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Tuesday, 9 December 2008
A Bad Day
What a depressing day. I can't really go into it, I don't really know ONE thing that's wrong, it's more a combination of things happening. A lot of it has something to do with the fact that it's Christmas and yet my home is not done like I'd like it to be, it's still messy, I'm trying to be organised and yet once again, like every year I'm not. This time though I can't just run to my Mum's home to spend Christmas and enjoy as no one's here anymore. I'm very sad, depressed and I don't know what I feel.
This year I vowed to be more organised for Christmas. My tree is finally up despite me thinking to myself if I should bother since it's so late into December already. I can't find my Christmas decorations nor lights and I'm sure it's been lost or thrown as I've got two Christmas boxes with all Christmas decorations and I've got all my Christmas stuff but my bag of tree decors and the tree lights. I'm so very sad because that means I've lost the icicle fairy light covers that I've had for as long as I can remember.
Having said that, the appearance of my tree up with a skirt, two vintage heart decoration, handmade bauble by my Mum and a personalised bauble with Mr and my name along with our beautiful Angel tree topper is lifting my spirits slightly and pushing me to keep going.
So today is an extremely bad day, lets hope tomorrow is better and that I will be able to grab some nice decors for cheap and have pics of my tree before the end of this week. I'm also terribly missing my Mum & Sister and the rest of my very large family (scattered around the globe) and miss the large Christmas we celebrate. Today is definitely the day that I'm realising my loneliness. The Christmas prep that we normally share (Sister, Mum & I) are no longer here and I try to do it on my own and it's just not the same.
I am optimistic in hoping that tomorrow WILL be a better day. Apologies for this extremely tedious post and somewhat incoherent but it's been a bad day.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Charity for Christmas
Source:- Sunrise Children's Village
Source:- Malawi Project
Source:- Faithful Heart Ministry
Whilst we prepare for Christmas I wish to just remind people to think about those that are not as fortunate as we are, especially innocent children that are faced with so much uncertainty that not even an adult in our society would be able to deal with.
In my previous post I mentioned that I give to the Christmas tree at either Target or KMart. I just wanted to ask if we can all consider doing something similar. There is no minimum value to give and it needn't be purchased from the particular store that the tree is at. Please keep the Christmas spirit alive and continue to give the gift of giving especially to those that need it the most. Lets all put a smile on a child's face on Christmas day that they would otherwise be unable to experience. This minimal input on our behalf is something that will be remembered for life by these young recipients.
For those that are seeking gifts for someone that has it all, how about putting a donation in behalf of the recipient in lieu of gifts, there are many charity organisations to choose from so there is something for everyone. If you would like to give something beyond a donation under a person's name please do check out Oxfam "Unwrapped Gifts" which includes items such as literacy programs, ducks/goat/other animals to feed villages and more, hence the recipient would feel that their "gifts" have actually gone to a particular item not just a donation lost amidst others cash. This is extremely popular with many people, however, if this does not appeal to you and your preference is to give something tangible please go to your favourite charity website as most have online stores with handcrafted, unique pieces for sale, all proceeds go towards charity work. Please continue to give the gift of giving, many will not be as fortunate as we are to experience the true Christmas celebration. Lets make someone elses Christmas as merry as ours would be.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
4 Ingredients Cook Book
I've started into my whole baking phase again and now would like to enter the unknown world of cooking. I'm in search for the perfect beginner cook book that will help and teach an amateur like myself how to cook.
"4 Ingredients" is another foray into the world of cook books however, after reading some dismal reviews and a quick peruse through the pages I returned it. I had thought that it would be an excellent cook book due to it being a best seller for quite some time and it was just perfect for me; simple, easy, four ingredients and most of all quick, but it seems my search for a beginner's cook book continues. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Urban Grace Interior Photo Contest
Erika from Urban Grace Interiors had a Doggie Photo Contest which I entered my beautiful furbaby in (sent the two pics above) and although we unfortunately didn't win there were heaps of cute and very much deserving entrants, even I, who is quite bias to my little one couldn't pick a winner.
Erika and her team wonderfully collaborated this beautiful slideshow to show all the pics that were entered for the competition, please do view it as it will fill you with laughter and tears. I tried to post a pic of the winning furbaby but Blogger would not allow so please check him out here, there are also pics of special mentions/runner ups.
Please also stay tuned as I will be doing a write up soon on Urban Grace Interiors, it's one of my "read it in it's entirety blog".
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Kris Kringle Gift Ideas for "Her"
I recently participated in two Kris Kringles with a budget of $20-$30 hence I will dedicate this posts to those that are looking for KK gifts like I was. The prices are all exclusive of postage so please take this into account.
Beauty Lover
If you had a $30 budget you can buy the two items above which will come to $29.10 and it will make a beautiful and useful gift.
Green Thumbs
Deluxe Pink Gardening Tool Kit Belt $29.95 Tesora; Crabtree & Evelyn Gardener's Flowerpot Gift Set $29 Peter of Kensington
Stationery Lover
Baker
Cupcakes Box Set $14.95 Angus & Robertson (tray not included); Wilton Cupcake Holder $29 Peter of Kensington
The Cook
Traveler
Pet Lover
The Entertainer
Maxwell Williams 5pc Hostess Set $34.95 Wishlist; The Entertainer's Rippled Square Platter $14 Peter of Kensington
For the rest; Homeware, Books, Beauty/Skincare packs, anything yummy and edible and anything with lots of thoughts never go astray no matter what it is or it's value. Good luck and most of all enjoy your shopping trip!
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Happy Birthday Kimmy!
I just wanted to write a "Happy Birthday" post for my bestie. Her birthday was on the 25th, I didn't forget and greeted her on the day but I thought she was worth a post on my blog :D
All jokes aside, this girl is just a beautiful person. She is one friend that you are lucky to have in your life, to be honest, since having her as a friend I have not met anyone else that comes up to her standards in terms of friendship. We do not see each other much as she lives in the US and even when she came to Australia we only saw each other a few times but nonetheless every time we see each other it's like no time has lapsed between us. She has been there for me through thick and thin and I mean thick and thin!
She is a comedian (as per picture), a wonderful listener, gives wonderful advise, great fun to party with and also great fun to just be around with. She is truly a special person and I find myself extremely lucky to have a friend like her. I truly hope that we all have a friend like mine.
Absolutely Beautiful Things
It's been such a long time since I wrote about a blog that I've read from start to finish. To be honest I was a bit discouraged from not receiving replies from my emails of good wishes...
Since then I've read many wonderful blogs and will hopefully be able to write about it all. Today's write up is "Absolutely Beautiful Things" aka ABT created by Brisbane based Interior Designer and shop owner to "Black & Spiro", Anna Spiro. I've previously introduced her work in my Wing Chair post as my inspiration were from Anna's work. She is quite infamous for those quirky and bright re-upholstery and yet somehow it still fits the classic, antique pieces that she puts them with.
ABT does not consist of just home decors and furnishings but lots of other wonderful things too including a series of "Absolutely Favourite Things" that she has created in collaboration with other wonderful and creative people on the world wide web, so please check her blog out, it truly is inspirational. For Australian readers, you will be proud to see that such wonderful talent also exists locally. Many of the blogs I read are from American Interior Designers, but I'm proud and thrilled to say that Anna comes up to par with many of the other well known Interior Designers from across the globe, so please check it out and enjoy!
Edit:- I just wanted to edit my post because I realised that I did not make it clear that Anna, was one of the few blog writers that actually responded to my email when I first completed reading her entire blog and once again now in the comment section of this post. I am extremely inspired by wonderful people like Anna because despite her busy life she has still taken time out to reply to my initial email and now to leave a comment on this post. Thanks Anna and keep up the great work, I for one enjoy your blog tremendously.
Source:- Absolutely Beautiful Things
Friday, 28 November 2008
Organised for Christmas?
Source:- Fourchooks Blog
Each year I vow to be more organised for Christmas so I can actually enjoy the whole Christmas period. It's now the end of November and my house is certainly not ready for visitors let alone Christmas. In a few days (December 1st) my Christmas tree is due to be put up and yet my house is still in it's chaotic stage. The furniture pieces that I have purchased are still not in their rightful places, some are still in the garage! So I better get a serious move on...
I purchase many things including gifts, wrapping paper, tags etc all that are on sale at the end of each year, they are still in boxes so I can imagine that I'd probably double up for a few people. I can only vow to be more organised once again next year. Many of the items boxed are Christmas decorations, I find that Christmas has become too commercialised and I just hoped that by giving Christmas decorations I'm spreading the true meaning of Christmas to those around me.
Having said that I've got to give myself some credit as I've purchased all but one Christmas gifts for this year already...I've only got Mr's brother to buy for and I'm quite sure I already know what to get him. I'm also thrilled with the amount I spent this year, it has certainly been culled significantly.
Christmas Gifts
Mr's Family
2 x Sisters + Brother's gf - Peter Alexander PJ pants + miniature Calvin Klein perfume
Step-Brother - Remote Control Flying Bug
Step-Sister - Barbie Doll Set for the doll we got her last year which includes pram + cot + high chair
Combined gifts for step-siblings - Ice Age 1 & 2 DVD
My Friends
Girlfriend 1 with 2 daughters - My First Nativity Scene + Toy Story 1 & 2 books
Girlfriend 2 with a boy and a girl - My First Operation board game + Toy Story Memory board game
Girlfriend 3 (no kids) - Little Miss Naughty PJ set including pants+singlet+jacket
Mr's Friends
3 x kids - Personalised Towel Sets
6 & 7 yr old brothers - Transformers talking helmet + PS3 game
8 month old boy - My First Year pewter picture frame
I spent an average of $25/person so I'm very very happy with that price. Like I said each family will most probably get one piece of Christmassy thing as well. I also got good bargains today, at $10 each I got two electronic games similar to that of the fishing game where the round "pond" rotates and the fish' mouth opens and closes as a child with a little rod tries to catch it...I buy these for the Christmas trees under Target/Kmart where they donate the gifts to unfortunate children that do not have homes/families. I do it every year and I always buy two, one for a girl and another for a boy and am glad I found such great games that they can truly enjoy with those around them. I will probably also add a book or two, I just love giving children books!
I've also got to finish wrapping and adding to my Kris Kringle gifts. I've already bought it just got to go to my little box of goodies to see what I can add. So all gifts aside I'm done and will be working this week to get my home organised so I can start the Christmas decorations and wrapping!!! Merry Christmas to all and hope that your all more organised than I am.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
KK
So it's that time of year again, I've signed up for two Kris Kringle/Secret Santa with the forums I frequent. It may seem quite sad but I quite look forward to these KK's as I don't receive other gifts on Christmastime apart from my Mother. I receive some from my Sister who is only 16 hence chances are it was bought by my Mother too. Mr does not buy gifts without me basically writing up a list and you'd be lucky if he actually goes out and buys it without me. He seems to think that because I'm able to purchase anything I want anytime I want...well why does he have to buy something specially for Christmas?
Whilst this definitely saddens me his parents did things very differently and basically did not celebrate Christmas nor Birthdays hence he doesn't get what the big deal is of the whole event, I find it quite sad, I think of all the wonderful memories I've been lucky to have as a child and wonder how it's possible for any child to go without those same memories, excitement and overall celebration atmosphere.
Anyway, back to KK. I was asked to give hints/tips/ideas to my KK so that they can purchase a gift more suitable for me. I never found myself to be a person that was hard to buy for but I suppose in this day and age, with a $20-$30 limit and postage costs to consider it's not that easy. So here is what I came up with...
Hobbies:-
- Scrapbooking
- Reading
- Folk Art/Ceramic Painting
- Shopping
Likes/Dislikes
- I probably would prefer to purchase makeup + skincare + clothing + perfume for myself just because it's a more personal thing and hence it's quite hard to choose for me, I have trouble finding stuff in this department for myself so imagine a stranger doing so?
- I love all types of books including non-fiction (home interior + self-help + finance + biography + crafts) and fiction (chic-lit and top 100 listings).
- I also thoroughly enjoy magazines and love; Real Weddings + Real Living + Home Beautiful + House & Garden + Shop til you Drop + Money + Macworld just to name a few.
- I love all quirky things and cutesy things that I probably wouldn't purchase myself because I'd feel it's a waste of money.
- I love momiji dolls and their accessories as well as geisha dolls and other Asian-inspired as well as classic homewares.
- I'm a handbag lover, that's my accessory addiction and I don't wear accessories in terms of jewelry because they discolour on me so I have my set gold pieces that I wear daily.
- I don't cook but bake cupcakes + cookies + cakes and like any cute pieces for baking.
Wishlist - Whilst this is certainly not an indication of what I would expect my KK to spend on me, by showing my wish list maybe it'll give more of an indication of who I am as a person.
- Subscriptions to any of those magazines listed above
- Any Pandora/Chamilia Charms
- Momiji or any cute makeup/cosmetic bag
- Any organisational stuff for my personal study at home and/or the home in general from Kikki-K/Smiggle and/or other stationery stores
- Oroton or any nice Diary/Agenda
- Books + Books and more Books
For now that's all I can think of. I do hope I've given some sort of indication on who I am as a person but regardless I am happy with whatever I get :D
Monday, 10 November 2008
Honda Accord Euro Luxury
We bought a new car!!! This is not the EXACT car but it's the exact design of car, 2004 Honda Accord Euro "Luxury" and the same colour, Graphite...like a dark grey!!! I'm thrilled!!! We got such a great bargain, they range from $23,000+ for the normal and the luxury is $25,000+ and we got this for $20,000 and it's the second owner, in excellent condition with all log books etc etc included.
We've now got 3 vehicles to get rid of before I'm satisfied. Yes we have a total of 5 cars at the moment:-
- Toyota Supra
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Mitsubishi Lancer GSR
- Toyota Camry (Old one)
Then the above car, but we are selling the first 3 and maybe even the last one so at the end we are hoping for the above car as our only car or maybe a cheap 2nd car for those rare events that we both need to go out with a car.
I'm just coming on to my blog to gloat to myself LoL. It's funny because from the listing of our previous cars above you can see we pretty much went for sports cars, now we're getting older and more "mature" and going for a more luxury. This car has sunroof and leather seats and drives like a dream.
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