just a note...

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Just a note to stay in touch, because you're on my mind so much — and although I've nothing special to say, just know I thought of you today.

the grass is greener

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Hello everyone. Hope your week's got off to a good start! I'm busy spring cleaning, even though it's the middle of summer. Everything looks great after the "cleansing", and my house feels once again like a home. Tonight we're celebrating with homemade pizza, which Guido and I prepare from scratch. Maybe someday I'll share our recipe and technique with you. All we really need now to perfect the process, is a wood oven! Here's hoping...

big shot, big difference

(Photos: Janine Joles)

In some cases you just have to agree — bigger IS better! Bigger simply means you're able to dive more freely into a picture, swim about, enjoy some love-stroke, until finally that point of visual satiation is blissfully reached.

I hope that today's "big shots" will give you the chance to put these thoughts to the trial. Incidentally, you may notice that I don't regularly give detailed descriptions of the photos published here. For that little extra, and often sporadic, information I recommend that you click on the image you like to follow the link through to my Flickr stream. There you'll find all sorts of location and other trivia particulars related to the images.

Happy explorations, and have a wonderful weekend!

the secret

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Remember my big secret? Well I'll be sharing it with you today, because I'm so excited and honestly can't think of anything else!

Drum roll please... I'll be visiting Italy again for the month of April — and lucky me — I'll also be in London for a week! Now perhaps some of you are wondering why so soon? The reason is quite simple. My big secret is really that Guido and I are moving to Italy!

I know. It's a huge moment for us. Right now I'm still trying to get my head (all the organizing), heart (the fact that I'll be saying goodbye to my family and friends) and tongue (the Italian language lessons have commenced) around this amazing opportunity.

Despite the inevitable challenges of moving countries, we are pushing through with the decision, and look forward to starting our new future together in Italy come the end of this year. Since that's still some time away, I will have to literally keep you posted on our progress, so that you can also share in our happiness :)

Hope you're having a blissful week, xo Janine

a birthday perspective

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Hello friends. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for not posting as often as I usually do. I'm just really busy at the moment, and the work won't ease off for another two months.

Despite these obligations, I couldn't resist popping in to tell you that it's my birthday! I'm 31 today - still a baby as my aunt so kindly put it into perspective. I feel quite strongly that this year will be the one I will always remember... but more of my big secret another time!

As for today's post, I hope you will like this series of images from Italy. I wanted to revisit my fine art roots with their monotones. Would you believe me if I told you that my final year exhibition (2001) was exclusively black and white? For ze proof, you can view ze images HERE :)

I also wanted to thank you again for the awesome support you show me through your comments and emails. I love hearing from each of you, and I treasure making these connections. Your friendships enrich my life, and give me reason to bloom. Thank you. Thank you so much.