With all the talk these days about finding joy in the simplest things, I thought it would be a good place to start this blog. I wanted a space to share thoughts and ideas, to get the words down. The world is a busy crazy place with constant distractions, and I felt like I needed an exercise to gather my thoughts. If no one ever reads a word, that is ok. I have other ventures that I promote, this is just simple ramblings about my life and the bits here and there that I find interesting.

For all those new here, I am an artist. I have pretty much painted at least one thing every day since I was 10. So, when I see other artists on IG doing the 100-day challenge, doing a painting a day for 100 days, I think my God, if only! I still paint or design something every day, the big challenge for me is to open up and write something at least once a week? That might be too much, we’ll see. I will not keep to a theme, sometimes it will be art, food or fashion, France, whatever I’m thinking at the moment. This is my sketchy life after all.

So, two years ago, my husband and I left the US and moved to the south of France. Taking only the items we found meaningful, and what would actually fit into our 1-bedroom apartment, we have learned to live a bit more simply. Now don’t get me wrong, simple doesn’t mean without luxury, I love pretty things, we both do. However, we really are aware of the meaning, or the feeling of the furnishings or objects that we surround ourselves with. There has to be something that draws you to a piece. Right? I would rather live without something until I find the right one.

I was thinking the other day that everything in our home has a story. Literally, point at anything and it has a story of how it arrived at that spot. Have you ever gone into a home, usually a nice home, and it is perfectly decorated with all the correct trends? Like a showroom at a furniture store. It should feel like the people who live there but looking around, you feel nothing. Soulless. I hate that.

So here in France when people buy a house or apartment, many times they will buy everything. I mean every stick of furniture, paintings, dishes, lights, decorative stuff. Everything. That is so bizarre to me. So, you move into a house with your suitcases and begin living in someone else’s stuff. I mean there is no connection to anything. Now I’m not talking about buying a rental property that you wouldn’t be living in. I get that, that is different. I just feel like there is a disconnect that has happened somewhere. I could be going off on a tangent here, but I don’t think so. If you put thought into what you surround yourself with it makes a difference in your day-to-day existence.

So back to starting simple. Look around your space, wherever that is, and think about the simple items you enjoy. Mismatched mugs, worn rug or chipped vase. These are the very pieces that give your home soul.

Cheers, M