“ We are all Wanderers on the earth. Our Hearts full of Wonder. And our Souls full of Dreams. ” ~ Gypsy proverb
To meet someone living the life you wanted is not only inspiring but life-altering as well. It’s like you were directed to a path where your heart beats faster.
It was so many moons ago when I first met Ms. Evelyn. It was year 2008 more or less. Her Souvenir/ home decors shop is situated in her home at Tacloban City.
It was such a pretty place, there’s a huge lush garden, and if I remember it right, the items she sells are somewhere in the back area and I was able to purchase a few as gifts. One item I also got from her shop is this.
Getting a peak of the interiors of her home, amazed me. It was a combination of modern furniture and antique ones, a plethora of collection by an artist like her. She is a Designer too. =) She probably detected my sense of wondering and she invited me to go inside.
She showed me this massive antique wooden cabinet, which we call “platera” as a child (I just hear it from my parents and grandparents), it’s where we keep our dinner wares and flat wares and all those things you need to prepare the dining table.
However, the doors aren’t made of glass. It’s made of wood as well and with delight she gladly open them for me to see what’s inside. And to my amazement, it was a collection of blue and white ginger jars in all sizes. Each one prominent in its’ own. I didn’t dare touch them, I was just contended gazing at their beauty.
According to her, she accumulated them from her travels. Some are gifts and definitely most of them are categorized as antiques.
It reminded me of my cousin’s collections too.
Her house upon first glance is literally boho eclectic.
I do not know why I didn’t take pictures from her place, I only have her business card. But the vision of it stayed in my mind up to this very moment.
It actually prompted me to let the energies flow inside of me and practically do what I love. And it is to proceed with my plan to create a boho chic home, or convert my parents’ house into a boho one, realizing that if I didn’t start right away, it’d really take me a while.
I have limited resources, since most boho homes achieve its’ look because the owner probably is a traveler or a collector and the decors are accumulation of souvenirs from all her travels through the years. When I no longer travel so often, though, lucky enough to have traveler friends who gifted me with souvenirs from different places. I think, it’ll take me years to complete it.
Though the process itself is gratifying. Just ticking off one from the list excites me each time, like a lifetime commitment, this is what I want to do, and to not ignore even a single chance, Be it made by me, purchased, a friend’s gift, something I recycled or upcycled. An advocacy to save Mother earth by limiting build-up of land fills. This is what I wanted. That just by looking around from where I live, It’ll make me happy. And I have no intention of really being something else. This is my focus. Because from this, I’d be able to re-open my mama’s shop.
Anyway, after the pandemic, my priority is to travel. Again. =)
Just recently, I’ve found a virtual friend who resembles Ms. Evelyn. Time and again, It is astonishing that I met different people with the same hobbies or interests, and they are all truly inspiring. Meeting them personally and discovering their pages from Instagram.
Just like Happy Nest in the Tropics.
Honestly, when I first encounter her Instagram page, I didn’t expect that it’s in my country. It is so unique. If you go further, her home is the epitome of an artist’s canvas, the works of a bohemian by nature.
We were discussing things lately, and I told her that our taste might be eyesore to some, though for us, it is what makes us happy and keep up our spirits. And then she said, well, we are increasing. Which is apparently true, I have met so many friends in my IG account, the same circle loving the same niche. Before I was in love with Ibiza boho girl, The spotted zebra (which I recently featured in my blog: My 1 dozen most favorite pages at Instagram and true enough, it surprises me that I’ve been seeing those pages I follow are also following Happy nest in the tropics.
It gave me a certain bliss, that, Hey, I found my niche. ❤
As to why following them makes me happy. Their abodes are bursting with happy colors, stunning flares, like every corner is pleasing to the eye. Our pair of eyes. Be it brand new, vintage or antique, recycled, upcycled, name it.
Another thing that is truly inspiring with Happy nest in the tropics is that she appreciates and validates handmade crafts that are made locally. Which is a good thing as she is literally helping out these businesses. Empowering them to do more, create more, inspire and be inspired more.
This ignites the fire to bring forth the talents and passion of creating beautiful things and share it to the world.
That part is my favorite. =)
Check it out and witness the boho chic beauty of her own heaven on earth, the good and magical vibes it radiate, and be excited like I am (finally found my tribe) to be motivated by her day to day pursuit to stay happy and creative, gleefully shared to remain connected via Instagram. =)
Happy reading my boho sisters! ❤
On Purple Wings 