“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ...

Marcel Proust

I just got off a Zoom call with my dear friends. We’ve been meeting every weekend for about 4 years now. Because we’ve been meeting consistently for so long, we’ve developed a deep friendship, along with a level of comfort in speaking our truths and also being open to hearing the truth from each other. Never having met in person…..we are hoping to meet each other one day soon, but this friendship has been such a gift to me in this season of my life.

Today, in our meeting, I expressed the desire to become more interesting to myself. One of my ladies mentioned Proust. Do I truly desire new landscapes? Or do I simply need new eyes? Perhaps both.

Possibly another reason why I have committed to this adventure of daily writing.

As an artist, designer, and on-and-off businesswoman, the focus has mostly been creating interest for my customers and clients.

It is feeling like quite a mundane “good” habit that is suddenly boring me to tears.

So…….

I don’t want to be interesting to you.

I want to be interesting to ME.

Where is this going to lead? I have no idea! Or do I?

Here are some ideas on my mind and in my heart.

Revisiting the classics through the eyes and the heart of a grown woman….(I read Madame Bovary for Sixth form French! What could a 16/17-year-old possibly understand about Madame Bovary???? And her “ennui”…..possibly the restlessness I am feeling in this season of my life.

Revisiting wine. I am no Sommelier by any stretch of the imagination. Again, my knowledge of wine stems from being a wedding designer and having a broad enough knowledge to make informed recommendations as I was helping my clients plan their events. I don’t drink in this season of my life, more the reason why to explore, for my own interests.

The world of perfume. I have worn the SAME perfume for over 30 years. My faithful Coco Chanel Parfum. Writing this is making me feel archaic! Heavens! In all honesty, I don’t think I will ever be able to live without Coco, but as a new hobby and interest, I think it will be a world of fun!

Tea. I am a great devotee of tea. It is all I drink. One of my friends, above, just completed a level of her training/education as a Sommelier of Tea. I am unabashedly going to follow in her footsteps! Another excuse to expand my collection of teacups and a continued exploration of their provenance.

I hesitate to place roses on this list because roses feel like the utmost definition of my essence…so I will follow Proust’s lead here….to explore and rediscover roses through new eyes…

The magnificent Miranda Lambert proudly grown in my garden.

Exquisite Impractical Lingerie. Not to purchase or recommend to others. To wear or not to wear, simply the exploration of it all.

The otherworldly design of Strumpet and Pink

This is all I have for today. I know there will be more.

I’m already feeling a sense of excitement at the newness!

Of course, as I continue to write there will be the usual suspects…..Fashion, Art, Poetry, Interiors, Luxury, The Most Unforgettable Women in History…..I don’t know who I would be without these subjects. I am simply in dire need of newness.

What about you?

Are you feeling bored? Possibly stagnant with life? Have I inspired you in any way to explore new horizons? Please tell me if you’re feeling the way I’ve been feeling. What would you like to explore? I would love to know.

Until then,

All my love.

Aphrodite

I Need Me To Fascinate Me