Fantasise
1. indulge in daydreaming about something desired.
Photo credit: theyallhateus
Are YOU your own worst enemy?
It’s exhausting being a woman some days. Do you agree? I can honestly say that I am my own worst enemy and I often find it way too easy to judge myself. A friend recently shared this Huffington Post article (23 Things Every Woman Should Stop Doing) on Facebook and it really struck a chord with me. The pressure we place on ourselves can truly be detrimental to our well-being.
If you have time today, I thoroughly recommend you read the Huffington Post article.
Personally I can’t relate or agree to everything listed in the article, but here are the points that did resonated in me:
1. Apologising all the time. Even if something is not my fault, I apologise for it!
2. Body-snarking — out loud or in your own head. Our bodies are meant to change and adapt as we get older. I’m learning to accept this and stop judging the bits that wobble.
3. Feeling like an impostor when you accomplish something professionally. Hands up if you’ve kept quiet about a promotion, big bonus or any type of career accomplishment. Are we embarrassed or do we just feel unworthy of the recognition? Every success – big or small – is worth celebrating!
4. Wearing heels every day. Hell no! I learned that lesson a long time ago. My heels constantly needed repairs and it was costing me a small fortune. Nowadays, I wear ballet flats to the office and change into heels. I currently have 11 pairs of heels under my desk! How many do you have?
5. Comparing your real life to someone else’s virtual one. I spend a lot of time browsing the internet. Like A LOT of time. {Note to self: must upgrade data usage}. This means that I’m updated every day on what my friends are doing, saying, partying, reading, living, dating, travelling etc. I’m human. Of course I envy certain friends and family members. But it’s important NOT to make comparisons.
6. Holding on to regrets and guilt. Like most people, I’ve got a few regrets in life. Who doesn’t? But a quick acknowledge of that regret is enough to move on and learn from it.
7. WebMD-ing everything. I love playing the Dr Google game, especially when it comes to fertility. Hubby and I have been trying to conceive for a number of years so every niggle, cramp, headache is a sign that I might be carrying a gremlin.
8. Worrying that your life doesn’t look like Pinterest. Are you serious? This is my biggest problem of all. I have a fantasy wardrobe, fantasy house, fantasy celeb friends …. And I’m married to Ryan Gosling. It’s time to hop off my unicorn and pay Betty Ford a visit.
9. Not taking advantage of your vacation days. When I left my previous job, they paid me out 17 weeks’ worth of annual leave. Crazy, right? But like the Huffington article reports, the staff who take their annual leave are actually happier, healthier and more productive workers! My aim is to use alllllllll 28 days per year now.
10. Setting deadlines for major life events. I think having goals and timelines are good and well, but putting unnecessary pressure on yourself {read more here} is unhealthy. So much of life is meant to be unexpected. Enjoy the uncertainties, reassess if necessary and have fun I say!
Seriously, go and have a read of the article. Be kinder to yourself. Be proud of yourself. Be grateful for what you’ve got. Happy Thursday!
Weekly Lovers List {04DEC}
1. SASS Home – Loving this bright spotty ironing board cover. Price is A$24.95 + postage.
2. Milk & Sugar – check out this melon chevron tea cup and saucer set. Loads of colours to choose from. Prices is A$21.95 + postage.
3. Milk & Sugar – great gift for the traveller in your life, these bathroom bags are only A$19.95 + postage.
4. Country Road – lemon print swimwear! I die! Prices from A $39.95 per piece + postage.
Tuesday Tunes {Ellie Goulding}
I really hate the radio station that I’m forced to listen to in the office. It’s boring and repetitive. Everyday I’m forced to listen to Wilson Philips, Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift. Over and over and over again. {I’m whining, aren’t I?}.
It’s a complete mixture of old music, new music …. and the odd daggy song. It’s probably MIX 106.5 or something.
But last week they started playing this song called ‘Burn’. I’ve heard it a few times before, probably whilst driving in my car. I KNOW you’ve heard of it. {And we gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn}. Listen here.
Now, who is Ellie Goulding? Wikipedia tells me Ellie is from the UK and has never had a singing lesson. WTF? Ellie is recognised for her piercing vibrato and her influences include Kanye West, Bjork and Lauryn Hill. Her achievements include selling 3 million albums, selling over 10 millions singles and scoring a Brit Award.
No bad for a gal who just turned 26.
Artist: Ellie Goulding
Song: Burn
Photo credit: Digital Spy & Metro Lyrics
Thought of the week #13
Let’s kick start this Monday with a BIG motivation quote. Something to really get you thinking BIG, acting BIG and dreaming BIG.
Take a chance today!
My summertime mood board
Ahhhhhh, summer has finally arrived.
I’ve got plenty to be thankful for ……
Yesterday was Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is traditionally a day of giving thanks for the blessing of a harvest and is also a celebration in acknowledgment of kindness. Family and friends gather to reflect on the past year, give thanks for their blessings and enter into a food coma.
I wish Australia had a beautiful holiday to celebrate like this. I’d like to think and believe that I give thanks each day and I try to add my blessings to a gratitude journal I keep on my iPhone. {I’m nerdy like that}. I love blogging about being thankful (here and here) because it truly centres you and forces you to be present, in the moment.
I may not live in the States, but I can still share with you why I’m thankful today:
I am thankful that my parents gave me life, food, shelter, warmth, my brothers and most importantly their unconditional love. My mother especially gives me so much support and guidance and is one of the kindest women I know.
I am thankful for my brothers and our close bond. I feel closer to them now than ever before. I’m truly proud of the men they have become, the families they have created and I feel incredibly blessed to have beautiful, talented, intelligent, fun loving sister in laws.
I am thankful to have a husband who is my biggest and greatest love of my life. He’s my supporter, who inspires me to be the best version of myself, and who can laugh with me on a daily basis.
I am thankful to have friends who inspire with their talent, success, honesty and creativity, friends that remind me that it’s okay not to have it all figured out.
I am thankful that my furry kids – my dogs – chose me to be their Mama. My dogs delight me on a daily basis, keep my active, make me appreciate the laughable moments in life.
I am thankful to have a job – there are days when I have a love/hate feeling for my job, it’s something I’m working on – but I’m thankful to have one at the very least.
I am thankful for YOU and that you care enough to visit my little online happy place, otherwise this whole blogging thing wouldn’t nearly be as fun without you.
I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for this year. And, I’ll see you back here on Monday.
Hair-spiration {Did I really just use that word?}
Dedicated readers lovers of this blog will know that I’m growing out my ‘pixie’ cut. I started growing it out 11 months ago and my hair STILL hasn’t hit my damn shoulders. (Question – is there a pill on the market that makes hair grow faster?)
This is my current length. (Are my lips lopsided?)
A few of my friends and couple of work colleagues keep telling me that I’m making progress and it’s getting longer. I can even tie my hair back now in the shortest little pony tail you’ll ever see.
I also keep getting asked what my goal length is.
I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. Drum roll please!
Messy bangs, long bobs, dip-dye and ombre.
Oh yeah, Alexa Chung is my new crush inspiration. I’m not sure I could pull off the bangs but I’d be willing to live and learn!
Alexa Chung. Hair Envy. My new goal. THAT’S what I want.
Over and out!
Photo credit: uniartfashion.blogspot.com, www.huffingtonpost.co.uk, www.hdofblog.com, www.justjared.com
RANT: My husband needs his own office space
Home office. Have you got one? My Hubby runs a small business from home and currently uses our dining room table as his office. He also uses our garage to store his inventory, but that’s a wholllllllllllle other post.
Back to offices. My dining room table is not an office desk. I repeat. My dining room table – dark chocolate wood with padded bench seats – is NOT an office desk. I want to use my dining room. I want to eat and rest my glass of wine on the table.
Too much to ask?
Hubby needs a dedicated work space. Something to call his own. Storage is essential and a big desk is preferable. Our small home really lacks good storage {I have no linen closet. WTF!} and there are only two spaces we could use to create an office nook.
The guest room OR our kitchen nook. I don’t like the idea of re-arranging our guest room, so I think I need to clear out the kitchen nook and make it look like one of these gorgeous office gems!
Which one if your fav? Me, I love them all. I currently sit on my couch, tap away at the computer while watching TV {Homeland, Oprah Master Class, Breaking Bad etc} and drinking yet another bottle of red wine. So these little office gems would be a serious upgrade!
Now, clearly some of the pics I’ve chosen are not suitable. {I chose them because their pretty. Durrrr}. But it’s a start on my next decorating mission.
Hubby, if you’re reading this, please set the table for dinner tonight!
Photo credit: All images found via Pinterest.
Weekly Lovers List {27NOV}
1. Alisa Michelle ‘Trust the Universe’ necklace.
2. Down that Little Lane ‘Mini Timber Plant Box’
3. Ikea ‘Lappljung Ruta’ flat woven rug. {I bought this on the weekend for our living room. I love the lime green and blue trim}.
4. Connoisseur ‘Cafe Grande’ ice cream.My new favourite flavour with chocolate-coated almonds and Grand Marnier flavoured sauce mixed into a coffee ice cream.
