I’d like to encourage everyone to use the word ABRACADABRA more often. It’s a wonderful word that rolls off the tongue and means “As I Speak, So I Create.” Ancient tribal and shamanic traditions have always used language as a powerful creation technique. If language dictates our reality, then it’s possible for all of us to be powerful Magicians. The problem is that most of us are caught in a loop of old thoughts and beliefs and are repeating patterns instead of creating new and positive situations. Negative self-talk is a habit to be recognized and ruthlessly banished…. I’m sorry, there’s no room at the inn for you. This takes moment-by-moment awareness and re-direction… and may be something many of us have to work on for the rest of our lives. But no matter, I’m up for the challenge. And I’m reminding myself daily that language is a tool I can use to create better circumstances. Think about what you want. Name it and say it out loud. ABRACADABRA! And so it is.
If you want to read more about the power of words, I recommend this book by Greg Braden, The Wisdom Codes: Ancient Words to Rewire Our Brains and Heal Our Hearts.
Last week, our new neighbours moved in. I don’t know anything about them, except for the fact that she has two kids and a dog. I haven’t seen her once - she must be trapped inside behind teetering piles of boxes. I need to bring her a welcome gift and I’m mulling over options. Who is she and what does she like to eat? It’s garbage day and nothing has gone out to the road for two weeks. Doesn’t she know we need clues? Does she drink wine? Does she like French food? Or is she a non-drinker who is lactose intolerant or gluten free….this would hinder all of my great ideas. I usually have a few hostess gifts ready for last minute invitations, but none of these seem quite right. I’m thinking about an Italian dinner basket, whether she likes it or not. Or an Olive oil dispenser with a nice Greek olive oil, or a tomato candle…one could hardly go wrong.
I could also take over a selection of cheese wrapped up like candy. The candy-twist wrap is charming and turns tiny humble items into little jewels. I imagine this technique could work on many things that are firm, like nougat sliced into logs, caramels or tiny bottles of jam. Thinking about wrapping gifts makes my heart happy - the technicality and precision of your wrapping style is very important. The outside aesthetic should be equal to the beauty of, or better than, the inside object. Take your time and don’t do a hack job. I like black matt paper with velvet ribbon. Not the cheap curl ribbon. But sometimes I just use parchment paper with butcher twine. Or real flowers. I have an issue spending $10 on drug store cards….I’d rather put the extra $10 towards the gift. Have some fun. You can add colourful printed cards from online sources, or postcards cut into shapes. But don’t think traditional cards. Look for imagery of animals, or birds, or flowers. I particularly like these fish adornments. You can also try Furoshiki wrapping, there are many simple tutorials online.
It’s August and it appears that everyone in the world is on a beach in the Mediterranean. If you aren’t heading to a luxurious island, you’re not alone. “Holidays” and “Summer” do not belong to a specific place. You can tap into summer energy no matter where you are. This is called the art of escaping in place….. or, staycation.
This got me thinking about resorts, in particular, Club Med. I was in public school in the 70’s and I remember the lure of Club Med ads. The typography and vibe are back in vogue today and being copied by other brands. Club Med initiated the idea of sun and relaxation for regular people. Pompous attitudes need not apply. Born in 1950, it’s always been closely associated with the French. But in reality it was created by Gérard Blitz, whose original community was a social and leisure experiment in Majorca. Blitz’s idea was to offer restorative vacations to Holocaust survivors, using water and movement as a form of healing. Camps were for singles and were fairly primitive, with tents, straw huts and communal bathrooms. Beads were exchanged as currency, removing the need for money (the initial all-inclusive concept). In 1963, it was repositioned as a luxury brand, with a more shiny image and a focus on party life. The photo below on the right is a campaign from ‘77, conveying the concept of community and freedom.
I’ve borrowed the Club Med idea for my own home. You don’t need a passport to access the feeling of leisure. You need a few objects that transport you in Spirit. If you aren’t travelling, start collecting. Etsy and various online shops have beautiful coastal art, shell collections, etc to make your home feel like summer.
Stripes
Stripes read as “holiday”, the same way the Club Med posters from 1977 read as “leisure”. India Hicks post with Lucinda Chambers had some great striped towels here. Unfortunately I can’t buy them in Canada…. Why don’t we have a Westwing? One of the easiest places to use stripes in the home is bedding or wall-covering in a powder room.
ARTE striped wallcovering
French Stripe Bedding in Blue and White
Crate + Barrel Striped Bedding
Parachute Home Portuguese Long Staple Egyptian Striped Bedding
Poppy + Fritz Blue Stripe Bedding
Bahama Queen Conch Seashell (Pink) - Bahamas Pink Conch Shell
White Lace Coral Large Cluster Pocillopora Damicornis
I adore these panels…. they are expensive, because of the time involved and intricacy of the design. You could do this at home. I once covered an entire mirror in shells for my bathroom. It was one of the most meditative things I have ever done and I enjoyed it for many years. Michaels, Etsy and Amazon are full of shell supplies. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Apply shells to little jewelry boxes, panels, mirrors, art frames…. the sky is the limit.
I also love Mary McGuire’s miniature paintings….
Oysters = Vacation. I always order oysters on vacation (but not in the summer, the water is too warm). One of the largest oyster plate displays in America can be found in Chesapeak Bay at Fisherman’s Inn. The plates were originally bought by Betty Schulz, the late owner. Betty started collecting in the 1970’s but lost her first collection in a fire. The 2nd collection which can be seen today at the Inn, is over 300 pieces. I have recently mounted two of my vintage majolica oyster plates on my wall. I love plate displays done well, especially oyster plates, but you could also use baskets, platters or any collection that appeals to you. Have fun mixing and matching. Wall displays remind me of holiday homes.
I read this book 13 years ago, and I loved it. It's a perfect read for August, describing Mediterranean ports, entitled people, and how you prep and cook for 100 guests in a galley kitchen. It's written by a chef who spent the summer on the superyacht belonging to an unnamed billionaire Italian family. His interactions with the wife are memorable...
Before we end this story today, I’d like to introduce you to Bear, our nine year old Australian Shepherd. He is a walking, barking, contradiction. He’s extremely sensitive, while at the same time he is a “known” curmudgeon. God help the person who knocks on our door... His natural enemies are crows and flickers. Once as a puppy he ran to us, with a look of horror on his face. We were led back to the kitchen, where a large crow perched on his bowl eating his breakfast. Another time he was so frightened by a innocent flicker that he ran into the house, swayed doozily while peeing on the rug, then fainted. To this day, the sound of a woodpecker sends him spiralling. He is a butter snob. He will eat the most disgusting thing he finds on a walk, but once inside the house, refuses hand held human snacks unless they have adequate butter applied. Despite his eccentricities, he is my husband’s faithful co-pilot and the most wonderful friend you could ever have. I’ve never had a dog communicate as well with his eyes. He comes from a working family of Aussies. The photo on the left was sent to me by the horse breeder where Bear’s litter was born. One look at that blue eye, and I was wire transferring a large sum of money into the rancher’s account. He looked sad, and I had to have him. I was told he was a micro-mini, but he has grown into a full sized, stocky Aussie. We believe the universe gifted us a Spirit Animal to make our lives better. Today we found a flicker feather on the mat, a gift left by Bear's nemesis.
That’s it for the week friends. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you did, could you please tap the heart button, and please subscribe.
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