10 Things We Can Learn from Beyonce

Sometimes when  I feel down or just a bit blah, I watch Beyonce YouTube videos and get my girl power on again. Here are 10 things we can learn from Beyonce:

1. Bootylicious

We are all perfect creations that are made to feel imperfect but never fear! Flip it, embrace your so called 'flaws', create a new way to describe them and don't worry about those 'not ready for your jelly'!

http://youtu.be/aOrZ42Z-ewA

2. Best Thing I Never Had

"Find the good in goodbye" and realise a missed opportunity can be a blessing in disguise. Whether it is a relationship, promotion or relocation recognise that often a higher power is looking after you and closing off something not that beneficial.

http://youtu.be/FHp2KgyQUFk

3. Girl

Stand strong with your girlfriends. Show them you care. No woman can get through life without her ladies cheering her on. As Destiny's Child puts it: "I'm your girl, you're my girl, we're your girls, don't you know that we love you?".

http://youtu.be/ZIszesDaK9U

3. Freakum Dress

Enough said, we all need to get our hot on from time to time!

 http://youtu.be/ArDXxTsJJoo

4. Me, Myself and I

Being a strong, independent and single lady is a powerful message Queen Bee often advocates. One that will forever be true - you don't ever need a man to validate your self worth. Never stay in a bad relationship, you are magnificent on your own, don't let anyone steal your shine.

http://youtu.be/4S37SGxZSMc

http://youtu.be/4m1EFMoRFvY

5. Why Don't You Love Me

We all get insecure from time to time.

http://youtu.be/QczgvUDskk0

6. Upgrade U

If you are in a relationship make sure you are a power couple. Choose someone who pushes you to be your best, while you do the same for them. This doesn't just apply to our careers but also our growth as a human such as our emotional and spiritual development, and even our parenting skills.

 http://youtu.be/6nr8hPnZfMU

7. Diva

"A diva is a female version of a hustla" and girls don't ever give up the hustle! Don't be afraid of hard work and watch that money and success pile up!

http://youtu.be/rNM5HW13_O8

8. Crazy in Love

Fall head over heels, it is the only way to the this love thing right!

http://youtu.be/ViwtNLUqkMY

9. Survivor

Be a survivor. Crawl and fight your way through the darkness and become resilient in the process.

http://youtu.be/Wmc8bQoL-J0

10. Green light

This is for the men - sometimes a strong woman just wants you to take the lead ;)

http://youtu.be/bOXvqkC3W4M

Focus

The universe has been trying to tell me something over the last few weeks and finally I’m listening.


It slowly came to surface when I thought about doing a post on a few personal items (jeans, bag plus a jacket) that contained more than just beauty and practical use to me, but rather invoked emotion and fond memories, along with attitudes about myself “if I can fit into my skinny jeans then I feel better about me”.
Like a lot of my ideas, I got busy ‘living’ and the post never eventuated. However, my spirit must have been ready for a new message because a few things have happened in the last few days:

• My dear friend Miss Y came over and we got talking about what really fulfils us and the consumerist culture we live in

• Miss Y and I decided to go to church the next day (something I haven’t done besides for christenings and a funeral in a very, very long time), and to our surprise but not to dismay the preacher discussed ‘consuming what is really important, letting go of the rest’

• A few blogs on slow living and de-cluttering came to my attention such as shedmom.com with the tagline ‘Create space for what matters most’ and slowyourhome.com

• I noted myself wanting to shop to get a high in a depressing kind of day

• I have spent time with my Great Aunt, who is quite wealthy and lives smack bang amongst the action in Sydney, but lives a life filled more with giving than possessions


All these situations have got me thinking. I know it is OK and even nice to have lovely things. I also think it is important to work hard and provide a home, transport and opportunities for your family and loved ones. But I am guilty of hoarding things I don’t use and putting too much emphasis on stuff that doesn’t really matter.


This applies to the use of my time, not just focusing on ‘stuff’, and yet they are linked. If I have less stuff in my house to keep organised and clean, I have more time to do something with my son. So I have started de-cluttering my home, with the help of lists/tips on the above mention blogs.


Likewise, when hubby was on a work trip I got into a bad habit of not getting to bed on time and spending hours surfing the web. Doesn’t seem too damaging, but this habit was robbing me of much needed sleep and time doing something more beneficial, like finally reading that book on my bedside table. So now I make a conscious effort to be in bed by 9pm and no phone or ipad in the bedroom.


Ultimately, we are only given so many resources in this life every day, time and money being the big two. The question is how do we want to spend them??

*image credit: noushka_styling Instagram account

Winter Wonders

It is official - the nights are starting to get chilly, the mornings crisp and the trees are slowly losing their radiantly coloured leaves - winter is indeed on its way.

As mentioned in an earlier post, one of the best things about living in Canberra is experiencing all the seasons to the fullest. Here are some of the things I love about winter:

1. Hot beverages such as tea and hot chocolates

2. Snow

3. Warm, comfy bedding especially flannie sheets

4. Soccer season

5. Comfort food

6. Fire places

7. Baths and hot showers

8. Fashion!! Beautiful coats, cute beanies, chunky knits and gorgeous boots!!

9. Winter babies all swaddled and pink cheeked.

10. Return of great television such as Offspring.

Leave a comment and tell me some of your favourite winter wonders!

Photosynthesis

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky has been my latest read (not counting the four page, made of material and requiring animal noises I frequently narrate).

This book is quite good for several reasons. The entire book is a collection of letters the main character Charlie is writing to an unknown 'friend'. Chbosky has cleverly changed the prose to match the teenager's own developing writing skills throughout his freshman year at high school. The book also never lost my total interest and I was able to finish it in a few days.

One of the greatest things about this book is how it takes you back to when you were a teenager trying to make sense of the world. I love how this coming of age tale captures that awkward yet exhilarating time in our lives. The time when we felt things so intensely, like a heightened sense of reality. Every feeling, new experience and new person created such a rush in our day to day existence.

It also explores how music is the saviour of all of us in our youth (well it was in mine) and how one song can make you feel like the musician just read your mind and made a tune to resonate in your heart.*

Chbosky's poignancy when dealing with how we come of age when we realise no one is perfect, nothing is always on just face value and how we must let go of fear and embrace life, lends itself to some magnificent quotes (too many to list here).

I haven't watched the movie version yet but plan to soon. Give this a book a whirl if you are after something a little different but nostalgic and relatable.

Ps. Have a look at http://rusabs.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/flowers-on-wall.html on a different take on being a wallflower :)

*One Tree Hill's soundtrack takes me straight back every time!

YOLO

YOLO is my new motto.

You
Only
Live
Once

Nothing like your mother having a life threatening illness* to get your YOLO swagger on.

I was introduced to this phrase by my guilty pleasure 'Keeping up with Preggas Kim'** and my sis when she went partying five nights in a row. I instantly loved YOLO, how is sums up an attitude in a cute word.

Now I have chosen to make YOLO my daily mantra and so has the rest of my family. What is great about YOLO is that you don't have to do something incredibly exciting to embrace it (although this is def allowed when YOLO is involved). All you have to do is WHATEVER YOU WANT!

So here are some ways I'm getting my YOLO on:

Wearing lipstick:
Might as well start with the most earth shattering of them all right?!?! LOL***. I have always been scared to wear lipstick because I barely have any lips whatsoever. I've always admired from afar the lovely lassies pouting those juicy bright lips while I stuck to my 'heavy eye, no lippie' look. But now I am YOLOing it. Seriously, who cares if it isn't  the best look for me?? YOLO demands we enjoy ourselves and have fun! So now I sport a bright lip****. Hubby is not a fan as he thinks it is ageing,but I don't care, YOLO is being true to yourself and having a go (insert a big smiley face with red lips here)!

Getting inked:
Sis and I went and got inked. We have matching lotus flower tattoos in honour of our mummy and what the lotus represents. That beauty comes through growing and rising above the mud and murky waters. We both talked about it for a long time and finally got them done, well half, still gotta get it coloured. Will I regret it? Not sure but I doubt it because I want to be reminded every single day to keep up the beautiful struggle. Besides, what is a tattoo compared to child birth and stretch marks? I'm already tiger striped for life, might as well add to the canvas ;) Note: the tattooist did tell us he has had multiple requests for YOLO tatts and has refused to do them.

Choosing experiences over chores:
Little L was in child care the other day. I could have done the usual 'clean the house, cook up his meals, washing etc' routine OR go to the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition at the National Gallery. The spirit of YOLO compelled me to choose the latter and I'm so glad I did. Was such a treat to feast my eyes on those masterpieces and discover a new found love for a great artist. Afterwards I took in the view of the lake while eating my lunch and drinking a hot choc. Any mum knows what a great such a solo mission is. Life is short, chores will always be there but exhibitions move on and you miss out.

Creating new habits:
Went into Kikki.K and saw the 'Weekly Good Habits' pad and now giving it a go. I'm aiming to eat more fruit (more of a veges girl), increase my exercise and make sure I do something creative or nurturing for myself.

So there you have it. Of course I also am Applying YOLO to spending lots of time with loved ones and appreciating the simple things, but this is just some small examples of how I'm honouring the short time we have here.

YOLO! Embrace it and start making those changes for a happier and better you!


*My mummy has aggressive brain cancer.
**You know what show I'm talking about.
***Mum, this doesn't mean Lots Of Love.
**** thanks to rusabs.blogspot.com.au for picking a shade out for me.

DIY

Before s**t got crazy we completed our latest DIY project - outdoor furniture made out of pallets.

Dr Love and I sourced the pallets, Dr Love did the construction (refuses to let me near any power tools for my own safety) and mum and I painted plus sourced cushions.

If you want to see more pallet inspiration check out my pinterest boards: http://pinterest.com/afterlcomes/?d

Pallets: free
Paint: free (leftover house paint)
Castors: about $20
Red cushions: $50 each on sale at spotlight
Beige cushions: $90 all up at Bunnings

Progress...

Well it is that time of year again - resolution time!

I've never been a huge fan on 'resolutions' but rather 'goals' and usually made them on my birthday instead of New Years. However, I forgot to this year due to being quite ill and at a wedding so I am joining the masses and planning mine now.

1. Aim for progress, not perfection

I saw this as an instagram quote and it has really resonated with me. To the naked eye I might not seem like a perfectionist (I'm not very competitive or neat) but I am. I belong to the 'hard on myself, never can live up to my own expectations' perfectionist club. I realise I have allowed this trait do three unhealthy things in my life:
1. I never feel good enough
2. I do not do things because I'm waiting to get it just right (thus the 'saved as drafts' blog posts and half finished marketing plans)
3. I beat myself up for my shortcomings.

Never fear! I've already adopted this quote for my new mantra and have realised if I keep trying to get things perfect they will just remain ideas with no results. In the last few days I have:
* finally started sponsoring a child through Plan. Something I have wanted to do for ages but just kept putting off
* initiated a new volunteer venture (watch this space for more details)
* started Little L's baby book
* being more conscious of how I speak to Dr Love (which is my second goal for the year).

The above may not seem that significant but they are to me. I'm making a conscious effort to 'just get things done' and stop getting hung up on getting things perfect. My hope and aim is that I can maintain this approach through 2013 which will allow me not only to achieve more but also be kinder to myself.

2. Speak gently

One of my bad habits is how I snap at Dr Love when we are speaking about day to day things. I only speak to him in this manner and it does distress me how we often are not as gracious as we should be to the people that matter the most. It started off without me realising (Dr Love used to have a gruff way of communicating and I started mimicking it unconsciously). It now has turned into common practice due to being frustrated when having to repeat myself (admit it guys, you aren't always the best listeners) and just being sooo tired due to having a new baby making me the Grumpy one of Snow White's crew. Breastfeeding, lack of sleep and constant demands of parenthood have taken their lingustic toll. While we have a rock solid relationship full of love there is always room for improvement so this is my second goal for the year (along with to stop swearing but I make that goal every year and fail miserably - it is my biggest vice).

So there you have it - two of my resolutions/goals for 2013. What are yours? Please share as I find when I do I become more accountable and committed :)

See ya,
M x
Ps. Notice my non-perfect image below? Could of been cropped better but leaving as is to prove I don't have to get everything spot on... Hehehe