Surfing The Wave

Look at the Stars, Look how they Shine for You...

2012-02-17T15:12:00.001-08:00

Image via Pinterest

Words - Coldplay

Happy Weekend :)

Change The World - Top 10 Fundamentals....

2012-02-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

Image via Pinterest

Who's Afraid of The Big Bad Brother...?

2012-02-10T06:29:00.000-08:00

I've just finished reading a post over at Synchro Secrets. Authors, Rob and Trish MacGregor who are based in America, run the cool and quirky site which feature all kinds of interesting articles about everything from synchronicities and the unseen, to politics and pop culture. This article - Big Brother and the Internet - highlights a concerning trend amongst some people, towards shying away from the limelight, due to fear of being 'monitored'. I agree with Rob & Trish's views on this subject.

If we, as individuals, have dreams & visions, opinions, insights & ideals and if we want those to have any impact on our shared reality, then we have to be willing to share those parts of ourselves, come what may.

The goal posts only appear to be changing. Being afraid to be visible on the internet is really no different from being afraid to attend a public rally or speak up at a public meeting. Yes, there are examples of people who have suffered greatly through their decision to put themselves in the limelight, but where would our world be without the much publicised wisdom of MLK, Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama, to name but a few?

It takes courage to expose yourself and your thoughts, but expanding and sharing with a loving heart, rather than retreating through fear is the only way for each of us to play a role in continuing to create a more harmonious world. As you say, this is the only way that there can ever be hope of a truly positive and powerful paradigm shift.

Happy Valentines Weekend! :)

Who's That Girl.....?

2012-02-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

It's Jess! Awww, sometimes, a new TV show comes along that is just so heart-warmingly lovely and heart-stompingly funny that it deserves a great big blog bosie! (Note: Bosie is a Scottish word for cuddle). The New Girl features the gorgeous Zooey Deschanel (as Jess) and three funny, loveable male actors we've never seen before. It's the funniest sit-com I've seen since Friends. Shmidt is the new Joey - and even funnier. Here's a peek at his antics...

Also, I've just been sent this amazing interactive video. It's truly geeky and just like the TV show, that's what makes it so adorable. Sigh. We heart The New Girl.

Life....

2012-01-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

Another flash of wisdom, via Susan Hyatt.

Create & Connect...

2012-01-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Hope you had a lovely festive season. I've just come back from a break to receive a cool gift from Miranda over at Create & Connect. Following a blog post about choosing a 'Word Of The Year', she generously created a lovely piece of shell artwork in celebration of my chosen word of the year 'Surf'. It was delivered in beautiful gift-wrap this morning, all the way from Luxembourg! What a great start to 2012. Thanks again to you Miranda for taking the time to do this...and I look forward to following your progress in keeping it 'Real' throughout 2012 too! :) You can check out Miranda's great work over at Create & Connect. Also, I stumbled upon the above beautiful image via this post, 'Surf Through Life' over at Jessica Mullen's blog.

Word Up! 2012

2011-12-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

It's probably one of the most asked questions at this time of year. What's your new year's resolution for 2012? Have you decided yet? Or, does the very idea of New Year's Resolutions make you like you've failed already? For many of us, that's how it is. We make some resolutions, put ourselves under huge pressure to achieve them and then set ourselves up for inevitable failure. Instead, how about choosing just one powerful word to guide you throughout the year? I first heard about this last year via 'Live Creative' coach Christine Kane, who provides a free Word Of The Year toolkit on her blog.

At the beginning of 2011, the word I chose was flourish. Like me, you may find that just one little word will guide you in subtle ways. Everyday decisions will become aligned with your chosen word, even without you realising it. For example, in January 2011, I realised - not for the first time - that I didn't move my body enough. I'd never been one for sticking to punishing exercise routines. I decided to try a home DVD flow yoga practice. Usually, following an enthusiastic start, my exercise routine would grind to a complete halt within a few weeks. This time though, that guiding word 'flourish" seemed to keep me on the right path. It amazes me to say that I've been practicing several short-but-sweet sessions a week for over a year now - it's become a genuinely pleasurable ritual. This may seem like a drop in the ocean to more active people but it's a major turnaround for me!! It's also just one example of how having a Word Of The Year can really help to guide your intentions, actions and choices.

In 2012, I'm embracing the Jon Kabat-Zinn quote, "we can't stop the waves, but we can learn how to surf". My Word Of the Year is Surf. So, what's your word of the year for 2012? Again, if you like the idea of this, but you're not sure how to get started, don't forget to download this Word Of The Year toolkit.

Happy Festive Season....

& Happy New Year - 2012

This Could Be Your Lucky Day...

2011-12-07T02:30:00.001-08:00

click on the image to enlarge

We've all met them, eh? Lucky People. The ones that just seem to land on their feet, things go their way, they lead a charmed life! Are they born lucky? I think many people who seem lucky actually just choose to throw a little idealism + intention + action into the mix of their every day reality....

So, I kind of liked this little manifesto from www.hyatt.com - especially the bit about not waiting till you're retired to do something that's a big dream. The song I'm listening to right now is called 'First Day Of My Life' by Bright Eyes. How appropriate. So, this is the first day of the rest of your life....

Will this be your lucky day?

Time To Help...

2011-12-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

I had a strange synchronicity today around the theme of be the change. I've just finished watching the film version of 'The Help' - a strong interpretation of the novel about the racial inequality, violence and turbulence of 1960s Mississippi, as viewed through the eyes of black women working as 'the help' in white middle class homes. During this time - in America - many people were truly afraid to stand up for the rights of the oppressed. The risks of joining the civil rights movement ranged from social exclusion to imprisonment or even death. Spoiler Alert: Please don't read on if you have not seen the film/read the book and want to do so in the future. At the end of the film, one of the main characters is fired from her job as a 'help' after courageously giving her testimonial about her working life in the deep south to a progressive white female journalist. Suddenly without a job, she decides to begin writing her own stories and the truth about her own experiences. The very final words she says are...

"god says we need to love our enemies. It's hard to do...but it can start by telling the truth. No-one had ever asked what it felt like to be me. Once I told the truth about that, I felt free. And I got to thinking about all the people I know and the things I seen and done, my boy always said we gonna have a writer in the family one day, I guess it's gonna be me".

Straight after the film, I opened the only email in my inbox. It was an inspirational note from The Secret Scrolls and uncannily, it echoed the sentiment of the film...

"Change in a country begins with one person. Each country reflects the inner peace or turmoil of its mass population, and so as one person changes they affect the rest of the population. One person has the power within them to bring massive change to their country through immense love and peace within themselves. But we cannot bring about peace and well-being to our country unless we have conquered that in our own life. Do you see? You cannot give what you do not have. Each person's job is to bring utter harmony into their own life, and then they will become the greatest human gift for their country and the world."

The 1960s will always be remembered as a time when many people, in spite of their fears found the courage to stand up for those less fortunate, for equality, for our world and for peace. Is the time for change (a positive kind) here again? It's seems like the whisper is growing louder....

Can you help?

Be The Change - Working The System

2011-11-24T13:25:00.001-08:00

Following our introductory post News Flash - Be The Change, as promised, here are a few of the ways that people all over the world are showing it's possible to truly "be the change you want to see in the world". As I began writing, I realised that the list is virtually endless, so I'm posting these ideas in a series...

Part 2 - Educate Yourself

Part 3 - Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

Part 4 - Change Begins At Home

Part 5 - Give Peace A Chance

This is Part 6...

Working The System

I've left till last, what for many is the toughest challenge in their intention to 'be the change'. If we live within society, for the most part, we have to work, pay taxes and connect with everyone around us. So, what if our outer life (our jobs, social circle, the system) is at odds with our inner life (our beliefs, ethics and philosophy)? Do you leave your ethics at the door? Do you turn your back, walk away and look for a new place and people that better suit you? Or do you endeavour to affect change from within? There's no single answer and sometimes there doesn't appear to be an easy answer. While some believe that external circumstances are the biggest obstacles, I would venture that achieving clarity and self esteem are key to overcoming obstacles. In turn, self-education is fundamental to building clarity, self esteem and ultimately courage. The more we read inspirational and instructional stories from the trail blazers who have gone before us, the easier it is to see that they were just ordinary people like you and me, who somehow found the courage to be the change...

Become A Practical Visionary Author of the book 'Practical Visionary' went from being a hippy protester and living in a Scottish eco-village to directing a national task force for President Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development. She outlines a future in which 'spiritual politics' is the norm and she provides a road map for getting there. We all have a role to play - whether you're a peace activist, entrepreneur or embedded in corporate culture.

Make A Living By Being Yourself This book by Neil Crofts inspired me - and many others. It's an introduction to an alternative way of looking at entrenched belief systems and social norms. It encourages each of us to follow our passions and principles by stepping outside a system that doesn't serve us. It asks us to consider how we might begin to earn a living by being ourselves - while also creating a better world.

Leap and The Net Will Appear Christine Kane overcame personal obstacles to carve out a career as a musician and later as a mentor to women (and men) who are now following their own passion and helping to improve the world. Her blog is crammed full of free advice on making the transition from employee to entrepreneur. A favourite motto is "leap and the net will appear".

Start Where You Are Chris Gardner is the inspiration for the Will Smith film, Pursuit of Happyness. He went from homeless man to multi-millionnaire. His aim, through speaking engagements and media projects is to help other people realise their full potential.

Anything You Want In 2008, entrepreneur Derek Sivers sold his company, CD Baby for $22 million, giving the proceeds to a charitable trust for music education. In his easy-read book, he chronicles the ups and downs of creating his business, why he chose to sell up and what compelled him to give away so much money!

Business As Unusual One of my all time favourite business-woman-change-activists, Anita Roddick, wrote this book about her experience of combining profits with principles as she took The Body Shop from a little store in Brighton to an international high-street brand.

The Deeper Secret This down-to-earth book by Annemarie Postma expands upon the ideas behind 'Law Of Attraction' to suggest that rather than asking what can I 'get', the better question might be what does life want from me? This book can help the reader delve inwards to discover their purpose and how to live it. The follow up, 'The Secret Within' is also practical and thought provoking - "humankind has a far greater influence on the whole than we realize. If we knew our true power, we would know that we absolutely can change the world, starting with ourselves. But nothing can ever change for those who close their eyes to what is." - Annemarie Postma.

Shut Up & Sing? This is actually a DVD. As noted in wikipedia, the film follows The Dixie Chicks, an extremely successful all-woman Texas-based country music trio, over a three year period. During this time, they face intense public scrutiny, fan backlash, physical threats and pressure from both corporate and conservative political elements in the United States. Why? Their lead singer Natalie Maines publicly criticised then President of the United States, George W Bush, during a live 2003 concert in London as part of their Top of The World tour. The film also shows how the girls learn to stand up for their beliefs and ride the storm.

To The Edge Of The Sky Finally, this is the personal story of Anhua Gao - one woman's struggle to stand up for her beliefs, not against an employer or corporation but an entire cultural and political ideology. The story is both horrifying and filled with hope. Against incredible odds, she survived to tell the tale. Also, weaved throughout this true story are references to Anhua's parents. The way they chose to live and how they treated people, created a powerful ripple effect in their daughter's life long after they were gone.

I really hope some of these people and their stories will inspire you! I could go on and on, yet no matter how much we write, read, watch or talk about it, there's only one way to truly improve our own lives - and create a positive and powerful ripple effect in the world.

Take Action.

Now Is The Time.

Be The Change....

Be The Change - Give Peace A Chance

2011-11-24T12:42:00.000-08:00

Part 2 - Educate Yourself

Part 3 - Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

Part 4 - Change Begins At Home

This is Part 5 ....
Give Peace A Chance

It's an old cliche but wouldn't we all love peace on earth? Yet, who really believes it's possible? We say we want peace but so much of our focus is on the opposite of that. We argue with our loved ones, get grumpy with our colleagues and neighbours, we watch war on the news and in films, we take sides and make judgements. Could it be that it's all connected? I recently discovered this saying - "energy flows where attention goes". It suggests that if we really want to achieve peace in our own lives and in the world, we should be focused on creating and supporting peace wherever possible. According to web sources, Mother Theresa once said: " I will never attend an anti-war rally; if you have a peace rally, invite me". Do you see the difference? Where's your focus? I'm sure Mother Theresa would be pleased to know that Peace One Day and countless more organisations are working to shift our focus to peaceful action...

Peace Direct From London's inner cities to some of the world's best known conflict zones, this organisation is promoting, celebrating and creating peace from within communities. Inspirational stories about people turning towards peace in spite of being on the receiving end of hate and violence themselves are miraculous and truly inspirational.

Just Vision This media organisation is working in the heart of Palestine and Israel to bring to light, the successful peaceful activism of citizens across the region. These types of stories don't seem to make the mainstream news, as noted by producer Julia Bacha on Ted Talks.

Soldiers of Conscience In this powerful feature-length documentary, now available to watch free online, American soldiers who fought in Iraq, discuss what happens when there's a conflict between following orders and following your heart - with some ultimately becoming conscientious objectors.

Charter For Compassion I discovered this through watching a beautiful speech by the founder, once again on Ted Talks. If we want peace, we must be peace. This starts within. This starts with compassion. Could you sign the charter for compassion and then endeavour every day to be more compassionate?

Next...

Part 6 - Working The System

Be The Change - Change Begins At Home

2011-11-24T06:41:00.001-08:00

Part 2 - Educate Yourself

Part 3 - Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

This is part 4....

Change Begins At Home

Getting your house in order, once again, often ties back to how you're spending your money. As consumers, we find ourselves buying a whole lot of unnecessary stuff. This video - The Story Of Stuff - is one of the most straight-forward explanations I've seen for how the system doesn't work. What can we do?

People Power

The way we source power has become a massive issue. We all know that modern society has been built around our use of oil. Plastics, travel, heating, clothing. We're still using oil as part of our everyday lifestyle. We complain about rising fuel bills but in Canada, indigenous people are paying the real price for our dependence on this resource. In Nigeria too, major oil firms have been breaching human rights for decades. Stories like these are repeated all over the world. Many people in this country are now complaining because oil is being replaced by huge wind farms that spoil our own landscapes. So what are the options? Could you switch to a more ethical energy supplier that focuses on small-scale renewables? Could you invest in your own solar panels or wind turbine? Is your home well insulated? Also, could you turn down the heating, switch off the lights, and avoid leaving your shower, TV and other appliances on standby?

Non-Plastic? Fantastic!

If you're socially and environmentally aware, you'll be under no illusions about the negative effects of plastic production and pollution. So, could you swap a big plastic tub of margarine for butter wrapped in paper? What about choosing milk in tetra-pak cartons instead of plastic bottles? Could you ditch bottled water and install a tap filter? Could you live without yoghurt in plastic tubs? Use soap instead of plastic-packed body wash? Reusable razors instead of disposable? Also, it's worth noting that recycling is a great way to alleviate most issues but there's really no such thing as "recycling" plastic. The best we can do is down-cycle our plastic waste to poorer quality plastic products. Eventually, it still becomes tiny particles that destroys our own food-change. The Story of Bottled Water is another brilliant insight into how plastic pollutes our lives.

Make Food Good
No doubt you've heard it all before. Battery farmed chickens, over-fishing, over-packaged meats and vegetables, over-use of farmland for meat production while much of the world is starving for a few grains. Are you over it yet? Again, there are ways to create a better system. Support local butchers, fishmongers or farm shops instead of buying over-packaged meats and vegetables. Request free-range and sustainably sourced products in shops or when eating out. It's embarrassing to be different at first but it worked for vegetarians! Speaking of which, could you eat more vegetable based meals? If you love meat, try wild venison, boar or other delicious alternatives to factory farmed products. Could you choose more fair trade products? Experiment with quality over quantity. In the supermarket, look for items with the least packaging or those which can easily be recycled as glass, paper or aluminium. These kinds of materials can be easily recycled - indefinitely! Seriously, plastic-packed sandwiches - so last decade!

What Not To Wear

When did clothes become another single-use disposable item? Is your wardrobe packed with lots of clothes you don't really love to wear? Until recently, this is how it was for me. Finally, I de-cluttered and now have just a few items that I love. Life is simpler and someone else is hopefully benefiting from the excess - via the charity shop and textiles recycling. Some high street stores are responding to calls for fairer trade and more eco-friendly textiles, so it's worth supporting these fashion lines wherever possible. Meanwhle, couldn't we all do the earth a favour and learn to love our clothes a little longer? If you're looking for inspiration, check out Eco Chic and this one for the gals - Ethics Girls.

image via here

Zen Your Space
A healthy home leads to a healthier environment. Do you use eco-friendly household cleaning products? When decorating, do you choose FSC certified woods and non-toxic paints? What about all the "stuff" that gathers dust in cupboards? If you have old electrical appliances, they can be sent to the recycling centre. If you have reusable appliances that you no longer want, GumTree is a great way to make a quick sale online. So much of our used electrics find their way to dumping grounds abroad - and people are living among the toxic chemicals. Here's The Story Of Electronics. Videos like these encourage more of us to think twice about whether we really need the latest electrical gadget, when our existing one still works perfectly!
Eco-Entertainment
Love music, dvds and books? For those of us with computers, so much can now be digitally downloaded - avoiding the need for hard copies that use up so many of our resources. If you really like to have something you can hold in your hand - that's how I feel about books - Amazon is great for top quality second hand products. Recycling at its simplest!

Trains, Planes & Automobiles
More pollution, more oil consumption. So, how about reducing the burden by hopping on the bus? If you do really need a car, is it big or small? Fuel efficient or a big gas guzzler? Do you drive everywhere or is walking an option?

You Stayed Where?
I know we don't get the sunniest weather in this country but it's still pretty beautiful! Could you trade a foreign holiday (especially those weekend breaks) for a stay-cation? How about spending the night in a tipi or a luxury eco-hotel? Perhaps experience travelling Europe by rail rather than by taking a flight. Also, we love these websites for holiday inspiration - Canopy & Stars, Sawdays Special Places To Stay and Responsible Travel.

These are just many of the options available to all of us. You'll know the best choice for you! Everything in balance....

Next....

Part 5 - Give Peace A Chance

Be The Change - Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is...

2011-11-24T05:02:00.000-08:00

Part 2 - Educate Yourself

This is part 3....

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

Many people still don't realise that via high street banking choices, we may be complicit in funding environmental and human rights abuses throughout the world. This sounds extreme but the money that banks receive via your savings accounts, mortgages, pensions, investments and so on all play a part. For example, in Canada, the world's filthiest form of oil extraction from tar is underway with the financial support of many of the big high street banks. The Canadian Tar Sands is destroying pristine habitat and the home land of indigenous people. Equally, you could be investing in the arms industry, animal testing or any number of activities that you might not normally wish to support. What's the alternative? Actually, there are a few....

The Cooperative Bank This bank appears quite similar to a conventional high street bank. Yet, they're quite different too! They actively campaign against social and environmental injustice including the devastating Canadian Tar Sands. They give customers the opportunity to vote on their ethical policy. In addition, they provide ethical investment opportunities which clearly define what types of industries they will not fund. Every year they refuse business loans to organisations that don't meet their ethical guidelines.

Crowd Funding & Civilised Money A brand new people-to-people banking revolution. Their tagline is 'enriching people'. You can also invest directly in small businesses and social initatives you wish to help grow.

Triodos Bank Their current motto is "more green, less greed". Triodos is an ethical bank which offers savings accounts and investments. They only finance projects with social and environmental benefits.
The Ecology Building Society This organisation is a building society with a difference. When you place your savings with them you help to fund mortgages that lead to a more sustainable future. And if you have plans for a property or project that will improve our shared environment, you can potentially take out your mortgage with them.

So, we've collectively been doing a lot of complaining about big banks lately. Could you call up a more ethical bank today and ask them to help you switch accounts? Next time you're looking for a loan or mortgage or somewhere to invest, don't forget there are always options...

Invest In Giving Finally, some people wholeheartedly believe in the personal and global benefits of giving back to our sources of inspiration. If you love to swim in the sea, find a way to invest in keeping the oceans clean. If you love to walk in the mountains, invest in your local mountain rescue. Equally, charity isn't really charity, it's ultimately an investment. As the old wisdom traditions say, as you sow, so shall you reap. If you don't like seeing homelessness or environmental pollution or human rights abuses, it may be time to invest some of your earnings in initiatives that promote solutions and positive alternatives? If you don't have any spare cash at all, remember that there are other ways to give too - so that isn't really an issue! Also, investing money isn't always about receiving financial gains in return. You may be surprised and delighted by the unexpected benefits you experience when learning to give and receive - in balance.

Next - Change Begins At Home

Be The Change - Educate Yourself...

2011-11-24T04:33:00.000-08:00

Following our recent post News Flash - Be The Change, as promised, here are a few of the ways that people all over the world are showing it's possible to truly "be the change you want to see in the world". As I began writing, I realised that the list is virtually endless, so I'm posting these ideas in a series.

This is part 2....

Educate Yourself

There are potentially healthier and more pro-active ways to become better educated about the world than watching (or reading) "the news" everyday. These are amongst my own favourite sources of information and insight...

Ted Talks - This not-for-profit organisation take their conferences all over the world. Each event focuses on a different theme, then the talks are broadcast on their website. Their motto is 'ideas worth spreading'. If you spend an hour a week watching Ted Talks - usually 15 minute excerpts - you'll discover the thousands of people working towards a better future, each within their own field of excellence. Most of them end their inspirational talk with a call to action, a way to help or to implement changes in your own life.

Apparrently, 38 Degrees is the angle at which an avalanche happens...

Despite rarely watching the news, I sometimes have conversations with people who do and often feel surprised at how much information I haven't missed. In the last few days, I've been updated via email on various issues such as threats to the NHS, a proposed death-penalty against homosexuals in Uganda, internet censorship, Murdoch's media, US lobbying to reintroduce the use of cluster bombs, the Occupy Movement, the rising cost of energy, The Robin Hood Tax and so on.

Avaaz and 38 Degrees are two key campaign organisations who use email alerts to highlight injustice at home and abroad. You may not be interested in or agree with their perspective on all the issues but receiving their emails is a great way to keep up to date. If you want to know more, you can investigate further and if you want to help swiftly mobilise campaigns for change you can instantly sign a petition via email, donate, spread the word via social media, write to your mp and vote on which issues are the most important to you.

Instead of watching the news and feeling hopeless, people now have a means to take action on issues that concern them and like an avalanche, it can all happen quickly enough to create true momentum.

Next....

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

News Flash!

2011-11-08T03:16:00.000-08:00

It's been some time since I watched the nightly news. It became a lot like being unable to see the woods for the trees. As I struggled to sift through the infinite details, statistics, points of view, bias and propaganda associated with any given subject, the knot in my stomach tightened. I cared about the world - but it all seemed so complex. Any single positive action an individual might take to reduce environmental and human rights abuses, global conflicts or corruption would surely be pointless, given the apparent intricacies of our global problems.

Eventually, I switched off the TV. What good can a person do if a nightly dose of news is leaving them stressed, depressed and paralyzed by fear? When the fog cleared a little, I was reminded of the simple, historic quote most often attributed to Gandhi. "Be the change you want to see in the world. It helped me realise we don't all need a degree in social studies, economics or environmental science to affect positive change. Instead, we can open our eyes, use a big pinch of common sense and endeavor to act with compassion - in day-to-day life.

The "be the change" slogan has never been more relevant. Despite avoiding mainstream news, I've been aware of the Occupy Movement and it's heartening to see people campaign for a fairer system. There's just one thing that troubles me....

"There's Got To Be Something
Better Than In The Middle..."
- The Wallflowers

According to some commentators, this current wave of campaigning appears only to have gathered momentum because our current system has now failed the middle class too. If this is the case, are the protests simply perpetuating the kind of self interest that got us into this mess?

After all, for years, many of us were unquestioningly buying into lifestyles and dreams associated with mortgages, loans, pensions, shares, investments and wanton consumption, while the so-called under class, working class and many people living in third world countries suffered as a result. All too often, these people were - and still are - ignored. Many of the key issues and the ways we can influence them, don't even make the mainstream news.

So, here's the main point. It seems to me that staying glued to the news, tying ourselves up in knots with disturbing information, protesting about powerful governments and wealthy businessmen, then returning to our business as usual is counter-productive. Of course, we can turn a blind eye, choose the most cynical point-of-view or keep our focus on blaming others, but that's just giving away our power as individuals. Likewise, we can protest to affect positive change for ourselves and our own immediate circle, then quit when we've achieved that goal, but some would argue that this type of behaviour is selfish and unsustainable. It's a karma thing.

Wise words from people like Gandhi have been pointing to the same truth for years. If we really want lasting change, the very first step is to walk our talk, to be the change. The good news is that once you begin tapping into 'alternative media' the stream of inspiration is limitless. In the next posts, I'll highlight some great ideas, initiatives and people that show it's possible to move in a more empowering direction, while creating a positive ripple effect for ourselves and others....

Part 2 - Educate Yourself

Part 3 - Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

Part 4 - Change Begins At Home

Part 5 - Give Peace A Chance

Part 6 - Working The System

Have You Got The F.E.A.R...?

2011-10-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I turn lately, it seems people are caught up in 'fear'. Economic fears, environmental fears, security fears, fear of failure, fear of the future - these days it seems healthier to stop watching mainstream news and avoid being sucked into the collective 'fear-based mentality'. Elsewhere, we are encouraged to face our fears, feel the fear, move past our fears. Urgh! So much emotional pressure tied up in one little word. F.E.A.R. What can a person do when that one word seems to be lurking around every corner? Personally, I like to listen to this song. It seems to turn the concept of F.E.A.R on its head...

For each a road
For everyman a religion
Find everybody and rule
F*** everything and rumble
Forget everything and remember
For everything a reason
Forgive everybody and remember

F.E.A.R.

Finding eternity arouses reactions
Freeing excellence affects reality
Fallen empires are running
Find earth and reap

Fantastic expectations Amazing revelations
Final execution and resurrection
Free expression as revolution
Finding everything and realizing

You got the F.E.A.R

Forget Everything And Remember
For Everything A Reason

Synchronicity - Butterflies & The Bigger Picture...

2011-09-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

syn·chro·nic·i·ty definition

a meaningful coincidence; the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality —used especially in the psychology of C. G. Jung

I have to admit - I love all this stuff! Apparently, us pisceans are sterotypically dreamy, airy-fairy and very responsive to mysticism...so that explains it. Isn't it exciting to try and peek behind the veil of everyday life in search of deeper meanings, unseen connections and a richer understanding of life itself? So, given this prior interest, it's probably no big surprise that when my bus didn't turn up at the usual time and place in Edinburgh on Wednesday, I decided to walk to the main bus station via the bookshop - where I picked up a book called 'The 7 Secrets of Synchronicity'. Packed with stories about serendipitous coincidences that change the flow of individual lives, it seemed like a fun way to while away the hours. Sometimes though, while enjoying these types of books, I also try to approach them with a little healthy scepticism. After all, surely if we're thinking about the idea of synchronicity, we are far more likely to be "on the look out" for patterns and indeed more likely to attribute meaning to random coincidences?

So, what was at work - or not - when I noted the pretty blue butterfly on the cover of the book as I paid at the counter. A couple of minutes later, as I walked along my unexpected route to the bus station, I looked up to see a billboard featuring a huge blue butterfly and the words "Discover The Bigger Picture". A couple more minutes later, as I waited in the bus station, I opened the book and was immediately struck by an acknowlegement to the author's friend - a piscean - who "saw the larger picture". Coincidence or Synchronicity? I've found recently that every time I roll my eyes in an attempt to be level-headed and skeptical about concepts like synchronicity, something happens to send me swimming right back in the direction of believing in a mysterious - yet meaningful - universe! If you have any synchronistic experiences to share, I'd love to hear...

Meanwhile, the book above is a nice little introduction to the myriad ways that one might experiment with synchronicity - from astrology and numerology to the law of attraction or by simply paying attention to potentially meaningful signs, symbols and patterns in daily life. Find out more here.

Butterfly image via National Museum of Scotland.

The Apple of My Eye...

2011-08-25T04:09:00.000-07:00

As Steve Jobs, the college-drop out and revolutionary co-founder of Apple steps down, I want to share this amazing speech, given to college graduates at Stanford. To view the full fabulous 15 minute video, head over to The Voice Of...

Meanwhile, here are a few of the most inspiring quotes...

"much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on..."

"You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever - because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path..and that will make all the difference."

"Sometimes life's gonna hit you on the head with a brick - don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love and that's as true for your work as it is for your lovers. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't settle."

"Remembering you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart... Your time is limited. Don't waste it by living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma which is living with the results of other people's thinking...don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice...and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition...they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

"Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

Flourish - Like The Lotus Flower...

2011-08-24T05:39:00.000-07:00

Image via here

In day-to-day existence, it can feel like outside circumstances are insurmountable. As we react to the world around us, our minds can become so tangled up in the weeds of unhappiness and confusion that even when we are offered hope and nourishment, we turn away through fear of further disappointment - inadvertently stifling the growth of ourselves and others.

Other times though, when we are willing to look beyond the confusion, nature itself points to simpler truths - the ones that seem to make calming, perfect sense - even when we can't really explain why.

Have you ever been mesmerised by the ebb and flow of the tides? It's a pattern repeated throughout nature - giving & receiving, breathing in & breathing out, night & day, echoing the wisdom that 'true harmony comes from balance'.

And what of our purpose and place in the world, as individuals? How can those suffering great challenges and uncertainty find a way to believe in ourselves and each other? A beautiful example in nature is the lotus flower. Found in ponds and near the edge of large bodies of water, the seed of the lotus begins its life amidst the mud and the dirt. Yet instinctively it grows up through all of this into a perfect, untainted flower which sits upon the water's surface, with beauty, grace and fully centred in the natural flow of life. In many cultures, the lotus flower is a symbol of wisdom, prosperity and wealth.

I believe, that inside each of us, there is a potential that is meant to be fulfilled. Like the seed of the lotus flower - despite being shrouded in darkness - our purpose is seeking to unfold. Of course, we will be challenged to push through the dirt along the way. In the darkness, it can appear as though failure is inevitable. Yet, if we follow our instincts and remain fixed on the simple truth - that we are here to fulfil our own unique purpose - we will reach into the light...and flourish. It's our natural reason for being.

It's all happening...

2011-08-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

image - myke black

Late summer has been bringing lots of action our way. It seems like recent posts have all been travel related - saying goodbye to the campervan, road trips, air trips, shopping trips! I guess we have been flying the nest quite a lot lately. We're going to be based here at the studios more often in the coming weeks, but we're no less busy with some exciting projects! Here's the latest from Acoustic Wave...

Media & Promotion...

I've been in my studio by the sea (and at studios in the cities too) producing voice overs for some names you might recognise - BBC promos, STV commercials, The Hilton, The Cooperative, Barnardos. Find out more and be inspired by history's great voices of inspiration over at The Voice Of...

Events...

Singer-songwriter Myke Black and local artist boutique Funky Scottish are gearing up for our next Acoustic Wave Cafe. Also, we've just announced the mouth-watering menu! Find out more at Postcards From The Coast.

Music...

Our resident singer-songwriter James Lowe continues to strum his beautiful songs - but with one less guitar. He's selling a Martin! Find out more and tune in to his music & musings at James Lowe - Music.

Bespoke Hospitality...

Over at The Elemental Kitchen, we have a local, late summer wedding to create! We also recently posted recipes and snapshots of our latest assignments on the Isle of Mull and Corsica. Find out more at The Secret Ingredient.

Oh, while you're surfing...don't miss the Face Book pages for The Elemental Kitchen, Vicky Watt - Voice Artist, James Lowe - Music and Acoustic Wave Cafe! See, told ya - it's all happening!

...and they all lived happily ever after?

2011-08-12T03:07:00.000-07:00

Well, less than a week after my melancholy over saying goodbye to Sunny The Campervan, moping over his potential imminent demise and wondering what life will look like without him, he's actually gone. BUT....no scrap heap, no end of the road! In fact, it's a whole new beginning. He's going to shed his old skin, take some time out and will definitely come back brighter! Yes, Sunny is soon to be reborn as one of the fleet at Escape Campers. We've enjoyed several years with the old fella, but now everyone will have an opportunity to experience the unique and fabulous character of a 1988 VW Campervan! Also, rather than panicking about suddenly not owning a set of wheels anymore, I'm joining the slow-travel movement again. It feels liberating to know that for the moment, I don't need to worry about tax, mots, car insurance, breakdown cover or mechanic fees. It's possible to walk, jump on a bus or train, hire a car if absolutely necessary - there's even a bicycle around here somewhere... Of course, our campervan was never speedy gonzalez, but it's amazing how much more we can see and experience when we really shift down a gear. Anyway, it's all worked out for the best! What about you? Have you been afraid to part with something and then discovered that saying goodbye actually set you free? Have you gone vehicle-less and taken the long way round? I'd love to hear...

Meanwhile, the adventure continues and I'm looking forward to free-wheelin' a while...

The End Of The Road?

2011-07-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

Sigh. A few days ago, my beloved campervan - a 1988 VW called Sunny - had a severe heart attack (engine failure) and he's in really bad shape...

Our journey together began in 2007. Sitting on the church steps at the top of Leith Walk in Edinburgh - during a short lunch break - my soon-to-be-travelling companion and I chewed over the reality of redundancies and corporate boredom. We wondered what we were going to do next. Then, we saw it. An old retro VW campervan packed with travel gear - and a happy couple - gliding across the round-about and into the distance. That was the moment. Within a few weeks we'd found our very own campervan - Sunny. We quit our jobs and sold our homes. Suddenly, a big free-wheelin' adventure - and a whole new lifestyle - was on the horizon...

So, now, as I consider saying goodbye to him, I'm unsettled, sad and nostalgic. If I don't have the resources to put him back on the road...maybe his time is up? And worse, I know it's only a vehicle but I'm even left feeling unsure about my own future! The campervan has been a symbol of the freedom and adventure that I spent some time searching for - could this be a sign that the joy-ride is over?

Well, lets really think this through. In camper van terms, Sunny is pretty old - approaching 25 - but surely someone can put him back on his feet...

...and with that in mind, maybe I'm not ready for the scrap heap either? As a very wise person once said, death will come soon enough, there's no need to go running to meet it. So, I wonder why we often find ourselves doing just that? It seems this often happens for the first time around age 25 (funnily enough) as we move from the playground of youth into the 'adult' stages of life's journey. We start out with dreams of uncharted territories and wonderful new horizons. Then, maybe we hit a few bumps, learn that life isn't all smooth running and slam on the brakes!

Of course, this can happen at any stage in life, for any reason and the experience will always bring us to an inevitable fork in the road. One way, there's a beautiful, exciting winding track that leads to who knows where - and yep, the steep upward curves can look frightening. The other way is a long straight road - and on the horizon there's a flat, predictable landscape.

Which one is the road less travelled?

Well, my adventurous ole camper-van has zoomed up and down Scotland's highest mountain pass, he's scaled the heights of the French alps, zipped round the hair-pin bend at Monte Carlo...

...camped out beneath Ben Nevis, negotiated precarious back roads and discovered secret camping spots on The Isle of Mull, sat beneath starry skies and looked out across the water to Venice, circled Lake Garda, hopped on a ferry in the busy heart of Barcelona, survived the roads of Naples (twice), skirted around the cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula....

...he's been a tour bus, camped at a back-of-beyond wild mountain wedding, he was snowed in for 4 months in the Scottish highlands and finally, he found his way to a new home by the ocean on Scotland's east coast. And I was lucky enough to be with him for every turn of the wheel....

Now, at this new crossroads, I may soon be parting ways with ole Sunny. But, I'll never forget the lessons he re-taught me. The ideals of freedom and adventure aren't about hanging on to youth. They're about celebrating life. Sometimes we get side-tracked by those nagging doubts. Is this it? The fun part is over? Sigh... All downhill from here? Well, it isn't true. We are born to seek freedom & adventure - start to finish! In the end - at the very end of the road - beyond the hills, over the many bumps and round the corners, we have no idea what the landscape will look like. So wherever possible, I will do my best to make the most of the journey. Life is the adventure!

Did you ever have to let go of a precious vehicle or possession? Did you learn any precious lessons?

No Such Thing As Business Ethics?

2011-07-30T03:24:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working my way through Seth Godin's blog - which is all great! I especially loved this article called No Such Thing As Business Ethics. Would you agree? Do you have a favourite 'ethical business'? What do you love about them?

Image via Google Images, photographer unknown

Bon Voyage? You Can Decide...

2011-07-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a bad travelling experience? Do you loathe the process - all those trains, planes & automobiles - of getting from A to B?

At one point or another, we have to leave the comfort zone and spend some time travelling - maybe for a work assignment or to reach a holiday destination. Our most recent journey was for a "work trip" to Corsica. Before we knew it, 2 weeks had passed and we were beginning a full day of travelling home-wards. Maybe some of this story will sound familiar? It was just one of those days...

... everything seemed to go wrong. After a late night, I was feeling a little bit worse for wear. The taxi journey along those winding roads to the airport was tough going. At the airport cafe, I spilled a full cup of coffee all over the table - and my skirt. We arrived at Paris CDG airport for a connecting flight and security guards (with guns) herded us all away from check-in due to a security issue. Later, the boarding pass machine had a malfunction - so I had to stand in a long queue for manual check-in. At baggage handling, my partner's bag was too heavy - he had to remove some items. The flight was delayed. The cafe food was rubbish and overpriced. Finally, back at Edinburgh airport, our local taxi driver had taken the day off. So we were forced to join the airport taxi queue where we were quoted £20 above our standard fare for the journey home. We arrived home tired and a few £££ worse off. What a horrible day huh?!

Hmmm - lets go back to the beginning. Here's our journey viewed from a slightly different perspective...

After a late night celebrating the end of our wonderful two week bespoke hospitality assignment at a beautiful private villa, we said goodbye to our lovely clients. We jumped in a taxi organised by a kind housekeeper whose fluent French ensured that we were picked up at exactly the intended time. At the little airport, I found us a cafe table - the only one available - while my partner went to order. Our taxi driver re-appeared at the cafe's bar and generously bought my partner a drink. When I spilled my coffee, the attentive waiter swiftly cleaned up - and brought me a fresh cup, free of charge. In Paris, the good natured ticket assistant corrected a misprint on my booking details. It would have been missed by the boarding pass machine and could have become an issue at the security gates - eek! At Edinburgh airport, we quickly reached the front of a short taxi queue. The driver quoted us his higher fare but agreed to meet us half way. We finally arrived home, feeling very grateful to him, to all the other kind and generous people we met that day and for the sheer miracle of travel - allowing us to journey from Corsica to Scotland in just a few hours. So, we payed our driver his original fee, plus a tip.

They say travel helps us to broaden our horizons - it's a chance to see life from an alternative point of view. That's a pretty cool way of looking at it. Bon Voyage....

clock image via here

Musician Myke Black surfs the Acoustic Wave...

2011-07-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

We're so excited to confirm Aberdeen singer-songwriter & rising Scottish star - Myke Black - for the next Acoustic Wave Cafe! Find out more over at Postcards From The Coast.

Like a fish in water...?

2011-06-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

I love this article - Fish Don't Know They're In Water - from Derek Sivers. The successful entrepreneur who launched CD Baby writes.... Fish don't know they're in water. If you tried to explain it, they'd say, “Water? What's water?" They're so surrounded by it, that it's impossible to see. They can't see it until they get outside of it. This is how I feel about culture....

To read the rest of the article click here.

Living A "Free Life" - Top 3 Ways &/or Reasons

2011-06-13T01:03:00.000-07:00

Following part 1 of this post, 'No Such Thing As A Free Life?", here are 3 ways &/or reasons to live your version of a free life...

Be a truly responsible adult

When you choose your own path, it means that you no longer unquestioningly follow the vision of a faceless CEO, your parents or the traditional social model. It's choosing not to settle for anything less than authentic, genuine fulfillment. Isn't being a real grown up growing and evolving beyond the assumptions of our predecessors or society - and beyond our own fears? By doing this, we help society to grow. If nobody stood out from the crowd, slavery would still be socially acceptable, we'd have no vegetarian options on restaurant menus and Anita Roddick would never have fought for social and environmental change via her everyday high street business. Even if it doesn't look like much to anyone else, it can mean something to you. You get to experience what it feels like to live in alignment with your values. Living a free life means choosing not to work in the arms industry if deep down you're a pacifist or consciously deciding to take public transport to work if you're an environmentalist. It means taking responsibility for your choices and accepting the consequences. You live by your own ethical guidelines, come what may. It may seem that each step you take in this direction is having a tiny impact, but a drop in the ocean has a ripple effect.

Live in a place that inspires you

There are many wonderful aspects to our society, yet, some of our accepted norms need a rethink. They can keep people trapped in limiting mindsets, wondering HOW it's even possible to live this so called free life. For example, it's still generally believed that buying a house - ideally in your late twenties - is the way to go. This is fine until buying a home means compromising too much of what you want to achieve right now. For example, lets say you're based in the city but you really want to move to the seaside and fulfill your talent as an artist. If you believe that you must buy a house, that dream of becoming a coastal-dwelling artist may just be left on the shelf. Instead, you might stay in the city, get a job that hopefully pays a high salary and save up enough money for a deposit on a house that you can afford to mortgage. You might suppress that deeper dream by filling up your life with lots of stuff. Maybe you'll develop a plan that involves retiring to the seaside in 35 years from now. On the other hand, if you throw out the rule book, you could find a way to move to the coast, work in an art gallery or shop by day, rent a small, affordable apartment and minimise your outgoings by spending your weekends painting the seascapes outside your front door. You might sell your artwork in the local gallery and begin to build an even more exciting version of the life you dreamed....

It's worth noting that in Europe's most economically successful country - Germany - renting your home is the norm. Don't get me wrong - for some people, a mortgage and all that it entails is the way forward. It just isn't the only way forward.

Go with your own flow

This is essentially the previous two points rolled into one but symbolically, it's a powerful concept. For some people, going with the flow means just following the crowd, staying safe and taking life as it comes. Going with your own flow means tapping into your natural desires, talents, skills and interests. It's being led by your inspiration, rather than by what you think you "should" do. It's learning to surf the wave of your daily life (as my yoga teacher says) so that regardless of the ebb and flow of the tides, you can set and follow your own course....

What does a free life mean for you?

Are you living it?

If not, what's stopping you?

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

PS. The following blogs provide boat loads of inspiration for seekers of alternative ideas - authentic business coach Neil Crofts (who also wrote 'How To Make A Living By Being Yourself'), Christine Kane (mindsets & business coach) and one very much for the gals - Tonya Leigh - who focuses on women's health & wellbeing (not dieting).

You Are Allowed...

2011-06-11T14:50:00.001-07:00

Image by Tara Gentile
via Lisa Pocklington's blog

No Such Thing As A 'Free Life'?

2011-06-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

"So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized,

ever since I started working here, every single day of my life
has been worse than the day before it.
So that means that every single day that you see me,
that's on the worst day of my life."
- Peter Gibbons, Office Space

Recently, during a deep "life choices" conversation, a friend said to me "you know, you might have to stop living a free life someday." At the time I panicked. What does that mean? Am I irresponsible for leaving my "proper job" and for selling up!? Maybe I made a mistake ? What if....what if....what if.... I'm doomed! Dooooooomed!"

Later, I started to wonder, what does it mean to live a free life? The life I began creating 3 years ago may look a bit crazy and "free" from some perspectives, but here's how it is for me. I spent the first decade of adulthood day-dreaming about the coastal lifestyle I desired. Meanwhile, I followed a more typical route - 9-5 city job, decent salary, a mortgage on a little flat, all that stuff. It was great in many ways - and I'll always be grateful for each stepping stone on this journey - but over the years I became increasingly restless and ready for a change of course. Finally, I stopped day-dreaming and started taking action in alignment with what I really wanted. Within a year some lifelong dreams came true...

I wake up to views of the ocean - not a big deal for some people, but it makes me smile. I live in a cute old fisherman's house, work mostly from home and I've spent the last 3 years building a business I love. You get the picture. It took a big leap into the unknown but none of these dreams would have come true if I'd stayed with the old path, thinking well, at least I have a good job. Of course, it's not really a life free from what-ifs, fears and challenges. I don't live within the traditional model of job security, wealth and success. Like everyone else, I have to pay bills and taxes. This way of life isn't "secure". What if I ever have children? What if my current landlord decides to sell up? What if in 35 years, when it's time to retire, I'm penniless and alone? Well, who knows how life will unfold. Still, right now I'm happy with my decision to change direction because I can't help believing that the only time we really have is now. Just the other day this 15 year old girl's Bucket List brought the point home again. As she said, "you've got one life - live it..."

So, what's a free life? We each have our own version. For me, it's remembering that come what may, we do have free will. It's daring to ask ourselves what we really want - and what we want to give in life - then making conscious choices to support our deepest dreams & visions. It's feeling gratitude for the experiences and blessings we've enjoyed - it's difficult to feel genuinely grateful and trapped in discontent at the same time. It's understanding and accepting that our own mind-set is the key to creating a more positive existence. It's having an open mind and a willingness to learn, expand and consider alternatives. It's choosing not to accept the philosophy "that's just the way it is." Of course, everyone's personal situation is unique - so common sense, clarity and genuine support go a long way. Still, regardless of who you are and where you've come from, you can pursue and create a more fulfilling day-to-day existence - even in ways that may seem insignificant to the outside world. A "free life" is possible, whether you choose to work for a big corporation, run your own small business, raise children, become the CEO of a big corporation, live with your family in a Welsh Tipi commune, backpack round Europe, live off-grid and money free in a caravan, waitress, pay a mortgage or volunteer at a hospital in Uganda, the list goes on....

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.
- Buddah

Freedom is that instant between when someone tells you to do
something and when you decide how to respond.
- Jeffrey Borenstein

Click here to read the 2nd part of this post - Living A Free Life - Top 3 Ways &/or Reasons

Are you searching for space in the best place?

2011-06-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago, James and I enjoyed a relaxed time visiting family near the city. After saying our goodbyes, we left for home on a beautiful Sunday lunchtime. We'd still have plenty time to enjoy the afternoon and decided we'd go for a big coastal walk.

But, then something strange happened. We got side tracked. We had these TK Max vouchers burning a hole in our pockets, we'd been meaning to go for ages and it was really close by. Suddenly it seemed like a good idea to swing in past the huge shopping centre on the outskirts of town. We were led there by the anticipation of that feeling - the instant buzz you get from buying something new.

As we pulled into the carpark, an old memory began to creep up - this was a place I remembered from a previous life. Not literally, but it had been a while since I'd spent a Sunday afternoon in a shopping mall car park. I'd forgotten that this is where so many of us head at the weekend. The car park was FULL. We circled round again, searching, searching, searching for a space. With each turn of the steering wheel, I found myself getting more uptight. James - the driver - was also beginning to sound really frustrated. The memory of a relaxing weekend started to fade as we continued to edge round the giant car park on a hot Sunday afternoon.

Then, I half heartedly suggested that, maybe we should just forget it...head home. Then again, there were vouchers to spend! There was still hope. As the knot in my stomach tightened, I remembered more of the details - busy dressing rooms, frazzled families, huge queues, tattered coffee shops.

Finally, James turned the van around and swung out of the carpark. We both breathed a sign of relief.
An hour later we were on an empty beach, breathing in fresh air, enjoying miles of vast open space, on a beautiful, sunny Sunday. The buzz lasted all week...

Where will you find a space this weekend?

Going With The Flow...

2011-05-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

Whooaaa...there's been heaps happening here at Acoustic Wave so we've compiled a little surf inspiration to keep you updated....

Media & Promotion

Over at our resident voice over artist's website, Vicky's updated everything from home studio audio to her ethical policy and she's even thrown in links to snapshots of her new vocalbooth . You can view & listen at Voice - Vicky Watt. Also, you can read about Vicky's latest work for BBC promos, TV & Radio ads, e-learning and take inspiration from favourite voices of wisdom at her blog, The Voice Of...

Events

You may have noticed that we cheekily, sort of publicly, invited this guy to play a live, intimate, acoustic set of beautiful music at Acoutic Wave Cafe....and he said yes...so we'll be slotting in another event late summer - along with delicious food & awesome art, right by the sea ! Watch this space for the date, coming soon....

Music

Did you already sign up to James Lowe - Access All Areas to download free acoustic tracks from our artist in residence? If not, just click here to get an instant soundtrack to your summer.

Bespoke Hospitality

Here comes the summer! The Elemental Kitchen is all set for a trip to the mountains in a few weeks, followed by an assignment in Corsica, then the Isle of Mull....there's a wedding late summer and we'll be Nessie spotting up at Loch Ness again later in the year - all the while, cooking up a storm! We've also been providing chef consultation locally AND creating delicious recipes for our friends at The Ardross Farm Shop. Pull up a seat at the kitchen table and get all the latest updates at The Secret Ingredient.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside....

Would you believe, we even had the chance to take a sneaky wee holiday this year! Now, the Acoustic Wave studios overlook the ocean here on Scotland's pretty east coast, so you might imagine we'd choose something a bit different for a holiday? Well, yes and....no. Find out where we took time out for relaxation (and inspiration) and peruse more of our seaside snapshots & scribbles over at Postcards From The Coast.

A natural flow of creativity & communication...

Acoustic Wave is our little media & entertainment studio. We're a team of two, using our natural flow of creativity & communication to celebrate simple pleasures - like beautiful music, delicious food, inspiring words, good company, natural beauty AND positive ideals like thinking globally, acting locally, living honestly, showing gratitude and being the change. Find out more at our main website www.acousticwave.co.uk.

What's your news? Drop us a line!!

The sound of spring...

2011-04-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! Spring time is truly here! We hope you had an amazing weekend! The yellow's on the broom, bluebells are blossoming and we're getting itchy feet for a trip away in our beloved campervan - AND no road trip is complete without a soundtrack! Pretty much wherever we go, James (that's James Lowe our resident singer songwriter) takes his guitar - ideal for the late night campfire and picnic stops. This photo was taken on the shores of Glen Elg, during a trip round the west coast. Sign up below to James Lowe - Access All Areas to instantly download two free songs - beautiful acoustic versions of tracks from his debut album 'Radio Friendly' - perfect for windows down, open road sunny spring time days! ...

Affirmation Art...

2011-04-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

We're really loving affirmation art right now, so we've painted a little positivity across our sister blogs too!

Image via here.

Have you been to Acoustic Wave Cafe?

2011-03-28T05:01:00.000-07:00

Sail over to Postcards From The Coast for the latest news on our recent event.

Sunday Sentiments...

2011-03-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

We like this Lulu Lemon manifesto poster, found via Inspiration for Wellbeing. Click on the image to enlarge and view the little text.

The future is social?

2011-03-21T07:13:00.001-07:00

Image via here

The days of any kind of organisation being run autocratically, secretively and to the agenda of a narrow elite are numbered. Whether it is a country, a company or a nuclear power station stakeholders are no longer to be ignored or patronised.

Digital technology means that transparency is inevitable....

The answer is only doing things you are proud of. It is not enough to simple avoid doing things of which we are not proud, we must also act. We must also stand up for what we believe in, proactively.

To read the full article and to sign up for Neil Croft's mail list, click here

You can subscribe for free at www.neilcrofts.com

Free Music Monday...

2011-03-14T04:35:00.000-07:00

Rainy days & mondays always get me down. So said The Carpenters. Still, we like to find a way to look on the bright side and so, we're sharing a free download from James Lowe's debut album Radio Friendly. His beautifully melancholy, Falling In is a reflection on starting another rubbish day and finding a way to turn it around in your mind. Just click on this link to James Lowe - Facebook Page, go to Band Profile and download your free song. Listening to this song never fails to remind me of trudging through the damp city streets on the way to work. If it evokes a special feeling for you - please share! x

"clouds crying out loud won't bring me down...."
- James Lowe

Find out more about James at his official website www.jameslowe.info.

Photo via google images

Wave Watching....

2011-03-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

If you often find yourself gazing out across the water, mezmerized by the hypnotic ebb and flow of waves and the sound of the surf, you may be interested to learn a whole lot more about the wave energy. Here at Acoustic Wave we love all this stuff. Did you know? An acoustic wave flows through every element of the material world...we can't see them, sometimes we can't even hear their vibrations - but the acoustic wave is just one of many waves connecting our universe. Find out more in this cute and clever little book.

Sneak Peek - New Recording Studio...

2011-03-02T03:21:00.000-08:00

Take a peek inside my brand new home recording studio via
The Voice Of...

Vicky Watt is a Scottish female voiceover artist. For more information, please go to her main page at www.vickywatt.co.uk. She is also featured at www.voiceovers.co.uk.

Have your cake...

2011-03-02T03:16:00.000-08:00

Mmmm. Delicious, light & sweet, Apple & Cinnamon Cake. You can view our recipe via Elemental News @ The Elemental Kitchen or go to the recipes page at Acoustic Wave Cafe.

Happy Friday!

2011-02-25T02:01:00.001-08:00

Open Kitchen - Acoustic Wave Cafe...

2011-02-17T05:22:00.000-08:00

Menus & artists announced for our next not-for-profit pop-up
Acoustic Wave Cafe on Saturday 16th April, from 1 pm.
Delicious food, beautiful music & awesome art...by the sea.

Find out more over at Postcards From The Coast.

If you have...

2011-02-11T08:27:00.001-08:00

We love this poster, doing the rounds on the blogsphere at the moment. Artist unknown. Happy Weekend...and beyond!

A natural flow of creativity & communication...

2011-01-27T08:37:00.001-08:00

Surf the Acoustic Wave...

There's lots going on here at the Acoustic Wave studios over the next few weeks - here's the brief in words and pictures...

MEDIA & PROMOTION: Our resident voice artist is back on TV as the voice of The Scotsman Newspaper. Hear her latest work at www.vickywatt.co.uk.

EVENTS: Edinburgh singer-songwriter Simon Kempston is gearing up to play our next Acoustic Wave Cafe.

image via here

MUSIC: Our resident singer-songwriter James Lowe will perform a spring-time West Coast acoustic gig on the magical Isle of Skye. Find out more at James Lowe - News.

BESPOKE HOSPITALITY: On Valentines Weekend, we're revealing our passion for a v. romantic ingredient & The Elemental Kitchen is cuddling up with the very lovely folks at The Cocoa Tree Cafe & Chocolate Shop. Find out more at Elemental News.

Acoustic Wave is our boutique media & entertainment studio. We combine a natural flow of creativity & communication to provide talent in Media & Promotion, Events, Music & Bespoke Hospitality. Our aim is to celebrate simple pleasures & positive ideals - an ethos we hope will have a ripple effect. Find out more at www.acousticwave.co.uk

Coming Soon - Acoustic Wave Cafe....

2011-01-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

Ahoy There! We're back! Our next live Acoustic Wave Cafe event is happening on Saturday 16th April from 1pm and we're delighted to announce a live performance from prolific and highly acclaimed Edinburgh singer-songwriter, Simon Kempston...

Simon Kempston

Here's what the media say....

"delicately beautiful melodies, strikingly politicised lyrics"
- The Sunday Herald
‘Thought provoking lyrics coupled with beautifully crafted songs.’
- Rick Fulton, The Daily Record
‘Beautiful songs’
- BBC Radio
‘A celtic explosion of guitar and voice...incisive, uniquely melodic.’
- The Scotsman

Go to Acoustic Wave Cafe for more details or click here to RSVP. Check out the storyboard for our October 2010 event @ Postcards From The Coast. Take a peek inside our May 2010 event here.

Voice of change...

2011-01-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

We've changed things up over at our Voice Artist's website. You can now hear brand new audio from recent BBC Radio Scotland promos and recent TV work at www.vickywatt.co.uk.

You've Got Soul...

2011-01-22T05:10:00.000-08:00

image via here

Hello - feeling soulful this morning? I just created this classic soul playlist - You've Got Soul @ Spotify - and had to share it... perfect for a laid-back weekend morning! Music from Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Marlene Shaw, Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke - all the greats.... Enjoy! :)

On the record...

2011-01-20T07:54:00.000-08:00

Check out our resident singer-songwriter's new toy! Get the latest over at his blog. Just click on James Lowe - News. Good times... :)

Live & Acoustic, in your living room...

2011-01-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

Would you love to hear amazing live music on your own doorstep? How about in your own living room?Acoustic Wave's Live In Your Living Room bring gigs featuring awesome Scottish musicians James Lowe and The Oatesfield straight to the heart of your home. Find out more at www.liveinyourlivingroom.co.uk.

Inspirational 2011

2011-01-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

Here at Acoustic Wave, we love a regular shot of inspiration. TED - Ideas Worth Spreading hosts hundreds of inspirational and educational videos covering countless topics. The films may be just a few minutes, a half an hour long or more, but they're always engaging. Here's one we watched recently by the author of interational best seller 'Purpose-Driven-Life'.

EK teams up with Ardross Farm Shop...

2011-01-06T05:24:00.001-08:00

We are delighted to confirm that in 2011, The Elemental Kitchen is collaborating with Ardross Farm Shop, Elie on an exciting new project! Together, we'll be bringing you delicious recipes and menus, using wonderful local (East Neuk) produce. We are already huge fans of Ardross Farm Shop and we use as much of their award-winning local ingredients and British produce as possible when cooking for clients. Most journeys to assignments at castles, lodges and private homes around Scotland begin with stocking up on delicious vegetables, fruits, meats, cheese, chutneys, jams and deli produce at Ardross. We'll be posting our recipes at Elemental News soon. In the meantime, you can skip over to the Ardross Farm Shop website to view our modern twist on haggis for Burns Night and a complete, menu for Valentines Night. All recipes are straight-forward and aim to ensure that your dining occasions are relaxed, hassle-free and delicious!

Wishing You A Happy Festive Holiday...

2010-12-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

May you have a wonderful Christmas, celebratory Hogmany & A Very Happy New Year! We'll be back in 2011...

Voices of BBC Christmas...

2010-12-21T10:04:00.001-08:00

This week, I voiced promotional trailers for the BBC...and was given a sneak peek into the fabulous festive schedule. On BBC Radio Scotland, don't miss Billy Connolly who'll be featured in Scotland on Song, On The Road With Amy McDonald and Fran Healy on Stark Talk. Also, early January on BBC One Scotland (TV) switch on to the fascinating documentary, Pre-Teen Proms.

Highland Holiday Home...

2010-12-07T05:37:00.000-08:00

Check out this stunning holiday cottage in the Scottish highlands! We stay here while working on some of our Elemental Kitchen assignments and it's just a beautiful location for holidays in summer and winter!

A Saucy TV Ad...

2010-12-06T08:58:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago, I voiced the part of a wee sauce bottle in the Scottish Government's new Natural Scotland 'Give It Another Life' recycling TV ad. It's now available to watch here. Who'd have thought recycling could be so much fun! ;)

Introducing EK Experiences...

2010-12-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

Baked Alaska by The Elemental Kitchen

This winter, The Elemental Kitchen is launching a range of new packages including The East Neuk Elemental Experience, our special winter food lover's retreat which is exclusive to the East Neuk of Fife. We're also launching The Chef's Table, Cooking On Ice and The E-Kitchen, which we are now pleased to offer alongside our established service, The Elemental Kitchen - Bespoke Hospitality. For full details on our range of Elemental Kitchen packages, go to Elemental Fees.

A Voice of Scotland...

2010-11-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

I've just finished a voice over for a St Andrews Day feature on BBC Radio Scotland - The Culture Cafe, about Scots language. It got me thinking about the words of one of Scots culture's most famous voices. Check out a couple of our favourite quotes at The Voice Of...

Welcome to Narnia...

2010-11-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

This winter, The Elemental Kitchen is decamping to the Scottish Highlands. If our trip last year is any indication, it'll be like entering into the magical world of Narnia this festive season. We'd like to help you get into the festive spirit (just a month to go after all) by sharing some festive snap shots and recipes. Find out more at Elemental News.

Food For Thought...

2010-11-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

This festive season, The Elemental Kitchen will be supporting Street Smart. Find out more about ways to get involved at Elemental News.

Free Music Friday - Part 2...

2010-11-05T03:41:00.000-07:00

"time to scale the heights,
stretch for the surface,
reach for the light."

- James Lowe - The Sense

It's the weekend! So, our resident singer-songwriter James Lowe is giving you another free track from his debut album Radio Friendly. Click on the link to James Lowe - Facebook Page, go to Band Profile and download! You can buy the complete album & find out more about James Lowe at his official website www.jameslowe.info.

"beautiful & indeed very radio friendly" - BBC Radio Scotland
Image via labelleviegirl

We are family....

2010-10-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

The off-beat uncle, glamorous gran, philosophical father, outrageous sibling, an infamous grandfather, scandalous cousin, mighty matriarch, inspirational mother, fun lovin' aunty, golf-lovin' grandpa, free-spirited granny, big-hearted brother, super-square sister, awesome offspring... Family! Many families have at least one "real character"...probably with a story well worth telling!? Perhaps, tales of one of your ancestors is still retold at family gatherings today? Well, it could be your time to put pen to paper. Today, I voiced a promotion for a collaboration between BBC Radio Scotland and Scottish Book Trust, inviting you to write a short story about an incredible character in your family. The story can be based around a particular person or event, and it can be funny, sad, old or new. It could ultimately be broadcast or published in a book. Would you love a special family character to be given a place in written or broadcasting history? Find out more at www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/familylegends. For more on my voice overs go to www.vickywatt.co.uk.

Autumn Escape...

2010-10-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hello! Hope you had a great weekend? We were out & about enjoying the seaside. There's so much to love about coastal wandering at this time of year, so if you fancy some inspiration, sail over to Postcards From The Coast ...

Free Music Friday...

2010-10-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

Brighten up the long winter nights! Right now, we're giving you free downloads from James Lowe's debut album Radio Friendly. Just click on the link to James Lowe - Facebook Page, go to Band Profile and download! Find out more about James at his official website www.jameslowe.info.

Teacher's Pet

2010-10-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

Doris Day in Teacher's Pet

Sometimes I sort of miss school. Tasty treats in the canteen. Modern studies. School common room shennanigans. Finishing at 4pm. Getting snowed in and not being able to go in the winter time... I sort of made up for the loss recently by voicing some training materials for the Scottish Government's Learning & Teaching Scotland. Education's a wonderful thing, isn't it?! So much wisdom in the world, just waiting to be discovered! I'm celebrating some of the world's greatest teachers (of sorts) with this new blog 'The 'Voice Of...'. It's a spin off of my voice artist website and aside from latest voice-over news, it highlights some of the world's best voices of wisdom & inspiration! Think of it as educational soundbites from the School of Life! :)

In the moment...

2010-10-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

I found this via Same Fish, New Pond. Happy Weekend! :)

Acoustic Wave Cafe - Seaside Snapshots

2010-10-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

Our latest, relaxed seaside happening surfed into town at the weekend! See inside the cafe at Postcards From The Coast.

NEW! Rough Demo - James Lowe...

2010-10-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

Lyrics

Nobody knows
Which way the weather goes
People move on, find their own way
Of the overcast crowd
You are still shining out

Nobody sees
Which way the road leads
Some leave us behind, horizons expanding
Its enough to have time
And to travel together

Sleep now, he's taking you on
Rise with the road and be gone
Know I'll never forget about you

If you slow down
You can just make out the sound of the world
It spins, and it grounds you
Never forget
That's enough to be happy

Sleep now, he's taking you home
Just drift with the tide and be gone
Know I'll never forget about you

All means have their end
All roads have been travelled
We weather our ways
And map our intent
Where do we begin again
When the rope is unravelling
Untether our hopes from fear
Just drift out to dream

Sleep now, its time to go home
Just drift with the tide and be gone
Know I'll never forget about you

James Lowe - I'll Never Forget About You (Rough Demo)

Go to www.jameslowe.info for the official website

Alternatively, go to our Music page at www.acousticwave.co.uk

A monster weekend...

2010-10-06T05:38:00.001-07:00

Wow! I had almost forgotten this old cartoon existed until I visited Loch Ness at the weekend. We were cooking for a party at gorgeous Dell Estate which stretches from the banks of Loch Ness up into the hills around Whitebridge, near Foyers and Fort Augustus. Find out more over at Elemental News. Did we see the monster? No. :(

Acoustic Wave Radio @.....

2010-09-27T14:46:00.001-07:00

Enjoy the ever-expanding music library here at Acoustic Wave, via....

Acoustic Wave Radio @ Spotify!!!

Following many years working within the programming team at radio stations all over the country, we like to think we've picked up a few hints along the way for creating the coolest radio station-sized playlist of music ever. Here are our Top 5...

It's cool to embrace the oldies. The likes of Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin are rock classics for a reason. Yes...they are. We think it's perfectly ok to throw these into the mix with hot modern bands like Frightened Rabbit and Jedward. Kidding. But only about the last part...

Formats are yawnsome. Some radio stations are all about labels - new music or classic gold or country or urban. Personally, we'd rather hear Marc Bolan, Alicia Keys, Dean Martin, followed by Chase and Status and The Dixie Chicks any day of the week! Acoustic Wave Radio @ Spotify throws it all into the mix.

Ditch the A +++ lists. Just stick Acoustic Wave Radio on random. We leave the rest to fate...

It's good to share new music. Since discovering spotify we've loved receiving lots of new bands and artists in our Spotify inbox. If we think they're worth another spin we add them to our playlist so that you can listen too...

Free listening online is still a bit of a contentious issue because there's uncertainty about whether artists get paid their dues. So, when a song comes along and makes our day, we like to give back to the source of inspiration. If you hear something that makes you want to sing along on Acoustic Wave Radio - and you surely will - please invest in a a song or album from Itunes, Spotify or the good old-fashioned record shop...and make a musician's day!

Acoustic Wave Radio @ Spotify - Just sign up, click random and enjoy.

Where did you work today?

2010-09-24T08:54:00.001-07:00

The Home Office

In The Kitchen

Live performance

Table Service

Cook's Cafe Break, Ballater

In the studio...

Bespoke hospitality - off the beaten track

The Acoustic Wave
team has been spending a lot of time working in and around Aberdeen lately - with voice overs, presenting, bespoke hospitality and the like! So, we decided to join the Aberdeen Business Network
, where I was invited by
Alana McConnachie
to answer the following questions about where and how we work....

Where did you work today? I work mostly from home. I think we're called 'portfolio workers' these days - self employed and earning a living from various income streams. We live right by the sea, so the location is really relaxed and creative - perfect for our work. :)

Who out there really feels they need an office these days? I still need an office - but that's now a small desk by the window in my bedroom, a laptop, a phone and a few home comforts. My colleagues or clients are all at the end of a phone line or on-line. James, my partner works from home too - on a separate floor - so we can work on projects without distractions, but we have each other for company at break times in the kitchen. Some creative projects really do benefit from face-to-face though. I occasionally collaborate with a friend in Aberdeen on promotional artwork. If we were in the room together we would maybe have the work done much faster. Then again, we're also both chatter-boxes so we'd possibly get side-tracked and end up talking about something random...

How many of you work from home or find yourselves working from anywhere and everywhere...starbucks? Occassionally, we travel for assignments. Technology (and I mean the I-Phone) has been a revolution! No more lugging a laptop around just to pick up emails on the move! Thanks to technology, it's also possible to juggle projects on the move. For example, my partner and I run The Elemental Kitchen, a bespoke hospitality service, so we're in remote holiday locations a few weeks a year. I'm also a voice artist. Thanks to a portable home studio and wifi, I can serve breakfast to guests, record a radio commercial from the mobile studio and send an mp3 by email to my client, before heading back to the kitchen to help do the dishes! A woman's work is never done...

How convenient do you find your working environment? I don't know if it would suit everyone but I'm pretty happy. :) Home-based, personalised and it's a pretty location. My previous office was filled with identikit desks and health & safety overkill. We sometimes miss out on that nice big social scene. Then again, there's always the village pub...

Where did you work today?

Vicky Watt
Acoustic Wave - boutique media & entertainment studio
+44 (0) 7986 831 589
www.acousticwave.co.uk

The Sunday Late Show on Original 106...

2010-09-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a few years since I presented a radio show in Aberdeen and it's very exciting to be back on-air, guest co-presenting the The Sunday Late Show on Original 106 , this weekend, alongside the lovely Martin Ingram and new music's national treasure, Jim Gellatly. Join us on Sunday night from 10pm, for the best new music, classic gems, interviews, the gig guide and Jim's songs of the week.

For more on my work in Voice Overs, go to Acoustic Wave or directly to www.vickywatt.co.uk

For more on my work in Radio, go to Acoustic Wave or directly to Media & Promotion.

Simple pleasures...

2010-09-12T03:24:00.001-07:00

Pay attention to the little things.

One day you'll realise they were the big things.

- Unknown

See more photography by James Lowe

at The Gallery

See notecards by James Lowe

at our online shop, The Surf Shack

Drop into our virtual seaside retreat

@ Acoustic Wave Cafe

More seaside living at our blog,

Postcards From The Coast

Have a great week ahead...

Seaside City Break or Countryside Chill-Out?

2010-09-08T01:30:00.000-07:00

Aberdeen Beach

Royal Deeside

We've just returned from an Elemental Kitchen assignment in the North East and we've enjoyed the best of both worlds - a week in bonnie Ballater in Royal Deeside, followed by a seaside city break in Aberdeen. If you're looking for a weekend escape - don't miss our guide to Ballater at Elemental News and our guide to The Silver City over at Postcards From The Coast.

Bottled water - big deal?

2010-09-07T14:06:00.001-07:00

Image via video - The Story of Bottled Water

Here at Acoustic Wave, we're not big fans of bottled water. A client recently asked, what's the big deal? Water is... just water, right? Well, decide for yourself. Here are a few facts presented by the We Want Tap campaign....

Britons consume 3 billion litres of bottled water a year. What happens to our mountains of empties? Most are landfilled or incinerated, where only a tiny proportion of their energy value can be recovered. The rest become environmental pollution, a global menace - particularly in the ocean where, as the plastic slowly fragments, it poses a serious threat to wildlife. Every time you consume bottled water, you could be choking a penguin. Bottled water leaves a huge carbon footprint. Globally, nearly a quarter of all bottled water crosses national borders to reach consumers, journeys that typically include boat, train and truck transport, racking up considerable water miles and carbon emissions. Bottled water uses up natural resources. Worldwide, approximately 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year - unnecessarily using up valuable, limited and polluting oil resources.Bottled water ain't so clean anyway. When the NRDC in America tested 1,000 bottles of water, they discovered that a third of tested brands contained contaminants such as arsenic and carcinogenic compounds in at least some samples at levels exceeding state or industry standards. And a study by Syracuse University found that "one fourth of bottled water had ten times the bacterial count of tap water." Bottlers can adversely affect ground water levels if they bottle more water than is naturally replenished. Rivers are delicate ecosystems. Tapping springs and aquifers even on a small scale can alter the movement of sediment in nearby streams, which can in turn disrupt the local food supply. Bottled water makes safe water expensive in developing countries where clean sources can be difficult to find. As worldwide demand increases, the cost of bottled water is a significant burden for lower-income households in many developing countries.

But, what difference can any of us make? Well, recently just one Elemental Kitchen client, taking an annual holiday in one Scottish country lodge, for one week, with 20 friends, has prevented the waste of around 120 single use plastic bottles, because they switched to reusable sports bottles for their group. That's just one person, one change. We encourage clients to choose tap water in reusable bottles - except in the unlikely event that tap water is certified undrinkable of course. For more information - including an insight into the pitfalls of simply "recycling" your plastic - you can check out this cute little video - The Story of Bottled Water.

Who's Queen!?

2010-08-28T03:33:00.001-07:00

Queen Elizabeth, as seen in Blackadder

Image via Google Images & Postcard Heaven

Billy Connolly in Mrs Brown

Image via NMSI

Next stop for The Elemental Kitchen - Royal Deeside - this is our second trip this month! We do love visiting bonnie Ballater where we've been known to have afternoon tea with...no, not The Queen. Not even Miranda Richardson. Billy Connolly actually. Aside from starring in the royal drama Mrs Brown, set amidst those very hills, he's one of the many fans of this beautiful part of the world. Who knows who we'll bump into next time..? Either way, we'll be back soon with news from the north, the best of Ballater and recipes fit for comic royalty! All this and more via Elemental News.

Pre-Gig Lunch @ Acoustic Wave Cafe - Sold Out!

2010-08-25T05:52:00.000-07:00

Our in-house chef, James

Acoustic Wave Cafe is held at our water-front kitchen studio in St Monans

The Oatesfield - performing at Acoustic Wave Cafe on Saturday 9th October

Our intimate lunch at our next Acoustic Wave Cafe on Saturday 9th October, from 1 pm. has now sold out! You can see the autumn-inspired menu posted here - featuring mouth-watering locally sourced ingredients from around the east neuk. If you'd still like to come along for the live music and to browse our little art & craft selection, we have some limited seats and standing room - plus a complimentary glass of wine. Find out more at www.acousticwavecafe.co.uk. You'll also find photos from our May event, simple cafe style recipes, inspiring places to visit in the area, great music and reviews.

Once again, we'll also be taking the opportunity to raise funds for our friends at Marine Conservation Society. So, hope to see you soon for Acoustic Wave Cafe - our intimate showcase of delicious food, beautiful music (from The Oatesfield) and awesome art - by the sea....

Go with YOUR flow...

2010-08-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Acoustic Wave ultimately aims to celebrate simple pleasures and positive ideals via Media & Promotion, Events, Music & Bespoke Hospitality - just doing what we love!. These days, it's widely recognised that having a sense of purpose & going with the flow of your inner talents or passions is fundamental to personal fulfilment and having a positive social impact. If you think you might like to run your own business, while combining profits with purpose & principles, this is a great book to get you started on that path - Authentic Business - How To Earn A Living By Being Yourself.

Elemental Wisdom...

2010-08-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

Via Elemental News @ The Elemental Kitchen

"If you knew what I know about the power of giving,

you would not let a single meal pass without

sharing it in some way".

- The Buddah

Ooooh La La...

2010-08-19T11:10:00.001-07:00

Bonjour! Ca va? Oui, Oui, Ca va Bien! So, maybe you guessed it, we've been to France. We're just back from a 2 week Elemental Kitchen assignment, at a stunning family chateau in the heart of the celebrated Champagne region. Champagne - the actual, lovely bubbly - was also very much at the heart of our assignment. In France, it's really the only acceptable aperitif - for lunch and/or dinner. Indeed, it's the perfect ingredient for many delicious dishes too. Of course we delighted in the opportunity to sample too many varieties to mention! ;) Our Elemental Kitchen chef, James, shares his mind-blowing rough guide to champagne sorbet over at Elemental News. You'll also find some snap-shots from our 2 week trip to the Champagne region, right here. Meanwhile, all work and no play is just not the French way, so we stopped off to indulge in the pleasures of beautiful Paris before returning home. Here are a few favourite snapshots from our bon voyage.....

A Bientot!

Our cup runneth over...

2010-08-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hello! Hope all is well!? We are keeping busy with various projects - music, cooking, events - the good stuff of life! Also, we're tres excited to say that Acoustic Wave has been featured in a couple of blogs this week, plus we're appearing in the official magazine by one of our most favourite charities AND we've launched another blog of our own! Phew! It's all happening...

Hindsight Bride - North Carolina

Firstly, thanks to Hindsight Bride in North Carolina for featuring our Wild Wedding on her blog about beautiful mountain weddings.

KMI Club - Home of Naked Beauty and Little Me Organics

Secondly, thanks to Carrie at KMI Club for featuring our post on Naked beauty products. KMI Club are the home of Naked and various other well known brands including Little Me Organics, Ted Baker and Dead Sea Source.

Acoustic Wave - Q&A with MCS - Magazine

Hop over to Postcards From The Coast to see our Q&A with Marine Conservation Society. We were asked to contribute to the magazine following our fundraising for MCS at our Acoustic Wave Cafe events. Speaking of which, there's on 3 SEATS LEFT for the pre-gig lunch at our next live event on Saturday 9th October.

Elemental News - take a seat at the kitchen table...

Finally, we've added another blog to our portfolio - Elemental News! Our work with The Elemental Kitchen provides so many opportunites to talk about fabulous people, places, ingredients, recipes and all that bespoke hospitality entails - so we couldn't resist giving EK it's own blog space. Think of it as a chance to sit around the kitchen table and catch up on the latest gossip from our culinary travels. We've just been to House of Glenmuick near Ballater in Royal Deeside. Next stop a chateau in Champagne...

Acoustic Wave Cafe is back!

2010-07-23T05:18:00.000-07:00

Also featured on Postcards From The Coast

Chart a course for the East Neuk! The Acoustic Wave Cafe returns on Saturday 9th October from 1pm, for more beautiful music, delicious food and awesome art - in our laid-back venue, right by the sea! We're very excited to welcome multi-talented singer-songwriter The Oates Field to our humble abode - a pop-up cafe/studio on the waterfront in St Monans! We'll also be serving another scrumptious lunch using lots of local produce and showcasing more unique artwork! See more images from our last event at Picture This - Acoustic Wave Cafe. We have VERY LIMITED availability - you can reserve your place at Acoustic Wave Cafe.