you'll agree that these creations are truly captivating!

Ludwig's philosophy on design is to let the space itself guide you toward the inspiration rather than following specific "designer style."  He says, "The secret is always there.  One needs only to seek it out."

The enchanting concept of restoring old, well-lived-in homes that wear time on their walls must be incredibly rewarding.  "And on discovery, a property’s latent potential, its power to bewitch and enthrall, can be dramatically revealed for all to see.”

{Photos from Ludwig Interior Design and the exciting find is thanks to A Gift Wrapped Life! xoxo}

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