Victoria Alexander has worked across the creative spectrum, including time as a fashion editor for Vogue, a hotelier at The Russell Hotel and restaurateur at The Bather's Pavilion at Sydney's Balmoral Beach. Her new book, 'Real: Living a balanced life' focuses on finding authenticity in every aspect of our lives, richly illustrated with images from her travels to 27 countries countries. Spend 5 minutes with Victoria learning more about her travels and inspiration, and take a sneak peek at just a few of the themes she explores in the book. We are lucky enough to have 5 copies to give away - for details of how to win, see below. 
Competition finished.



Sustenance
Food is a language and how we approach cooking is a defining human activity. Our favourite meals are comforting. They nourish us by their association with fond memories. We take raw nature and turn it into cooked culture. Real food teaches us about the realities of life, the natural world and that good things take time.



Nature
There's nothing more hopeful than a seed packet. People and plants aren't so very different. Both of us need nurturing. Starting a garden takes commitment. Keeping it going teaches continuity, appreciation of variety and is a joyous thing.



Belonging
A home is much more than a shelter; it's a place for and, if we are lucky, of our dreams. Homes that keep it real are made up of an eclectic collection of old, new, made-by-hand, hand-me-downs, worn and loved things. Our homes comfort and protect us; they allow us to be at peace - not always an easy task. Beyond its positive powers of solitude, a home tells its owner's sacred story.



Work
If we are to turn one opportunity into another, application and focus, determination and persistence count for much. As does being open to collaboration. Some of the best working relationships occur when people are willing to be part of an end goal they don't yet fully understand; they're happy to go along for the ride and learn.



5 minutes with the author: Victoria Alexander

What is your most valued item that you take on your travels?
Unwittingly I would have said my camera until my iPhone was very recently stolen in India. So my phone which is so very much more than a phone really. It's very smart and is a camera.

What are the five words that describe how you would like people to feel when reading the book?
Included. Valued. Inspired. Anticipation. Connected.

Of all the 27 countries you visited which was the most photogenic?
India; its hard to beat for the people who enjoy the exchange while being photographed, the life in the street, the textures and the way they mix colour. It's a photographer's paradise but I would hate to dismiss Myanmar which also offers as much, in a similar way.

What is your most treasured purchase from the trips you made to capture the images for this book?
A baby rug size sampler stitched by an embroiderer from Kashmir. It's like a painting, and of a fading art. Made on fine linen, sewn with everyday sewing thread you mend a button with, half complete with patterns stamped on the incomplete half, it includes stitches by his grandfather who taught his father so his are there too along with Nazir's from the last forty years. He had the kindest eyes behind his dark rimmed glasses and said as he considered selling it "this is the story of my life". I like to think he knew that I understood exactly that. When it's no longer mine I hope it will find it's way into a textile museum of some kind. It's a real treasure.

What is the opposite of REAL?
Unfeeling.

Images and edited extract from Real: Living a balanced life by Victoria Alexander, published by Murdoch Books.

Tell us what real means to you, for your chance to win 1 of 5 copies. To enter, leave a comment here on the blog before 5pm (AEST) Friday 1 May 2015. You must be a member of Temple & Webster to enter, and you may only enter once. We will choose our favourite comment, and will notify the winner via their Facebook page or at the email address attached to their Temple & Webster account (if we are able to ascertain it) by 8 May 2015. If we are unable to make contact with the winner via either of those methods within 30 days, we'll choose a replacement winner. Good luck! Competition finished.