Start small :)

Do you ever feel overwhelmed "trying" to be inspired and creative? Yesterday afternoon, after a productive morning of writing, I was ready for another book writing session.  So I sat there ready to go. Nothing. I sat there with my hands on the keyboard..."Okay creativity... hellooooo... you can come anytime now..."  Then I stopped. I realised I was trying to be "supernaturally creative" but in my own strength. Ha ha, Nat I don't really think that's how it works. Flowers don't strive to be beautiful, they just grow in their own beauty.

Anyway at that moment I decided to just take the pressure off myself and start small. Rather than focusing on writing a whole section, I thought I'd just go somewhere beautiful, chill out and make a few notes. As soon as I did that the Lord reminded me of a cute cafe on the Upper West Side called Cafe Lalo. So I grabbed my laptop, put on some lipgloss (and the new boots I may have recently bought he he) and headed out the door. This is where I went!

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Do you do this too? Put pressure on yourself and then don't know where to start?! Ah it's so silly isn't it! Well, I want to remove any pressure for us "be creative"... and just release us to be ourselves, cos that's what the world needs :) Let's start small and see just what happens! Here are few ways we can start small in stirring up creativity:

1. Take the pressure off. It's amazing what ideas we think of when we're not 'thinking'.

2. Don't try and plan a whole project. Start by listing a few ideas.

3. Do something fun. Inspiration often comes when we're relaxed and having a good time.

4. Go somewhere beautiful and treat yourself. 

5. Hang out with a friend and chat about things you love.

6. Ask God to stir new creativity. I love this scripture below... How amazing is it that he is always waiting to tell us something new. :)

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So remember, when you start to feel the pressure it's time to strip it back. :) 
Just relax and have a beautiful day being YOU!

Love Nat xo

Love from NYC :: Stay in your lane.

Well hello my lovelies sending you a hug from NYC! How is your week going? Well I'm about to put the kettle on and have a cuppa... wanna join me?! Imagine if we could do that! Oh my gosh it would be very fun :) So I have been in this fabulous city for about a week and a half now and boy is everyone right when they say it's the city of dreams! Woh woh woh yes sirree! I seriously think if you took all the power from the speed people walk in this city and put it together we could power an entire country! Here are a just a few of them chilling in Bryant Park today...

And here's the jazz pianist playing fabulous music.

Of course NYC a city full of inspiration, dreams, ambition, which is why I wanted to come here... everyone literally believes that anything is possible. But another thing I have felt whilst I am here is to really focus on "staying in my lane", and not getting caught up with trying to run someone else's race.

Inspiration comes from everywhere, but at times I find the line between inspiration and comparison is quite fine. Do you ever find that? I mean, we spend SO much of our lives online these days, there is so much information out there, but when I have crossed that line I get a little check in my spirit. No matter where I am or what I am doing, the moment I begin to feel my joy being robbed I know something is up. If I suddenly feel insecure, intimidated, fearful or I start judging myself to see whether what I am doing is good enough... I have to stop right there and step away.

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I don't know about you, but sometimes it happens when I don't even realise it! Then all of a sudden I feel totally terrible and I am knee deep in "oh my gosh this person is doing that, I need to do this and this and this?!" Um, NO. No you don't. All you need to do is focus on being the amazing, creative, inspiring and fabulous person God created you to be. There is no one on earth like you. There is no one on earth like me. And if you try and be me and I try and be you, then we are both going to fail miserably! But, if we stay in our lane and focus on what we do best, then we are going to flourish and we are going to fly baby :)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

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You are amazing. Of all the people walking on this planet there is not a single one like you. Just look at us! I mean, as I write these words I am thinking of you guys reading this blog. Each of you are incredible, with your own amazing gifts and abilities, and today you are going to go out into this world and release your creativity and amazing-ness!! (Not sure if that is actually a word!) Anyway, the world needs what you have to give... so get out there and run!

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So, what do you say? Wanna join me and stay in our own lanes and be amazing? 

Love Nat xoxo

(PS... Here are a few of this week's highlights)

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 :: THIS WEEK IN NEW YORK CITY ::

Soho. How I love you.

 9/11 Tribute.

 Dreaming of shopping at Bergdorfs. I will go in there for lunch very soon though!

58th and Fifth.

 One of my fave views of The Plaza... and the ice rink getting ready for winter!

 Fun exploring the brand new POLO Ralph Lauren flagship store. 711 Fifth Ave.

 Very bright and colourful!

 Subway selfie (sporting my new RL shirt). 79th St subway.

 Love this view of Grand Central and Chrysler at 42nd and Park.

 Sunday arvo at Bryant Park. 42nd and Sixth.

 Radio City Music Hall on Sixth Ave.

 Tea and dessert at Sarabeth's on 59th with my lovely friend Brittany.

My street.

 Pretty posies in Nolita. Prince St.

Bryant Park as the sun is setting. Beautiful.

Have a lovely day!

N xx

Images - All by Natalie Box unless otherwise listed.

Introducing... Camille Styles.

Hi friends happy Monday! As I write this blog I'm currently surrounded by a bed full of clothes in neat little piles... I'm sorting and attempting to tick eight million gazillion things off my to-do list before I head to Alaska/New York on Friday. Four sleeps to go... shivers it's a bit exciting! I had a wonderful dinner with some of my family last night, including my beautiful grandparents and aunties, so that was a nice way to wind down the weekend. What did you get up to? Something beautiful I hope :)

Another thing I am reeeeally excited about this week is introducing to you a new friend of The Writer's Ink! A few of you have been asking about the interview I recently did with Camille Styles so I am happy to announce it will be launched this coming Wednesday 30th July. :) 

Camille is the founder and director Camille Styles Events and über-popular lifestyle blog CamilleStyles.com, and she loves sharing her inspiring ideas for beautiful and carefree style. She's smart, business savvy, and boy can she style a party! 

I stumbled upon her website CamilleStyles.com two years ago. At the time I was about to take a step of faith into a new (and slightly scary!) season of creativity. Hearing her story of building her company from scratch (now a well-oiled machine with a team of sixteen creative contributors) really encouraged me to take that giant leap into the unknown. Her creativity in styling events and creating beautiful moments has been a constant source of inspiration to me as I follow my dreams! Here are some fabulous examples of her creativity below. :)

Over the past two years, Camille has inspired me in many different areas. Though we are miles apart, (she lives in Austin, Texas with her hubby and little girl), I've watched her chase her dreams, take on new projects (including renovating and decorating her brand new studio) and create many, many beautiful moments.

So..... before you get to know her, I thought it would be cool to show you some of the amazing work she is world famous for. 

So stay tuned for the launch of the latest "Inspired By" serious, featuring Camille, this Wednesday 30th July. I know you will love hearing all about the fabulous things she does.

But for now... grab a cuppa and prepare to be inspired. Click through these videos and enjoy! X

Christmas Morning Brunch for Kate Spade

"Style in Spades" Christmas Morning Brunch (Images)

Movie Night for Glitter Guide

Desert Romance Bridal Shower

Made for Each Other for Style Me Pretty

Thanksgiving Dinner

Have a great Monday friends... make sure you do something new and fabulously creative!

Love Nat xoxo

PS - And if you think of any other creatives you'd love me to interview just let me know.

 Images and Videos - All CamilleStyles.com

Interview with Camille Styles.

Well hello from Paris my friends! The girls and I have been having an amazing time exploring the sights of Manchester and London (see my Instagram for all the wedding and sightseeing fun!), and now we are here in the City of Lights :) So... aside from all the travel excitement... I have something fun to share with you! Last year I started a fun blog series called Inspired By :: where I interview amazing writers and bloggers from around the globe who inspire me. 

Thus far I have had the pleasure of interviewing Vicki Archer of French Essence, and Jen Ramos of Made By Girl... and now I am SUPER excited to announce that the next Inspired By will be featuring the amazingly talented and super creative Camille Styles. Camille has long been an amazing source of encouragement and inspiration to me, and I am really looking forward to sharing with you just how she has inspired me over the years. So my friends, stir up the creativity and stay tuned for this incredible interview next week! :)

Sending love from Paris!

Nat xoxo

Image - CamilleStyles.com 

Take a Risk.

Welcome to Monday my friends! I wonder what excitement awaits us this week? Awaiting me at the end of this week is a big aeroplane that I will be jumping onto and flying across the other side of the world to see my beautiful friend Miriam get married! :) It's very exciting. So three of my friends and I are jet-setting across to the UK to stand next to her on her special day (wearing very pretty dresses of course!) We haven't seen her for two and a half years, so I am picturing our airport reunion to be an 'extra-squeally-scream-and-hug-fest'... just like a scene out of Love Actually!

So, I've been thinking about the second half of this year and what it's going to hold, and for me personally I'm not quite sure, but I really sense a great expectation for something amazing. What about you? What are you expecting? Something new and fun maybe? What could that new thing be for you? Maybe you'll step out... Maybe you'll discover a treasure... Maybe you'll get a new idea... Maybe you'll travel... Whatever it is, when was the last time you followed your heart and took a risk? 

So don't hold back. 

Because YOU, my friend, can do ALL things through him who strengthens you!

I love this. So if you are realizing you need to go out on that limb today, just remember I am cheering you on and I think you are incredible! Go you!

Love Nat xoxo

Images - Pinterest

Six little encouragements for you.

Okayyyyy call me crazzzy, but the fact that we are only four months away from summer is just a tad exciting for me! << insert crazy tongue poking out emoticon here >> Alright alright, I know I am jumping the gun a bit here, but think about it... June 21 was four days ago... That's the shortest day of the year... So guess what that means? Yep that's right. The days get longer and warmer from here on in. Hello. Woo hoo! 

And just like summer is coming, so are our promises. Yep. Your promises and mine. God promises that "we are the receivers of great and precious promises", so just as we get excited and know summer is coming, we can rest assured that our great God has everything perfectly planned. He's working behind the scenes in our situation right now. Just look at the sun in the sky. Every time it sets it's a confirmation of his goodness. 

So here are six little things to encourage you in whatever season you are in:

1. Write five things you are thankful for today.

Thankfulness shifts atmospheres and gives us new eyes to see.

2. Joyfully look forward to the season ahead.

Expectation releases the miraculous.

3. Don't be distracted or discouraged in the wait. 

Focus is the key. And God is always really great at helping us with this.

4. Sow seeds for the next season. 

Whether it's finance, time, acts of service, or love... your seed releases your breakthrough.

5. Expect surprises everyday.

Let's learn from kids. They are always expecting fun and wonder. 

6. Don't wait for summer to come to dance... dance in the rain!!

That's right! It's time to seize the moment. Carpe diem!

So have a beautiful day my friends. Be encouraged, wherever you go you have the ability to release love and joy, so let's be extravagant with our giving.

Happy Wednesday :)

Love Nat xox

Images - Pinterest

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Friday Fashionista :: { Black Leather }

Aloha my friends :) Hip hip hooray it's the weekend! I can't believe how quick a week has flown by... oh my gosh, we are heading towards the end of June - shivers! Which means, it's almost time for me to jump on a plane to Manchester! Now. Today's blog theme was recommended by two very special friends of mine... well done chickies I think it's a winner!

How cool! Well we hope you have a great weekend lovelies... I'll be at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre this weekend for 'Beautiful Woman'. my church's women's conference. Can't wait to see how God surprises us :) Have a wonderful weekend whatever you are doing... come join us if you're free!

Love Nat xoxo

Images - Pinterest