Kiva

Maria and Javohir are entrepreneurs looking for investment in their business to better their lives. I am lucky enough to be one of the people investing in their business, through Kiva. Go over to Kiva and learn how you can lend to other entrepreneurs.  

About Kiva in their own words

"We are a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world."

::inspiring Mondays::

I'm back to running. I put my shoes on and off I went. I was so excited about it that I woke up at 6:30 on a Sunday! Without the alarm. Oh yeah! I was never a runner and then I started running and while I'm still not a runner, I'm a person who loves it! 

I used to have red shoes which made my heart sing a happy song every time I looked down; unfortunately when the time came to replace them, no red ones were available. With running, I am a believer that function HAS to come ahead of pretty, so... My heart may not sing with the colour of the new shoes, but it sure sings happy tunes from knowing my feet and my whole body are so well supported.

:: running ♥
:: this space. how it warms my heart to write here!
:: february bringing longer days and Mum's birthday.
:: knitting.
:: stamps. I have a new found love for stamps!
:: working on my Project Life album and having such great fun.
:: brunch with good friends.
:: embracing my photography!

How was your Monday? Hopefully sunny and happy! Have a great week.

::inspiring Mondays::

“You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you're really busy; 

then you should sit for an hour."

Old zen saying

I read the quote above today and it really struck a chord with me. I don’t meditate and I’m not planning on starting now, but the quote made me think of inspiration. Perhaps when things aren’t so good is when you need to work harder at seeing the sunshine in the little bits. The minuscule bits. The whatever size bits. Perhaps inspiring Mondays are more needed when your days are as grey as the January sky in good old Britain.

When inspiring Mondays left me, it was because of the commitment of doing it for over a year on a specific day of the week, regardless of my mood or social calendar. The day inspiring Mondays return to me, is the day I need them to hold my hand for a while and tell me it will all be ok. Much in the style of Nanny McPhee, really.

:: my Mother.

:: text swapping with Mother. It’s the way she calls me daughter, a derivative word of it which makes

my heart warm.

:: dark green nail polish.

:: shiny black boots.

:: excellent housemates.

:: my friends. the ones who drop everything to hug me. and feed me. and be my rocks.

:: walking.

:: photography.

:: Project Life

Inspiring Mondays started of as my little ray of sunshine beaming through the unfair dislike people

have of… Mondays.

Inspiring Mondays developed to become my search for said little ray of sunshine on grey days. And

blue days. And yellow days. And any colour days, really!

Some days you have to work harder than others at being happy.

grateful

It’s Wednesday (not Monday) and I don’t feel inspired. To be honest, I feel quite boo. However, I don’t feel as boo as I could feel, really. The more I think about it, the more I realise that while it’s not great Michael is now in a hot country far far away, the core thing is we have each other and we’re working on changing that Summer/Winter minor difference we have going on (some people would just call it distance, but that’s boring). Once I let that sink in, I am open to realising another thing: I am one lucky girl! I’m made of pure people luck.

Yesterday was not my finest day. I was sad and quiet and trying really hard to get on with things. For that, I had a little help from my friends.

:: mini brownies. Home baked. In a cute wrapping with a ribbon. I cannot explain how this lovely gift and gesture touched my day. Not only did it make it happy inside, but I got to stuff myself with these little pieces of heaven every time I felt a bit more boo. Thank you!
:: hugs and sweetness all around the office. I needed it!
:: running. Faster than I normally run. Tiring me out for the evening!
:: dinner and lemon curd maccaroons. With wine. And good chats. Delaying going home for as long as possible!

::inspiring Mondays::

Fairy tale morning light. The kind that stays in your memory and induces a happy smile no matter how long your day has been. The kind that makes you long for the morning no matter how late you went to sleep. The kind that makes you jump out of bed at 7am on a Sunday to go to the park and see the spires give shape to the magical morning light.

I have a very heavily sore chest and throat. My eyes are on the verge of tears by no fault of my mood. And I had to talk for a great part of the day. Somedays are just like that, huh? And some of those days happen to be Mondays. The way I see it, the week can only improve, so I'm not bothered I started Monday on a small dip. It could have been worst; much worst! I could have turned green and grown a second nose, or a third arm; my hair could have turned rainbow colour overnight from out of date shampoo; my porridge could have been cold, or too hot! In fact, I should thank this Monday for its lack of evil creativity! A cold and a chesty cough, Monday? That's a bit like children's insults... good effort, but low strength!

:: morning photography with my new lens ♥ my bed may miss me from now on!

:: Little Brother's calls. just because. ♥

:: spinach soup. warms body and soul!

:: hot water. you fabulous invention!

:: honest conversations with my boss. a good man!

:: green cardi has buttons. pockets on their way.

:: arm warmers. the kind that have no holes and are soft and lovely and made by LMJ.

:: Strefen. when life gives you a sore throat, give it Strefen... and laugh at it!

:: a Sunday filled with knitting and warm soup and silly films and Homeland.

:: Lindt chocolate balls. so smooth and soft and yummy!

:: oven roasted sea bass. Mum, you'd be proud!

:: early bedtime. so the bed doesn't miss me too much after all!

How was your Monday? Dry, wet, or so and so? Happy? I'd hope for happy! Have a lovely week!

::inspiring Mondays::

 

A good Monday has a new lens one is too in love with for words. A good Monday has a registered brand. A good Monday has a nice hot shower to begin the day fresh and warm. A good Monday has lemon drizzle cupcakes brought to the office. A good Monday has white paint to finally finish decorating one's bedroom. A good Monday has a little bit of rain to remind us of how important water is. A good Monday has the smell of freshly made soup, almost like Mum's but not quite because my Mum's soup is the best.

All that to say today was an excellent Monday. If you see all those full stops as plus symbols, adding up all those good things could only lead to awesomeness. Eat that, grey sky, the Joey wins again! 

:: my new lens. 16-85mm of pure bliss. thank you, Little Brother, Mum and Dad! ♥♥♥
:: our registered brand! ♥
:: Bristolian weekend with my girls.
:: sunshine for our Sunday run. just perfect!
:: luck.
:: chilling. that feeling of just chilling.
:: knitting soft things.
:: Homeland on a Sunday.
:: painting things white. oh room, you look more inviting each day.
:: lemon drizzle cupcakes. yummy.
:: my housemates.

This was an edited version of an eventful Monday. As with everything, things are what we choose to make of them and I choose to make this Monday great, for all of the above. I'm off to kiss my lens goodnight. I hope your Monday has amazing!

::inspiring Mondays::

It's cold in Oxford. That cold that makes you want to have several hot showers a day, especially when you come home and you can put your PJs on afterwards and feel all snuggly for the rest of the evening.  What a feeling! And I'm feeling it right now because I'm lucky!

The week after I come back from Portugal is the hardest. I can still feel the warmth of the sunshine... but I can't!, I can still taste the food... but I can't!, I can still smell all those familiar smells that are home... but I can't!, I can still cuddle the cats... but I can't! Chasing after the memory of it all, the taste and life of the memory, is the hardest, and something the Portuguese people do oh so well. We're a nostalgic people, home to saudade and fado! When I realised I was happier and more cheerful than my  natural nostalgia would like me to, I told it to shut it and go sit quietly in the corner; but occasionally I miss it and let it out to keep me company for a little while... like when I come back from home and want to make the sweetness linger.

I woke up at 4am for no good reason and could not go back to sleep, but that meant I could wish LMrJ a good trip to Cuba as he boarded the plane. He'll be there for two weeks, with limited wifi access (if any!). So I guess waking up at 4am was a good thing. It's all about perspective, really!

:: the memory of home ♥

:: Little Brother phone calls. the phone rings in happiness, as do I.

:: LMrJ laughing when I'm trying to be annoyed. it's so sweet. and annoying. and sweet!

:: getting back into a running routine with Nicky. I'm lovin' it!

:: Oxford chilly autumnal clear mornings. gorgeous!

:: morning walk with porridge and my favourite podcast. bliss!

:: my hot water bottle. the snuggly feeling lasts and lasts!

:: post. what a great invention!

:: James Bond awesomeness! been there done that!

:: looking up. and smiling. it works every time.

:: central heating. what a fabulous thing!

:: wifi... we only notice it when it's gone.

:: chamomile tea. always!

In spite of the cold, this was a beautiful and dry start to the week. Isn't that amazing? Yep, it is! How was your Monday? Inspiring? Happy? I hope so :)

::inspiring Mondays::

Sunshine. 22ºC. More sunshine. Little brother. Parents. Cats. Cuddles. Family. Sunshine. Excellent food. More sunshine. The sea. Sunshine, of course. Can you guess where I’ve been? Home, where all batteries get recharged! Porto, Portugal!

I went home for Little Brother’s birthday. Finally, I could sing happy birthday and give him a cuddle and eat a bit (or a lot!) of the birthday cake. I love Skype, I do, and I use it every day, but nothing beats the real thing. I laughed and chatted and laughed some more. We discussed ideas and strategies and materials and the way forward. I went out photographing windows and cutesy houses with Dad. I went out photographing the sea and then the river with Little Brother. I had girly chats and pasteis de nata with Mum. I saw my little cousin’s belly button and heard about second grade and bike rides. I went out and had nice conversations well into the early hours without falling asleep. I ate amazing food and had excellent wine. And I soaked up the sun until I had a permanent smile on my face which should last for days.

:: Little Brother ♥

:: the parents.

:: birthday cake! Yummy!

:: sunshine.

:: my aunt bringing me brigadeiros to the airport because I asked her to!

:: cat love!

:: the sea. the smell of the sea.

:: Portuguese food.

:: my flight companions giving me their apple juice

:: one more hour in Portugal, courtesy of the hour change this weekend. ta mucho!

It is cold and rainy in Oxford, but I’m ignoring all of it and focusing on the little memory of sunshine I brought bottled up for special occasions. Like today, where I miss home that little bit more because I have just been… funny how that works, huh?

How's this Monday working for you? Hope you are having a lovely start to the week, wet or dry, sunny or otherwise!

::inspiring Mondays::

I woke up to a pitch black morning today. From dark blue on Friday to pitch black on Monday... eek! By the time I left the house, "normal" levels of light had been achieved, but we're approaching the "leave the house in the dark, return home in the dark" time of year at fast speed. At very fast speed.

To make the most of the season and forget the cold, LMJ & Co went to Stowe Gardens this weekend to photograph the Autumn. Yes, it is still early for the full autumnal colour show, but any excuse will do to photograph a beautiful estate garden. Any excuse... and cream tea at the end, of course!

:: team work with Little Brother.

:: pattern testing. especially when it works at the first attempt.

:: sewing. all day. with these!

:: Autumn photography.

:: housemate dinner. so lovely!

:: collaborating on Cocina Global with Eva Linda. it's so inspiring!

:: pumpkins.

:: satisfied customers of two cute dolls! Yay!

:: morning coffee!

It rained a little today. Just enough so we know who's in charge! How was your start to the week? I'd hope happy, in spite of the morning darkness and the gentle drizzle!

::inspiring Mondays::

First Monday of the new LMJ and I'm one happy lady. It's good to be able to make good feelings last for as long as possible, don't you think?

I had a weekend of domesticity and glowing sunshine through the window. I was happy. Making the most of the great area I live in, I made my weekly shopping at small shops selling local meat and veggies; amazing quality, I'm very impressed and shall make it a habit now. I made bread (cheating slightly with the dough by using my beautifully red food mixer; yep, beauty is important everywhere!). And I spent the rest of my time sewing. I made  four dolls whilst watching Homeland (the full season 1, oh yeah!) and most of season 2 of Downton Abbey. Wonderfully productive and relaxing, my weekend!

:: sewing ♥

:: Little Brother's words of encouragement!

:: Autumn sunshine

:: Sunday morning run. I let out the steam!

:: cooking.

:: homemade bread. warm. with butter melting on it. yummy!

:: my sewing machine!

:: my room. just perfect!

:: laughing!

:: pumpkins.

:: drizzle on the cycle home. it cools one's thoughts.

:: the smell of freshly washed linen.

:: photographing two of the dolls. little snippets of life, I've missed you!

How was your start to the week? I hope this Monday has been nice to you, very nice! With tea and ice cream type of nice!

::inspiring Mondays::

It is October! October is one of my favourite months, if not THE favourite. October brought me my  little brother, after three years of boredom as a single child and for that I shall be forever grateful (to Mum and Dad, really!). 

My little brother and I are very close, we talk almost everyday, and I know I can count on him for everything and anything; neither of us will ever be alone because we'll always have each other and that is a very warm feeling. It's also good to know he'll always be honest and kindly inform me when an outfit really doesn't suit me! 

:: chatting to Little Brother about our plans ♥♥♥

:: PJ Sunday ♥

:: preparing fabrics for sewing projects. oh how I missed this.

:: combining fabrics and colours and ribbons and buttons until I smile with the result.

:: receiving a Little Miss Joey on my inbox. she's so cute that I can't wait to show her!

:: my beautifully red food mixer. oh yeah!

:: homemade bread. how delicious!

:: October. lovely.

:: a present from my dearest E., and a very timely one.

:: Autumnal sunshine... pure eye candy!

:: figs.

:: watching seven episodes of Downton Abbey... non-stop.

:: Masons. in real life!

:: running. early morning or just after work, I don't mind.

How was your Monday? A good start to the week and the month? I do hope so!

::inspiring Mondays::

Monday. Yet another Monday. I wake up less tired than I will be by the end of the week, so I guess Mondays are good like that; you're as fresh as you'll ever be for that week! The room felt chilly but the hot shower made up for it. Inventor of hot showers, LMJ sends you her love!

Autumn is arriving to the UK and I like it. Autumn is such a beautiful season, with its warm colours and Sunday afternoons filled with tea and cake, that the thought is enough to make this Joey happy. Autumn is also a time of new beginnings! Since the schools days, or 18 years of my life, Autumn was when it all began again and the feeling stuck. And how not to like new beginnings? The promise, the little nervousness about the unexpected, but ultimately the excitement of starting afresh and moving on. Yep, let it shine through on LMJ!

:: lovely girly Saturday around London.

:: walking in and around Kensington Palace. wonderful!

:: randomly finding Muriel's Kitchen and its ever so yummy food, in such a cosy atmosphere!

:: Peggy Porschen tea room and its divine red velvet cake!, in a beautifully set tea room.

:: Little Brother's random texts and pictures of his day.

:: Whatsapp. Get it! Now!

:: plant hospital. and one happier peace lily willing to have a life rather than fight for one constantly.

:: sleep. a good 10 hour straight happy sleep.

:: a much needed massage.

:: projects. prioritising projects and working out how to get things done.

:: indian takeaway on a cold evening.

:: running after work. feels soooooo good!

This was also an epiphany Monday... but more on that on another day :)

Hope you had a lovely day and a wonderful beginning to the week.

::inspiring Mondays::

I'm almost home and that is what makes this week so brilliant. That and everything else! 

This feel good feeling really made it easier to survive some minor episodes of today... I missed my train by three minutes. Yep, three! I was on the bus and every.single.thing.that.could.delay.the.bugger.did! So I missed the train. Next train: 1h11m later! Oxford station, you and I know each other well! Leaving work, delayed train. Just seven minutes. And then 10 more sitting in full view of Oxford station but unable to reach it. On a train with no open windows because it has air conditioned... except it didn't. One boiling Joey coming right out! Ta mucho FGW!

Yet, none of this is of any importance for when I get home I can eat a peach in the garden and continue knitting the mini baby cardi I'm doing for baby cousin-nephew... it looks so adorable! I envisage some baby squeezing going on. Gently, of course!

:: SUMMER!
:: going home at the end of the week. for ten days! ♥
:: sunbathing in the garden! Yay!
:: sardines. Cornish sardines!
:: a cooking adventure... more to come here! ♥
:: homemade pizza bake-off. Expect Nicky to blog about it.
:: cat sitting with JJ.
:: flip-flops. yellow flip-flops.
:: vinho verde.
:: knitting.
:: food photography!

How was your start to the week? Dramatic but fun? Just fun? Sunny? Have a lovely week whatever the start :)

::inspiring Mondays::

 

The sun is barely shining today, but I still have this feel good feeling one has when looking at yellow. If I had to pick a colour for my life, I'd say yellow. I'm a lover of colour in general, I love red (the majority of my accessories are red, like my iPhone cover) and orange. And now green. Yet it is yellow that makes me skip a beat in pure happiness when all else fails.

It's been almost a week since my birthday and all I have to say is... birthdays rock! There were people and smiles and laughter and food and presents, for almost a week, quite remarkable! And lots of yellow! I loved it all!

:: my birthday!
:: yellow {HEART}
:: my family and friends.
:: cake. cakes. cakes.
:: Old Trafford.
:: much needed back massage. bliss!
:: the iPhone. Little Brother and I text for free. yay!
:: photography.
:: my flatmates. who just smile when I've setup a mini photography studio in the kitchen.
:: sunshine!
:: adding to my British education by going to the Proms... tonight!
:: picnics. I love it!
:: bowling. such good fun.
:: lemon drizzle cake.
:: hugs.
:: hum... yellow! Hahahaha

How's this Monday going for you? I wish you a lovely start to the week, preferably with some sunshine.

::inspiring Mondays::

The London Olympics have taken the UK by storm and as a resident of this island I am proudly on the bandwagon! I'm loving it! Last Friday, LMJ watched the Opening Ceremony in awe! Seriously, Queenie, jumping off a helicopter with Mr Bond was simply brilliant. And light pink really suits you. Also, I'm available to housesit the corgis; I can provide references.

A young generation of athletes lit the Olympic torch together. Absolutely amazing! To me, this was the best part of the ceremony, bringing everyone together and truly inspiring a generation. I felt proud to be here.

The Olympics have brought about a new discovery for yours truly... I feel for this country as if it were my own, a little bit my own. As the games unfold, I find myself wanting everything to go well for more than just because; I am Portuguese, Portugal is my home, and am an adoptive daughter of this country too. It feels good! And while were at it, these Games will be excellent for me, cheering for three nations, Portugal, Brazil for LMrJ and Team GB! 

:: Women's Gymnastics. It is absolutely fabulous! My jaw has not quite got back to position yet... amazing!

:: The Olympic spirit! How wonderful it is to be part of it.

:: London so close. 

:: homemade red velvet cupcakes for LMJ. My heart just warmed up!

:: Champagne for the picnic, the pre-Olympics picnic. Style!

:: LMrJ. I miss him so but it is worth every single moment!

:: Olympic hockey... I like it!

:: friends who live close to the Olympic Park and let you sleep over.

:: laughing. I've laughing a lot these days and I love it!

My Monday has been filled with the Olympic spirit. I believe it is inspiring a generation, or several! I wish you all a wonderful week filled with inspiration and smiles.

a suggestion

via things we forget

::inspiring Mondays::

I'm here. I've been here a week and it now feels like home. An untidy-work-in-progress-but-oh-so-welcoming home. In fact, as I type I'm watching University Challenge, another part of my British education which I have yet to explore for more than one episode in a row.

It has rained for most of the day and I was lucky enough to watch it mostly from my bedroom window with coffee and a good email catch up. Yep, yours truly had this Monday off, not because it's Monday but because I needed a slow-paced day. I got one and it felt amazing. Mondays rule!, have I told you that?

:: Monday off warm feeling!

:: Coffee at home in the morning. Twice. Oh the smell of freshly made coffee!

:: Posting goodies to Little Brother and the parents. 

:: Smiling in my bedroom. 

:: Sunday lunch in East Oxford! It's home. Home with slow roast lamb and lemon possets, yummy!

:: Local shops that sell everything and anything. I'm loving this!

:: A classic, Mrs Doubtfire. Still laughing!

:: The cupboards in the kitchen. so old and cute!

:: Girly catch up over lunch.

:: Knitting club heartfelt chat. 

:: My desk. I have a big desk in my bedroom.

:: My sewing machine on said desk. So pretty it looks!

:: Yoda! ♥

How has your Monday been? I hope fulfilling, happy and dry; preferably with some sunshine! Or make your own sunshine :)

a suggestion

via i can read

a suggestion

via Pinterest

::inspiring Mondays::

This is an inspiring Monday. It has to be. Otherwise why would I be laughing now? I'll explain. I haven't had a working phone line since last Wednesday. I woke up at 5:30 today and couldn't go back to sleep. I cycled to work and it rained... so I got there soaked. My visitors arrived late. I spilt lunch on my jeans and fleece; a nice orange sauce all over it, yep! And I ran for the bus with an open backpack filled with groceries that came flying out all over the street and the plums hit a lady in the head... yep... so there! But...

I didn't feel that tired. I changed into dry clothes and had a lovely homemade porridge in work. And coffee. My visitors were sweet and chatty and inspiring! I had another fleece and could just about wash my jeans. I got all my groceries back AND made the bus! Oh... and my phone works. So there!

:: a lovely girly weekend in Bristol ♥

:: that feeling you get when you laugh so much you think you'll never stop!

:: porridge. hot porridge when you need it.

:: LMJ has a working phone and likes it!

:: cream tea! 

:: girly cocktails!

:: massages.

:: cat cuddles.

:: the rain. it smells nice. or it makes the air smell nice.

:: dry clothes.

:: a working phone. it's quite important when your LMrJ is all the way over in Rio de Janeiro!

As I write this, I laugh a bit more at how good and bad a day can be. In the end, it's a bit of a story to tell and laughing is good. So Monday wins and I win. Who wins in your Monday? :)