I’ve been crazy busy with freelance assignments and I needed a break because I’m working more hours now than I ever did as a corporate employee. Which is all-consuming and why I don’t blog nearly as regularly as I used to. After 10-12 hours of writing and editing for clients, I’m all out of words!

But it’s awesome to be doing what I love with complete freedom over what I do and how I structure my time. I work with the clients I want to work with, and I’m free of corporate nonsense like KPIs, performance reviews, development plans, and stupid lingo like, “lean-in” and “reach out.” If I suck, I don’t get the next job. If a client sucks, I don’t take their next job. Every job has to be my best. It’s a good arrangement.

Anyway, I decided to treat myself to a luxury cruise because I wasn’t in an expense-sparing mood, and I wasn’t disappointed. I spent nearly two weeks at sea with unlimited Hendrick’s and tonic, room service, afternoon tea, hours of promenading, live classical music, endless free time, and a full moon.

When I booked, I said that I was celebrating a special occasion… “a break from bullshit!” And they deliver a cake and a “Congratulations” to my stateroom on the first night… lol!

I put down my camera this time and experienced everything with my eyes. I feel a tinge of regret over not photographing the double rainbow as the ship sailed away from the misty St. Petersburg skyline, but standing on the promenade deck sipping a martini completely in the moment was well worth the missed photo-op, even though I wish I could’ve posted a photo so you could see how much the scene looked like futuristic film set.

A French Antique 1920s Art Deco Diamond Ring

It’s been awhile since I’ve added a sparkly thing to my antique and vintage jewellery collection. A 1.25+ carat old cut diamond, preferably in an Art Deco setting has always been on my wishlist, and I finally found it!

My yet-to-be-named antique Art Deco diamond ring is from the 1920s, which is my favorite jewelry era. It’s French, which I can tell because the hallmark is on the outside of the shank, and it’s set with a whacking great big 1.50-carat old cut diamond surrounded by a hexagonal halo of more old cut diamonds, all in platinum with a beautiful handmade openwork gallery.

It goes perfectly with this pair of earrings I had made a couple of years ago!

Big Dreams Pay Off

Yesterday was my one year anniversary of deciding to go freelance. I’d dreamed of it for years and I’d agonized over actually going for it, but now I can’t imagine my life any other way.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.

~ Henry David Thoreau

That’s one of my favorite quotes and it’s guided me in so many difficult choices over the years. I’m often asked how I managed to move abroad, start over and build the life I’ve built, and that quote pretty much sums it up. Well that… and sheer chutzpah. It never actually occurs to me that I won’t get what I want, so I just figure out what it is that I want, and go for it.

Dream big or go home…