Look for beauty before you...

After my last post I realised that I hadnt explained why I had called my first post "third time lucky". Well I set up this blog in about May, when we had the summer ahead of us, lots of campervan adventures booked up and plenty of blogging inspiration. What I hadnt really thought about was I would be so busy doing all those things that a) I wouldnt actually be at home to write my blog and b) when I was at home, I would be at work or frantically trying to wash and pack our bags for our next trip away. I think I then had a second bash in June but that didnt get started either for similar reasons.

For me, nothing beats being out in the sunshine with the kids and once September starts I have that "back to school" feeling, when I know we wont be camping until next year.

However, I am determined not to be sad about it and I'm going to use this blog to help me to find lots of lovely things that make me smile and keep me cheerful until next Spring rolls around.

I have been reading a book that is called "How to Stress-Proof your life", by Elisabeth Wilson. I was in the library (I cant honestly say I was feeling particularly stressed at the time!) when I saw this book on the shelf and I grabbed it. Here's the link http://www.amazon.com/Stress-proof-Brilliant-Ideas-ebook/dp/B004R9P9S8

I have been reading it in little chunks whilst sitting next to my baby's cot as he falls asleep and |I have to say, I have really enjoyed it. It is down to earth, realistic, funny and the things the author suggests are easily achievable. One of the things she suggests is, if you are feeling crappy, to look around and search for beauty before you. No matter how grim your environment, if you look hard enough there is always something that will make you smile.

Now I work in inner city Birmingham and my commute to work runs between a trainline and a motorway, so I thought that this was pretty unlikely. However, when someone cuts me up at 7.30am I have given it a go. And I have to say, I've been pleasantly surprised by the results! Today I spotted some beautiful stained glass windows in an old house that I have driven past a thousand times and some flags waving in the breeze.

Yesterday I followed a link from At Home with Mrs M's blog, (which is one of my favourites) and I found this

http://curtainsforthewindow.blogspot.com/

What an awesome blog!! I love how she writes about all sorts of weird and wonderful things. My favourite bit is the Doodler's corner, with fantastic illustrations that made me smile. It reminded me of a website I had seen for a Birmingham artist called Scribblefiti. You can check out his work on http://www.scribbleffiti.com/

Isnt this gorgeous?




So today, wherever you are, however crappy your day, look for beauty before you and you might just find it right under your nose.