Write on Wednesday: I thought I saw...

I'm joining Ink, Paper, Pen for Write on Wednesdays!  I'm a bit late this week, its already Friday.....

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 20 - Write the words " I thought I saw" at the top of your page. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Write the first words that come into your head after the prompt. Don't take you pen off the page (or fingers off the keyboard). Stop only when the buzzer rings! Do this exercise over and over if you wish. Write beyond 5 minutes if you like, you can link it up as an extra post.

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I thought I saw him on the train, in the mall, at the beach, walking through a crowd.  I thought I saw him everywhere back then.  They always looked like him, long and lean with dark hair that hung in its own peculiar way, lanky and spiky as if Adam Ant and Billy Idol had gone to the same hairdresser. I never realized so many people had that kind of hair.  I would see him in the distance, from the back, and my eyes would pop open.  I couldn’t think about anything or anyone until I had walked faster and caught up alongside to see who this was.

I don’t know why I allowed myself to search them out.  I knew, deep down, it wasn't going to be him.  But sometimes they would give me such a shock and I just had to know. It was always a disappointment. There was only one thing about them that looked the same – their hair from the back – their faces were not like his, their eyes were not like his and they didn’t smile like him either.  He had a great smile.

Up until last week, it had been a long time since I thought I saw him.  Time has moved on, there have been weddings and kids and divorces, life has been busy.  But last week I thought I saw him again.  The same lanky limbs, the same dark hair.  I was waiting on the platform and, out of curiosity, deliberately shifted to see his face.  I was surprised, this one looked a lot like him.

I stood on the platform and stared.  Time stood still.  I realized, with a jolt, that time had been standing still for nearly 20 years.  This stranger on the platform looked like the memory of someone I knew a long time ago. One stupid decision to ride on the back of a motorbike means my first love will always be 20 years old to me.  

Wordless Wednesday: I'm blushing...

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys and Faith, hope and whole lotta love! 

for Wordless Wednesday

All images from my Pinterest board "Just because you're beautiful"

5 Sentence Fiction: Shenanigans

I'm joining 5 Sentence Fiction with Lillie McFerrin Writes today.

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the inspiration word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just take your inspiration from that word. 

This week’s inspiration word is: SHENANIGANS

Tom Murphy, blonde and lean, sauntered around the corner of the stables, snapping his braces over his shoulders as he walked out of the sunshine.   His skin, warm and tanned and lightly sheened with moisture, stuck to the thin cotton of his shirt.

St. Cloud, his Lordship’s favourite ride, nuzzled Tom's neck as he began mucking out the stall.  Tom grinned and pushed the stallion’s head away, whistling to himself as he daydreamed about the long white lavender-scented legs of his Lordship’s favourite daughter.

Working nearby, old Peters leaned forward on his pitchfork and surveyed Tom thoughtfully with a raised eyebrow, ‘you’ll get yourself thrown out of this place if you keep up those shenanigans.’

Marie Antoinette - Magnifique!

I have always been drawn to the story of Marie Antoinette.  There is something both beautiful and tragic about her life and death.  This post is a pictorial look at her life and legacy.....

"Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna" was not French.  She was born in Austria in 1755, the youngest daughter of the Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia.  She was generally addressed as 'Madame Antoine' at the Austrian court.

Marie Antoinette came to France in 1770 as a 15 year old to marry the Dauphin of France, Louis-Auguste, later known as Louis XVI of France.   Louis-Auguste was unable to consummate the marriage for 7 years.

Marie Antoinette lived at Versaille, the centre of the French court, also the centre of fashion, music, wit, intrigue and scandal.  Back then, everything was big....the hair, the hats and the dresses....

Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine in October 1793, two weeks before her 38th birthday.  On the morning of her execution her hair was cut and she was dressed in a simple white muslin dress to be paraded through the streets of Paris.  The only words spoken at her execution were 'Monsieur, I beg your pardon' as she apologised to the executioner for stepping on his foot.  

One of the best biographies I have read about the life of Marie Antoinette is 'Marie Antoinette, The Journey' by Antonia Fraser.  It gives a fascinating insight into her marriage, her romances and court life at Versailles.

One of my favourite movies ever is Sofia Coppola's 2006 movie, "Marie Antoinette", starring Kirsten Dunst.  The decadence, lavishness and at times, silliness, of the period are perfectly captured by the sets and costumes in the movie.  It's a visual feast for the eyes with a modern twist to the telling.

Marie Antoinette died 5 years after the First Fleet arrived in Australia.  It's fair to imagine that the ships travelling between England and Botany Bay carried the news of her arrest and execution and it would have been talked about and discussed even here in the new colony.

Over 200 years later, the life of Marie Antoinette and the fashions of the court of Versaille, are still inspiring art and fashion today.  Vive` Marie!

Polly Dolly: Bridesmaid

I'm linking up with Danimezza for this week's Polly Dolly Polyvore challenge!

This week's inspiration is BRIDESMAID....

It's a summer garden wedding and Polly's simple but stylish tulip dress is made from recycled vintage fabric.  Our very modern bridesmaid wears her flowers in her hair and carries a velvet bow clutch instead.  And being a very practical girl, Polly has even bought along her ballet flats to dance away the afternoon.

Items in this set

Cute Recycled Fabric Dresses By H&M | Keetsa Mattress Store - Keetsa! Blog... keetsa.com	MYLA Isabella French Knickers 140 AUD - harrods.com Myla »
	Wonderbra Ultimate strapless lace bra 56 AUD - houseoffraser.co.uk No strap bras »
	Pink Ribbon Cancer Awareness - Nude Platform Shoes - Costumes, 801666 buycostumes.com Costume shoes »
	Chloé Ballet Slipper 420 AUD - barneys.com Slipper shoes »
	Moschino Cheap And Chic Pink Suede Bow Design Clutch Bag 385 AUD - profilebrighton.co.uk Clutch bags »
	Gabrielle Sanchez Faceted Pink Topaz Earrings 1 035 AUD - barneys.com 18k jewelry »
	Classic Georgian Citrine & Pearl Ring - The Three Graces georgianjewelry.com White pearl jewelry »
	Bijoux Heart Ainse Je 24-karat gold-plated Swarovski crystal ring 325 AUD - net-a-porter.com Gold plated jewelry »
	Clarins 'Rouge Prodige' Color Definition Lipstick Miami Pink One Size 24 AUD - nordstrom.com
	Guerlain Les Parisiennes L'Ame D'Un Heros Eau De Parfum 245 AUD - neimanmarcus.com
	Yves Saint Laurent Paris Perfumed Bath & Shower Gel, 4.2 oz. 41 AUD - macys.com
	Dior 'Diorlisse' Ridge Filler for Nails Pink Petal 500 One Size 21 AUD - nordstrom.com

Thankful Thursdays: One Life

What am I thankful for?

I am thankful to be alive.  I am thankful for this hard, crazy, higgledy piggledy, emotional, uphill climb and downhill run that is my life.  I am thankful for all the experiences I've had - even the horrible ones.

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I am thankful for all the times I've laughed, all the times I've kissed my children, all the times I've looked out the window and smiled because its sunny.

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I am thankful for the all the times I've cried in the shower, or sat with my head in my hands or been so angry I could cry with frustration (no-one ever got stronger by being happy all the time).

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I am thankful for all the beautiful things and all the ugly things that are beautiful in their own way.

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Life is the strangest thing.  There is nothing quite like it to find out what kind of a person you are - your strengths, your weaknesses, your motives, your belief systems, the lessons you've learned along the way.

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I am thankful for every second of this life and when I am old and grey I will look back and think to myself 'wow! that was one hell of a ride!'

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I'm joining Thankful Thursday with Kate Says Stuff.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Tempting Treats...

Fancy a little bit of crumpet?  Here are some yummy English actors to ogle (my favourite kind!).  Remember ladies, just because you are on a diet doesn't mean you can't look at the food :)

 Jonathon Rhys Meyers, ohhhh my!  Who is  your favourite?

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys and Faith, hope and whole lotta love! 

for (Almost) Wordless Wednesday