Enlarged in the Waiting.

What are you waiting for? I know it's a pretty deep question for a Monday morning, but I just thought I'd ask. :) If you could see a shift in one area of your life, what it be? Well... now that you have it in your mind, it's time to get expectant. Cos let me encourage you, it's coming. :)

We're all waiting for something. We're all in different stages of life and most probably desiring different things, but we all have one common denominator. Our hearts tell us there's more, and we believe it. So we stir our expectancy, and wait. 

Two definitions of waiting are: 1. Staying in a place until an expected event happens; and to 2. Remain in a state which you will expect or hope that something will happen soon. How cool. So let me ask you... how are your hope levels?

Everything changes when we get fresh hope, doesn't it?! Strength comes and we feel empowered and full of faith. So... how do we get this new hope?

Well... we WAIT. :)

It sounds funny doesn't it? Waiting in order to get hope. But it's true! 

And it's not passive waiting, it's active, expectant waiting. 

I love this!

We are enlarged in the waiting. It never really feels like this at the time, but as we think of the analogy of a woman carrying a child, over that nine months, she is enlarged in order to carry something new. God is always good and he has a purpose for us in every season. He turns everything around for the best, so whatever we are facing right now, we can rest assured that His goodness is working it's way into our situation, even as you read these words. :)

So be encouraged. God is fighting for you and doing His thing! I release hope over you today. You are going to have an amazing day!

love nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,  8, 9 

Friday Fashionista :: { Lemon and Tan }

Ola my friends! How has your week been? Who enjoyed last week's Friday Fashionista on Totes? I had SUCH fun putting it together! Today's Friday Fashionista is also very fun, and summery :: Lemon and Tan. Above we have the gorgeous Olivia Palermo looking fabulous as always. So, I've been thinking, and I really feel that by getting us ready for summer through these blogs, it's totally going to attract the warmer weather... and it'll be hot before we know it! Who's with me? Well... I will just pretend it's working then he he. Anyway, I like to think it's at least inspiring us to see what we've got in our wardrobes. Maybe there are things we've forgotten about? You never know hey! Enjoy! :) X

How pretty is this look? Faded jeans, pale denim shirt, tan belt and beige trench. Hot!

The relaxed look of chiffon. So fresh. What a gorgeous pale lemon shirt. 
Goes beautifully with the shorts and tan bag.

What a superstar. Not really considered a 'tan outfit' but I still had to include it. SJP looking mighty fine in her lemon cardy with beige dress. And that hair. Aaaaaah.

This neat looking men's wallet with lemon tassel is fun isn't it! 
Would you wear this guys? I really like it!

Hello lemon shirt and tan shorts combo. You are so summery!

Navy jeans, gold accessories... and this lemon jacket. Perfection.

And here's Mr Preppy in chinos and boat shoes off to board his yacht.

Love this look. Lemon jeans, beautiful shirt, stripy tan bag and a pop of red on the finger. Beauty! Well enjoy your weekend, what are you up to? I have a retreat with my church and it's going to be soooo much fun. I'm just a tad excited!

Be blessed!

love nat xx

Think outside the box :: { Interview with Vicki Archer }

Do you think outside the box? What does that mean to you? Lately I've been focusing on stirring up the creativity and trying think of some new and different things to feature on The Writer's Ink. Thinking inside the box is defined as "thinking in a traditional fashion, bound by old, nonfunctional, or limiting structures, rules or practices". Well, hello... that just makes me feel claustrophobic. So then.. what is thinking outside the box? It means to think "differently, unconventionally or from a new perspective". Now that sounds like fun.

A few months ago I really focused on thinking outside the box. I had an idea to introduce a feature on the blog called Inspired By :: where I will feature writers, bloggers, designers and others who inspire me. So to launch this series I will be featuring one of my absolute favourite writers, Vicki Archer. Vicki is an Australian writer who moved to France with her family after they fell in love with a gorgeous farm house in Provence. She has written two beautiful books and her blog French Essence continues to inspire me daily. Anyway, I contacted Vicki a few months ago regarding an interview, and she graciously agreed. And after chatting with her over the past few weeks, I will be beginning my new blog series Inspired By :: with her fabulous interview in a few days! Eek how exciting!

So I guess this has really encouraged me, and confirmed that thinking outside the box and allowing yourself to dream really does open up so much more of what is inside your heart. :) I think I mentioned this scripture the other day, but I love it and want to share it again because it is SO true. "God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" With God the possibilities are limitless. Seriously ANYTHING can happen!

So what I heard my friend say the other day I now say to you too... 
Do you think it's time for you to go out on a limb? 

After all, that's where the fruit is isn't it? :)

Here's to thinking and living outside the box! It's sooooo much more fun! Come on you can do it. My challenge for you today is sit for ten minutes and just dream. Just start imagining things shifting and changing, cos when you stir it up.. things will happen. Bless you and have a great day!

love nat x

PS... let me know what dreams come when you think outside the box and I'll totally cheer you on!

Image 1 - Created by Natalie Box

Other Images - 2, 3, 4, 5.

Time for some fun!!!

Ok remember back with me. Summer. As a child. What are your memories? Who remembers backyard cricket? Or the sound of Mr Whippy chiming through the streets as you ran to your parents to ask for your money so you could get an ice cream? Or how about the fun of just simply playing in the puddles...

Lately I've been thinking it's a real bummer we don't do these crazy things anymore, these things we used to lovvvvve as a kid. I mean, when was the last time you played on an old wooden jetty with your dog, dangling over the edge, searching for the perfect fish?

Or how about playing dress-ups for no reason? Or holding hands and walking in your gumboots with your best friend.. chatting about life?

Riding your bike with your buddy.. complete with matching hats of course. ;)

Or one of my FAVOURITES below..... Cracking up with a friend! How much fun is it! Well, I am sure many of us do do this.... but let's endeavour to do it more!!   

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, REJOICE!!!"

I love this scripture in Philippians 4:4. And it goes so well with this pic don't you think?! Very cute. So today... that's our mission. To rejoice. To rejoice and have fun! It's time for some adventure! So, permission has been granted, let's stir it up today!

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Friday Fashionista :: { Totes Amaze }

Hello friends it's Fridaaaayyyy! Well this week's Friday Fashionista is so fun and excites me a LOT. Are you ready? Today is dedicated to one of my very favourite fashion accessories: The Tote. And first up, the lovely Miranda Kerr is looking fab with her Celine Zippered Cabas Tote. Who wants one? Well... great news guys. I've included all the links so you can purchase your favourite ones right away. I know. I know, I am so thoughtful aren't I?!

Huh hum. Drum roll. Introducing.... My. Dream. Bag.

 Ah Celine. One day we shall meet.

And here is her little yellow friend. She's very pretty don't you think?

Bit of Georgio Armani for the boys. 

A black, studded Celine Bag and ripped jeans. Fabulous.

Hello again Miranda. This Blue Prada Tote is looking lovely on you.

This Lands End Bag and scarf reminds me of a friend of mine. :)

And here's another Celine. This time it's Camille Styles' as featured on the The Glitter Guide.

Just a subtle piece here.
Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel Hula Hoop Bag. Tell me, would you wear this?!

And guys, here's the new Louis Tote!

How pretty is this Stella McCartney Falabella Embossed Fold-Over Tote?

Well, as I started exploring the land of the tote, I became quite overwhelmed and delighted with what I found! Soooooooooooo... there may be a Part II coming along soon so stay tuned. :) In the meantime, here are some more fun totes to check out in your weekend browsing...

How cute are these new canvas totes from MadeByGirl..

Here's a collection Refinery29 put together..

Great summer bags here at Step-Brightly..

Hello! Elle Magazine's top totes from last year are still hot to trot in my opinion..

And here are some more funky bags featured by Paloma81..

And if that wasn't enough, how about these superstar totes.. Wow wow wow. Shall I order them all for everyone?!

And finally speaking of bags, I found this Vicki Archer post from a while back! Very fun!

I hope you've all got something fun planned for this weekend. :) I'm super excited to be finallllly going to the Monet Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria - it finishes this Sunday, so I'm so glad I have managed to squeeze it in! Have any of you been? What's it like?! And hey.. if you haven't been, maybe I'll see you there this afternoon!

Have a totes amaze weekend everyone. ;)

nat x

Inspired to Dream.

Tuesday 5:30pm: It's Tuesday night and I am preparing this post for tomorrow's blog. I am about to go and meet a good friend for dinner, but I have created the title and planned the outline of what I wanted to say in advance. Not because I already know exactly what I'm going to say... but what I do know is that my dear friend and I will be chatting about all things fabulously creative and wonderful, and that I will come away feeling inspired and encouraged, and fulllllllllll of creativity!

And guess what.... I did. :) So now it's 11:59pm and I am completing this post after arriving home from a great girly chat, full of inspiration, and overflowing with creativity (just like I knew I would be!) Isn't that cool? There's a lesson or two here I think. #1. The power of expectation is incredible. It's a breeding ground for creative miracles. So even the fact that I was "expecting to be inspired" is such a powerful thing! I am trying to train myself to think more like this every day. And also...#2. We need to be actively awakening the dreams inside our hearts!!!! God put them there for us to discover and awaken. So.......... my dear friends, let us be encouraged to...

So today, let us be inspired to remember those dreams we had when we were little... 

And STIR them up!!!

It's TIME to dream! 

Have the best day :)

nat xx

Images - Creative, Guitar, Stir It Up, Superman, Twinkle Toes

5 Minute Vacation :: The Beach.

Hi friends welcome to Monday! Today we're off to the beach :) How was your weekend? Well if you were in Melbourne, I'm sure you would have adored the "what the heck it's 25 degrees 'winter' weather" on Saturday! How exciting hey.. it's finally spring wahoo! Not that I can really complain after spending seven weeks in the Canadian and US summer he he ;) How cute is this chair below? I have decided that either brand new or rustic like this old one, I most definitely need one of these for summer..... :) Have you got one?

What's on for your week? Anything fun on?! I am teaching singing today which I lovvvvve. I'm getting my students ready for our musical in three weeks, and I tell you what, there are some stunning voices I have the privilege of training -- if you're in Melbourne on Thurs 19th Sept you have to come! Email me here for more info :) So anyway, now that we are officially in Spring, what a perfect opportunity to take a walk (or ten), relax, stop.. and smell the roses. (Well technically there aren't any roses in this pic below... but you know what I mean.)

How stunning is this little street.  

Doesn't it just make you feel sooooo relaxed? Take me there now......

And this, my friends, is where we will spend our afternoon today after a hard morning's work... how does that sound?!? 

H a p p y   M o n d a y   p e e p s :-) 

love nat x

PS... tell someone they look pretty today ;)

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4.