Making every day a productive one

There is nothing like a bit of productivity to make you feel good.

I love doing mundane tasks just so I don’t have to think/worry about them – getting things done and off my plate gives me a bazaar boost.

I am sure I have mentioned before that I love writing ‘to do’ lists. Today my list consisted of a few things:

• Book in baby shower venue and confirm preliminary details           
• Draft baby shower invitee list
• Change our dog’s address with the GCCC
• Change my dog’s veterinarian appointment 
• Contact furniture refurbisher about glamming up some pieces of pine furniture for the baby’s nursery
• Go to Medicare

I managed to fit this all in while completing a very busy day in the office and sending out multiple stories to clients for approval, billing out accounts and making appointments. All in a day’s work…

Over the weekend I bought paint and brushes to start work on decorating the nursery, organised what artwork and craft projects I wanted to start, which would feature in the room and did several hours’ research on baby products, furniture for the house, textiles and landscaping ideas for the backyard.

What was a little daunting was thinking about actually completing these tasks with a newborn baby. Thank god for time (hey I have another 20 weeks up my sleeve) and the fact that I work with my dad and am able to take some time off work after the little one arrives… maternity leave is a god-send.

Today I also had some other more emotional priorities to take care of.

These included touching base with some friends I hadn’t spoken to in a little while to let them know I’m thinking of them, sending texts and emails to family to let them know how everything is going with the baby and telling them to stop going overboard with presents and embroided clothing for the baby (this was specifically directed at my grandmother who is busy creating gorgeous garments for the baby, whose sex we aren’t finding out).

I also took a moment while driving to work to make a promise to myself to stress less this week and concentrate on my big picture priorities, which is my growing family.

It gives me a great sense of satisfaction to know that I have made the effort and was able to tick several things off my ‘list’ – it sounds strange but I’ll go home tonight feeling much lighter after culling several items off it.

Tomorrow will be a new day and a new list.

 

                                        

She's just a girl in the world

I think Gwen Stefani is one of the coolest chicks on the planet. I love No Doubt, and grew up listening to songs like "Don't Speak" and "I'm just a girl" - they are still some of my absolute faves. 

GS recently sat down with Harper's Bazaar fashion editor Lori Goldstein and discussed love, lipstick, her boys, fashion and of course, music. She is just so rad, I had to share the amazing photos (taken by none other than Terry Richardson). All credit goes to Harper's Bazaar US (you can read the interview here ).

This morning, my dad sent me this email that is doing the rounds - anyone who is a biased Maroons supporter will love it!

Two boys in Brisbane were playing football when one of the boys was attacked by a vicious Rottweiler.

Thinking quickly, the other boy rips a board off the nearby fence, wedges it down the dog's collar, and twists, breaking the dog's neck.

A Courier Mail reporter hears about the incident and rushes over to interview the boy.

"Young Brisbane Lions Fan Saves Friend from Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook.

"But I'm not a Lions fan," the little hero replies.

"Sorry, since we are in Brisbane, I just assumed you were," says the reporter, and he starts again.

 "Qld Reds Fan Rescues Friend from Horrific Attack!" he jots in his notebook.

“I'm not a Reds fan either,” the boy responds. The reporter starts again:

“Maroons supporter risks life in heroic rescue.”

"I am not a Maroons supporter either…" said the boy.

"I assumed everyone in Brisbane was either for the Lions, Reds or the Maroons. So what team do you cheer for?” the reporter asked.

"We are both from Sydney and I'm a Blue's fan," said the boy.

The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes:

"Little Redneck Cockroach Bastard Vandalises Fence and Kills Beloved Family Pet."

Good luck for game 2 Queensland!!

Missoni for Converse

This is one collaboration I am very excited about. These special edition Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Collection features Missoni's signature pattern to the much loved shoes. I have always loved Missoni's bright patterns and their quality of craftmanship - so this is a match made in heaven.

The shoes come in three colorways: white, pale green, and navy blue. The green and white styles are for women and feature a hint of sparkle and while the blue unisex version features a haphazard woven effect.

This is the second time Missoni has partnered with Converse; the two brands worked on a line of colorful, striped high-tops last Spring.

These bad boys hit stores on April 14 and so far are only available in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. I am on the hunt to get a pair sent up to the Sunshine State and will keep you posted.

It's nearly the weekend y'all!

Digging myself out of a hole

Some days I feel like I get into a rut and I just can’t seem to get myself out of it.

Ruts suck. 

Whether it be writer’s block at work, a fight with my husband, anxiousness caused by a whole myriad of things – it’s very easy for me to get myself into a position where I am struggling to keep my head above water.

For instance this week has been one of those weeks where each day has been an uphill battle.

We had a massive weekend and as a result, I feel as though I’ve had a five-day hangover. In reality I actually have had a five-day hangover. It’s made me feel sick, tired, agitated, regretful and in pain (literally) which has just turned my mood to shit. It has affected my work, my relationships and changed my current view on life from cheery and optimistic to dull and crappy.

I find that when I am in a rut, old things I used to dwell on resurface and things I wish I’d never done seem to haunt me over and over.

So I’ve resolved to do a few things to help myself (to be precise, my mind and body) function a bit better and help enhance my mental state:

a)      flush out my system with green tea and chlorophyll extract

b)      eat as healthily as possible

c)      get tonnes of sleep

d)     start attending Pilates classes / exercise every day if I can manage it

e)      stop nit-picking over minor things other people do that piss me off

f)       breathe more deeply and calmingly

            g)      do things for others

I am hoping that, by this weekend, I will be back to my old self and out of the trenches.

Also, I love this Hemingway quote, which I think will help me on the straight and narrow: 

Free therapy through letter writing

I’ve turned into a letter writer. You know, one of those people that have an issue, so they write letter upon letter until something or some kind of reimbursement is offered to make everything all warm and fuzzy again?

One thing I’ve found, that apart from the emotional kick I get out of giving people or businesses that have wronged me a blast, is that it is an incredibly therapeutic process.

Today I’ve written a scathing follow-up letter to our builder notifying them that I am appalled at the lack of response I received first round of communication. Sure our house probably isn’t even safe to live in, but I guess you’ll just return my email when you’re good and ready.

Well today I have been in a state about these ongoing issues, so I decided to draft up a few lines telling them how I felt:

“Dear Mr Builder – I hate your stinking guts. Signed, client who has paid you hundreds of thousands of dollars.” 

“Dear greedy-bloodsucking-losers with no duty-of-care – is my house going to explode? Regards, your unhappy customer.” 

“Yo – I’m going to sue your f*****g poor excuse for a company and then drag your name through the mud in the media until you fix my damn house issues. Love always, Ash (your very sarcastic and biggest non-fan).”

No I didn’t write any of this, but just I did write a very firm yet polite prose about exactly what I wanted and expected to be done. I think I get the sense of release after writing a few drafts of what I’d really like to say to them… you should try it.

I could resort to other, much more extreme means to try and get my point across (let your mind wander, and yes, I’ve thought of doing it!) but I concluded that writing a letter is much more socially acceptable than leaving a gaping, smouldering hole in the side of my target’s place of business.

So if you have an issue, write a letter, you’ll be surprised how good it feels to really bang on the keyboard and watch as page upon page is filled with your angry, bitter and (hopefully not regrettable) language.

I am not one to make a New Year resolution. I don't see the point - why do you need the excuse of a new year to do something good for yourself?

In my opinion, if you want to do something, or change something in your life to make it better, there is no time like the present, no matter what the date.

This year I intend on enjoying one day at a time. Last year taught me that you can never be prepared for loss or tragedy and that it's the special moments that you share with your loved ones that make your life memorable. I just want to make the most of those moments this year instead of being preoccupied with silly little things.

If you told yourself that on January 1st 2012 that you were going to give up smoking, lose weight, take up a course in something crazy, or find yourself a new hobby, then good for you. Seriously, I really hope it works out for you, because there is nothing more frustrating that trying to do something and failing.

I hope that everyone's 2012 is full of special moments and that in 12 months time, you can look back and reflect not on the things that you failed to achieve, but on the things that made your life better - you should try and find the positives in every day.

Happy 2012!

Cookie goodness

I found this recipe for these yummo cookies on Taste.com.au. Give them a whirl, they are fool proof.

Peanut butter & choc-chip cookies

Preparation Time - 30 minutes

Cooking Time - 10 minutes

Makes 30

Ingredients

1 cup (260g) crunchy peanut butter

1 cup (200g) brown sugar
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup (185g) dark choc bits

Method

• Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly grease two baking trays and line with non-stick baking paper. Combine peanut butter, sugar, bicarbonate of soda and egg in a bowl. Stir in choc bits.
• Roll teaspoonfuls of the mixture into balls and place on the prepared tray. Press lightly with a fork. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until light golden. Leave to cool on the trays then place into an airtight container.

Man-Flu - the facts...

A friend sent me this as there are a few viruses going around at the moment - one of which may be Man-Flu...

1. Man-Flu is more painful than childbirth. This is an irrefutable scientific fact*. *(Based on a survey of over 100,000 men).

2. Man-Flu is not 'just a cold', it is a condition so severe that the germs from a single Man-Flu sneeze could wipe out entire tribes of people living in the rainforest. And probably loads of monkeys too.

3. Women do not contract Man-Flu. At worst they suffer from what is medically recognised as a 'Mild Girly Sniffle' – which, if a man caught, he would still be able to run, throw a ball, tear the phone book in half and compete in all other kinds of manly activities.

4. Men do not 'moan' when they have Man-Flu. They emit involuntary groans of agony that are entirely in proportion to the unbearable pain they are in.

5. Full recovery from Man-Flu will take place much quicker if their simple requests for care, sympathy and regular cups of tea are met. Is that really so much to ask? Florence Nightingale would have done it.

6. More men die each year from MFN (Man-Flu Neglect) than lots and lots of other things (like rabbit attacks or choking on toast).

7. Men suffering from Man-Flu want nothing more than to get out of bed and come to work, but they are too selfless to risk spreading this awful condition amongst their friends and colleagues. In this sense, they are the greatest heroes this country has ever known.

8. In 1982 scientists managed to simulate the agonising symptoms of full blown Man-Flu in a female chimp. She became so ill that her head literally fell off.

9. Man-Flu germs are more powerful than He-Man, The Thundercats and The A-Team combined. They are too strong for weak, nasty tasting 'lady medicines' like Lemsip, so don't bother trying to force them on a victim of Man-Flu.

10. While it may seem like a Man-Flu sufferer is just lying around enjoying 'Diagnosis Murder' it is a commonly recognised medical fact that the exact pitch and frequency of Dick Van Dyke's voice has remarkable soothing powers.

Every minute in this country one man is struck down by Man-Flu. Women, all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea, some kind words and your undivided attention and care. Then maybe, just maybe, we'll beat this monstrous disease together...

Have been off board

I am back on deck now after having a week off! Sometimes you just need a break : )

The perils of homework tasks

I received this little joke in an email and thought it was worth sharing...

For homework a grade 3 class in NSW were asked by their teacher, Mrs Jackson, to draw one of their parents at work. This is young Jessica's drawing about her mum (who features standing next to a 'pole'):  Here's the letter the teacher received the next day from the artist's mother: Dear Mrs. Jackson, I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Bunnings (hardware store) and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week after the floods hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had and then I found one more in stock and several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last shovel we had in the store. From now on I will remember to check her homework before she hands it in. Sincerely, Erica Cameron

Today I ate a croissant

Happy Bastille Day!

Bastille Day commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. (Source: Wikipedia).

So this post is dedicated to all things French! <3

Source: According to nose

Source: Crimson-couture

Source: French moi

Source: House of Design and Style

Source: Reintroduction

Source: Space for inspiration

Source: Tour de Lizzy

Source: We love it

Source: YS Voice

Put into words

This is a beautiful poem I found online that talks about losing someone you care about. I've struggled with loss in the past, and still do to this day. The words in this poem really resonated with me.

Never a Day

There is never a day, I open my eyes

That I do not think of you someway.

The simplest of things, can trigger a thought

Make me smile or a teardrop.

Each night I look to the sky

There is always one star brighter, that is you.

Life will never be the same without you

Without that hopeful thought, I may see you.

One thing I do know is that I love you

And will always be proud to be apart of you.

So for now its goodnight, not goodbye

I will see you again – I promise.

C. A. Dobinson

Top 10 Winter essentials

Being in the thick of the coldest season, I thought I'd share my Winter must haves without which I would be chapped, cracked and simply shivering without.

1. Papaw ointment - I love this for super dry and chapped skin, especially on lips. I use Lucas' Papaw Ointment in tube form because I can tote it around in my handbag or car console. You can grab a tub or tube from any supermarket or chemist.

2. Lavender wheat heat pack. Apart from smelling divine this helps to keep me warm and ward away any muscular cramps. You simply pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes on high and you're set. It's great to put in your bed before you jump in and warm up the sheets too.

3. A good moisturiser. I like any of the body butters from The Body Shop, but I have sensitive skin so a new find of mine is Alpha Kerri Dry Skin Lotion. It's dermatology tested and suitable for all skin types and perfect for dry skin in the cooler months. Available from chemists.

4. Leather boots - these are my latest buy from Country Road. I think that keeping your feet warm keeps your whole body warm, so I invested in a good pair. Wear with your favourite jeans or tights with a jacket and scarf and you're set!

5. Blanket or throw rug for when you're watching TV or reading on the couch. Those awful Snuggies look horrid - please don't go there.

6. Flannelette pyjamas - I love them! Especially worn underneath a dressing gown for extra warmth. Peter Alexander's new range is gorgeous.

7. Ugg boots or slippers - these are an absolute must have for everyone! My friend bought be a pair of polka dot Grosby ones and I live in them.

8. An overcoat or trench that can be worn over any outfit and keep out the cool. I've got my eye on a Burberry one similar to the one Emma Watson is modelling below.



9. Heat - if you don't have a reverse cycle air-conditioner or an open fireplace, get yourself a small portable heater to take the chill out of the air. But be sure not to leave it on! This may seem obvious but you would be surprised how many homes have been destroyed because someone forgot to turn the heater off when they left the house!

10. Someone to snuggle with! The best way to keep the cold at bay is to share body heat so grab someone and get warm!

The Hangover

Wishing Ben a fun bucks weekend in Melbourne! I don’t wish to get any calls from your friends saying they have lost you, so please try and be on your best behaviour! x