One Sparkly Life

And life throws some curveballs and interesting surprises for everyone. No apologies or excuses here, just a tumultuous time recently. Some good, some brilliant and some just down right heartbreaking. After a few false starts (mainly technological - What is going on with the Blogger App??), I felt the urge to write. Not to share anything in particular, but just a need to reacquaint myself with my inner voice and let it run free. So today is just an opening of the heart and mind. A chance to let some of those inner thoughts run free and see what comes out.  It seems that life is always throwing something else at you. Since I last stopped by to share my thoughts ( July last year  can you believe?) the following have happened: I've moved house We began a tough journey (that still isn't complete) I've loved and felt real love I've lost I resigned from my job (recently) I have seen a great friend get married in Italy I have baked (a lot) I have masted the art...

Spring is in the air. Time for spring cleaning; wardrobe, life, and finances. Time for growth and reenergising. Taking out the old and bringing in the new. This last week has been very cathartic for me. Being able to walk away from a bad work situation with my head held high has really helped. This has been the start, the catalyst for a deeper and further clearing of all things that drain me.  I started a bit of a list of things to clear out and I have to admit to going well and feeling better. Wardrobe - clearing out unwanted clothes - things that don't fit or don't suit me - gone to either a good home through eBay or charity Random clutter - I have had a shelf (or two) of various bits I have been meaning to sell on eBay or get rid of. From perfume and books to DVD's and clothes. These are now online and earning me some cash. And pretty soon I will have an empty shelf Credit Card - I am debt free. Yes, that credit card with its hefty interest rate is gone! Paid of...

I came across this post on Marc and Angel Hack Life  about the 40 Regrets you don't want to have when you are 40 and I just had to share. I hope that you enjoy reading them and take notice. Combination of amazing, common sense and light bulb moments of reading. Enjoy. See original post here . Spending too little time with the right people.  – Sooner or later, you just want to be around the people who make you smile.  So today, spend time with those who help you love yourself more.  And remember, the people you take for granted today may be the only ones you need tomorrow.  Never be too busy to make time for those who matter most. Not making your loved ones smile more often.  – The most beautiful thing is to see a person you love smile, and even more beautiful is knowing that you are the reason behind it. Not saying what you need to say.  – Speak up.  Don’t hide your thoughts and feelings, especially when you can make a difference.  Be b...

Another year has begun and a new list of goals is ready to be implemented and achieved. a review from last years goals , left me feeling excited about how many things I had achieved and how many doors I opened. This has put me in mind to make this year an even bigger year. I came across an idea a few weeks ago to pick one word for the year. After much thought I think that my word for 2014 will be -  This year is all about adventure for me. I am looking at all my goals and I think the underlining theme this year is about experiences and adventures. Doing new things, opening my eyes to new worlds and meeting new people. In reflection I think my word for last year was GROWTH. Last year was full off ups and downs, with some great wins that did take their toll on me. Though overall I say I am in a better place than previous but the gains have been hard won. Let's see how I go with achieving my goals for this year. Business - I am working on a little idea aro...

I have always been one for setting goals and dreams and targets but it has only been over the last few years that I have solidified these and made a more permanent reminder of the things I want to achieve by setting actual written goals. It's been great having a friend share the passion for achieving things with me and keep me on track. While she doesn't necessarily help me achieve every goal, her unswerving support has certainly kept me on track and most importantly made me accountable for every one I put on paper.  2013 was a big year for me. Lots of ups and downs. I set me goals back in February and felt like I only really looked at them again in July. So it was a great surprise to me that when I looked at them again in December that I realised I had nearly ticked them all off. I believe this is the power of the subconscious and that I had set such important goals that I was working towards them every day without even really thinking about them. Write it down, make it ...

As it is nearing Christmas (where has the time flown this year??) I thought it fitting to post my wish list for the season. Does your (dream) wish list look a little like mine? So if you are still wondering what to get me, check out below. Any one of these would be a most welcome addition to under my tree this year. Silver Sparkly Louboutins - Size 6 please Michael Kors Large Tote and Matching wallet Sparkly Walnut flats - any shade will do - Size 6 This lovely outfit for any summer brunch - size 8 Every girl needs a going out dress - size 8 Red velet bows on my shoes - yes please - size 6 Michael Kors velvet shoulder bag A lovely vintage Fiat in Tiffany blue - yes! Because every girl deserves Tiffany - Heart pendant and necklace Beautiful! I hope your tree has a few of your wish list presents under it this year. Here's hoping one of the above makes it under mine. xxx

Apologies for the silence recently. Work seems to have a funny way of taking over and by the time I have gotten home recently the last thing I feel like doing is jumping back on to a computer since that is where I spend my day for work. But this got me thinking and reading about Blogs and why I chose to start this one. Most Blogs sit idle within a few months of being started and according to some study this seems to be due a lack of passion for the topic chosen to blog about. Another interesting fact is that it is said that you should pick a niche, a particular subject that you are passionate about to blog about rather than being a generalist. This way your readers get to know what to expect and those passionate about your particular subject will find you and follow you. While this makes sense to me on one hand, I find my self in a quandary as to what particular thing should I focus on? Should I pick...

I am back from the wonderful land of Fiji. After a much needed break in the sun, a week at home and then a conference for work in Sydney I am back at home and back online. Hopefully you have all stayed with me and you enjoy some highlights of my trip below.  WARNING: The following pictures may make you book a holiday in Fiji! So from the start - I booked my holiday to Sonaisali Island Resort , Fiji. 6 lovely days and nights in the sun. I packed the suitcase full of lightweight clothes, swimsuits and 5 very thick novels to enjoy. I planned a week of reading, sleeping, eating, swimming and sun. And that is what I got. Everyday was dawned bright and warm. After breakfast I would wander along till i found a deckchair with a view I liked, and there iIwould stay until sunset or hunger dragged me back to the main part of the resort for food and further refreshments. The island offered many activities to keep you occupied but i chose to just keep read...

I came across this list of secrets for success and thought it would be great to share as it seems to me that our happiness is very closely linked to our perceptions of our success. Thanks to Heather from Habitually Chic for posting this one first. 21 Suggestions for Success by H. Jackson Brown Jr.  Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. Be forgiving of yourself and others. Be generous. Have a grateful heart. Persistence, persistence, persistence. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated. Commit yourself to constant improvement. Commit yourself to quality. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, b...

It's time again to share some of my current favourite things. Things that I am obsessing over and can't get enough of. So here you go... Food - Mexican  - I am loving all things Mexican. Avocado in guacamole (You may remember  last month's crush on Avocado and Feta), Tomato Salsa, Corn Chips and Tacos, Quesadilla, Tortillas. I am loving them all. For the best Mexican out, try these two in South Yarra - (I can recommend both) Fonda - 144 Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181 Touche Hombre Electrica - 15 Claremont Street, South Yarra VIC 3141   TV - America's Next Top Model - Yes I am sure there is more 'quality' TV out there but nothing that has appealed since The Block finished. So I have dived into ANTM thanks to Apple TV. Am loving it. Not sure why but I can happily spend an evening or day watching episode back to back. Currently up to Season 14. Sweet Stuff - Vanilla Slice - I am not sure where I have been for the last ho...