Fear is still (and will always, always be) a liar.

Fear is so silly don't you think? Well I mean, when we're affected by it's sneaky discouragement, illusive intimidation and overwhelming anxiety, okay let's be honest it feels more 'in-your-face-dangerous' than 'silly'; but that moment we realise just how pathetic and obviously untruthful it is, bah-bye... fear's power goes right out the window. 

A few days ago fear did it's best to try to take me down. After two amazing weeks in the UK and Paris for my dear friends' wedding  (yes stay tuned for wedding, London and Paris posts to come!) I arrived back in Melbourne, and after sleeping eleven hours, I woke on Monday morning feeling completely discouraged and full of fear. You see, it wasn't just the 'PHB's (aka Post Holiday Blues), it was a million teeny tiny thoughts buzzing through my mind all to do with the leap of faith I am about to take next Friday. 

In just over a week I am jumping on a plane to lead a team of twenty wonderful new friends around Canada and Alaska for four weeks. Now this isn't the thing that made me nervous (although the thought of that might scare some people) but not me! No no no... I am 'super-duper-beside-myself-squealing-with-excitement' thrilled about this adventure I am blessed to go on. So what is it that might be trying so hard to intimidate me you ask? Well, it's what I'm doing after the tour that's causing quite a few butterflies to be fluttering around in my tummy...

At the end of August I am going to New York for two months to finish writing my book. Yep, I am doing it. Six chapters of "Anything Can Happen" are written, with five to go, (plus editing) and I have been dreaming of this, talking about this, praying about this, imagining doing this, for months now. And now the time has actually come. But on Monday morning, I wasn't so excited. Those evil thoughts that mask themselves as friends, (but actually just want to bring you down) you know the ones... What the heck are you doing? How are you going to make this work? Are you crazy? No one else is doing this! What if you fail?... Well they came at me with their best shot, they tried their hardest to score the winning goal, but in the end... they lost. Sor-reeee. The moment that fear came in, I prayed. The moment I prayed, God stepped in. And God always wins.

Nothing can stop God's plans for our life. Our Dad in heaven placed things in our hearts long before we were even born (Psalm 139:16). And along with every dream he gave us the courage, boldness and power we need to run after it. 

"I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind"

There is no fear in love. And we are sooooo loved by him. Do you know how much you are loved?! All of heaven is applauding you right now. You are precious and special and you have amazing gifts and abilities. I believe that every one of you reading these very words, whether it's the 24th of July 2014 or many years down the track, you my friend have something amazing in you and I am cheering you on as you journey to see it released!

This life is short friends. We only get one shot at it. What have we got to lose? We have to just go for it! My passion is to stir people to dream and be released and flourishing in everything they have been created to be. THAT is why I am going to New York to finish the remaining 5 chapters of "Anything Can Happen", because I truly, truly believe it's going to encourage lots people. So hand in hand with my God, off I go.

Back in 2012 I posted this blog... it was true then, and it's still true now...

So today is the day for YOU to take a risk. What's it going to be? Something you have been thinking about for a while maybe? Just go for it! What have you got to lose?!

Love you guys lots... always cheering you on.

Nat xoxo

Images 1, 2 + 4 - Nat Box 
Images 3 + 5 - Pinterest

Friday Fashionista :: Paris street style.

Hi hi ma lovelies! It's Friiiiidayyyyy woo hoo! What have you got planned for this weekend? I am celebrating my nanny's 91st birthday on Sunday.. what an achievement! So excited to honour and spoil her. :) So today, I thought we'd take a trip to Paris for some fabulous European fashion inspiration. I hope you enjoy! xx PS.. don't you LOVE the gold embellishments on this jacket above? Yes please.

The epitome of cute.

I am really loving grey coats this season.. I think they are much softer than black don't you think?

And here's grey again.. charcoal with denim and tan for the boys..

French stripes, dangling beauties and a pop of red.

Love everything about this. Grey, faded denim, green and more grey. Excellent.

Black leather with skinnies and pointies - chic and slick.

And two outfits for the boys -- gone are the days of full length pants!

The daily catwalk strut through Jardin du Luxembourg.  

Silk shirt, grey skinnies, snakeskin purse + hair in a bun. Winning combo.

Doesn't this jacket just ooze glam? And these shoes. Stun-ning. Well friends, I hope these pics have inspired you! Have a happy Friday, and enjoy yourselves whatever you have planned :) I am having dinner with my school friends tonight (one of whom I went to kindergarten with!) ~ can't wait to see them all and catch up on all the news! So thankful for beautiful friendships (30+ years is pretty special I think!) Anyway, I hope your long weekend is full of lots and lots of fun. Much love!

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 

5 Minute Vacation :: 12 Things to Do in Paris.

Welcome to Monday morning ma' friends! How was your weekend?! Well, I continued my lovely packing journey, and still managed to play the "let's hide all the boxes by shoving them in the laundry and garage" game so I could have people over Friday and Saturday night! (And hey, let me say it was well worth it!) So, anyway.. here we are at the beginning of another week, and what better time than a Monday morning to head to Paris, don't you agree? How beautiful is the above pic.. this is where you will be staying for the first half of your stay, complete with a scrumptious breaky on the balcony overlooking the Tour de Eiffel. Perfect. :)

Here is your stunning Parisian apartment.. and below, the view from another balcony. Hello!

Rather than doing the 'touristy things',
here are a few fab "off the beaten track" things you can do on your trip to Paris:

1. First up.... shopping.. House of Chanel on Rue Cambon of course. 

(Well, maybe a few others will be doing this, but hey.. it's simply a must in my books).

2. Followed by a wander to check out this city's fabulous street fashion. 

Ain't nothin' like it.

3. Stroll through the 4th arrondissement and check out the stunning flowers at Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux. 

4. Visit Fontaine de Médicis, the stunning water feature in the Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement.

5. Upgrade yourselves to the luxurious 5 star Hotel Le Meurice, located in the 1st arrondissement between Place de la Concorde and Musée du Louvre. 

6. Meander through the backstreets and admire the spectacular architecture. 

Ivy + planter boxes + open windows = a wonderful sight.

7. Ok back to shopping.. we are in Paris after all.. ;)

8. Stroll through Gallerie Vivienne and discover the many other undercover shopping passages hidden in the 2nd arrondissement. 

9. Throw the map away, get lost, and take lots of artistic photographs.

(I never knew a row of lamp posts could be so beautiful!)

10. Grab a coffee and chocolate croissant in Le Marais.. 

Located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. 

11. Bask in the afternoon sun somewhere.. if it's raining, all the better :)

12. Head to Restaurant Le Dali for dinner!

Have any of you guys ever eaten here?!?! Oh my goodness, I can imagine the food would be food is truly divine. So there it is guys.. a fabulous Paris list. Happy Monday and happy daydreaming! 

nat x

Images: 1. Lovely Eiffel, 2. houseandhome.com, 3. Paris Balcony, 4. House of Chanel, 5. b4.bp.blogspot.com,  6. lovetaza.com, 7. Shopping Love, 8. Gallerie Vivienne, 9. Lampposts, 10, Paris Sunshower, 11. siennacharles.com, 12 Le Marais, 13, lemeurice.com

5 Minute Vacation :: J'aime Paris

Now I know I have done some posts on Paris in the past, but come ON.. can we really ever have enough of Paris? No way. Today I am dedicating this blog to a very dear friend of mine who is about to embark on an exciting new journey and I am thrilled to celebrate her today (I hope she knows who she is). She did request a few weeks a go that I write a blog on Paris, so here you go beauty.. off we go!!

In my next house I would like a Mansard roof just like these ones in Paris.

One little birdie sitting pretty.. and one little birdie soaring in the air.. 

Here's where you will be staying during your time in Paris.

Looking out from this balcony..

You'll wander through the markets and pick out a few of these lovelies for your hotel room..

Sit down and enjoy a coffee (no takeaways in Paris!).. and of course a chocolate croissant..

Head back to your hotel room for lunch on the balcony..
before afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton!

Pure decadence. And look at that garden in the background.. Stunning.

Then you'll grab another late afternoon coffee on the terrace of your hotel..

Before heading out for an extravagant dinner at the gorgeous Le Petit Châtelet.

Have a beautiful day and see you in Paris!

nat x 

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.