Hi, friend! I’m so glad you’re here!
Come on in and let’s get to know each other over a piping hot, creamy cup of coffee.
First things first, I’m a wife to Stephen and Mum to four gorgeous little people. These photos were taken when my youngest, Charlie was born. He’s now 5 – unbelievable! Jaxon is 13, Aran is 11, and Allegra is 9.
We live in Australia, in a little coastal town just a short walk from the beach. (If you’re visiting from another part of the world, that will explain my Aussie spelling and upside-down seasons. Interestingly, over 80% of my readers hail from the U.S. – I love my American friends!)
So how did I get into blogging? Well, I guess you could say that creativity is in my blood.
I actually started out teaching art and drama. I still do substitute teaching, usually about 3 days per week.
I also worked freelance for over ten years as an interior decorator for my husband’s property development company. I’ve worked on a portfolio of over a hundred homes, units and apartments over the years.
But my biggest dream has always been to be a writer. I write Christian women’s fiction, and I’m blessed to be represented by agent Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management. Sometimes the path to this dream has felt frustratingly long, but when God gives you a dream and a promise, you don’t let it go – no matter what!
So really, this blog is the perfect expression of all my passions – for interior design, writing, and all things creative. I started blogging when my kids were little and I needed a creative outlet as a stay-home Mum. Over the years there have been seasons of busy growth in the blog, and seasons where God has asked me to step away from blogging altogether to press deeper into him.
Ultimately, wherever my life journey takes me, I truly believe there is nothing better than a life lived for God. I’m passionate about hearing his voice and teaching others to do the same.
After all, the best sort of creative life is one lived hand-in-hand with the Creator! He’s the one who fills my life with sunshine, and I pray you will feel his warmth as you visit my home through the pages of this blog.
Thirty random facts about me….
1. I’m an Enneagram 4, wing 5. (No surprise to all the other artsy creatives out there!)
2. I’m vegetarian. It’s a health thing. I am so not an animal person.
3. I’m a pastor’s kid.
4. My son Aran is on the autism spectrum. You can read his story here.
5. My daughter Allegra is blind in her right eye. Here’s a bit of her journey.
6. My hubby and I love to travel. We spent 3.5 months travelling through Europe before we had the kids, and have been to more countries than I can count.
7. I’ve been to three Christian writing conferences in America and have a group of U.S. writing friends who’ve become soul sisters – we talk nearly every day on Voxer.
8. We have a dreamy oceanview block of land that we’ve owned for years and we are finally getting ready to build our dream home there – yay!
9. God miraculously healed me from anxiety 7 years ago, and I’ve never suffered from it again.
10. I’m a huge prophetic dreamer. God speaks to me through dreams almost every night. It’s really opened my eyes to how much I am seen and known by him. He knows every detail of our lives and loves us so much!
11. I’m an introvert. (That’s the wing 5.) I don’t mind being social, so long as I can hide afterward and recharge.
12. I got an OP2 at school. I was a very academic kid. People seem surprised by this. I guess I come across as a flaky blonde? Should I be insulted? Ha. 😉
13. I went to five different schools.
14. I grew up in the city, then moved to a small country town (population 2000) when I was in high-school, for my Dad’s first church. Culture shock, yes.
15. I could never live in either the city or the country again. The coast? Perfect. Small-town feel with city conveniences close by. And it’s beautiful. The Enneagram 4 in me requires beauty. 😉
16. I loath anything administrative. Again, I blame my Enneagram number for that. Us 4s like life to be transcendent and filled with wonder, not mundane. (Said tongue-in-cheek, but also painfully true!)
17. I wear a honeybee necklace nearly every day. It speaks to me about my identity in God. A bee symbolises both sweetness and strength – the honey and the sting.
18. My key life values are Justice and Mercy. I have a huge heart for justice for anyone oppressed, whether it be through racism, prejudice, or abuse. That’s how I’m wired, and it’s a big theme in my novels.
19. Don’t make me choose between coffee and wine.
20. Favourite food? Creamy pasta. Followed by dark chocolate.
21. I love to roller skate.
22. I got married when I was 21.
23. I really want a Cavoodle. Despite not being much of an animal person. I would definitely make an exception for a cute, curly little Cavoodle that doesn’t shed in my house.
24. I’m not naturally organised. I’m actually pretty scattered. I’ve had to work at it. Hence the planners and printables – they’re as much for me as for you guys!
25. I was raised in a traditional Presbyterian church and I’m now a Spirit-filled, tongues-speaking charismatic.
26. I’m a feminist. Yes, women can preach and lead in church. 🙂 And I think men are pretty awesome too.
27. I don’t watch TV. I’ll watch the very occasional movie, but I prefer to read. I KNOW, SO BORING.
28. I was vegan for a couple of years. I’ve never been so healthy in my life, but I could not quit cheese again.
29. I’m legally blind without my contact lenses. I would not recognise my own child standing in front of me.
30. I have killed every plant I’ve ever owned.
It’s great to meet you! I hope I can get to know you better in the comments.
Until then, wishing you a house full of sunshine!
