Courtney is a Canadian creative and home cook currently based in Sydney, Australia. Her imagery aims to serve as a reminder to slow down, elevate the essentials, and find the beauty in every daily act.

Probably one morning recently (on a walk on the beach) when the moon was still out, low on the horizon, as the sun rose. It cast those long, winter shadows and made everything feel stark and surreal. I’m most often inspired and influenced by my environment: its light, sounds, feeling.

My eye for beauty and my listening ear. The truest things I learn are first taught to me by observing nature and listening deeply to what (and who) is around me.

Busyness. The praise for prioritizing work above all else. It fosters the mindset that productivity = purpose. I find this to be particularly complicated for women, as the type of work society values (and rewards) most is hugely gendered. While I absolutely believe people can find purpose in their work (a huge privilege), people can also find purpose in everyday things; in hobbies and passions. We should be able to enjoy things with absolute shimmering reverence and not feel unproductive and shameful — or an urge to monetize them.

Time spent outdoors, a dip in the ocean, sun. A meal - seasonal - shared with people I love over lots and lots of good wine. Something to wear that makes me feel like myself. Surrounding myself with things that bring me joy — using and looking at them often.

The ocean is my greatest emotional equalizer. Bigger than me and eternally mystical in its energy. Better than anything that can be bought. I’m never not in awe of the contiguity of its intensity and its calmness. Staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves' frequency and puts us into a meditative state. The ebb and flow de-stimulates our brain and activates the parasympathetic nervous system; negative ions in the sea breeze boost our mood.

I like to start my day before the sun, so I can watch it come up with a good cup of coffee and an ocean swim — so right now, (winter in Australia) I’d change the weather.

Vintage gold jewelry, Maldon sea salt, a good book, my La Bonne Brosse Hairbrush, chilled red wine (right now I like Paltrinieri & Latta Vino), a Bathing Suit (current favorites are Ziah or Mare Perpetua), Diptyque Feu de Bois, a Blanca Studio button up shirt, Furtuna Face Oil, a ceramic coffee Mug made by my mom, a film camera, and my best friends’ dog, Ollie.

Usually whatever song is stuck in my head. That, or deep, unrelenting analysis of a person (sometimes me) or an event. Recently, I just anguish over how cold I’ll be when I get out (shoutout to the lack of central heating in Australia).