that was today – not to mention the wind. And each time I was out on my bike I unintentionally synchronized to ride when it was shining, which makes me feel blessed for the day. I managed to snap a few shots in between outings on the canal, I hope you like…

ooh that was almost a snowflake heart non?

all images by pia jane bijkerk.

Next Up: FINALLY a handy hint post! I know it is well overdue, but with this blog I write my own deadlines, which means I have none. I just go with the flow of my life, which contrary to my efforts, may appear as chaotic as it is in reality. But this next post I am going to have a blast putting together, I really love this item I am about to showcase!

PS and if you are following the My Heart Wanders project and are keen to know what is happening, I will announce it after the next post.

But who could it be?

Allow me to introduce you to my new guest and fabulous friend, photographer David Finato. David is a transplanted aussie like me here in Amsterdam. We met a few years ago on a shoot in Sydney and now just happen to be both living and working in these fine parts of Europe. It is so nice having a freelancing aussie buddy here with me, and whenever we both have a day off we catch up for coffee in De Pijp and yabba away in our aussie accents (sometimes I like to call him Davo to make myself feel at home). David shares my love for this incredibly beautiful city, and is busy shooting Amsterdam and it’s surroundings for his clients. He snapped this still life series recently and I loved it so much I insisted he come and stay in the guest quarters so I could show you his work.

Thanks for indulging me David and handing me your beautiful photographs. It is an absolute pleasure to have you here and I am so looking forward to shooting together in the future. I will be sure to show you all David and my stories in future posts but in the meantime, please make David feel welcome! Find more of this series by clicking here.

Yep, it’s time, and how heartbreaking these goodbyes are! So here are a few more incredible photographs from (blog)house guest David Knight and another gorgeous and quirky illustration from his wife and my best friend Michelle Verghis. Thanks for being wonderful guests, I miss you both very much and I can’t wait to see you either here or back in oz soon.

I love David’s dance and movement series above. And here are a few newbies from his yet to be released portfolio for 2008…

And I shall leave you with this illustration from Michi’s new portfolio – a fabulous take on the life of us freelancers, does anyone else relate to this image, I think it says it all so perfectly…

Next up is a new guest who I can’t wait to introduce you to. I just need to give the guest quarters a quick clean up as this handsome guest is arriving this afternoon!

Be warned, if you are eating breakfast or dinner right now it may come back up while you read this…

Beverly found this article and I am still in shock. Can you believe that this is during the time of our grandparents, that our parents were born from this era, and that there are still remnants (large remnants I must say) of this thought pattern between men and women today. If you can’t read all the points, it is re-written in this article, click here to read. Here is one bullet point that might just have you gasping for breath as it did me:

8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

Funny that Beverly found this article the morning that I am about to call my gorgeous Great Aunt in oz to wish her a happy birthday (she is in her ‘mid’ eighties), and I may just have to ask her a question or two about her experience of working during the war.

I’ll be back today with a few more posts, see you soon px