Inspired By :: { Vicki Archer of French Essence }

Hello friends! I'm excited to be launching a brand new blog series today called Inspired By :: where I'll be featuring the some fabulous writers, stylists, and bloggers to inspire you! Today, to launch the series, I am so excited to share my interview with Australian writer Vicki Archer. In 1999, on vacation in Provence, France, Vicki and her husband and their three children stumbled upon an old farm house, and fell in love. They purchased it, packed up their life in Sydney and moved to London, where Vicki spent the next few years commuting from London to St Remy de Provence to oversee the renovation. How amazing! And here is the result: the beautiful Mas de Berard. Pretty stunning isn't it! 

So it's my honour to introduce to you, the lovely Vicki Archer...

Vicki, every time I tell someone about the story of your life, their eyes light up with great excitement (as do mine as I am telling them!) It was 1999 when your life changed forever and this wonderful journey all began. Tell us about that magical time. 

It was magical but in some ways it was unbelievable too. When I look back today and reflect on what we did as a family, how we changed our lives so completely by moving from one side of the world to another… well the truth is I wonder how on earth it came to be. 

Simply put… we fell in love with an abandoned farmhouse outside the village of St Remy de Provence, at the foothills of the Alpilles mountains in southern France. This became an ongoing love affair that saw us renovate the farmhouse, establish an olive grove and create a garden.

It has been a journey, one that I am so happy to have taken. It has not been without heartache and difficulties, changing lives never is… but I wouldn’t have missed one second of it. Falling in love all those years ago has enriched my life immeasurably.

I feel like Mas de Bérard is very much a character in your books, particularly in My French Life. What a journey of transformation from an old fruit farm to one of the most stunning properties in Provence (in my opinion)! What do you love most about your home now?

I love that it is home and that it is filled with our stories. Every room has it’s own tale, every piece of furniture or decorative detail has been sourced by us… the farmhouse is our history and our future all rolled into one. 

Tell us about your garden and your beloved olive trees?

The olive trees came first, before the garden. We planted those in 2000 and have watched them grow into healthy producers. The olive harvest is one of the high points in my year… a chance to reconnect with nature, to enjoy the camaraderie with our team who pick the fruit and to spend some time outdoors enjoying that very clear Provencal air. 

The garden is an ongoing labour of love and a work in progress. Every year I tell myself, that’s it… no more gardening… every year I come up with some new idea to enhance or extend the garden… I can’t help it… This year I have added more roses and peonies… and I am extending the iris border on our driveway… I think it’s an addiction, this beauty in Provence… and if you are a homemaker, like I am… it’s almost unavoidable.

I’m sure other readers would be like me in that we “picture you” in your home as you write your blogs! Can you share with us what a normal day (if there is such a thing!) might look like for you from morning to evening? 

I split my year between London and France so my days in France are very different to my days in London… In France I usually spend the morning discussing the farm with our manager planning what needs to be done with the olives or the fruit trees. I usually take photographs in the morning and work on the blog in the afternoon. This year I have been finishing off another renovation in St Remy de Provence, a village house that we have called Le Petit Bijou… so that has kept me very busy over the summer. It’s finished now and ready for guests.

You collaborated with your great friend and photographer Carla Coulson on both your books, My French Life and French Essence, have you two dreamed of anything else you’d love to do together?

Always… I adore working with Carla. She is a magnificent photographer and has the great gift of interpreting exactly what I want to say and show through the lens. We don’t have any plans right now… but that can easily change.

How long do you spend on your blog, French Essence, each day? Do you have a particular time you like to write it, and do you find it easier to have a daily routine?

My blog, French Essence, has become a serious full time job! I spend as many hours as I can on it… when I am in London I am working on it every day… but it is such a pleasure and a great way to connect with my readers.

I can’t imagine life before French Essence now…and that is another reason why I am so grateful to have found this French connection… it has allowed me to connect with like-minded Francophiles all over the world…

Paris plays a big part in your books and you visit often. What are the things you look forward to most on your trips to Paris?

I try and visit Paris three or four times a year. My favourite pastime in Paris is people watching… Actually sitting and observing the daily comings and goings of the Parisians… I like to be a witness to a city’s heartbeat… trying to understand what makes her tick and where the energy comes from… that is what a city is all about. I have learned everything I know about Paris from her sidewalk cafes.

Whether it’s a page in one of your beautifully penned books, or a simple anecdote in a daily blog entry, your writing style is unchanging: impeccable, filled with passion, and straight from the heart. Where does your passion come from?

My passion comes from the heart. I do believe that if you write honestly about what you feel then the rest will follow. I am an accidental writer… it happened to me, I didn’t pursue writing as a career choice… now it’s part of my daily life and something that I can’t imagine not doing. 

I think I was born with a passion for beauty… whether it is fashion, interiors… life in general… and as I get older to be surrounded by beauty becomes more and more important to me.

I know you love your family very much. :) How often are you all in the one place? When will you be together again next?

My husband and three children are the reason for everything… we are often together in London and we holiday as a family whenever we can.

What are the things that have captured your heart in Saint Rémy? With your kids all grown up now, how much of your time is spent there?

I am probably in St Rémy five months out of every year…  So many elements of Provencal life have captured my heart…. St Rémy is a beautiful village with a wonderful past, it can’t but help capture you… The lifestyle is alluring and I think that is one of Provence’s greatest attractions.

What are your top five “happy places”?

Home is my number one… whether it or France or London

Australia…catching up with friends and family

Paris

Travelling anywhere…

And the bath!

I am a big dreamer, and a believer in constantly awakening our hearts so we are always flourishing. What dreams do you still have that you would love to see come to pass?

The dreams that all mothers dream… happiness for their children… For me, I am so fortunate, I am already living my dream… and I don’t want to change a thing… 

Thank you so much Natalie for inviting me to share my story with your readers… it’s such a pleasure to answer your questions and share your passion for all things French.

Love, Vicki

www.vickiarcher.com

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Well I hope you enjoyed that spurt of inspiration everyone! Thank you so much Vicki for sharing your incredible story. :) If you don't have Vicki's books, you might just want to click below and snap them up asap. Have a wonderful day today stirring up those dreams, because remember... just like what we have seen above, absolutely anything can happen! 

Love Nat xx

All images, except noted, by Carla Coulson 

 Christmas images and Paris collage by Vicki Archer

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To purchase Vicki Archer's books simply click here:
My French Life or French Essence

To purchase Carla Coulson's books click here: 

Chasing a Dream, Paris Tango, Italian Joy

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