Tuesday 24 February 2009

Time Out


Hello again. I have decided I need some time away from the blog. I'm not sure when I will be back but I would like to thank you all for your encouragement and support over the past 2 1/2 years. This journey has certainly been a fantastic one.

If anyone would like to keep in contact with what's happening at Black & Spiro please email kelly at kelly@blackandspiro.com.au so that she can add you to our emailing list. This year we have started emailing all of our customers intermittently images of our new stock and jobs we have been working on so do make sure you email Kell so that you can be kept in the loop.

Also, my Black & Spiro website will be up and running in a couple of months so do stay tuned for that.

I do hope to come back soon but I just need some time to re-assess what I am doing and where the blog is going. I hope you understand.

xx
Anna

104 comments:

Unknown said...

I wish you the very best in the new chapter you are allowing to happen in your life! You will be missed terrible and I hope you come back soon!
Hugs & Best of luck!
sasha

Meg Ruth said...

I'll miss your daily bits of internet ephemera. You make me smile.

I wish you all the best!

Hannah said...

My first thought was a horrible amazement.
Then a pause.
My second thought was what a beautiful image to convey some of the meaning behind your post, especially the idea of freedom...
I have you in my RSS feed so if you come back tomorrow or in a year, I'll see you then. And if you don't come back, thank you for what you've added to my world of ideas.

Suzy said...

Hope you have a great rest. I'm sure you'll be back blogging in no time though. I couldn't stay away for long - and I'm hoping you won't be able to too!

MaryBeth said...

You will be greatly missed. Your blog was one of the very first I found and I have loved every single post. I hope you recharge and get your blogrove back on very soon. BIG XOXO to you , MB

stephanie said...

don't be gone too long.... but, may your time away inspire you even more.


i find that always helps.

style and grace said...

You will be missed!! I can totally relate to how you feel. I look forward to your web site and hope I get to Australia one day!!!

Shell Sherree said...

Anna,

All the very best with what you're doing and whatever online path you decide to take. I'll look forward to your Black + Spiro website. It's most important that you nurture and express your creativity in ways that fulfill you best. Thanks so much for all of the absolutely beautiful things you've shown us so far. You've poured a lot of time generously into doing so. x0

Unknown said...

Aw. Very sorry to hear that. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Take care.

Chelsea said...

I do love your blog and hope you'll continue. But, I totally understand.I've wanted to do this myself lately. I hope you can do what's best for you.

Tobi Fairley said...

Wow...have to say I am surprised but totally understand your needs due to the pressures of running a design business, a store, and a blog! I really hope you come back to the blog as you are so inspiring! Best of luck with your time off and your soul searching!!!

Ashley said...

Take all the time you need. Just know that you have several fans in Los Angeles that wait on baited breathe to see what you create when you come back! I adore your blog and genuinely admire your work.

cassandra said...

oh, anna, i think we all need these breaks! i'm feeling this way a bit at the moment too. good luck my dear, with everything! your posts will be missed! xoxo

The Wifestyle Files said...

Oh dear - what a bolt out of the blue! I am gobsmacked your blog is/was my favourite....oh well all the best for the future in whatever you may decide!

DesignBySara said...

I really, really hope you will be back, because I have been enjoying coming here every day for the last couple of months since I found you. I absolutely love your blog and your work and style! Thank you for all the inspiration!!!

Taking care of yourself - mind and soul - is always the most important thing. So I hope you find what you are looking for.

Lots of love / Sara, SWEDEN

http://designbysara.webs.com

M.A. the 2nd ~ Frances Russell said...

Hello Anna
I don't know if you remember me but I am also an interior designer and use to advertise Designers Guild etc. I think we spoke once briefly years ago. I was so sorry to see you will be stopping your blog as it is just wonderful and I have just started one of my own "18th Century ~ Passions & Obsessions". I may have to change the name slightly as I also want to comment on other beautiful things as well like all the gorgeous Hamptons Houses, interiors in general etc. but I just love the 18th century. Please visit my site if you would like! Good luck with everything.
Frances Russell

vicki archer said...

Of course Anna and thank you for all the inspired and beautiful images you have shared with us. Blogging is as exhausting as it is rewarding and sometimes it is difficult to find a balance in our busy lives. I wish you good luck and all things wonderful, xv.

Maria said...

What a wonderful picture!! Longing for summer here in Sweden...but with all the snow I think I´ll have to wait another month or two. Have a nice day and thanks for a lovely blog. :)

Shannon Fricke said...

What!
Anna - this is devastating news! You're such an inspiration - the blogging world wont be the same without you!
Don't go...
sx

Tamara said...

Oh Anna, I do hope this is time out and not goodbye!

I hope all is OK in your life. You are such an inspiration to me.

Thank you for your lovely contiributions, almost daily. I simply love your style...and your love of blue and white.

cotedetexas said...

No! NO!!! Gosh - I hope everything is ok! I will miss you so much! thank you for the past 2 years of enjoyment!! and come back!!!

Ulrika said...

Dear Anna
I discovered your fantastic blog just a little while ago.
I really needed inspiration and to enter the blog was like a new life to me. Thank you for this and I hope that you will get back soon. To give you a little inspiration back, me and my husband run a little bed&breakfast in Sweden, www.inmygarden.se our own small oasis... Best regards, Ulrika

Melissa said...

I hope your time off is rejuvenating ......
enjoy it!

Ness Lockyer said...

Anna,
I hope you dont give this up for good. It was you and your blog that got me inspired to do my own blog and I am sure there are thousands more who feel the same. Take care,
Ness xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna!have a great time out,has been a pleasure read and met ur work online,all the best!

Debra said...

Miss you already~ but we all need to find the balance in our lives. Thank you for the inspiration. Take good care.

Anna Spiro said...

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments.

As I said in my post I do hope to come back but for the meantime I need to take some much needed time.

Tonight I sat at the dinner table with my husband and had dinner with him for the first time in a very, very long time. I sat on the couch with my 6 year old and talked and talked and talked to him about his day at school.

Lately I have not had a spare minute to spend with my family and that really has been upsetting me.

I will find a way to balance it all but please be patient with me while I work it all out. I do love blogging so much and I know I will work out a way to come back...it's just going to take some time.

xx
Anna

lily-g said...

I hope you give this time to turn your great business into an empire, blog or no blog you will always be an inspiration to us all. Some of the toughest choices we make end up making us stronger and more successful both in business and in person xx

Edwina said...

Hi Anna, I have had great joy in reading your blog and will really miss it. Enjoy your new direction. Spending time with family is a decision you will never regret. x

Brandie said...

Wow! I've really enjoyed your blog and hope you have a great time focusing on your family and regrouping!

Christine said...

you have been a delight to read and will be sorely missed. i hope you return.....thank you for all the eye candy!
Christine

Wini said...

Hi Anna, I have enjoyed your wonderful blog and all the lovely images...thx for the inspiration! After two and half years, you deserve to take a break to be with your family! I attended your informative seminar at Furnitex last year and you inspired me to start my own blog. Best of luck with finding your balance. I wish you continued success in everything that you do. Take care!

Roamin said...

Hi Anna,

All the best with your future plans. You must be exhausted. I look forward to following your creative ideas. You've been a highlight of my daily websurfing. I've been meaning to get into your shop recently to make a decision on which lamp I need but can never narrow it down - will be in soon. Keep it up. You're such a Brisbane treasure. (ps not your Momomomom)

windowsshopper said...

Wow Anna - I will miss you. But know and understand - life gets over complicated sometimes. I speak from experience. I will be looking for your beautiful website ~ cannot afford to purchase much these days ~ but it does not cost anything to "just look"! Best regards from Texas - Stephanie

Freck said...

You will be missed, good luck with everything!

la la Lovely said...

Completely understand.. but I have to admit SO sad. Your blog is like my little happy daily fix. All the best to you and your work and most importantly you and your family!!! Hope to catch up with what you are doing in the future!!!
xxx Trina

Michele L. Murphy said...

All the very best Anna and savour that precious time with your son and hubby. Many thanks for all the inspiring posts!

Michele
Montreal, Canada

Mary said...

Oh Anna - I will miss your beautiful face......your blog has been wonderful - but I have noticed many women in the last two weeks saying they need time away. Please don't feel the need to apologize. Your comment about balance is so true and maybe we all need to step back and not expect so much of each other. Best of luck to you and hope to see you again.

Abby said...

Hi Anna,
Wishing the best in your time off and we do hope you come back when you're ready. Yours was one of the first blogs I started to read on a daily basis and continue to find it inspiring everyday. Best wishes!

Abby

TIG said...

Anna, you will be missed terribly! Your blog is always such a lovely and inspirational way to begin the day, but can completely understand -- it's such an enormous time commitment and oftentimes does take us away from other things that we love. Wonderful for you to have more time to spend with your family, but hope you will come back soon.

Wishing you warm thoughts,
xo

Anonymous said...

I just found you and now you're gone. How sad!

I wish you all the luck and blessings that the future surely holds for you! I'll be looking for that new website!

God Bless!

rikshaw design said...

sad!!!
well your still one of my favorites and will always check back just to see if you decide to come back and post..i hope to visit your store one day..i wish!
all the best,
Catherine

Karena said...

Will miss you Anna, I hope you come back soon. I know a blog is so much work, I feel so fortunate to have made so many special friends this way.

Keren - The Brown Trading Co. said...

Well I was so stunned when I first read your post but definitely understand the whole overwhelming feeling of not having enough time for those closest to us.

You enjoy those precious moments.

Keren
xx

erika sorocco said...

Good luck with everything. You will be missed.

Sofia said...

I hope you come back soon!I will miss you.

Sofia

count it all joy said...

To everything, a season. Thanks so much for all that you have shared on your beautiful blog. Once again, you are leading the way by valuing the most "absolutely beautiful things" - your family.

Take care,
Meredith.

RP said...

Dearest Anna,
You have been some kind of inventor when it comes to style. Your work is unique and utterly beautiful. My best wishes for your business and your family. The gold coast is definately going to be a yearly pilgramage for me and so each time I'm up I hope to visit the shop, and will look forward to your website in the meantime.
a bientot!
MrsPotter

Unknown said...

Good luck and I'll miss your daily snippets of beautiful things. I'm adding my name to the emailing list and will start saving so I can buy gorgeous things from your website when it's up and running.
Thanks for all the hard work you put into the blog and I'll miss that feeling of anticipation I get everyday looking at your pink background waiting for the post to load.
Thanks
Marita

MFAMB said...

well poo!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Good for you Anna. I am proud of you for making a choice that is healthy for you and your family!

Many blessings in your time away!!
Melissa

tinkalicious said...

Seems like an awful lot of people are taking this path, currently. I am thinking everyone has so much going on, that something has to give, and for many it's their blog!
Good luck to you.

Julie at Belle Vivir said...

Hi Ana,
You'll be missed. I can perfectly understand where you're coming from. Blogging is so much time consuming (especially to keep up with all those wonderful other blogs out there) and very often makes us miss out the best and most important things in our lives. I also feel the same way, specially now that I have my precious little bundle of joy in my life. I wish you can manage to find some extra time so you can come back.

Until then all the best to you and your family.

Porchlight Interiors said...

All the best Anna! Hope you enjoy the break with your family and look forward to your return. Hayley & Tracey xx

So Haute said...

Wishing you all the best during your time off & hope you return soon! xo

Polly Jones said...

You are so right to spend the family time! I've so enjoyed your posts and your decorating vision and look forward to more when things settle down for you.

Amanda said...

I was devastated when I first read your post Anna but I completely understand. Finding a steady balance is difficult. I hope you enjoy your time away and will eventually come back and share more of your beautiful work with us all.

We're planning to spend a few days down in Brisbane at the beginning of May so I hope to be able to visit your fabulous shop in person.

Amanda xx

Trish *Spring Blossom* said...

oh my gosh..... I'm crushed
Your blog was the first I'd ever read and inspired me to create my own. Thank you for all your inspirational photos and stories that you have shared. I will miss you very much.
I hope your break gives you time reflect on how many people enjoyed your blog. Good luck and enjoy the break.

julia shea said...

NOOOO! First Domino now you, please dont leave the blog world! I live vicariously through your post each day. You are so talented and such an inspiration. Perhaps you need to blog at your leisure instead of habitually everyday. Please reconsider althoug I understand being a working mom.

Heather Nette King said...

Anna, your look is the embodiment of classic Australian style and good taste. What a loss...

Camilla said...

I have often wondered HOW you could be posting so often with a busy business and a little person and decided you had super human time management skills!!
Enjoy your break & life again!!!
Hope you visit back again in the not tooooo distant future!

Irene said...

I am sad to read your post. I like your blog because it is original, it is about what you like, not what the trend says you must in order to be popular and get clicks on the counter.
But,there are times for rest and contemplation, and times for action. Time in the real world is what life is about. I believe when the time is right you;ll be back renewed and refreshed.
Take care.

Unknown said...

I wish you all the best, Anna, and I wanted to let you know that you & your blog were the inspiration for me to start my own blog almost a year ago. I will miss your daily post so much!! xx from Spain!

leticia

drey said...

Hi Anna,

Sorry to hear htis, but I can totally understand. I hope you find your answer, direction and peace about the blog/your world.

Do take care and hope to hear from you soon again

xoxx Audrey "drey"

Lee said...

I really didn't know that decor blogs existed before I read the article on Black & Spiro in Real Living, and then I became hooked on your blog and I've loved every post since. You have a wonderful, unique, colourful style. I will miss your blog very much and I hope, hope, hope that you will return to us soon. Thank you for all your inspiration!

LoL7o7 said...

Good luck and thanks for a lovely read. Lolita

elena said...

Thank you, and good luck.
We´ll miss you :)

Best wishes from Spain

Fiona said...

Please, spend time with your family and enjoy it. If you can, please come back and blog again, because it's totally corny, but I look at your blog every morning and it really is a beautiful spot in my day.

I understand about being overwhelmed, because I went through something similar a few months ago, but things do shift. Hope they shift soon for you!

Mrs Button said...

A wise friend once told me that when we hold on too tightly to the present - we are not capable of grasping the new and beautiful in our hands. Good luck, Anna and may there always be new and beautiful things in your life.
Kind regards,
Lisa.

Kara said...

Just wanted to let you know - your blog has always been a favorite of mine. I do hope you will come back soon.

Kara said...

Just wanted to let you know - your blog has always been a favorite of mine. I do hope you will come back soon.

Kara said...

Just wanted to let you know that your blog has always been a favorite of mine. I do hope you will come back soon.

Kara said...

Just wanted to let you know that your blog has always been a favorite of mine. I do hope you will come back soon.

Sarthak said...

i felt my stomach jump up on the thought of going to 'my favourites', link on my internet browser everyday and clicking on "ABT" and not finding you there ! but we all have our spaces and time frames to compose our routine of other things the heart wishes to pursue.

i wish you all the best in whatever you do !

always an avid follower of your blog,
Sarthak

surfluxe said...

What a shame, but all the best! I love your daily inspiration, and look forward to it every morning. I hope that we find more of your work and daily inspiration coming back to us soon.

The little me said...

Wishing you all the best. Will miss your daily beautiful snippets...

Shelley Trbuhovich said...

all the best to you, anna. your's was the second design blog i read and it's all your fault that i have become completely addicted to this world!! it's always such a positive place to visit.
many thanks for creating something so lovely - take a beautiful, well deserved break; i hold out hope that we will meet in blogland again sometime. x shelley t

Pointy said...

Anna thank you so much for all you have given us over the past couple of years. You brought colour into my grey world and made me rethink so much about my life and my creativity. You are definitely a person to watch and I know like has even more great things in store for you and your family! Will miss you but encourage you to keep dreaming big!

Grace said...

hi anna, i'd just like to thank you for your wonderful blog and the often positive and bright outlook on life you have. for many years i have longed to look for a creative outlet and as a consequence i have just enrolled in a short course in interior design and decoration. I attribute much of your blog to me discovering an opportunity to put into practice my creative urges. thank you and i will check back regularly in anticipation of your blog returning. all the best during your break. xx

Sharnel said...

I'm very sad to see you go Anna, and that's the reason I've taken awhile to post.
Your blog is the first I check every morning. You have given me so much inspiration through your words and images. You have opened up a whole new world to me!
I really hope you find a balance between doing what you love and your family and come back to us soon.
xxx
Sharnel

joey said...

You're the reason why i'm holding on to the dream of being a wedding planner, florist, photographer, decorator and dreamer of all things beautiful... thank you for all the inspiration... :)

Have a good break Anna!

Love, Joey.

srta a said...

Completely understand...Take all the time you need...

Enjoy!!

XX!!

Nina said...

THANK YOU for all the beauty (in so many ways) you have given me through this blog.

Nina (KL, Malaysia)

Unknown said...

That's so sad...I've only discovered your blog the last couple of weeks through my marakesh...So vibrant and inspiring! Its sad that you stop (althought I hope it will only be a small break). Your style has so many commons with mine and the area where I live, that is Athens, Greece :-)
From this part of the world, take a break, and come back soon!!

Of course I would like to be add in your mailing list!!!

HOUND HILL DESIGN said...

Thank you Anna for bringing me in to the blogging world through your Absolutely Beautiful Christmas Competition a few years back. And thank you for your wonderful blog... as a shop owner and designer myself I was always wondering how you could balance a shop, blog, and family all at once. I know that I could not possibly manage it all! You will be missed...

Emily said...

Anna - I hope you have a lovely break and return to us rejuvinated! I absolutely love love love your blog and would be so sad if you didn't continue. First Domino then you? It's too much! Please keep the blog open so we can peruse your archives!

xoxo

http://elr215.blogspot.com/

Amanda said...

Anna, I'm SO proud of you. You're doing the right thing - your husband and your son are the most important relationships you have. They are your heart - I know. I have a heart that has 2 compartments in it, too - one for my child and the other for my husband. Take care; thank you for the inspiration! xxooo

Homeworks said...

You have inspired so many. All the best and be back soon!

Alison Gibbs said...

Anna thank you for all that you have shared with us on your blog. I hope you won't be gone for too long!
Alison

katiedid said...

You have been an inspiration to all of us that come here to read your wonderful blog. Yours was one of the blogs that got me going way back when! Missing you laready....but completely understand. You will not get that time back to spend with your son and husband.

Wishing you all good things and the time to enjoy them!

xoxo
Katie

Kwana said...

I hope the break is a good one but that you'll be back soon. You'll be so missed. You're a true inspiration.

Yoli said...

Oh take good care of yourself but please don't leave for good!!! This blog is such an inspiration, such an oasis of beauty to escape to.

marthalena said...

No!!!!! Let's just call this a "break," ok???? You're not going away forever! You're not! You're not!

Natalie Walton said...

You're asking the right questions and I hope you find the right answers.

And, no matter what you decide, you should be incredibly proud of what you've achieved with your blog.

I am absolutely confident you will continue to impress us all for years to come in whatever endeavour you choose.

Thank you, Anna.

Natalie
x

Alkemie said...

Hi Anna,

You'll definitely be missed but taking time for one's self is really important too. I definitely look forward to your website as well!

Thank you for all of your inspirations! You were the first blog that really inspired me when I first started blogging.

Take care of yourself!

Karen Olivia

Visual Vamp said...

Missing you.
You're blog is a role model so many aspire to.
Wishing you happiness.
xo xo

SimplyGrove said...

We will miss you!! Have a restful time off!

Steph said...

I will miss my daily dose. Good luck to you and thanks!

Roberto Ney said...

hi, everything good? I´m Brazilian, I live in salvador and i like much of your blog, ok!
ps my English is still the starter, I am learning ...
heheheheheheh
Do you speak portugese or spanish?
bye

Lumen Drops said...

I will miss your wonderful blog but highly respect your decision and setting priorities. Hope all goes well for you, Anna.

Velvet and Linen said...

I hope you do come back, Anna, but if not thank you for a wonderful blog filled with beauty and inspiration.

xo
Brooke

Absolutely Ladylike said...

Dear Anna!Hope you'll come back soon. Your blog is amazing. I guess the number of the comments are enough proof for that, there is a lot of people going to miss your lovely daily journal.Wishing you the best...Love from China: Evi

Salon de Sucre said...

Anna ...just remember we need you here.. you do inspire alot of us and seeing you do your thing and go on your daily life with Black and Spiro has something so satisfying to us.. it makes us feel very inspired.

be back soon please!

Le said...

my best to you for this period of consideration ... I will just have to go back and read all your earlier work ... cheers le