Things A-Blooming

Hello Lovelies!

a flower (called "perce-neige" in French) in my mom's garden. Photo, my own. See more here.

I just spent a nice weekend with both my brothers in the lovely South of France. It gave me the opportunity to take a lot of photographs, including some for this "photo a day" challenge, some for this sfgirlbybay giveaway and some just for the pleasure of uploading pictures of things a-blooming in my mom's garden...

crocuses in my mom's garden. photo, my own.

Enjoy!

-Naomi of TeaButterfly.

Cold Spring

Hello Lovelies!

Snow in my small Southern town in France, 2010. Photo, my own.

I always thought March was the most difficult month to live through, going back and forth between warm, Spring-like weather and sudden returns to cold, harsh weather.

The last couple of days here in France have been snowy. Actually it snowed so heavily that individual cars and public transportation alike were stuck in the middle of the roads. Thousand of homes were left without electricity. A big French mess it was.

It is a cold, cold spring.

But, I am keeping on with my goals! Check out my Flickr photostream or Instagram account and you'll see what I've been up to, with my daily photo challenge....

Enjoy!

-Naomi of TeaButterfly.

Maybe It's Spring? Don't Wait For Things To Happen

Hello Lovelies!

Don't wait by This Rocket Ain't Mine via the resolve project website

Spring is coming soon and it gets me excited and inspired! Right now, I am just itching to start something new, exciting and fun.

So I jumped on this photo challenge and boy! Am I having fun! It really got my creative juices flowing (try it, too!) and now I want more. So, what's next?

I believe in serendipity. Just as I was feeling finally ready, I stumbled upon the right tools online. Call it "New Year's Resolutions" for the late bloomer, if you will... ;-)

First, I found visual inspiration (and I love me some visual inspiration) in these awesome contemporary artists' resolutions, compiled online on the "Resolve project" website. Another great and funny read is this article about how famous people make their resolutions.

Then I found Rachel's food blog, with a small and inspiring blogpost about how to pamper yourself. It led me to this insightful article, that I interpreted as a sure sign that i was ready to move on, to give up on the past in order to move forward.

We can all have one or many goals for this year in our lives. Here are powerful tools for increased productivity, everyday creativity and a fave of mine, weight loss through a healthy lifestyle.

So, what am I doing right now in order to have a better life?

I'm reading Susannah Conway's story on her blog, ordering her book, This I Know.

I am reading and practising the "Joyful simplicities for March" detailed in the classic book, "Simple Abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy".

I am pinning inspiring images on my Spring Essentials pinboard, not necessarily intending to buy anything, but rather using what I already have in order to "Bring on the Spring" in my wardrobe, cleaning routine, kitchen, home decor...

I am adopting healthy lifestyle habits (and losing weight) by subscribing to SparkCoach.

I am taking photographs and doodling everyday.

Finally, i am enjoying life's little pleasures (this list is a gem!).

I now hope that all these links will inspire YOU in turn... Enjoy!

Naomi of TeaButterfly.

Who doesn't like a FREEBIE?

Hello Lovelies!

 via laviedebrioche.com

Thank you for reading my blog! Here are a series of FREE bonuses you can get here:

* My Organic French Beauty Tips series.

* My Small guide to Paris.

Enjoy!

Naomi of TeaButterfly.

A Fun Photo Challenge for March #FMSphotoaday

Hello Lovelies!

March has just started and I feel low and tired after a long winter. I need some fun! Happily enough, I stumbled upon a fun photo challenge... I just love photography and daily challenges that prompt you to be more creative. So here goes: check it out!

For this photo a day challenge, I will join the flickr group as "Teabutterfly", use the instagram hashtag #FMSphotoaday (I'm @teabutterfly on instagram) and be reminded by the lovely online calendar (also available as a cool app). I will also do a monthly recap here on this blog by the end of the month.

All the details about how to play along can be found here.

Enjoy!

Naomi of TeaButterfly.

A Poem for the Weekend

Hello lovelies!

I found this excerpt on the enhabiten blog, and I just love it! The illustration is by me.

a drawing I did back in 2005. Lipson (c) 2005.

Letter to a Lost Friend

By Barbara Hamby

There must be a Russian word to describe what has happened

              between us, like ostyt, which can be used

for a cup of  tea that is too hot, but after you walk to the next room,

              and return, it is too cool; or perekhotet,

which is to want something so much over months

              and even years that when you get it, you have lost

the desire. Pushkin said, when he saw his portrait by Kiprensky,

              “It is like looking into a mirror, but one that flatters me.”

Read the entire poem here and enjoy! And by the way, hello, March!

Naomi of TeaButterfly.

Tea with... Einar Jolin

Hello Lovelies,

I discovered the Swedish painter Einar jolin's work through the great blog Fine Little Day, right here. What a lovely surprise! I love his still lifes and this "portrait" of a teapot:

via

So simple and serene, with the "punch" of a touch of orange.

Enjoy!
And click here for more Einar jolin.

Naomi of TeaButterfly.