Embracing your late 20s

The limbo era

It's no secret that gaining another year of age gets that little bit more daunting as you get that bit older. Gone are the days when turning 18 and 21 were these mighty milestones that you couldn't wait to grow towards. When I hit 26 I suddenly realised that I was closer to 30 than I was to a teenager and that left me with an almost sinking feeling and brought up thoughts and worries of where the time had gone and what on earth I was doing with my current self.  But it also made me realise that you definitely gain wisdom as you gain years and there are so many positives to this time in my life I call the 'limbo era'. 
I'm at an age where I still get asked for ID whilst buying tobacco, but also sometimes feel like I'm being side glanced by 17 year olds whilst picking up the same items as them in Urban Outfitters. It's hard to find a balance and know which age-group to slot into- which is silly because the reality is you really don't need to make a decision at all! But there are definitely some days that I feel like I'm on a see-saw and that is okay too, I always come back down and find a nest of my own eventually.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

This May I turn 27, an age associated with many connotations, stories and opinions. When I see that written down it sounds crazy, because it also feels like I was 18 only a couple of years ago. Is it just me?
But the truth is, it is actually all good. So for those days that I feel a little fragile, I decided to write a post of all the wonderful things about your late 20s.

Firstly there is a lot less drama. There is a lyric by one of my favourite bands The Growlers, that says 'Look back about the things you used to care about and now they're so insignificant'. This rings so true with me. I feel like all of the copious conundrums and my days of making mountains out of molehills are definitely over. Everything seems calmer and if there is a hiccup, it is nice to have had the experiences to help you deal with them in a much easier way. Also everyone around you is a lot more kind and caring.

Which brings me to my next point, every single one of your friendships is wonderful. The last couple of years I have grown closer to my lovely pals, friends of old and friends of new- connecting to people is much more natural and magical at this age. This goes for family too, it is almost like you are meeting them for the first time again. I have always been close to my family, but it is a different kind of connection, a harmonious and liberated one.

You feel a lot more settled. Not just in the cases of relationships, jobs, babies etc, but you generally feel a lot more at home within yourself. I may not have the perfect job, I've moved around a lot and haven't done anything with my degree- but I gained a lot of confidence, after being so so shy for such a number of years and I feel that just general growing up and trying to give myself little challenges played a massive part in that.

Education doesn't end at school. There is always something new to learn every day, always new books to read and people with stories to meet. Also the desire to self-educate and gain knowledge of literally whatever you are interested in, just seems to blossom.

Onwards and Upwards

This wonderful gypsy caravan was built by a lovely man that Mum and I met whilst driving through the countryside a couple of weeks ago. The man had made his home completely from scratch, he talked about how he wished he had done it years earlier when his strength was better and he had realised what he wanted and to really embrace every second we have. We spoke for a while, as the winter sun dappled light over our faces and I asked him if I could take some pictures in front of the wagon. Something I definitely wouldn't have done a year or so ago. But I am really glad I did. 

So even though my fringe is smothered with little grey hairs and I do often panic about getting older, I am actually very thankful to this age, all that it entails and all who are on the same adventure with me.

Lots of love always

Desert Dance

Hello Loves and a big warm welcome to a new week ahead...and a very sunny one at that.

Ever since I was a child I have been very interested in desert nomads, I watched a film about a year ago titled Latcho Drom, which quite literally changed my life. My parents had been banging on about it for a good few years, but it wasn't until I sat down to watch it, that I realised what all the fuss was about. To put it in a few words is very hard to do, but it is first and foremost a French documentary on gypsies from around the world. From India, Turkey, Spain and Slovakia etc, it shows the colourful and beautiful ways in which they live. From about five seconds in I was hooked and it has made my love to travel grow fonder and larger, not to mention the way it has evolved the way I dress. Now all I want to do is build a treehouse, make tea on a fire and live in an embroidered dress for the rest of my days. Oh, and maybe go back to playing the flute again.

This Afghan dress I'm wearing is a vintage piece I managed to get hold of on Ebay. The weight of it is immense, with all of the beading and sheer work that has gone into creating this, dare I say it, piece of art. I remember seeing dresses like this in National Geographic magazines and now that I have one of my own, I feel very privileged to wear it. Also spinning in this dress is an absolute dream and I am pretty sure you could fit a family of hobbits in those vast sleeves.

As I am writing this now, I am watching a lovely sunset, filled with crimson melting into the horizon. Thinking about the next time I can wear my dress and just how much I need to save up for a vintage wagon. Maybe Mondays aren't so bad after all.

Lots of love always

Turning 26~ Belated Edition

Gypsy Top~ Vintage / Dress used as skirt~Beyond Retro

Hello there and Happy Sunday,

It seems all of my posts are a bit belated recently, maybe it is the fact that I have now reached my late twenties- perhaps my mind is going and I am getting increasingly more slow haha. Well at least I hope not.

 Anyway, on the 11th of May I turned 26, an age I never really thought about in terms of how I would see myself by then or how I pictured my situation in general would be. The previous year when I turned 25 I felt that was a large milestone and the whole year was magical for me. I managed to travel to a fair few countries, get a new job, move to Devon and find some new kindred spirits. So as long as this coming year of age is anything in comparison to how the last twelve months have been, then I will be one happy young/old lady.

These flower filled pictures were taken in the most picturesque village of Lustleigh,a few weeks back. It's one of those little quiet places, hidden away, but somehow always manages to win awards for 'Best Town' etc. It really is like a fairy land and I used to spend hours playing by the stream when I was a child.
We went there the day after they had celebrated their May day and every year they cover a large rock and throne with wild and garden flowers and crown a May Queen. We were so thrilled to see that the little chair was still there smothered in petals and I practically leaped up there to sit inside the colourful blossoms.

We also meandered through the old apple orchard and I refused to wear shoes the entire afternoon. It was a very special day to commemorate turning another year older, so let's see what the future will bring for this 26 year old.

Lots of Love always