Friday Buoy: Inspiration Round-up!

Kia Ora from soggy Auckland! Thanks for all the great feedback about last week's Friday Inspiration Round-up - I think it's going to become a thing. I could use some serious buoy action today (possibly quite literally - this rain is relentless!) so let's jump right in...

Melting moments! {above} These shortbread and lemon biscuits get around the New Zealand cafe circuit. I'd been eyeing them since I arrived and yesterday finally gave in. Verdict? Amazing. They look stunning in big glass jars and I love the forky imprint.


Last week I noticed we've got a few bakers in the house, so I'm going to throw my favorite cupcake recipe of all time out there. Honestly, if you try it and aren't convinced you can have your money back. It's Amy Sedaris's vanilla cupcake and it's ranked the 2nd best cupcake in NYC - amazing but not full of itself, the perfect combo. I always use it as my cupcake base and add customizable ingredients (like cinnamon swirl!) to push the boat out.

My next buoys are estrogen-packed, but just by chance...

• My dear friend Jess and her husband Andrew are on a journey towards international adoption, and to raise some funds (it ain't cheap!), she's started an accessories company! Check out Wild Poppy on etsy for a taste of her hand-crafted and vintage-inspired wares.
• I read this a while ago but wanted to share it now. It's the most precious birth story of a little girl called Nella, born with Downs Syndrome. It's beautiful, touching, tear-jearking and makes you want to be a better human. I don't know how to give it a harder sell, but it's worth the read. 

On a lighter note, some fun new blogs/ websites/ on-line mags/ web portals to check out...

• Style escapism at it's finest...this is glamorous & decor8
• Delish is a lovely new on-line mag hot of the press with the tag line 'live like you mean it'. And since Delish was my high school nickname, I'm doubly smitten. 

And creative inspiration from War of Art author Steven Pressfield. Check out his post on 'training', a theme that resonates with me. Honestly, Mr.Pressfield's message about pushing through Resistance is powerful stuff.

Well, I better get to work on a few projects...

What's inspiring you this week?