Mix It Up
Recently the boyfriend and I have found ourselves in a routine rut. This is fairly catastrophic for a stir-crazy Seize The Day Sagittarian like myself. The Mix It Up posts will be little charming ideas to add into your routine to keep it fresh, fun and interesting. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments!
Make a gorgeous romantic breakfast for someone you love (boyfriend, Mum, best friend, girlfriend, sister – anyone)
or rediscover the quiet pleasure of tree climbing.
Spend a little time just relaxing by yourself with your favourite tunes
or relive your childhood by making cute paper cup phones and chatting with a housemate.
Perch on a rooftop and admire the view
or run through a park with a kite or two floating above you.
How do you like to mix up your regular routine?
How to Survive a Spending Ban
I knew this day would come. The day I would have to get serious about my finances and enforce a spending ban. It’s not that I’ve been spending up big on a new wardrobe or lavish nights out – I’ve just added the occasional breakfast or coffee here, the odd piece of home decor there and it has added up.
I was charged interest on my credit card this month. I haven’t had this happen in over 3 years. Sometimes you need to be kicked into action and that is what did it for me.
So here are a few things I’ve implemented to help me over the next few weeks:
- Learn to make all your favourite foods at home. That way you won’t feel the need to buy them elsewhere.
- Go through your wardrobe thoroughly. You may find garments that haven’t seen the light of day in months – BONUS: it almost feels like you’ve bought something new.
- Sell anything you haven’t don’t need, use or love (and I mean LOVE. Oh but I kind of like this doesn’t cut it).
- Put your gym membership/hobby classes on hold or ask to switch from weekly to fortnightly sessions. Remember, it’s only for a little while (make this one a maximum of a month otherwise you may go stir crazy).
- Unsubscribe or filter any emails you get from fashion labels, ticket sites or shops of any kind. You don’t need the temptation.
- Similarly, do not read any magazines. They have too much luxurious advertising for your fragile state right now. Remember books? They’re a great alternative.
- Spend in cash only. It has become so easy to swipe a card and distance ourselves from the pattern of earning before you spend. Doing this will make you more aware of how often you are making transactions. Question yourself before you hand over that note – is this a necessity? What will happen if I don’t get it?
- Put a time limit on your spending ban. A few weeks at a time is probably best so you can commit fully to the cause. At the end date, reward yourself with a little (cheap) gift.
Inspiration Station: Antigirl
I have fallen in love with these mixed media collages by Tiphanie Brooke (a.k.a Antigirl). Being the extremely talented lady that she is, her pieces include design, print, illustration, photography, painting, screen printing complete with a digital finishing touch.
These images are from her collection “Women” (2003 – 2008) which are created using a combination of papers, glues, inks, paints and digital alterations.
Check out her repertoire here: http://memoirs.antigirl.com
A Week o’ Love
Hello again Friday – you have certainly been missed!
Here’s what have been the highlights of the past couple of weeks, served piping hot and easy to digest. Hope you have an amazing weekend planned either with your loved ones or rocking out on your own.
LIFE
Girly weekend get togethers. My gorgeous friend Sarah organised a beauty workshop and afternoon tea last weekend. It was so nice to chill out, play with mineral make up and chat instead of working for once.
Community. I recently discovered this TV show (yes I am slow at hopping on the bandwagon) but had it recommended by several friends. Love it. Especially in bed when it is freezing outside (read: every day this week).
Finding motivation even in bad situations. I seem to be getting better at this. Realising that even though it is a less than perfect situation to be in, it can always lead to something positive. Getting charged interest on my credit card for the first time in years – motivation to finally list all my excess possessions on eBay.
Little extras: losing 8.5 kilograms and getting new jeans 2 sizes smaller (!), getting my yoga on, staying in bed all morning, getting the apartment organised, baking my Nanna’s famous apple crumble, gloves, my “find the best porridge in my area” mission and hot green tea.
PLACES
Burch & Purchese. Because T and I have been eating so well and exercising like little gym bunnies, we have allowed ourselves a couple of extra special treats recently. When I walked into Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio my eyes bulged and my mouth watered. They have the most amazing little decadent creations – check them out on the right! Each dessert has a number of interesting layers that combine to create a party in your mouth sensation. Believe me.
LuxBite. I love macarons – who doesn’t? I also love cakes. LuxBite is a beautiful little cafe which specialises in sweet treats. Look at the stunning afternoon tea we had a few weeks ago (left). They also have amazing tea which goes brilliantly with a macaron or three.
POSTS
The Happiness Cocktail (post: Follow Your Dreams Not The Dollar Signs) and Yes and Yes (post: How to become a Grown Up Part 1) have touched on the common Career Crisis – something I have thought a lot about and had even started a post on (they beat me to it). :)
Gala Darling has put together her Adventurous Summer To Do List.
Whereas Marthe from The Freedom Experiment tells you to Replace your To-do List (with crazy and liberating things instead).
The lovely Tresna booked a flight to Paris but didn’t take it. Her letter Dear Flight D7 2014 explains why.
Beautiful truths from Sandi at In The Thick Of It. Read it twice.
Sarah Wilson inspired me with her column How to have a better Morning Routine. I’ve been experimenting with my routine ever since. Blog post to come.
STYLE AND BEAUTY
WALL ART. Our music room is in dire need of this Sound of Music lyrics framed poster. How cute is it? I’ve always loved the Sound of Music AND the Queen herself Julie Andrews. Poster by Kru Books on Etsy.
KEVIN.MURPHY. I was lucky enough to try couple of samples of KEVIN.MURPHY hair products a couple of months ago and now that we’re into winter and my hair is crying out for some moisture treatment, I can’t wait to grab the BORN.AGAIN treatment —>.
Lululemon Athletica. Embarrassingly, when I was cleaning out my wardrobe this morning I realised that I may be close to having more workout gear than normal everyday clothing. This situation would be much worse if I had given in to all the temptation over at Lululemon.
Just look at how amazingly soft this cashmere Mudra Wrap looks? My freezing hands could do with those mitten sleeves!!
(Sorry for the grey theme in Style and Beauty, the winter weather must be influencing me!)
What have you been loving recently?
Dream. Delight. Inspire. 