Beach

 The beach is incredibly healing.

Just like the mountains, rivers, streams, waterfalls and lakes.

Because they create negative ions in the air.

Negative ions are invisible, tasteless, odourless molecules we breathe in these environments.

And once these unique molecules called ions get into our bloodstream it is thought they produce biochemical reactions, that cause the level of the mood hormone serotonin to increase.

That is why you feel so good after a visit.

#beach #beachquotes 

'The Art Of Balance' painting is now available at America Fine Art.

The title and the feather balancing on the birds head relates to how we balance the many facets of our lives.

The bird is a contemporary interpretation of the New Zealand native TUI bird. 

(original painting sold)

Available here:  https://fineartamerica.com/featured/art-of-balance-tracey-lee-cassin.html

#newzealandartist #contemporary #bird #art #painting #abstract #impressionist #tui #birdart #newzealandbirdart

LOLA The Rescue Kitty... Her Story❥

Lola is a rescued kitty...
late January on one of our summers hottest days George the dog alerted me to this almost lifeless teeny tiny kitten on my driveway.
Some cruel person had dumped her on the roadside,
 and she had crawled into my gateway.
She was so little.
A mere 300 grams in weight and about 4 weeks old.

This is a pic from the moment I found her.
And Arabella inspecting the new arrival.
 I syringe feed her diluted milk,
it was touch and go but she made it through the night.
I managed to get some baby animal formula the next day, 
and the four hourly feeding began.

Within four days she had grown to 351 grams.
(And I was in love.)

She learnt to play.

 

And slept a lot!
After losing my little white dog in October last year I thought I would not or could not love another...
But how wrong was I.

 Little Lola became known as 'Lola Lollipop'.

The most adorable, loving wee cat.

Who learnt from a young age that technology is FUN!

And here she is now 6 months old -  beautiful, healthy, and very loved.



You might like to also visit:
My Fine Art America store at Webshop  :)

An Aquarium In The Decor...

 Have you ever considered incorporating an aquarium in your home decor?

I have discovered the PERFECT small aquarium set up,

 and the PERFECT pet fish to share with you.

Yes you read correctly - Fish.

As in one.

The male Betta which is also known as a Siamese fighting fish is an interesting wee fish with huge personality.

Not only that  - he is BEAUTIFUL!

So while 'Lewis' is having a rest on his leaf bed,

let's talk decor.

This home is a first do upper on a budget. 

The walls which have the original gorgeous textured wallpaper from the 1940s was in superb condition apart from being time yellowed,

 it has been over painted white to freshen. 

The fire brick was grey but for a dramatic touch has been repainted black in semigloss. 

All woodwork in the original rimu simply revarnished.

Carpet black with a dark grey fleck.

Drapes are floor length in grey.

The side door has a simple patterned panel curtain in grey floral.

 The coffee table is wood to compliment the skirtings.

The side board cabinet was a $60 Trade Me purchase,

 which was repainted in Annie Sloan Chalk paint.
The colour is called 'Duck Egg Blue'.

New crystal knobs replaced the originals as several were lost and broken.

Accessories in the decor are pieces the owner loves and has collected over time.  

The artwork was a big influence on colours in this room.

Be a mermaid in a sea full of fish!

 Now back to 'Lewis' the Betta fish.

Betta are extremely characterful.

They know their owners!!!!

 This is Lewis's house.

His aquarium is just the perfect size.

Small!

Which means he's an easy to maintain pet.

His decor accessories include his night bed - the inside of the helicopter ornament.

His day bed - the plastic leaf on the upper side of the aquarium.

And some fake coral for exploration games.

Sometimes he has bubbles switched on for a little excitement!

So do consider including a small aquarium 

into the home decor.

I am certain once you have a Betta fish as a pet, 

you will be in LOVE!

But here are a few facts to start with:

They prefer to be solitary.

They come in many shapes and colours.

They breathe oxygen from water and air.

The males blow air bubble nests.

All you need to know about the beautiful quirky betta fish,

like how to care for one 

is over at 

bettafish.org 

and also at

https://www.tankarium.com/betta-fish-facts-care-diet-and-species-guide/

#betta #siamesefightingfish #smallaquarium #fishindecor #upcycling #chalkpaint

Shop EZIBUY homeware and fashion HERE

DIY Jar Of Roses Bookend...

This DIY 'Jar Of Roses'  Bookend is super simple to make...

And the perfect solution to the 'book slide' shelf problem.

 You will need some artificial roses in the colour of your choice.

I chose pink because the moth artwork on the shelf above has pink in it.

 You will need a jar.

I used a square storage jar from Briscoes.

It is a 946ml one and really heavy.

They are $19.99 full price, but I waited until they were on sale and of course got a bargain.  :)

                     Arabella (The Mia Bella Passions Blog creation inspector) had to approve!

 You may proceed!

 Next I found some old brooches and bits.

 And placed one bling pretty in the front panel of the jar.

To hide the plastic seal on the lid, 

I tied a pink gauze ribbon into a small bow.

 The weight of the jar holds the books upright.

Hooray - no more book slide!

The 'Jar Of Roses' Bookend looks super pretty too...

pink and bling - what more could a girl want?

#diybookend

Shanti-Rose - the particularly interesting cat!

Have you ever heard the quote

 'Behind every great artist is a particularly interesting cat' ?

(This is one of mine - I have been blessed with two particularly interesting cats!)

Meet Shanti-Rose.

A pure breed Red Burmese with an ongoing weight issue.

(She has a food bowl in every house in the street I'm sure!)

I have tried for YEARS to capture on film her greatest and most amazing trick...
she just won't do it if she thinks you are watching her,

but last night I succeeded.

This is Shanti-Rose's moment of fame.

Enjoy.

:) 

The New Zealand Tui...

The Tui is a New Zealand native bird that has glorious plumage as well as song.

I named this fellow 'Peg Leg Pete'... as he was missing part of his foot.

But he seemed to be quite healthy even though he had this predicament.

He was enjoying honey nectar from the flowers in the trees in a bush garden,

 when he kindly posed for these photographs.

Mia Bella Passions: Ella Cat...

 Just had to share these photographs of Ella.

She was mooching around on the 'Porch Love' photo shoot, 

but very quickly developed a look of pure indignation!

That may well have been due to the fact the camera lens was a mere inch from her nose!

 Ella said, 'What do you think you are doing?".

 "Nope I am NOT looking at that black thing you have poked in my face!"

"You are invading my personal space!"

 Not impressed!

"Enough is enough, don't you think?"

I can't decide which pic I like the best...

Which ones your favourite?

Mia Bella Clea...

Aqua Baby Budgie Love...

Today I'm sharing a little bit of bird love with ya all!

Cleaning out my enhanced photographic cache yesterday,

 I came across this photograph of a sweet baby budgie.

I'm loving the aqua colouring.

What's not to adore?

Aqua is one of my all-time favourite colours!

I hope you enjoy this pic too...

In love with Whiskers, and Macro Photography...

This is my very first attempt at macro photography...

and believe me, so much skill is required.

It is most definitely NOT as easy as one may think 

even with a specialty macro lens attached to the camera body.
But I am hooked!

My steadiness of hand is non existent!

And to get a windless day where I live is nigh impossible!

(wind and macro photography do not work well together.)
A tripod, aperture changes, a few online lessons and a whole lot of practice
may be the next steps in my Macro photography journey.
The dewdrop and flower subjects were complete fails 
(lets blame the wind!)

However Shanti-Rose was the most forgiving model, 

as I photographed her beautiful cat face and whiskers.

 In love with whiskers,
and Macro Photography...