Virgo is a verb!

wonder | wander | women have never been conformists. We are rebel resisters of coloring within bounds. Choosing to break free of patriarchal misogynistic overlords. Where others opt for "polite" or "polished" we revolt over as restrictive and binding. 

M&I - Mother's Day 2024

Parenting styles around us were not ideal or a good fit - too authoritarian and domineering, yet lacking definition or boundaries - in our opinion. We gave up, broke free, and created our own personal option. 

precious child's breath

Mahala celebrates her birthday on September 1 - this year I will be with her in London to celebrate together. Can't wait to be with my one and only spawn and favorite being of my life.

Issa’s digital decoupage of Mahala’s art

Numerology charts claim being born on the first day makes you a self-starter with very innovative ways of creating opportunity. Never afraid to be the first to try something new. 

Determination and endurance are powerful and a great help to get through times of struggle to reach success. As solar systems are aligning in the Universe our planets are aligning with our sun. So too are Mahala's life years and numbers lining up - 1, 2, 3, 11.

Mahala birthday girl - Earth angel? NYC bug!

tropical birthday treat

Who doesn't love flowers for their birthday? This year wonder | wander | women celebrated my 43rd year by visiting one of my favourite urban gardens, the Barbican Conservatory. This isn't the first time I've spent my birthday here; maybe it can become a tradition.  

The Conservatory is a contradiction: concrete balconies, glass and steel, and tropical rainforest richness everywhere. It squeezed my heart to see the shiny, broad leaves of truly monstrous monstera or the colourful spines of bird-of-paradise blooming in profusion in the middle of this mid-century cement complex...like the parks and markets of old Manila.

birthday review - thinking back and looking forward

Birthdays are always a Big Deal here at wonder | wander | women, and this year's came at an unprecedented time. How do I quantify the 40th year of my life, and how I spent it? How can we know what comes next, and how to learn the most from it?

Do I measure my progress in work, in moving the ribbon bookmark page by page in my journals and sketchbooks, or counting the pages of my comics?

pre-birthday reflections

Before we know it another year has passed and a milestone birthday looms. It's time to reflect over the past year and start building the new one. What will I bring to this next decade of my life?

39th birthday: life, love, London

The great joy of living in a big city is what writer Julia Cameron calls the 'art date': a day of wandering and gathering inspiration. After a glorious month of running around New York, I felt like I hadn't gone on a 'date' with my own adopted city in a while.  

The Shard and Southwark Cathedral

Eating with friends: a birthday celebration!

Every birthday marks a new year, so why not treat it like a true New Year's celebration? Some years it's good to spend the day alone in contemplation. Some years we might throw a huge party, or have family dinner on top of the world. This year I wanted some quiet time, but also a touch of sparkle, and the company of a dear friend.

Image courtesy of Jamie Kurihara

birthday reflections

It was my birthday yesterday and I celebrated by taking myself on a date: walking, shopping, eating. Spending time alone after a hectic few months.

Limehouse Cut Canal

Reflecting back on the past year made me think of New Year traditions in different cultures: looking at our previous actions with wiser and kinder thoughts, learning our lessons and moving past our obstacles. Especially when we stand in our own way.

belated birthday celebrations in NYC

For my [very belated] birthday celebration my sister and I chose dinner and a show in New York City.

Our early dinner or merienda cena was at Épicerie Boulud - Chef Daniel Boulud’s eat-in and take-out market on Manhattan’s Upper West Side at Broadway and 64th Street. Since it was a glorious day, we changed our indoor reservations and opted for an outdoor table under their sidewalk parasols.