T. had forgotten what I received for Christmas last year, and he subsequently bought another copy of a book his parents gave me last year. When we realised this we returned it and I found a "replacement gift," which happened to be Pia Jane Bijkerk's wonderful My Heart Wanders.

As a stylist and photographer, Bijkerk has become quite well-known in her native Australia as well as in Europe since moving here in 2006. In amazing pictures as well as texts, this book tells her story when deciding to move to Paris and, a bit later, to Amsterdam. We get glimpses of the apartment she decorates in Paris as well as the houseboat on one of the canals in Amsterdam, to which she and her boyfriend move. More of her work and her ideas can be found on her own blog and on Pinterest.

Just like Bijkerk, I have travelled quite a bit and, when I last counted, I have moved seventeen times. In February it will be my 18th move, as we move to yet another house — and we already know we will move again in another year and a half.

I recognize Bijkerk's struggle to find her bearings in a new culture and context. I recognize her joy when exploring a new place and when discovering her ability to read and discern the social cues — as well as her sadness when feeling completely out of place. The experiences are priceless and Bijkerk's book displays her amazing ability to show us this. A fine read and a beautiful book.