Dont quit your day dream

They say that most young designers in their first year of business will most likely fail. But i never was a quitter. 

Life sometimes has a plan for you and no matter how much you try, mistakes and peppled problems trip you up along your path.

Taking some time off to reacess your goals for the future and to focus on your own health was something that wasn't intentionally planned but instead pushed on me by the universe.

In a stroke of pure luck or good karma being returned to me, i found a tumour in my right arm and shoulder, a cancerous tumour that i'm told would of been silenty growing and taking over given time. This finding turned my whole being upside down and forced me to reevaulate my dreams and inherently deal with the very real reality that i had been given. Forced to have 9 weeks off to have intense treatment 5 days a week to slow down the growth. My body gave me no choice but to stop and surrender. Surrender to the tears, the fatigue, the physical pain and allow myself to be able to heal. 

Its been a whirlwind few months to say the least, but after a massive surgery and an arm that will forever have minimal function i have found something i didn't know i was missing along the way. 

A strength and determination inside me to follow my swimwear dreams and a love for my own body and how beautifully strong it is. 

With love, Daisy Chain

Xx

In memory of Jess Ainscough a ray of light that without her knowing it illuminated my dark days.

Green living

Some living room indoor gardens that i am dreaming of. 

Increased levels of creativity, mood enchancing, illness fighting and cleaner, more purified air to breathe. 

With love, Daisy Chain

A jar full of Summer

Handmade presents are the best suprise. Coming home to a goodie bag from a beautiful friend for no particular reason at all inspired me to write this. 

Inside the bag amongst other goodies was a handmade coconut coffee scrub.

• A jar full of Summer • 

Now i dont know the secrets to her creamy latte coloured mixture but the below recipe will leave you smelling good enough to eat, with glowing hydrated skin and the formula is gentle enough to use every day! 

Its the perfect natural alternative to your night time makeup remover and nightcream.

Did i mention you'll also smell delcious? 

What you will need:

• Ground coffee beans

• Cold presessed coconut oil

• Raw brown sugar

• Cinnamon

Method: 

The idea is to make it as grainy or as gentle as you want by changing up the amount of coffee and sugar to coconut oil ratio. 

• Melt the coconut oil in the microwave

• Add in your desired amount of grainy ingredients ( coffee & sugar) and a pinch of cinnamon

• Stir it all together and pour into jars with a wide opening

Scrub will solidify in cold temperatures, so its best to use a tea spoon to scoop it out.

Your skin will thankyou for it. 

With love, Daisy Chain 

Picture via: 

http://blog.freepeople.com/2014/01/tighten-tone-homemade-coconut-coffee-body-scrub/

Post Summer Blues, Purples and Pinks

Summer is officially over for now. The sun has taken to warm the exotic parts of the other side of the globe, and the only golden glow it leaves behind is a trail of dried greens.

I am such a worshiper of the sun and although the sunny seasons are by far my favourite, chilly nights by the fire, spicy aromatic soups and spicy hot chai are forever my favourites.

Just recently I had an urge to live simpler and enjoy the time spent with likeminded friends. Going back to basics and getting crafty, finding inspiration in an old discarded headboard on top of a hard rubbish pile, a foggy morning sunrise and trawling blogs and websites for fun DIY projects.

Above are some hues; pinks, purples, oranges & blues

With love, Daisy Chain

xx

You can go your own way

For a long time, I have had an itching to explore the country I am lucky enough to live in. It's sparking clear blue bays, it's powerful surf wildly lapping against eroding golden cliff faces, it's peaks, it's wildlife and the diverse wilderness- from humidity, to dry heat, to freezing cold.

I long to be, in a van decked out with the travelling gypsy essentials, spending months in bikinis, living on the road, reconnecting with the motherland and exploring the country. To pass though each town with a sense of freedom, an interest in its people and anticipating the next adventure. 

But what would an adventure or a memory be without someone to share them with, without a four legged companion, her shiny black coat covered in salt, and her tail set to a permanent wag, but most of all without the love of my life, my yin, best friend, muse and boyfriend. 

To pack up, sell all of your belongings you don't really need, and just live on the bare necessities (stylishly bare) 

The last dancing rays of Summer

With love, Daisy Chain's road trip essentials

- books

- waterproof camera

- endless turquoise rings to keep you safe while travelling

- beach towels

- floppy hat to hide unwashed beach hair

- pure virgin coconut oil to cook with, to eat, to spread on your limbs, and to use as a hair treatment

- bikinis

- bikinis 

- bikinis 

- a glove box stocked up with CDs: Fleetwood Mac, Angus & Julia Stone, The Lumineers, Frank Ocean, Lauren Hill & Triple J Hottest 100 are just a few favorites 

- Jumpsuits; the stylish, practical alternative to a dress when driving long hours

- a bare arm free to pile endless bracelets and souvenirs on

- a bucket list; swim in the tempid water of the Kimberlies, go strawberry picking in Victoria

- a snorkel

Here's a clip I found last night that just furthers my desire to explore.

The triple j Road Trip Relay from ABC Open on Vimeo.

Don't date a girl who t r a v e l s

Never stop wandering, Never stop wondering.

The below post I stumbled across and something about the whimsical words ignited a fire and the wandering spirit in me. 

" She’s the one with the messy unkempt hair colored by the sun. Her skin is now far from fair like it once was. Not even sun kissed. It’s burnt with multiple tan lines, wounds and bites here and there. But for every flaw on her skin, she has an interesting story to tell.

Don’t date a girl who travels. She is hard to please. The usual dinner-movie date at the mall will suck the life out of her. Her soul craves for new experiences and adventures. She will be unimpressed with your new car and your expensive watch. She would rather climb a rock or jump out of an airplane than hear you brag about it.

Don’t date a girl who travels because she will bug you to book a flight every time there’s an airline seat sale. She wont party at Republiq. And she will never pay over $100 for Avicii because she knows that one weekend of clubbing is equivalent to one week somewhere far more exciting.

Chances are, she can’t hold a steady job. Or she’s probably daydreaming about quitting. She doesn’t want to keep working her ass off for someone else’s dream. She has her own and is working towards it. She is a freelancer. She makes money from designing, writing, photography or something that requires creativity and imagination. Don’t waste her time complaining about your boring job.

Don’t date a girl who travels. She might have wasted her college degree and switched careers entirely. She is now a dive instructor or a yoga teacher. She’s not sure when the next paycheck is coming. But she doesn’t work like a robot all day, she goes out and takes what life has to offer and challenges you to do the same.

Don’t date a girl who travels for she has chosen a life of uncertainty. She doesn’t have a plan or a permanent address. She goes with the flow and follows her heart. She dances to the beat of her own drum. She doesn’t wear a watch. Her days are ruled by the sun and the moon. When the waves are calling, life stops and she will be oblivious to everything else for a moment. But she has learned that the most important thing in life isn’t surfing.

Don’t date a girl who travels as she tends to speak her mind. She will never try to impress your parents or friends. She knows respect, but isn’t afraid to hold a debate about global issues or social responsibility.

She will never need you. She knows how to pitch a tent and screw her own fins without your help. She cooks well and doesn’t need you to pay for her meals. She is too independent and wont care whether you travel with her or not. She will forget to check in with you when she arrives at her destination. She’s busy living in the present. She talks to strangers. She will meet many interesting, like-minded people from around the world who share her passion and dreams. She will be bored with you.

So never date a girl who travels unless you can keep up with her. And if you unintentionally fall in love with one, don’t you dare keep her. Let her go"

With love, Daisy Chain

xoxoxoxox

( Source: one of the blog spots, and the content is copyright of the owner,  beautiful photographer and kindred spirit Charley Greenfield, a artwork in front of the camera and an artist behind the lens

Be kind to yourself 🙏

This year has been one of my hardest. Feeling inspired, happy and carefree is tricky when you are facing the loss of a loved one. 

For a daughter there is no greater love than that of a father. The first man you ever look up too. The one you call when you have car troubles, and the man that embarrasses you when you bring a boy home. 

My dad was a 6'4" handsome man full of love. He showed me what lifelong love looks like, and his devotion to the beautiful 19 year old he first met, my mother.

Hearing stories of their time living in a cottage by the river, late night guitar sessions, road tripping in a combie van, and bonding over there love of writing music and art makes me smile.

My dad was a musical,creative, peaceful soul and I can't help but feel inspired knowing that his talents run through my veins. 

Everyday with out you is different Dad, but knowing that you are at peace and free from pain comforts me. 

Life has taught me to be kind to myself, play in nature, to forgive quickly, be fearless and surround myself with the doers and the believers. 

Wldc

Xx