In the world of ceramics, "seconds" are those pieces that don't quite make the cut but are still functional and safe for use. They're still beautiful – some would argue more so than the 'perfect' pieces.
Every piece that comes out of our kilns is assessed based on it's functionality and beauty, to see if it is a First or Second.
Both types are functional and are food-safe where needed, the key difference lies in their aesthetic qualities, with Seconds displaying characteristics that were unexpected.
Aesthetic flaws come about for many reasons. From issues with the raw materials, or from when we are forming, trimming, glazing, firing and handling. Any deviations in these can lead to a piece being classified as a second.
When you purchase items from our seconds collection, each piece will have one or more of the following;
Human error or tool malfunctions during the forming or trimming process can create visual imperfections. For example when we attach handles to our mugs, sometimes a small surface split will appear in glaze where the handle meets the body.
While glaze variations are expected due to the hand-crafted nature, major streaks, thin spots or pinholes can downgrade a pot to second quality.
Flaws occurring during the kiln firing process, like scratches in the base or small flecks of impurities discolouring the glaze.
During the many stages of handling, any mishaps like scratches or misshaped forms can relegate a pot to second quality.
All our bowls go into the kilns as circles – not all of them come out as circles! The intense heat of the kiln can warp them into looking more like ovals, eggs and other quirky shapes.
We're always designing and trying out new products and glazes. Samples are the one of pieces that we have made that haven't made it into our collection. There is often nothing at all wrong with them!
Seconds are essentially about embracing imperfection, recognising that not every pot will be picture-perfect, but can still be a beautiful, usable piece of pottery.
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Our summers can get pretty toasty in Fremantle. To beat the heat, I have a been making jugs of Coconut Orange Iced Tea.
The blend of sweet orange and coconut, paired with the robust flavour of rooibos is ideal for lazy, sunny afternoons. Whether you're hosting a garden party, looking for a relaxing afternoon drink, or just want to treat yourself, this Coconut Orange Iced Tea is a winner. It's simple to make and tastes delightful.
Love Tea's Coconut Orange Pyramid Tea Bags
Boiling water
Ice (lots of ice)
Fresh fruit (like orange slices or berries)
Sweetener of choice (I like honey, brown sugar is yummy too)
As the festive season approaches, there’s a certain magic in the air that makes us want to bring the beauty of nature indoors.
Creating a native foliage table garland is not just an expression of holiday spirit; it’s a way to slow down and savour the joy of crafting something with your own hands.
Here’s a simple guide to creating a centrepiece that will be the talk of your Christmas dinner.
Take a walk in your garden or around your neighbourhood – or visit your local florist to pick up some local foliage. Look for a variety of textures and colours to add depth to your garland. The beauty of this project lies in the diversity of the elements you choose.
Using your shears, cut your greenery into manageable pieces. Assemble small bundles and secure them with floral wire or twine. This will make them easier to handle and arrange on your table.
Lay out your bundles along the length of your table, alternating them to create a full, lush look. Tie the bundles together with twine, making sure to keep the wire hidden.
Introduce some additional elements like dried flowers, pine cones, or even small ornaments to give your garland a personal touch. Remember, there’s no right or wrong here—it’s all about what speaks to you.
Once your garland is in place, it’s time to set the table. Use simple, elegant handmade ceramic tableware to complement the rustic charm of the garland. Stoneware plates and natural linen napkins work beautifully with the greenery.
Candles are the perfect finishing touch. They add warmth and a soft glow that highlights the natural beauty of your garland. Choose candles in a colour that harmonises with your greenery to keep the look cohesive. (Remember not to leave lit candles unattended near your dried flowers).
The conversations and stories that bloom around your native foliage garland will be the real centrepiece of the evening.
]]>Marion O'Leary is shaking up the skincare world right here in Fremantle. She's the brains behind Mokosh, a brand that makes skincare products from 100% certified organic plants. No extra stuff like emulsifiers, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients that you usually find in skincare products.
I love talking to people who start businesses to make a positive impact, change how we think, and move things forward. Running a small business isn't always easy, especially when you don't have the resources of big companies. But it does offer a chance to be flexible, adapt fast, and challenge the usual ways of doing things.
About 100 years ago I graduated from veterinary school and worked as a vet in Australia and then the UK. I then moved into science research, getting my PhD in Cambridge and doing post-grad work in Oxford, before moving back to Oz when my children were little.
The kids were not so happy with me continuing the scientific life so I looked for something to do from home so I could hang out with them more. That’s when I started tinkering with making soap and skin care. I soon discovered that skin care was made with a lot of ingredients that I considered concerning - some that are absorbed through the skin with potentially harmful effects on the body, and others that can upset skin health.
I read a lot of scientific literature about what our skin needs, as well as the Ayurvedic approach to health. The result was Mokosh - a skin care range made using only organic botanical ingredients, completely free of synthetics, and without the toxins and skin disruptors. It’s pretty amazing stuff.
Last year we were chosen to be included in an album commemorating 20 years of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. We are one of the lucky few brands selected to showcase the ‘best in class’ of sustainable luxury. We’ve just returned from London for the launch!
A new product is a rare event for us because we deliberately keep the range minimal and streamlined. Any new product has to serve a unique purpose. So for now, we’re working on making improvements to what we already have rather than introducing something new. That might be tweaking a formula to improve nutrient value, or switching to a container that is more readily recycled.
Our biggest challenge has been to help people understand what’s special about our way of making skin care - without the preservatives, emulsifiers and other synthetic ingredients that everyone is used to.
In short, the reason we can leave out all those synthetic ingredients is because we don’t include water. But getting people to understand why we should remove water from the equation can be tricky… in most facets of our lives water is a good thing. But it serves no benefit in skin care: it creates an environment for bugs to grow (thus why preservatives are needed), dilutes the beneficial ingredients, requires the addition of an emulsifier, and evaporates moments after application.
Because of our process, our formulas are undiluted and highly concentrated, can be used sparingly, last around 5 times longer, and are far more potent than other skin care.
I love having an early morning coffee with my partner Phil, every day. We’re early risers and love watching the light gradually appear and light up the garden. It’s our time to talk and sort out each other’s problems as well as feel gratitude for where we’re at right now.
That’s when I run to the Ottolenghi cook books and select something that includes in-season veggies, preferably with contributions from our veggie garden. As a long-term vegetarian and more recently vegan, I’m conscious that meat-eating friends must not be disappointed. I love Ottolenghi’s strong, clean flavours and his clever ways with vegetables. My latest favourite is the greens and chermoula potato pie served with lime and poppy seed slaw with curry leaf oil.
Currently I have ‘Pull Up’ by Gabzy on endless loop.
The Latté Cup - for my favourite beverage and my favourite daily ritual.
Family, friends and free time.
]]>We sat down with Kate Hulett, one of our fave Fremantle business owners, to chat about making space to have meaningful conversations, hosting eclectic dinners and that time Kylie Minogue wore her hat.
I am a Fremantle resident and business owner (and huge Fremantle advocate) who also takes film photos, works in creative programming, writes for money, and tries to shoehorn myself into other interesting stuff happening around town. How did I get here? A psychology degree gone awry. And age. (And undiagnosed ADHD?).
My shop, Kate and Abel, was modelled on the original 'concept' stores of Europe, which I enjoyed visiting when I lived in London in the 2000's. The shops were normally owner-operated, were full of all sorts of interesting, unclassifiable products, plus art, books... stuff. And often had outdoor space, or a cafe of sorts.
Ten years ago, I opened Kate and Abel as part of MANY 2.0 (inside the old MYER, now FOMO) with an adjoining cafe, which I soon developed a love-hate relationship with.
How fantastic to offer people a cup of tea while they flipped through magazines, and gazed at the art on the walls!
I closed the cafe after about five years, and still miss it (as well as being incredibly relieved that I don't own a cafe). Might come back around to it at some point, I love the combination of hospitality and shopping, I see it as the same thing really... caring for people in my space, offering them nice things to look at, nice refreshments, a nice time. Making them feel good.
There is something for everyone in my shop (I'm dead serious when I say that), and as such, I hope everyone feels comfortable hanging out in my space.
I go to bed at night and sigh with happiness (bed = joy), and then think about the next day's coffee. Coffee is the biggest cliche in my life/ simple pleasure that brings me joy.
I love eating, and I love lots of flavours and textures in my meals, so dinner at my place normally consists of a range of middle-eastern inspired salads, meats, potatoes, sauces, dips and pickles... I will always start off with salted crisps and a nice glass of bone-dry sparkling. If I'm being lazy, and if there's room, dessert is a walk down the road to Chi Cho Gelato.
Oooft, how can you choose ONE? Because it reminds me of the most perfectly written closing scene (in Fleabag), I could listen to This Feeling by Alabama Shakes on repeat, forever.
I am a huge lover of ceramics, and I love a mishmash of styles, shapes and finishes. I especially love handmade stuff which naturally has character - and love - imbued in it. And things made in Fremantle? I've died and gone to heaven.
What I'm saying is, I love all Winterwares products. Because of my love of 'lots of flavours' (see above) the Nested bowl set is super useful to serve all my cobbled-together dishes (in a stylish way) with the knowledge that I can throw them (gently) in the dishwasher at the end of the night.
Food, water and air - so, broadly, and literally - 'The environment' would be my Number 1 choice. Our personal and collective impact on the planet is so important to think about in our day-to-day existence. Creativity, and Courage are my other can't-live-withouts. (I could have also answered with 'coffee').
Before I opened Kate and Abel, I was living in the UK making and selling hats. That's a long story in itself, but I'll cut to the payoff which is Kylie Minogue wearing one of my hats at a Madonna concert, pictured in the papers with Stella McCartney. That was cool. I still have the handwritten thank you note from Kylie. Today the best part of my business is chatting to people. Great conversations are fuel in my tank - and good, meaningful chats equal success to me.
I work with Lawson Flats (a work/social club in the city) on cultural programming. We've got some awesome talks and events in the pipeline which I'm really proud of (a series called 'Spaceship Earth' is my fave - these talks are focussed on environmental things, which - as above - we should all be clued up on). I'm also judging the Perth Centre of Photography portraiture awards later in the year, which is exciting as we've some incredible photographers in WA. I've also got about 1400 personal projects on the go, of which maybe one or two will get off the ground before the year is out.
I am addicted to Instagram so that's a good spot to find me - @kateandabelperth - or if you want to browse through Kate and Abel products from the comfort of your sofa, kateandabel.com is the place to go. If you want to take a look at my photography work, head to @impatientdeveloper or katehulett.com
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Journeying with my family along the Nakasendo Trail, we followed in the footsteps of samurai, merchants, and pilgrims of the past.
This historic route linked Kyoto, the old imperial capital, to Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during feudal Japan, but today, it offers a picturesque walking experience through Japan’s central mountains.
Our trek covered a small section, from Magome to Tsumago, where we discovered a dozen distinct and beautiful worlds.
Waking in the mountain town of Magome at dawn, we meet Yoji. He’s been living here most of his life. He starts his day with a stroll to the foot of the mountain and back up again with his dog Haruna. Every morning he walks with her up the path and looks back across the valley to the mountains in the distance. From up here he pointed at the glittering lights of the town below and showed us the Unkai, the sea of clouds.
We start our trek to Tsumago. The dense wooden houses become father apart and the landscape quickly shifts from urban to rural. We hear the soothing and rhythmic sound of the water wheel before it comes into view. It's creaking timber and the gentle splashing and trickling of water. The path takes us under a canopy of maple leaves and leads us to a bamboo forest. I imagine if look for long enough, I'd see Totoro and Satsuki through the trees.
The morning becomes afternoon and passing through tiny villages, we nod politely at ladies going about their day. Rinsing rice in huge wooden sieves on their porches. Sweeping the entryways to their homes. Just as we’re ready for a rest, we come to a wooden inn. We’re warmly welcomed inside with tea brewed in a cast iron kettle over an open fire pit.
The path meanders and the landscape changes again. It becomes denser and greener and we come across a stream. The crystal-clear water invited my boys to play among the rounded pebbles on the riverbed for hours.
When we finally get to Tsumago, it welcomes us with its cobblestone streets and traditional wooden houses. At a small store with just a window, a beautiful lady prepared Mitarashi Dango (sweet rice dumplings) for us. It’s one of the memories my youngest recalls as his favourite from the whole of Japan.
Years later, the memories of that day still fill my thoughts. It’s a place where daydreams take me, a moment in time that continues to enrich my soul.
There are lots of ways to reuse your candle vessel when the wick has burnt to the end. First things first, clean out the residue wax. It's easier than you might think.
Put the candle vessel into the freezer overnight. In the morning take it out and use a butter knife to pop out the wax and the silver wick holder. It should come out in one clean piece. Add it to the dishwasher or wipe it out with hot soapy water. Then you can give it a new life.
Say bye to boring toothbrush holders and add a touch of style to your bathroom routine. The cylindrical shape and sturdy design of the ceramic pot make it an ideal toothbrush holder. We pair it with one of our vanity trays.
One of the simplest yet most elegant ways to repurpose your empty ceramic candle pot is to transform it into a vase. Fill it with water to create a beautiful home for fresh flowers or greenery. Vibrant bouquets or delicate dried posies look so pretty. It's sweet and simple and can become a unique centrepiece or a decorative accent in any room.
After a thorough cleaning, your candle pot can be repurposed to enjoy your morning cuppa. It's dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. I've heard lots of stories about how when there is only one Winterwares cup in the house, there are fights over 'the good cup'. We are loving ours with White Rose and Goji by Love Tea.
Did you know that we offer a refill service? We pour all our candles in-house which means we can refill yours too! If you're missing the warm glow and delightful fragrance of your favourite candle, get it back to us and we will fill it again.
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In the northern prefecture of Kyoto, off the tourist trails is a serene café and boutique store called Stardust. Homed in an old Machiya (a traditional wooden house) it was a weaving factory in a previous lifetime.
Stardust is a curated blend of vintage a new wares, all of them chosen for their innate beauty. There are brass goblets, wabi-sabi pottery, tea kettles and linen garments. Crystals and brass bowls adorn the tables in the intimate dining room that seats only twelve people.
The vegan menu is full of flavour and their tea is the perfect way to sit and savour the space. Try a cup of the ‘autumn at dawn’.
Parting the noren – the fabric dividers at the entrance – we shuffled into the foyer. Foyer is perhaps the wrong word, the room was the length of a bicycle. We dutifully removed our shoes and slid into the cotton slippers provided.
Up the stairs we entered the dining room. The decor had a modern Scandinavian aesthetic, or Japandi if you will. Light wooden panels, clean lines, natural linen. Nothing in the room that wasn’t purposeful.
We nestled around our low table and gratefully received our meal. Presented on dark granite, were neat rows of colourful morsels arranged like fresh paint on an artist palette.
Provided with nori paper and a bowl of rice we delighted in designing our own sushi rolls. ‘Oh have you tried the lotus with the crab meat?’ 'Mmmmm, I’m going to try pickled ginger and octopus'.
Monk
Every morning, Yoshihiro, the owner of Monk visits farms in the nearby mountains and forages for ingredients. The evening we arrived he was recalling his early morning hunting for venison.
Seated at the counter there was place for only two other couples. Behind us a table seating eight guests made up the dining room. From our perch we had a view to Yoshihiro masterfully preparing and cooking our meals by the wood fired oven.
Located along the Philosophers Path, Monk is a welcome pause from the world outside. The energy is at once calming and ignites a passion for honest food, simple, fresh ingredients cooked over fire.
“Is it possible to express the beauty and the life of the vegetable;
to invoke such feelings as the sunlight, the moisture of the soil, the blowing of the wind?”
These are the questions I always ask myself when I make my dishes, in hopes that the wind blows in the hearts of those who eat it.
I hope by dining with us.
It evokes countless memories
of the gifts offered to us by mother nature.
And to leave a impression as if you were deep in the forests or in the blue ocean."
Wife & Husband
A short walk from the Kamo river sits the charming café Wife & Husband.
Vintage wooden stools and folded tables hang from the beams by the doorway along with straw hats, picnic baskets and rolled mats.
The menu fits on one small leaf of paper. They do a few things and do them perfectly. A comforting melted cheese sandwich and a thermos of slow drip dark roasted coffee.
You can dine in or enjoy your goodies as a picnic. We watched couples collecting their picnic baskets and rustic wooden stools and stroll towards the river bank.
]]>Some days you want to stay in your PJs all morning. Not look at the time and letting the morning roll on into the afternoon without getting anything done except eating brunch. This is the recipe for those days. Ready in about the same time it takes to brew your coffee. The key is to get the best ingredients you can find. Think french butter, artisan goats cheese, fresh baked sourdough and Maldon sea salt flakes. Give it a go and let me know what you think.
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 25 mins
Choosing a handmade mug is choosing to be more thoughtful about how we tread on our planet and the legacy we're leaving our children. It's an intentional decision to invite beauty and connection into your everyday life.
This is the 9 step process every Winterwares piece goes through before it goes home with you.
Our ceramics are made with Australian clay bodies that we blend using a pug mill. We love our pug mill! (I've written about the our unlikely meeting here – do you believe in signs?) she's a workhorse and she's used almost every day. There are minerals in the clay that appear during the firing that gives our wares the brown speckles that are our signature style.
Once pugged, the clay is rolled into sheets or coils depending on the piece we’re making. We use a mallet, a slab roller or a good old fashioned rolling pin to press the clay into thin sheets.
The people making your beautiful pieces are Ana and Julie, Lena, Sara and Sim. The clay is moulded, pressed and shaped into the vessel it’s going to be. We rarely use the electric pottery wheel for shaping our vessels.
Each piece is stamped with our insignia and sat to dry. The clay has to be bone dry before it can be fired. Drying takes one day to one week, depending on the weather.
Once dry, it goes into the kiln for the first firing. Baked to 1000°C. The kiln takes 12 hours to heat up and three days to cool down. Bisque firing changes the vessel from clay to ceramic. Up to this point, the clay can be recycled endlessly. All our scraps and offcuts go into the pugmill to be turned into new things.
Once bisqued, the vessel is strong enough to handle without breaking. Each piece is individually dipped into the Winterwares glaze. Our glaze is made in small batches on site, using recipes we’ve honed over years of trial and error.
Into the kiln again for the glost firing. This is where the magic happens. The intense 1280°C heat of the kiln makes the speckles appear and transforms the vessel into a functional piece. There’s an unpredictability to the process that creates variations in the shine, hue and shape that we admire as part of the beauty of hand made.
We check and wash each piece to make sure it passes our strict quality standards.
If it's heading to a new home by post, we packaging the ceramics up carefully with honeycomb paper and biodegradable padding to ensure it gets there safely. We've honed our packing systems to be plastic free and strong enough to transport across the country. If it's going into our store in Fremantle it will be wrapped in our custom calico bags.
It's a lengthy, skilful process to make our wares, but three weeks is a tiny blip in the lifetime of the finished pieces.
If you have some of our wares, you'll know they're worth the wait. 🤍
]]>Part of coming to a workshop at Winterwares is sitting around the table to share in a delicious lunch. I love setting the table and making it beautiful. I get so many comments from people that they love my table styling and I wanted to share a few tips with you.
Elevate your basics. I love using a 100% linen table cloth, handmade ceramics and vintage cutlery. For this setting I've used my stoneware dinner plates, kanso plates and everyday bowls.
You want your guests to be at ease, make it beautiful but not perfect. You don't want your friends worrying about spilling red wine on starched white napkins. I never iron my linen, crinkled is cosier. My cutlery isn't all matching, it's from a couple of vintage sets so each piece has the same patina and I can mix and match.
My colour palette comes from nature, after all, she always gets it right! At the moment where I live there are liquid amber trees dropping their magnificent multi-hues leaves. I gathered up a basket of leaves in red, green, gold, rust and amber. I love to wander through the famers market and see what's abundant that I can use on the table for decoration. Right now it's the season for golden pears and pomegranates and they perfectly fit in with the colours of the leaves.
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Seek delight in daily rituals.
A warming cup of tea from a handmade mug gives us a moment to pause.
In our modern lives where days are busy and full, and to-do lists are relentless, we can carve out pockets of mindful living.
A good place to start is when you put the kettle on.
For that few minutes think of nothing else but the task of making tea.
Listen to the water filling the jug. Breathe in and out slowly, for the few moments it takes for the water to boil.
Notice the way the tea infuses when you pour the water.
Close your eyes and savour that first sip.
When we can be present in the moment it’s incredible, the joy we can find in ordinary days.
Photographs by Read & Hall.
]]>Our lemon tree ripens in May every year, we have the meyer lemons, so sweet and delicious.
When it's time to start using up my supply I make lemon butter. It's so good in this lemon yogurt cake. I've decorated mine with meringue kisses and flowers, but you could keep it simple and sprinkle lemon zest over the top.
Servings: 12 slices
Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins | Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
I was born in Albury, NSW. I have two brothers. Up until I was 14 we lived and travelled in a caravan because mum and dad were fruit pickers. We went were the work was. I lost count of the number of primary schools we went to. Some we went to for a couple of weeks, some for a couple of years.
We finally settled in Darwin, in 1972. I met my husband, Murray, when I was 17, we got married at 19. It feels like we have had so many different chapters in our lives. We’ve had three kids, managed a caravan park, started an adventure tourism business, moved to a tiny aboriginal community east of Arnhem Land. At the community the three kids did School of the Air and I was their “teacher”. It was a very fulfilling but challenging time, living so remotely. I’ve always been a bookkeeper and helped to manage the various businesses we were part of.
After seven years we moved back to Darwin to a lovely block of land where we had a hobby farm, growing tropical flowers and Murray went back to his trade, creating a building company. After the kids had grown up and left home, we traded it all in and bought a caravan to travel around Australia. We ended up doing that for about ten years and finally settled back in Perth, to help with the grandkids. I go a job at an office doing bookkeeping but we couldn’t sit still for long. We went on a big overseas adventure, to Europe and Canada.
When we got back, Winterwares was just starting to get established and I didn’t want to go back to sitting in front of a computer all day. Sim needed a bookkeeper so I started helping her with that. Then it evolved into helping with making and now I’m here all the time. I didn’t know anything about ceramics before, I’ve learned it all here. I’m very happy with my decision to stay and be part of the studio.
We made the decision to travel around Australia in a caravan because we wanted to do it while we were still young and healthy enough to really enjoy it. Murray’s building company was really successful, it had grown to a point that it was getting too stressful and time-consuming to manage. After the three kids were all out of the house we wanted to start the next chapter. We kept our sentimental and personal items, some artwork that we have in storage and the rest we sold. Because I lived in a caravan when I was young it wasn’t a huge adjustment for me. I never had a lot growing up, I don’t need a lot of things.
My role is studio manager, I manage the workflow of the studio, so everyone knows what they’re making every week. I oversee the orders that come in on the online store, inventory and bookkeeping. I do lots of making too, mainly plates and bowls.
Going home after work in the afternoon, I sit down and take a moment to myself, I have a cup of tea in my stoneware mug and unwind.
We went from an 11 acre block to a caravan, so I’ve realised I can live without a lot of things. I don’t need much. I’m most happy when I’m with my husband and a cup of tea.
I love the wabi-sabi bowl. I like it because looks beautiful in any setting and it’s a signature piece, it’s something you can pass down.
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Kneeling in front of our gracious host Kimiko, she explains to us that what we're about to practice is called Ikebana, or Kadô, the path of the flowers. (Ka is the flowers, dô is the path).
When it’s time for us to begin, she encourages us to take time to choose each piece of foliage thoughtfully and slowly. To contemplate the story we are trying to tell with the arrangement.
Steeped in symbolism, Ikebana is a mindful activity that is about much more than creating a pretty floral arrangement. It’s a practice in honouring the seasons, and our relationship to nature.
There are three layers, the topmost branches represent the sky, the earth is the middle layer and humanity is closest to the base.
She demonstrates that the space between the branches is just as important as the branches themselves. It’s an act of removing the excess.
I choose a branch from the bundle and holding my ikebana scissors in hand, I’m hesitant to chop anything from it. What if I take away too much? What if I cut it and I regret the shape I make? What if I make a mistake? I know it’s only flowers, but still, I feel the pressure of wanting to impress my teacher and not wanting to mess it up.
It’s hard to let go. I take a breath and start cutting. And with each snip I'm less hesitant. I’m cutting away at the leaves to thin them out. Creating space transforms the look entirely. With room to breathe, the branch looks more beautiful. You really notice the shape each leaf makes.
It’s not lost on me, the metaphor before me.
There is a delicate balance in life between things, and freedom from things.
Knowing how much to remove, and how much to hold onto. I spent my first thirty years filling every inch of my life, busy being busy, saying yes to everyone and everything. I thought having more would make me happier.
I became so overwhelmed I had a breakdown and I had to let go. Let go of the expectations I had on myself, let go of the demands on my time and the desire fill my life with stuff, without thinking about if I really wanted it. I started to cut back, and make space. It was difficult at first, but over time, the more I removed, the more clarity I gained.
Kimiko encourages us to appreciate the natural world at all stages of life. When foraging for an ikebana arrangement, she tells us not to overlook the new buds that are yet to bloom. The foliage that is turning from green to golden brown. Twigs that have unruly twists and curves, from trying to reach the sunlight.
Ikebana teaches us that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.
By accepting this, we can experience tremendous beauty.
Back home in Perth, I think about nature in a new way. I love to wander around my suburb and forage for branches, flowers and gum-nuts to bring into my house. When I go for a walk I notice the ephemeral beauty of blooms that are wilted and turning brown. Autumn leaves as they curl up, in their final moments, ready to fall and decay.
I used to think flowers had to be perfectly formed and straight stemmed to be worthy of going into a vase. Now, I’m not so quick to sweep away the rose petals as they fall from their stems onto my countertop.
In Kyoto I fell in love with the practice of mindful floral arrangements. Though I could never proclaim to be an expert in Ikebana – it takes decades to master – I do understand how to cultivate beauty and practice mindfulness. It's the same peaceful feeling you get from making with clay.
I have a limited number of kenzan ad ikebana shears from Japan in my online store. I have been using a one of my handmade bowls for the vessel and it looks beautiful.
In my inspired by Ikebana classes you can make your own ceramic flower vessel and practice mindful floral arrangement. They're only on offer a couple of times per year at my studio in Fremantle. Join my email list to find out when tickets become available.
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These coconut cupcakes are easy to prepare and look delightful decorated with coconut flakes and mini praline eggs for Easter.
Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 45 mins
I'm a Portuguese born, Australian, having migrated to Fremantle at the age of 18 months old. I feel fortunate to have lived in our beautiful environment by the sea, which has always kept me connected to my birthplace of Madeira. There's so much similarity between Funchal and Fremantle, who are in fact Sister-Cities, especially the fishing industry.
My first career was in events planning and by my mid 20s I began working creatively making hats and working for various fashion houses and designers in London. Then fast forward to the end of 2014, I found myself working in a corporate environment where my days were devoid of creativity, which I really missed, so being an extremely tactical personality, I decided to try clay sculpture and was immediately hooked.
Since then, I really can only think in ceramics - I love to think about how things can be made with clay, how it can change an object and how it can enhance the user experience: it's an exciting, never-ending field of possibilities.
My role at Winterwares is a maker, making all the beautiful, handcrafted ceramics that we are well known for.
Working at Winterwares is like spending a day in a wellness spa surrounded by beautiful friends.
I am also about to start teaching Winterwares pottery classes, I can't wait! I especially love teaching kids, they're so unburdened by expectation, they have such a great time and it's really joyful to see them create with clay.
My biggest daily pleasure is starting my day at the beach – regardless of the season. Being at the ocean at sunrise and diving into the big blue expanse, clears my mind from the previous days events and sets my day up for success – I feel super lucky to be able to start each day this way.
My perfect Sunday definitely starts with a leisurely stroll at the dog beach, with hopefully seeing dolphins and schools of fish and sometimes seals frolicking in the water, and then heading up to the grassed area to spend time with our beautiful local community, and have coffee from the van, where they are happy to make my coffee in my favourite Winterwares latté cup.
I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but of course, the beach, beautiful friends and art.
Slow living to me, means taking time in my day to be fully present.
My favourite Winterwares product is the Family Bowl; I just love serving delicious meals in it and enjoying the company of good friends and family.
]]>Winterwares is committed to doing our bit in walking more gently upon the earth and using our business as a platform for good. Through our partner i=change, we donate $1 from every online sale to projects that create a positive impact for women.
]]>At Winterwares, living mindfully is at the core of everything we do. We're so proud to give our customers a way to support meaningful projects that empower vulnerable women and girls.
Through our partner i=change, we donate $1 from every online sale to projects that create a positive impact for women, here at home and globally.
i=change has a policy of transparency, they give 100% of your donation to your chosen charity and you can see in real time the impact of your donation.
Winterwares is committed to doing our bit in walking more gently upon the earth and using our business as a platform for good.
x Simone
Millions of girls miss up to 20% of the school year, or drop out completely because of social taboos and a lack of access to affordable menstrual hygiene management. Plan trains school representatives and community health clubs to debunk myths and taboos around menstruation, engaging girls and boys in the process, and teaching the skills necessary to make their own reusable sanitary pads.
Learn More Every week a woman is killed in Australia by the man who is – or used to be – her intimate partner. In working with over 20,000 boys across Australia, The Man Cave fundamentally believes these tragic consequences are preventable through early intervention programs that focus on boys strengths, rather than their deficits.
Across Australia, around 56,000 women are homeless each night, many with young children. Now, there are many more. Women unable to access shelters are left vulnerable, disconnected from community and support networks. Women’s Community Shelters is dedicated to providing women and children with a safe place to stay and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
“Be a curator of your life.
Slowly cut things out until you’re left only with what you love,
with what’s necessary,
with what makes you happy.”– Leo Babauta
Welcome the quiet.
Tender moments of solitude,
when you light a candle
the aroma envelopes you
and takes you to memories forgotten.
There's beauty in the solemn petals,
as they wilt and fall from the branch.
The natural cycle of things,
is letting go.
A cup of tea,
snatching a moment in time with one you love,
chatting about the ordinary happenings
of the days behind and the days ahead.
And in this moment,
savouring the company and the conversation.
The mundane can be beautiful too,
warm water flowing over your hands,
soap between your fingers,
the sweet small of mandarin as you wash.
We started in 2012 at a market stall and since then have grown to have two stores (our original in Fremantle and one we just opened in Northbridge). Our honeycake is Inspired by an authentic centuries old Bohemian, Czech recipe, which we've made uniquely Western Australian by sourcing local, premium ingredients. Each cake is hand-rolled in small batch and carefully assembled layer by layer.
Believe it or not, I really enjoy baking. Not that I don’t have enough baking at The Honeycake, ha!. But what I really enjoy about baking at home is the whole experience, from hunting for recipes from my favourite food bloggers, to the creative process of making it with my four year old daughter and having our home smell deliciously beautiful.
Peace! It’s the place where I can hide away and switch off from the hectic world outside. It’s where I feel relaxed, inspired and in the moment. Especially in winter, on a rainy weekend morning, I would make buttermilk pancakes and then just snuggle with my kids and partner.
It used to be coffee in the morning, but I stopped drinking it on a daily basis. It took me a while to replace it with something that would invigorate me naturally. So now the thing I do for myself every morning, which may sound brutal to some (especially if you love having a hot shower in the morning), is an ice cold shower. I am now addicted to that cold, pinchy feeling that awakes every cell in my body and makes me feel alive, no matter what the night with the baby was like or how busy I am with the business.
I try to be minimalistic in every way. So everything I keep is meaningful and joyful for me. I do love my plants & pots, my Winterwares mug and my coastal-looking absolutely gorgeous rattan storage box (that takes up so much space but I would never let it go, even if my partner would be over the moon if it was gone).
Before I really understood the concept of slow living, doing things slowly was a bit of a hard task for me as I am a self-described fast, multitasking efficient freak. Throughout the learning process of slow living and yoga I actually discovered I can still do things efficiently and gracefully, by focusing at the process on just one thing at a time. For me, slow living is about learning to be present with whatever I am doing, touching, seeing, loving.
At our new store 57a Washing Lane, Northbridge and in the Fremantle Markets. We also do free delivery of all our honeycake (original, Pandan-coconut, Gluten Free or Halal) around Perth. If you live out of Perth, we post our Premium Gift Boxes in Original flavour within Australia and Internationally. Follow @thehoneycake to stay up to date.
Yes! 10% off online orders (we ship all over Australia!). Use the code WINTERWARES10
(please note that the code is valid until February 7th, 2022 and excludes the Sweethearts, 10-layer round, single-serve gift boxes).
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Rarely do we get to adopt the pace of nature. Rising with the warming glow of first light and winding down when the sun drops behind the horizon.
Not since I was a small child have I been free from distractions and completely immersed in nature, enough to see the magic in tiny details.
I notice the minutia of the world of insects. A spider diligently weaving its web, sparkling threads spun between branches.
And I'm not camping, I'm surrounded by all the comforts I adore. A mug of steaming hot java, freshly ground and poured by Robbie. I'm nestled in bed with blankets with a book, surrounded by glass windows that create a living picture frame.
We're staying a couple of nights at Florence, a Hidden Cabin tucked away in a national park less than two hours from Perth.
Although it's tiny, it's so well designed it's abundantly comfortable. Rather than the feeling of doing without, it makes you appreciate the few objects you have. The kitchen is paired back to the essentials. A mini fridge, couple of bowls and cups, a twin cooking stove, kettle and sink.
It's a break away from regular routines and because there's nothing screaming for your attention you can enjoy the slower pace of doing everyday things. Waiting for the water to boil to make coffee, or washing the dishes, because there isn't space to leave them out. Almost instantly I felt myself feeling calmer, doing one thing at a time.
At breakfast we perched on the stools looking out over the bushland and we were treated to a visit from a pair of Emus, they meandered through the scrub, hardly noticing us a few feet away, behind our glass. I had a fleeting thought that we were the ones in captivity and they were the curious onlookers, watching us go about our daily routines.
I'll be back to again to Florence, I want to see her in every season. I can picture myself there in winter, watching the rain pour down around her with the log fire keeping me warm.
At Florence you can find our Stoneware Mugs, Kanso Plates and Lagom Bowls.
To find out more and to book your stay, visit @hiddencabins
These are my picks for gifts that will be adored by the ones you love. Or yourself, I'm 100% onboard with self-gifting!
If you’re looking for a gift that is simple and meaningful. A handmade mug elevates drinking your morning brew into a nurturing, self-care experience. We want life to be easier, so we’ve made all our ceramics dishwasher safe.
We love a gift that can be shared. Our Gather Together Platter is for when you have friends over. Layer it up with seasonal fruits, charcuterie and cheeses to make a grazing board. Pile it high with salads to share at a BBQ or to serve your Sunday roast. It’s a platter that’s best enjoyed with good company.
Cultivate a daily ritual for yourself with one of our hand poured candles. They’re 100% soy wax and have only the good stuff in them, no nasties. Our candles are two gifts in one, because once the candle is finished you have yourself a bespoke ceramic vessel to use as you wish, for a coffee tumbler, a vase for little posies or as a very fine holder for your toothbrush!
Celebrate the season you’re in by bringing foliage and flowers into your home. Our florist vase is designed to suit any decor, contemporary or traditional. We love to gather up branches of whatever is flowering nearby to fill every room with natural colour and beauty.
If you’re wanting to gift a meaningful experience, our Clay at Home kits are created to give you time out. The perfect antidote to the end of year rush, we have everything you need to slow down and make something with your hands. The kit includes all your materials, step-by-step instructions on how to make a mug, and you can send it back to us for firing and glazing, all included.
]]>My name is Imby and I own and run a leather accessories business KARMME, pronounced ‘calm’, based in Coogee NSW. My husband and our three daughters moved from Perth to Sydney 11 years ago for a job opportunity for my husband that was supposed to be for 12 months. We fell in love with Sydney and didn’t go back West. When my youngest started school I found myself wondering what I was going to do and a series of events starting with making my sister in Perth a red leather clutch, led me to accidentally starting a leather accessories business. That was eight years ago and I’m still loving every day I get to call this my work. It sounds crazy when someone asks what I do and I answer with “I design handbags”.
My daughters, reluctantly, do the dishes and fold the laundry each night, and each night they put on dance music and the house is filled with it and I love it.
Yes, so many. I have been sewing incessantly during the lockdown. I’m not sure why but I think it began as a distraction from the very gloomy news as we began this Covid wave. I found myself constantly scrolling and refreshing news feeds and I just needed a distraction, so started to have a sewing project that required my undivided attention. I was choosing patterns that were difficult and challenging my skills and lack of spatial awareness and it became quite addictive to see what I could create each day. I didn't have drop-offs, pickups, school sport, outside meetings to schedule in so I found myself not being aware of the time of day and just losing myself in the sewing project. I have a full summer wardrobe to enjoy when we emerge from this lockdown.
Also, as many parents with teenagers will say it has been a real positive to spend time with my kids. Most weekends involved party pickups, sleepover negotiations and sporting commitments and they are now home and we get to pause and be together which I love, them - not so much, probably.
I've also swum in the ocean most days, again without a time schedule to rush around,I can make it daily and it’s been extremely calming and energising at the same time.
I like to keep busy, I’m not great at doing nothing, but sewing has been a great way to switch off from work. I used to read a lot and that feels quite luxurious when I do pick up and book and lose myself in it. I just finished Honey Bee by Craig Silvey which I loved. Going to the cinema was also a way I escaped for a bit, I really miss that about lockdown.
No alarm, wake, bathers on, wander down to the beach, do a bit of coastal walk, swim a bit to get the heart going, wander back up the hill, coffee and breakfast at a local cafe, home to a clean house and kids who are not arguing, chill, dinner cooked in our wood-fired pizza oven while I sit on the couch, Netflix in bed.
Summer because the muggy air in Sydney reminds me of being in Bali. Light summery clothes, Birkenstocks and not trainers, barbecues and afternoon swims.
Space to create, coffee, family connection
Roasted cauliflower anything and homemade granola
A space to just be, a space to enjoy the sounds and energy of the kids, a place of comfort
Being mindful of what we have, what we are doing and why and being conscious of the decisions we are making and how that is impacting others. I am trying very hard to be slow and to be honest lockdown has helped this, as I can see in a blink my girls will be off on their own adventures away from us and I will miss what I have right now.
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 45 mins
You may not know Kirsten by name but I have no doubt you have admired her work. If you've made a recipe from Donna Hay or more recently Delicious magazine, there's a good chance you've been inspired by Kirsten. She's the one behind the scenes bringing recipes to life as the style editor. I had a chat to her recently about appreciating the little things.
Yes, my life went through some really big personal changes last year, I think Covid made me question what I really wanted for the future and what I really valued in my life. It’s a bit of a cliché but very much true for me, I appreciate being present in the moment more now, trying not to run on autopilot and miss the small things. I have a lot more gratitude for the people in my life and how I get to live.
I’ve been notoriously bad at this over the years and tend to be an over worker, but this year I’ve really been mindful of slowing down, so I’m back surfing a lot more which is my ultimate form of slowing down and meditation through movement (this was a big part of my childhood growing up in Cronulla).
No alarm to wake up to, slow morning pottering around the house, making myself something special for breakfast, getting to the water if it’s a nice day and then a late Sunday lunch with some drinks and friends.
Love winter because the clothes are better, haha. More choice and more layers to wear.
Good food, my family and the people I love and beautifully made arthouse films. Really think covid made me care less about things and objects in my life.
I love making chicken congee right now. Therapeutically slow to cook and super nourishing for your body to eat. I’m mad for a condiment too, so give me all the condiments to serve with!
Safety.
Appreciating the moment you’re in rather than looking for what’s coming next. Appreciate that meal you're sitting down to share with someone. Try to find the enjoyment and peace in the ‘in between’ moments. Don’t place too much emphasis on ‘busy’.
I love food styling and what I get to do as a job but I’m also really looking forward to sharing those skills with others who would like to learn. On Instagram @kirstenljenkins I’m showing more little behind the scenes styling videos of my work for delicious. magazine, and I’d like to expand on that further in the future, so we’ll see where that goes.
As I’m writing this we’re experiencing the Delta strain covid lockdown, so I'm most looking forward to getting to see my family again who live a couple of hours away and the other people I love in my life.
Kirsten uses our family bowl, dinner plates, hibi bowl and latté tumblers
When you release yourself from the shackles of always being productive, a single moment can open up to infinity.
The moments that usually pass us by unnoticed can become the most enjoyable.
It's an idea that I explored when I was invited to take part in the DesignFreo exhibition, Object, Place, Space.
I hope you enjoy watching.
Film written by Simone Nabholz and filmed by Rae Fallon.
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My first visit to a zen garden in Kyoto, I was expecting to find a chair to sit on. To settle in and gaze over the landscape and ponder the meaning of life. I figured that’s what the monks made the gardens for, to sit and enjoy them. My guide, in his kind way explained that monks wouldn’t do that, actually it’s tending to the gardens that is a practice in mediation. Picking up fallen leaves, raking stones, pruning trees. There is meditation in movement.
“In activity there should be calmness, and in calmness there should be activity. Calmness and activity are not different.”
It was just one of the many gems of wisdom Andrew gave me that day. I collected all the little stories he shared like precious gemstones tucked into my pocket to keep for later. Every now and then I pull one out of my memory, I turn it over in my mind and marvel at it.
Originally from the Washington D.C area Andrew has called Japan home for the last 10 years. He lives in Kyoto with his wife and two beautiful young kids. Before coming to Japan he was a professional garden designer. I first met Andrew in 2018 when I booked that walking tour. A natural storyteller, he bridges the language and cultural barriers that foreigners face when visiting Japan. He gave me an insight into the philosophies of zen gardens that I would never have had access to without him.
I wanted to continue our conversation so that you could learn more about Japan too, I asked Andrew if he wouldn't mind chatting with me for my blog.
Throughout my time doing garden design I was always very interested in Eastern philosophy and Japanese gardens, and so I came here 10 years ago to find a position in a traditional Japanese garden company. I came directly to Kyoto, as this is really the Japanese garden capital of the world. I was able to find my way into one of the highest ranking companies in Kyoto. While apprenticing in the company I also graduated from a one year Japanese gardener training program that is taught by many of the garden masters here in this town. Since having this amazing and very surreal experience I have started my own small business called An Design. I offer services in garden design and maintenance as well as leading walking tours of many of the historic gardens, temples, and shrines in Kyoto and the surrounding area.
Well, this is very difficult to explain in words, it is much better to inhabit such a space and experience it for yourself, because really – how do you explain a feeling? This is what I can say.
The gardens that one inhabits as they walk the grounds of a Zen temple in Kyoto are typically at least 400+ years old, if not much much older. Immediately that sense of antiquity is something that usually is not felt in one's day to day life.
Then, when you are visiting the grounds of a Zen temple, you are walking through an institution which for hundreds of years has been leading it's students (the monks) on the path towards enlightenment – the realisation of one's true nature and the connection one has to all beings in the universe. So these spaces are in effect – areas in which Buddha's are grown.
You can feel that everything that makes up the space – the architecture, paintings, statuary, gardens – the complete manufactured environment as a whole is in effect created to assist the monks towards Buddhahood.
So, for me this kind of environment is very unique – I don't know any other type of place with such design intentions.
Yes, the garden is always arranged so there is interest throughout the year. In the end of winter there are plum blossoms, early spring – cherry blossoms, then, rhododendrons, followed by azaleas, and once we reach the beginning summer rainy season we have hydrangeas in bloom.
Once the really hot season is upon us most of the garden is green, and it is the water lilies and lotuses that add the accent colour to the garden spaces.
Coming to autumn there are the changing colours of the leaves, and once we get to the winter some of the trees go bare, the understory is commonly thinned out and the garden is in its most striped down, basic state. It is actually in this season that the garden masters say it is the visit time to visit the garden if you really want to see the structure and layout of the garden in its clearest form.
It should be mentioned though, a majority of the plants in the Japanese gardens are evergreen, so the garden is still in fact very green and dynamic during the winter, it is just in this season there seems to be a certain crispness that you don't find in the other seasons.
But also as you mentioned, certain plants have deep symbolisms associated with them. The pine tree, as it always looks more or less the same and lives very long – represents stability, strength and ultimately – the eternal nature of the universe.
The plum is quite the opposite. The flowers bloom and then fall away over the course of two weeks or less, so it represents the very ephemeral nature of life.
The cherry blossoms bloom during the beginning of the spring growing season (and Japan is historically very deeply an agricultural society), so they represent new beginnings, new life.
The lilies and lotuses have their roots in the bottom of the bottom of the pond, the very dark, murky dirty area, and from here up rises the plant and out grows a very beautiful flower. This symbolises how people live in the murky human realm, and by following the way of the Buddha grow up into a very beautiful existence.
This is actually one of my favorite parts about living in Japan. There is a deep reverence for the changing seasons (and the seasons themselves) and this really does go back to historically the strong agricultural nature of Japanese society.
In every season there are certain foods, clothes, customs, alterations made to one's living space, and of course the festivals that take place.
Spring – cherry blossom viewing gatherings, planting of the new rice, summer – children's festivals and local shrine festivals to commemorate the shinto deities, autumn – celebrations for the harvesting of the rice and the viewing of autumn leaves.
This is one of my favourites. On the night of the harvest moon people gather to view the largest moon of the year. Very often gatherings take place nearby ponds where the moon can be viewed not by looking up but by looking at it's reflection in the water. This is accompanied with of course a wonderful traditional Japanese confectionery called "tsukimi dango" which is made up of mochi and red bean paste.
In winter there is the very important New Year's celebration when everyone spends time with their family ... and also together does a very intensive house cleaning!
Oh yes, the pointing of the shoes outward, the folding of toilet paper on a roll to appear in a triangular point, the way people hold a tiny tea cup with two hands when it clearly only requires one … these are little aesthetic practices in everyday life that most people in the world never consider doing.
Even wearing masks in public (which began long before Covid) are ways that people think about themselves in relation to others. Whether these acts are done out of respect or for aesthetic enhancement, they show respect for those around them, which ultimately works towards keeping the overall harmony in ones life.
Keeping harmony within the group is the common theme which dominates all situations one finds themselves as they live in Japanese society. Whether it is in your family, in the classroom, in the office, in a restaurant, on the streets, on the train – wherever and whenever.
Whereas where I grew up in the States the theme of one's existence is to always be bold, and unique, and loud and original, the idea is 180 degrees opposite here. Why this is I can not definitively say – but through my experience and research I believe there are several factors to why this sense of keeping the harmony exists.
The first is the religious makeup of Japan. Japan has two belief systems and for the most part people observe both throughout their lives. One is Buddhism – which stresses letting go of the concept of the "I" and seeing one's existence as interdependent and interconnected with all beings. In such a context one's life can focus not of the wanting and attachment but on compassion and kindness.
The second belief system is Shintoism – which stresses respecting and showing deep reverence for the millions of spirits that exist all around us in nature. If there is harmony with the spirits in nature, this will lead to harmony within our lives. Also keeping the harmony with others in society is very much a Shintoist practice. This is how it has been since Japan came into existence, over 1,500 years ago.
Lastly, the strict class system dominated by the samurai must be mentioned in such a conversation. Until the 1870's society was separated very definitively into classes and one always knew one's place in society. It was virtually impossible to get out of one's class and obtain status in a higher class. It was the samurai who imposed the order in society. Even such a small offence as looking out of a second floor window down onto a samurai walking in the street could result in one being beheaded. The idea was that a person of a lower class should never be looking down on a person of the higher samurai class. This is an extreme example, but you can see how the idea of offending someone was avoided at all costs.
And that is how it remains today. As you mentioned on the buses or trains, or anywhere in public, it seems to be one's duty to avoid the situation of negatively impacting another person in any conceivable way possible. It might sound strange but it is one of my favorite aspects about living here.
Yes, I believe you can learn Everything about what matters most and slow-living from experiencing the gardens and temples in Kyoto. Again, it is something I think everyone has to experience for themselves, but this is something I sometimes mention when I am walking through the gardens with my guests.
There is an old way of looking at nature in Japan that goes like this ... there are not only 4 seasons in Japan – there are actually 72. Every season can be broken down into 18 sub-seasons. When you do the math you can start to see that every 5 days or so something new is happening in the garden. A cycle is beginning. A cycle is ending.
This way of viewing nature evolved out of Japan's deep agricultural roots when around 80% of the people were farmers. There was constant attention being paid to the crops – which seeds needed to be planted, which plants need to be trimmed, which plants were ready to be harvested, etc.
There was literally constant attention being paid towards nature. Fast forward hundreds of years and we are not farmers and hardly pay close attention to nature, except when we are checking the forecast to see what clothes we should wear the next day or how to plan our weekends.
As we spend time in the gardens we can see the slight changes from the days before. We can remember back to years past and consider what changes will be coming.
We can realise that our existence is much like the plants we see in the gardens. We can ease the attachment we have to the image of ourselves as some constant well-polished being that needs to be perpetually maintained-because we can realise we don't even exist in that form at all.
We are always changing beings that exist in birth/death cycles. When you can see this played out in nature it can tell you a lot about your own existence. We as humans are not separate from nature, we are nature.
A poem I like:
An old pond
A frog jumps in –
Water sound!
I really can't tell you why I like that haiku. But maybe you just felt the same feeling as I do when you read those words. That's why I like it.
A short story I like:
When Banzan was walking through a market he overheard a conversation between a butcher and his customer. “Give me the best piece of meat you have,” said the customer.
“Everything in my shop is the best,” replied the butcher. “You cannot find here any piece of meat that is not the best.” At these words Banzan became enlightened.
This story (koan) really does illustrate the core of Zen. Zen concerns itself with the absolute, not relative values. Each individual thing is the best in the whole world because it is the only one of that thing. The only obligation one has in life is to bring out one's best.
Yes! Absolutely the four of us living in a tiny apartment definitely altered the way we live, but I must confess we have since moved and now live in a very slender two story house. As the Covid-19 pandemic intensified I foresaw that all my work was moving online. There was no way to do this work in such a tight space with the kids around, so we moved to this house which we found nearby and our kids can still go to their same school.
Living in a small space really only informs one way you live – but that way really affects many of the other aspects in one's life. And that is – when you live in a tight space you end up buying a lot less things.
We try to keep as much open space as possible to maximise how our space can be used, so basically whenever we purchase something we typically get rid of something. So if we were ever in a store considering purchasing something, we first strongly consider 1) do we really need this thing?, and 2) what of the things we own is worth giving up to take in this new thing?
After a while we started realising we don't really need anything – just when the things we have break, we have to replace them. And so then we stopped going to stores and asking ourselves – do we need to buy this thing?
From this habit evolving, it is easy to get away from the idea that anything we will ever buy will bring us happiness. Because if you go about happiness in such a way you will be always looking to make that next purchase and the cycle is never ending.
Then you need a bigger space to put all your stuff and you have to make more money to afford the bigger space then you have less time because you are always working and can't enjoy any of it anyway.
So, if you just have a small, mostly empty/adaptable space and have good relationships with the people around you and develop hobbies and make your work meaningful and enjoy it – those are the best things to have!
Oh boy...well I would never recommend one puts themselves in the situation of only being here for 24 hours ... I have been here for 10+ years and haven't experienced all things I would like to in this town!
And I could probably answer this question in 20 different ways depending on the mood I am in at the moment ... but the way I will answer this question now is to recommend the exact walk that we did with your family when you were last here – which is on the west side of town, from the foothills of the mountains in Saga down into the town of Arashiyama.
This is a walking tour I often lead my guests on and it is a full day of eclectic sites, traditional shops and good food. We start off visiting a temple with 1,200 stone statues representing the disciples of the Buddha, then visit an ancient burial ground that has deep connections to the local community.
We have an early tea and sweets break at a 400 year-old cafe, and then continue to a small temple founded by two ex-geisha that is home to a lovely moss garden secluded in the forest.
Next, we check out several shops which specialise in bamboo goods, pottery and paper and have a simple traditional lunch. After lunch we continue to a small hut with links to a well-known Haiku master from the Edo period, and then on to a bamboo forest where on the edge of the forest we visit the sprawling estate of an ex-silent film actor.
Afterwards we head to one of the first Zen temples in Japan that is home to what is considered the first Zen garden ever. Finally we end up down by the river at the famous bridge, one of the iconic views in Kyoto. It is a full day and by the end we are all pretty beat, but it is a very uplifting experience and well-worth the effort.
You can find Andrew on Instagram @an_design_kyoto and I recommend you do one of Andrew's online tours, the one I did when I was in Kyoto focused on the temple with 1,200 stone statues.
A sweet chocolatey pudding treat for a cold winters day
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 25 mins
⅓ cup self-raising flour
1 ½ tablespoon hazelnut (or almond) meal
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup cacao powder
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup milk
35 g butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 cup boiling water
thickened cream
1 handful of dark choc chopped
raspberries
She’s a champion of living a life true to yourself. I really enjoyed hearing the wisdom she shared in our conversation. It was a good reminder that when you know what your values are, and you live aligned with them, it's easier to find contentment in your daily life.
Luisa shares what she believes in openly and joyfully through all her projects.
Currently what I do is food photography in a lifestyle context. Connecting food and life together. I also love to cheer people on. What makes me happy is helping people reach their potential so to speak. If I see potential in somebody my mind goes on overdrive as to the things they could really be doing.
Well, it started with following what I love doing at the different stages of my life journey but I remembered that the common thread is the love of paperwork. So from working as an accounts assistant to sales and marketing to graphic design to photography and publishing it all connects to the love of paperwork.
The answer is not to ask the question about what you want to do in the future but rather asking yourself what do you love to do right now. If you go down this route it will lead you to what you will be doing in the future and for me right now it's mentorship and publishing.
Simple pleasures that bring me joy and comfort are stopping for a hug with my family. I failed to teach my girls how to do housework or being neat but boy they can hug and will do so even on-demand ha ha ha. The morning cup of coffee (obviously), new books to read, having a 2-hour chat with a friend, talking to people about food and more importantly cooking
Autumn, I love that it's neither cold nor hot in temperature just right and everything is full of colour.
Family, food and fun
Rice bowls. Nothing like a plate of brown rice with chopped up cucumbers, shredded iceberg lettuce, tangy sauerkraut, fried egg or tortang talong (eggplant omelette) or cauliflower fritters, some hot chilli oil, edamame etc... you can really add anything you like but the rule is it must contain the base of carbs, protein and a crunch.
"The home is where you are completely accepted. It does not discriminate against your habits or your ways of living. It is an acceptance without judgement. Home is about care and sharing. The individual within a home function as one." — Ai Wei Wei, Apartamento Issue 10.
This is the best meaning of home for me. I used this as the opening quote for Alphabet Family Journal.
I do measure my year based on the chunks of projects I take on. I do make time for personal projects. It keeps me sane and it's a way to nurture what I love to do. I can't say the premise of the project yet but I'm looking at working with 20+ food enthusiasts what it is and what it will be is to be revealed sometime before the end of 2021 but I'm sharing a lot of behind-the-scenes on Instagram stories over at @luisabrimble
I'm looking forward to unveiling this next project.
Luisa uses our family bowl, soup bowl, everyday bowl, hygge bowl and hibi bowl
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When we can embrace the season we’re in, life is easier. Lean into winter and give yourself what you need to be comfy and cosy. Winter is a reminder to turn inwards and go a little slower. It’s a welcome reminder that it’s OK to have a change of pace. The rain keeps me indoors and the cold keeps me bundled in layers of woollen knits and blankets. Slower days to contemplate, to reflect, to grow stronger and plant roots.
]]>Every season has gifts to offer us. In winter it's the reminder to slow down, the time to be quiet and still.
Taking notice of what is happening in nature, we can use it to guide us. In winter we know that the tree naturally loses its leaves. Though it may seem raw and vulnerable at first, we trust that it is doing what it needs to recuperate and it will be spring again in due time.
Give yourself the same permission to be introverted, quiet and reflective.
We need time to be still, without distraction, to tune in to ourselves. Daily life passes in a blur and we don’t often have time to reflect. Winter lets us turn inwards and feel grounded. While the trees are shedding leaves and planting roots to be stronger and more stable. We can do the same and take time to assess what’s really important to us. At least once in the day when you pour yourself a cup of tea (or coffee, hot chocolate or chai, whatever you like) just sit and enjoy it.
Eating what’s in season ticks so many boxes that will make you feel good. It’s more nourishing for you and for our precious planet – it’s more affordable, there are less carbon miles, you’re supporting local growers and you have tastier and fresher food on your plate. Parsnip, carrot and leek are in abundance at my local store, so I'm doing trays of baked veggies and soups.
Grab your Winterwares family bowl and bake your veggies directly in it. Try roasting beetroot then sprinkling it with fresh dill and chunks of feta. Or for a decadent brunch try my caramel baked apples.
Bowl food is especially cosy in winter. Cradling a handmade bowl in your hands, the warmth of it is nourishing before you’ve even had a bite of your food. Try spicy carrot soup or oaty porridge with stewed plums in our soup bowl.
Making home feel cosy is one of the best gifts of winter. I love adding textures and layers in my house to keep the cold out and the warmth in. I cover my hardwood floors with rugs and pile up the sofa with blankets. I don’t have a fireplace, sadly, but I do love the comforting glow of candles flickering (winter favorite is woodland trail).
There’s a time for doing and a time for rest. In winter, give yourself permission to slow down. You don’t have to go at the pace you do when the sun is out. Naturally there are less events and invitations when the weather is cold and wet, so take that extra time for yourself.
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