Pause Here
There's so much beauty in the life we're already living. We just have to notice it.
I've been noticing the beauty in the simplest moments lately. While we were away in Bonshaw, I found myself looking forward to something so ordinary every afternoon ~ having a shower at sunset. I'd open the curtain, and right there through the window were the most beautiful cattle paddocks, with the sun slowly disappearing over the horizon. The colours were so rich and warm. Honestly, it was breathtaking. I started timing my showers just so I could be there to watch it. And you can watch it here
And then there were our afternoon walks, where I'd find myself stopping to admire the most beautiful wild poppies growing along the roadside. Of course, I had to photograph them. These little moments reminded me how much beauty is already around us when we slow down enough to notice it. Sometimes there's nothing more we need to do. Just pause, look around and take it all in.
The beauty was already there. I just gave myself the moment to see it.
What's Nourishing Me Right Now
I've been continuing to honour the changes I've made in how I nourish my body, mind and nervous system. One of my favourite practices lately has been meditation, particularly when I'm craving that beautiful, deep stillness. I close my eyes and imagine myself swimming beneath the ocean. There's something so peaceful about being underwater, where everything becomes quiet. And when thoughts come, because of course they do, I imagine them as waves splashing above me. I don't need to stop them or follow them. I simply acknowledge them and let them pass. Sometimes those waves encourage me to imagine swimming even deeper beneath the surface, finding another beautiful layer of stillness.
If you've been reading along since August, you might remember my experience with Hina, my beautiful massage therapist, who described my creative mind as a hard drive constantly working in overdrive. That analogy really stayed with me. It made me question how often I was truly giving my mind permission to rest. Not just sleeping, but actually creating moments throughout the day where I wasn't thinking, processing or planning the next thing. I've become so much more conscious of the state of mind I take into sleep, too. My intention is to finish the day feeling peaceful rather than carrying all those open tabs into the night.
“Some days I find stillness in nature. Other days, in the collective energy of others. Both bring me home to myself”
And oh, how I'm loving being back in the heated room at Yoga Bare! There's something about the warmth, the beautiful facilitators and moving consciously with my breath that feels so nourishing. During a recent class with Adam, we were guided through a vinyasa flow before being invited to continue at our own pace, following our own breath. At first, I kept mixing up my left and right, glancing at the teacher or the person beside me to remember what came next. And then something shifted. I stopped looking around and simply trusted myself. I knew the movements. I'd practised them so many times before. I just needed to allow myself to feel into the flow rather than watch someone else doing it.
And suddenly, there it was. This beautiful, almost effortless rhythm of breath and movement. I felt so proud of myself! Not because I'd mastered something new, but because I'd trusted something I already knew. I'm actually excited to bring that flow home and continue practising it myself. Alongside my daily walks without my phone, the little bunnies I keep noticing and my fortnightly fascia facials with Rose, these are the moments I'm intentionally making space for. Less looking outside myself for the next step. More trusting my own rhythm.
A Little Family Farm Getaway
We spent some beautiful time away at Bonshaw, visiting Andrew's uncle's family farm. There was motorbike riding, adventures on the buggy, afternoon walks and plenty of time enjoying the countryside. I took my camera along and had so much fun photographing around the old tobacco sheds, while also learning a little more about the history of the property.
We watched the NRL Grand Final while we were there, and it was just one of those lovely getaways where the days felt simple and full. Time with family, being outdoors, exploring somewhere different and enjoying the little moments. No big agenda. Just making the most of where we were.
And I think that's what I loved most about our time away. The beauty of the countryside, the warm colours of the afternoons and those little experiences that become such lovely memories.
This Month On The Farm
Oh my goodness, our prickly pears are flowering, and they are looking absolutely beautiful! They’re tucked away behind Andrew’s shed, where we hardly ever get to enjoy taking in the beauty of them, and I’m seriously thinking I need to plant some up near the studio. I can just imagine creating a little European-meets-Mexican vibe with these gorgeous sculptural plants and their beautiful flowers. Obviously somewhere away from little hands, because they are prickly! But honestly, they’re far too beautiful to be hidden away.
And remember those oats Andrew and I sowed back in June? I still remember us out there in the cold, muddy paddocks, planting in the rain. Well, look at them now! They’re absolutely flourishing, and all our beautiful farm animals ~ the cattle, sheep and goats ~ are making the most of that gorgeous green pasture. I took the drone up for a little photograph from above, and seeing our paddocks looking so lush and green was just beautiful. We really do love our little farm and everything this life brings us. 🤎
This Month in the Kitchen
My Banana, Choc & Oat Breakfast Bake
Oh my goodness, I have been absolutely obsessed with this breakfast throughout October! My beautiful friend Jasmine shared this banana and oat bake recipe with me, and let's just say it's become a regular in our kitchen. I've put my own little twist on it, adding dark chocolate chips, a drizzle of maple syrup and plenty of cinnamon. It's so simple, nourishing and delicious, and I love that I can prepare it once and have breakfast ready for the days ahead.
I make a big batch, almost like a banana bread, let it cool and store it in the fridge. Each morning, I cut myself a generous slice, warm it up and add a beautiful dollop of cold yoghurt, fresh blueberries and strawberries. The combination of the warm banana and oat bake with the cold yoghurt and berries is just so good! I find the oats keep me feeling satisfied throughout the morning, and there's something lovely about starting the day with a breakfast that's already prepared.
And it's not just breakfast! Andrew has been loving it as a little dessert with his coffee, especially when I've baked a fresh batch in the evening. So I thought I'd share my version with you, because sometimes it's the simplest little things that become our favourites.
Banana, Choc & Oat Breakfast Bake
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups instant oats
2 small ripe bananas or 1 large
1 cup almond milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
A pinch of salt
Dark chocolate chips for the top
A light drizzle of maple syrup
To make
Preheat your oven to 180°C. Blend the bananas, almond milk and eggs until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt, then stir through the banana mixture.
The Perfect Consistency
Allow the mixture to rest for 5–10 minutes so the oats can absorb the liquid. You’re looking for a thick, creamy, porridge-like consistency that gently dollops off the spoon rather than pours. It should be beautifully moist but not runny, with no excess liquid pooling around the oats. This is the perfect texture before baking!
Line a loaf tin with baking paper, lightly grease if needed and pour in the mixture. Sprinkle dark chocolate chips over the top and finish with a little drizzle of maple syrup.
Bake for approximately 45–55 minutes, or until the centre is set and the top is beautifully golden. Allow to cool before slicing, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.
To serve
Warm a slice and top with a generous dollop of yoghurt, fresh blueberries, strawberries and a little extra cinnamon if you love it as much as I do! Enjoy x
Love this recipe? 🤍 I’ve created a beautiful printable version for you to keep.
How I love to spend 5 minutes.
From simply looking up taking it all in, through to getting my journal and writing my evening ritual.
Sometimes all we need is five minutes. Five minutes to stop, look up and take in the beauty that’s happening right above us. The colours of the sky, the clouds moving so beautifully, the little birds flying overhead. To breathe a little deeper, notice the sounds around us and let all our senses come alive. It’s amazing how just a few moments of true presence can shift our perspective and bring us back to ourselves.
Twenty minutes is beautiful. An hour is beautiful. But sometimes five minutes is all we need to feel grounded, refreshed and reminded of the beauty that’s already surrounding us. So wherever you are today, give yourself those five minutes. Look up. Take it all in. Grab a journal write your gratefuls, write what amazing things happened that day, write what tomorrows intentions are.. And if you are feeling pulled to have one of my exact journals you can grab yours here.
The Women I Get to Work With ~ Salt & Seed Partners.
Two Women, One Shared Vision
This month, I'm celebrating two beautiful women and mums who have come together to create Salt & Seed Partners. I had the pleasure of photographing their personal branding imagery in September, and I'm so looking forward to sharing their story with you.
There's something incredibly inspiring about women combining their strengths, building something together and creating a business that supports others. I love seeing women back themselves, bring their ideas to life and create something meaningful alongside one another.
And of course, I absolutely loved creating their beautiful branding imagery. There's something so special about photographing women in a way that reflects who they are, what they stand for and the work they're bringing into the world.
I've invited the ladies to share a little more about how Salt & Seed began, what they offer, their experience of our branding session and what they're creating next.
A Conversation with Salt & Seed Partners.
I’d love to take everyone back to the beginning. How did the two of you come together, and what inspired you to create Salt & Seed? What does building a business together mean to you, especially as two mums?
Our story began in 2019 when we started working together as Recruitment Consultants. We quickly became close friends, bonding over everything from music and books to binge-worthy TV shows and shared life goals. We became the highest-performing team in the business, achieving some incredible things together. Fast forward a few years, and as two ambitious young mums, we found ourselves wanting more. We wanted to build something of our own, where we could continue doing what we love, achieve big things professionally and still be present for our growing families. And that's how Salt & Seed Partners was born. A business built on friendship, shared ambition, and the belief that you shouldn't have to choose between a successful career and being present for your family.
For the women reading who haven’t discovered Salt & Seed yet, tell us a little about what you do, who you help and what you love most about the work you’re creating together.
Salt & Seed Partners is our boutique HR, Leadership & Performance consultancy, helping businesses build stronger teams, navigate workplace challenges and grow with confidence. We work with businesses of all sizes, particularly small to medium businesses that may not have access to their own internal HR team. From employee relations and workplace investigations to leadership development, performance management and HR strategy, we provide practical, people-first support tailored to each business. What we love most is being able to make a genuine difference. We get to work alongside incredible business owners, help them navigate the tricky people stuff and build stronger foundations for long-term success. And the best part? We get to do it together, building a business we're passionate about while creating the flexibility to be present for our families.
Before we worked together, what initially drew you to me and my photography? What made you feel that I was the right person to bring your brand imagery to life?
Emily and I knew it was time to invest in some professional photos. For the first few months of our business, we kept using the same iPhone photo, which we loved, but it was definitely getting a little repetitive! When we started looking for a local photographer, Jen's website and approach immediately stood out to us. We loved that her photography went beyond simply capturing a moment. She captured the personality, purpose and story behind each business, bringing to life not just what they do, but why they do it. That's exactly what we wanted for Salt & Seed Partners. Her photography wasn’t show-y or seemed staged. They were natural and seemed to have captured the essence of the brands she was working with.
What was the experience of our branding session like for you both? How did you feel throughout the process, from planning and creating together to being in front of the camera?
Emily and I were very upfront from the beginning that we are TERRIBLE in front of the camera and definitely not naturals when it comes to having our photos taken! But Jen made the entire experience feel so comfortable and effortless. She did so much more than take photos. She had us reflecting on where we see ourselves and Salt & Seed in five years, what that success would look like and, more importantly, how it would feel. She also managed to capture something special, our friendship, our personalities, and the genuine connection at the heart of our business. We honestly couldn't stop laughing, and somehow, she turned all of that into photos that felt completely like us.
Now that you have your beautiful collection of imagery, how has it supported your business? Has it made creating content, building your website and confidently sharing your offerings easier?
Yes, yes and yes! The collection of images has completely transformed our socials and overall marketing, giving everything a much-needed facelift. We were able to refresh our website and finally bring to life the brand we had envisioned from the very beginning. But it went beyond the photos! Jen also shared some valuable branding and marketing advice that we took on board, including embracing more of our signature pop of pink. Those little changes have made such a difference in bringing everything together. Now, whenever we create content or marketing materials, everything feels so much easier and more cohesive. We have a beautiful collection of imagery and a clearer brand direction to work with, making it simple to create content that aligns with what we want to achieve. It's honestly been such a game changer!
And finally, what are you both celebrating or working towards right now? What’s coming next for Salt & Seed, and how can my beautiful readers connect with you or work with you?
We're currently celebrating our first full quarter in business, and it's been so rewarding to reflect on everything we've achieved so far! We're incredibly grateful to have worked alongside some amazing businesses, helping them strengthen their teams, rethink outdated practices and create healthier, more positive workplace dynamics. Seeing the impact of our work and watching businesses embrace change and grow with confidence has been one of the most fulfilling parts of our journey so far. Looking ahead, we're excited to continue supporting businesses with all things people, creating valuable resources and, most importantly, making HR feel simple, practical and accessible for everyone.
For the lovely readers wanting to follow along on our journey, we'd love to connect with you on Instagram at@saltandseedpartners. And if you're a business owner needing a little HR support (or just a sounding board!), we'd love to chat. We offer a free initial consultation, so please don't hesitate to reach out here.
What I'm Loving Right Now
I'm loving celebrating the women in my world. Watching their visions become their reality, seeing them step into opportunities they've dreamed about and cheering them on as they bring those dreams to life.
There's something so beautiful about seeing a woman achieve something she once imagined, wrote down or placed on a vision board. And I absolutely love being surrounded by women who are doing incredible things, following what lights them up and reminding one another of what's possible.
This is what we do over here. We celebrate women. We celebrate each other. We cheer one another on, share in the wins and genuinely want to see each other succeed.
And I'm here for all of it. 🤎
Until Next Month
October has been a beautiful reminder that we don't always need extraordinary things to happen to feel grateful for the life we're living. Sometimes it's a sunset through a bathroom window, a flower growing beside the road, laughter with family in an unfinished studio or a quiet moment where we finally stop looking around and trust ourselves.
I'm loving these little moments. I'm loving the beautiful women around me. And I'm loving the life that continues to unfold, one ordinary, extraordinary day at a time.
Until next month,
Jen x 🤎
