Run at me Monday. I’m ready and prepared to take you on! Today I’m choosing to be useful, not used.
How about you?
Dear Time
Just stop. Please. Stop it with your ticking. You are noisy and distracting and I want to punch you. Your precious seconds are passing me by too quickly and I need a moment to accept things are evolving. I need time to stop so I can press pause on life and immerse myself in certain projects.
Wait? What? NO! What am I saying?
Hurry the fuck up! {Oops …. swear jar Nance}. What I meant to say was … can you pretty please speed up those ticks? My bestie arrives into Sydney tomorrow and I want to throw my arms around her, embrace her loveliness and cover her face with a thousand kisses.
OK, perhaps I’m frikken confused about what I want. I’m hyperventilating with excitement about projects and my besties arrival.
{Anyone want to slip me a Xanax or two?}
I just want the sweet moments to linger longer and the sweet moments to happen faster. I’m not asking for too much, am I?
Do you ever want time to slow down or hurry up?
Little life changes
Routine is my friend. Change is my foe.
I’m scared of change. Actually, that’s an understatement. I’m petrified of change. Just ask my mum.
Why? Who the f*** knows! It probably has something to do with needing to be in control.
Times are changing and it’s time for this little life lover – a.k.a. ME – to take a leap of faith. I need to stop doubting myself and start believing that changing certain aspects about my life is worthwhile.
So a few weeks ago, after some much needed soul searching, I started putting together a plan. A plan to improve certain aspects of my life after an incredible silly season. You know, shake things up a bit and see where it leads me.
Wouldn’t you know it. The small changes I’ve made in recent weeks have rattled me. In a good way. Change may not be my foe after all!
My morning routine has changed. Whilst I classify myself as a morning person, I certainly don’t jump out of bed, hit the pavement with the dogs and start work by 8.00am. I figure a 9.00am starts suits me better. The extra sleep-in makes me more productive, I get to enjoy a healthy breakfast and play with the puppy dogs longer.
My afternoon routine has changed. I try VERY hard to leave the office at 5.00pm and exercise after work. I now get changed into my sneakers and gym gear and hit the pavement after work. Walking home from the office, instead of taking the bus, allows me to clear away the work crap thoughts, listen to some David Guetta and let the feel good endorphins run through my veins.
So what’s next? I have a few projects in the pipeline. The goal is to hone in on that vision and beam it out to the world. Last week I created some vision boards {yes, I just said vision boards. Feel free to laugh at me. I did!} to help me focus, clarify my intentions and actively create the experience I want.
Little changes in routine, life, or even in perspective can make huge differences in our mood, health, and relationships. I am not sure what you are struggling with or what changes you are either dreading or not sure how to implement but I hope today you can begin moving in to make that change. Maybe it is time for a leap in to something new and wild. There is never any better moment than right now.
This is my fav candle. Hands down!
Sooooooooo I may or may not have bought this Ecoya Black Tulip and Kakadu Plum candle as a Christmas gift for somebody …. and kept it for myself. Everyone does that, right?
I love candles. No seriously, I HEART them big time.
When I come home from work, a candle gets lit. If you’ve ever been to my house for a party or dinner, a candle will be lit. My hubby is now in the practice of lighting candles as well. {I think I’ve created a fire bug}.
But I’m gonna say it. Here it comes.
By the powers vested in me, Ecoya Black Tulip and Kakadu Plum is the best scent out there. I can’t even describe the scent so I looked it up and it states:
‘A beautiful scent drawing on the memory of plump, dark berries and deep complex florals supported by the warmth of Middle Eastern spices and balanced by the freshest of leafy notes’.
UMMM ….. I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS! Memory of plump, dark berries?
Anywoo, please grab me one if you see it in stores. It’s limited edition and mine is nearly gone.
Tuesday Tunes {Phantogram}
It’s probably the weirdest band name in history but don’t hold it against them. Phantogram seduces you on their latest release ‘Fall In Love’.
Artist: Phantogram
Song: Fall In Love {Listen here}
Album: Voices
Image credit: Phantogram & Rukkus
Thought of the week #25
What a reminder! We ain’t getting any younger so it’s now or never.
Image credit: from my Pinterest board!
My autumn mood board
Summer has left us and Autumn arrives in a rainy fashion. Welcome warmer clothes, movie sessions, ankle boots, hot chocolate, chicken laksa, rainy days and umbrellas.
Happiness is ….
Unplugging.
Exploring ‘your stuff’ on a deeper level. Things that stir the soul.
Giving love. Sharing love. Knowing I’m loved.
Sharing secrets with friends.
Appreciating the little things. Mini Magnum ice creams included.
Helping a friend develop their business dream.
A home-cooked dinner.
My dogs greeting me at the door with waggy tails, kisses and their favourite toy each day.
…… and so much more… SO, SO, SO much more. Happiness is chasing after what you believe in—what you dream about—and living life with a huge smile on your face.
Happiness… it’s happening… now.
Would you do your job for free if time or money weren’t the issue?
My bestie and I were chatting the other day about blog ideas and she suggested a post based on a YouTube video she had watched recently – “How would you spend your life if money was no object”. {Watch the video – very inspiring stuff}.
My bestie also suggested a post about your favourite knickers. You know the old pair of knickers that you’ve worn once a week for the past 10 years because they are stretched and comfy and your loyalty is too strong to throw them out? Yeah, that pair. Love them more than loathe them but let’s keep that knicker post for another day shall we!
Now, where was I?
Life. Career. Money. Three topics that are all entwined whether we like it or not. We need a career in order to make money so we survive in life, right? Unless you’re Tamara Ecclestone and your billionaire daddy pays for everything!
But what if money was no object? PAUSE. I’m going to let that question sink in a bit. If money didn’t exist, how would you spend your life? What career would you pursue? Where would you live? Would you have more kids? Maybe you’d live in New York in that loft apartment like you’ve always dreamed about? Or perhaps you’d become a teacher and educate the future generation about the importance of healthy eating and fitness.
Me? I’d become Prime Minister and immediately make it legal for all same-sex couples to marry/adopt/access IVF, I’d severely punish those that harm animals and children and I’d introduce 3 day weekends. Easy!
So I ask you, my lovers, why on earth would you spend your life doing something that you hate, to earn money to continue doing what you hate?
Some of us are working in jobs we dislike and some of us are living lives we dislike. A VIP in my life does just this; dislikes their life and dislikes their job but continually works around the clock to earn money doing something they dislike. The job has negative effects on this person’s health, takes them away from family and the hours make it impossible to have a social life. That’s just CRAZY to me! Where is the ‘living life’ part of that scenario?
Some people can’t accept change and some people find it hard to leap without seeing the safety net first. My VIP needs to throw away that old pair of comfy knickers and embrace a new (life) style. Sure, it’ll be uncomfortable to begin with but the change will be exciting and rewarding in the long run.
Do what you love because you’ll become great at it. The money will follow and your life will be become much happier.
Breathe with purpose. Live with intention. Be creative. Give generously. Be present.
Shake up your skincare routine
I love facials.
I’d love to have a facial once week. Hell, I’d love to have a facial once a month but that adds up to $960 per year. So until I become a millionaire, I’ll have to stick to 2-3 facials a year.
As I’m getting older (please don’t guess my age), I’m becoming more strict about my daily skincare routine. Sure, once upon a time it was a 3 step process – cleanse, tone, moisturise. Now we’re tempted by BB creams, serums, pre-cleansers, illuminators, primers, exfoliators …. and the list goes on.
So where do all these products fit into our routine? Do we use serums before or after we tone? If I’m confused then I guess there might be some readers out there who are confused as well.
According to beauty expert Nicky Champ, this is the routine to stick too.
This is just a guide and you don’t need to use all of these products. It’s important to note that sunscreen (especially in our Aussie sun) is super important to pop on under our make-up and exfoliating 2x times per week is beneficial. I also like to pop on mask once a week (when Hubby is out of house of course!).
Confusion be gone. Welcome beauty clarification.
