Free Spirit

Image via Pinterest

I've noticed lately that I seem to have a lot of friends who cannot understand me & the way I live my life. That's fine, we're all different, but lately I've felt so much pressure. Questions after questions. Demanding to know when I will have a baby, when my hubby & I will buy a house and where will it be, etc. Sorry to let you all down but I live in the moment. I'm happy that way. If you can't handle it, then that's your problem, I say. You have fun with your 5 year plan & constantly living in the future. I won't settle for less just because that's what society says you're "meant" to do. I'm not saying I don't want some of these things, but I'm sure as hell not going to stress about it right this second and I don't need my friends telling me how I'm "supposed" to live my life. I've never understood why people make life decisions based on what they think they're meant to do at a certain age with complete disregard for what they actually "want" to do. Such a shame really....

Does anyone else feel this pressure from friends, family, society in general?

~ Clare x

Daisies Pied & Violets Blue

When daisies pied and violets blue

   And lady-smocks all silver-white

And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue

   Do paint the meadows with delight,

The cuckoo then, on every tree,

Mocks married men; for thus sings he,

                         Cuckoo;

Cuckoo, cuckoo: Oh word of fear,

Unpleasing to a married ear!

When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,

   And merry larks are plowmen’s clocks,

When turtles tread, and rooks, and daws,

   And maidens bleach their summer smocks,

The cuckoo then, on every tree,

Mocks married men; for thus sings he,

                         Cuckoo;

Cuckoo, cuckoo: Oh word of fear,

Unpleasing to a married ear!

~ Spring by William Shakespeare

Images: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight

Sydney has been experiencing some of the strangest weather. One moment it's warm & lovely, the next, winds that leave you chilled to the bone! Today was perfect though. This evening I stepped outside into a dreamy breeze and was hit by the scent of Jasmine in the air - my favourite thing about this time of year. A smile immediately lit up my face.

What's your favourite  thing about Spring?

~ Clare x

Instagram ~ my world of late

Giant ampersand at mitchell road antique & design centre

Brunch, roses & Moet for Mum & Dad's anniversary

Sydney Flower Markets

High Coffee at the Cortile, InterContinental 

Project Innovate at the ivy

New wall adornments: vintage maps from French Larkspur & a pretty, white deer head

Amazon drop! Vicki Archer's French Essence/My French Life, Nichole Robertson's Paris in Colour

Hubby got a new tattoo - it's me on our wedding day! Tattooed by our dear friend, Amanda Cain

Dinner to celebrate the new tattoo at el loco

Mini Me at shoal Bay Beach

A few shots of beautiful Port Stephens

Boulder Bay, the entire shore is covered in these boulders. See how tiny my feet are in comparison?

Bliss! Hanging with the fam enjoying cappuccinos, dreamy cocktails, steak sandwiches & browsing our favourite lifestyle mags

I'd love you to join me on instagram @curiouserclare

~ Clare x

Raison d'etre



Images via Pinterest

A while back I was lucky enough to have a little sunshine bestowed upon me by the gorgeous Claudia of The Paris Apartment in the form of an award known as the sunshine award. I adore Claudia's blog & all things Parisian, so do pay her a visit, you won't regret it!

Instead of answering the same questions about myself I decided to share more about moi in the form of quotes. I believe all the quotes above will let you into my world, my looking glass...

Pardon my French ~ yes, at times I truly do have a potty mouth.

Mermaids ~ I have no interest in or perhaps just feel sorry for those who lead a shallow existence.

Dusty Corners of My Mixed Up Soul ~ I found that person when I was just 14 and we never let each other go.

Hermia ~ I played her once. A favourite character of mine. I am a tiny person but on the inside I am most definitely fierce. This quote sums me up to a T.

Dita ~ I adore this quote. I won't say I never have bad days, but I am very comfortable in my own skin & I know that I don't need to be everything to everyone. I'm the ripest, juiciest peach for some!

Oscar ~ I played Lady Windermere once & I have a special love of this play. I love all of Oscar Wilde's plays. I'm a very positive person & think of this quote often.

Fairytales ~ I truly believe no one is too old for them.

Adventurers & Dreamers ~ I am both.

Coffee ~ my day never really starts until I've had one.

For more of my favourite quotes, visit my Raison d'etre board on Pinterest.

~ Clare x

PS: To all of you who drop by & leave a lovely comment from time to time, I bestow this award on you.

Stella's Secret Garden

Images by Vogue via Simply Smitten

Would you look at Stella McCartney's garden! This is the stuff that dreams are made on.  What an amazing wedding anniversary gift. Perhaps I shall leave this page open for my husband...? Haha!

To all a most joyous weekend!

~ Clare x