...and looks like July has done so too! 😅

I had this whole idea of June wrap-up post but the time flies when you're having so much fun! While a part of me feels a little discontent with having such a long gap between this and the previous post, a part of me, funnily, feels very happy about it - for more than one reason!

First and foremost, it's what the time has been filled with instead. I do enjoy writing, more than one would think given it's not (or rather, doesn't have to be) a major part of any of the main things I do and am passionate about, but can you truly write anything substantial without having the lived experience? (Not that I'd consider any of my writings here particularly substantial!) Yes, you surely can conjure up thought-provoking works with your mind alone (indeed, some of the most gorgeous literary works were created in modest rooms with just a pen and paper!) and, in a sense, create life. At the same time, those thought-provoking works are that way because you've thought about life, you've lived - and actually lived, not just went through the motions. And I feel so lucky to say that the past two months have been filled with gorgeous, sensual, wholesome, creative, insightful experiences - and so yes, I am very happy to not have posted in that time :)

Secondly, and perhaps this might seem like the same point to an undiscerning eye (not in a  passing-a-judgment kind of way but rather 'shall I still include it?' kind of way), it's prioritising being in the present over capturing it. I do think there is a beauty to some documenting of life (there is a reason why many artists do, from Toulouse-Lautrec to Nan Goldin, and we find their creations particularly poignant) but not in the self-obsessed way that seems to be prevalent nowadays. I can be fairly vocal about prioritising "irl" experiences, away from the digital - not erasing the latter entirely, just being mindful and intentional about it - but it wouldn't feel right to me if I were but wasn't walking the walk.

Finally, it's all the creating, ideating and all the behind-the-scenes work - some of which you will see the fruits of, some are for my other ventures! One of the former is a shoot I've done with the amazing Bonjour Boudoir recently that I truly can't wait to show you the results of! (So far I've managed to go from selection of 451 shots to 286 in my "considering" folder 😂) While I'd done a lot of work prior in terms of creative direction, the shoot itself was so flowy, creative and collaborative. It has further invigorated this energy I've been finding myself in that I came home and couldn't work on my projects fast enough because there is just so much inspiration and life!

Truly such a prolific, rich, gorgeous time that has filled me with so much excitement and verve! (In case you couldn't tell already... 😂) Made so much more special by a few wonderful souls who treated me to some beautiful experiences for my birthday (...my wishlist is here if you've missed it! 😁😇)

And speaking of birthdays, Leanne has officially turned 1! 🥹 Still a lot of puppy energy but my baby is growing up! Baked her a (dog) cake - truly a testament to my love for her, cranking up the oven during a heatwave (and! I hate baking 😂 love cooking, baking not so much)
She deserves it all though 🥰

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