Holler for the weekend!! It’s an extra-special one because, yep, you guessed it – it’s my BIRTHDAY! (Well, yesterday but I’m celebrating all weekend long!). It’s a funny thing about birthdays, that no matter how old we get, there is always that tiny spark of excitement about it. And no amount of being blasé and tyring to act cool that it was “just another day” could stop that feeling.

I WAS meant to have a day off yesterday, but had to go into work which was made slightly better because my manager bought me cupcakes and Evs treated me to lunch. Dinner was low-key with the family at the local Thai restaurant and, OMG, more cake.

We’re hosting a low-key BBQ at our place on Sunday afternoon, perfect summer weather (maybe with a touch of summer thunderstorms) and lots of food, friends and laughter.

But, I’m also taking some time out this weekend for myself. I’m feeling exhausted, more mentally than physically to be honest (although sleeping in this heat has been terrible) and am desperate need of a break. So, in the spirit of me-time, here are some links for you too:

• More so than ever, I’m turning into a fan of being ACTIVE, rather than dedicating time to exercise. These days, the ability to just keep moving is enough to satisfy my bones and I enjoy it a lot more. This post from Sarah Wilson explores the idea of the current message of “Exercising making us fat”.

• I haven’t been on a huge chocolate bender for a while, but this sugar-free chocolate is tempting me back onto the wild side.

• One of my favourite blogs I discovered about six months back was Vienda Maria. In fact, I’ve linked more often than not to her posts here because they resonate so much to me as I try and seek a more simple and authentic life. Part of that is figuring out what I want to do with this blog and sorting through my head to find the answers. As part of my birthday gift to myself, last week I bought her newly-launched ebook – “The Build Your Own Business Blog” (um, only $8! What can I say – I’m a easy person to shop for! ) and am already loving it. Don’t let the word business throw you off, it’s perfect for anyone wanting to grow their blog and perfect for newbies like me that have no clue when it comes to things like SEO haha.

• “Success and likability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women,” – Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. I am so guilty of this. Especially in the workplace where I have (now looking back, quite embarrassingly) sacrificed myself for likeability. I’ve let people walk all over me and convince me that things were MY FAULT and I’ve agreed with them, because I wanted them to like me. This article explores the truth about women and likeability.

• While I can’t confess to fully feeling like this, I have many friends who live the life of an expat. Perhaps, it’s the same when I return to India and things feel nothing has changed and yet everything has. This post about finding the answer to Where Do I belong? is a great read.

• Ohhh. I had to agree. I HAD to. Even when 4 out of the 6 shows listed here are some of my favourites – they really need to SHUT IT DOWN (Especially Glee *sob*).

• This girl. Where do I start – besides having a banging blog and life (I mean who would NOT want to live on the beaches of Goa??)- she also has another food blog that makes me drool every time I wander over. These garlic-coriander pull apart rolls are something out of this world. You must try them.

Ok, I am off to get the house in some sort of order before people start arriving (I mean I have a DAY, but who can be bothered cleaning in this heat!) and think about the menu.

Happy weekend everyone!!

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my sister about a baby shower. She was of the mind that I should just combine my upcoming 30th and Baby shower together. I had what you call a very non-adult reaction (whisper – “tantrum”) and refused to even entertain the thought. I mean, a girl deserves to celebrate both monumental events separately no??

(To be fair – I did combine my 24th birthday and engagement party back in the day as well)

All I knew was that I wanted some kind of theme and for it to be fun. So my sister and I came up with the idea of a carnival/circus theme and she took it from there.

I have to say – it was more than what I had ever expected. She put a lot of hard work and organisation into it and apart from giving her not-so-subtle hints for some things, she did it all on her own.

There was a lot of sugary treats, which I tried to limit because it made the baby go nuts, but I’m not going to lie. Coloured popcorn is THE best invention ever.

I had no idea what to wear and spent a good half and hour throwing everything out of my closet because I wasn’t organised enough to buy a new outfit and nothing fit. I finally found this dress that I bought in Hong Kong when I was working there back in 2011 (oh wow – has it been that long already???) and managed to squeeze my gigantor boobs and massive belly into it. I kinda liked it and felt it went with the carnival theme too.

   There were some healthy snacks in there…somewhere. Funny how we didn’t get any pictures of them!

The requisite dodgy baby-related games – I’m clearly so ready for parenthood after these.

A bit of fun after the guests had gone home….I LOVE photobooths.

In fact, I’m planning one at my 30th again.

SO MUCH FUN.

(Haha you can see where I had Happy New Year written on the chalkboard before.)

All in all I had the best day – it was light hearted and fun. I was surrounded by friends and family that I cared for and got many awesome gifts – so many cute onesies! This kid is set.

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There was a moment on New Year’s Eve, once the clock had struck midnight, when I was alone.

I stood by the window of my bedroom, the sky illuminated in the distance with the shining coloured lights of the fireworks over my beloved Melbourne city. Everyone was downstairs, the sound of laughter floating up, glasses clinking. 

I held my own glass of champagne (non-alcoholic of course and it tasted like balls!) (Just to be clear – NOT that I’ve ever…errr…ok stopping) and slowly sipped as I stood there. The baby kicked in protest of the bubbly liquid and my hand found the curve of my belly to savour the feeling.

The prophecy of 2012 as the Year of the Dragon being one of tumultuous change had come true. I was thinking back and I remembered 2012 being one of confusion and fogginess. I was – am still -  at a crossroads with my career, I felt unfulfilled and sensed potential in myself that trembled at the whisper of making it real. I travelled – notably Sri Lanka – which perhaps came at a time where I put too much pressure on myself and that was just the thing I needed.

I felt like I was being swept away in this current of life and I couldn’t do anything about it except let it take me along. I felt defeated and small, my yearning to have a life of my choice slipping through my fingers.

Then – I made a choice. I wasn’t going to stop my life for the fear of others. It was a big decision and one that I honestly haven’t completely fulfilled yet – but for me I took the biggest step. I had been thinking of starting a family for a little while, and Evs, was just waiting on me. I always had a reason not to – I needed to lose that last 5 kilos, I wanted to get a promotion, we needed to travel more. Then I realised that I was chasing happiness in things that deep down I knew wouldn’t change a thing.

Being pregnant, preparing for this baby, took up most of 2012. I learned to accept my body as it changed. I’ve cried like my heart was breaking. I’ve laughed with the delight and wonder of experiencing something so new for the very first time.

I can’t sum up 2012 eloquently – too much happened – both good and bad. The world, prophesied to end, went on.

Am I selfish to say that I’m glad to see the back of it??

2013 offers me a new start. A blank slate. And how can I not embrace that?

Last year, I made a vision board to visualise my goals for the year. In the cockiness and glow of the new year, I feel like I went a little overboard.

Yes I quit sugar. (And fell off it again).

Yes, I (am) start(ing)ed a family.

Yes, I tried to be more assertive (and wimped out on more than one occasion).

But, I didn’t achieve everything. And that’s ok.

This year, I still intend to make one – but my heart feels like I need to simplify. Focus on the core things that will make me happy. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older that I feel like I don’t need so many THINGS to achieve, but more a general sense of wholeness.

I know I am an escapist – whether it be to books, blogs or other countries.

And so I have chosen a word that I will live my year by. I want this word to envelop me, to guide me and to lift me up.

Courage.

With courage comes confidence. With confidence comes courage. The courage to chase my dreams, be the best person I can be, to not give up. To face the unknown of motherhood and LIFE with courage. To find my tribe of like-minded people that I can be courageous with, be myself with. To find a mentor to guide me.

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I want to feel like this when the fireworks go off again and I stand by that window:

I wrote in my very first blog post that ‘hope, like happiness, is a decision which we make’, and I couldn’t advocate this more. This year I consciously made the decision to move more confidently in the direction of a life that made me feel more authentic, passionate, and creative. It was a choice. It was a standard that I had set for myself, and as Tony Robbins says “we always, always, live up to our standards”.

This year I learnt that anything is possible. Things happen if you make them happen. It’s all about hustle and heart. When we have a deep desire to create something in our lives which uplifts and supports, the Universe will always conspire with us to make it happen. Miracles and magic are everywhere. The key is to be open.

- Positivity Pimp

I am going to let myself believe in miracles, in intentions, in GOOD THINGS HAPPENING – but most of all I am going to believe in myself.

PS. I was sent a great e-book from a wonderful woman Shannah, about simplifying and structuring which I am currently reading that is giving me some ideas how to put some structure around my intentions because I do truly suck at that. I’ll do a full review of it soon and may have some copies to give away as well – so stay tuned!!

PPS. I’ve started up the FatMumSlim Photoaday challenge again for January. See here for full details and if you’re interested to join or follow along, I’ll be posting my pics on Instagram and my Facebook page. 

If there was one word to describe your intentions for 2013 – what would it be?

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Another week flown by and another week closer to Christmas and the end of the year! I’m getting excited for both and then slightly panic as I realise that

a) I still have a shitload of work to do in my last week of work

b) I haven’t done all my Christmas shopping yet.

I drove out to rural Victoria during the week and came back yesterday, buggered as hell after a long day. I was hoping to leave work early as we had our Christmas party on that night and I was still in half-minds about going (not so fun when everyone around you is pleasantly buzzed and you’re way too sober to be making small talk with random colleagues). I went a visited a friend who is also pregnant and due very soon and we had a great catchup, exchanging pregnancy stories and me stuffing my face with her home-baked gingerbread cookies. Delish.

I then went home and promptly collapsed onto the couch. There was no way I was getting up now. So I spent my evening with Evs and a pizza, while listening to the rain outside and feeling glad I wasn’t traipsing the streets of the city in heels and watching in horror as my hair frizzed.

This weekend is about tying things up. I have a number of things I’ve been wanting to get through and my house has also been feeling quite neglected in the cleaning department. I hate cleaning the house (especially bathrooms!) but I always feel better after it is done.

AND, I still am getting through a pile of books, so will make time to read. And perhaps see if I can replicate my friend’s delicious Gingerbread Cookies.

For your reading pleasure this weekend:

• “Females are not only missing from popular media, [but] when they are on screen, they seem to be there merely for decoration.” An interesting article with some surprising stats on how women and girls are portrayed in Hollywood.

• Gah. As it gets hotter, the inclination to wear makeup gets smaller. That being said, I DO have my routine and it is a bit of a comfort thing for me. However, my goal is to one day be able to NOT wear makeup every day (not just on the weekends when I’m bumming around). If you have been thinking about it as well, here’s 5 reasons and benefits of not wearing makeup.

• Michelle Bridges is kind of my hero. She’s the Jillian Michaels of the Australian Biggest Loser, but more than that, she has this no-nonsense style that simultaneously scares me and inspires me. Here are her top 10 tips for healthy eating.

• Ever wondered what it would be like if guys and girls switched roles at the gym?? I nearly peed a little when I saw this hilarious video. One thing though – I so don’t check out my own butt in the mirror at the gym. Well, maybe a little.

• Um, I still can’t get those gingerbread cookies out of my mind. Until I stumbled across these Gingerbread CUPCAKES. Very tempted to make these. There is nothing better than Christmas baking.

• With Christmas around the corner, the insane amount spent of gifts can kinda get of control. I wish I could be the kind of person that could craftily make something special for people, but alas, my crafting skills suck. Never fear though – this post over from Yes and Yes has some super awesome, totally doable DIY gifts that even a crafty noob can get on board with.

• We all have that one friend that seems to be perpetually angry with the world. I’ve spent many a frustrating moment trying to help and realised probably I haven’t been. While I was just about at a loss, I came across this post from Vienda Maria on the 4 lessons we learn when dealing with angry friends. It just made so much more sense.

Happy weekend everyone!

xx

A morning woken up by a kiss and a promise to be home early?

Check.

(And flowers!!! This from a man who hasn’t given me flowers for over 10 years! The boy listens!!! )

(It’s a SIGG bottle!!!! Bwahahaha – LOVE it.)

Lots of jibes about nearing 30, a truckload of Facebook messages, emails and sms’s?

Check.

Working from home on a beautiful summer’s day, with my doggies by my side?

Check.

A quiet dinner at home, with mum’s cooking and my closest family?

Check.

An epic fail of a sugar-free cheesecake (I didn’t let the cheesecake set properly before I poured the jelly over – it absorbed EVERYTHING. Although tasted it this morning and still tasted good – ain’t going to waste!!) that a proper chocolate Bavarian one had to step in?? (I had a bit and it was GOOD – minimal ill-feeling after)

Check.

Well, I guess that’s it then.

I’m officially 29 years old.