1/21/2024 1:16:58 PM
Ever since that Barbie film, I have been relooking at pink! Giving that colour another chance; baby pinks, creamy pinks, hot pink and raspberry pinks! I think a lot of it has to do with being back in England and wanting to let my skin heal from all the sun fun I have put it through. I am very aware of the gorgeous British skinned gals around me, especially at Free People, and desire the same! It is quite ironic I have now been thrust into skincare within my other job at Floatwell!
It seems this time for me is about beauty and wellness in a financial world, not just buzzing around on my scooter in Bali looking and feeling fab because life is just so easy and good there, haha. I mean, how can you not look and feel great if all you do is drink smoothies, go to yoga, paint and la-di-dah around?! So, for me, it is fun to strive to find that balance in this material world, especially in expensive UK and keep that inner and outer beauty shining.
A lot of how I equalize is to stay connected to gardens and flowers, walks in the parks and appreciating the nature around me here as best I can. Yesterday I had a lovely Botanical Garden day before my facial "training" day and today enjoyed wearing some soft creams and pinks to my fashion job. It is all panning out quite well in a real "Margi" kind-a way! 💕🌷😊
Next on the agenda is to move into my new space right across from the main park on the river and create an artist retreat feel with my desk and shelving to enhance the small living area. I want to give it a cottagey feel with fairy lights around the top corners of the room and velvety pillows, colourful woven rug and drawers under the bed. I found a futon shop in town and may really go for it once I am in with corner shelving, standing mirror and vanity with make-up/jewelry drawers! I know my living quarters are very important to me and I have strived to make my Cambridge life really be enjoyable. The bike with basket is waiting for my use, been hidden away in a back shed here in Waterbeach. I move in 11 days!
1/15/2024 2:12:54 AM
Mid January is here and we have some lovely sunny days in Cambridgeshire. A few days ago I was out in the countryside and reveled in an English estate, with gardens and sheep around, a lake and tumble down follies. It took about 40min to get there and I spent 3-4 hrs there enjoying the space. This same week I have decided to move into the city center but living just north of the River Cam it is still a calm feel with riverside and park paths for cycling. I have enjoyed the country feel of Waterbeach, a 30 min drive daily, however, do want to experience being IN Cambridge during my time here.
I am looking forward to the new space, there is a large desk for me to get back to painting. The room is small but there is a comfy lounge area with kind people and a back garden too. The main thing for me is to have Cambridge activities within easy access to be able to create more of a life outside work there to fill my soul with good people and sweet activities. My new landlady enjoys yoga and gardening so that is a win/win already!
With 2 weeks left I am already fantasizing about my early morning runs along the river, yoga at my fave yoga center nearby and biking to work looking all "Free People"...the season's changes will be welcome as I admire the leaves in the parks, flowers bursting out and my own watercolours coming back to life!
Onwards and Upwards!!
1/6/2024 1:24:26 AM
I have a bench in Cambridge. (Out of Africa, "I have a farm in Africa.") I suppose a bench isn't as dramatic, and it's not really my bench! However, I do enjoy coming to this same bench at the Uni of Cam Botanical Garden on and off as the seasons change. I came here in the summer and wasn't planning on being back until a short visit for Christmas and now I am really living here, fully integrated into life here with 2 jobs, new friends and an easy going living situation in the countryside with my lil Smart car too (and kitty)! I check in with myself to make sure I am happy often, really happy and feeling fulfilled. It is the journey for me, not what is at the end of the tunnel. Then, if something bothers me or I am uneasy about it, I deal with it. Realizing nothing is perfect and all things change, I try to be as reasonable as I can too, so, this bench gives me a place to be outside, sit down and comb over things.
I was buying some clothes at my Free People place of work for the month ( we get 60% off 5 pieces a month and I am slowly rebuilding a quality wardrobe) and the manager was surprised I was buying some of the "end of season" pieces saying how all the spring items are now just coming in...but, haha, "It is only January in the UK and we still have Jan and Feb to get through!" I've stayed in touch with my cousin in London over the years, I know that spring doesn't really come until April/May and even then it isn't like it is some warm summer day! So, I'm sticking to my needs of warm wear for now!
Later this month I am going to a one day workshop with certificate included for skin consultations and facial massage techniques to remind myself all there is to know about this career re-entry I am taking at Floatwell. The owners are purchasing a new machine that does a variety of cleansing, microdermabrasion and LED therapy for the face. There will be promotions and packages created. We are also bringing in Aromatherapy and I was going over what oils to buy to create three different blends; Relax, Restore & Revive. (Calm, Detox, Uplift). I am pleased with how much I know about this already, and so lovely to be working with essential oils again! In my 20's I had my own massage room in Kailua-Kona Hawaii and had a shelf full of my own creations with a large variety of essential oils.
I enjoy staying home a few days mid-week also to capitalize on the countryside feel I get here, there is a local gym for me in the afternoon (riverside bicycle ride when sunny) after I watch some of my fave English shows like Antiques Roadshow and Fake or Fortune which I fine very interesting. It takes paintings that may of been by Turner or Monet and goes about finding out if they have providence and test the paint etc. to see if they are the real deal. I learn a lot from both these shows re English art and antiques, places in England too.
Eventually, I will have to move so my own personal creative art work can have a place to bloom again, however, getting re-integrated with work and putting my energy towards that for now is fine for me, I feel committed to Cambridge for now.
The "for now" part is always moving for me, I know I am never "stuck".
Like the river flowing to the sea, that sea becomes clouds and rains down again to water the earth and then...grows flowers!!
