it's time for a change

I don't think I've ever been on the cusp of a new year and had so much happening around me. Some of it has been in the pipeline for months now, a lot of it was only confirmed a few days ago. It's exciting, daunting and challenging and I'm embracing it - because it's the best thing I can do.

2014 is looking to be good. Very good.

This is the final post I'll write as "Che and Fidel". In a few days time the name of this little blog will change. It's time for a fresh start and a new path and I can't wait to share it all with you. I'll explain everything when the new blog launches but I wanted to let you know that if you do visit here, you'll be redirected to a new address, even though you'll be seeing the same page (and yes, all six years worth of blog posts will stay). Complicated? Completely! Lucky I've got an amazing tech guy doing all the behind-the-scenes work for me.

Sending blessings over the land and across the seas......for a happy, healthy and abundant new year. 

Jodi x

52/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Che: warming himself in the sun, giggling uncontrollably as I tickle his belly (with my toes).

Poet: a special ice-cream treat at Mama and Popa's house

2 children, 52 weeks, 104 photos. 

I think the beauty of this project is discovered in retrospect; when you look back and realise that regardless of how fast and busy the year was, there were so many little moments that were quiet and precious and memorable. They mean so much more to me that the big events because they're honest reflections of everyday life.

At the start of the year I promised myself that I would take as many candid portraits as I could. I wanted to take the time to be in the now, observe the moment and, if possible, capture it on camera. There were many moments that never made it into this space; but the 104 that did, they are pictures I will always cherish - because they tell our story. 

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Congratulations, friends! 52/52 is quite an achievement. I'll be back next Sunday with 1/52...will you be joining me?

51/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Che: tired, exhausted and hot but still, the fairy lights intrigue.

Poet: standing in my childhood bedroom, admiring herself in the mirror.

Portraits imbued with a festive touch (and matching pouty lips). 

I'm going to keep this post simple - I'm tired, there's lots of Christmassy things to do and time away from the internet is much needed. I'll be back next week with 52/52 and then.....well, come early January you'll notice some significant changes in this space; changes that have come from months of planning and redesigning. I'll explain the full story soon but rest assured, the essence of this blog will stay the same, even if it looks very different. 

I hope you and your families have a beautiful, heartwarming Christmas. May it be simple and joyous; a celebration of togetherness and gratitude. Thank you so much for everything you have shared throughout the year - your encouragement, advice and beautiful portraits. 

In love and Christmas light, Jodi x

52 | the ones that got away

To be honest, I didn't have time to go through all my 2013 photos and pick a few "outtake" portraits. But curiosity got the better of me so I strolled through the year and subsequently saw these photos in a new light - a very nostalgic one. 

I have no idea why these shots didn't make it into 52; obviously other portraits were more meaningful to me at the time. Sometimes I get caught up in the beauty of the shot, at other times I choose a portrait because of the moment I captured or the emotion it conjures. 

Looking through these outtakes and all the shots that made up 52 this year....well, I'm just so grateful that I persevered. I'm proud of this project.

ps. thanks to Claire for suggesting this "outtake" idea...

mother + child | gaby + clementine

Last week I had the privilege of documenting Gaby and Clementine's babywearing journey. Early morning at the beach; milky light and alabaster skin. 

Looking through the photos there was one word that kept coming to mind: touch. Little feet touching arms, little hands clasped to a singlet, a protective hand pat, pat, patting a squishy baby bottom. Babywearing - mother and child entwined. 

I suppose now is a good time to mention that I'm available for pregnancy and family photos throughout 2014. If you're interested I'd be delighted to hear from you...

twenty-two | practicing simplicity

Every Wednesday night I go to a yoga class - it's my mid-week reprieve, an opportunity to find space, rediscover patience and gain perspective. To begin my practice I lay with my legs up the wall in viparita karani, my arms wide, my eyes closed. And I let myself soften into the floor. My entire sadhana (spiritual practice) last week was about softening without effort. My teacher's words resonated so strongly:

"...if you had to stay where you were for 10 more breaths, what would you shift so you could be comfortable? What would you change if you had to stay here for 100 more breaths, or a lifetime of breaths?"

She was talking about being in an asana but she subtly hinted at the practice of life, too. What a beautiful question to pose to mothers; the women who live that role for now and forever - for the next 10 breaths and the next million.

What can you shift so you can be more comfortable, so the experience can be more enjoyable? 

Those words have been circling my mind since last Wednesday, coming to the forefront just when things start to get challenging. And I've shifted many things to make space and create opportunities, to quell tantrums and see things for what they are (and not what my emotions make them out to be). My experience as a work-from-home mother has benefited greatly as I've found a new way of integrating work and writing into family life - a very small change that has made a significant impact on my productivity, creativity and happiness. 

So: shift and change things around so you can be more comfortable. 

Take time this week to lie with your legs up the wall, if only for five minutes. Close your eyes, let out a few sighs and be still. It's one of the most rejuvenating practices you can do. This week we all need it more than ever. I hope you find a few minutes of calm amidst the crazy. 

the greater good : a giveaway

gorgeous apple papple (as seen in Poet's room), pirum parum and bug-like Hatschi hooks

"I heard Batman talk about 'the greater good' while the kids were watching cartoons one day. I think all mothers are modern-day superheroes, doing our best to serve 'the greater good' as we nurture our families and juggle day-to-day life." - Kirsty Frank, owner of The Greater Good.

One of the best things about blogging is the mothers I've met; the women who have created small businesses to satisfy their own dreams and support their growing families. I started chatting to Kirsty a few months ago when she was in the midst of planning her new venture. She has a passion for the quirky and colourful and firmly believes that children's toys, clothes and decor should be child-like without compromising quality. She has sourced an collection of products from a range of international artists for her online (soon to be bricks + mortar) store, many of whom haven't been stocked in Australia before. 

She has collated a selection of beautiful products - decor, soft toys, storage and lighting. I really appreciate her taste; she has a penchant for muted hues and classic pieces and knows how important 'practical' is for the family home. My favourites? - the bell garlands, coat rack city (hang it at your child's height to encourage independence), hessian sack with pom poms and super size colouring page (which would have been my dream come true as a child). 

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The winner of this giveaway will receive a $100 voucher to spend in store. To enter just leave a comment telling Kirsty and I what your favourite toy/item was as a child. The reader who leaves the most amusing/beautiful/memorable story wins (no essays required!).

So you can spend and purchase before Christmas, I'll draw the winner on Wednesday 18th December at 8pm (comments will close at 7pm) and Kirsty will get the package in the mail soon after.  

Best of luck!

Comments now closed. The winner is #44 - Ally. What a story! Email me at jodiclairewilson @ yahoo.com.au and I'll organise your voucher. 

Kirsty is just starting out and really appreciates your support. Perhaps if you're on facebook you could head over to The Greater Good and 'like'? 

50/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Che: goodness, what a masculine stance. 

Poet: on tip-toes as she looks out the window.

I'm getting a little nostalgic now. Only two portraits to go and then we're back to the beginning. Claire had a great idea earlier this week and I'd love to bring it to fruition. We were talking about all the portraits that got away; the ones that weren't chosen because others seemed more fitting. So, on Wednesday, I'll be writing a post titled: "52 / the ones that got away" - there'll be a link, too, so feel free to add your own post. 

I'm excited to tell you that the "52" button for 2014 is currently being designed by melbourne-based artist The Paper Pinwheel. It features muted ocean-inspired colours and a touch of distinctly Australian flora. I'll be able to share it with you in the next week so make sure you leave a little room on your sidebar.

You may have also noticed that I'm currently running a giveaway to win a $200 voucher to Minted - a company that creates beautiful photo cards, art prints and personalised stationery. It's open to readers worldwide so feel free to enter...perhaps it will be one way you can use some of your 52 portraits.

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I adore Yellow Finch's perspective and I especially love these shots - especially the piano portrait! / I love everything about these portraits; happy faces, warmth and that blanket / I wholeheartedly understand the "need to get the last sip" determination / I always love a diptych and I especially like the 'railing' perspective in these portraits / and finally, haircut time - always cute (and a little bit funny!). 

minted : a giveaway

this is a sponsored post

Photo prints and personalised stationery - a few of my favourite things. 

This year I've made an effort to imbue messages with a personal touch. The kids and I have been painting stars for Che's classmates and I've printed merry & bright cards for friends and family across the seas. In this age of jpegs and emails, a handwritten note (sealed and stamped) is a welcome gesture.

I've long admired Minted for their work with independent designers and their commitment to quality so when they approached me about a giveaway I was more than happy to oblige. Think of the company as a platform for indie designers the world over, a welcome step-up in the often overwhelming online world.

"Minted crowd-sources design and art from a global community of independent designers, then sell their best designs as fine products such as stationery, wall art and decor...every time a product is sold the artist receives a commission. "

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The winner of this giveaway will receive a $200 voucher to Minted. 

To enter just leave a comment telling me about why you love personalised stationery and what you would buy if you won. Perhaps some personalised watercolour lotus cards to use in the new year (see mine above), a personalised notepad (particularly useful for school mums) or birth announcements, art prints, kids art journal (great idea!) etc......

This giveaway is open to readers across the globe. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section - I'll answer there. The winner will be announced in this post on Wednesday 18th December at 5pm.

Best of luck! 

Comments are now closed. The winner is #71 - Vanessa. Best of luck with your 2014 business ventures. Beautiful stationery is the perfect motivation! 

If giveaways aren't your thing feel free to use the code CHEANDFIDEL for 10% off site-wide.

summer : a seasonal series

pom pom Australian natives that match my header / rich, summery prints from