Hello 2015!

We didn't ring in the New Year with any great party or anything. We can be lame like that - Jacob played a gig NYE and I went to bed at around 10 pm after watching a movie and having a couple glasses of wine. I was, however, awakened by the thunderous boom of fireworks from the city, was going to say "Happy New Year" on Facebook, thought better of it, and then promptly fell back asleep. Not very exciting at all. 

But we spent a lovely few days recovering from the madness of December and hanging out as a family. That was the best part of the whole holiday! 

The boys getting their creative on..

The boys helping with some DIY.

Relaxy slacks Timmy.

Repurposing some old Christmas decor.

Rediscovering tongues.

And back to my type of research.

I've been planning my 2015, my personal goals, blog goals, and goals for my photography business. It's an amazing feeling to have so much planned! It's not overwhelming yet, but I hope I have everything sorted in my diary and my giant wall calendar. 

I guess one of the most important things I've had to think about it why I do what I do. I'm talking about my blog and my business.. The parenting option is mandatory ;)

I recently heard a great saying that has finally started to lift my money and success blocks.

It's not about the money, it's what the money can do for you.

I never thought about it this way. Oddly enough. But that's exactly it! I like working, and I like being a mum too - despite what I might say otherwise. Working is, of course, for the money and a creative outlet. But for me, it's about paying the mortgage, saving for trips to see our friends and family around the world, being able to enjoy a night out sometimes, things like that! The "making money" part of business is hellish, but what we are able to achieve with that money is the dream. 

Sorry for the rambling, but I feel like I just need to get that out. With that said, I'll be doing a bit of work here on the blog to make a little extra cash. Don't think of it as a greedy thing - I'm not greedy. I'm hopeful. But I've also come to the conclusion that I can help people, someway somehow. 

If I can help you, please let me know!

And oh yeah - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

xx

Some Etsy Lovin'

Hey kids!
Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!!

We had a big and busy few days! Our gorgeous friends are getting married on Halloween, so this weekend was the Hen's Night and Buck's Weekend festivities!!

Let's just say - good times were had by all!

Monday mornings are always nice to wake up to an Etsy Treasury and a blog post of some of my crafty bits and pieces..

I'm loving loving loving this treasury!!! Gorgeous!!

Thanks to Adictaaloscomplemnts

 

Thanks to handmadespark.com

Also, my Port Melbourne Button from Etsy was on handmadespark.com for this article featuring Melbourne and Victoria crafters and artists.. Some great shops mentioned! Check it out!

See you soon!

xo

*on blogging...

Here it is.
A blog about blogging. Or rather the obligatory “Why I Blog” post.

I was scanning some random blogs this morning on my tea break and found some of those questions that I always used to answer on my blogs – you know the ones. How many tattoos do you have? A few (understatement) Favourite drink? Soy flat white (or a good red) Do you regret anything? I'm not going there... You get the idea.

But one I came across that made me think was “Why do you blog?”

Well...

I've been writing my whole life. Mostly journals and short stories from the time I was 13. When I was 21, I began writing more than ever, about anything and anyone. A friend helped me set up a web page, as xredeemedx, to start publishing my random thoughts. I was so emo. So straightedge. There are no two ways about it. I lived alone at the time. I would spend all night writing and listening to music until my eyes were swollen from crying or until the sun came up. I would then take a walk to the river, get a coffee and sit on the dock and breath in the new day.

It was therapy I suppose. I had just lost my dad, had a couple bad break ups and lots of broken hearts. It was my outlet. I didn't keep it up as much as I would have liked, but whenever I started to feel myself slip into the deep end, I would let my toes sink in for a short while, let the sadness envelop me and write for a couple days. But never enough to send me off to the loony bin.

As years have gone on, and as I have moved about a million times, further and further away from my family and friends, I still write. Mostly to let them know what's happening. I guess it's gone from writing normal emotional poems and journals to a normal posting of daily nonsense in hopes to make myself famous. Right?

Anywho. Long live xredeemedx! My alter-emo-ego.
(ciao)
xo