Hey folks! It’s the weekend again! Not that it really matters for me – the days also have melted into one. BUT, I can still be excited because it does mean that Evs is home for the next two days and he can help alleviate some of my boredom free time.
I am plodding along and literally waiting for baby to arrive. My due date is in about a week (Easter Monday in fact), so every post could be my LAST. Duh duh DUH.
(Yep, I like to be dramatic somewhat).
Despite my lack of internet, I have painstakingly gathered some links that I have read over the last week and that caught my eye. I hope you enjoy them too!
For those people who aren’t really into heavy breakfasts – typically with either some sort of grain or bread – Maria over at Econest has some ideas to switch it up without getting all blah. Bonus – sugar-free as well.
I was looking at this list and thinking I should have known half of these things while I was in my corporate job. A great post for any professional woman with career tips from the most successful women in the world. My favourite – “Forget the ladder, climb the jungle gym”.
A beautiful post that reminds me that everyone’s love language is different. So Evs might not be a classically romantic guy, but he shows love in a different way.
I am really, really wishing I could go along to this – but alas small thing called a baby will be here. Melbourne peeps – if you are free – I’d highly recommend it. These girls are amazing.
With Winter coming upon us (and thus the shorter days and lack of natural light!) and the urge to take better photos (it’s half the reason I don’t post many recipes – Instagram can only do so much lol) – I’m considering building my own light box. Here’s a great tutorial on how to DIY one of your own.
Did you hear about Lululemon’s recall on their new line of yoga pants because they were too sheer?? Jimmy Kimmel give us his (hilarious) opinion on it through this video about the yoga pant shortage.
Also, given my sporadic blogging – for the first baby news you’re more likely to catch me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Happy weekend guys! It’s been a big one for me, and while I’m a little behind in posting my pregnancy updates, hitting the 30’s weeks has suddenly meant that there is a lot less room for baby which in turns means a lot more kicking and general all-round uncomfortableness for me. It’s been a hot week and while I LOVE summer, finding work appropriate clothes that keeps you cool hasn’t been the easiest. I seriously just want to bum at home in little shorts and a t-shirt that barely covers my belly.
I now have a few weeks left of work. I have this internal countdown clock in my head and it makes me jump up and down with glee everytime I realise I am another day closer to my leave. I know the reality of it will all hit me in a few weeks that WHOA, a BABY is going to be here soon, but right now the thought of sleeping in and eating ice-cream to my heart’s content is what is keeping me going.
While I have been trying not to do the midnight shifts, this week it has been unavoidable with reports due and deadlines looming. Gah.
So, for your reading pleasure:
My dream has always to be a writer. I don’t think I am a particularly good one, but the lure of words has always pulled me in and it’s been the secret desire in my heart that would be there for me. I dabbled with it on and off throughout my life, but have never been able to say the words out loud – I’m a writer. Does this blog count? When do you become a writer? This post from one of my new favourite Aussie bloggers made me smile and gave me inspiration - “If I keep writing words then I’ll become a writer.”
While yoga teaches you meditation and an escape from the real world, sometimes you just need a bit of technology to help you. Here are 12 Yoga Apps to Become a Better Yogi (via Greatist)
Speaking of vegetables, one of the biggest things I have been struggling with is getting enough veggies into my diet since I have been pregnant. Some reason, they haven’t been as appealing to me – I’ll eat them, but it’s the preparation that has bothered me. This post from Sarah Wilson lists 6 easy and clever ways of getting more veggies into your diet. (And green smoothies have been my saviour – even more awesome now because Evs got me…WAIT FOR IT…a VITAMIX as an early birthday gift!!) (Is it weird that my dream gift was a BLENDER??)
Um, if you aren’t ready for kids…this might kinda make you change your mind. What is it?? A video of a newborn taking a bath of course. But not just any video – watch it and tell me if it made you clucky
And because I always need a dose of chocolate in my life, and chocolate-and-mint is even better, my good friend Hannah has come up with a winning combo in ger recipe Mini Mint Choc Chip Protein Cookies. No Bake AND Vegan. (Try saying THAT 5 times fast). Trust me, you will want to make these.
Happy weekend! I’m just going to come out and say it, because I know y’all are thinking it. Where did January GO?? I think in the drunken mess of holidays and getting back to work and getting back into a routine, the weeks have flown. I’m shaking my head now, but seriously.
THERE ARE HOT-CROSS BUNS IN THE SUPERMARKETS ALREADY!
It’s been a busy week for me, with something happening each night after work (which to this about 8-months pregnant lady is a lot!) and so Evs and I have been looking forward to getting our wind-down on. This week included meeting with a doula (more on this later!), swimming, dinners at the parentals, hospital classes where we attempted to learn how to look after a crying, screaming newborn and a wedding reception where I managed to squeeze myself into a dress (maternity at this stage now!!), some heels and even get up on the dance floor before conking out by 11:30.
Work has been fairly consistent and each week, my heart flutters because it means one more week until I am off on maternity leave! I’m considering starting it a little earlier, given I’ll be about to pop anytime when I go, so want to have some relaxation time before things potentially get moving.
Anyways. Enough about me.
How has your week been, lovelies??
I have some cute links this week, and I hope you get to sit down with your drink of choice and enjoy them.
I don’t want to make you cry on your weekend, but THIS. Brought tears to my eyes and melted my heart. A beautiful reminder to slow down in life.
Oh my lord. I am sure since the days of Mad Men, we have not seen a product like the “BIC Pens For Her”. And so, here comes the 10 best Amazon reviews of this wonderful, life-changing pen* (*That WAS sarcasm there ) I can’t actually decide what my favourite is but it will have you chortling away. (via ThoughtCatalog)
As I get older (and approach the big 3-0!), I tend not to give a shit about many things anymore. Don’t know if I am just getting crotchety in my old age (HA!) but this post from Thought Catalog about 25 things you don’t have to justify to anyone resonated with me.
Evs has been wanting to see Wreck It Ralph (we both have a soft spot for animated films!) and sent me this link to the short animated film made by Disney that I believe comes before or after the movie (can’t remember!). It’s classic Disney – beautiful animation, touching story and a hint of humour.
Ok another video – but this is AWESOME. Somebody obviously much more talented than me made a flipbook of the video clip for Gangnam Style and set it to the music. Pretty amazing. You have GOT to see it.
“Too late, I found you can’t wait to become perfect, you got to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.” ~ Ray Bradbury. One of things I struggle with a lot is getting started because the timing isn’t ‘perfect’ – so many other things become excuses to why I can’t do things. This great post from Em at Happy Tree Posedebunks the myth of ‘perfect timing’ and explains how to work through that crippling fear. (PS. While you’re there – check out the Real Life Yogi interview I did with Em about all things yoga, pregnancy and how I still consider myself a noob)
Oh man. I am looking forward to the joys that little children will give me. Truly I am. But I foresee many, many embarrassing moments (both for me and the child ) – this post over at Mamamia had be cringing and wondering if it was too late (yep, it is) and laughing my head off. The comments on the post are GOLD.
“Most good things happen without a plan: friendships, falling in love, finding a job, and so on. If you want to make your new year count, you’ll need to be intentional — not by setting goals, but by making space in your life for what really matters.”
Hola friends! It HAS been a while hasn’t it?? Thank you to those who messaged and emailed – everything is all good and I’ve just been swept up in the waves that are the new year. I started work again last week which was crazy and as much as I was trying to not let it be a repeat of how I felt right before the break, there were some hairy burning-the-midnight-oil moments.
There has also been a few other medical things I have been dealing with which is why I am a little behind on the pregnancy posts – all is fairly well, but, let’s just say not ideal.
Anyway.
How have YOU been?? I’ve been lurking around a little bit and popping in here and there when I can, but I’ve actually missed this space. We have the Australia Day long weekend and I’m taking this time to get back to the simple things and remember what I decided to focus on this year.
That means nursery designing + healthy cooking + family time + books, oh the books! + worksheet focusing + dream planning
AND this is the first Weekend Reading post of the year!! Woohoo! And I have a few good things for you guys to settle in and read this weekend:
I know we’re well into the New Year now, but there is always time and room for a fresh start. Here’s a great post from Sarah at Yes and Yes about 13 ways for a fresh start this year. I’ve already started by getting rid of clothes I know I’ll never wear and *cough* never fit into again.
If you have never had a Tim Tam, then I am truly sad for you. A quintessential Aussie invention, it has seen me through many, many moments in my life and blown my mind when I discovered the Tim Tam Slam. And, if you’re in an indulgent mood, this Tim Tam Tart will get you going.
“The healthiest people were those who didn’t spend money that they hadn’t earned, to buy things that they didn’t need, to impress people that they didn’t like,” says Deepak Chopra. A funny, ten minute TEDMED video on his perspective on health and happiness. (via MindBodyGreen)
My hormones are all out of whack and I find myself with a slight crush on the most random of people. Especially those on TV. This post on TV’s hottest Dads made me grin and blush embarrassingly at the same time because there may have been moments in my life where I…errr…we’ll leave it there.
Um, it was slightly worrying that I could relate to ALL of what this woman was saying about pregnancy (including the purchase of the Snoogle!), but I’m not freaking out as much as she is (and kinda loving it). That being said, it’s an refreshingly honest article on how some women just really don’t like being pregnant.
“If you educate girls, you will change the world,” – a wonderful organisation (10x10act) released a preview of their new documentary Girl Rising at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this week. Here’s the trailer to see for yourself.
Happy New Year! I’m hoping that the first week of the new year has been good to you. I’m loving having the time at the moment and am slightly sad to think that I only have one more week left before I head back to work! I’ve lined up some amazing things for myself in the coming weeks and am very excited. Also, started on my vision board and started using the shiny new diary and planner I bought last week.
How big is baby? The size of a CHINESE cabbage. (Evs asked why Chinese – beats me)
(Belly button poking out!!!)
How I’m feeling? I’m slow. Not so much in the head (although there are days where my brain seems to be addled either by this pregnancy or the heat). Slow in the sense that it takes me ages to climb the stairs now – I feel my back arching to accommodate this weight in front and I have to keep adjusting my posture.
Fitness? Swimming, walking and prenatal yoga. Going strong, even as I get slower.
Weight? All belly. I swear it gets bigger every time I look at it. Belly band is still working to hold my pre-pregnancy pants up and I think I’ve basically lived in my favourite pair of black skinny jeans. That and leggings. I haven’t ventured over to the wearing-leggings-as-pants camp yet. Just. Can’t. Do it.
How I’m changing? Circle of life thoughts. Deaths and births all in the same week has made me think and become a lot more reflective. I talk to the baby now and use the names that we have picked out if it is a boy or girl. It makes it a lot more real, although I wonder if it confuses baby. Perhaps. Maybe that’s why he/she likes to kick me so much.
What I miss? Moving fast (er). I need to re-organise my whole planning for doing things now.
Symptoms? Still back pain, a sometimes-itchy belly and recently, some low cramps. I’m wondering if they are Braxton-Hicks contractions – which would be kinda freaky, but I am using them as practice and trying to breathe through the short bouts of uncomfortableness.
Cravings? Cold things.
Aversions? Nothing major.
Highlights this week? Picking out the paint for the baby’s nursery! Finally, we are getting our act together and doing something about it. I have an idea and told it to Evs who gave me such a look that I had to plead with him to “just go with me” for a minute. After I showed him some ‘inspiration’ from good old Pinterest, he’s on board. Painting I think will be done soon while we are still on holidays.
(I call this one – Personal Wind Machine.) (And no I’m not referring to myself haha. Although…)
) I can’t actually decide what my favourite is but it will have you chortling away. (via 
