A very Jazzy Christmas

It has now been quite a while since I moved into my lovely flat, however I am only just getting around to writing a blog about the most fantastic house-warming gift that I received...a Yosemite print by the artist Jazzberry Blue.

Yosemite by Jazzberry Blue

Yosemite has long been one of my favourite places in the world, and I had been having a look at his stuff for a while as I thought that the colourful, geometric prints he is renowned for would fit perfectly with the look of my flat.

Paris print by Jazzberry Blue

Little did I know, that as well as the amazing map prints which I had long loved, the Toronto-based artist, had developed a range of National Parks prints, of which the Yosemite piece is just one!

The gift in question, was provided by a certain boy, not long after we had started seeing each other, making it even more thoughtful. It really has set the tone for my flat and makes me smile each time I see it.

My beloved new print now sits, pride of place in my (now rather festive-looking) living room and I hope you will agree, it really ties everything together.

Jeff makes the perfect festive accesory

In other news...It is very nearly Christmas!

Jeff and Tallulah were given a couple of presents, but they didn't stay wrapped for very long - turns out Jeff earned his title of Chief Sniffing Officer.

I can't wait for my family Christmas this year. I have so much to be thankful for, not least of all, getting to spend the season with everyone I love.

So, without further ado... I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a wonderful 2015!

Chorlton Arts Festival - Part One

Last night I visited the World Peace Cafe to attend an event entitled "The Art of Meditation" as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival.

As a complete novice to meditation, it is safe to say I was a little apprehensive about going along. But I was absolutely blown away.

I must admit the offer of a free drink and slice of cake as well as a talk and mediation session, left my Western mind looking for the catch...

However, it didn't take long to see that I had stumbled across something really special!

The Kadampa meditation centre offers sessions throughout the week and the teachers and volunteers were all extremely helpful and welcoming.

The World Peace Cafe operates out of the same centre and has a similar ethos of calm and kindness. It's a vegetarian cafe that uses only organic, fairtrade and locally sourced ingredients with all profits dedicated to building world peace. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to visit a cafe with a conscience!

The session itself was fantastic and mindfulness meditation is something I am so excited to learn more about. The meditation room was simply beautiful (a former artist studio) and the taster session was a real breath of fresh air.

I left the session feeling so much calmer and at peace with myself. As our teacher said, people have been practising meditation for over 2000 years, so there must be something to it!

I feel very privileged that I will soon have this place on my doorstep and will look forward to going back.