5 Minute Vacation :: Hvar, Croatia

Hi everyone, Happy Monday! :) How was your weekend? Well it's boiling hot here in Melbourne (which I am loving of course) so I thought this place would totally suit today's 5 Minute Vacation location :: Hvar, Croatia. I've been so inspired about Croatia after doing some write-ups for Spectrum Holidays' Dalmatian Coast and Turkey Tour. So are you ready? Off we go..

You'll arrive on the beautiful island of Hvar on one of these stunning yachts..

And head straight out for lunch and to relax in the sun..

Take a stroll through a stunning local garden..

And wander the charming streets..

Before sailing to a secluded spot..

To relax here and watch the sunset. How STUNNING!

Then you'll wander along the harbour..

Before having dinner at your hotel, Hotel Amfora. :) So... who's keen to go to Hvar?! I hope you enjoyed and have a happy Monday!

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 

Permission to soar.

Let me ask you a question. When do you feel like you are soaring? Can you remember a time when you felt so free, so full of rest, so peaceful, and just overflowing with joy? It might have been a while since you have felt like that.. or you may be blessed to feel like it all the time. What about dreams? Do you have dreams inside your heart that are waiting to be awakened? It can sometimes be tempting to give up on the things in our hearts. It can, at times, feel like they will never come to pass. BUT... those deep desires buried down on the inside of us have been personally placed there by our great and loving God, and guess what.. today is the day to stir them up. 

You have permission to soar. 

So go for it. I'm cheering you on. :)

nat x

Image - 1, 2, 3.

What are you magnifying?

It was such a beautiful morning yesterday; the sun was shining and as I was walking through the park, although the scenery was stunning, thoughts were buzzing through my head. To do lists.. planning for this.. thinking about that.. and all of a sudden I was feeling slightly overwhelmed. As I was stressing over my problems, they were increasing in size! Even the tiniest things become huge when we magnify them..

Look at this little guy.. the detail in his spots just astounds me!

When we magnify things, they get bigger. So as I was focusing on these negative thoughts, they were beginning to fill my mind and cause unnecessary stress. So, I decided to focus on and magnify the good thoughts about me. 

What are you magnifying today? This is a picture of sand, magnified 250 times its size. Isn't it beautiful?

Magnifying gives us eyes to see. 

As we magnify the One who created everything, our focus shifts from ourselves and we see from a different perspective. And it's also here in this place that all sorts of hidden beauty within us will be revealed. It's time!!

Happy Tuesday! :)

nat x 

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Friday Fashionista :: Navy and tan.

Hey friends happy Friday! This week we are talking navy and tan. I just love this combo. It's simple, stylish and classy. For me, I prefer navy to black and have recently acquired quite a few navy items.. ;) Look at this stunning tan bag above, hmmm... think I need to get me one of those to go with all the navy. :)

Beige scarf.. gold accessories. Love it.

And I am aware we have quite a few guy readers now, so this one's for you! Classy to a tee..

Love this navy studded bedhead. And the lamp. And the starfish perched happily on that pile of books. Ahhh.. can you spot that fabulous blue book So Chic? This is on my "to buy" list!

Love this jacket with the skinny belt. And fab bag.

Love these colours! Boys what do you think?!

And for the home..

Perfect Saturday outfit.. Brunch + shopping + coffee = :)

And Princess Catherine, what a picture of style and grace. Just beautiful! Happy Friday my friends! (Yay for birthday weekend!)

nat x

PS - how is your "30 minutes of creativity per day" going?!?!

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 

Time to create.

Creativity :: the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination. 

It seems the topic of conversation I have been having with everyone lately is CREATIVITY. I know how exciting! Soooo many people I've been chatting to are dreaming, imagining, creating... everyone is ready for something NEW and guess what.. something is happening!!

Look, I have specifically chosen you.. I have filled you with the Spirit of God, giving you great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. You are a master craftsman, expert in working with many things. You are skilled and a master at every craft!

So. Today is the day! There will be no other day like it! So... my challenge to you this very moment is to set aside 30 minutes in your schedule today to stir the creativity within you. And pllleeeeeease.. let me know what happens!!!

Happy dreaming.... :)

nat x

Images - via

Friday Fashionista :: Tan and gold.

So I'm excited to launch Friday Fashionista :: a new blog series I will be featuring on a Friday a couple of times a month. I'm excited to be exploring different styles and sharing them with you! Today's feature is something I am loving at the moment - tan and gold!

Oh to have a Celine Tote..

Great casual vibe..

No such thing as too many bags.. or bangles and bracelets.

Camel coat + tan boots = fab.

 Classic and sophisticated.

And the fur coat tops it off..

Casual nautical stripes dressed up with these glam gold pretties. Hello!

And finishing this week's Friday Fashionista is a deluxe sea of gold swimming around this Brioni gold cuff. Matches perfectly with this camel dress and tan belt don't you think? Hmmm.. wonder what shoes she is wearing! So, if you have any ideas for this series please let me know and I will do my best to create your very own personal themed 'fashion collection'! :)

Have a beautiful weekend my friends. Next week is birthday week for me yippee!! 

Ten sleeps to go and counting!

nat x 

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 

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.