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What Is Inspired living? Be Inspired - Dream - Achieve

  • 1.1.18

Inspired living now is about being excited about life, appreciating the little moments every day and enjoying not always being perfect. It is not just about being present or breathing the correct way, although this helps. It is about embracing, investigating and being curious about anything that could be of interest. From new and old, from handmade to technology, inspired living is about finding time for you, self-discovery, dreaming big and achieving goals. Sharing together by learning, having fun and supporting each dream as we discover more about ourselves and others. 

First, we have to be inspired and then we can build to follow our dreams and adventure forward. Wherever you are heading, to begin a business, start a new hobby or home project, let's journey and get inspired together. 
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of thier dreams. - Elenor Roosevelt 
Make today the start of a new inspired you. Come and say hello on Instagram or Twitter and use the #InspiredLivingNow to share your stories little moment stories.

Joy Flatlay - Molly Margaret Designs
Ten Steps To Inspired Living Now small tweaks you can make every day to enrich your life instantly or Sign up to the Inspirational newsletter and as a bonus this month you will receive Be Inspired - Ignite Your Imagination Self-Discovery Activity Journal straight to your inbox.

To get started here are 25 Inspiring and Positive Quotes to Lift Your Day or perhaps you would like to see Five Inspiring Blogs For A Tea Break Or An Uplifting Read Now.

If like myself you are interested in growing a cutting garden or love flowers see 21 Cutting Gardens And Flower Farmers On Instagram You Should Be Following Now.

Encased you missed it you can also see 'Behind The Scenes Of A Creative Life' and visit the Molly Margaret Shop here. 

Most Popular Posts On Instagram in 2017

  • 31.12.17

Welcome as I look back at popular pictures which gained the most comments and discussions this 2017. Here I will be sharing the most popular monthly posts and favourite images of the studio right here as we move through the year ahead in 2018. These will Include new collections, fun projects and what inspired designs, positive quotes or little moments of joy.

Behind the scenes, with happiness in the studio as I hand-craft miniature bags for love and friendship gifts. These bags include vintage fabric from an antique shop in Bath, ribbons I have collected over the years and small trinkets to add a very personal touch.

Taken on the studio desk I layout the designs to dry and capture them for my records. I have to be quick if I have flowers on the table for decoration before they wilt.
Joy creating this new collection of floral inspired bags and art pictures. Each one is unique as they are made from vintage, recycled or contemporary items which are limited. Ideal as a friendship gift as each is special just like friends.

Having fun with ribbon as the sea and my little boat which sits on the desk going for a sailing one sunny day.

Follow your dreams wooden gift label designed to be a personal keepsake long after the wrapping paper has disappeared.


My favourite mini coffee cup to have a little morning coffee. These miniature bags were brought as a gift for a best friend for a special 30th Birthday.

More behind the scenes coming soon but as a special New Year gift here is a 10% off at Molly Margaret Shop, simple use this voucher code in your basket Inspired10.

Keep dreaming and let's keep moving forward together.




Five Inspiring Blogs For A Tea Break or An Uplifting Read Now

  • 27.11.17

Five blogs I love to read on my tea break or first thing in the morning for inspiration and a gentle lift for the day ahead. From escaping in the country with the Woodland Wife to fun design inspiration with Oh Joy and entertainment tips with more by Sugar and Cloth. In no particular order see the top five below.

Molly Margaret - Morning coffee while writing this post

Oh Joy
http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog

About 
Joy Cho is Founder and Creative Director of Oh Joy! Based in Los Angeles the daily blog focuses on design, fashion, food and joyful moments from everyday life. I would also recommend following on Instagram for special make you smile moments. If you need fun and fresh in your life with a dose of design greatness, this blog is for you.

Inspiration
I love the fun colours and the design which is used by Joy Cho, you never really know what will be coming next in her home decor designs and products.

Image credit to Oh Joy! - ohjoy.com 

Sugar and Cloth
https://sugarandcloth.com

About
Filled with fabulous images and lifestyle tips, from recipes, entertaining, home decor and travelling there is something to inspire any day of the week. They can also be found @sugarandcloth on Instagram with their super feed of inspiration.

Inspiration
I love the crisp images and ideas for entertaining friends, special recipes to try and the home decor is a breath of fresh air.

Image Credit Sugar and Cloth - sugarandcloth.com

Adventures and Tea Parties - Make everyday an adventure 
https://www.adventuresandteaparties.co.uk/blog

About
A fun and insight blog that shares a creative lifestyle, advocates creative awareness and supports creative brands. Also check out @adventuresandteaparties on Instagram to get involved with the Instagchallegnes, which are always good fun!

Inspiration
The type of person you want to be friends with and have over for a coffee. Supportive of creative businesses which is always going to win me over and pretty products on offer.

Image Credit to Adventures and Tea Parties - adventuresandteaparties.co.uk

Woodland Wife
http://www.thewoodlandwife.co.uk

About
The Woodland Wife is written by Jessica, who lives in the woods with her husband, her daughter, a sprocker spaniel, a cocker spaniel, and four hens.
Jessica writes about living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, her daughter, and slow living. If you crave the country life, and a sense of freedom with beautiful photography then this blog is perfect for you.

Inspiration
When I need to feel a touch of nature and comeback to the simple life then I love a read of this blog, packed with natural beauty. 
Image credit Woodland Wife - thewoodlandwife.co.uk

Wonder A While 
https://www.wanderforawhile.com

About
I was caught on Instagram by the beautiful photographs being shared (@wonderawhile Instagram) and on Kathryn Holeywell blog you can see more of these images and learn about her passion of beautiful, whimsical scenes waiting to be captured in the city. Kathryn is currently looking at how certain places are becoming very popular on Instagram which are not on any tourist map. An inspiring approach to understanding a beautiful city, and how we are all seeing it through photography.

Inspiration
The wonder of the everyday and loving the details we sometimes can easily pass, I think Wonder a While is an inspiration. I love having a browse and even visit my favourite picture areas on trips to London if I am in the area.


Image Credit Wonder A While -wanderforawhile.com


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Inspired Living In Nine Steps Your Free Download

  • 14.11.17

Simple steps to make you think about living a more positive and enriched life, to follow and achieve your dreams. These little tweaks to your life can help you appreciate small things and moments in everyday life we take for granted.
 "A year from now you will wish you had started today." Karen Lamb
In this nine step free guide you will see how small changes can make a difference, how a everyday journey or an activity can be thought of differently. If you need inspiration and you would like a change, whether a new hobby, craft activity, starting a business or about to leave university then this can help to open your mind. Come and begin you journey as we move through to fulfilling dreams and supporting each other.

Download Your Free Guide To Inspired Living In Nine Steps now, you will receive a confirmation email and download link to your guide. Other free worksheets and downloads will be offered to your first and these will have limited availability. Come join the journey together and make 2018 a year to remember. Give Me The Free Guide


Let this guide help you as we move closer towards the end of the year and the fresh new beginning of 2018. What can you put in place today to help you be inspired tomorrow and everyday.

Inspired Living In Nine Steps Free Guide
Sign up to the Molly Margaret Newsletter for your own FREE guide.

Inspire Me Trip This Month To Sorrento Italy

  • 8.8.17

Inspire me this month comes from Sorrento Italy. Inspire Me is a monthly feature where we pick a place to visit to feel inspired and get some interesting ideas, to have a few day dream moments and take photographs. It could be a local walk, a different city, country, gallery, garden or museum. I share them here and on instagram as I hope they may inspire you to visit, see something new, or just have a moment while you browse to let your ideas flow straight from wherever you are right now.

Lets get inspired trip for June and my Birthday was to Sorrento Italy, as one of my favourite places in the world. My husband Joseph took me to Sorrento in the heart of the Neapolitan Riviera, it has an abundance of olive, lemon and orange trees. We found our hotel perched high on the cliffs one side above the busy marinas and bathing platforms in the Bay of Naples. While the front of the Imperial Hotel Tramontano was situated on the Piazzo Tasso and the alluring cafes, restaurants and Italian boutique shops.

A short walk away is the beautiful fishing village Marina Grande, with it romantic lights and its rustic table settings and amazing fish restaurants. A magical place of inspiration and I have highlighted a few of the photographs below of pretty things and scenes I saw.

Pretty Pink Door Handles
These door handles with their pretty patterns and shapes made me stop to browse. I just wished I had brought a few more as we wondered through the old town of Anacapri the town high than Capri town on the Island Italian of Capri.

Bicyle Photograph Sorrento Italy 
Bicycles caught my attention in Italy, propped up against doors, walls or entrances as if people had just popped in for a moment. They always looked effortless stylish and in a moment they were quickly gone and on their way.

Fishing boat in the Bay of Naples
This fishing boat we could watch from the sun beds in the day and this was taken on the first day as we had lunch. I like to think he was catching the fish we were eating as it was always local and the only boat I could ever see going along the shore. Clear sea water, sandy shores and even little beach huts where you could get changed.



Lemons in a basket Italy
Lemons are the fruit I most associate with Italy although Sorrento is equally know for it's oranges.  From limoncello to soap and everything in between, I was amazed at the creative skill to come up with so many variations to use one fruit.

Villa San Michele Gardens Capri Italy
A visit to Villa San Michele which if you every visit Capri I would highly recommend as the gardens and the house are very impressive. We visited early and there were hardly anyone except us looking around which was fabulous as we could take photographs with no people in any of the images.

From the gardens we had an amazing view over the island of Capri and surrounded by the blue sea and bright pink flowers it really was a magnificent sight. 

Coffee cup
 Italian coffee some of the best in the world and this was a coffee at the marina under Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento watching the super yachts and busy staff getting ready for the day ahead. A little moment of mine each morning as the day started to unfold.

A view from above as coffee is sipped but it was the pattern on the floor I found the most striking. This was taken at Hotel Imperial Tramotano Sorrento Italy.

Hotel swimming pool
As the temperature soared so did my desire to jump into the swimming pool. On a hot day anywhere there is no greater way to cool off than in water. 

Inspire Me is a monthly feature where I go to find inspiration, of tiny details and photographs which I hope may inspire you from the desk or your mobile on your way home. If you can think of somewhere I should visit then let me know, as I would love some new ideas.
Sign up to the Molly Margaret newsletter to keep up to date with posts, offers and you will also receive a link to a Free Download For Inspired Living in Nine Steps. Get inspired now and start looking and loving life.

Hope you liked this months inspiration trip and be sure to come and join the community on Instagram @MollyMargaretdas I would love you to say hello! Speak soon

Love



Daydreaming Eight Benefits

  • 31.7.17

Daydreaming has a connotation of the dreamy child looking out of the school window, this is a dated view as research from neuropsychologists show daydreaming can help us achieve. Of course simply daydreaming without action will bring little results but a big dream which is followed to completion has to start somewhere. Here lets look at the positive influences of daydreaming by breaking down the benefits. 

Daydreaming on Hayling Island Beach
  1. Daydreaming keeps you motivated
Passion, belief and dreams are the most motivating reason people take a leap of faith to start something new. Envisioning the new business, career or life gain if they make a change. 

Do What You Love is often quoted as the driving force to changing your life with books such as Freedom seeker, which encourages and develops your outlook to achieve more and shows how others are reaching their goals. Focused on the positive when you see yourself living the inspired life this motivates others to help and support you too. 

  1. Giving your mind a break
Daydreaming is a normal state of mind and the periods where we focus are punctuations. Apparently 47% of your time awake the mind is wandering as found in the study by Harvard Psychologists Daniel Gilbert and Matthew A. Killingsworth found. Imagine if we could use that to help with challenges and help us over come fear. 

When your mind wanders it can become more agile and fit, If you try before a daydream to loosely think of a project, situation or subject then let your unconscious mind ponder to creatively invent possibilities. Daydreaming can be constructive for discovering creative solutions, giving us bigger dreams and ideas without barriers. 

  1. Preparing your mind
If you can image scenarios and how we would feel and react these can help us prepare. If you spend time thinking about a situation or an event then this can help focus on positive opportunities and minimise uncertainty. Spending time just to have a moment to consider on coming situations can greatly help the outcome or allow you to be ready if the result isn’t favourable. 

  1. Calm moments of clarity and insight
I am working hard on a problem, I have creative block are both common terms but after the study by Harvard psychologists Daniel Gilbert and Matthew A. Killingsworth it appears that having a break helps to form connections between information. Processing in the background as we take on unchallenging mental tasks, such as tea making, hanging out the washing, having a shower or taking a walk. 

As you relax on everyday tasks your mind can find the resource to daydream. As the study discovered spending time after first being given a task leads to more insightful responses to the task than focus and concentration do. So give yourself a real break as it could unlock the answers. 

Swami Muktananda

  1. Energy and power back
If you have a good daydream moment you can feel rested, focused and energised after the session. Putting a solution to a task or a big dream into positive next steps can boast energy levels. This in return can give a sense of achievement to the daydreamer and powerful lift to reaching the desired goal.

  1. Overcoming problems
As daydreaming has been negatively associated with ideas that we do it to dream of escaping our daily lives and almost comically winning the lottery. In reality the benefits of daydreaming are just being discovered as escaping the everyday as the busiest generation this does offer a unique space, a place I like to call the in-between. A restful place where relaxing can let the heart and mind entwine. I believe if your mind can freely wander you will find the solutions to challenges and obstacles. 

  1. Less Fear on making decisions
A wandering mind can have less fear than if we focus on our dreams, if we let our mind freely take off, then it offers a unique view to the unconscious possibilities if we removed negative feelings of what in a big dream could be possible. 

Leaving the negative inner voice before a daydream helps for positive uplifting big dreams which in the conscious mind might not be possible. A lot of celebrities including JK Rowling credit their best ideas to daydreaming, as information travels through a different part of your brain which can make you more creative.


Let Your Mind Fly Free - Kelly Rideout
  1. Inner peace as we connect
When I listen to my inner self and feel I am moving in the right direction then I sense being connected to myself and my journey through life. When I get to busy and am no longer listening then I can waste time as I go off course. I believe having quiet ‘daydream moments’ helps me when I am designing and when I am writing. It focuses and allows me to open up my creative side when in busy periods I can feel stifled and unconnected to my journey. By 'journey' I mean it could be a small dream to plant a vegetable patch or being on the board at a top Fortune 100 company. Wherever you care heading and you desire to go, daydreaming can help you. 


Daydreaming is a natural process and it is learning to harness it for a positive outcome, this isn’t going to sleep but staying alert to capture our mind wonderings. Giving your mind a chance to wonder and see obstacles or situations in a new light can help in all different parts of life.

Letting the mind drift off to daydreams can be a positive uplifting activity and using the unconscious to help us solve tasks or fulfil our dreams is a talent that like any other needs developing. 

Virginia Woolf, in her novel “To The Lighthouse,” eloquently describes this form of thinking as it unfolds inside the mind of a character named Lily:
Certainly she was losing consciousness of outer things. And as she lost consciousness of outer things … her mind kept throwing up from its depths, scenes, and names, and sayings, and memories and ideas, like a fountain spurting.

Has a daydream started something great for you or solved any problem which previously you couldn’t see a resolution? Leave a comment as it would be great to hear your experiences with daydreaming.

National Friendship Day 6th August, How Will You Celebrate

  • 27.7.17

As National Friendship Day approaches on the 6th August 2017 how will you be celebrating? As our lives get busier and more hectic the most important things seem to slip by sometimes like valuable time with friends.

Hands up I have been guilty of this to but this National Friendship Day I am going to host a special 'Friendship and Dreams' tea party. Join the group Friendship and Dreams movement by following this blog and on Facebook as very soon I will be sharing free downloads and giveaways. If you have moved to a new area and would like a supportive community then join up and let's dream big together. 
Dream Big with Friends on National Friendship Day 6th Aug 2017
For National Friendship Day Perhaps you could organise a picnic or if the weather isn't great, go out for a coffee to just catch up and share dreams. Sometimes I find with my friends before meeting up life is just busy, and tricky with childcare but when we do get together I always leave with a big smile on my face and a spring in my step. Feeling a little bit lighter and enjoying hearing moments of their lives while encouraging each other to reach our big dreams. 

Why share dreams with friends because friendship is a road of ups and downs just like dreams. If we can journey together supporting each other, it makes the adventure big or small more fun. Giving each other this encouragement also increased the chances of reaching your dream. Wherever you are heading for a big travel adventure, starting a kitchen table business or simply wanting to tackle a new project in your garden. All dreams are valued and important because they are yours. 

Happy Friendship Day to you wherever you are and whatever you are doing, to close friends and people I have yet to meet. I hope your Friendship Day is truly a happy and inspiring one. Take a peek on Instagram, share the joy for this great day and say hello. 
Zoe, Kelly (me) and Jodie 
Here are two of my bright, beautiful and supportive best friends who I will be sharing my National Friendship Day with on Sunday 6th August 2017. 

Inspire Me Pretty Things 7 Days Instachallenge

  • 24.5.17

Inspire Me 7 Day Instachallenge comes in the form of seven Days of Pretty Things. Today we kick off on Instagram and I will also be sharing any which are #7daysofprettythings.

These could be found on your commute into work, as you take a lunch break, around your home, something you have made or handcrafted? Anywhere you take a moment to look, slow and see something pretty. The little details and fabric of life, which make the journey enriched. 

The warm up image to look at the pretty little things which are always around us. This is a flat lay I put together of items around my home and from the garden. One of my favourite mini pink roses that smell gorgeous outside the back door. The next seven days is about calming and slowing down to see the little things and love them. Let's get inspired together. 



Day 1. Home Grown Poppy taken in the garden as we planted it and have watched in grow to great delight. I have always wanted one of these and previously brought or planted others but nothing as big and beautiful has come to flower as this one. 


Home Grown Poppy
Day 2 Hand crafted textile bags on the studio desk. 
Sad times in Manchester and to keep cheer for the next 7 days I am going to share random pretty things, whether they are stones, shells, flowers, these miniature bags on my desk or anything that might bring a little bit of joy. Feeling everyone needs a hug and love this week💕 Pretty things for you all and if you have something pretty please join in and use the #7daysofprettythings 



Handmade Textile Miniature Bag Art

Day 3. Friendship and Dreams
A cloud of flowers for Friendship and Dreams to show how a friend can turn a little grey cloud into something beautiful and bright. Together a story shared or a dream discussed can become a wonderful moment. After Manchester this week I have found it is even more important to show the ones we love that we are thinking of them so today was for friends everywhere.


Friendship and Dreams Flower Cloud
Day 4. Joy in Pretty Things
I love putting colourful or just interesting items together, these were found around my home but it gives me pleasure to create a picture to simply share joy.


Joy in Pretty Things


Day 5. Pretty Stones On Beach Wood 
Wood found on a beach with pretty stones, I love making patterns and seeing the designs in nature. 
Stones On Beach Wood

Day 6. Beautiful handles
I found in Capri Italy while on a wonder around the old town Anacapri these were spotted amongst the stylish shops and gorgeous Italian restaurants. As the sun was hot and shinny I turned and saw these great delights of pattern colour and textures. Inspiration really is everywhere even you least expect it. 

Pink Handles seen in Capri Italy

Day 7. Pretty in Pink Peony 
Gorgeous fluffy petals and feather centre of peonies is scrumptious. My absolute favourite flower, they just make my heart sing. I also planted a peony and one of its flowers are just about to open, excited! See more posts on Instagram

Pretty Pink Peony - My Favourite Flower

For other Inspire Me posts see Sixteen Uplifting Images and 

Inspired Living - Sixteen Uplifting Things

  • 18.5.17

I am completely snappy happy when I am out and about, I delight in the tiny details of flowers and pretty petals, the rust of an old door or peeling paint on a beach hut. For me there is beauty all around us and life sometimes needs to be slowed down just so we can feel grateful and enjoy what we can see right now.

Image 1, Hayling Island Beach while playing with my son making sand castles I turned around to spot these clouds looming. Making us feel very small and exposed on the beach from the rain which we thought was going to fall but instead much to our delight simply passed over head.

Image 2, Paint quite simply falling onto the plate as I began to make background textures for my mixed media artwork.

Image 3, The Pavilion Tearoom at Stansted Park offers wonderful food and I delight every time I see their beautiful spring flowers, in the bright yellow Colman's Mustard retro tin. I also think I must get some tins like these myself, as they look gorgeous and create great centre pieces.

Image 4, Making sand castles and playing on the beach with my two boys is a great life leveller seeing their precious child like play and wonder is a joy.

Image 5, Fresh farm shop strawberry complete with flower, inspired by how pretty and fresh these looked. These tasted like I had just picked it myself from the farm. These encouraged me to grow my own strawberries in the garden so I will let you know how these go.

Image 6, Daisy and shovel seed packet designs without the added text as these are a work in progress, straight from the studio desk. You know this as I love the green desk top which appears in lots of my Instagram pictures as I am working, worn but loved.

Image 7, Quite simply it was the beautiful bright blue sky with the magnolia tree that I couldn't help but capture the Magnolia flowers, as they appear so quickly and disappear the same way.

Image 8, Daisies brought to me by my two sons who enjoy picking them up at our local park. The next day the grass was cut very short so it was lovely that we capture them in that moment.

Image 9, Printed textile pile of fabrics, ready to create some handmade minature bags for a framed artwork order.

Image 10, A pink rose from the garden mixed with sage herb gave a lovely look to my desk, the combination also created a great smell too!

Image 11, There was a brilliant hot day in April where we got the paddling pool out and filled it with hot water from the house. Our own home made mini jacuzzi. Watching the water fill up was really relaxing and I love the bright happy colour combination. (One to note up for a future design).

Image 12, Handmade illustration for Sow A Little Happiness is part of a journal I am working on, which will include some free downloads. I will post them on my blog and send an email out once these inspiring worksheets to follow your dreams are completed. Make sure you are signed up to the newsletter to hear about them first.

Image 13, This is a throwback image as I took it a long time ago but something that makes me love it. My favourite daises with a plastic truck, something that shouldn't work but just does. Playful yet pretty and also makes me smile.

Image 14, Vintage seed packet designs are sometimes included within my mixed media artwork or I design packets for my own button flowers. I love the vintage and French designed packets, they seem to have a romantic quality.

Image 15, Hayling Island beach hut, which caught my eye although there were many bright coloured ones and prettier huts, I liked this one with its worn out wood. The peeling paint and the old rusty lock just made me photograph it much to my husband Joseph's confusion, luckily he knows me well.

Image 16, Beautiful flowers in tins again, as I plan summer parties I think of these and how they maybe used to create a dreamy and visually inspiring space to relax and have a moment with friends.

Thank you for reading and if you like these images, follow me on Instagram or comeback regularly to the blog where there are weekly Instagram round ups!


Handmade Kitchen Pasta Surface Pattern Design

  • 10.5.17


Hand-crafted miniature kitchen creations which is part of my Lilla Rogers course work for the MATS A surface pattern design course. Inspired by pasta and kitchen items for the home decoration print. See more designs in progress and everyday inspiring pretty things on Instagram.
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