Amanda's Musings

Amanda Loves kikki.K's Organisk Collection

2012-02-24T08:00:00.000+11:00

[all images from kikki.K]

I am super excited! I LOVE kikki.K stationery. LOVE IT! They have just brought out a new collection called Organisk and it is my favourite kikki.K design yet! The colours are fab, the pattern and shapes are great and I have finally found a stationery collection I want to fully deck my office out in! In fact one of those colours would be perfect for one of my office walls - if my boss will let me paint it! If only I could buy it all up so I had life-time supply - or at least a big supply of it!

I just ordered the fab Daily Notes Pad online, cause I won't be able to make it in to a store for a while and I have been thinking of designing one of these for myself - now I won't have to!

Love, love, LOVE the notebooks and the Adhesive Note Set is awesome! So want them on my desk right now!

At the top of my wish list though is the Notepad Cube! Love it! The iPhone and laptop cases are gorgeous too!

These Manilla Folders would look awesome on my desk to not only keep me organised, but bring in more colour and style! What's not to love!?

I'll have one of everything thanks kikki.K! It seems a little silly to get so excited about stationery, but I can't help it! It's my drug!

Check out the full Organisk collection and the full kikki.K range here on the website. Quick! Go now before I buy it all up!

Thoughts on Thursday: Saying No

2012-02-23T08:00:00.000+11:00

[image by Amanda Fuller]

I find it hard to say no. In fact, in some instances I find it almost impossible to say no. This probably comes from a number of sources - my perfectionism, my insecurities, my need to please people and the fact that I really like to help out where I can.

However, right now, through life circumstances, I am learning that sometimes I have to say no! I have to say no when I can't possibly fit another thing into my day. I have to say no when those Double Coated Tim Tams are calling my name from the supermarket shelf. I have to say no to the self-loathing dialogue that goes on in my head. I have to say no more when I feel like things are getting to much and I just might break again.

Saying no is hard! It takes courage [that person might no like you if you say no, but what is best for you?] and determination and I am courageously determined to get better at saying no when no is what I really need to say.

What about you? Do you find it hard to say no?

I Need a Break!

2012-02-22T18:16:00.002+11:00

[photo via Pinterest - Original source could not be traced]

Today I'm a bit over it all - Over the crazy busy that has been my life pretty much since November. I need a break. I need some time to do the things I love, recharge and not have a million things going on in my head at once. I need space away from waiting on people, organising things and feeling like I am juggling about 50 balls in the air hardly able to keep up.

What I really need is a holiday. I haven't had one since 2008. I need to get out of the day-to-day and see different sights, be somewhere different, but I can't, not right now, not only cause I can't afford to go away any where, but I can't just let all those balls drop right now!

Hopefully this weekend can go a long way towards being a good "in-the-mean-time" substitute! I'ms spending time with friends and family and I am going to actually not work through the weekend! This should tide me over til the end of April when things slow down... or at least I hope so.

That's how I feel today, tomorrow could be a different story!

Amanda Loves: Mi Goals Stationery

2012-02-22T08:00:00.000+11:00

[all photos by Amanda Fuller]

We all know Amanda loves stationery. If you don't, you are either new to the blog or have been living under a rock! When I saw some fab notebooks on the lovely Suger's Instagram feed I just had to find out more. I discovered they were Mi Goals notebooks - in fact I discovered there is a whole Mi Goals range of stationery products!

I spent quite a long time on the Mi Goals site reading about the products and looking at the great images. I decided to contact the Mi Goals team and let them know how much I was loving their products and offered to share about their awesome products here on the blog and they so kindly said they would send some samples out to me! Talk about excitement!

Founder Adam sent out a Desk Calendar, Goals Notebook and Inspire Notebook and can I just say these products are even more special in real life than they look in the photos. The quality is fab and being such a lover of typography and minimalism as I am I just find the whole Mi Goals aesthetic very very appealing!

The Mi Goals Desk Calendar is totally coming to work with me. It is super simple in design, but each month has a quote that packs a punch and is an inspiration to get moving towards making your goals a reality!

The Mi Goals Goals Notebook is the most comprehensive goal notebook I have come across and I have looked through many in my time. They say that people who write out their goals are far more likely to achieve them - need any more incentive?

Adam has thought of everything when creating this book. There is great info on setting goals, how to use the book, amazing quotes, and even a space to create a collage for those of us that work visually.

Then for each goal there is space to brainstorm - then a place to write out What, Why, When, How and Reward as well as a To Do List, Notes and Outcome section. Wow right!? Oh and throw in a bunch of great quotes and a Pledge for you to sign promising yourself to give 1005 at trying to active your goals. If there are things you want to achieve in your life, this is the book that will motivate and give you the tools to be well on your way to achieving them!

I love what Adam says in the front of the book:

"Imagine the Possibilities. Imagine what you could achieve by following your dreams, passions and most importantly your purpose. Mi Goals Book is your way of becoming more aware, inspired and accountable to make all your dreams come true."

The Inspire Notebook is just as wonderful. It is broken up into three sections: People, Places, and Me and is designed as avery special place to record all the things [both big and small] that inspire you.

There are a few great quotes within the book, but mainly the book is there for you to fill. Pages to put photos or images and places to write. The People and Places sections ask a few great questions to get you think about what really is inspiring you about that person or place.

The online world is great for inspiration, but there is nothing like having something tangle in your hands that you can touch and feel and engage with while you dream!

Truly beautiful products that are so much deeper than just beautiful products. I'm totally won over! Check out the full Mi Goals product range [yep, there's more] and find out about Team Mi Goals at the Mi Goals website. Tell Adam I sent you!

Simple Pleasures: Taking a Shower

2012-02-21T08:00:00.000+11:00

[photo by Vasily Povolnov]

There is something so precious and healing about water. I love to swim, I love even washing my hands. I love the feeling of water on my skin and there is nothing, NOTHING quite like taking a shower. Whether it be a warm shower on a cold morning or a cool shower on a hot day, it's just so good. Sometimes it feels as though it is not just doing your body good, but that it is good for your soul too. Today, I'm grateful for the simple pleasure of taking a shower!

Fete Digital Magazine

2012-02-20T17:13:00.001+11:00

[cover image from Fete]

I love magazines, and when I say love... I mean LOVE! Perhaps one of the best things to have come from technology in the last 12-18 months is the boom of online, digital magazines - well to me anyway!

Fete is the latest release and I am in love! Not only is it so beautifully presented, but it is Australian - gorgeouslyAustralian! Created by Jane Cameron and Annabelle Kerslake, Fete is all about events entertaining, parties and planning and styling.

There is so much inspiration to be found in these digital pages! I love that there are so many ideas that are easy to do yourself, I love that playlists are included for each of the events included and I also love that you can simply click on a link to be taken to a supplier's web page.

I feel so inspired - I just know that this, and future issues, are going to offer ideas I can use to help create a special 30th birthday for myself at the end of the year - in fact I am so inspired I have to refrain myself from starting to plan now!

Fashion ideas for each party featured are also included - which is a fun and unique idea that I think is just great! Clever!

I just love this magazine! So beautiful, so clever and so unique in the way it is put together! You simply must head over to the Fete website to check it out and subscribe!

[all images from Fete]

Project 52: Week 7 - Sort Through Your Accessories

2012-02-20T16:37:00.003+11:00

[photo by Amanda Fuller]

Once upon a time I used to be very big on accessories! I couldn't go past an accessory store without buying some thing. Through my emotional break down and depression I lost all desire to bother with accessories, so they got packed away and pretty much forgotten about. That is until recently.

Recently, I have been feeling like making a bit more of an effort in the way I present myself. It comes from feeling better about myself on the inside. I still have a way to go, but this is a good step. So, I spent an evening last week sorting through all my accessories. I threw out what was broken that couldn't be repaired, repaired what could be, made a collection of what I knew I wouldn't wear anymore and organised what I would. I took the things I wouldn't wear anymore to work for a friend to look through. There were some things I knew she would love.

I love organising things, so the pieces I was keeping that I knew I would wear had to be found a new home. All my precious metal or "real" jewellery is in my jewellery box, and everything is is organised as follows: necklaces hanging from a hook on my bookcase, earrings in an accordion-fold stand I got from Freedom years ago - you can now buy similar ones at storage stores and even some cheap stores. my rings, bangles/bracelets and badges/brooches are all in another box. Everything is easily accessible and some of it is on display. This way everything is easy to see and that makes it more likely to be worn!

It always feels good to have something sorted through and organised!

Week 7 done and dusted!

1. Find A New Music Artist To Love
~~2. Read A Book By An Author You Haven’t Read Before~~
3. Get A Facial
4. Get A Pedicure
5. Get A Manicure
~~6. Have A Massage~~
7. Get Your Hair Done
8. Do A Good Deed For Someone You Live With
9. Do A Good Deed For Someone You Don’t Live With
10. Choose Something From Your Bucket List And Do It
11. Volunteer
12. Buy A Random Gift For Someone You Love
13. Go On A Picnic
14. Go For A Photo Walk
15. Go To The Beach And Eat Ice Cream
~~16. Try A New Restaurant~~
~~17. Watch A Movie At The Cinema~~
18. Make A Dessert
~~19. Bake A New Dish~~
20. Take A Day Trip To A New Place
21. Have A Week Off Project 52

22. Do Something Spontaneous
23. Try A New Food
24. Do Something Relaxing
25. Write A Note To Someone Special
26. Write A Scripture On Your Mirror
27. Do Something You Have Never Done Before
28. See An Exhibition
29. Play A Game
30. Go To The Park
31. Do A Random Act Of Kindness
32. Take Someone To Lunch
33. Keep A Gratitude Journal For A Week
34. Evaluate Your Yearly Goals
35. Lay Out Under The Stars
36. Buy A New Item Of Clothing
37. Find A Festival To Celebrate In Sydney
38. Write A Letter To Your Future Self
39. Learn Something New
40. Watch An Animated Movie With A Child
~~41. Organise Your Wardrobe [or as I did - Sort Through Your Accessories]~~
42. Go For Dessert With Someone You Love
43. Invite Someone New Over For Dinner
44. Write An End-Of-Year Highlights List
45. Watch Your Favourite Movie
46. See A Show
47. Do Something You Have Always Wanted To
48. Declutter A Room In Your House
49. Spend A Special Day With A Child
50. Celebrate
~~51. Put On Some Music And Dance~~
52. Participate In A Snail Mail Swap
53. Buy Something For Yourself Just Because
54. Do A Craft
55. Write A New Project 52 List

Restrictor or Permitter - Which One Are You?

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000+11:00

[photo from Cream Puffs in Venice]

When it comes to food we are all either a Restrictor or a Permitter.

A Restrictor likes to be in control. This doesn't just relate to food, but they like to have control over every area of their life, family, home, kids, work, cleaning, exercise, friendships, and of course food. Chaos scares a Restrictor and spontaneity gives them cold sweats! Everything is planned, everything is regulated.

When it comes to food a Restrictor will use the tactic of deprivation to lose those unwanted kilos. A Restrictor might have the following thought patterns. "If I limit my food intake, I limit my body size. If I limit my body size, I [believe I can] limit my suffering. If I limit my suffering, I can control my life"* and that will keep chaos at bay. Eating less and being thin means being safe.

The Restrictor knows the calorie count of every food, will try every super food, new health fad and detox out there. Tell a Restrictor something will make them gain weight, or is unhealthy and they will stop eating in immediately, give them rules and diets to follow and they will feel gleefully happy with the rules by which to govern their eating habits. However since restriction and deprivation is not the natural way we live our lives Restrictors work hard at depriving themselves. It overtakes their life, becomes an obsession and they are convinced that suffering is the only way to achieve anything.

A Permitter detests any kind of rules - especially when it comes to food. Give them a diet and before they get home they will have thought up a million ways around sticking to it. They cheat themselves and often gain weight without having any idea how it happened. Permitters prefer to go through life in a state of denial and generally being unaware. They do all they can to numb the pain of life, including indulging in unhealthy foods.

Permitters tend to merge with the chaos that surrounds them, they go with the flow of life being caught up in the mess that is their own lives and the lives of those around them. "They see no point in controlling the uncontrollable"* Eating is their way of protecting themselves from the things that hurt them. Often building an actual physical layer between themselves and the world. They "stock up" on the love and attention [often symbolised by food] before it runs out.

The Permitter often seems to be the one having the most fun, but this is only because they reject anything that threatens their state of numb denial. Permitters will often use phrases like "Life is short" or "You gotta die of something, you might as well die from eating what you love". Living life in this numb, detached and full of denial state means the Permitter, although they seem like they are having all the fun, is actually missing out on life and the sensations of feeling that go with it.

While generally we will all fall into one of these two "types", most of us will at some point in our lives travel to the other side for a period, be it long or short. We will ultimately end up back where were feel most comfortable though. That is until we start to understand how we can find balance between the two.

Which one are you?

When looking at the nutella-filled doughnuts at the top of this post do you think "hmm why not?" or "eek get those away from me?"

Has this helped you understand yourself a little more?

*Quotes from Women Food and God by Geneen Roth

Thoughts on Thursday: Are You Happy?

2012-02-16T08:00:00.000+11:00

[image from Barking Up The Wrong Tree]

Well? Are you? If not, what are you going to do to change that? They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. If you're not happy what can you change to get happy? This is something I am working on every day. It is interesting to sit and look at what actually does make you happy and how far away we can sometimes be from that. I think if you take the time to really look into what makes you happy and how you are living your life you might find some unexpected surprises. I hope you find many good surprises!

Here's to being happy and doing what it takes to be there!

Mary Poppins Birthday Party

2012-02-15T08:00:00.000+11:00

[all photos by Leanne Stamatellos via Amy Atlas]

If I had the time, and the money, I would love to create amazing events for people - not as a job, but as a hobby. I love the wave of super creative and amazingly amazing parties and events shared online these days thanks to people like Amy Atlas.

I recently discovered this Mary Poppins themed birthday party by Sharnel of My Life My Loves for her daughter's 7th birthday! Wow! It's spectacular! Take a look!

Amazing right? Imagine the memories those children would have from that party! Hmm makes me start to think - what am I going to do for my 30th birthday at the end of the year? A Mary Poppins theme perhaps - perhaps not, but it would be fun!

[Invitations by Loralee Lewis]

Things I Know For Sure - Vol. 1

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000+11:00

[photo by EssJayNZ]

1. Life doesn't turn out the way you expected. This, I guess, is what makes life exciting. I have come to learn that there is no point stressing and fretting about the big scheme of things, chances are things won't turn out that way anyway and you'll have to make other plans in the end!

2. Things can always get worse. I know this sounds depressing, and maybe it is, but if life has taught me anything it is that. You might think you're at the bottom, but no, it could get worse. It simple makes being grateful in the hard times all the more important. Find the good in the bad, there is always some!

3. Happiness is a choice. Now, I didn't always agree with this statement, in fact a few years ago when life was knocking me around I very strongly disagreed. True, one cannot control what happens in one's life, but one can choose to "sing in the rain". It's not going to always be an easy thing to do, but it is a choice you can make!

4. A child is the most wondrous thing. Children love freely, trust fully and live with abandon. What a shame life beats this out of us! Being around children helps you see the wonder in the world around us and you are reminded of the splendour in the simplest things. Not a bad way to live I say!

5. My God is bigger than any circumstance I face. I have faced BIG circumstances in my life and God has always been there with me, helping me, guiding me and leading me to overcome each one. I am still on my journey, but past experience has taught me that He will help me through. He is the same yesterday, today and forever - now that's someone to put your hope in!

Project 52: Week 6 - Read a Book by an Author You Have Never Read Before

2012-02-13T15:30:00.001+11:00

[photo by Amanda Fuller]

I finished this book during the week. I started it ages ago and it kept being put to the bottom of the pile, not because it wasn't a good book, but because it kept hitting raw nerves and I kept putting off the reading process.

Women Food and God by Geneen Roth was recommended to me by my Pyschologist and apparently Geneen has been on the Oprah Show talking about the book. In it she shares with the reader the discoveries she has made about our relationships with food after 30 years of studying what drives our compulsions with food. "No matter how sophisticated or wealthy or broke or enlightened you are, how you eat tells all" she says and as you delve into the pages of the book you find out how true that statement is.

Many of the points Geneen makes in this book are rolling around in my head and her words come back to my mind often when I am making a meal, searching for a snack or battling cravings. In my own words the book has confirmed my belief that it's so not about the food!

I plan to go through the main things I learned from Women Food and God here on the blog soon, but in the meantime you can grab a copy for yourself here - right now it is on sale with 26% off and free worldwide delivery!

Week 6 done and dusted.

22. Do Something Spontaneous
23. Try A New Food
24. Do Something Relaxing
25. Write A Note To Someone Special
26. Write A Scripture On Your Mirror
27. Do Something You Have Never Done Before
28. See An Exhibition
29. Play A Game
30. Go To The Park
31. Do A Random Act Of Kindness
32. Take Someone To Lunch
33. Keep A Gratitude Journal For A Week
34. Evaluate Your Yearly Goals
35. Lay Out Under The Stars
36. Buy A New Item Of Clothing
37. Find A Festival To Celebrate In Sydney
38. Write A Letter To Your Future Self
39. Learn Something New
40. Watch An Animated Movie With A Child
41. Organise Your Wardrobe
42. Go For Dessert With Someone You Love
43. Invite Someone New Over For Dinner
44. Write An End-Of-Year Highlights List
45. Watch Your Favourite Movie
46. See A Show
47. Do Something You Have Always Wanted To
48. Declutter A Room In Your House
49. Spend A Special Day With A Child
50. Celebrate
~~51. Put On Some Music And Dance~~
52. Participate In A Snail Mail Swap
53. Buy Something For Yourself Just Because
54. Do A Craft
55. Write A New Project 52 Listb

There Will Never Be A Perfect Time To Begin... So Begin!

2012-02-10T08:00:00.000+11:00

[photo via Pinterest. Original source could not be traced.]

I'm good at making excuses. Especially when it comes to not looking after myself. I'm too busy. I'm too stressed. It's Christmas. It's too hard. I'm too tired...

I have come to a point where enough it enough. There is never going to be a time when life isn't busy, when temptation isn't lurking, when all the environmental conditions are perfect and conducive to getting healthy and doing what I have to do to get healthy. I have said to myself "there's never going to be a perfect time to begin... so just begin".

This is what I have done of late. I feel like I am finally on track again with my thoughts about food, with my eating, with exercise and with learning to think positively, not only about the above, but about myself too.

It's not just about weight loss to be healthier, although that is part of it, it's not just about my mental state, although that is part of it, it's about all of it! Life. Life in balance. That's what I want and that is what I am aiming for. Not perfection, not unrealistic expectations, but balance in all areas of my life. Physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

I recently signed up to a Curves Women's Gym. I must admit I only actually did it because Mum had a voucher I could use to try a month for free but the more I thought about it, the fewer excuses I could come up with as to why not to do it, so I did. This is my third week. The first week I went just 1 time, last week I went twice and I hope to go 3 times this week and the following weeks. It has been hard work, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Facing embarrassment, the overwhelming urge to run and hide so no one can see me and finding the motivation to go, have been hard work emotionally. Physically, it has been painful, awkward and again embarrassing, and then there is the pain that lingers in my joints long after my muscles have recovered, and disturbed sleep because of that pain... I'm not giving up though. The more I go, the fitter I will become.

Amazingly, despite the above, I am actually enjoying it! I love the fact that the work out is only 30 mins and I can do it at a level that I can manage. I love the fact that the gym is just down the road from my house. I love the fact that ordinary, everyday women go, but most of all I love the amazing feeling of pride and accomplishment I get when I finish a work out!

This exercise combined with improving [with more room for improvement] my food choices and I have lost close to 3kgs in the last few weeks. I am almost back to where I was pre-surgery of having lost 15.5kg.

What strikes me about it all though is the fact that right now life is at a peak of being busy. I haven't been this busy since I was working full-time before my break down, and yet I have managed to fit in exercise and not to eat my stress away - well mostly. That's pretty amazing for me and I am well pleased!

It's pretty exciting what can happen when you just make a decision to begin - even if it doesn't feel like a good time to!

If you are new to Amanda's Musings welcome! You can catch up on the rest of my weight loss and emotional journey and get the back story to this post here. Start with the "Confessions" post first.

Thoughts on Thursday: Don't Put Off Your Happy Life

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000+11:00

[lettering by Linzie Hunter]

I HAVE been putting off my happy life. For the longest time I have thought " I will be happy when I'm thinner, healthier, have more friends, earn more, have paid off my debt, move out of home, get married" etc etc. The list goes on of situations in which I think I will be happy... but I have recently come to the conclusion, that if I am not happy in the life I am living right now, what is to say I will be happy when any of the above things happen? Chances are I will just move on to the next thing and change the conditions of happiness once again.

So, then, why not decide to be happy now? What a radical thought! Mind you, I'm not totally sure how one goes about this. I think it is a little of just deciding to be happy, and a little "fake it til you make it". If I decide to be happy and live as though I am, surely, eventually I will actually be living my happy life! Right?

I don't know if that's how it works, but I am sure willing to give it a go. There is no point wasting any more time. Life may be crazy, life may be busy, life may even be unfair at times, but that doesn't mean it can't be happy too!

What do you think? How does one life a happy life?

Birthday Year - February

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000+11:00

[photo by Amanda Fuller]

On the 1st of February I was allowed to open the second gift from by box of gifts for Birthday Year, from my lovely friend Sam! This time it was an envelope, not a wrapped gift. I opened it up to find a note inside with 2 $5 notes - Australian [Sam had even gone to all the trouble of having the money converted from pounds to Aus$!].

The instructions were that I could spend it to buy whatever I like, whether I spent it now or save it towards a bigger purchase is up to me.

I'm not sure yet what I want to do with it. I could have it towards a facial later in the year, or put it towards buying one of these awesome ampersand prints I'm loving right now. So, as I can't decide yet, I'll have to update you on what I do with it later on.

Thank you again Sam for your amazing generosity!

marcheleven Photo Comp - Win an iPad 2!

2012-02-07T12:00:00.000+11:00

I'm working on a pretty exciting project at the moment called marcheleven.

What is marcheleven? Well you'll have to check out the marcheleven website over the coming weeks to find that out, but in the meantime you can enter the photo comp!

[photos by Amanda Fuller]

It's super easy, all you have to do is get creative and take a photo that represents marcheleven in some way, it may be the words, it may be the date March 11, or even 11.3.12 - it's up to you. Then upload the photo to the marcheleven website, facebook page or instagram or twitter with the hashtag #marcheleven. The photo that is deemed most creative will WIN AN iPAD 2! I'm dying I can't enter this myself, but you definitely should!!! You can enter as many times as you like!

As we get closer to marcheleven more details will be released, so stick around and get photo clicking! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

January Photo A Day

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000+11:00

During January I took part in the Photo A Day Challenge created by the lovely Chantelle. It was a fun way to start the year, taking the time each day to be creative with the theme and take a photo - although I must admit some days I didn't really get all that creative - other days, I was really pleased with the results!

Here's the challenge - the themes for each day:

... and here are my photos:

I posted all my photos on Instagram. If you use Instagram you can follow me at @amandafuller.

It was a lot of fun! Chantelle has created a new list of photo themes for February. You can check it out here. I'm taking February off, but will probably rejoin the fun later in the year.

have you ever taken part in a photo challenge?

Project 52: Week 5 - Put On Some Music and Dance

2012-02-06T14:27:00.001+11:00

[photo via Pinterest. Original source could not be traced]

Life has been stressful lately. I'm super busy with work, I mean SUPER busy and the other day I found myself stressing to the max. I had to take a step back and clear my head. I put on some high energy music and before I knew it I was dancing like a fool around my room and the stress just seemed to melt away for a while!

I'm not a good dancer. I can keep a beat, but I don't look cool, or beautiful when I dance - I just look silly, because of this I don't dance in public, but I don't mind a good dance behind closed doors! I love this spunk of this old guy getting his groove on. This is, of course remixed, and I love it, but you can watch the original version here.

My favourite music to dance to is Jamiroquai, Daft Punk, Paul Mac and yes even the Spice Girls and Aqua! Music with a good beat and great sounds - disco is always good too!

When was the last time you took the time to loosen up and dance around?

Another week gone, another task to cross off!

1. Find A New Music Artist To Love
2. Read A Book By An Author You Haven’t Read Before
3. Get A Facial
4. Get A Pedicure
5. Get A Manicure
~~6. Have A Massage~~
7. Get Your Hair Done
8. Do A Good Deed For Someone You Live With
9. Do A Good Deed For Someone You Don’t Live With
10. Choose Something From Your Bucket List And Do It
11. Volunteer
12. Buy A Random Gift For Someone You Love
13. Go On A Picnic
14. Go For A Photo Walk
15. Go To The Beach And Eat Ice Cream
~~16. Try A New Restaurant~~
~~17. Watch A Movie At The Cinema~~
18. Make A Dessert
~~19. Bake A New Dish~~
20. Take A Day Trip To A New Place
21. Have A Week Off Project 52

22. Do Something Spontaneous
23. Try A New Food
24. Do Something Relaxing
25. Write A Note To Someone Special
26. Write A Scripture On Your Mirror
27. Do Something You Have Never Done Before
28. See An Exhibition
29. Play A Game
30. Go To The Park
31. Do A Random Act Of Kindness
32. Take Someone To Lunch
33. Keep A Gratitude Journal For A Week
34. Evaluate Your Yearly Goals
35. Lay Out Under The Stars
36. Buy A New Item Of Clothing
37. Find A Festival To Celebrate In Sydney
38. Write A Letter To Your Future Self
39. Learn Something New
40. Watch An Animated Movie With A Child
41. Organise Your Wardrobe
42. Go For Dessert With Someone You Love
43. Invite Someone New Over For Dinner
44. Write An End-Of-Year Highlights List
45. Watch Your Favourite Movie
46. See A Show
47. Do Something You Have Always Wanted To
48. Declutter A Room In Your House
49. Spend A Special Day With A Child
50. Celebrate
~~51. Put On Some Music And Dance~~
52. Participate In A Snail Mail Swap
53. Buy Something For Yourself Just Because
54. Do A Craft
55. Write A New Project 52 List

Project 52: Week 4 - Try a New Restaurant

2012-02-06T13:38:00.001+11:00

[all photos from Churrasco]

The weekend before last was my Sister's birthday. To celebrate we headed to a new-to-me restaurant in Caringbah called Churrasco [pronounced shoo-has-ko]. Churrasco serves Brazilian Style BBQ food. You pay a flat rate and then eat as much as you like. There is a meat-eater's menu and a vegetarian menu. I, being a huge lover of meat, of course had the meat-eater's menu.

OH my the food was amazing! Truly amazing! The way it works is you have little coaster tokens that are green on one side, meaning "bring on the food" and red on the other side meaning "no more, I'm stuffed!" You turn your token to green and the food starts coming. Waiters bring the food fresh off the coals on long skewers and serve you little pieces of what must have been more than 20 different style of BBQ food - mainly meat.

At first I was surprised by the small amount they put on my plate... but I soon realised the food just kept coming, and coming! My favourite was the Brazilian BBQ Beef, Beef Ribs, BBQ Zucchini, BBQ Pineapple and BBQ Bocconcini cheese... mmm SO good!

Mum, Step-Dad and I shared a plate of Churros which were the best I had ever had! SO good!

If you have never tried Brazilian BBQ and you live in or are visiting Sydney, you amply have to try Churrasco!

Wow 4 weeks done already!

22. Do Something Spontaneous
23. Try A New Food
24. Do Something Relaxing
25. Write A Note To Someone Special
26. Write A Scripture On Your Mirror
27. Do Something You Have Never Done Before
28. See An Exhibition
29. Play A Game
30. Go To The Park
31. Do A Random Act Of Kindness
32. Take Someone To Lunch
33. Keep A Gratitude Journal For A Week
34. Evaluate Your Yearly Goals
35. Lay Out Under The Stars
36. Buy A New Item Of Clothing
37. Find A Festival To Celebrate In Sydney
38. Write A Letter To Your Future Self
39. Learn Something New
40. Watch An Animated Movie With A Child
41. Organise Your Wardrobe
42. Go For Dessert With Someone You Love
43. Invite Someone New Over For Dinner
44. Write An End-Of-Year Highlights List
45. Watch Your Favourite Movie
46. See A Show
47. Do Something You Have Always Wanted To
48. Declutter A Room In Your House
49. Spend A Special Day With A Child
50. Celebrate
51. Put On Some Music And Dance
52. Participate In A Snail Mail Swap
53. Buy Something For Yourself Just Because
54. Do A Craft
55. Write A New Project 52 List

Thoughts on Thursday: Be Silly

2012-01-26T16:31:00.000+11:00

[artwork by Jessica Hische]

I try to be kind and to be honest, but I find it extremely difficult to be silly. Does anyone else have this problem?

I just find it really hard to let go of my inhibitions and insecurities and just be silly. I often think to myself that I am too serious and uptight, and wish I was one of those care-free people who can do silly things without a second thought, but I'm not.

When I was little I was quite good at being silly. I loved to laugh, made up my own jokes and would dance around and just be a silly bean. Thinking back though, I remember my Dad saying to me over and over at various times of growing up "don't be silly" or "stop being silly". My Dad could be very intimidating when he wanted to be, so of course I would stop. The odd thing is though, my Dad really knew how to be silly! He pulled faces, did voices and accents, told jokes - really bad ones and was pretty entertaining a lot of the time... so really I don't think he is to blame for my lack of silliness.

I think really it all just comes down to what so many of my issues come down to and that is I am insecure. I'm not comfortable enough in my own skin to let go and be carefree and silly. I care too much what people think because I judge myself so harshly.

I guess all I can do I to keep working on loving myself and maybe silliness will find its way into my world again.

Do you find it hard to let go and be silly?

5 Reasons Why I am Not Watching The Biggest Loser

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000+11:00

[image via Pinterest. Original Source untraceable]

Previously, I have watched every season of The Biggest Loser Australia. I could relate to the contestants and I thought it was doing me good. Until last season I discovered a few things about myself that make me feel like watching it this year is not the best thing for me, so here are the 5 reasons I am not watching The Biggest Loser this year:

Reason 1

I cannot watch an episode of The Biggest Loser without having to eat. I know I'm not the only one who experiences this, and I don't know why it happens, but I find myself snacking on junk far more while I am watching the contestants work out than while watching any other show. Obviously this is not a healthy habit, and I am trying to make healthy habits, so this is a no-go!

Reason 2

One would think that watching other overweight people would motivate me to get stuck in to losing weight myself, but it doesn't. In fact, because I know the show is unrealistic in how it helps people lose weight, and so few of them keep it off in the long run, I find myself thinking 1. I can't do it like that and 2. if it's not going to stay off in the long run what's the point?! So I do nothing, but snack [see reason 1]

Reason 3

This season's "theme" is overweight people wanting to lose weight to love themselves or find love. Now if you have read this post you would know I already struggle with that! I don't need a reminder! It's just too close to home for me. I don't need to put myself through that!

Reason 4

I have better things to do with my time than to sit watching a show that is going to depress and demotivate me, tempt me to eat more than I should and end up in a worse situation than I am currently in! I could use my time blogging, or reading, or even watching a show or movie I really enjoy if I need some down time!

Reason 5

I really don't like how they make a spectacle of the contestants, ooh look how fat that person is! I don't like the drama, and I don't like the "game". If it were just people loosing weight and being an inspiration, that might be another story, THAT might make me interested to watch.

So they are my reasons. I know a lot of people DO find The Biggest Loser motivating and inspirational and I am happy for those people that they do, but I am on my own journey and I have discovered that many things that work for everyone else don't work for me. I need to find my own path through this jungle and watching The Biggest Loser this season isn't a part of it.

Disclosure: Possibly when I am at my sister's house I may end up watching an episode here and there. She loves to watch it and I may end up watching it my default. That said I am not choosing to watch it when I have the choice.

Making a Mark

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000+11:00

I was recently reading Chantelle's blog [if you don't read it you really should - it's rather fabulous, just like she is!] and came across this post where she talks about the Beyoncé song I Was Here and what it means to her. Here's the song for you to have a listen to:

I hadn't heard the song before but was so moved by it. I relate to it in many ways. I guess we all can.

I want to know that my life has counted, that I have given love, joy and comfort to others. I want to know that I made an impact on this world in my short time here, and I don't want to have to get to the end of my life before I see it. I want to know I have touched hearts and made a difference to not only those I know and love, but to others who maybe have no one else. I want to show kindness to those who don't know kindness.

I want to be all I can be and all God has called me to be. I want to live my life to the fullest and to me this doesn't mean going out and playing extreme sports or climbing mountains, but it means never giving up, it means being kind, gracious, compassionate and generous with my time, my love and anything else I have to give. It means facing life straight on and not shying away. It means fighting against the obstacles that come my way. It means doing all I can to be the best me I can be, and I can only do that with God.

I was here and I want to leave a legacy...

How do you want your life to be remembered?

Birthday Year: January

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000+11:00

[all photos by Amanda Fuller]

... this is a continuation from here.

So I waited and waited and finally both boxes of goodies arrived from the UK last week. I was so excited! Two boxes filled with gifts for me to open throughout the year - one for each month!

Firstly though, I was to open the pink envelope which not only contained a super cute birdie stamp style card, but the instructions for what I am now calling the Birthday Box and a lovely letter from Sam.

I searched through all the goodies [and got gold stars everywhere!] to find the wrapped gift marked with January. I opened the wrapping and inside was a book I have been dying to read! It's called Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield. The books is filled with the stories behind typefaces and fonts. It's part history, part short story and very entertaining. Or at least it is so far. I've read a couple of chapters and am totally loving it! Sam did an amazing job choosing it for me! I feel so lucky!

Now the wait is on to see what the gift for February will bring. At least thins month it's a shorter wait as the box didn't arrive until a week or so into January. I'll keep you posted as to what each month brings!

Online Shopping for Books & DVDs at Great Prices

2012-01-23T14:00:00.000+11:00

[photo by Amanda Fuller]

I LOVE books and I LOVE watching DVDs and while every now and then there are great bargains to be had in the stores, generally speaking, both books and DVDs are expensive here in a Australia. However, I am going to share a couple of sites with you today that offer great prices and free shipping to Australia! They have completely changed the way I shop for my books and DVDs!

Book Depository

Book Depository is a UK website that sells books and stationery items at great prices. The reason they are such great prices is because there is no high tax on books in the UK and many books are actually produced there, so there is no need for high mark-ups on products like we have here in Australia. The prices are generally quite a bit cheaper than other large online books stores and definitely cheaper than buying them in the shops here. The free worldwide shipping is just the icing on the cake! Here are some of my latest purchases How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie $8.43, The Happy Prince and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde $3.28 and The Help by Kathryn Stockett $6.04! Cheap as chips!

Amazon.co.uk

Now we all know of Amazon, but have you ever taken a look at the UK version of the site? After discovering Book Depository quite a while ago, I would often lament the fact there was no equivalent for DVDs... well Amazon.co.uk kind of is! The prices are great, again usually cheaper than the US Amazon, the disc are zoned the same, so you will be able to play them on your Australian DVD player, and if you spend over £25 you get free shipping to Australia and New Zealand. The downside is the site is all in GB£ and prices aren't converted to AU$ until the very end of the order process, so I usually have a browser window open with a currency convertor site so I can convert things as I go.

I hope you find these sites helpful! Happy shopping!

Project 52: Week 3 - Bake a New Dish

2012-01-23T10:01:00.000+11:00

[photo by Amanda Fuller]

Each Monday night I cook dinner for Mum, Step-Dad and myself as they are usually really busy when they get home. I have decided to use it as a good reason to try new low-fat, healthy eating recipes. Last Monday I made a Weight Watchers recipe for Mac and Cheese with Bacon.

I don't know what it is, but I seem to have trouble just sticking to a recipe, I always end up changing it a little and making it my own, so once again I'll give you the original recipe and my version too.

The Original Recipe

6 Slices Weight Watchers bacon, Chopped

1tbs Weight Watchers Canola Spread

2tbs Plain Flour

1 cup Weight Watchers UHT Skim Milk

60g Weight Watchers Grated Tasty Cheese

500g Macaroni, cooked

Amanda's Version

300g Diced Bacon Pieces [from chiller section in supermarket]

1tbs Reduced Fat Spread

2tbs Plain Flour

1 Cup of Skim Milk

60g Light Tasty Cheese

500g Wholemeal Macaroni, cooked [this is just what I had in the pantry]

1.5 cups Frozen Mixed Vegetables [I cooked these with the Macaroni]

1. Fry bacon in a non-stick pan until golden.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat spread on high until melted. Add flour, stir well and cook on high for another minute. Gradually add milk a little at a time, continually whisking to prevent lumps. Microwave on high until it begins to boil.

3. Add cheese, bacon, macaroni [and vegetables if you are making my version] and stir well. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. Season to taste.

It was a pretty yummy meal, and I actually doubled the recipe so that there was extra left over for Step-Dad and I to take to work for lunch during the week. I served it with lamb chops.

I had never made mac and cheese before, I'd never even made a cheese sauce before, so I was pretty happy with how it turned out!

Wow! Three weeks in already! Time to cross off another item!

1. Find A New Music Artist To Love
2. Read A Book By An Author You Haven’t Read Before
3. Get A Facial
4. Get A Pedicure
5. Get A Manicure
~~6. Have A Massage~~
7. Get Your Hair Done
8. Do A Good Deed For Someone You Live With
9. Do A Good Deed For Someone You Don’t Live With
10. Choose Something From Your Bucket List And Do It
11. Volunteer
12. Buy A Random Gift For Someone You Love
13. Go On A Picnic
14. Go For A Photo Walk
15. Go To The Beach And Eat Ice Cream
16. Try A New Restaurant
~~17. Watch A Movie At The Cinema~~
18. Make A Dessert
~~19. Bake A New Dish~~
20. Take A Day Trip To A New Place
21. Have A Week Off Project 52

22. Do Something Spontaneous
23. Try A New Food
24. Do Something Relaxing
25. Write A Note To Someone Special
26. Write A Scripture On Your Mirror
27. Do Something You Have Never Done Before
28. See An Exhibition
29. Play A Game
30. Go To The Park
31. Do A Random Act Of Kindness
32. Take Someone To Lunch
33. Keep A Gratitude Journal For A Week
34. Evaluate Your Yearly Goals
35. Lay Out Under The Stars
36. Buy A New Item Of Clothing
37. Find A Festival To Celebrate In Sydney
38. Write A Letter To Your Future Self
39. Learn Something New
40. Watch An Animated Movie With A Child
41. Organise Your Wardrobe
42. Go For Dessert With Someone You Love
43. Invite Someone New Over For Dinner
44. Write An End-Of-Year Highlights List
45. Watch Your Favourite Movie
46. See A Show
47. Do Something You Have Always Wanted To
48. Declutter A Room In Your House
49. Spend A Special Day With A Child
50. Celebrate
51. Put On Some Music And Dance
52. Participate In A Snail Mail Swap
53. Buy Something For Yourself Just Because
54. Do A Craft
55. Write A New Project 52 List