Thank Buddha the week is over. The deadline was yesterday so I can relax for the weekend. And how do I do that you might ask? Well with you of course! So grab a cup of tea – be it long island, milky or both – and sit back as I start the relaxation process by taking you with me on a little musical journey that will drop your jaw and jump start your heart, girl power style…

These women are what I call FREAKS OF NATURE. They are in my artist category of being raw, real and refined (well, perhaps the last one isn’t exactly ‘refined’ but she makes up for it in being the most raw and real of all!). The common theme you will see in these first 3 videos is that they are a one-woman band, starting with the gorgeous KT Tunstall...

Isn’t she fabulous? That song always gets my feet going. My French readers will know this next one. And although I have heard rumours that her ego is a little oversized since she hit the big time, remember that she is Parisian (hehehehe) and plus that is just a rumour, I have not seen evidence of it although I could imagine it. Her album, Le Fil is a killer – I bought it a year ago and still listen to it from beginning to end. A self-taught musician, check out what she can do with her voice…

Next up is another beautiful French singer, this one perhaps takes herself a little less serious than Camille and in saying so, takes us straight to the Scottish Highlands. Welcome to the (blog)house stage, Anaïs…

And I cannot leave you without this from my absolute favourite female singer of the moment: the incredible Sia… and not just because her name rhymes with Pia. I bought her album a couple of weeks ago called, ‘Some People have Real Problems’ (oh I could not agree more!!) and I cannot get enough of this album. Although this video is not in line with the above one-woman shows, just take a look at the ease of her abilities here as she sings live on radio, dressed in a daggy t-shirt and no bra by the looks of it (oh us Australians, soooo uncouth!) She obviously came out of the womb with this voice, and she is a complete nutbag which makes her all the more charming. The first 15 seconds of this clip is the remnants of the previous recording so just stick with it. Take it away Sia…

Hope you enjoyed this as much me, I’m ready to start my weekend now…

Yesterday I managed to drag myself away from the killer deadline to go and pick up some of my prints. Racing against time on my little bike I zoomed past the many beautiful galleries in the Jordaan area of Amsterdam, wishing I had more time to stop. But one particular gallery window did manage to stop me dead in my tracks, striking me with that ever-present bolt of inspiration. It was the Wieke Ververs gallery, and it is currently featuring these absolute beauties…

Check out the Ververs Gallery blog to find out more info about these works. Oh I love Amsterdam!

photography by Caroline Moore

I am on a killer deadline this week and am feeling a little snowed under, Caroline’s image says it all.

just a little inspiration to get you going…

I photographed this in Paris in an old apartment where a heart shape had been scratched out in the door frame.

While some beautiful submissions have been flowing in already, I have gathered some inspiration for the rest of us still in thinking mode about their wandering heart. Below are some fellow bloggers whose photographic portfolios I am loving. You can see from their captures that these are not fancy or lavish rooms, but there is a common theme here: light. So think about placing your wandering heart where there is lovely light. That doesn’t mean the space has to be light filled – it can be dancing soft light, or moody dim light. And although there are no wandering hearts in these particular images, you can imagine finding one in each image, ever so subtle and sublime. Click on the names below each image and have a good thorough look at their other images as well, there is alot more inspiration where they came from.

If you would like some guidance don’t hesitate to email me your thoughts, ideas or a quick capture of what you have in mind. The email address is: myheartwanders@gmail.com

I have not yet set a deadline so do not panic, all in good time…

Laura Watt

Jen Gotch

Samantha Lamb

Laura Watt

Nurul H.

Maditi

Alyson

Each new week here in the (blog)house I am overwhelmed with the amount of inspiration and talent I find amongst you. Little girl giddiness takes over and my heart starts racing, I get ants in my pants and I just want to shout out to the world with hands full of my new-found treasures. Yes, it is just like being given the key to open a new treasure chest every Monday, the light from all the goodness shining on my face like glittering gold. I intended to post an update of My Heart Wanders but first I just have to share with you this morning’s finds…

photography by Caroline Moore

I’m proud as punch to announce that I won Caroline’s birthday competition! I can’t wait to receive her fabo cupcake prints. When you go and read her ‘and the winner is’ announcement post you will see who I have been selected alongside, I feel rather special and am very honoured. Thanks Caroline, it was heaps of fun to compete and am looking forward to your next one, I implore everyone to get on board! It’s a great excuse (not that you need one) to peruse Caroline’s extensive photo collection in her etsy shop. I will showcase another one of Caroline’s photographs in the upcoming post of inspiration for ‘My Heart Wanders’ .

Eat me!

I’ve been holding back on revealing my chocolate and cranberry cookie recipe for some time but when Laura from A World In A Pan asked if I’d like to submit a recipe for her beautiful website I gave up the notion of keeping this secret any longer. Friends and family have always said I give away too much but bugger it I say, if I wanna I will! So here it is, my treasured cookie recipe. Click here for the recipe and to read about the background of this cookie, inspired by my love of Canadians and the fruits of their fine land. Also check out Laura’s blog for an update on her cooking classes in Paris and the fabulous stores in her arrondissment, I am especially loving the look of that fromagerie!

And last but not least, I must start this week by introducing you to the very talented young Queensland potter and poet, Kylie Johnson. She has just published a collection of her poetry in book form called ‘Count Me The Stars’. The above image is of one of her bowls just to give you an idea of her work, but for a more thorough look go and wander around her Paper Boat Press website and blog. I have already popped her into my blogroll so that I don’t miss out on her updates.

Submissions are trickling in already for My Heart Wanders . Next post will give you a little more inspiration… à tout à l’heure!