we all have a story to tell

..."What do you even blog about?"

..."And what's the point in writing a blog that you don't make money from?"

..."But who would want to read what you write anyway?"

Those were the questions thrown at me by a friend's wife several weeks ago at a social gathering. 

It felt like an interrogation. And I felt like a fraud.

My immediate response?

S H I T . . . 

W H Y   D O   I   W R I T E  ? ! 

And then I found this... 

... and Flannery O'Connor had said it for me.

The truth is - My mind is a busy place.

And sometimes I need to Write It Out, just like T-Swift likes to Shake It Off.

For as long as I can remember, writing has been a huge part of my life.

Short stories; Journals; Poems; Letters; This Blog.

I find words to be therapeutic; and oftentimes, they pour out of my fingertips onto the keyboard, or scrawled across a piece of paper with the tip of a pen, and create sentences I didn't even know existed in my mind.

I can empty my emotions onto a page and suddenly the jumble of thoughts combines with my subconscious and I can find clarity spelled out before me.

I write because I made a promise to my Nan that I would one day publish a book of my stories; Because perhaps my lessons will help others (or at the very least, serve to entertain).

I write because I have a terrible memory!
So that I can read it back and marvel at my experiences; and remember with exact detail how I felt in that very moment.

Sometimes I write with a self-imposed pinky promise to never look at those words again.

I have thoughts.

And I have opinions.

And I write this blog because I want to.

xx

it's about the J word...

I have found myself making excuses for this little blog of late.

Along the lines of -

"It's about baking.

Sort of.

Well.. it was once upon a time..

Now it's kind of like a journal.

Except not lame.

But it's not very exciting.

You probably wouldn't be interested...."

Here's the thing - 

This blog is about my life.

It always has been.

When my life changes focus, so does the blog.

When I bake, I tell you about it.

When I don't.. well, I have other stuff to share!

My blog evolves the same way my life does. 

There used to be a plan. But plans change.

And so I adapt accordingly.

Get your shot glasses ready*...

It's a JOURNEY.

And right now, in this little game called life, I am on one hell of a ride as I discover things I never knew about myself.

I am exploring concepts and ideas that I never imagined.

I am becoming the truest version of myself than I have ever been.

Pinned HERE

So, from now on, when asked to summarise this little blog?

Well, it's just about LIFE.

Cupcakes and all.

xx

* You know - Have a shot every time someone says the word 'Journey' on a reality TV show?!... 

No? 

Ok.. Just me then.

it didn't fit...

It didn’t fit, it wasn’t right

Wasn’t just the size

They say you know when you know

I don’t know

I didn’t feel the fairy-tale feeling, no

Am I a stupid girl

For even dreaming that I could

Yes, yes - I am a Katy Perry tragic.

And beside the fact that I LOVE this song; it also seems a very appropriate way to re-launch Starts with Cupcakes.

"Andie in Wonderland" was like an impulse buy on a shopping spree.

It didn't quite fit, but I bought it anyway; and then it hung in my wardrobe for a while, but I never wore it.

Because in the end, it's about comfort. And Starts with Cupcakes just fits me better.

So here it is... Another makeover for my little blog as I wrap myself in an old favourite.

And I can tell you already - it feels good to be 'home'.

xx

Virtual Celebration

My little blog turned ONE on Saturday.

Care to celebrate with me?

When ? NOW!!!

Would you like some refreshments ?

Here

Seriously though - If I was throwing a party, it would be pink and FABULOUS. Just like the board below that Miss Jodie found for me on Pinterest.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

xx

Along The Way With Bree

My pretty sister has started her very own blog.

I like to think it's because she thinks I'm really cool, and she wants to be just like me, but we all know that I am a little delusional at times...!

Her having a blog works out well for me, because even though she lives in a different state, now I can find out exactly what's going on in her life without actually having to talk to her!  KIDDING!

Seriously though, we chat regularly and we email almost daily, but it will be super fun to follow her in blog-land too. You should pop over and say hello.

xx

Thou Can't Help But Covet...

I bought a fancy camera last year.

It was a birthday present for myself.

..In November..

I played with it on automatic a little bit and vowed to do a photography course, but 10 months later I'm no closer to becoming a pro.. (It's on my list of things to do, promise).

Anyway... Miss Jodie recently introduced me to Sydney of The Daybook.

And I have been absorbed in her blog of witty writing and stylish fashion ever since.

You can see the original photos of Sydney rockin this outfit here

Then I saw this photo.. And noticed THAT bag.

It's a camera bag.

Sydney does photography.

So it would make sense that she carries her camera in a cute camera bag, right?

But have you EVER seen a camera bag THIS amazing ?!

I am in L-O-V-E

It's enough to make me grab my camera and get inspired again.

So imagine my disappointment when I discovered that THEIT only ship to USA or Canada.

Surely I can find a site to buy it from online ?

I'm off to find out.......

xx

Pearls of Wisdom

Miss Pip introduced me to this blog last week.

** WARNING : Hours of your life will be lost when you click on this link. **

Pacific Atlantic is like the Gossip Girl of blogland. The fashion is to die for and you don't have to put up with Serena Van Der Woodsen's constant complaining.

I have become absolutely OBSESSED by the pearl necklace Bee wears in many of the photos. And what I love is how she pairs this statement piece of jewellery with any style. Who knew pearls could be so versatile ??

I am in love.

My all time FAVOURITE outfit ?

This one ...

*sigh*

Those boots. That trench. The dress. And ofcourse - the pearls.

Love Love Love

Someone, please tell me where I can find suh a gorgeous necklace!

xx

Image courtesy of Atlantic Pacific