inspire(d)

A little while ago I went to the Transport Museum to see the exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of the underground.  A selection of underground posters are on show giving advice on how to use the underground, where you can get to and the wonders of modern technology.  The one poster that has stuck out in my mind is the one above which was made in 1926 showing the future a hundred years from then.  You can’t see the detail, and I can’t quite remember the timings, but basically it suggested that in the future travel would be revolutionised with high speed trains to Scotland taking around 20 minutes and flights (in blimp type aircrafts) taking approximately 36 hours.  What intrigued me about this ‘future reality’ in particular was how we perceive things will be in the future based on what things are like now.  In 1926 trains were long established but cross-Atlantic flights were rare, the first trans-Atlantic flight had taken place in 1919 going from Newfoundland in the US to the UK and taking 23 days!  At the time, then it would have seemed impossible that flights would be so fast as only taking the suggested 2 days but surely trains would only become faster (as I imagine train speed had already increased exponentially by that stage).  Standing at the vantage point of 2013 I know that flights are exceedingly faster than that and have to say that the I am doubtful of a train being invented in the next 10 years that will take me to Scotland in 20 minutes when it currently takes me 2 hours to get across London.

I guess what I am taking away from this is that your current reality can distort the way you see your own future.  Perhaps sometimes we need to suspend reality and disbelief and imagine how different our worlds can be in a year or ten or fifty.  Things might not always go according to plan but did you imagine that ten years ago you would be sharing your life on the internet and you would walk around with things devices that allowed you share ‘hipster’ photos and 140 character messages with people around the world, some who you have never even met.  Imagine what you could do if you put those same ‘unexpectations’ on your dreams and yourself.

p.s. the Poster Exhibition is still open to the end of October 2013 if you want to find some vintage design inspiration!

I realised I forgot to share these with you.  While in Venice I quite enjoyed some of the retro signs.  Great for a little bit of inspiration.

Inspired by Kirsty I’ve made a board for ‘if my blog were an outfit’.  Life has felt a bit heavy lately so this is a nice way to make light of it.

As my blog is kind of … me it is similar to an outfit I would wear but better.  Ethical, local or handmade, except the tee (which is actually kids wear but is just so perfect for me).  Simple and uncomplicated with a feminine touch and the occasional statement piece plus a bit of heart.

Have you joined in?  I’d love to see your ‘blog outfit’.

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This week I am grateful for new friends and old friends and the opportunities that I have to challenge myself and move towards my dreams.

I was talking last week about all the changes going on in my life and some anxiety.  Unfortunately, that hasn’t gone away yet.  But, here are some great articles and thoughts about self-doubt and confidence for your weekend links:

• Creative Boom
• Breanna Rose
• doubt kills

Hope it is sunshiney wherever you are.  It is a bank holiday here on Monday so I will see you on Tuesday!

Just a quick one for the Londoners out there.  On Tuesday evening I took event photos for the Inkygoodness Beermat Characters Illustration Show.  I got there a bit early and had a chance to look around.  I would really suggest that if you are a fan of illustration to head down as there are over 80 artists who contributed to the show and these mini pieces of original art are all available for sale at very reasonable prices.

The Poopdeck pirate prints are also on show and available for purchase.

I love been involved in creative projects supporting such a wide range of artists.  There is definitely a piece there that you will love.

I asked Charlotte to contribute to my 29 series but sadly for me she wasn’t able to because of some other commitments.  However, she was really lovely and wrote a piece about celebration.  As she points out (and I might have mentioned) the last year of my 20s is one that I am really excited about as, along with all the amazing stuff I am working on, at the end of it I will be (or very nearly be) married. The exact date hasn’t quite been set.  I think it is a smashing way to enter my 30s and the idea of taking that joy of celebration to other areas of life is such good advice.  Appreciating the small things and making the everyday lovely.  A great way to move forward

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When Michelle and I met for an after work hot chocolate just after she got engaged we were talking about how fantastic the year of planning a wedding is and how it’s such a wonderful way of finishing your twenties. Having just been through exactly the same stage as my life as Michelle I am beyond excited for her. Through planning my own wedding I finally learnt the joys of celebrating and have been embracing it ever since, there is something extremely addictive about making the most of the occasion however big or small. The most important thing I have learnt is to keep it simple; good friends, food and drink are all you need to make the most of any occasion.

Celebrating is definitely a mindset; there are times when you really don’t feel like there is anything to get excited about, so start small. Celebrate the start of the weekend by having a proper breakfast, not just a bowl of cereal as you wiz out the door. Find a recipe, cook it up and enjoy without that feeling having to be somewhere else. When the sun finally shines put down whatever you are doing and get outside, taking time to enjoy and celebrate little moments are just as important for you as big old knees up. They make an average day so much better.

From our very first birthday’s, cake is always integral to a celebration. If you know people are coming round get baking (or buying if you run out of time), set the table with your best plates, a few napkins and even a teapot for the tea, make the day into something special just because you fancy it.

The bigger the celebration the simpler it needs to be, yes there are certain elements that should never be over looked; flowers, fizz and a few decorations but keep it as ‘normal’ as possible. Celebrations at home are my favourite, everyone is comfortable, there is no fight for the bar and you can have full control over the music. Make sure you clear away all the day-to-day stuff like bills and washing and enlist a few helpers to get prepared. Then all you need to do is let your hair down and dance the night away!

However you choose to celebrate, the most important thing to remember is to enjoy the moment. We live in a crazy world where we are constantly bombarded with ideas of perfection, keeping one eye out for the next best thing. Stop looking over shoulder and focus on what you have now, time with friends and family is so precious, save every moment because these are the best times.