DIY Nautical Night Light...

The beach vibe continues with today's nautical DIY,
which is a super quick and easy to create night light.

All you need is:

 a bottle cloche with a base stand

 fairy light mini buds with a clear cord

a focal piece with a rope hanger- I used an anchor for a beach theme

And some dry mini star fish to place on the base below the anchor

some thick twine and scissors.

 The focal I'm using is from  Farmers 'Tilly & Home' range.

On sale at just $4.50.

Thread the battery fairy lights from the top into the bottle.

 (The Bottle Cloche was sourced from The Warehouse also on sale @$18)

 Then place the focal ornament like the anchor inside with the string hanger in the top of the bottle neck.

Pull the string up and thread twine through it.

Wind the twine around the neck of the bottle and tie a knot to hold. 

 Rearrange the lights around the anchor.
Place some dry starfish onto cloche base before place bottle back on it.

 Nautical and  rustic fairy light fun!

 You could use a starfish as a focal inside instead of an anchor.

Or another nautical inspired piece.

But I think this anchor look rocks!

#fairylights #diy #beachdecor #nightlight #nautical

Living With Pain And Invisible Illness - My story...

This week's post was supposed to be all about a very cool Coastal-themed 'Nightlight' DIY...

BUT...

The computer decided to DIE!!!

So here I am on my little ole laptop. 

With no access to photo processing and no way to get the photos from the camera onto the laptop for the above project.

The DIY post has now turned into 'hopefully', an inspiring story.

Few know this part of my personal story.

It is silent.  It is hidden.

I live with chronic pain and illness that is not obvious.
(unless of course, you notice the disability parking sticker on my car or I am limping due to a flare-up).
It affects my life daily.
It is a challenge.
Last week, I read a blog post elsewhere that featured a story about other bloggers who also live with pain and illness.
Their stories were inspirational.
I decided to add my story to the blogosphere.
In the hope it will help someone who's in the early days of diagnosis.
Perhaps it will give them hope when they are going through all the stages of grief as they deal with the prospects of surgery, medication and their effects, as well as lifestyle changes.
For me, the lifestyle changes that I had to make were the most difficult. 
Before my hip deformity diagnosis, reconstructive surgeries, osteoarthritis diagnosis, and heart condition (also which required surgery), I was super active.  
I had a half-acre garden.  Ran the home to perfection. Worked. Volunteered. 
Gosh, I could write an enormous list of how life was.
Then suddenly it all stopped!
Life changed in a moment.
It's taken me many years to adapt to those changes.
It was not easy.
I loved my old life.
Then suddenly I needed to recreate a new one.
I was completely lost.
My friend said to me 'You are still creative - share it'.
In 2012 Mia Bella Passions' blog began.
'Mia Bella Passions' is my creative, positive, happy place.
Blogging was my lifesaver.
Then as time and wellness allowed, I added other things 'I could do'...
Art became my second lifesaver.
And here we are today.
A Blogger and an artist.
Somebody who six years ago thought life was over!
Now - I accept that my path is different.
I have good days.
I have very bad days.
I have learnt to pace myself.
I know when to stop.

I look for beauty in all things, and in places I would never have thought to look before.
Positivity is an important aspect of my life and the way I think.
It takes a while to retrain the brain to think that way, but you can do it.
(Sure - I have challenging days when I am miserable, but the next day I pick myself up and carry on).
I keep as active as my daily pain levels allow.

 The beach is my haven, and a peaceful place to enjoy and retreat to when things do get tough.
I am now able to actively enjoy working in my garden.
Life is good.
I am grateful.
Mindfulness rocks!

And last but not least:
Creativity is incredibly healing.
This leaves me with a quote I'd like to share with you today:

'Do not confuse my bad days as a sign of weakness.
These are actually the days I am fighting my hardest'.

Raindrops on Roses...

In New Zealand autumn has come to a close... and the first days of winter are upon us.

But temperatures are still mild enough for the roses to celebrate a last bloom time.

I love it when it rains at this time of year. 
The light for photography is sublime.

The raindrops on flowers emit a stunning beauty
 that simply takes your breath away.

It reminds me of this quote by 'Rumi'.

"Come out here
where the roses have opened...
Let the soul and world meet".

So I popped it on this shot of this sweet pink rose bloom
as a 'free screensaver' for you.
Enjoy!

#free #screensaver #rose #quote #rumiquote