calliemm

[calliemm]

The Next Chapter

The Next Chapter It’s no secret that when I came home from Italy in 2022, I had a burning desire to open a bookshop. My sisters and I had put the store we owned together on the market not long before I left for my holiday of a lifetime; little did I know then that that trip would be the beginning of the chapter in my life.Our store sold just months after my return, so I planned to take a year to…

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January

January has been a month of Rainbows and Rainstorms, literally. It has been hot and wet and passed in a flash. I started the month on Queensland’s sunny Gold Coast with the kids, where it was beautiful one day, and we swam in the rain the next (it really was a fabulous start to the New Year) to spending almost every day on returning home working on my business and my book around dips in the ocean…

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Pin Us

In this post I am reintroducing Kalico (for those new to calliemm). Kalico is the umbrella from which I manage my store and the books I self-publish. So far one published, with another due to launch this year. Kalico is an online bookstore selling books and bookish things. I would describe our niche as “Slow Living.” This niche caters to individuals seeking resources that contribute to a…

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Starting Over

I have written in journals for most of my life. Sometimes, my writing makes it into purposely purchased journals; others are simple thoughts and scribbles on random pieces of paper. One habit I did practice consistently, however, was archiving. Rarely did a decade go by with my handwritten journals that I didn’t dispose of them (an ex or two will be happy to know). I should have kept them for…

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Journalling

Unlocking the Power of Journaling: A Beginner’s Guide to Personal Growth… “📓✨ Take a Look Within: The Art of Journaling 🖋️ Explore the transformative power of putting pen to paper. Dive into creative prompts, mindful journaling ideas, and inspiration for cultivating a reflective and intentional life. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting your journaling adventure, discover the magic…

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Summertime

Welcome, summer; you have come around quickly! It’s time to embrace longer days, the great outdoors, and revitalising activities—letting the new season’s energy nourish mind, body, and soul. ☀���🌻🍉 I know I’m ready to get outside and play… Here are 10 easy, fun ways to make the most of summer days: Early Morning Stroll: Greet the sunrise with a peaceful walk. Embrace the serenity and crisp…

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Starting Over

This blog has been many things over the years. But mainly, it has served as a personal diary shared with family, friends and anyone else who may be interested, whatever the reason. It has evolved with me. If not family or friends, you may be here for a glimpse at life in a faraway place, recognition of a similar path or no particular reason at all. You are welcome, the whys don’t…

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The Art of Wise Living

CHAPTER 1   LOVE  Love is a universal language that transcends boundaries and touches the depths of our souls. It profoundly shapes our lives. Love, when shared, manifests in myriad forms, from tender affection within families to the passionate intensity of romantic relationships, each with its unique essence. Let’s unravel the mysteries of love, examining its foundations, expressions and…

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Kalico Wellness Workbook

Hi, many of my Instagram regulars have chatted with me about creating a simple wellness workbook to help them stay on track. Here is our first. It’s a free pdf, you are welcome to download it. Have a fabulous time taking care of you! optimized_kalico_wellness_workbook-1Download

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Seven

23 – Ten months after meeting my parents, I met Bren’s Mum and Dad. He was competing in his first short course triathlon and it was a beautiful, crisp morning in Port Macquarie. His Mum and Dad came to watch him compete. I was too nervous to notice how well he had done in the race because I was busy worrying about meeting them. Bren had forewarned me many times in the months prior that they…

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six

August 1995 We couldn’t visit the Gold Coast without a trip to Point Danger Lighthouse. It was always our first stop. As kids, my sisters and I thought it was very cool that you could stand with one foot in Queensland and the other in NSW.  Mum and I stood in the middle of the lighthouse platform, with one foot in each state and looked up, taking in the impressive height of the structure.  “Do…

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Adapt

This book is an easy read, drawing from years of studying traditional and contemporary wellness practices, research and my personal experiences.

Didn’t May and June come and go in the blink of an eye! What a whirlwind. Having discussed pivoting in my last post, I may have foreshadowed the months ahead. Throughout those two months, there was some adapting to be done. On receiving a manuscript from my author Ivy Carr, and due to a sad and unforeseen circumstance, it was decided that the manuscript wasn’t quite right and that The Art of…

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April Wrap-up (Yes, I know it's May)

There's nothing like a late afternoon walk to remind me what being in flow feels like

Pivot was my word for April, and the need to do just that more than usual throughout a hectic month is why I’m writing April’s wrap-up in the middle of May. Pivoting – is a crucial step when things don’t go as planned.  I need a new car – pivot. The Art of Wise Living has been delayed as it undergoes rewrites – pivot.  And half a dozen small but time-consuming things that required a different…

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In the Middle.

Recently in one of my study groups, we were working on defining new niches and deciding on a specific genre or topic of focus. To help narrow down category searches and pinpoint the target audience for profitability research. The brainstorming and creative thinking that came through the session was followed by some self-reflection, which is never bad. Cheers, middle age! You really are here. On…

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twenty two

[calliemm]

Kalico

Exciting times: I began studying again a little over a year ago. Seeking a new challenge, I settled on an independent book publishing course. And a whole new world unfolded. I have been fascinated by the content and inspired by the teachers and students I am studying with. I am also currently working with a dynamic team of rising authors, editors, and creatives, and have put my course work,…

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Heart Connections

Looking back on February, I sigh with relief, knowing Tyz has settled into Uni living and is loving city life. She has 3 gorgeous new flatmates, and her two cousins are a quick train ride away (40 minutes is quick in the city). Having said all that, Bades, Otis and I are missing her like crazy and even so, I am heart happy. Knowing my kids have stepped into the next part of their lives with the…