Almost a New Year

1. 19/365: so much to learn, 2. Journal stack, 3. On The Kitchen Table, 4. precious things, 5. 05092009 - Mail, 6. {200/365} if you didn't want to, 7. forgotten, 8. sea shells ♥, 9. Untitled

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was great! Lots of food, rest and it was just great being with family and celebrating Christ's birth. It was also my only day off. Since I've been working everyday since Christmas and won't have a day off until New Years Day. This is will most likely be my last post of the year!

I love giving gifts and receiving them :p Jase and I were a bit lazier this year and we gave most people gift cards. But next year we will put more thought into it. Jason gave me some short denim shorts (perfect for this summer but we have to exchange them cause they are just a tad bit too small :( I'm so weird with sizes). He also got me a Smiggle notebook and pen (I love that shop! - he was so bummed because it has lined paper and he knows I prefer blank paper but he really loved the cover lol). He also got me the Star Wars box set! Epsiodes 1-3 and 4-6! I'm a bit of a Star Wars nerd :) And he got my a voucher for a 1 hour full body massage at Pure Indulgence! He is the best!!

I'm completely exhausted and cannot wait until next week when I get days of work! Yay! Oh and by the way I bought myself a 4 foot white Christmas tree for next year from work. It's so pretty and cute!

This has been a year of highs and lows with getting engaged and with other family problems which have affected me greatly and I can't quite write about it here yet. I'm looking forward to the New Year with the wedding, moving into our first house, my 25th birthday (!). I have plans to get a new job and to resume my creativity and hopefully reopen my Etsy shop.

I know exercise and physical activity is also high on that list. I have to keep up with Jason and his triathlons. I was always the sportier one until now.

I want to grow my relationship with God and really mature more as a Christian. I do want to write more, read more, volunteer and give more of my time, take more photos and take the time to reflect.

I've been blessed with so much and I don't intend on forgetting that. No matter what has gone wrong or whatever has changed I can always rely on God. And I know that next year will be even better! This New Year is full of promise and new beginnings.

I also just want to say that I'm so grateful for all you! You have made blogging so much fun and I truly appreciate your comments, emails, tweets, letters etc. Thank you for being so wonderful and I know I count you as my friends :)

Via Notemaker

And I wouldn't mind getting one of these to pen my thoughts, ideas, plans, dreams etc. And it would be nice if my name could be embossed on the front :p

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed New Year! Take care of yourselves!

P.S. This is a lot of writing for me so I hope you made it until the end! 26 Days!! to go.

This is pretty

This is just a quick post to say I really love this idea....

Found on Goodnight little Spoon via Apartment Therapy

It's decorated photo albums with pretty paper. I know I will have to use this idea for the townhouse. It reminds me of a row of gorgeous journals or those beautiful hardcover Penguin Classics.

Via Penguin Flickr

I really want to get the Alice in Wonderland book, but it's never at Borders.

Via Penguin Flickr

Actually it was at Borders once when it got restocked and Jason's like 'You're going to buy it full price?' Because I always get vouchers sent out to me via email....Sigh but it wasn't there next time.

Anyway, I'm getting myself all psyched up for my midnight shift tonight. I start at 12:30pm and work until 12:15am....It's torture after working a 12 hour shift yesterday. And then having to work at 10:15 tomorrow.

Via Weheartit

I wish I was at home with some books, a journal and some snacks instead though :( I will be stocking up on lollies and chocolate for under the counter eats with my work mates :) We have a lolly break every hour I think.

Again, I may not post before Christmas so I hope it's wonderful!!

Staying positive

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the comments about our townhouse. It's very exciting and I'm really looking forward to this new chapter in my life.

I'm sorry I've been so bad with commenting on blogs lately. Just trying really hard to not tire myself out. I can't believe Christmas is in about 4 days! It's scary how fast time flies by.

I'm keeping positive in this busy time and thanking God for what I have. I'm determined to not let work or customers make me feel bad or get to me when all I want to do is scream!

But.....I know I am blessed. I just want to list the little things that make me happy......

Via Tumblr

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing

~ Mother Teresa

* Gloria Jean's Ice chocolate

* Rain

* Walking barefoot on soft carpet

* My nephews smiles and cuddles

* Wrapping gifts

* Finding cute panda print PJ shorts

* Writing in my journal

* Receiving unexpected mail

* Kind words

* Star Burst Chews and Clinkers

* Eating cold watermelon

* Fresh mango with vanilla ice cream

* Listening to 'O Holy Night'

* Relaxing with a book, tea and chocolate

* My fluffy Christmas wreath with lights

* Being with Jason

* The love and support of my family

* Getting comments :)

* Photos

* The small red glittery bow brooch I want to get

I just want to say thank you for all the support and your wonderful comments over the year. I truly appreciate you all and I'm so glad I'm a part of this blogging community.

And if I don't get to blog again before Christmas I want to wish you all a truly fantastic Christmas!!

Townhouse photos

Thank you all for your wonderful comments! They keep me going in this busy time. I promise I will start replying soon!

I thought my hours might go down a bit after Christmas but they went up instead :( I'm working 48.5 hours and 6 days in a row. Sigh I really sometimes hate that I'm a trained kids shoe fitter (this is for back to school shoes - I don't know how many of you had to wear a uniform at school but everyone in Australia does). This is just as bad as Boxing day. Except you have to handle kids feet (sometimes dirty and smelly) and some truly awful mothers.

The only way I'm getting through this is to see the hours and money as a blessing because we really need the extra cash. So maybe it's really a blessing in disguise??

Anyway, some of you asked for pictures of the townhouse. The only pictures I can use are the ones from the real estate website.

Keep in mind though that I think it looks much better in person. These aren't professional photos.

All images via realestate.com.au

This is the front door and garage. Welcome!

The lounge room/living area. I've already starting thinking about how this will be decorated.

The backyard. This is only a part of it. There's a whole other section on the side. Definitely big enough to have people over for a summer BBQ.

The little kitchen. It's the perfect size for us though.

The main bedroom. The rooms were a little smaller than some of the other places we looked at back the extras and location are just too good.

The little bathroom/ensuite. There's another bathroom and there's a toilet downstairs.

One of the spare bedrooms. There's another bedroom too.

This is the complex pool. It's only about 20m away from our townhouse so it's very convenient. Perfect for the summertime.

So that's it! Hopefully when we can start moving our things in I will be able to take better pictures. But this won't be until at least the 18th January. I've tried to start packing amongst doing everything else. Dad bought me some of those plastic tubs with lids and wheels to put things into.

You know what, nothing has truly hit me yet. It's like my brain can't comprehend that in 37 days! I will be getting married and will have my first home! Jason feels the same. We are spending so much time having to organise everything with wedding, with house, with getting a loan....we just haven't had time for the news to really sink in....not sure when that will happen though.

Anyway, I have to get back to it and savour my day off (though it will be a busy one). Have a beautiful weekend!!

We got a townhouse!

Image via Tumblr

We got the townhouse! We looked at it Monday afternoon and knew we definitely wanted it. It has new carpet, new paint, a new oven, a new stove top and new dishwasher. Plus the yard was huge for a townhouse and they had a new pergola. It's 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus another toilet downstairs.

We had to make an offer that night because another couple were making an offer and while they were making their offer another couple made one before we were able to (plus it was pretty late by the time we were even able to go in).

We then found out early Tuesday morning that we were tied with one of the couples so the real estate had to come to each of us to get us to sign a sheet to put another offer in. And then we found out after lunch that we had got it! Only just....

We are very excited but there is so much to do. I'm sorry I haven't been on blogs again but we have to do all the mountain load of paperwork (and figure out when to do it because I'm working until 9 most nights - 9am-9pm today ugh after an 11:30-9pm yesterday). We also got to start packing, do heaps of other wedding planning, find a bank for a loan, my work is hell. I have no full day off until who knows when because on my one day off between shifts we usually have to have appointments with everyone!!

I know I'm been saying that I feel frazzled a lot but hopefully that will calm down soon.

Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments and I will come past your blogs and answer everything as soon as I can!!

Wedding ideas, ideas, ideas!

Hello lovelies! The closer it gets to Christmas the more I start thinking about wedding everything! I'm not getting into Christmas the same way I normally do. But next year....watch out!

I just wanted to mention that my Jason participated in a mini triathlon yesterday! I couldn't be there because of church and work but I'm so proud of him. He does way more exercise and physical activity than me nowadays.

Here are a few images that are inspiring my wedding decoration plans. Even though I would like the wedding theme to be elegant and pretty I really want to add a touch of whimsy and little pops of colour. My main colours were white and silver but my bridesmaids are very colourful in pale pink, lilac and aqua blue.

Image via Style Me Pretty

Considering I have a great love for mail this would be absolutely perfect! It could be the guestbook. You write a little note and leave it in one of the slots.

Image via Style Me Pretty

This is an alternate version to the normal photo booth, a kissing booth! Though it will still just be a photo booth for us.

Image via Style Me Pretty

I adore this table spread. The chandeliers, the colourful bunting, the lolly jars. Instead of a lolly (ok candy we call them lollies here) buffet, I thought we could have a dish/bowl of lollies (maybe Kisses) and have them at each table and make them a part of the centrepieces?

Image via Style me Pretty

Again with my love for mail, this stood out to me. Writing a little note and popping them into the tiny mailbox. This could be another alternative to a guestbook.

Image via Style Me Pretty

Another idea I love was this Wishing Tree. Again another alternative guest book idea. Then it could be displayed for awhile in our future home, if we decided to use this idea.

Image via Ruffled Blog

The jars of lollies which could be put onto each table. Or there could be a scattering around the guest book table/Wishing Well/gift table. The colourful lollies could give the decorations a nice bit of colour.

Image via Ruffled Blog

Another great example of a Wishing Tree. I like the thought of using pretty patterned papers for the guests to write their wishes/thoughts etc.

Image via Style Me Pretty

Another idea which I adore. I was thinking they could be displayed with the centre pieces or to decorate the guest book table etc. For awhile I thinking of popping them on sticks and putting them in a small vase as alternative to flowers since I'm not having them for centre pieces.

Image via The Sweetest Occasion

This is an invitation and I think it's brilliant! This would be perfect for displays or it could be an idea for a program (might be a bit time consuming and more costly for that though). As an avid reader this is just gorgeous.

Image via SWS Mag

The personalised matchbooks would be a lovely add on if we decide to have sparklers. And I know we will definitely have lots of photo frames scattered all over the place.

Image via SWS Mag

As a butterfly lover, this is precious. When I saw them on the branches I wanted to have branches in a vase as a centre piece with butterflies adorning them. Or the beautiful lantern with the butterflies and mirror. I thought we could have a mini lantern with votive or tea lights inside and a butterfly attached to the handle and the mirror would be a lovely extra touch.

Image via SWS Mag

The whole photo shoot was so beautiful. This is more for future inspiration for my birthday or just a girls day.

Well those are just some ideas running through my head. It's getting close to Christmas so I should have a few more Christmas posts before I go all out on everything wedding. Let me know if you like the ideas?? Or have your own suggestions.

And tonight we are looking at another townhouse! Plus we are going to try and do our registry and pick up our rings (it better be right this time). And maybe do a bit of Christmas shopping which we are so behind on. We'll see how much we can get done.

Have a wonderful week!!

Wedding update...part who knows?

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Thanks for all the lovely comments. iPhone isn't fixed yet just waiting on the part to arrive so it can be fixed. You know sometimes it's easier to just laugh about things instead of being upset when they happen. At the moment it's all I can do.

I'm about to move into 2 weeks of retail hell. So I might not be in the blog world much but then I might be to escape the craziness. The week of Christmas is a 44 hour week. Which is horrible in retail. My shifts are....Sunday 11-6pm, Tuesday 8am-8pm, Wednesday 12pm-12:15am, Thursday 10:15am-7:30pm...Friday - Christmas day wheee!, Saturday 7:45-5pm.

I'm so bummed they made me do late register on the midnight shift and then having to work at 10:15 the next day (technically same day by the time I get home). And Boxing Day is horror. Plus it falls on a Saturday so apparently we don't get double time and half pay, it will only be normal rates. The actual 'public' holiday is on the Monday, if that makes sense, it will to the Aussies.

Then I have about 3 fabulous (note the sarcasm) weeks of kids shoes fitting for back to school. Sigh! Then it will be a week before the wedding!

Anyway, here's an update.....

* I bought my veil and it wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be. It's just a tulle one.

* We have finally finished our invites. They are not quite as neat or as good as we wanted them to be but we were running out of time. Terrible lighting with the photos.

This is what it looks like. I cut and put the little envelopes together and I cut the monograms out.

This shows the other side of the monogram page.

This page was cut into four pieces and placed into the little envelope. We just thought it would be cute.

* I bought my earrings for the wedding, the only other accessory besides my rings. I don't really wear dangly earrings so these were just cheap ones.

Via Diva

* We had our second session in our pre-marriage course that we are doing through our church. If you are getting married I recommend having some type of pre-marriage counselling/course. I think it really helps with expectations of married life.

* I ordered these for my Bridesmaid's dresses.

Images via Percy Handmade Etsy

I got 2 of the oyster coloured ones, 1 of the ivory and 2 of the peach coloured ones. She made them for me in the peach colour of those hair pins.

* I also bought them some really simple earrings.

Via Diva

They are a bit smaller than these ones though.

* We finally booked our first few nights at the Emporium Hotel...same place where my bridesmaids and I will be the night before the wedding.

* Tonight Jason and I will do our gift registry list. We actually sent out invites without anything on our registry because we didn't know when to do it :(

* We have a meeting set up with our coordinator for the wedding venue. It was hard to figure out a time both Jase and I could do together.

I think they are the main things. There's still plenty to do with booking cars, figuring out centre pieces and other decos, songs, favours etc....

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Just a minute in...December

Hello lovelies! It's December and time is just flying by! I've had a bit of a bad day. I dropped my iPhone and the screen is cracked badly. Sigh I really need a drop proof case. I've done this before but last time it was a blank white screen and that one had to get fixed properly. My brother can fix the glass.

My poor phone lol :(

And after the dropping incident I went running up the stairs at home and the pocket of my dress caught the end of the staircase banister and it completely ripped!

It's only an at home dress but still :(

Anyway.....it's time for Just a Minute in December....

Thinking... About all the wedding things we need to complete. There are a lot of details that need attention.

Putting... Together the wedding invites. We finally got them but they are taking ages to put together. Plus the printer didn't charge us for anything!! Huge Blessing (though I did spend a bit on the envies and other paper bits)

Praying... For sanity. I feel as though I'm losing my mind.

Wanting... A full body massage, a facial and a hair treatment...I just want pampering :)

Wishing... My room would clean itself.

Loving... The positivity I feel no matter how many things go wrong. Thank you God!

Hoping... For a beautiful wedding and that people remember my birthday afterwards lol (Feb 1st if you're wondering...it's my 25th!)

Thanking... God for all my wonderful friends and family. They help with so much and stop me from going crazy.

And this post needs to end with some Christmas images :)

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I better get back to doing the invitations. SO much to do!! Have a wonderful rest of week.