27 Jan 2013

l i v e b y t h e ✧ l o v e b y t h e ☽


✧☽ DAUGHTER OF WANDS ☾✧
Sacred Play is this young lady’s jam.  She is inspired and full of spirit-everything she does seems to spark from a primal energy of creation.  The Wands this free spirit holds are Fiery, so don’t double-cross this Mama!  Her heart is on fire and her passion is palpable.  Stand back-her essence is about to burst into full bloom and will roll over anything in her way that isn’t for her highest good or that blocks her freedom.
✧☽ DAUGHTER OF SWORDS ☾✧
She calls on the North Wind when she wants to get some help from Mother Earth.  She’s a bit impatient and sometimes overeager, but her intentions are striving for clarity and action.  New projects and big challenges turn her on.  The key with the Swords are making the energy constructive and not destructive.  If you feel yourself going into judgement and hyper-critical thinking, pull out the sword and cut away the things that can go bye-bye.  Your aim is sharp and always true. 

✧☽ DAUGHTER OF CUPS ☾✧
Dreaming IS free and she represents the Daydream Believer who knows how to breathe, believe & receive.  Her youthful & romantic joie de vivre is contagious.  She raises her glass to Life and magnetizes helpers and support when her emotions are positive and heart-filled.  When the surge of emotions are painful, she may need to let the cup spill over so she can let go-and resume the flow.  Either way, it’s okay-because her secret garden of an inner world is hers alone-if you are invited to enter, get ready to FEEL.
✧☽ DAUGHTER OF PENTACLES ☾✧ 
Her motto is “GIVE and you shall receive.”  She knows how to take care of herself and enjoy the material world, but always remembers that her greatest resource is her inner strength.  If times are tough, call on her ability to snap into work mode, hustle if necessary, and get it done!  Take a time out from the social scene if you need to focus on building a life that feels safe and comfortable.  When you return from the journey, you will be the money, honey.  And drinks are on you-wink, wink.

 ✧☽ EMPRESS ☾✧
The Feminine often appears in our lives as Mother, Lover, and Teacher when she is working the Empress energy.  Being in nature is like being held in her arms.   Be like the Empress and consciously choose to shift into the most compassionate version of your self if you are being challenged.  Go somewhere green or dip into the ocean and connect with her.  Open up your heart and let the birdies out of their cage.  Then, kiss the ground and thank her or make love sweetly with your honey.  Give nourishment =  Be nourished.
 ✧☽ THE MAGICIAN ☾✧
She’s self-assured and has the ability to wave her wand and make magic! It helps that she has a full set of tools which she picked up on the hero’s journey. She has known desperate wanting and has evolved: now she has a matter-of-fact knowing that what she wants, she can create when she gets in the vortex. Manifestation is a muscle she’s been working. The Magician reminds us to follow Universal law and practice creating white light, often. Life’s what you make it... the message is: get clear and take action.
✧☽ THE LOVERS ☾✧
Hierosgamos is when two beings come together and their ‘marriage’ or bond is a gift to God.  Uniting our Masculine & Feminine selves can also arouse an evolutionary impulse so strong that we ‘fall in love’ with life even when we don’t have a partner.   The Lovers sometimes appear when we experience the pang of wanting for romance and deep connection and signal that we must be whole before we can find a partner with whom we can experience true union.  We are reminded to tread lightly in matters of the heart...try to generate good karma in your intimate relationships with loving kindness.  Sexual Healing is possible under the right circumstances when the Lovers show up at your door. 
✧☽ THE MOON ☾✧
The Moon symbolizes the Void, the feminine darkness and even our own deep forest.    She is everywhere yet much remains unseen.  When she is full, flashes of truth illuminate us on the Path.  When she has disappeared, we must carry on with only our intuition to guide us.  Fear not, the tide always turns.  When the Moon is weighing on you, there’s a good chance you are being called to dive really deep into your unconscious and the underworld and bring back a treasure. 
 ✧☽ THE SUN ☾✧
The Sun represents the Source of all life and the cosmic electrical socket we can ‘plug into’ when we need to recharge ourselves to full strength.  After we supercharge, we can step into the world with vitality and consciousness.   When the Sun energy is shining on you, your shadow takes a back seat and your true Self can step out.   You may be called to become a leader in your community or step up to the stage to make your grand performance!  Whatever you choose to do with the Sun’s rays, turn the station to Good, Good, Good Vibrations....and if you can’t get to a warm beach anytime soon, meditate on the Sun’s light connecting to your Crown chakra and you’ll be Golden.
✧☽ WHEEL OF FORTUNE ☾✧
“To everything, turn, turn, turn.  There is a season, turn, turn, turn” goes the song.  Destiny has a specific timing and you never know when that wheel is gonna turn again and life suddenly feels like it’s shifting in a big way.  When the Wheel stops and lands on you, be prepared to make a move, step it up, or receive the 411 the Divine is about to deliver.  A detour route can sometimes be what comes with this card-it’s up to you to decide if that is a blessing or a curse.

Photographer // Emman Montalvan
Model // Lauryn Holmquist
Styling // Chloe Chippendale of Born to be Wild Blog
Art by Tami Snodgrass of Charmed I'm Sure

This one is for the tarot reading, hypnotist collecting, crystal swinging, Stevie Nicks ticket-holding, candle lighting, sage burning, white magic mamas. Pick your card, trust your intuition, follow your heart, live by the sun + love by the moon.
Tarot card descriptions courtesy of our personal Tarot mentor: Victoria Kray of 
Vega Jewelry.

Featuring Jewelry by ManiaMania + Pamela Love Nyc // available at BONA DRAG

Shop the new collection HERE 
Like us on FB to see the full shoot!!

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25 Jan 2013

c o o k i e s

Buckwheat Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Dry Ingredients: 

3 cups of soaked buckwheat groats

1/4 cup of pepitas, finely ground

1 tablespoons ground golden flaxseeds

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon of baking powder

Wet Ingredients: 

2 Tbs of maple syrup

Other Ingredients:
sugar-free boysenberry jam

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a large cookie sheet with coconut oil.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the wet and stir together with a spoon.
Form dough into balls and place onto the cookie sheet. Make an indent in each cookie with your thumb (you can have your child do this). Then drop a small spoonful of jam into each thumbprint. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Timing will depend on the size of your cookies.

Yield: 20 to 25 cookies

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23 Jan 2013

D I Y



DIY: Vanilla Chai Brown Sugar & Coconut Body Scrub

You will need:
1 chai tea bag  
2 tbsp cinnamon 
1 tsp nutmeg 
1 tbsp vanilla extract or the seeds of a vanilla pod 
2 cups brown sugar 
1/2 cup of white sugar 
2-4 tbsp of coconut oil 
A jar

You can make your own deliciously scented, body scrub which also makes a great gift. This brown sugar scrub smells and taste absolutely amazing! It's definitely the perfect treat for your skin, not only is it a wonderful exfoliant, but thanks to the coconut oil it's very moisturising. 

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21 Jan 2013

b o h o m o r o c c o



Isn't this holiday home for Consuelo Castigliani, designer of Marni amazing!!! 
Can't wait to have a bohemian/moroccan inspired home one day. 

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s e n s e o f c o l o u r


Alexandra Valenti is more then a photographer, she is an artist with her unique approach to her work. I love her hand painted photographs that incorporate psychedelic designs with black and white photographs of free spirits, almost nymph like in their magical costumes.

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18 Jan 2013

p e a c e

s o n g  o f  t h e  w e e k  

PEACE - BLOODSHAKE 

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f r o m e a r t h & w a t e r

F r o m  E a r t h  &  W a t e r restaurant

raw vanilla bean, fig tart 

raw chocolate trio with chocolate sorbet, chocolate mousse & snickers imitation cake



I had an amazing food experience tonight at from earth & water, a raw food restaurant in Burleigh Heads. Everything at from earth and water is made by hand and their food is kept below 40 degrees during its preparation to preserve vital enzymes and nutrients. Their menu is free of dairy refined sugar, gluten, soy, wheat, processed ingredients and animal products . As I have the biggest sweet tooth I ordered dessert for main course and dessert. No better way to start and end a decedent evening.
 
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s p r o u t e d


Vegan Sprouted Chickpea and Buckwheat Bread with Walnuts & Rosemary

So like all my cooking I don't usually follow a recipe. I usually go with the flow and experiment (so much funner that way). I based this recipe around what I had in my cupboard and went from there, but you can add and take out ingredients according to your personal preference. Truly was delicious, love sprouting my own grains and legumes. I know its effort but if you have the time its worth it and your body will love you for it as sprouting greatly helps digestion.

Ingredients: 
2 cups of soaked, sprouted, dried, and ground into flour chickpeas 
1 cup soaked, sprouted, dried, and ground into flour buckwheat 
1/2 t baking powder
1 flax egg + 4 Tbs water
handful of walnuts and pepitas 
handful of fresh basil
2T of fresh rosemary 
1t minced garlic
1/4c of spinach 
1 tomato, sliced 
ground black pepper and himalayan salt.

Method:
Preheat your oven to 200*
To make flax egg:
[1T ground flax seeds + 2.5T hot water, whisked + gelled for 5min] to veganize. 
Dry fry walnuts and pepitas until golden. 
Blend sprouted buckwheat groats and chickpeas into a fine powder (I had to do this in 3 batches). Blend toasted walnuts/pepitas, fresh basil, rosemary until roughly chopped. 
Stir in buckwheat flour, chickpea flour, baking powder, salt,black pepper, garlic , until combined.
Stir in spinach then flax egg. 
Grease all sides of an oven safe baking tin. 
Pour batter into the dish, place the tomato slice on top and bake for 32-37min on the center rack of the oven.
Test with a toothpick. Pull out when slightly moist.
Loosen edges by running a knife along the edge of the dish. 
Flip out onto a plate.

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16 Jan 2013

p s y c h e d e l i c

Taking Tiger Mountain, North Kivu, Eastern Congo, 2011
Men Of Good Fortune, North Kivu, Eastern Congo, 2011
Nowhere To Run, South Kivu, Eastern Congo, 2010

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15 Jan 2013

r o o t s

Alberta and Ferretti SS11

m u s h r o o m s 
A Natural Root Bridge Across a Valley at Cherrapunji, India
Cherrapunji waterfalls
Known as the wettest place on Earth, Cherrapunji is home to some of the most amazing plants. Meghalaya sits these astonishing root trees that the War-Khasis tribe has been cultivating for centuries. These literal bridges are made from the Ficus Elastica rubber tree, which is able to grow roots above ground. Each bridge takes from 10-15 years to grow and some are over 500 years old.

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12 Jan 2013

2 0 1 3


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c a m b o d i a



Entry pass for Angkor Wat 
 Bayon Temple is the spectacular central temple of the ancient city of Angkor Thom

Bayon, Angkor Thom  



Tower and smiling faces of the Bayon  

Bayon, Angkor Thom  
Angkor Wat at sunrise...breathtaking, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat

Outside Beautiful Angkor Wat
Little boy's singing outside of Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm, kingdom of the tree's

Root of Banyan Tree on the Ta Prohm Temple (by far my favourite temple)
Me and my Pineapple, Ta Prohm
Great little side street I found with beautiful boutiques and trendy bars 
My Favourite Boutique 

The markets of Siem Reap at night 


Banteay Srey, 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva

Picture Perfect 

Banteay Srey

Banteay Srey, such intricate detail


Banteay Srey


Lily pad-filled pond, Siem Reap 
Silk Worm, Angkor Silk FarmSiem Reap

Cocoons Spun, Angkor Silk FarmSiem Reap
Boiling the cocoons of the silk worms, Angkor Silk FarmSpinning the silk, Angkor Silk Farm
Mushroom Point at Otres Beach, Sihanoukville
Sokha Beach, Sihanoukville 

Kine of cows wondering past my bungalow on Otres Beach, Sihanoukville

Sunset on Ocheteaul Beach, Sihanoukville
Some Rong Hope Kindergarten I volunteered at, Sihanoukville
after a day on a boat cruise . . .(don't ask)

lesson learned, dont get off on the right hand side of a motorcycle....

Kep, Cambodia 
Crab Market, Kep 
Rabbit Island, Kep 
Massage huts, Rabbit Island, Kep


Crystal clear water, island off Koh kong 
Island off of Koh Kong 

The Mangrove Forests, Koh Kong 

The Mangrove Forests, Koh Kong 
Fishing Village, Koh Kong 

Jungle trekking through the Cardamom Mountains, Koh Kong  
Tatai Waterfalls, Koh Kong 

me after a day of fun and pain, hiking through the Cardamom Mountains, Koh Kong 
Bunny rabbit hopping around at Koh Kong bus stop 


Beautiful National Museum, Phnom Penh
 Phnom Penh

Usual Traffic Jam, Phnom Penh
 Streets of Phnom Penh
Night markets, Phnom Penh
 Phnom Penh
Choeung Ek Killing Fields,Phnon Penh, Cambodia
Prison Cell in Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh
Photos of victims of Pol Pot's regime, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum,Phnom Penh

Photos of victims of Pol Pot's regime, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum,Phnom Penh

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh
Another prison cell in Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh


Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh


Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh

Silver PagodaPhnom Penh
Interior of the Silver Pagoda compound walls, covered with murals depicting stories from the Ramayana
Model of Angkor WatSilver Pagoda, Phnom Penh

One of the four stupas surrounding the Silver Pagoda
Silver Pagoda and the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh

Silver PagodaPhnom Penh

Silver PagodaPhnom Penh
Buddha statue in the garden, Silver PagodaPhnom Penh
Central Markets, Phnom Penh
Fairytale boutique I found in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 Independent Monument at Night, Phnom Penh
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