Simple Joys 2.0

things that carry us onwards

we're all about spring colours here

These Simple Joys posts are about collecting up some of the things that we’ve been enjoying lately – the things bringing us simple joy. Using the word enjoy isn’t accidental either, in fact where the word comes from helps drive home what our hope is for this collection of posts.

enjoy (v.)

late 14c., “rejoice, be glad” (intransitive), from stem of Old French enjoir “to give joy, rejoice, take delight in,” from Latin gaudere “rejoice” (see joy );

Scroll on for some of the things we’ve been enjoying lately; 

top five

1. Yellow Gumboots

I’ve wanted a pair of yellow gumboots for ages. A few years ago, my then two year old God-daughter had a pair and I wished that my not so large adult feet might be able to find a pair of their own. I’m pleased to say this is now a reality. Who wouldn’t want a pair of gumboots that make you smile every time you see them? In my mind, life is too short not to have yellow gumboots when it rains.

2. Spring Colours

The spring colours, filling front yards and vines wrapped around fences, really have been amazing. It’s the pastels that get me.   

3. Biscuits in Pink Boxes (Boss Biscuits)

Last time I wrote about my discovery and love of Ted Lasso. Unfortunately, Season II has come to a close. But to celebrate I made shortbread biscuits and put them in a pink box, in honour of it all. It’s those small efforts & nods that I love a lot.
A Recipe & template for the boxes are available here.

4. Pens that glide

Again, life is too short to only use average tools to create beautiful things. My personal favourite tool at the moment are Signo Gel Pens. They appropriately sell themselves as “offering smooth-flowing ink that delivers consistent, vivid lines that allow your work to truly shine and that they add flair and personality, smoothly glide over the page with control for a shimmering, vibrant appeal.” 

5. A favourite mug

The first post here on CURATE was appropriately about the importance of a cup of tea. Over the last few months, I have routinely started my day with a bright yellow smiley mug that just feels right in my hand. In fact, if the mug isn’t clean and ready to use in the morning I find myself rectifying the situation pretty quickly! Here’s to routine and simple rituals that bring comfort.

[Issy, Aotearoa]

joy-collective 0.2

Below is a full feature of some of the things we have been loving recently and what has been bringing us joy. We hope you enjoy them and they might inspire joy in you too.

Spring Vines

I’m not really a purple kind of person, but this vine that I got to enjoy over a few weeks while it grew into full bloom along the fence line makes me very happy.
There is something about pastels that I would happily have present all the time. Unfortunately in this case they eventually drop onto the driveway until next year.

Yellow Gumboots

I’ve wanted a pair of yellow gumboots for ages. I mean, who wouldn’t want a pair of gumboots that make you smile every time you see them? In my mind, life is too short not to have yellow gumboots when it rains.

This pair came from across the ditch, from a company based in Melbourne called Merry People.

Boss Biscuits

Last time I wrote about my discovery and love of Ted Lasso. Unfortunately, Season II has come to a close.

But to celebrate I made shortbread biscuits and put them in a pink box, in honour of it all. It’s those small efforts & nods that I love a lot.

Symbolism that helps us grow

Why’s there a picture of a hedgehog shaped ceramic pot?

There’s a powerful analogy about a hedgehog that researcher and author Jim Collins has used to explain how we can focus our energy and decide what goals we will focus on.

You can find out more about this by listening to Brené Brown’s Podcast or this summary.

A New Album

I’ve been enough of Ed Sheeran fan for a good while now. It’s been nice to enjoy some new music with the familiar style, a few twists and lyrics that tend to connect here and there. So far, Collide is probably my favourite.

Pens that glide

Again, life is too short to only use average tools to create beautiful things. My personal favourite tool at the moment are Signo Gel Pens. They appropriately sell themselves as offering smooth-flowing ink that delivers consistent, vivid lines that adds flair and personality.

A favourite mug

Over the last few months, I have routinely started my day with a bright yellow smiley mug that just feels right in my hand. In fact, if the mug isn’t clean and ready to use in the morning I find myself rectifying the situation pretty quickly! Here’s to routine and simple rituals that bring comfort.

Front Yards in Bloom

There isn’t much more to say other than that front yards laden with trees in pink bloom make me very happy.

I live in a pretty unimpressive city when it comes to its aesthetic, but the spring trees make for quite a show. I don’t like it much when they eventually fall.

“Simple things bring infinite pleasure. Yet it takes a while to realise that. But once simple is in, complex is out – forever.”

Joan Marques