Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2015

2015 goals - changing and creating habits

less habit & more intent {link}


Hello lovely friendlikins!

How are you this fine and dandy, sunshiny day? I hope you're staying cool in the air-con or the pool, perhaps the shade of a tree? Today I will be sharing with you what my monthly goals are for 2015! The plan for this year is to be more intentional about every aspect of my life; whether it's relationships, work, study or health.  I thought the best way to approach this task would be to tackle each goal as a habit to change, one per month through out the year. Generally when it comes to making new year's resolutions I get a bit too excited and carried away with all the things I want to achieve, that I end up overwhelmed and disappointed that I hadn't been able to tick off all the things on my SUPER long list! Well, 2015 is going to be different! By tackling one habit/goal each month it makes it more manageable and a higher chance of success. And if that's all I get done this year, it will still be twelve things that I've made changes to in my life. BOOYAH!

Here's what I'll be working on in 2015:

january - water {link} & february - exercise {link}

JANUARY - the goal was to drink 2 litres of water each day. How did I go? Well, not as well as I was hoping for, but I managed to drink more water in general and completed the whole 2 litres on 7 days in January. I'd been drinking a can of coke zero, fizzy drink and alcohol just about every day over the holidays. I knew it wasn't good for me and I'd noticed I always seemed to feel dehydrated, so it was a no brainer to make it my first habit to change. Will you join me in drinking more H2O?


FEBRUARY - the habit that I'm working on this month is to be exercising more. I was REALLY slack over the holidays and then the weather was not ideal; either hot like an oven or storming. Excuses, excuses... I know. My bad! BUT on the upside Tom and I have started walking again. Before we were even dating, Tom and I would go on crazy long walks, just walking and talking, getting to know each other and just enjoying each other's company. We may have *cough* spent anywhere between 5 to 9 hours walking *cough*.  Sorry, just have a tickle in my throat! hehe Ahh, yes, so the goal for February is to do 10 000 steps each day, which I have accomplished 4 times and come very close a few times as well! Will you join me in getting your step count up?


march - faith {link} & april - veggies {link}


MARCH - next month I'll be working on my faith; my relationship with Jesus. I've been struggling to spend quality time reading the bible and in prayer for a few years now, and I REALLY wanted to change that bad habit! So for the month of March I will be spending about 30 mins each morning reading the bible and in prayer with my AMAZING God! I've started already and it's been great : ) Will you join me in spending more time with God? Perhaps you will look into Jesus?


APRIL - the next bad habit I will be changing is my lack of nomming on veggies. I'll be challenging myself to eat 5 servings of veggies which is the recommended amount. I've been sick for a long time, so I thought a heavy does of nutrients was in need! Will you nom some more veggies with me?


may - social {link} & june - read {link}


MAY - will be the month of being social; being intentional about calling friends and family, texting or emailing and inviting people over! I have gotten into the habit of not responding straight away to texts, I hear it's a common thing - do you struggle with it too? Relationships are important to me but I haven't been very good at showing that, so things are going to change! Maybe you're great at keeping in contact with people or maybe like me you need to get more social. Will you join me in this quest?


JUNE - shall be the month of reading. I'll be striving to read one chapter a day. I used to be an avid reader but now not so much, although I have been listening to a WHOLE lot of audiobooks over the last few years! Do you like audiobooks or do you prefer the paper kind? I'm planning on reading a few books from my bookshelf which I haven't read yet. Will you be joining me in reading a good book? Perhaps you are engrossed by a book at the moment! Do share in the comments below! 


july - etsy {link} & august - blog {link}


JULY - is the month that I will be particularly focusing on my etsy business 'Mouse & Bear'. Every day I will either make something or photograph a product to sell on my etsy store. I'm excited to get it up and running, and looking forward to spending that time getting lots done! Have you heard of etsy? I always describe it to be kind of like ebay but it's all vintage or handmade items, from makers and sellers all around the world. I LOVE it! Perhaps you have an etsy store; do share please! I'd love to check it out : ) If your'e thinking of opening an etsy store online, you should check out #etsyresolution on facebook. 


AUGUST - another habit I want to start is spending more time writing blog posts here in blogland. I want to be more intentional about writing each day and providing your lovely selves with quality content, to inspire you as I share what I'm learning and making and doing! I want to work towards posting each day and connecting with y'all. Do you blog? I'd love to check it out : ). Do you have a favourite blog? Perhaps you will join me with taking our blogging more seriously?


september - adventures {link} & october - sleep {link}


SEPTEMBER - will be a month for having adventures! Whether it's going for a walk in the national park, a photo scavenger hunt, visiting a cafe I've never been to, learning to surf or baking something new! Do you have any plans for adventures this year? Do share in the comments below!


OCTOBER - is all about working on my sleep. Tommy is very much an night owl, which generally means we're not getting to sleep until after 1 am. We've already started to work on not playing phones in bed and right before bed,  and also trying to get up and go to bed much earlier too! It's been hard and tiring but totally worth getting up earlier, as we have so much of the day to get things done. When you compare getting up anywhere between 9 am and 1 pm, to 5 am to 9 am you can see why we need to change our bad sleeping habits! I don't imagine your sleeping habits are as bad as ours, so let's kick our bad sleep habits in the butt!


november - gtd {link} & december - less tech {link}


NOVEMBER - is a month of focusing on getting things done! As it draws closer to the end of the year it's easy to to fall into holiday mode, so I thought if I'm particularly working on being productive and getting things done, then I wont get lazy holiday-itis. I'm sure there will be plenty of presents and cards to make for Christmas and parties to plan and attend, so getting things done will be key! Will you get things done with me?


DECEMBER - will be a month of less tech; avoiding watching tv, playing phones and mindlessly searching things on the internet. A time for real world fun times, adventures, birthday good times and Christmas joy! Perhaps you would like to join me?


PHEW! Well that's what I'll be working on this year. What are your goals for 2015? Perhaps you'll try some habit changing too? I'm excited for what 2015 holds; I think it will be a great year of working on my health, crafty biz and getting things done!


love love
{lizzie}
 xoxo





Tuesday, February 10, 2015

hello 2015






Hello my lovely friendlikins & hello 2015!

Wow, we are already in February. C-razy! How's the new year been treating you so far? Did you have a very merry christmas + a holly jolly new year's eve? Have you made resolutions or goals for the year?  Have you already forgotten about them, or are you trooping on like a trooper, ticking off those goals like a winner?!

It has been a pretty BONKERS kind of holiday season around here. THAT IS FOR SHIZZLE.


handmade christmas pressies


It all began when I decided that no one was missing out on christmas presents - i was going to be prepared! It looked a lil' like this: I spent October, November & December making christmas presents {crochet bow ties for the guys and painted beaded necklaces for the lovely ladies} and christmas cards {which were old lady cards that I painted bright colours and stamped}. AMAZINGLY I actually completed all presents and most people received cards.

eric & grace and mish & steve


There were christmas parties left, right and centre, the silly season indeed! Our bible study christmas party kicked off the festivities early in December {on my birthday} - we also farewelled two couples who are having babies and moving away! We miss you Grace & Eric and Mish & Steve {and your baby bumps}. We spent the night eating pizza and giving our secret santa presents {I received the 1st gift, due to it being my birthday and ended up with a super soaker which I re-gifted to my 3 year old nephew for his birthday {he literally loved it to death so much that his parents bought him a new one!} Tommy, well he ended up with an origami kit which is right up his crafty alley.

We have also done a WHOLE lot of travelling lately, including:


nelson bay adventures with dave

  • NELSON BAY - a couple of days spent with our friend dave playing board games, card games, eating fish'n'chips, gelato & having a dip at Shoal Bay.

christmas adventures in melalueca 

  • MELALUECA - my aunty and uncle's property near Wollombi, we spent a couple of days surrounded by the bush and cows wandering and geese chattering and catching up with my side of the family and exchanging presents and of course; sitting by the fire crocheting.

  • NEWCASTLE - we spent the day catching up with Tommy's side of the family, nomming delish lunch and partying on well into the evening. Followed by dessert & drinks by the fire. 

nelson bay adventures for NYE

  • NELSON BAY - we were back up at my parents holiday apartment for NYE with Andy & Emma, and met up with Lakkos. Activities included: walking up Tommaree mountian and enjoying the view,  followed by an eager walk back down to jump straight into the ocean! It was HOT. We swam, we ate gelato, sushi,  fish'n'chips, played card games, board games, computer games, went for walks, watched the NYE fireworks & generally had a jolly ol' time!



We have also enjoyed many a wedding of late:


ryan & chelsea's wedding

  • RYAN & CHELSEA'S - was a creative bohemian affair at the park in Balmain by the water. There were hay bales, poems spoken and dances performed and even a cross to signify the importance of Jesus in their life and in their marriage. The lovely bridesmaids wore lilac dresses and the groomsmen wore wooden bow ties that Tom & I handmade. Unfortunately we had to leave the reception early as Tommy had a Thief gig that night. It was a beautiful day!



andy & emma's wedding

  • ANDY & EMMA'S - was a lovely teal & peacock themed wedding with a great talk by Tom's boss Arnaldo. Tommy did a great job at his best man speech! I had the privilege of decorating the church with peacock feathers and ribbons all the way down the aisle. There were fairy lights still up from christmas - it made the church look magical!

emily & julian's wedding

  • EMILY & JULIAN'S - it was quite a hot day, and poor Emily was in a beautiful three layered silk wedding dress! It was a fairly formal occasion full of laughs. The reception was a bit of a drive, but was really lovely. A barn out in a paddock, surrounded by trees, a stream backed by a beautiful sunset! There was plenty of great food, friends and frolicking! 


  • TOBY & RACHEL'S - was quite a drive all the way to WOLLONGONG. It was a lovely, christ centred wedding. We caught the train home exhausted as we had helped Grace and Eric move the day before! {fish'n'chips and the beach were involved- so good!}

We have spent hours playing with our crazy monkey nephews & nieces - and looking forward to meeting one more on the way! 
We have caught up with our friends Brad & marissa who we haven't seen in FOREVER! It was lovely to see their new abode, catch up on life and eat yummy beef and veggie pot pie and ice cream. 

On top of all these wonderful things we have also been...

  • RENOVATING - the main bedroom at my parents abode. We've been moving furniture around the house, pulling up carpet, peeling off  REALLY old wallpaper, so old it came off easily in big sheets! Now we're scrubbing the wallpaper glue to get it ready to sand and paint!

  • CRAFTERNOON'S - i've been teaching a lovely friend Beth how to crochet over the summer. It's been lovely to hang out, craft and bless someone with a new skill. She's already quite confident after a few lessons; practicing and enjoying it - which is wonderful to see! In the last couple of weeks I've made a scarf and four crocheted necklaces and another on the way! 

  • MOVE HOUSE - we've helped Maddy {my sis-in-law} move house into this beautiful five bedroom house right across the road from the church where Mike will be working. All three kids love the house and it will be a great size with another bub on the way and also for entertaining. We spent the day moving furniture and boxes into their appropriate rooms. I unpacked most of the kitchen and entertained the kids to keep them out of the way. 

josie leaves for adventures in perth

  • GOODBYE - i said goodbye, see you later, sometime soon please to my oldest and closest friend Josie who has moved to perth to study and work as an ESL teacher. We went for a walk to the park, lay down in the grass catching up and saying goodbyes. I already miss her... 

brian & jesse's 21st birthday party {so tired}

  • 21st BIRTHDAY PARTY - it was Brian + Jesse's 'two for one deal' birthday party a few weeks ago.  It was full of insightful speeches, catching up with friends,  feeling old and crocheting - followed by a sudden thunder storm that had us all racing inside!



engagement party fleurs and crochet necklace making time!


  • ANNA & TIM'S ENGAGEMENT PARTY - we ended january with a lovely engagement party in the garden of a beautiful home in Killara. It was a night of tasty treats, catching up with friends, listening to good music and celebrating the couple of the night! I spent most of the night sitting down crocheting as I had decided that it was about time that I wore my beautiful teal wedding shoes which I hadn't worn since our wedding, as they are platform stilettos and I cannot walk so well in them!

Well that was a mouth full! Well done for getting through all of that! I hope it was an enjoyable read : ) it's been a lovely,  exhausting and event-filled couple of months! I wonder what other adventures God has planned for 2015? I reckon it's going to be jam packed full of goodness! 


HAPPY 2015 LOVELIES!

love love
{lizzie}
  xoxo

p.s. COMING SOON: 2015 goals.