The Smell of Spring

The feeling of nostalgia is a weird one. It almost feels as if your gut is being wrenched back in time, your eyes see faded half images that you can't quite piece together. It can be brought on by anything really, a certain song, a TV show, a road you haven't been down in a while; but I think the strongest trigger of them all is a smell.

I could smell a perfume my Mum hasn't worn for years and tell you for a fact that she owned it at some point in time, emotions and memories come flooding back with even the most bizarre of scents.

I started thinking about this today as I was sitting outside. The sun was shining so beautifully and there was nothing I could do to prevent myself from dashing to the garden and attempting to soak up every last ray. It hit me as I was sitting there that I could smell the change in the seasons, a thing that I've always loved being able to do. There's nothing quite as comforting as smelling spring in the air. 

Today was different though. I haven't smelt an English spring for 7 years, which sounds like an odd thing to say, but it really does smell extraordinarily different. I don't prefer it, there's nothing that makes one stand out from the other. The fact was though, that this one brought memories back like a wave of emotion. It wasn't one particular memory, nothing too vivid, but the overwhelming thing was that I could feel every single spring I've ever spent here. I felt like a child again essentially. That pure, unadulterated glee that you feel when you're little and the sun comes out for the first time in months. 

The blossom tree in the back garden is seriously beautiful.

Theres something about garden sheds that screams spring and I still have no idea why??

Naturally I reached for my camera to attempt to capture some fraction of what I was feeling. And to be completely honest I think I did an alright job, (though to be fair the sun makes it very hard to get a  bad photo). 

Then this entire fiasco somehow managed to turn into a puppy photoshoot with the resident 'gorgeous-ball-of-fluff', Evie. If anything she only assisted in capturing that feeling that I'd been aiming for. She seemed to be just as thrilled with the sun as I was, and just happens to be an excellent model!

like seriously she photographs so well, even when there's lens flare all up in her face

Soph also made cupcakes which I felt I should include as they're super pretty and spring-y

So after a cupcake (or... maybe three) and some time to reflect, I think the weirdest thing about the  the smell of spring, is that one day, it'll stop feeling so nostalgic. Even more off putting is that the next time I smell the seasons change in Australia, I might feel just as nostalgic as I did today. 

I've yet to decide whether I like the feeling of nostalgia, in some ways it's comforting to know that those memories are still there, but on the other hand, it can be painful to think that you maybe aren't the person that you were when you initially felt them. Self growth is weird, fascinating, but definitely weird. 

Until next time, which let's be honest, could be months from now... soz not soz? 

Georgina Kay ♥

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Christmas has been, and I think always will be, my absolute favourite time of year. I adore every aspect of it, from the lights and carols to the ridiculous over commercialisation of the whole holiday. (People can complain all they want but, come on, there's nothing better than Christmas hampers like helloooooooo?!) 

I think a large majority of the magic that surrounds Christmas is due to the memories that you create each year, specifically those from when you were younger. Obviously this is different for everyone, but for me Christmas was always a time filled with so much excitement, and the adults in my life went to extremes to make it as magical as possible. (This included magic reindeer dust, fake snow footprints, letters from Santa himself, you name it they probably did it!) 

(Little Georgina and her bestie 4 da restie... of winter)

(First Christmas in Aus a.k.a 'lol why is it hot')

Moving to Australia was a shock to the system season wise anyway,  but I think the biggest shock for all of our little family unit, was how Christmas felt. The first Christmas we spent in Australia, none of the four of us were quite sure how to embrace the spirit of the season as we always had. This was partially due to us not knowing how to respond to a summer christmas, but mainly due to the lack of extended family. Going from at least ten people a year to just the four of us left us confused as to what to do with our day. 

Over the past few years we've learnt to adapt to our ever changing Christmases, and over all I'm completely thrilled that I've had the opportunity to experience it in so many different ways. This year as we're flying to the UK a few days before the big day though, we've not been able to put up a tree (I KNOW. HORRIBLE) but we have managed to mish-mash together a selection of decorations to boost the festive feel of the household.

(Mum decided to get inventive, pretty cute really)

(No but like she thinks she's dead cool for creating this)

(Weird little star shaped snowmen ???)

(Mother also decided to purchase a weird twiggy tree with lights on, which again, looks pretty darn cute.)

In summary Christmas is a bit of a weird one for our clan, but will forever be the absolute bestest. I'm so incredibly excited for spending this one with our extended family and have my fingers crossed for a little snow but to be completely honest that would probably be asking too much of English weather.

If you've for some reason persisted and read through this then I hope you have a beautiful festive season xx

Georgina Kay ♥

p.s. I know what you were thinking, 'WOW LOOK AT THOSE FANTASTICALLY PRETTY PICTURES GEORGINA MUST HAVE A SLIGHTLY DECENT CAMERA TO TAKE THOSE', and you would be 1000% correct. My beautiful parentals surprised both James and I with our presents early, mine being a fantastic replacement camera! I love those two <3

The Kata Tjuta Vow

This week was one chock full of incredible, inspiring, and at times, upsetting moments. With moments such as these though, come lessons. Sometimes those lessons are small trivial ones, and sometimes they bear a far more significant meaning. 

(I mean hot daaaaamn look at this baby, how could you not)

Kata Tjuta was the first sight I saw upon landing in the NT. In fact I saw it before the plane actually landed and was still making its decent. In that moment I was blown away by the beauty of it, the size of it, the natural curves and imperfections that the formation also known as The Olgas, seemed to possess. 

As well as the fact that the place seemed to click with me on a spiritual level, in that moment I became astoundingly aware of the impact that a 'first impression' can have on a person. There is nothing more incredible or exhilarating than experiencing something for the first time. This sudden awareness that I'd developed hit me so hard that I literally, right there in that moment, wrote a vow to myself that I would never stop searching out the new, and the beautiful wonders of the world. 

As this was most likely the last family holiday I would be spending with my (you guessed it) family, it held quite significant sentimental value in that aspect also. I adore my family to the ends of the earth and nothing will ever be able to take away from the incredible memories we shared adventuring in a new place together. 

(we're so frickin cute look at dis shit)

There was so much laughter and wonder shared between us, only a fraction of which I managed to capture through the photos I took, but I was thrilled with the knowledge that it was a fraction I would be able to keep with me forever.

Unfortunately, as I am a blundering idiot who manages to somehow screw up some aspect of everything I do, I managed to leave my camera on the plane home. As a result of this I have spent the last 48 hours wallowing in grief and regret, more upset over the loss of my photos than my camera in general.

With each negative, though, comes a positive. The one that has resonated most with me through this experience, is my family's relentless support of me. Regardless of how completely first-world-problem-y, or how bitter and unpleasant I was within those couple of days, they were so completely supportive. From offering hugs every two seconds, to literally calling everywhere that could potentially help in the locating and returning of my camera , they are just so so SO incredibly beautiful. 

After a couple of days reflection, the lessons that have presented themselves along with the ups and downs of this holiday have become clear. And regardless of the downs, I'm pleased with the lessons that appear along side them.

Georgina Kay ♥

Photo credit goes to wherespablo.com

and my beautiful Mother - Katrina Holmes