Find it here

I wanted to share a post that popped up onto my feedly stream a couple of days ago. I’ve followed Leo Babauta’s Zen Habits for many years, and have watched as he’s got fit, simplified his life and generally walked a more Zen lifestyle.

Leo has published a couple of books already (which I’d totally recommend reading), and last week he released a new title. Called the ‘Little Book of Contentment’, it’s perhaps more of a guide than a book (it’s really mini), and is available to download for free as a .epub or pdf, with a Kindle version coming shortly.

The book challenges it’s readers to understand and seek contentment in everyday life. No matter how menial you day may be it argues that, with the right mindset, you can finding happiness in almost everything.

Leo requests that readers set aside an hour to read the book from cover to cover, but there’s a lot to take in and mull over, so I’d probably recommend reading one of his chapters (which are only 2-3 pages long) each morning.

This cute bicycle has got me dreaming of summery rides. I bought a cute little 1980s Raleigh Caprice in Bournemouth a few summers ago, but it was sadly stolen from outside my flat last year, and (beside Boris’ scarily heavily 2-wheeled contribution) I’ve been cycle-less ever since. I love the bright yellow of this bike, and the basket looks just like the one that lies gathering dust in my cupboard. I’m definitely going to start my search for a new bike after this month’s payday, and have already got my eye on this one, this one and this one

These Effiel Tower Scissors are so cool! I’d love to have them hanging on my wall from a pin, above my chest of drawers.

This geometric  Julia Marco Bag is super cute, and perfect for summer. At $38 (+ $12 shipping), it isn’t cheap..but might *just* be the payday treat I’m looking for after getting through this loooong month.

My currently flat isn’t the prettiest (an ex-council flat that needs a lot more love than our landlord is willing to give it), but that doesn’t mean I can’t spruce it up a little with a few decorations. I’ve recently bought some basil plants to bring a little bit of green to our kitchen, and want to start buying a few more plants and bouquets for the other rooms. The clock in the second picture is also lovely and quirky – it’d look great in our lounge.

I’ve also spent a lot of this week dreaming about the beach. I’m heading off to Tenerife with the boy in a few weeks, so be prepared for a few more seaside-dreaming posts to come your way.

What’s inspired you this week?

Kx

Interiors

I’m moving flats this week (goodbye leafy Maida Vale, hello loud-but-exciting Clapham), which means I’ve spent a good few hours gazing longingly at interiors on Pinterest and dreaming about what my new flat can become. I’ve lived in rented flats for the last few years, and have never really had the chance – aside from a few magazine pages blue-tacked onto the wall – to make them feel that homely. Hopefully that’s going to change this time, with my flatmates and I ready to DIY our new place until it’s as us as possible. This super-cute grey chair is a must for my new bedroom, placed next to a few shelves holding a few ornaments and some hanging planets. 

Music

This song might be everywhere, but I still love it.

Macklemore X Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop feat Wanz.

Design

During my last year at uni, I went through a fairly short stage when I had to dive head-first into the world of editorial design for my minor project. The stress associated with it meant that I never got the chance to really appreciate the different designs – something that I’ve been trying to rectify this week.

Film

After looking forward to this film for months and months, I finally popped down to the Curzon Soho to watch Stoker this week. Despite not being quite as dark as I expected, it was still deliciously edgy, with Matthew Goode delivering a fantastic performance.

Like it as much as I do? Jacob’s EP is available to download here.

Images Source: Creative Review

2012 has been a huge year…and probably one of the best for a long, long time. It’s been mentioned countless times already, but the warm feeling and sense of pride that we shared over the summer, first during the Jubilee and then throughout the Olympics, is something that I hope stays with us for years to come.

On a personal level, this year has been all about moving forward. It’s crazy to think that just 12 months ago, I was living in Bournemouth in a freezing flat, had yet to even start writing my dissertation, and was just about to get pneumonia. Now I’ve passed my degree with a 1st, moved to London (all by myself!), found my dream job, made a lovely group of friends, become financially independent and have (hopefully) managed to get my depression under control. My relationship with Tobi is as strong as it’s ever been, and I’m finally feeling a little piece of contentment – something that’s been missing for a long time.

Of course, there are a few things that I didn’t manage to achieve in 2012. I still bite my nails like a child, I haven’t quite got over my shyness in public (and at times, feel like it’s actually got worse)…and I’ve yet to motivate myself enough to stick to a healthy living plan. I wish that I could identify what it is that’s such a driving force in my education/career life and apply it to my personal life…but all too often it has seemed to be that I’m just a happy victim of happenstance, or chance. And you can’t bottle that.

So, my resolutions for 2013. I’ve decided to not set myself any goals (lose weight! Become vegetarian! Save £100 a month), because I’m just not motivated or inspired enough to do those things. The problem is that I’ve found this state of contentment now, and for the most part… looks, fitness and finance aren’t really bothering me. I think setting myself targets will just set me up for failure. However, it think it is important to look after myself and others. I’ve already posted about one resolution for next year (‘One New Thing‘ which is more of a doing resolution) so here are my remaining resolutions for this year, all of which are more about thinking…

1. Value people more. Don’t take anyone for granted. Love, and empathise. Take people as they are. Family and friends.

2. Value the present more. Don’t always try and rush ahead. This year, just let things be. Slow, fast, medium – whatever.

3. Value myself more. Don’t take my body, mind, location or position for granted. Look after myself, treat myself well, teach myself.

Ah, this is dreamy.

I absolutely adore these cute little illustrations from Behance user Indi Maverick. For such a talent artist, she’s had very little appreciations…so make sure you give her a follow and show her some love if you’re on the site.

As always, I’ve been lusting over white/wood/pastel/black interiors this week. The four above particularly caught my eye – I especially love the upside-down cat print and dusty pink lightshade in the second, and the huge kitchen blackboard in the last.

I’m planning to re-organise my bedroom a little for the new year, and in particular make more use of my desk/iMac. I really like this set-up, hopefully I’ll be able to achieve something similar in my cramped study-space!

I’ve been loving ink-drop images this week, and this one above is my absolute favourite. I need to get some of these printed and put on my walls for the new year, they’re just so gorgeous.