Hey y’all! Just a quick one today, thought I’d share with you a couple of awesome ideas for witty cards (which I am definitely using in the near future) Hope these make you smile and inspire you to make you own witty and creative cards for friends and family.

Hey everyone! Life has been a bit of a whirlwind the past few months, since my hubby and I tied the knot we’ve been busy getting our professional lives together but that hasn’t stopped us from dreaming of the future too. Previously I talked about some of my favourite websites, most notably Pinterest. I am absolutely in love with this site! It’s my go-to vision board for inspirations and dreaming up big things! So for today, I thought I’d share with you one of the projects we made inspired by pinterest. Sunday is now DIY/Project Day here in the Storms household, and it’s a blast. I’m definitely going to start sharing our next projects (successful and otherwise…)

We used an old plastic shoe rack and a couple of old plastic kitchen drying grids. Tied it all together using cable ties lol. Sorry I forgot to take a photo before we started. But anyways here’s the finished product, it’s a little wonky, but I like that, gives it a bit of personality (definitely made by us hehe). Click here to see my pinterest board for all things DIY and fun projects. Share yours too below!

“Bingo!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. It was a thrill. It was exciting. I was the only person under 50 there. The linoleum covered tables. The 80s music booming in the background. These are the things I remember about bingo as a child, sitting next to my elderly aunt on her weekly trip to the local RSL on the Gold Coast.

Social board games with a bit of gambling? In Asia the first thing that comes to mind would be Mah Jong, but in the western world, Bingo is the only thing I can think of. But bingo is evolving. It’s not just a game played by the elderly anymore. You can find it as an app on your latest smart phone, you can play it at uni with a bunch of college grads playing bingo crossed with faux stock markets and you can find it online.

With sites such as FoxyBingo.com, online bingo isn’t just about playing a game – there’s money to be earned (well the chance to). But what is the draw card to bingo? Can one really enjoy a game that seems outdated in an ever changing world?  With so many different variations being offered there’s certainly a game that may suit you.

1.     Pinterest

I’m an absolute pin addict! It’s so inspiring using Pinterest, great to get new ideas and see the ongoing trends in fashion, food and pretty much anything under the sun.

2.     Polyvore

My own virtual fashion closet, Polyvore helps relieve those shopping pangs and you don’t have to spend a cent! Not only great for dreaming up your own fantasy closet, but also for planning outfits and getting inspirations for that look for less.

3.     Facebook

Facebook seems to be taking over the world…and our lives. While I have a few opinions about that (I feel another blog coming on just about facebook) I can’t deny how useful facebook has been in my life for past couple of years. A great tool for staying in touch with friends and family, it’s obviously one of the most visited sites on my internet browser.

4.     Annie Jaffrey’s Blog

I absolutely love Annie Jaffrey – beautiful inside and out, her blog inspires females all over the globe to take better care of themselves and live a healthier lifestyle. I’m subscribed to her YouTube channel as well.

5.     Weekend Notes

I may seem a bit biased, saying Weekend Notes is one of my favourite sites because I write for it, but even if I didn’t, Weekend Notes holds such a wealth of knowledge and some great articles. I always looks up Weekend Notes when I’m looking for an event or something to do. It’s the ultimate events guide and the site is really growing.

6.     Break My Style

This inspiring fashionista is also Filipina (like me) and her blog is getting huge, I love browsing through her funky and unique styles.

7.     Jackie’s Guinea Pigs

In the past year, I’ve become a mum!…A mum to three guinea pigs that is. Jackie’s page is the absolute resource for all things guinea pigs and their care. Her invaluable wisdom and experience has helped me be the best Mama piggy I can be.

Hi dear readers! It’s been ages, and I am so sorry for my long leave of absence. I wanted to formally welcome you to the new and improve Island Meets City. It’s been a while in the making, there are still a few changes coming your way and as I make them I would love to hear your feedback on what you like (or maybe not like so much) about the new site and parts you’d like to see more of.

First thing you’ll notice I’m sure is the drastic theme upheaval! I wanted Island Meets City to be more accessible and as easy to catch your eye as a magazine, thus the ezine theme.

You’ll notice the autoimmune part of IMC  has now been moved, as I’ve found it’s such a special subject to me that it deserved its own site. There have been some really wonderful people I’ve met through my autoimmune blog posts, so I am dedicating autoimmunee.com to them. Please feel free to have a click though to my other site to read autoimmune related issues and health stories.

I’ve also added a couple of new blog topic tags for my articles and they are Inspirations and Events.

Inspirations are ideas I’ve come across on the net that I’d love to share with you via my Pinterest page, I’ve become a bit of a DIY project monger these past few months – so every Sunday is now Project Day!

Events are a bit of my more random posts, but are relating to more current topics from events that happen in my Island Meets City life. In the last couple of months alot has happened – my hubby and I finally tied the knot! So posts like that will be filed under Events. You can still access my older posts from the previous site in their corresponding topic tag clouds – music, feel good, good reading, and love & family. 

Since July 2012, I’ve become a principal writer for the website Weekend Notes, I’ll still be writing some of my own travel & leisure related articles here but you can also see more reviews there.

So there you have it, I’m so excited to start the new year with a big bang, and look forward to seeing your reactions, ideas for and comments on the new Island Meets City.

Lotsa love,

Lariana

Hi y’all! Sorry it’s been soooo long since I’ve last posted, I promise to post way more in the next few weeks. You might not remember, but I’m getting married this November so things have nothing less than hectic. Been working, traveling and planning this wedding! Never thought I’d have so much to do when I thought everything would somehow fall into place – which in the end it will but not without a little bit of pushing from my end and my fiance too. It’s hard being in another country than where the wedding is going to take place too so a lot of the decisions will be last minute since we’ll be going back one month before the wedding date. But until then what our vision is and our program is etc needs to be worked out.

The new and improved Island Meets City I think will have to wait til early 2013 (that’s if we all survive the 2012 predictions – what do you think? will be writing about that tomorrow) as like I said super busy now and up until the wedding and soon after. But I’ve got a lot of the plans in place with what to do with IMC even the theme, and also including autoimmunee.com.

So there’s the updates. Just a quick post for today, I had a dream last night that really moved me that I just had to write about it as soon as I woke up this morning. This is what I recall:

Sorry my thoughts and memories of the dream are a little scattered but the dream had a powerful message right? Be present today, the struggles you have, the joys you have, will also play a part in your tomorrow. The world and life is much bigger than ourselves. Our experiences make us stronger, more wise more whole. It was really strange, I woke up with relief? I believe I should wake up asking myself those three questions to give my life perspective. Loving others, love as I’ve talked about before is everything. The song “I was here” by Beyonce was the first song that played on my shuffled playlist on my iPod. Coincidence?

For more, read: The Zoom-out Effect

Dedicated to a couple of friends. Apologies for the quality, simplicity and mistakes LOL but yeah the message is there at that’s what I want to share right now, will get to work on writing the full version. This was recorded on a nice,old casio keyboard, some of the keys were stuck lol. Recorded on my lappy. Can’t wait to get home and use my proper recording stuff, so exciting!

Ever noticed how putting LOL into any conversation or context, whether you’re writing an email, texting, vibing (not vibrating, the app is called “viber” check it out), chatting or skyping (yes there are people out there, myself included, who actually say “LOL” out loud) etc. can change the entire meaning or tone of what you want to say someone.

A friend of mine and I were talking about its power to transform an entire message.

For example, you might actually be really angry at someone for not returning something you borrowed them last month. So instead of being direct. You say LOL in the message to change the tone. Here’s what it’d look like: “You are so not cool for returning my stuff dude LOL”. See what I just did there! Amazing right? Because are you really that angry? Or are you having a bit of a laugh, nudging them a bit, but it’s really all cool right? They can return it anytime, right? Not really! Well most times anyway. Because sometimes we just throw LOL in to throw people off the scent – the scent of what we truly mean but still went to get across if you know what I mean.

Hmm, what’s another example. Oh here’s a good one: “It’s f***ing cold right now, my toes are falling off LOL” Why is this funny? because your toes are literally frozen and may have frost bite. Not really that funny. But we must use LOL anyway, right? Just to prove we can have a bit of sense of humour with it or whatever.

Yes, the power of LOL is quite magnificent and can be used extensively in all sorts of situations. In fact, another friend of mine even used it through a break up while chatting. What great usage of the power of LOL, LOL!. “No, I’m not angry LOL” and “Of course I don’t hate you LOL” see now, this form of LOL is used for sarcasm. 

But LOL isn’t always used for sarcasm. You could actually be using it for its original purposes – to say “Laughing out loud” without actually writing it all. But does anyone actually write “laughing out loud” instead of its acronym? Wouldn’t you write “I am laughing right now” because that means you are laughing out loud and you don’t need to tell the person it’s out loud, because it’s assumed right?

Well I’m not bashing whoever or why someone came up with LOL. Whoever you were, wherever you are, I thank you. It is awesome.

There are many other ways to use LOL as well. Comment below with times when you used it for not exactly what it stands for. Heck I throw it in anytime I can LOL. See I just did it then, and I also use “hehe” alot too. I don’t know. Don’t ask. I’m a person who likes laughing and being happy okay? I guess it shows a little bit of my personality – that I’m cute and perky right? Okay maybe not, it’s a bit of a habit really. I don’t actually sit there writing an email saying hehe out loud myself every second while typing, nor do I laugh out loud every time I text LOL. I would really be laughing a lot then wouldn’t I? But yes, LOL does mean I find it funny. But sometimes it means something else. Do you use the acronym or shall I say the “word” LOL often? If so, send me your most creative uses for it. Who knows, we might be making history and making LOL an accepted and modern word for the English Language. Because it is changing. Everyone knows what LOL means right? But I’ll save a bit of my commentary on the evolution of the English language as a topic for discussion in another blog post. Cheerio LOL

P.S For fun, count how many times I wrote ‘right’ LOL

Note before you begin reading: This syndrome or complex has many other names. Like “I-don’t-know-WTH-I-am-doing” syndrome. But let’s keep it PG (at least PG13+) shall we….although I highly doubt any 13-year-old’s would even get what I’m rambling about, heck I’m not even sure my target audience (20-30s+) will get what I’m talking about…anywhos Enjoy

Is it just me or am I suffering from the “I-dont-know-what-I-am-doing” syndrome, which could even be extended to “-and-where-I-am-going-as-well” effect as well. Of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t know what you “should” be doing or what you think you should be doing either. I’m sure most of you have some sort of rough idea of what you want or where you’re going. I guess my problem is I know what I want and I know what steps to take but then life steps in and yeah it gets all kinds of complicated from there. But do you actually know the name of the destination or route to be taken? Correct me if I am wrong, this syndrome isn’t just something we experience in our 20s, oh no, it also extends to your 30s even, and don’t even tell me it affects you in your 40s because if that’s the case, than I am not looking forward to the next 20 or so years of my life, well not as much anyway haha. Mind you, this whole “I-don’t-know-what-I-am-doing” thing can be pretty fun. It can be exciting. You learn so much about yourself and what you are capable of and what you’re not so capable of. I know I’m only in my early 20s, so it’s normal for me being a bit confused right? a little…you know…overwhelmed at times right? Right! But wait, I’ve made some really great friends who are in their 30s, or just sort of getting there…they don’t acknowledge nor accept, that they have indeed passed their quarter-life traumas. But wait, it’s just getting started.

This isn’t a complain fest nor is it a plea for help, it’s really just a lot of pondering really. Rather a question to all of you, does it get any easier? Of course, this journey that we call life, isn’t always easy, nor should it be. It should be challenging and interesting, and well nothing easy was ever described by those two words right? Well, I’ve never described the word ‘easy’ with those two words anyway.

Back to the point, or the question that this post has been written to present and sort of get you thinking. Will we ever really know if we’re on the right  track? And if you’re in your mid-20s or already quite used to the fact that you are NO longer a teenager – meaning going out and partying like you’re 18 doesn’t feel as good as it used to – do you still fill that floundering sense of “Oh my gosh, I am so confused!”. This confusion can be attributed to one part or all parts of your life;  your relationships – “Is he/she the one?”, your career – “Is this the job for me? Do I even like my job?” and so on, and so on – some questions that we feel, at the time as decisions for the rest of our lives (or big chunks of it anyway). It can really occur in your life at any time. This life ‘confusion’ or whatever it is, really isn’t limited to any age. We all sort of mature, and find the things we want out of life at different times. That’s okay. But the question still stands – Is it going to get easier? Or more understandable at least? Am I actually going to get what I want out of life or am I just fighting something that doesn’t really exist? Is this confusion just a minor glitch in usually a controlled yet exciting life? Or could this all be brought on by our own minds because other people talk about their own confusions in life, and this confuses us and only leads to you-know-what, you guessed it, a whole lot of confusion. Could it be that some people are also just trying to mess with our heads? Warning us about sometimes highly doubtful, if not realistic fears of ours that could become a reality? And if so, are these people getting the better of us? They’re trying to knock you down, second guess yourself because they want the job you want or the boyfriend you have…or whatever, sometimes they might just be so unhappy themselves that they just want you to be as confused as they are – one huge pity fest. Or not. They could also be warning you because they’ve been through it – they know, they survived! lol Ok, so I am digressing a bit here, but I have a point that links all these ideas I promise!

So with all these fears of not really know what you’re doing, plus other people telling you or even pressuring you to get your act together because if not…well you’re just stuffed then aren’t you?, will we younglings (whether we be in our early 20s or even late 30s – you’re still young!) does it get easier? That’s what I’m talking about! I think I’ve asked this too many times now. Are we ever really sure or content? And I don’t mean do we have every materialistic thing or emotional victory that we crave for. I mean will we be happy as we are in the moment and not worry about the past or the present and definitely not worry about the future because it hasn’t happened yet.

I’m 23 this year, and yes, I am in the early stage of my twenties. But I am already seeing the signs that life or rather some people in my life, have (maybe unintentionally) got me in a tail spin. I feel pressures from everywhere and I’ve read about this quarter-life crisis, but I’ve also heard of the mid-life crisis – so could life rather be, a crisis itself? But no, that’s negative talk and I refuse to look at life like a crisis. It is a gift! A beautiful journey where we may or may not be reincarnated to come back and learn new lessons – that’s if you believe in reincarnation, I’m not really sure but this isn’t about my beliefs in God or religion or anything – this is about life!

I’m not really sure what I’m getting at here, but I’m sure you have some idea of what I’m talking about right? It’s all about not knowing I guess, and is it really so bad not knowing? It’s good to stay positive, let life take you where it needs to go, learn along the way and just try not to make so many silly mistakes along the way. But making mistakes can also be a good thing – sometimes we think we’re making a mistake when actually we’re making the best decision of our lives! – like quitting that job you hate even though you’ve been there for like 10 years and could get a promotion anytime soon, it’s not failure! because like they say when one door closes…how does the saying go? another one slams in your face…nah I’m just kidding another one should open, and it might not look like an opening but it is so take it!

So what do you think? I’d really like to hear from what YOU think and your perspective. Is life a crisis or a gift? Is it more just on your perspective (way of looking at life) and not taking perceived setbacks too close to heart? Ok, so one more thing…I just thought about it really. Even when you’re in your 30s (or in your 20s if you became a young mother) mothers have questions too! Confusing ones too. Like am I really ready? well you’ll have to be because that baby lying in your arms right now needs a mother. Or am I good for my baby? like I said before, you’re going to have to be good enough or you know try you best, you will LEARN along the way, that’s how everyone else does too. Because that’s all we can do right – stop being confused and start just living! Just BE! Everything will work out right? Like there are so many older people out there who were just like us before, in our shoes like they say, they also had no idea what they were doing, but they took a chance, they grasped life by the hand and said “Hi life, how you doing? I know you’re going to play around with me sometimes (I was going to use a swear word here but I decided not too), but that’s ok, just let us live together and hopefully don’t let me hurt too much or pay too much for some things I do because I really don’t know what I’m doing” and like that we get a little more confident, we take the horns or the handles, or whatever it is they say, and we just go with it. We live life to the best of our ability. There will be hard times, no one’s guaranteeing an easy ride. Oh it will get bumpy all right, sometimes we might even want everything to stop. But we can’t do that! Because we are so lucky to be alive, to be healthy (or as healthy as we are anyway coz there’s always someone worse or you know with less fortunate circumstances) so be positive! Do your best! And yeah, hit me with some love and leave a comment below with what you think! I always love to read other peoples thoughts and ideas but keep it positive and don’t be too rude or offensive because everyone is different and every LIFE is different. Keep judgements to yourself, but opinions of how it affects you, yeah sure, share that!

Okies this has already gotten much longer than I had intended and probably alot LESS coherent than I had imagined while writing it. Oh well, that’s me – one big ball of thoughts. Biyee, thanks, oh and good luck, I think we’re all going to need it! xoxo Lari

(pronounced: cross-dan-sing-ing or made from the words – cross, dance and singing)

NOTE: Podcast/Blog Radio/Audio Version of this blog available, it is a little long, but if you don’t have time to read this or prefer listening, you can also download this audio version from sound cloud (for free, of course) and listen to it on the bus or train or in your car on the way to work or wherever

Hey y’all! I’m one of those people who find it really hard to getting into routine exercising – and doing just that – sticking to a routine! So, today while I was on my Cross trainer aka Elliptical Machine, while I was doing my usual “whigging-out” routine aka stopping and starting, zoning out, getting around about 10minutes at max of non-stop cross-trainer-ing or whatever you call, and yeah basically not actually getting anything out my attempt at exercising, I came up with an idea that would keep me motivated, and actually keep doing the exercise while I was actually doing it and not giving up so quickly or getting distracted so easily. Some of you might find this ‘technique’ or idea that I have, highly distracting, but never fear, I have also thought up tips that will keep you on track and serious about losing that weight!

Ok! So first, all you need is a cross trainer (preferably at home because this ‘technique’ should be done somewhere where you don’t feel shy and feel confident enough to be ‘loud’ and by ‘loud’ I mean, you don’t want people around you thinking you’re a complete nut job, unless of course someone walks in on your little routine, and then you may be a little embarrassed). But I digress, back to the topic at hand. Yep, all you need is a cross trainer, a heck of a great playlist that gets you moving – think your favourite party anthems or music that you like to club to! The aim is to have music that makes you feel sexy and confident, and pretty much on top of the world.

Once you have these two things. Now, it’s time to not only have things ready to make you feel great, it’s time to look great too! I don’t mean you have to look skinnier, or more toned or whatever (those are the benefits we want after doing this a few times and often). I mean you need to stop exercising in ugly sweat shirts and baggy pants – I mean sure, no one is there to look at you but YOU are there! You should feel your best and sexiest so whatever you like…even if you have like a little extra flab or so called ‘love handles’ that you despise. Don’t think about it! Get your skimpiest shorts and like a comfortable and supportive sports bra and get to it Missy! Feel confident in your own body. Remember no one else but you should be in that room or near that area that you choose to do this. If you don’t have anything really…well wear your bikini bottoms that fit your body today and a good exercise bra of course, always wear sports bra with extra support especially if you’re like me and have a little more to support if you know what I mean…

So now it’s time to try CROSSDANCINGING, now what is crossdancinging you ask? Why I’m glad you asked! Crossdancinging is just like the pronounciation guide or even the word breakdown I provided in the description says – it’s using your cross trainer (or elliptical trainer or any other machine you think you could apply this to) and putting some flavour to your technique by adding a bit of groove to it – by dancing and singing at the same time! Ok, I know what you’re thinking – I can’t sing or dance! Well you don’t need to know exactly how to do either, the point is to get yourself moving and puffing. Get yourself PUMPED! Well that’s what I found anyway.

I’m one of those people that love listening to their ipods with an awesome playlist at the gym, and feels like dancing to the beat or singing to the lyrics (if there is any). So why not? I say! Ok so now you get what I’m talking about, and this idea might have already done I’m sure, but I want to take it to the next level!

I am on sort of a lifestyle/diet plan at the moment, and I have fallen off the bandwagon recently but only for a while because of work, stress…you know life. But I am back on the horse or in the game, whatever you think fits this more aptly, and I am more determined than ever! I want to lose weight girls! And it’s not just because I’m getting married this November 2012 (although that would be really, really nice) I’m also doing this because I want to feel healthier and I want to feel at least like I’m doing something towards it, instead of saying ‘tomorrow I’ll start’ almost repeatedly. Have a look at Jenna Marble’s funny skit about how diets work by clicking here (just a little bit of humour for y’all) Anywhos, back to my point, while I can’t say this technique will ‘definitely’ make you lose weight, I’m sure it will definitely get you motivated to and start enjoying yourself along the way. I’m not saying you have to do this, I’m only sharing this so that you get inspired and get a bit more creative with your workout routines.

Back to business, where was I? Oh yeah so I’m taking Crossdancinging to the next level! Here’s how:

So move that body girl! Let’s do this! I hope you have fun working harder on your machines and also make it “funner”(that’s not a word is it?) You should be able to exercise more often and push yourself harder to! And not only that, actually look forward to a fun exercise sesh with you and you alone…unless of course you have an absolutely amazing voice, and so do your friends, or you’re all not very shy (kudos to you!) and sing all together…yeah you could make it like a crossdancinging group sesh! now wouldn’t that be awesome! Good luck! Love yas! Lari xoxo

Tips (overall summary)

ONE – Make an AWESOME upbeat playlist that makes you want to move
TWO – Wear something sexy, no more ugly sweat shirts and baggy pants – become aware of your body – LOVE your body!
THREE – Make an interval training plan that suits you and enables you to know your limits but also push them a little too
FOUR – And finally, just sing and dance! Don’t be shy or overly conscious, do it where you feel most comfortable!