I have a thing for rhinos – I guess it has been going on for a while…. For my 30th birthday all I really wanted was this large papermache rhino lamp – and YYEEESSS I got it… that is now 17 years ago.
Last week in South Africa I met David whose Father used to be a wildlife vet in Rhodesia/Zimbabve – they actually had a real live rhino named Rupert in their home. Ruperts Mother died and the family took care of him until he was big enough to be send back into the wild. - Rupert actually thought he was a dog. Check out the cool pictures of Rupert and also the small movie here.
I love this story – if you google ‘Rupert the rhino’ you will find lots of cute stories about him. That must be what can be classified as a true moment of very exotic everyday magic…..
This morning I took a quick look around my home and office – and I realized that rhinos are everywhere….
if you have any great ideas for new rhino products for us please share…..I am always open………
Best
Charlotte
When I was 12 I was in Australia visiting my Uncle who is married to a lovely Lebanese woman. This was actually my very first trip abroad.
We went to visit some of my aunts family and her old aunties were doing “readings” in coffee cups.
I had my reading done – and the lady said – you will be travelling a lot…….
When I travel, I often think about this moment – recently I have done quite a lot of it…both thinking and travelling..
10 days ago I was in South Africa and in Madagascar.
In South Africa I visited a beautful familiy that I met 2 years ago in Italy – they took me to see an elephant conservatory and I got a big wet sloppy kiss from an elephant… I was very much out of my comfort zone… even just touching this big incredible animal felt a little scary
but my friend just took my hand and said … YES you will do it.
It was pure magic… I had an amazing time both with the lovely Condy family and feeling the inspirational vibe of this city and country so very different to my little Denmark.
We went to an fabulous market in Johannesburg called The Neighbour Goods Market - it happens every Saturday from 9 to 16 – where the organizers have rented 2 floors in a parking lot and transforms it into a scumptious food market… so simple and amazing ! Pure everyday magic moment. If I had the time I would love to organize something like this in my town…The concept is lots of different stalls with beautiful homemade food and drinks, you can buy from every stall and just sit at long tables eat – drink and do some people watching…
One of my favorite products was the “R.I.P Diet” chocolate cake……
After a few days I was off to Madagascar – to the beautiful red island…. more on this tomorrow
Warm regards
C
10 days ago I had a small operation on my eyelids – they had become very heavy, and it had been bothering me for quite some time…
Finally I made up my mind and booked the appointment. I was really busy up until 30 minutes before the surgery and I really did not take much time to think or worry about it. I have many friends who have had this done – and none of them made a great fuss about it.
The last 30 minutes before the surgery, I managed to get myself in high alert state… suddenly worrying deeply about my sight . My vision and my ability to see things is my core strength and also my business. I tried to breathe all the best I know and stay calm – but I was really really hot, sweaty and worried.
45 minutes later it was all over – and everything went perfectly well – I will not compare it to childbirth, but it was definetly not 45 minutes of fun either!
I have had lots of different, but necessary operations done over the years – I could talk for days and nights telling the story of my scars (I promise I won’t) – but this is the first time I have “SELF INFLICTED” surgery..
Staying home for a few days gave me lots of time to think… and actually also time to make me realize, that even if I sometimes dream of being a stay home mum – it is a great thing it never happened.
It is strange that you suddenly start thinking a lot about your senses and how connected we are to them – that moment I thought to myself, I’d rather loose my hearing than my vision…. but in fact it also really made me appreciate that I do not have to choose.
I’m so happy about my little “intervention” and I really feel I can see everything much more clearly now.
All this mostly to say – appreciate all your senses…. See, listen, smell, taste, touch… it’s the wonders of true everyday magic moments…
I had to stay some days at home and after 5 days I was so restless – saying to my husband; I am bored, our lives are boring… I need adventure, new horizons! Let’s move to LA – let’s do this, let’s do that……
Our kids are never home – they are these great little perfect social happy outgoing beings, that don’t really worry about their Mother being bored…..
Luckily I was soon free of my stitches and went to Munich for the launch of my book – and now I am back to being happy – I can SEE clearly that my life is not boring at all……..
More on Munich tomorrow
xxx
C
I am so often asked what inspires me.
For me inspiration is everywhere and often in the little things. A tour on the vegetable market, a nice combination of colors on a house, a beautiful dish, a blue sky… A smile, a lovely old well groomed lady with lipstick, funny words…The most important is to keep your eyes and heart open – and inspiration is everywhere.
Take a look at some pictures I took last week from Nice, mixed with Rice - Moments of Everyday Magic in the little things…
What inspires you ?????
I am a fun-loving colorful person – always looking for Everyday magic in everything I do.
Charlotte, Founder and creative director of RICE.
Joëlle Wehkamp
