Stone Therapy

It's the World Mental Health Day today and what would be more suitable topic to write about - with my wooden mug full of lovely, fresh hot espresso beside me - than stress management.

Eco Furs takes easily 6 x 12-14 hours of my week and I'm sometimes wondering myself too how I have the energy. Well first of all, I absolutely love what I'm doing. Secondly, when I feel tense and tired after too many work days in a row, I pay a visit to the beach - preferably a pebble beach, which there are quite many to choose from in North Wicklow. 

The sound of waves is very soothing and the sea breeze airs the stuffy head very efficiently. The round and flat and smooth pebbles are not called 'worry stones' just for fun.

I find the pebbles and stones in general very fascinating otherwise too and usually I end up having my nose down towards the ground & combing the shoreline for quite some time. The combinations of different beautiful colours & different types of stones and all the shapes are very inspiring.

 

I pick the most peculiar ones - like the 2 halves of a pebble I found last weekend from Greystones Beach and 'christened' Candy - and usually arrive home my pockets full of both work wise inspiring and therapeutic stones - Yes, I remember to empty them before my coat goes to wash...;) One group of them is sitting on my bathroom window sill and another on my desk, where I they easily catch my eye and let me escape to their therapeutic world every so often.

It's not just Irish beaches I love to visit when ever I have a chance. My favourite of the world beaches so far is the Omaha Beach in Normandy, France where a few years ago I also had a chance to follow my other big interest, Vintage tractors driving into the sea and helping fishing boats to land and take off - which is not particularly good thing for the tractor or the sea, but that is totally different topic so let's just enjoy the nice vision for now.

Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

Omaha Beach, Normandy, France - All photos by Heli

- How do you relax in the middle of your work day?

Have a good day and remember to look after yourselves and each other - today and every day!

She's Gorgeous! Bumbag For Hot Summer Day

This is an outfit for a lovely daytime walk at beach on summer holidays, on a careless day and far from all everyday duties. Bumbag is great piece of accessory to bring along for the walk, all your necessary items are in hand when you need them but you have your hands free. You can really play with the accessories on holidays, when the look doesn't have to be official. Now it is also right time to take out all your marine inspired accessories. In summer their materials can also be something else than just metal and leather. To balance the look bracelets can be worn on wrist opposite the bumbag side. Also all outfits should be comfortable during summer days and what could be even more careless than a summer dress - a play suit, simple and easy! Hairstyle and make-up can be as natural as possible which goes best with this look. Plaits are the easiest way to keep you hair in order in salty sea wind and at the same time they give chic yet natural impression. With colourful nail polish you can add a bit of a kick to otherwise light summer look. Flip-flops finish the hot-day-look, flat canvas slip on shoes are great on a little bit over cast day.

Maria N. x

Bumbag daywear by maria-n-1 featuring flat slip on shoes

Ann Demeulemeester long sleeve top, £779
Miss Selfridge romper jumpsuit, $74
Wet Seal t strap shoes, $6.50
Soludos flat slip on shoes, 42 CAD
Seed bead jewelry, $9.50
Sakdidet Road antique gold jewelry, £30
Minor Obsessions gold anchor earrings, $160
Mango vintage sunglasses, £23
Yves Saint Laurent nail polish, $25

Limited number of these bumbags made from recycled pair of jeans is available in Heli's online shop in July and August.