Over the Teacups #9

The two most powerful things in existence: a kind word and a thoughtful gesture

Kenneth Langone

In this turbulent world we are currently living in, I think one of the best things we can do is be kind to each other. But…please be kind to yourself as well. There are so many stresses and strains on us be it mentally, physically, emotionally, financially and the list goes on – if we don’t look after ourselves our ability to cope depletes and that’s when sh*t gets a little too real! Nothing is normal right now and who even knows what normal is anymore. So, stop and take a breath. Make yourself a cup of tea, savour the process, sit, sip and relax. I have put together a list of suggestions of how you can be kind to yourself, what do you think would be good for you?

Be Kind to You:

• Make that cup of tea/coffee/iced tea/hot chocolate
• Read a book or flip through a magazine
• Get creative – knit, sew, bake, cook, garden
• Get physical – go for a walk, run, swim, cycle
• Phone a friend – the happy vibes will be good for both of you
• Avoid TV, radio, social media for a few hours, or a few days
• Take a nap
• Have a home spa day – face mask, soak your feet, paint your nails, bubble bath
• Sit in the garden and listen to the birds
• Meditate
• Watch a movie

Something I enjoy doing for people is random acts of kindness, or as my chap calls them moments of kindness. The surprise factor is priceless but the genuine smile of gratitude is something that you both benefit from. Even though we need to socially distance ourselves that doesn’t mean cut ourselves off completely. There are still ways we can share some care and kindness and make someones day – here are a few ideas:

Moments of Kindness:

• Drop off a jar of homemade jam or relish to a friend or neighbour
• Bake some extra cookies for a friend
• Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbour or relative
• Have a virtual tea party – Zoom or Skype a group of friends
• Leave a bowl of water at your gate for the dogs out walking
• Smile at a stranger – it might just make their day
• Let someone go before you in the queue
• Pay for someone else’s coffee
• Pick flowers from your garden for a friend
• Make cards and send notes to friends and family
• Take a bag of extra fruit or veges from your garden to a friend or neighbour

Being kind doesn’t have to cost anything, it is just a way to help someone out and take some time to show you care. How does kindness look to you?

This Over the Teacups edition is full of positive, creative and exciting people. Bloggers, artists and business owners. Please take some time to discover each of them and leave a comment if you can; it really does make their day!

*Firstly I would like to introduce a fellow New Zealander who has an amazing business called CharlieRae. I have had personal experience of her intuitive readings which I have felt calming, reflective and accurate. I get great inspiration and comfort from Tracey, even across the miles! A special thank you to Tracey for allowing me to use her incredibly beautiful piece of artwork as my feature image for this edition of Over the Teacups ♥ I hope you enjoy her page as much as I do…

Hi Lovelies my name is Tracey and I live in the most beautiful country, Aotearoa, New Zealand. My favourite things in the world are my partner of 35 years, our children, our dog Rex & new addition Lily Pickles (she can do everything except hear), Maia (my Vardo), and our olive grove, Edens Grove. CharlieRae was born in memory of my Mother who passed away in 2019. She plays a big part in guiding me as I feel her love, warm hugs and beautiful smile around me. I come from an amazing line of women who were creative whether it was art, sewing, playing music, baking, cooking or writing. They were all women I looked up to and for the ones I was lucky enough to spend time with, passed on their passion and “knowing” to me. Like these women I also love to create, using crystals, copper, sewing, paint and different art mediums. I especially love doing personal commissions for individuals – called ‘INSPIRATIONAL DREAMING’ Alternative therapies light up my world! I incorporate massage therapy, reiki, intuitive guidance, business mentoring and soon Wellness & Nutritional consults in to my practice. The results I have experienced in my own life and seen in each of my colleagues and clients is very empowering and provides long term results and not just “quick fix” remedies! I love to work alongside people to facilitate the changes they desire and understand that each healing journey is a very personal one.

The modalities I work with are gentle, safe, relaxing and non-invasive and adapted to suit the clients needs. I love to Create I love to Inspire I love to Dream

You can also find CharlieRae on Facebook and Instagram.

*Gemtaroni is a fresh blog about developing a new money mindset. Gemma is on a quest to save more and spend less; sounds good to me! Blogging about personal finance, budget shopping lists and meal plans, along with travel tips – budgeting doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive! 

Check out Gemma on any of her social media accounts – Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest I personally love Gemma;s cover page on Facebook, one of the best I have seen ♥

*Saurabh from HeartAtArt is a passionate portrait artist (HeartAtArt = ART will always be a pART of the heART!). A total Bollywood buff who while dealing with an unusual phase in life took to active sketching and painting to cope with the situation. Working full time as a writer, Saurabh paints on weekends and has taken up commissioned work as well as workshops for beginners. Follow this talented artist on Facebook or Instagram and you can also check out a book of short stories, Soul Connection that has been published.

• 

• 

*Birdie Casey is a full-time mom of 3 littles, wife to her Cowboy (a third generation cattle rancher), and novice homesteader. They are currently building their home(stead) in NW Arkansas on their little piece of Cowboy’s family cattle ranch. Birdie’s blog is filled with adventures in motherhood, delicious farm-fresh recipes (the Peach Breakfast Bake looks amazing!), and all antics involved in building a new homestead. Follow along on Instagram or Pinterest for some laughs and maybe a helpful tip or two.

*Brown Sugar Cafe Blog is all about poetry, now I am not normally a huge fan of poetry but this guy Terrance, gets me…even his catch phrase is just perfect “A place where poetry meets the heart.” Maybe I am mellowing in my old age, who knows but I am loving his work. My heart skips a beat when I see a new post is up. Soulful and insightful and totally relevant. Get amongst it I say ♥ This is currently Terrance’s favorite poem Looking for Joy, and I must admit it is very touching. Plus he has a couple of books available too – Debut Book: Love Letters: A Collection of Poems and his new book, The Essence of Love. Please do check out Brown Sugar Cafe on any of these platforms Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest

*At Life Is Homemade Alyssa shares unique recipes and information on how too’s for home remedies and crafts. You will find a great supply of new and exciting recipes, natural remedies, and interesting products to make your life better. 
The most delicious Madeleines can be found in this recipe Orange Creamcicle Madeleines
and this Natural Vertigo Treatments is certainly one to look into.
Life is Homemade can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest

I would love to have more bloggers and/or businesses featuring on future Over the Teacups posts so please, if you know of anyone who may be interested let me know. Any genre, anywhere, any social media accounts, doesn’t matter what their experience is be it a brand new blogger, someone needing a boost or a really popular and successful blogger – Everyone is welcome! All I ask is that I receive a brief blurb about the blog, any links associated and that once published you follow me on my platforms and of course share the post…I will do the rest ♥ I look forward to hearing from you ♥

Disclosure: Occasionally I link to companies using affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and chose to make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you supporting my blog ♥