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

{2014 resolutions!!!}

{via}

hello lovely friendlikins!

HELLO TWO THOUSAND + FOURTEEN!
how are you feeling about the new year? good vibes or a tad stinky? have you been having lots of wonderful summer adventures, lovelies? what are your goals + plans + dreams + adventures for this year? are you continuing on from last year or have you made a change in the direction your'e taking?

i'm feeling really good about 2014, i think it will be a wonderful year of change + growth + adventures + mystery + am looking forward to doing life with my hubby {tom}, kitties {bumble + moose}, my friends + family + with you lovelies too! i'm excited for tommy to be touring australia + going overseas with thief this year {although i've already had a cry - i'm going to miss him!} i'm keen beans to be blogging more, working on my consistency + content + general bloggy goodness - so watch this space! i'm keen to get back in the studio, churning out some bunting + other handmade goodies for my etsy store {milk + sugar story}. i'm already enjoying weekly fun times with the 3 munchkins i'm nannying for + all 5 nephews + neices!

what are you looking forward to? anything that your'e counting down the days til?! i think it's important to have plans + goals + things to look forward to. it really helps to give you direction + not spend all day thinking... umm... what now? if you've been following along, you may know that last year i had quite an ambitious list of goals that i wanted to achieve! 52 things before 25, was a list that i still want to achieve but will be on the back burner + not being my top priority, as there was just so much, that it was quite overwhelming. i think it will take another year or so to cross everything off my list - but a huge contributing factor to my lack of finishing my goals, was having a lack of money. so one of my goals for this year is to be working more + saving.

my resolutions for 2014 are continuing on from last year, as i think they are important + need continued maintenance. my resolutions include, working on my health, relationships + getting things done. my goals in a nutshell are:

{health}: i'm working on eating more veggies + going on more bike rides!

{relationships}: writing letters to friends + making time to spend with friends + jesus in prayer + his word!

{getting things done}: basically i need better time management so i can achieve more things towards my biz, blog, and life in general!

since the end of last year i've been working on a new planner system to get me organised for the new year. i'm still making changes + seeing what works, so i can be ticking the boxes rather than being consumed by my list of goals! at the moment i'm using a planner i bought for my hsc year, which is a personal sized planner + which i've been using as a wallet to help with the change over. i am however, still using my kikki k A5 planner, but am tweaking it to my needs for this year. i also have a household planner, that will help me organise all my house wife duties, like cleaning + meal plans + what not.

later on, i'll share with you my system, when it's looking pretty + helping me get things done! do you use a planner? perhaps a filofax? mmm... so good. what are your resolutions for 2014? remember it's never too late to think about how you want to spend your life! what do you want to achieve this year? i want to be living + loving intentionally! will you join me? i'd love to hear, share below in the comments!

love love
 {lizzie}
  xoxo

{lizzie's life lately}

{october edition}

you should look into Jesus {link}

hello lovely friendlikins!

oh me, oh my! it's nearly the end of october! hope your'e fine + dandy : ) there is so much that happens in life. it can be AMAZING + it can be very DARK, but in it all, even the mundane, God is there loving us with his unfailing love. he's GOOD like that!


here are my thoughts + the hippy hap {aka what's been happening}:


* christmas decorations are popping up in stores.

* i would really like to have a big 25th birthday party but not sure if that can happen with no moolahs...

* i'm wondering what to put on my birthday/CHRISTmas wishlist - even just for funzies!

* tommy hacked 3 inches off the ends of my hair!

* tommy shaved his beard - and i can't wait for it to grow back! {it's only the third time i've seen him beardless + it's all spikey!}

* we're nearly finished making tommy's duck hoody {only the cuffs to go!}

* i've been SUPER dehydrated for over a month now, i do believe...

* i've been doing better in the heat than i have in the past {i get all dizzy - i think i'm allergic to the sun!}

* there are bush fires left, right and centre.

* i'm guessing it's going to be a scorcher this summer!

* i'm so thankful to have aircon + a pool + a lovely cabin full of space, sunshine + fresh air!

* last saturday, with a couple of couples, tommy + i watched a dvd on marriage.

* i washed the couch covers yesterday

* i entered a few competitions to win a car - eeeep!

* i'm trying to make the most of the time the LORD has provided!

* i'm wondering if i'm going to be able to achieve all the goals on the 52 things before 25 list.

* i reckon tomorrow will be a great day to get back on the bike.

* i'm looking forward to having morning tea with my mum tomorrow at my favourite cafe!

* i'm really excited for thief to start having gigs!

* i'm looking forward to hearing thief's ep!

* i've been enjoying lovely snuggly cuddles from moose

* i'd really like to organise our studio {but that requires money...}

* i've been working on new products for my etsy store biz milk + sugar story!

* i need to make a light box thing to take photos of my products

* we've been watching alias

* and listening to interesting times by terry pratchett

* i ate cake for breakfast!

what have you lovely friendlikins been up to? what have you been thinking about of late? are you getting organised for CHRISTmas already? i've been thinking about how i probably should be, as i will have many many handmade gifts to make! speaking of which, you should check out my etsy store + pick up some pressies for your friends + fam : ) that would be dandy!

wishing you a JOYFUL OCTOBER!

love love
{lizzie}
  xoxo

{spring style}

{vibrant mix}   {vintage floral}   {knee high socks}

{lace + teal} 

{teal dress}   {vibrant maxi skirt}   {cute polkadots}

{flowers in a field}

hello lovely friendlikins!

spring has sprung + so has my desire to wear bright colours, cute polkadots, maxi skirts, florals + lace! are you excited for spring? yay for sunshine, flowers + fun times! i've done my wardrobe change over from winter/autumn to spring/summer + my wardrobe seems to be lacking in the clothes i can actually wear department. dangitty dang. i can feel a spring clean of my wardrobe coming! organising! oh, i am easily excited : P. tommy + i have pledged to not buy any new clothes for the next year - only secondhand + homemade allowed. i guess we've chosen to do this for a few reasons:

1. clothes are ridiculously expensive

2. we have no moolahs

3. why would you spend $50 on a shirt when you can get it for $2

4. i've always wanted to make my own clothes

5. tommy wants to learn how to sew

6. it's all part of our dream life plan of living more sustainably

7. it's creative + fun!

will you join us in our sustainable quest? to make clothes that actually suit your body shape + size? and create your own style + learn new skills in the process? sounds good to me! hope it tickles your fancy too : ) let me know!

wishing you lovely picnics in the park + twirly dresses to you this spring!

love love
{lizzie}
 xoxo

{lizzie's life lately}

source

hello lovely friendlikins!

how are you? hope your'e fine + dandy. i haven't been so fine or dandy... i've been quite sick, hence no hello's from moi. i've had a nasty cough + fever + runny nose, all the fun things that come with having bronchitis + tonsillitis. so i've spent the last week in bed or on the couch. i knew i was sick when i didn't feel like crocheting! the hubby was sick too + had the week off work, so we ended up watching quite a few movies. our viewing pleasure looked a lil something like this:

iron man 1

iron man 2

iron man 3

moonrise kingdom

spongebob squarepants

avengers

catching up on elementary

grand designs

i'm feeling much better now, but not quite in tip top shape. i'm quite eager to go for a walk + not feel like i'm going to pass out! that would be nice. i'm excited about getting back into sewing bunting + crocheting scarves + making brooches for my etsy store. and just in general getting things done!

how crazy to think that we are nearly at the end of autumn?! have you been enjoying the orange crunchy goodness of the leaves? let's make it our goal for the week - let's get crunching!

a snuggly bundle of moose

sir bumble the snuggly

it was so lovely to have these snuggle buddies whilst i've been sick - i LOVE our kitties bumble + moose, they are the BEST.  wishing you many warm snuggly kittens your way!

love love
{lizzie}
 xoxo

{52 things before 25}

{buy a vintage typewriter}

{mustard}   {aqua}

{peach}   {blue}   {teal}

{aqua}   {pink}

hello lovely friendlikins!

how are you this fine day? so nice to be soaking up the sunshine during the day + being all snuggled up at night. hope you're having a lovely weekend full of adventures + fun times! we slept in after city adventures in the city last night {more on that later} + the plan today is to get tommy's bike fixed + spend the afternoon in crafty stores looking for some tasty wool for some crochet endeavours. i'll also be looking out for some lovely typewriters in online land, as that is one of my goals for {52 things before 25}, that is to buy a vintage typewriter. i LOVE them! i even want to get a teal typewriter tattoo : ). design is in the making! do you love typewriters too? i'm looking forward to making our abode more lovely with it's presence, writing letters to friends, love notes to tommy + incorporating into my etsy biz too! YAY : )

back in school land - now at least 6 years ago, we didn't have a computer + so i needed to use my dad's electric typewriter! not as cool as the vintage ones but it got the job done until we finally got a computer when i was 17! have you used a typewriter before? there's no spell check - which makes writing assignments quite interesting... 

i've also had my eye on this guy:

find this clever guy here

i would pretty much want to get an ipad just to use it on a typewriter - oh yes!

what are your plans for today? do you get lost in craft stores too, full of all their woolly + crafty goodness?! hope you have a lovely day, whatever your plans!

love love

{lizzie}

 xoxo

p.s. how pretty is this one?! 

find this beauty here

{lizzie's life lately}

pretty fleur

hello ello friendlikins!

how are you this fine autumn day? hope you've had a lovely week full of life's adventures! sorry about the lack of posts this week, i've been sick on + off. but today i'll bring you up to date with the happenings.

{monday}

lil alex

duplo blocks - fun to play with, painful to stand on.

i started off the week spending the day with hannah, steve + lil alex. my lovely sister-in-law + her fam! we had toasted sandwiches for lunch, nomnomnom... then it was play time for alex + i, + move furniture around + get organised without a little munchkin around for han + steve. alex + i spent a fun filled few hours at soft play. there was much car racing + opening + closing of doors + milkshake drinking. a jump or two on the jumping castles + a slide down the elephant slide. we had a lovely time : ) we later met up with tommy + had a delish moroccan chicken dinner.

{tuesday}

  my element eden knit off comp scarf in the making!

thanks kaeliface!

a day on the couch crocheting + knitting. followed by pub trivia with our lovely community group! also scored some really lovely wool from kaeli {thanks!} + some crafty things to make for ryan!

{wednesday}

tasty treats

delish muffins

pretty plate

i spent the morning in the park eating breakfast, whilst crocheting + {cough} pinning... followed by lunch with tommy + his mumma {aka nonna}, at the bookstore tommy works at. a toasted chicken sandwhich later + nonna + i were off to bake! we had a lovely afternoon baking choc-chip cookies, apple + cinnamon muffins + banana, date + oat muffins. which we nommed for afternoon tea when tommy arrived.

{thursday}

snuggles with bumble

yesterday i was feeling quite sick. i felt my sinuses were going to explode! i did as much couch sitting + crocheting as i could + then after a big glass of water was back in bed + slept off the pain til tommy came home. normally tommy has band practice for thief urban but last night we watched a hitchhikers guide to the galaxy + rush hour - the hubby's choice but i tre enjoyed them!

{friday}

upholstery fabric bunting

loving my new bamboo yarn!

which brings us to today. my plan is to blog up a storm. aiming for a few posts today! also to get as much bunting sewn + granny squares crocheted as i can for my etsy store! if you haven't checked it out yet you can head over here. should be restocking this weekend - lots of woolly scarves to keep you toasty warm as it grows more chilly + lovely bunting to keep your spirits up during the grey weather!

thanks for stopping by lovely friendlikins!
do stay for some chai, muffins + some crafty good times!

love love
{lizzie}
 xoxo

{studio}

{inspiration}

hello ello lovely friendlikins!

how are you this fine day? are you out enjoying the sunny sunshine? i went for a walk this morning in the park + it was dandy : ). another thing that i find dandy is dreaming up my perfect idea of what my craft/business studio will look like + how it will all work together + imagining me making + doing + having a grande ol time.

 here's a glimpse into what i'd really LOVE to have + what i'll work towards:

studio layout - here

mood board to inspire crafty creations - here

turquoise vintage drawers to hold crafty tid bits - here

chevron thread holder - here

vintage storage tins - here

washi tape holder - here

vintage filing cabinet - here

knitting things sitting pretty - here

poster to motivate - here

pretty paper storage - here

it would be dandy to have lots of surface space to work on - with laying out + cutting fabric. also having some interesting + useful storage - i very much like a recycled + vintage + vibrant style! i'm looking forward to having a home for my wool + fabric + packaging + projects in the making + space for the paper work/computer side of things too. at the moment we are in a granny flat + have a bedroom, a kitchen, a shower + the 'end room' aka the 'everything room'. in this room is where you will find me either eating or writing blog posts or working on crafty projects for milk + sugar story or snuggling with the kitties or the hubby on our super comfy couch! ALL the things.

how about you? do you live in a small space? what would you like in a studio? i'd love to hear your ideas : )

love love

{lizzie}

 xoxo

{today is...}

 {hot + crafty}

chain scarf will be in stock soon @ milk + sugar story

hello friendlikins!

how are we all? hope all is fine + dandy this fine day! have you been enjoying the summer heat? i'm not a huge fan. don't get me wrong. i LOVE blue skies, fluffy white clouds, enjoying the vibrant colourful flowers whilst walking around my hood. it's just that the heat messes with my head. i think i'm allergic to the sun! i get headaches + dizzy + my body just shuts down. thanks body... but now that we are in march, i've decided that it's autumn. {which it is but it doesn't feel like it} what i mean is that i want to wear jeans + big oversized handmade knit jumpers + to try out my crochet chain scarves! it's a beautiful sunny 28 degrees today, so i think my autumn dreams may need to be on hold, at least just today!

what will you be doing this lovely {hot} day?

you will find me...

*** crocheting ***

*** escaping to somewhere nice + cool ***

*** licking icypoles ***

*** working on my etsy store {milk + sugar story} ***

*** trying not to pass out ***

*** looking forward to tomorrows storm! ***

do you LOVE storms too?

love love

{lizzie}

 xoxo

{i LOVE autumn}

check out my etsy treasury list over here

hello lovely friendlikins!

how are we all this lazy sunday afternoon? how was your weekend? i hope it was full of lots of lovely adventures despite the rain! how crazy to think its march already?! and it's AUTUMN! it's time for the leaves to change colour, from green to yellows + orange + red + pink + purple + brown. it's time for layering up to stay warm + snug in the increasingly cooler weather. it's time for crunching through piles of leaves, reading by the window - listening to the rain + drinking hot chai under a quilt.
mmm... i LOVE autumn. do you?

love love
{lizzie}
 xoxo

{lizzie's life lately}

{life + challenge update}

stained glass windows - so perdy

{relationships}

regularly attending church community groups has made a HUGE difference in my relationship with God + also with my brothers + sisters in Christ at EC {evening church} which is a huge blessing!

lovely morning bush walks

{health}
i've been enjoying lovely morning bush walks, drinking lots of water, eating more veg + generally having more energy + feeling good!

my handy dandy planner

{getting things done}
it's been great to have a planner! it keeps me focused + has helped me to get things done! although the last week i haven't been so good in referring to my planner which has resulted in not a whole lots being done.

but here are a few things that have been happening lately...

*** maddy + doobi's wedding + reception
*** matt + katie's wedding + reception
*** marissa + brad's engagement party
*** planning to meet up with people during the week
*** written a few blog posts

{quilting}

drawing block patterns

cutting pretty fabric

hand sewing the pretty pieces

{milk + sugar story}

sewing pretty bunting for 21st's!

and sexy leopard print bunting for hens parties!

 {diy haircut}

i cut tommy's hair - won't actually be worn as above! it's tintin hehe

{coloured}

coloured this is for tommy for valentine's day!

{crochet}

crocheting a blankey - i LOVE to crochet!

 {reading}

finally got stuck in this lovely mag!

things are happening. things are changing. things are being made + read + cut + sewed + enjoyed!
my relationships are improving, my health is too + lovely things are being seen, heard + experienced! what a blessing to feel so happy + joyful + loved by the God of the universe who cares for us!

i'm excited to see what He has instore for the rest of 2013!
how do you decide what to do? what are the important aspects of your life? what changes would you like to see in your life? do you want to start reading or writing, riding or walking, making or buying less, less getting + more giving, forgiving or loving?

how will you decide?

love love
{lizzie}
 xoxo