Bite Me.

Photography by Glen Wilkins 2013.

WithLove Raphaella x

A volcanic life.

"Good-morning world, its a brand new day..."

Jeepers. It sure is good to feel the sofa beneath my butt, and the window-welcoming sun on my face. 

There's just something I find insanely therapeutic about Monday Mornings at home. Even if I am, keyboard strapped for its entirety, I still take great comfort in the morbidness, that fills the population, due to those good old back-to-work blues.

OK that sounds a little dark... maybe Its just the serenity of being surrounded by only my plant pals, Tyrone the palm tree and Nigel the blood red cactus, that make the "Fair of face" day, a rather blissful one, after 4 weeks on the modelling road.

Anyhow.... Following last Wednesday's typically Libra-ish entry, the mention of my habitual, craggy office; did rather get me thinking.

*think·ing [thing-king]

Adjective:  An activity highly unadvisable and avoided at all measures, for 'Raphaella's' worldwide.

However, the matter of overdue, Atlantic coastline uploads, was anchored into ones hippocampus. C'est la vie, I have since fished out these 2012, washed up wonders by the fabulous 'Imagesse'.

In other factitious news.... I am rather obscenely and somewhat inhumanly busy. To the extent I have granted my self a mere three (and sleep ridden at that) days off, since my Bulgarian boarding bonanza this March. True story.

The WORK is wonderful.

The PEOPLE are splendiferous.

And the TRAVEL, although granted exhausting; makes one a happy Raphy. 

With this however, there does come certain draw backs. And I regret to confess that I may be sluggish with my communications, and a tad off tempo with my web presence. So please do excuse my silly old self and my schedule. 

If Im not cornered into a 

wifi-less corner of the earth, Ill be back at you in a jiffy.

:)

Peace, love & ice-cream, Raphaella x

The twenty-something struggle.

There's currently twelve rather excitable (for such an hour) exchange students on this train.

They're having 'worm' races, to the sounds of a huffing and puffing assemblage, in coach D. 

When I say 'worm' of course, I aint talking about no, eyeless, legless, cylindrical-aphid, games.

Oh-no... Im referring to the 'funk' subculture, stemming movement, that's somewhat reminiscent to that, of the wriggly insects, inherent stroll.

And as much as Im admittedly, lost in a world of sheer bewilderment right now, and yet successfully pulling off, my most convincing of disapproving mug shots. I'd sincerely love nothing more than, to belly flop my way into the gangway and kick some royal spanish ass.

Hehe!

But whats really stirring my mind right now and my unidentified flavoured cuppa-soup, is that old broken record.. 'Balance'.

No doubt-eth ive spoken on this matter before, but the noun just doesn't run in my veins; I mean... im a fecking Libra for snoop-dogg's sake. I change my mind more often than I change my knickers. (But then again, Id struggle to recall wearing a pair of bermudas in the last 4years; so that possibly wouldn't be the wittiest of analogies.) 

When it comes balancing my oaths to buisness and home life, like many other, angst brimming members of the self employed clan;  I incessantly seem to find my self, immersed in the murky Grey waters.

Balancing two of life's most juiciest ingredients, is one thing. But, when your job is also your passion (cripes that word makes me vomit) a lucrative pay packet, doesn't always mean a personal success. Nor does several years hard graft, result in a handsome bonus, company car and a corner office... 

But the again, why the duck, would I desire any of that mainstream carryon anyway?

Ill stick to my craggy, crab ridden atlantic workspace,

and my kick-ass candy coloured, four wheeled, form of transport.

Better views + firmer butt = I nil to Raph.

But seriously....

Every 2nd conversation and every last scoric of the the world-wide-web, is jammed with study's on the difficulties, the 'modern day mother' faces in juggling her eggs and ambitions.

But do the childless and even single workforce of the world, not face equally tormenting issues? Do we not strive for stronger and happier relationships? Fitter and healthier bodies and minds. And just quite possibly crave snatching a moment, to make a memory, away from our time greedy professions. 

You wouldn't be foolish in thinking that self employment, is the key to all of this, work/life balance hoopla. After-all, we determine are own schedules; were the captain of our own ship, right? Well apparently not. Certainly not in the guilt ridden, anxiety-fied McNamara case anyway. With my office in my hand, my office in my home and yet Im rarely sleeping in my own bed. I do tend to feel like im wondering around in the dark, with a certain flickering sign, hovering over my head. 

If you find the switch, do let me know....

But for now, heres a handful of fairytale fanices, by the the wonderful Daniel Ilenkiw.

With Love Raphaella x

Black Hearts.

Copyright: Norbert Holy 2013.

You are what you eat.

Good-day yall' nocturnals.. I currently make its 14 minutes to the hour, twelve that is, and im smacked off my bee-stings on seven to many Fab's.

God bless, those sprinkle-fied, understated, sub-zero yummies.

Im just sick of the snubbery, these delectable, desserts on a stick are subject to. Sure they're no 'Feast' but jeepers give the guys some credit where its due. They're the only damn thing on this retched planet (other than bananas) thats inflation proof.

PLUS, they only contain a mere 82 Calories.. If you have the back-bone to consume only one that is.

Whats not to love???

In my own mite-sized attempt, to raise the flag of awareness for these disdained, icy treats; Ill be now sporting a pair of these from now on. 

...Coming to a shoot near you soon.

Speaking of homes for toes, here I am rocking something slightly cooler, on a commercial job with everybody's favourite eighth wonder of the world, Jay Mawson.

Stay Fab.

With Love Raphaella x