It's been a while between drinks...

 

Well here I am, back! 

Where have I been...AWAY...in Europe for a few months needed a big break from everything! Have you ever felt like that?  Not sure if it was a big enough one, I'm still feeling rather restless, planning to pay the credit card off, then take off again next year....travel and freedom are now so important to me.

However in the meantime I'm here. So for now, let the blog inspiration to flow...you will notice a different take on my posts...more about health, happiness is still there, travel, saving the world, and working on my own business!

So the big changes in my life, I now work 3 days a week, as opposed to the long, stressful executive week, striving to be the best, always judged, always feeling like I'm not good enough! I have a market stall each Saturday selling used/vintage stuff...Money is only necessary to get me the essentials in life and to pay for my next trip...volunteering in a developing country is top on my list for June next year.  

Feeling so much more inspired and relaxed as I sit here in Townsville with a big glass of Sav Blanc, I begin the next chapter...stay tuned for the new me!

Exo

Be Happy NOW!

Ok so I’ve been away from blogging for a while…busy planning my big trip…I fly out next week!!!! I’m on my second last day at work and have found I’m a little too organised and have a little spare time…shhh don’t tell the boss ;)

This post is inspired by my colleagues at work…some people walk around the office always smiling, happy and with a great attitude towards others and some well not so great…wouldn’t you rather be the happy person!

Being happy isn’t a destination, you don’t have to be happy every minute of everyday. It’s ok to be down sometimes, after all our emotions are in motion always moving up and down…so go with them, but don’t dwell in the downtime too much otherwise it may take over!

I know I achieve more and overall have a better sense of wellbeing when I’m a ‘Happy Person’ …people will gravitate towards you and want a bit of what you’re having!

So what can you do to lift your mood quickly… I found these 9 Steps to feeling happy on the Daily Good website…we sometimes forget the simplest things make the biggest impact, enjoy!

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you're on the phone, stand up and pace. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better...

2. Take a walk outside. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

3. Reach out. Send an e-mail to a friend you haven't seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel more friendly toward you, but you'll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

4. Rid yourself of a nagging task. Deal with that insurance problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a rush of elation.

5. Create a more serene environment. Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time organizing bills and tackling the piles in the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do.

6. Do a good deed. Introduce two people by e-mail, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also...

7. Save someone's life. Sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. Do good, feel good―it really works!

8. Act happy. Fake it 'til you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you're smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.

9. Learn something new. Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you "should" or "need to" learn about.

Some people worry that wanting to be happier is a selfish goal, but in fact, research shows that happier people are more sociable, likable, healthy, and productive―and they're more inclined to help other people. By working to boost your own happiness, you're making other people happier, too.

Happy Days... Exo

Happiness...

"Happiness...some pursue it, others create it."

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Things I love around Mum and Dad's Place

Thought I'd share some little things that make home, home...

Tea at the kitchen bench, chatting with Mum and Megs...

Pink flamingos in the backyard,  all the way from Florida...

Plates, plates and more plates...my Mum is obsessed!

And another obsession...boots...

Dad says these remind him of Mum and him when they first met...LOVE!

Birthday cakes...it's always someone's birthday...

Chrysanthemums remind me of Nana...Mum always gave then to her...and now I give them to her on Mother's Day...

And The Madelyn...my niece...hmmm sitting on the dining room table watching Hannah Montana...she thought no-one could see her in the dark!

It's makes me so happy going home...to visit...

E xo

Stay in Bed and Read

"Reading is a tool in the living of a good life." Joesph Addison 

One thing I love to do to re-charge and nourish the soul and mind, is to stay in bed on a Sunday morning and read. If you're anything like me, you feel guilty about staying in bed late and not getting up to go for a run or do the housework or whatever...don't! I believe reading is exercise for the mind and it's just as important to our health and happiness as physical exercise.

Try it, take a couple of hours on a Sunday morning, pull the curtains open so you can read by the beautiful natural light, grab a coffee (or tea if that's your tonic) snuggle up, relax and escape with a great novel...you'll love how it makes you feel, re-charged, inspired and happy!

I'm just about to start reading "The Toss of a Lemon" Padma Viswanathan

 What are you reading?

Happy Reading,

E xo

Audrey says...

When I got home...

Tonight this talented, fabulous single girl drives home from having drinks with one of her best friends, plus her boyfriend, feeling rather melancholy, not sad or depressed, but yes feeling a little alone.

Now don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful time and I am so so happy for my friend, she really does deserve to have met him...so so so much...and I do love her! But you know, it does get even the most independent, confident girl down sometimes...why haven't I met someone? At times you can feel so so alone it really does hurt!

Just when I was dragging myself inside thinking "I'm just gonna wash my face and slump into bed and wake up to a happy day", I found this little ray of happiness waiting to warm my heart... 

Noah you are God's little miracle.

Now this melancholy, talented, single and fabulous girl is reminded that there are people in her life that just love her for who she is, and she is so blessed to have them and yes some nights are lonely, but you know what, you are never alone...

You can read all about how Noah came to bless our lives right here

E xo

Are you spending wisely?

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Happy Hearts this Week...

This week has been one of those weeks where I've really had to make the effort to notice when I'm happy...now not to be too negative but I have been a little melancholy this week...feeling a little bit alone, I've found myself yet again the only single one in the group...everyone is pairing off...argh...anyway enough of that here's what did make my heart happy this week...

 

My little ray of sunshine...my niece Madelyn came to stay over on Saturday and boy did we have fun, children bring so much joy!

Sipping Moet on the balcony with the girls...heart you pink champagne!

Hearting painting my nails with 'Lincoln Park After Dark' - I love love this colour and can't get enough of it!

Reading in bed, while drinking coffee and eating chocolate,  I'm currently reading 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' Love it!

Dreaming about visiting Paris again... one of my favorite cities and being the hopeless romantic that I am, it just inspires my heart and mind...I just adore the colours in this pic!

Listening to the Cure 'Why can't I be you?!' while walking in the evening my iPod on shuffle and this came on...oh how I love how it makes me sing out loud...Robert I love love you..."Everything you do is irresistible, Everything you do is simply kissable, Why can't I be you?"

New butterfly scarf with love from my red headed Aunty!

Getting take away dinners in paper bags...

Yumminess in a big bowl...prawn laksa warms the soul!

Looking forward to the week ahead! 

Exo

Thank God it's Friday!

thanks

Smells...are comforting!

 Image thanks to www.weheartit.com 

My list of favorite smells...in no particular order...

they make me happy, comfort me and nourish my soul.

Rosemary and Garlic 

Mum roasting the lamb in the kitchen, on a wintry Sunday afternoon, the ULTIMATE comfort.

Vanilla

My Redheaded Auntie

Rose 

My Blond Auntie

Their favorite scents...and they've passed them onto me, I'm always wearing one or the other.

My Body Wash 

Used as bubble bath...it got me through many a sleepless night.

Seaspray

The ocean is so healing and calming.

Nutella 

My little Brother who eats it by the bucket load, as well as any other chocolate he can get his hands on...Note: Do NOT leave your Easter Eggs out!

Pancakes + Mayple Syrup + Bacon = New York 

I ate it everyday I was there and luckily I didn't turn into a big fatty!

Youth Dew 

My beautiful Nana Pam wore this scent, I have one of her bottles on my dressing table and smell it when I want to be close to her.

Camphor

It brings up so many memories of childhood, hiding in closets, snuggling into my Grandfather's arms, my Auntie's, my Poppy Roy, my woolly jumpers...do you think my family has a slight obsession with camphor? 

Last but not least....

Armour-all 

My Dad...need I explain...I will anyway...his car always smelt like it...this evokes the emotions of being safe, protected and untouchable because my Dad is the biggest, strongest, smartest man I know...with his big strong arms, I like his hairy legs, I like his square strong hands on the steering wheel as he drives around to job sites with his first born little blond girl who can plait her own hair...Look at what I can do Dad! (sorry slight regress back to a childhood memory)

What are some of your favorite smells...I'd love to know?

Lost and Found

Lost and found in Sydney...welcome to my second post, I'm new to this blogging thing, but it's so much fun! It was a beautiful morning in Sydney and in need of some inspiration.... off went three friends into the MCA to see Take your Time: Olafur Eliasson exibition.  
The plan was to:

1. Get Coffee
2. Get Food
3. See exhibition

We kind of stuck to said plan:

1. Found - The Rocks markets
2. Lost - argue a little about not sticking to the plan (of course this was the boy)
3. Found - cafe, walk through and find out it's a little oasis
4. Found - coffee - then quickly decide wine is better
5. Food is good
6. Wine is good
7. Found - The Puppet Shop
8. Lost - in the maze of the old city
9. Found - the exhibition is wonderful!

 Lost ticket

Found ticket when uploading photos! Yay!

  

Lost Girl - (PS not me)

Found - HAPPINESS in a day with with the girls and one boy...who really is one of the girls.

Pam (Nana)

It's been a year since Nana passed away, this is my favorite picture of her. It was taken in the early days of Grandfather courting her. He thinks it's a very 'risque' photo of her, and he says it with a twinkle in his eye, he remembers how he could easily get his arms around her tiny waist.

This picture to me captures happiness - a beautiful young woman in the late 1940's in love. Dreaming of her life ahead...there would be a low key wedding in Sydney, a baby boy followed by a baby girl (my mother), travels and living abroad. Then settling back into a life in Sydney where she watched her children grow and create their lives, giving her the joy of seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She said to my Grandfather, we would never know how much she loved us, her love was unconditional...but Nana we do know, you showed us your love in everything you said and did. You made us all feel like we were your favorite grandchild - we each had our own very special bond with you. I love you. I miss you. Your memory gives me so much HAPPINESS.

This is what my blog is about - "notice when you are happy", you will be surprised - there is so much happiness in the world... Sometimes you just need to notice...