Dear 2017.

Hello friends,

This time of year is something else. I bloody love it! The hustle and bustle of Christmas dwindles and the summer relaxation begins. I am always inspired to reflect on the year that was, recharge and refocus on what I want to achieve in the new coming year.

It would seem that this year has had change in the air. I began studying towards becoming a primary teacher, my brother moved to Australia and most recently, I got my hair cut off that I had been growing for our wedding which was over a year ago.  

At the end of each year, I sit and write a list of intentions for the coming year. I love the word intentions. It fills me with purpose. The lists are never long. A doable amount. And I only ever put things that are going to nourish me in some way. 

My intentions for 2017:

• Spend less more time online. Like many of us, I am so addicted to the internet and I recognise that I am losing touch with real, honest moments in life. Take a vacation of all technology at least four times during the year.
• Read more. I want to read a book a month. Doable. Considering I have a stack of half-finished books....I'm half way there. 
• Communicate. Old school. Pick up the phone and talk and put pen to paper and put down some thoughts to the ones I love. 
• Walk/move the body more. Since beginning my studies I am finding myself way too sedentary for my liking. 
• Visit my brother and his lady in Australia. Because I miss them and spending time with them genuinely fills me with so much joy. 
• Complete my family diary project. I will talk about this at more length at some stage. 
• Learn about my family heritage. 
• Get up earlier. This is the hardest I think. I LOVE lying in but also LOVE it when I do rise early and achieve so much more. 
• Go to Japan. A few years ago, Cam and I made a vision board and the only thing we are yet to achieve on the board is to go to Japan. We would love to make this happen if possible with study and work etc. 

And the biggest one of all: 

• Successfully complete the second year of my teaching degree with fewer anxiety issues. I have been a perfectionist since as long as I can remember and this year has tested my control freak/perfectionist tendencies to the absolute limit.

I have never been one to suffer from anxiety until a certain diagnosis that we no longer speak of and during that time I learnt just how far I could push myself until my body would literally stop me in my tracks (enter a good dose or two of Lorazepam.) This year I learnt how far I could push myself mentally before my brain would literally have a wee shit fit. 

One moment in particular that made me realise how hard I am on myself mentally. During a rather busy portion of the year where there was a number of assignments due at once. Realistically, when I think back I was totally on top of everything and I was going to get all of the work done easily. Cam organised a date night which consisted of dinner and a movie because in his words "You haven't stopped and had a break in days" (have I mentioned how much I love this guy?) So off to dinner we went and then into the movie theatre we sat. As the lights dimmed and the trailers began to play (which is really my favourite part) I noticed my heart rate rising as this niggly voice in my head was harping on about all of the work I still was yet to complete. The heart rate rise was quickly joined by hot sweats which had me squirming in my seat. The heart rate rise and hot sweats were joined by an increase in sharp, short, shallow breaths which had me sitting up right a little more in my seat. The heart rate rise, hot sweats and sharp, short, shallow breaths were joined by this sensation of claustrophobia and suffocation which had me sharply bolting up out of my seat and announce to Cam "I NEED to get out of here. I don't feel good." I have never experienced anything like it before and after some focused breathing, guided by Cam the heart rate came back down to normal, the body temperature came down to a level which allowed me to put back on the clothes that I had stripped off and thrown all over the floor. It was in this moment that I realised that I needed to get a grip of my mental state and the amount of pressure I was putting myself under.

Anxiety is something we all experience in some way, at some point in our lives. We are all guilty of being our worst critics. And this year I aim to take the little voice in my head by the balls and be kinder to myself. My intention list will aid me in the process. And that is perfect.

So.

Dear 2017,

Let's try and do better than 2016. 

2016 had us all feeling all the feels. And mostly they were pretty crappy feels. 

More love. Less hate. 

May you have more compassion for all human beings no matter their skin colour, sexuality or religion.

And show us how to be kinder to ourselves and one another. 

Be good to us. 

And seriously. Enough about Kimye. Even a self confessed reality tv junkie has had enough. 

Thanks,

A.x

{ DIY } Peppy peppermint body scrub.

Hello friends.

'Tis the season! How we've crept into December so quickly, I have no idea. As I get older, I find myself dreading the old Christmas shopping....Angsting over what to buy my nearest and dearest, not wanting to just buy for the sake of buying. Over the years, our family has adopted new present buying rules with a secret Santa type vibe and a limit of what we're to spend. This has worked out really well and we leave Christmas day with happy hearts, full bellies and a present we are very grateful for (and there are no awkward oh-thanks-for-this-gift-that-I-am-totally-never-going-to-use-ever moments.)

The part I get stuck on is the gifts for my girlfriends. We all have our homes set up, own style and generally we have everything we need. So what does one give to say "Hey! I really like you and enjoy having you in my life"? We all have that board on Pinterest FULL of DIY's that we are totally never going to get around to and this is where I turn every year when I am stuck for something that I can make easily and know that it's actually going to be used. 

This year I decided to have a go at making a body scrub. I love a bit of relaxation. A long shower  or bath (where Adele is my bestie and we wash the troubles of the day away.) I always love a good exfoliant, keeping the skin fresh and smooth. Coming into summer the legs are looking a little worse for wear if I'm honest. A little bit lacking in life and what better way to get them summer ready than a delicious, relaxing body scrub!? Yeah, I know. I am a total genius.

I thought I would share what I have managed to create - Only because it worked and I am quite chuffed about it. 

The superstars of the scrub that I've created are: 

• 1/2 cup of Epsom salts
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 10 drops of essential oil - I used a peppermint, rosemary, lemon and Cyprus blend
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• Dried flowers - I used rose and tulsi leaf
• A small jar - I picked mine up from good old Kmart for like $2. Bloody love Kmart.

First things first, pop your coconut oil on a low heat to melt. Set aside once melted. Grab a measuring cup and measure out your Epsom salt and sugar. Once measured out, grab yourself a bowl or container and mix them together. 

Get your gorgeous dried flower goodies, pop about four generous pinches into your bowl and gently combine into scrub mixture. I love the colour and lovely touch that the dried rose and Tulsi made, that I may have gone a little overboard....I figured you can never have too much dried flower goodness, right!?

This next step will light your nose senses on fire! Pop 10 drops of your essential oil of choice into the scrub mixture and mix together. Again, I am very generous so maybe start with fewer drops and work up to a scent level that you're happy with. I really wanted the peppermint to jump out and slap ya in the face when you open the jar, hence the 10 drop measurement and boy oh boy does that peppermint get ya! Once the oil is combined, grab your melted coconut and pour into the mixture. Combine well.

You have now successfully created your very own delicious body scrub! Well done! If you're anything like me, you'll do a little victory dance, proudly announce to your husband that you're bloody awesome and check that he already knew the fact. It's time to transfer your creation into a container/jar. I think an air tight jar will be best. Scoop your scrub mixture into your container of choice and pop the lid on. 

Slap a bit of ribbon or twine around it and you'll be away laughing. I'm going to get my amazing husband (who is my very own resident graphic designer...I know! How lucky am I?!) to whip up a lovely wee label to go on my jar and will add a little bit of twine and a gorgeous, organic tea bag as a final touch. 

So there you have it! I hope this provides you with some inspiration and positive reinforcement that you can totally create your own amazing gifts for your nearest and dearest. Ditch buying crap they'll never use and take the time to create something you know that they will love! Any of my girlfriends reading this.....Yup. You can almost count on receiving one of these. Could you humour me and act really surprised and stoked when you are given one? Ta. 

Until next time friends, don't let the Christmas hype consume you and enjoy the gorgeous summer days ahead. I am personally looking forward to beach days and heading away for a few nights with the husband in our little car which he has very cleverly fitted a mattress in the boot! Adventures await and I cannot wait.

Bye for now,
A.x

PS: Thank you to Cam for snapping away while I made the scrub. You're just so great x