Ticking off milestones...in all areas!

Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope it finds you all well! I thought I would write a post about what I have been up to lately on the creative front.

Since I last posted (yesssss....I know it's been a little while...) a few things have happened. The biggest one being that I graduated! I didn't originally think much of it, and to be honest, the graduation ceremony was one of the most boring things I have ever had to endure... But after a bit of thinking and reminiscing- I have to say that I am proud of what I have achieved and the experiences my degree brought to me. After studying at four different uni's to accomplish it (UniSA here in Adelaide, Griffith University in the Gold Coast, Sunderland University in the UK and Curtin University online) I can safely sing in my best Frank Sinatra impression: 'I DID IT MYYYYY WAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!' I wanted to study but I wanted to travel more- turns out I did both and came out with a degree, so I'm chuffed!

Since finishing my studies last year, I have been working four days at my usual admin job and having one day off a week to do my writing and art work. I am now working for Peak Physique Hot Yoga as a blogger/marketing assistant, Wyld Orchids: Wedding Florists as a blogger and, most recently, This Is Radelaide as a contributor. This Is Radelaide is an online publication about the happenings and treasures of Adelaide, so obviously I love writing articles for their publication! I have gained experience in interviewing people,too, which I was a bit nervy about at first, but now really enjoy. Here are the links to my articles so far:

Humans of Adelaide OzComic-Con

The Flinders Street Market: Crafty Treats and Healthy Eats

Conchillia Under the Rotunda

So, as you can see, I've been very busy- and not just with writing! I have also been doing lots of odd-jobs in the creative arts area. Mainly helping friends to design wedding/engagement decorations and invites, but also designing some logos. The Healthy Little Lady is an Adelaide business that makes and sells vegan healthy treats- and I designed the logo! I have included images of some of the earlier ideas for the logo, as well as the final design and product at the bottom of the page...

So writing and art fill all of my Monday's, which is cool because while everyone else is hating that day, I'm adoring it! But to be honest, with everything that I have been working on, I'm starting to feel like one day isn't enough. Now that I have my degree, I can start looking at this kind of work on a more full-time basis. But I have to wait until after May. May is going to be a very strange month for me and I am finding it a bit daunting. While I know I have some tough times coming, I also know I will get through them and I have a trip to Vietnam to see my brave parents (who are spending some time there at the moment), to look forward to. So until I get back, I just need to keep doing what I am doing- staying busy and earning those dollars...

Final design for The Healthy Little Lady

I would really like to focus more on my artwork and have been feeling really inspired lately. I guess it is because people have asked for custom designs and I always feel like I have more direction when the work is actually FOR something (plus it helps when there is some payment involved!)

SALA festival registrations are still open... something to consider...

Art Avenues, Forgotten Florals...

Ok guys, something is going on in the universe (or at least in mine) and I think it is growing an abundance of petals. I was having a conversation with one of my friends today who was telling me funny stories about a rather flamboyant university tutor she has in one of her interior design courses. Apparently, he waves his hands around passionately saying; 'Some days you will just have a colour moment! You will notice a colour, like it, observe it- and then suddenly you see that colour EVERYWHERE! And you become inspired!!!' (Or something like that anyway... maybe it was just a funny conversation in real life. Awkward.) Annnnyway, my point is, I think I am having one of these 'colour moments,' except with flowers. 

Like I mentioned in my last post, I have developed a lust for filling old glass jars with pretty petals and succulents, and usually free ones at that! Sometimes the flowers come from my garden, sometimes from my street. They aren't anything special or expensive (they're free, duh.) but they always come together so nicely and really spruce up my flat! I like to think of them as the forgotten florals, and me as some kind of flower robin hood- rescuing them and bringing them to their full potential! 

Apart from playing florist in my backyard, pretty flowers have also been the source of inspiration for my recent art scribblings. I've mentioned before that I am really getting into watercolours teamed with black felt tip pens or ink- and these are some of the results! Some of this stuff is a few weeks old, but some is from the Monday past. Oh, and the breakfast is also from Monday- how delish does it look? Plus it fuelled my artworks!

Flower Bomb

Up close

The Florist

This one I did on the grass in the botanical gardens. Ahhh I love Adelaide on my Monday's off!

I have really been enjoying these new mediums, but want to get my hands on some decent water colours and some super fine brushes. Right now I am using a kid's watercolour set... seems to be serving me well, though! No complaints! 

I've sold one of the paintings above, which is always a cool thing. I never sell them for much, but it is nice to know that someone is appreciating them rather than keeping them shut inside a forgotten old visual diary. It is also good when someone asks me to create a painting for them- I prefer to have something to work for, rather than just painting aimlessly. Which is why I was a happy chappy when one of my best friends asked me to help her with some art for her engagement party decorations!

From little black heart shapes and flower arrangements to a big welcoming blackboard, I was in charge of helping my friend with her decorations- and I pretty much want to be a wedding planner now. It was so fun! Not only did I get to use a white Posca pen on lots of smooth black surfaces (*drool*), I also got to help with the flowers (some of which were wild flowers that we sneakily stole from the public streets!).

So, you see? Flowers are everywhere in my life at the moment. And to tell the truth, I don't at all mind!

Small things, big thoughts...

Hiiiii. Once again I have not blogged for a while, which annoys me for reasons I am about to write about! In my last post, I talked briefly about some advice my Mum gave me- to start appreciating the small pleasures in life. I am always planning/saving money/organising travel plans, which is awesome, but I agree that I sometimes miss out on (and even deprive myself of) the simple pleasures in life. Especially lately, I feel like I have lost touch with these things. I've been under a fair bit of emotional stress and feel like I have been putting all of my energy into certain areas of my life, and forgetting about others. The tricky part is, I can't do anything about that right now, and I know that I have some pretty heavy times coming in the near future. But while I can't do much about it right now (and I don't really want to do anything about it) I can start small. Instead of burying myself in my future plans and goals, I am trying to be grateful for those little things in the present moment. I've been looking back on my old blog posts, and I have realised that is exactly what I have always liked about posting on here. Besides keeping my writing up, documenting my life has always brought my consciousness to the present. So, first new focus- blogging more often!

Getting my creative juices flowing has always been something that makes me feel happy and content. I am trying to do more art lately, but I have been finding creativity in different forms. Flowery forms, to be precise! I have developed an obsession for old jars as vases and odd flower arrangements- usually provided by my garden or the short bike ride from work! Even my mint cuttings have been getting special treatment...

My Australian Natural Honey jar and my Organic Coconut Oil jar are my favourites, but every time a condiment or spread is finished in my flat, another funny little jar is added to the collection. The flowers are pretty random and are basically whatever I can throw together. Suddenly petals and succulents everywhere are catching my eye- I like how I can put anything together and it looks cute in my little flat (especially with these Mexican-style doilies my Nanna gave me!).

The unlikely arrangements have even been an inspiration for a few artworks- nothing spesh, but fun all the same!

My little watercolour painting... it doesn't look much next to a Van Gogh print, but they are friends there above my kitchen sink. I want to do more watercolour experiments...

When I start to focus on this 'small joys' topic, I'm sometimes overwhelmed and feel a bit guilty for the things I truly am grateful for, but tend to overlook. I am grateful for my current working situation (even if I complain about my job sometimes, as everyone does). I am lucky to be working in a job that allows me to be flexible with my hours. Because of this, I can work on my career and I am gaining more and more experience with my writing work each week. I love my Monday's- a day away from my usual work at the hospital and a time to focus on what I would really love to do career-wise.

A typical Monday. I sometimes work from home, but I prefer to head into the city to work from a cafe. I am really enjoying my work with writing for different companies. Hopefully one day I will do something like this on a more full-time basis!

I am also grateful for the benefits I have found in Yoga. I have recently finished another challenge with my studio and I am getting better all the time! I am even looking into some private classes to learn some trickier poses! 

Excuse my sleepy face, but these are my new yoga tights :) I love them.
Me after the Peak Physique Hot Yoga 21 Day Detox Challenge :)

Since moving into my flat, I have found it hard to find the time (or the funds) to make my own skin products. Luckily, I have found an amazing natural and organic skincare product range called Purnon Skin Simple. 

Made in Australia, these local products are really effective. My favourite is the orange sugar scrub, which is really gentle yet also exfoliating and hydrating. I also love the cleanser and moisturiser, both with pure tee tree oil, which has always been my favourite oil when it comes to caring for my skin! While I have never had too much trouble with my skin, a few of my friends have found some awesome results with their skin problems from these products. The best part is, it's affordable and a little goes a long way! I would highly recommend! 

My beloved Orange Scrub

So looking after my skin (as well as myself, as much as I can!) has been another focus of late. I want to try and spoil myself in some small way at least once a month. I think lots of yoga, a new hair-do and a shopping trip are due for the coming months! Simple pleasures, right?! :)

Long time, no blog: A recap

It has been a solid few months since my last post and a LOT has changed in the life of Rachel Darling. It feels like my life has been on fast-forward since about September. Let's recap. Since I last blogged I have turned 24, had my boyfriend move over to Adelaide from France (he arrived as a surprise on my birthday, the sweetie!) Since then we have moved out into a new flat (I know I have flown the coop a few times now, but this is the first time in Adelaide!), I have started working back at my old job, I have missed my exchange life in the UK terribly, done some Aussie sight-seeing with the French boyfriend, worked on different blog sites (except my own, obviously) and finished my degree! Yay!

It hasn't been all fun and games these last few months, but I can't deny that I have got a lot done! It has been hard to balance my life, but balance has always been something I struggle with. But there have been some highlights- the first being the new flat! I have moved out of home before, but never in my own city- if only I had known how much easier it is this way (even if less exciting than moving to a new city or country!) It was so much easier because Mum and Dad and lots of friends and family were so helpful- Philippe and I barely had to buy a thing thanks to generous donations from everyone! The few things we did have to buy (a couch, a table etc etc) we scored super cheap from Gumtree or FREE from hard rubbish! My Mum is officially the bargain hunting queen, so we had a lot of help from her!

One of my favourite things about our flat is that it has fruit trees! Something I have never experienced from a place I actually live in! These are my pretty little fuzzy apricots! I look at them adoringly each day as I go to work- soon they will be ready for eating...

Speaking of donations and gifts from lovely friends and family- check out this hand knitted rug that a friend from work made for us! I adore it and shall keep it forever! Too bad it is hot weather at the moment so I can't snuggle up in it.. but it looks really good against our black couch (another bargain-$50!)

To help my French boyfriend feel at home, my auntie bought us this shower curtain for a flat-warming present. I have to admit, I do get pretty nostalgic when I'm showering behind this!

Aaaaand last but not least, my favourite part of the flat- the retro kitchen. It doesn't really show in the photo, but I love that the cupboard windows have frosted diamond detail on them. It is not the prettiest old kitchen, but I think all my red accessories and vintage stuff jazz it up a little!

I'm no longer a Semaphorian (hhmmpph! Sad face!) but we are only 10minutes away at West Lakes. I miss being so close to the beach, and it has taken time to readjust to my surroundings. I have found a new place to walk (around the lake) where I take my new friend Theodore Bear (Teddy Bear for short). He is my neighbour's Golden Retriever puppy and I adore him!

Some things haven't changed though. I'm still drinking green smoothies and I am still going to yoga- even more now that I live a 5 minute walk away! I always find change a hard thing- I'm better at life when I have a routine. So all these changes have been a bit tough for me and things haven't turned out the way I expected (but I guess, when do they ever?)

Once I finished my degree, I was relieved. But that feeling was quickly replaced by panic.- OH.MY.GOD. I'm not a student anymore. Time to make choices and be an adult. Problem is, I have no idea what adult I want to be. I had some plans and some goals, but recent events have changed them and it freaks me out. I feel a bit like I am floundering with no direction. With NYE creeping up, I have already started thinking about New Years resolutions- but I can't even decide between them! I'm feeling a bit lost and indecisive but I'm sure it is normal. I have some plans, just gotta make some decisions. For now I'm just going to roll with it- use my new found spare time for more yoga, reading, painting and appreciating the smaller things in life (some advice from Mum that has really resonated with me- more on that in another post...)

I'm pleased to have more time for painting- this is one I did for Beth recently. I really enjoyed doing the details on this one!

Miss Bailey

Meet Miss Bailey!!! She is my new (old) bike! She is the colour of baileys with a cinnamon seat and handles. I got her from GumTree and she was so cheap- but you wouldn't know it! She enjoys adventures, lusting over scenic views and visiting the markets- so obviously we are now best friends...

Ok- so that doesn't even come close to expressing how much I love my new bike. I was going to buy this exact bike brand new and unassembled for more than double the price I got Miss Bailey for! So I am super pleased (thanks to Mum for that find!). The weather in Adelaide is really starting to change. That bone-chilling cold has gone and it is actually safe to sit outside and eat my breakfast in the mornings- or go for a bike ride! I love that time of year when you know summer is coming- I think you can feel it in the air....

I have wanted a bike for a while now, but have only recently started to make some money, so I started to look on GumTree. But what REALLY made me want a bike was visiting the Old Mill markets in Port Adelaide a few weeks ago. Mum and I drove down there to have a look around and the place was buzzing! I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I see success in the Port- it has so much potential and just needs some trendy people to spruce it up!

We enjoyed a hot mulled apple juice which was to DIE for. We carried them to keep us warm because despite the sunshine, there was a chilly wind coming off the water.

But don't worry Adelaide Central Markets- you are still my favourite. Mum and I have done a couple of shops there since my last blog post, and I have made some yummy things in the kitchen as a result!

Cashew and pine nut pesto

My latest obsession (besides Miss Bailey)= Salads with fancy cheese and rice crackers. I have been living off this combo for about a month now and I am still not tired of it! I think it is the cheese...mmmm, cheese.

When I am not munching on a salad, I have been popping these into my mouth! I am working pretty much full time again now, so preparation is key! These are hazelnut and chocolate sugar-free balls. I also made some coconut and lemon flavoured ones which were a nice change- they tasted like lemon cheesecake! My next project will be some coffee ones, for those days when coffee is a necessity. Whenever I have these in the house, my sweet tooth is always satisfied! Which is good, because they are secretly sugar free!

Miss Bailey and I have been on a few adventures, but there will be more to come- every time the sun is out I can't wait to go for a ride!

On a side note, I recently finished my 28 Day Hot Yoga challenge! It was a good experience- even if it was a bit hard! The first week was utterly exhausting but the weeks after that were pretty breezy- I think I just got used to it. Anyway- mega flexible, clear skin, more strength, calmer mind and 3kg lighter (Miss Bailey will be pleased to hear that!). Not bad! It looks like hot yoga is here to stay... 

:D

Hellos, Goodbyes and how I got drunk on soup....

With everything that has been going on in the life of Rachel Darling lately, by the time my shift came to an end at 2pm on Friday, I was totally ready for a quiet night in! On top of Uni, work, learning French (I have to write a post about this soon!) swimming and the ol' social life, I have also been doing a 28 day Hot Yoga challenge! By Friday I was a week into it and I will admit- I was tired! I have been keeping up with my running and swimming during the challenge, and while I feel ok now, the first week was pretty exhausting! 

I couldn't wait to have a quiet Friday night in- I had a French soup recipe I wanted to try (yes I know I am a French try-hard) and also wanted to cook something for Hannah's going away party (more on that later!)

So, after putting some bread mix into the bread machine, I went for a run to soak up some vitamin D and fresh air after being inside at work all day. The weather has FINALLY improved, and although it is still cold, we are getting some sunny days that are perfect for running and walking in my hooooood :)

The best part of cooking- when the onion meets the pan! Love that smell!

So, as I was saying, I had a French Soup recipe I wanted to try, and I had all the ingredients ready to go...including a bottle of white wine- which also topped up a couple of glasses as I cooked! Nothing better than cooking with a glass of wine while listening to the sweet croons of Etta James! Perfect Friday night in...

Fresh flavours are the best flavours- and I always overload them. When it comes to spices I usually ignore the recipe- I like intense tastes, and this soup was no exception- full of fresh bay leaves and thyme.

I ended up making vegetarian 'sausages' for Hannah's party. The recipe came from one of Mum's cook books and they were mainly pumpkin and lentils. Pretty tasty!

White wine- some for the soup, some for me!

I was craving some warm crusty bread to go with my soup- it was cold outside and had started to rain, so I honestly couldn't think of anything better! But it took a little longer that I thought..and that is where the problem started.

Because the bread was still another 40mins from being ready, the soup started to get too thick. I turned the stove off, but it was already a bit thick for my liking. I had had initially put about 2 cups of wine into the soup, and had a glass to drink while cooking, but there was still about a cup left in the bottle. So, thinking I would't want it to go to waste, I used it to thin the soup. I don't know if I didn't cook the alcohol off for long enough after that or if there was simply too much wine in the soup- but after a big bowl of it (it was totally scrumptious by the way) I was a tad drunk! Even my brother said he felt the alcohol after having some...whoops! So my quiet night in turned into a slightly drunk one!

I think because I am sweating so much during my daily yoga classes, the alcoholic soup had a bigger effect on me than it should have- especially the next morning! I had to work and I felt like I had been out partying all night! I thought it would only last the morning, but by the afternoon I was feeling dizzy and light-headed! I was so excited to meet Gabi (who has been away for 13 weeks!) for a coffee, but when I got there I decided a veggie juice and some food would be the best thing for my head! I did recover slightly after this, but figured out later that I was lacking in salts and minerals- so I drank lemon and salt water for the rest of the day and felt a lot better!

It was so good to see Gabi again- if only for a short time before she left again- that little jet-setter! We went to a cafe on Queens Street in Croydon.

I was excited by this little painting as I walked towards the cafe...

...and on my way back I was even more pleased by the other side! I miss France :( and one Frenchman in particular...

The amigos- taken on Han's new polaroid camera!

That night it was time for me and my vegetarian sausages to get to the twins house for Hannah's going away party! She is going to Indonesia to study for 6 months and Soph and I will miss her soooooooooooooo much! While I am sad about this, I am also so excited for her (and a tad jealous, even if I only just got back from my own exchange!) because I know what an amazing experience she is about to have! Soph, Han and I have been friends for so many years, and it is never nice to be apart. But being the adventurous, travel-loving three that we are, we have come to realise that it is a thing we will have to get used to and embrace. We know that things never change between us, and that home is when we are together! I wish my little HanBan all the best of luck, and can't wait to see her when Philippe and I go to visit!