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Hello 2013!

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DWYL declaration

(The Do What You Love declaration and a sneak peek at our new branding, all to unveiled very shortly with a brand new website!)

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I have a very good feeling about this year.

Apart from the fact that I am getting married(!!) there is so much to look forward to. And there is something in the air that makes it feel like a year full of possibility.

I know there are some big changes coming, but I am excited about them all.

How about you? What are you hoping for in the year ahead?

Whatever it is, I hope you spend 2013 doing what you love!

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PS Do What You Love is getting a major overhaul for the new year – stay tuned for a brand new website later this month, with heaps of fresh resources to help you make 2013 the year you finally start doing what you love, for life!

Farewell 2012

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A cup of celebratory gold-leaf tea

A cup of celebratory gold-leaf tea for you

2012 was always going to be a big year. It had a circle round it in the ten year calendar of my mind ever since London won the right to host the Olympics back in 2005. And for many years I was involved in that monumental build up… but then I changed track, and ended up here, with a very different 2012 from that which I had imagined. It has been a sparkling, eye opening, special year, so I thought I would write it a letter.

Dear 2012,

You were extraordinary.

You made me slow down, speak up, laugh every day.

You made me move half way round the world, and back again.

You taught me how to make beautiful paper with my own two hands.

You showed me sunrises and sunsets, mountains, sand dunes, ocean, sky.

You introduced me to some amazing new people, and saw me get engaged to my true love.

You were full of adventures, you made me learn and grow, you pushed the boundaries of what I thought I could do.

You surprised me, uplifted me, delighted me.

And you have brought me here to the cusp of 2013, where I have no idea what is going to happen next year, except that I am going to get married, go on a honeymoon, start a new chapter and choose love.

I am grateful for so many of the things, people, experiences, opportunities you presented – please have a word with 2013 so they keep on coming!

Thank you 2012. For everything. I will miss you

Beth

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Wherever you are in the world, whatever year lies behind you, and whatever year lies ahead of you, I wish you a moment of stillness to be thankful, and to choose to make 2013 the year that YOU do what you love.

Introducing the Wall Of Wisdom

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Wall of wisdom

The other day I painted every inch of a wall in our house black. Not just any black – blackboard black! And now I can doodle and scribble to my heart’s content. It is such fun!

And in the process I decided to write an inspirational quote on there and thought it looked cool. And so the Wall of Wisdom was born. Every Monday I am going to share an inspiring quote from my Wall of Wisdom – sometimes musings of mine, and sometimes those of others. I am going to start with the quotes you told us are your favourites (in the comments of this post).

And if this day – December 21 2012, is not the end of the world as some predict, then what a perfect day to begin the rest of your life. There is no better time to ask “What are you waiting for?”

Please feel free to share the Black Wall of Wisdom images on your blog/Facebook/Twitter and inspire someone today and every Friday!

The Simple Things

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The Simple Things DWYL BLOG TUNEINCHILLOUT 650X250PX LR

Have you discovered this beautiful magazine yet? I have been a subscriber since issue 2 and I absolutely love it. The magazine is a celebration of all simple things in life – from gathering round a bonfire to eating with friends, from making gifts by hand to exploring the countryside. There are delicious words, unusual stories, mouthwatering recipes and breathtaking photography. There are wise words, and things your grandparents knew about but have somehow got lost in time. It is a magazine that encourages you to pause for a moment, be grateful, and do something simple just because it is fun, beautiful, special.

I have a feeling you might like ‘The Simple Things’ too.

The Simple Things magazine

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What makes a good marriage?

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Save the date - Paul & Beth Kempton

Today is my parents’ 41st wedding anniversary. 41 years. That is a long long time. Longer than I have been alive.

As I prepare for my own wedding next year, it is fun to get excited about all the plans and ideas for the big day itself, but what comes after that is even more exciting. The fact that I am going to be married to my favourite person, hopefully for the rest of my life.

Thinking of my own parents’ very long marriage, it has made me wonder what it takes to make it work for so long. So I thought I’d ask you. What do you think makes a good marriage? What do you wish someone had told you just before you walked down the aisle?

Are the things that make a good marriage the same things that make a good life?

Please share your advice and thoughts in the comments below for this bride-to-be…

Christmas is coming! (+ studio renovation!)

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 Christmas - noel

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… For me the Christmas music goes on from November 1 (along with some cheeky fairy lights), and then when December 1 comes round the tree goes up, the mince pies go in the oven and the merriment begins.

I love all the build up – the hours spent choosing the perfect presents and wrapping them, going for long walks in frosty nature, singing carols with gloved hands wrapped around hot mulled wine… Christmas is one of my very favourite times of year.

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Selvedge

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Selvedge magazine

For those of you who have not discovered Selvedge magazine, I encourage you to seek it out. Dedicated to ‘textiles in fashion, fine art, interiors, travel and shopping’, the Nov/Dec issue is, as always, a visual feast. It feels like midwinter, with the snowy white cover and wintry woodland photoshoot (complete with eagles and horses) showing off exquisite textiles at their best.

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And the winners are… DWYL birthday giveaways announced

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DWYL birthday cake

[Image: Kao Sosa]

WOW. Over 500 entries from 27 different countries across the world – thank you so much. It was a joy to read everyone’s comments, and I was so inspired by the 100+ beautiful quotes shared. Thank you too for your kind words and birthday wishes. It felt like a huge hug being sent from all corners of the world.

And so to the winners… it is always hard to choose only a handful of people out of so many, but here we go…

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