Week in Review: 13-19 April 2013 - Stepping Up

My gorgeous sister Liane ;) Happy birthday!!!!

This week has been full of magic. Internal magic. I've had ahas, breakthroughs and am finally ready to be truly me and step up into my essence and spread my message. I know, I know, it sounds very deep!

Well it is and I'm not being apologetic about it. I've been on this self discovery journey for about 6 years now, but it has only been in the last week that I am really owning it. I've been to hell and back and it's been a blessing. I've put in the hard yards to shake up my life from the inside out and I'm ready to truly flourish and do what it takes to sprinkle my version of life-fabulousness on the world. I don't know all the exact 'hows' yet but I'm not going to let that stop me. I'm clear on my Why and my Path so I'm just going to delve into it and do what it takes. I'm truly not afraid to show the real me now.

Are you ready to stop letting fear control you? What can you do to get closer to the true you?

Alright, now we've started with that amazingness, on to this week in review! I feel like I have done a lot because I've 'gotten over myself' and just jumped into doing things that I might have previously felt super, super, super duper uncomfortable about (so much so that I would probably put it off and self-sabotage, end up not doing it and then beat myself up about not doing it...exhausting!).

Instagramming away for #fflovephotoaday

Dinner catch up with wonderful friend Mrs T. We ate amazing Roti in the city (mouth watering!!!!)

Attended life-changing weekend event. Perfect You. Highly recommend it for pushing forward in life. I'm ready, I'm stepping up. This is my life.

Had birthday chat with my gorgeous sister Liane. I wish I could have been there in person, but my heart was celebrating with her!

Had much needed phone catch up with the Daddy-O. Switzerland feels so far away sometimes.

Lots of catch up responses and reach outs in front of the computer. Being away from emails for two days takes a bit of follow up work!

Wrote a couple of emails that really stretched my comfort zones. But have done it with heart and positive intention and am seeing that I am dealing with this discomfort and uncertainty in a whole new way!

Lots of action taking with progressing Life is Crafted planner printing - speaking with printers and dealing with quantities and questions

Working with providing the designers with what they need for the male version of the LIC planner...

Printing out a surge of Life is Crafted orders! Yay!

Progressing The Man's next stage of visa stuff - I think he's going to be formally Australian before I am (I've been an 'Aussie' with only permanent resident status for 25 years...)

Putting finishing touches on new calendar product

Beautiful catch up meeting with truly amazing women from course I'm doing in Manly. Goddess Inspiration Loops where we are reflecting inspiration off each other and giving each other fab ideas.

Great conversation with Miss C who is inspiring me to pay more attention to my health again.

New website brainstorming

Slight facebook revamp (if you've not 'liked' me yet, go on! www.facebook.com/savvysassyshes)

How about you? What have you done this week that made you feel uncomfortable but you knew it was actually important to the big picture so you did it anyway?

Make it as you wish! Become an Adventuress in your life,
Arienne

Self Love & Sisterhood

Tara Bliss, Melissa Ambrosini, Amanda Rootsey & Jessica Ainscough
Photo credit via Earth Events

Self Love = Soul Satisfaction ~ Tara Bliss

Walking into this packed room for the event Self Love & Sisterhood took my breath away. I could feel the uplifting energy and looking around at the sea of eager faces was awwwwwwwesome! And this was before the panel ladies even stepped out onto the stage!

This is the world I have been longing for since I woke up from my sleepwalking life. Over the years I've made some amazing one-on-one connections with like minds, but seeing a sea of sisters in one place was truly encouraging - this heart-centered, authentic-life, soul-sista, make-a-difference community is truly growing. I'm excited to see what Earth Events has in store for us in this vein.

So, who were these magic ladies?
Tara Bliss from Such Different Skies, Jessica Ainscough of the Wellness Warrior, Melissa Ambrosini from Path to Wellness and Amanda Rootsey from AmandaRootsey.com.au. Amanda was one of the early followers of this blog and I got such a buzz realising that!! (hi Amanda if you're reading this!).

Me & Amanda - gorgeous girl - gorgeous dress! Photo quality - average ;)

These women are truly living their authentic lives and inspiring others to gracefully (and messily!) dive through the muck and magic and be our well, real, divine, wonderful selves.

I came away from this event inspired. Not only to earnestly practice my version of self love but to gain more confidence in putting myself out there and growing in the direction my heart desires.

The panel format was engaging and provided spontaneous wisdom and heartfelt sharing.

You know me and my love of paper and pouring my heart out onto the page, so, in typical Arienne-fashion, I took copious notes that I had a hard time deciphering! I took down words and phrases that captured me and left me nodding with my heart. I may not have gotten every word right but it the gist that counts right girls?!

In response to 'What does self love mean to you?'
Accepting and having your own back no matter what. - Jessica Ainscough (JA)
Having gratitude for what you have now - Amanda Rootsey (AR)
Everything doesn't work without it - JA
[if you don't have self love you're] Building yourself up with sticks instead of bricks - Melissa Ambrosini (MA)
When you love yourself you want to drink green smoothies....- MA
Working the Self Love Muscle - MA
One first step is awareness...see how you speak to yourself - JA
[affirmations are important in self talk] I deeply and completely love and accept myself - JA
We wouldn't be here if we'd not been so messed up - Tara Bliss (TB)
I have a choice in this moment - TB
What does the mean girl say in your head? Write it down. Look at it. No one else would talk to you like that so why do you allow it? - MA
Doing things for someone else brings self love back
No amount of darkness can ever blow out that candle of awareness and choice 

How do you practice self love?
Remembering who I am in quiet time. - TB
Meditating and connecting - MA
What I put in my body are acts of self love.
What soundtrack I choose to play in my head each day?
Getting to know myself without all the external labels (ie party girl) - JA

 How do you support the Sisterhood

Compare no more. Support and encourage others. There is an abundance in the world

Acceptance and love of where you are now

How do we make self love fun?Be gentle and forgiving of yourself
Do things everyday that you love. I've designed my life to make everyday and every moment fun - JA

Self love is not selfishness to the detriment of others. It is realising the importance of taking the time and effort in loving yourself so you can truly love and support others from the right place and from the best reasons.

I went with one of my besties and healthy influencers Miss C and caught up with Ashley - Physio and Pilates girl extraordinaire! 

The beautiful and vibrant Jessica Ainscough of The Wellness Warrior

Some of the takeaways and reminders that I am taking action on now:

• Sitting in stillness or journaling to connect with myself more regularly
• Becoming more aware of what I put into my body
• Stepping up into my own brilliance so I can shine and reflect that to the women shining around me
• Reminding myself that I chose the way I am now living my life and to allow myself more fun and lightheartedness in this.

I love Tara's quote that I highlighted at the top - Self love is equal to soul satisfaction. That's what it is all about - doing the things that make your soul truly light up.

How do you practice self-love?
Make it as you wish,
Arienne

10 Minute Trips: What Are Your 3 Best Qualities?

I know, I know, it is hard talk ourselves up but it is so important! I went to a Self Love and Sisterhood event last week and it was such a good reminder that we need to look after ourselves so that we can make life truly work for us. If we are constantly focussing on everyone else first, we get depleted and can deviate from the path that is right and wholesome and worth while and that makes life truly fun for ourselves. But that is a whole 'nother post Sister!

I'm doing a course at the moment where we are looking at building a business around ourselves. As part of that, getting to know who you are, what you want to be and what your strengths and values are is really important.

One of the exercises was to ask 25 people around you (family, friends, colleagues and/or clients) what your 3 best qualities are.

Sure, it felt funny asking, but it was such an interesting and enlightening experience. The responses were varied but I could definitely see a theme. It was truly heartening to see what impressions people have of you that shine through!

So, are you interested in the findings?! I put the words through wordle.net to create a word cloud (that was fun playing around with the colours and word directions!)

Now I know what my strengths are so that I can put more of those qualities out into the world as I see what people appreciate and benefit from.

I really recommend doing it. It is powerful. Plus when I am feeling a bit bleh it is a beautiful reminder of part of who I truly am. What an uplift!

I challenge you to do it Savvies. Go on - what an adventure it will be! Take a few minutes and put together an email and send it out to the people in your life that you trust or admire.

It could be something along the lines of "I'm doing an exercise someone recommended to me to find out my personal strengths. Could you please let me know the 3 best qualities you see in me?".

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne

From Darkness to Light. What you going to do today Girlfriend?

Found On

We all have those days that aren't so good. The ones where we feel low.

It is okay girl. Things will get better. You may not see the light right this minute but trust me - you will see the sunshine again. It may take time and it will take some effort on your behalf. But when you turn that corner, it will feel even better than before because you know what the darkness was like.

We may or may not know the reasons. If it is fleeting, the Why may not matter.

If it is not so fleeting, talk to someone. Reach out. I'll bet that at the core it has something to do with not being who you really are. Dig down darling, the answers are all there. Ask yourself questions. Work out what truly makes you happy. Your joy is no one else's responsibility but yours. You owe it to yourself to explore what makes you tick. It is a journey, a process, a never-ending one. But it is a path that is so rewarding. The start is the hardest. It does get easier but takes effort nonetheless. I'm travelling down that road and am so grateful to be on my way rather than how I was before I started. I am happier, healthier, more real, more in love, more appreciated...more me.

Don't forget to enjoy the journey along the way. Your life is made up of days. Make everyday something real. Something wonderful. Make a memory. Turn a corner. Laugh at yourself. Call that friend. Give yourself permission. Help that guy. Get to you know more about you. Take a photo. Wear that dress. Ask for that raise. Resign. Read that book. Send that email. Forgive yourself. Forgive your mum. Forgive him. Go to that yoga class. Love yourself. Say thank you. Go after that goal. Say yes. Say no. Listen to that song. Put on your red lipstick and dancing shoes. Live.

I sat down with the intention to write a completely different post. This is what came out instead. Did one of you need it? Maybe I did...

What are you going to do today girlfriend?

Make it as you wish,
Arienne

A Glimpse Into A Possibility Of How Life Can Be

Photo Credit

This may seem simplistic. When I wrote it out I wondered if it was as amazing as it actually feels. There can be such a difference between hearing a theory that resonates with you and actually implementing it in your life...

Ever had that experience? For example, where you know that forgiveness is freeing, it sounds simple, but that actually doing it is sooooo hard? But when you do - when you forgive and let go, that 'free-ness' is amazing.

Or, one that is close to my heart, that when you allow the fear you feel in and sit with it you can get through it. You get more empowered and the fear diminishes. Yeah. Not an easy one but when you actually do it, it is true and liberating.

So the other day I had an insight into how life could be for me.

What if I just stop putting needless pressure on myself and design my day the way I really want it to go - so I can enjoy it and look forward to it?

Simple? Sounds like it should be - so why have I not allowed myself this before? I've come so far in making significant changes in my life so I can live a life that is more mine. Now that I am here why am I allowing myself to not enjoy the things I have chosen??? I'm ridiculous aren't I??

We all put shoulds, musts and have-tos into our lives that drain so much of the fun and enjoyment out of our everydays. What if we were able to remove this needless pressure and go about doing stuff in a way that gives us joy, bliss and laughter? Plus how about ensuring we work in some obviously pleasurable things?

What if we could change our perspectives on some of those less fun tasks and see how they fit into our bigger picture and therefore do them with more delight? If they have to be done, why can't we choose to do them with more pleasure and enjoy the necessity?

My **SPARKLY** (I emphasise that because she does sprinkle sparkle wherever she goes with her tiara and awesome self) friend Denise over at Concert Chick wrote a fabulous related post about being Peacefully Productive.

I find that because I'm looking at all the things that need to be done that I am not doing I think I need to make more time for them so I don't schedule the fun stuff - catching up with friends, going for a lovely walk.

So now...
I am choosing to stop putting that needless pressure on myself. I choose to enjoy my days a whole lot more! I choose to view my shoulds/musts/have-tos with more understanding and have more fun with them. This is all done with the view of peaceful productivity, gleefully working towards my awesome goals and joyfully waking up and looking forward to my day.

Sounds good, right?! Here we go!

How do you want to feel everyday? How will you make that happen?
 
Make it as you wish SSSs!

A Life Less Ordinary

Found On

Back in the days before The Man danced into my life and I was a single gal, I remember coming across people's dating profiles.

So many of them stated, "I'm just a normal guy, looking for a normal girl..." or some permutation of the like.

My reaction was always, WHO WANTS BORING NORMAL?? WHO WANTS THINGS TO BE 'ORDINARY'??

Okay, so we might not be searching for abnormal, but don't we want something a little different and unique? And I believe this doesn't only go for relationships - it is relevant for life in general. We deserve the best.

I want extraordinary.

 

I want my life full of magic and the 'impossible'. Of love soaring to heights I didn't believe true.

I want to be the best I can be. To experience wonderment and awe in my everyday.

To be and see the spectacular and the fantastic.

So how do we do that?

So much of this has to do with our perception of the world around us and within us. We can make ordinary situations into extraordinary ones with how we engage with them.

For example, you can just see a weed growing in an unlikely place or you can see it and experience the wonder of it being able to grow there. You can accept breakfast in bed with a gracious thanks or you can super appreciate it and shower the giver with gratitude and feel how lucky you are to have that person in your life. Notice the difference?

Appreciate how you react to situations and deal with things. Feel you are capable and pat yourself on the back for accomplishing even the smallest things. See then how it makes you feel! We can take for granted our innate abilities or we can look inside and cheer them on :)

Another thing we can do is raise our standards and expect good. If you are forever expecting little out of life or yourself how will you see when great things come along? Raise your expectation bit by bit. Expect good and you will see more of it around you. Yes it can be challenging but give it a go! Trust me - it is worth it! Can you see the good in that?

Are you with me SSSs?? Make it extraordinary and as you wish!

Building Confidence - Adding a Notch to My Belt

Photo Credit

At yoga the other day I was confronted with a situation I noticed I was totally resisting...

The instructor was demonstrating with a partner how to do an assisted handstand that he wanted everyone to pair up and try.

The voices in my head went something like this:
"You've got to be kidding me. I can't do that."
"I don't have enough strength."
"I have to pair up with a stranger and show them how I can't do it?"
"I don't want to look around and catch anyone's eyes."
"Of course he can make it look so easy, he;s been doing it for years."
"How can he expect us to do that?"
"I'll never be able to do it. Maybe I should give up yoga altogether?"
"I wonder if anyone would notice if I sneaked out of the room right now?"
"If I'm reacting like this does it mean I'm a chicken?"
"Yup, it means I'm a failure! I will never be able to succeed at anything in life..."
"I never do anything well. And even if I even try I will just stumble and crush some poor little yogi underneath my mammoth body..."
"Shit...he's finishing the demonstration...the door is only 3 metres away..."


Then, through the momentum of everyone starting to move and pair up I locked eyes (whoops!) with this fit looking girl about a head shorter than me - she smiled and started walking in my direction...

Then I gave in - better than resisting right?? She introduced herself and I warned her that I didn't really have confidence in being able to pull the position off and apologised in advance if I toppled her over. Brave woman that she was she still wanted to give it a go with me!

I offered for her to go up first with me assisting and she gracefully arched into position and went up into a perfect handstand. I was super impressed and told her so.

Then it was my turn. Buoyed by her success but still caught up in the distrust of my ability I reluctantly arched into position. She supported my shoulders and told me to start lifting my legs. I hopped up a little and my feet landed back on the ground. Another bunny hop and I could feel my face filled with blood and effort.

I stood up and said I didn't know if I would get it but that I'd have one more try since we were there anyway...

Deep breath, hands down, positioned outer shoulder width apart, core in, legs lifting, trusting in her support. Then...

SUCCESS

I was in an assisted handstand! My legs splayed wide, then came together again. Then I splayed them wide again just for fun and then brought them in to touch! WOW! I was in control of it. I DID IT! I was basking in my headstand glory! My red face was grinning wildly! I wanted to stay up here forever.

My mind was officially blown...

After all that blah blah bullshit that was raging on in my monkey mind, I managed something that I clearly didn't believe was possible for me at that time.

In that moment something shifted. I gained an understanding that I can do things I never thought I would be able to. I looked at the different situations that I am currently facing and it gave me renewed strength to tackle the daunting tasks I've set for myself.

From that experience I have gained a valuable amount of confidence. The issues that I am 'freakin' out' about I am much more willing to give a good old go with.

Maybe they'll be just like that handstand. Something I thought was impossible, but with some effort perhaps success will show up again...

What are you thinking is impossible in your life SSSs?
Make it as you wish!
Arienne
xo 

PS. A few months ago I thought the below position (wheel) was impossible for me. I worked on it and can now do it. Another notch on my confidence belt!

Photo Credit

Ch..Ch...Changes and Patience

There is a lot of change going on in my life. Changes that I am responsible for and excited about but that also can be exhausting!

I have been working towards a lot in the area of my career and business. Wonderful things have started to take seed and build momentum. People and things are appearing to help me, to support me and show me that this life I am building is right.

Sometimes through all of this (even though I know in my heart of hearts that I am heading in the right direction) I still have those vulnerable moments. Those moments where self doubt surfaces. Where I ask if I am enough to help others. Where I question if this is worth all the 'stuff' we have to go through to be the master of our own destiny!

I had one of those days this week. Then, literally the first picture I saw the next morning was an illustration about not giving up during the struggle. The FIRST thing I saw when I opened up good old facebook as I started to wake up to the day. Wow! I truly believe that wasn't a coincidence. I choose to recognise that as a sign of something amazing supporting me.

It reminded me that I need to be patient with myself. That even though I have planted seeds and am tending vigorously to my garden, it will take time for my flowers to blossom - to build myself and my business up. That some of the people I have been comparing myself to have been in business for years. That just because you start working out, it doesn't mean you will see results straight away..

A lot is happening at once - which is absolutely wonderful. But I just need to breathe through some of it. I'm also being more understanding with myself - that even though I plan for a lot, it doesn't always all HAVE to happen now. Yes, I have to work hard, but I can work hard in a way that helps me, not in a way that overwhelms and negatively effects me.

I'm proud that there are some extremely important things than I have managed to maintain amidst the craziness. I'm sooooo proud that I've maintained regular workouts because I know how important that is to my general health and how much stronger I then am to deal with everything that goes on.

So this week I am reminding myself of the positive things I can do that will support me - exercise, spend quality time with quality people, setting up the 3 most important things to complete each day and take positive action towards them and giving myself only 2-3 outcomes for the week.

And I'm aware of not doing the things that ultimately hinder me - overscheduling/overcommitting myself to others, planning in too many tasks for myself then getting into overwhelm and doing 'busy' work that really gets me nowhere.

What are you doing that supports you and are you aware of the things that can hinder you in the upcoming week?

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

Your True Life Vision Takes Courage

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When you start acknowledging that you want 'more' in your life, it can be scary. The questions start to come up. Does wanting more mean you need to change everything at once? Does it mean all the good stuff will change too? Does saying it out loud mean you need to make drastic changes immediately?

Then that bloody unhelpful voice kicks in saying, "you can't do it silly, you don't have enough skills or confidence or knowhow AND you're waaaaaaaay too lazy/stupid/unworthy. Besides, even if you did attempt it you would probably fail, fail, FAAAAAIIIIIILLLLLLL!!!!!!"

Does any of that sound familiar?

These questions, answers and thoughts often overwhelm us so much so that we stay in inaction.  The result is that you are left yearning for the wonderful possibilities out there but feeling like you just don't know how to reach them. That gap then exists between where you are now and where you would like to be and that void is often a source of unhappiness...

Does any of that ring a bell?

Change can be daunting. It is the unknown! Is full of uncertainty!  Breaking out from the status quo often is. It means stretching out of your comfort zone when sometimes staying in the 'zone' is well...comfortably warm and safe - like those favourite gungy trackie pants you have (comfy but really not really all that exciting). Plus, the future can feel like it is fraught with potential challenges and 'danger'.

But is it really safe to stay there? Well, if you want an 'okay' life then yes it is. But if you want an amazing life, one that you are truly enamoured with, then the comfort zone becomes a dangerous place to be. It becomes unsafe because you are already aware that there is a better option of life for you out there while you are where you are now. In my experience, if you know it but ignore it, 'things' (blocks barriers, frustration, mediocrity, sickness, unhappiness, unease) happen until you pay attention.

You have to ask yourself if the vision you see in your dreams is worth leaving the status quo and making the effort to get there:

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin

All I know is that I want a great life. A great life on my own terms. A life I can look back on and say, "Wooooohaaaaaa I gave it my all! I tried and I got more than I could ever dream of. Sometimes I attempted something and even though I was reaching for the stars and I ended up catching the dreamy moon and other times I tried and and I 'failed' but I learned and at least I wasn't left wondering...what if and kicking myself because I didn't have the guts to give it a go."


I am finding the courage to make my life the way I want. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there into the unknown. I am being brave in the face of difficult questions and challenging situations.  I am looking things in the eye and trusting myself that I will find a solution. It is not easy and I get scared. I question myself. I sometimes wonder if another way would be easier. But because I TRULY know it is worth the effort, I'm building my strengths in self-belief, courage and taking forward action. I'm enjoying my today while putting things in place for my tomorrow. For this I am being rewarded with so much magic and so much support showing up in my world.

Trust me, you want to do it without the need for life/death experiences to wake you up to what life can be.

Wake up now if there are parts of your life that are just okay. Wake up now if there are parts you love and parts you hate. Wake up now if it all seems not so fabulous. Because if you do, if you really stand up and look for it, there is a lot of great out there and your life can be so much more than you once thought was possible.

I say all of this as a person who was once in the darkest hell hole you could imagine and is now living in much more sunshine. I'm still on my journey with all its challenges and all its glories but I am so grateful I gave life a go.

What is something you can do today to take a step towards where you want to go and who you want to be? What could you acknowledge or admit that feels true to you without necessarily having to do anything about it yet? How can you give your life a go?

Make it as you wish SSSs. MAKE. IT. AS. YOU. WISH.
Arienne xo

My Take On Love

Found On

Fall in love with yourself a little bit more.
Love yourself first. Love yourself well. Love the whole of yourself. Then reach out and give that real love to others.

Found On

Everyone is worthy of being loved.
There is enough love to go around. It is not finite. It is abundant.

Found On

Love does not equate to that one, grand, one-off event. It can be seen and felt in the small everyday actions and words we give each other.
Surprise the ones you love with little gestures and unusual ways.

Found On

Love that is true is constant. It is not dependent on situation or circumstance.
Love that is real is freely given. It is not asked for or coerced.
Take the time to understand how the other understands love and strive to give it to them in a form they understand.

Found On

Who you love cannot, and should not, be dictated by others.
Love must be nurtured. It can take effort. Make it worth it.

Love yourself. Love each other.

Make it as you wish SSSs
Arienne xo 

Strength & Surrender

Photo Credit

 

In yoga class the other day, two beautiful words floated into my mind and I grabbed them:

STRENGTH

& 

SURRENDER

After a few years of emotional struggling I have built much more inner strength. Strength in myself, strength in my life, strength in my beliefs, strength in what my purpose is. 

I now bless that struggle because it has brought me to this place. A new place of wonder and of excitement and empowerment that I can make a difference to others and that I can make a difference to myself.

Yes I still have bad days and I still have my struggles, but now I am sure that I can come out the other side. I trust that I am creative enough, that I am resourceful enough, that I am true to myself enough, and I have a great support system. 

I trust I am worthy, loved and blessed. Who told me that? Well, the most important person did - ME.

Photo Credit

 

So much of this process was a massive learning to stop resisting things. And stop setting up expectations. 

I now do everything I can towards something and then I surrender. Surrendering takes strength. It is not about giving up yourself, your goals or your power. It is surrendering to the flow.

I surrender to bad days. Then they pass quicker.

I surrender to those emotional rollercoasters. Then they pass quicker.

I surrender to letting go of expectations. They're not important anymore and then life is easier.

I surrender to the universe to help support me in the right direction.

One of my favourite quotations is "What you resist persists". So do that thing, feel that feeling, learn that lesson and then let go - release it and progress.

Photo Credit

 

I still fight for things I believe in, I still go after things that require effort. I still strive towards achieving what is important to me. There are still mistakes and forehead slaps. But I try to go with it.

Knowing when to fight and when to surrender takes strength - I'm building that muscle (and I've come a long way!).

Are you with me? 

have strength then surrender...

Make it as you wish SSSs!

Arienne xo

The Wellness Warrior

 Jess Ainscough

Check out this amazing woman who is eating and treating herself healthy! Jess at The Wellness Warrior has a great story to share and an upbeat way of looking at life and providing insight and inspiration with her journey.

If you're interested in cleanses and eating and living well - check out her bargain new ebook.

I've admired her from afar for a while and hope to connect some time in the near future.


Make it as healthy as you wish SSSs!
Arienne
xo

A Whimsical Weekend

This weekend reconnected me with Whimsy...

Sitting by a fire, sipping on wine, looking at gorgeous books filled with creative expression and dreams, bits of crafty inspiration. Being surrounded by wonderful women, food, music and the elements you'll find in the pictures below. What a wonderful time it was...

 Artfully arranged scrabble letters by the door...

 Inspiring quotations met in every direction...

 Flights of feathery fancy...

 Beautiful natural elements intertwined with practicality...

 Teacups and Teapots and Tea (and wine) galore...

 DIY stamp mania...

 Lavender and Doily touches abound...

Beauty in a teacup...

It was a day and a night spent in the Blue Mountains that was soooooo nourishing to the soul. It really was a beautiful, dreamy time and the hosts were fabulous (thanks gals)!

Thank you for reconnecting me with these simple but forgotten pursuits. 

I am planning on cracking out some more nurturing time and creating some more beauty around me. Some soothing music, red wine, surrounded by inspiring pieces, writing what comes up in my journal, comfy place, warm clothes...Simple, luxurious bliss!

How are you nurturing your souls lovelies? 

Make it as you wish SSSs!

Arienne xo 

Photo Credit: Me & Bryanna Pearl

Happenings in My Soul's Ether

Via

Well...I'm feeling the impetus for change. There have been happenings in my soul's ether. Happenings I've not understood or initially embraced, but that I am coming to realise I need to stand up and pay attention to. I need to start taking some action in this direction otherwise my soul will not let me rest. I know it is right for the bigger picture and my higher purpose. But still, this is a time where fears arise and doubt seeps through. These can be overwhelming feelings that I need to accept, then harness and channel into passionate activity.

The difference, when I feel these sensations now as opposed to earlier in my life, is that I can label them as the universe giving me signs to leap into my potential. It is not safe to stay where I am and like Anais Nin proclaims:

'And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.'

I went through the hardest blossoming a few years ago coming out of a rough time with anxiety and I made many positive changes in my life. This week's sensations are shallower but similar. It is time to go through a chrysalis again and emerge lighter, on purpose and more beautiful than before.

 Photo Credit

I am also feeling excitement and energy; underneath all that is going on is the authenticity that you know is truly yours and yours alone.


I often say to people that you need to know yourself. And you need to do the things that make you happy in your everyday. It can be really hard to do when you feel responsible to others in your life, but in the end it is just that, your life. You are the one you wake with in the morning and go to sleep with at night. No other person is in there with you. So live the life you dream of. Design the life you see for yourself. Start taking action to do those things you love and that bring you joy.

I learned many things out of my experience. And I am still on a journey to live those lessons. The amazing manifesto below includes so many things I believe to be true.

 

So I'm going to take my own advice and make it as I wish SSSs!

I'll let you know what emerges...or jumps out with joy!

Arienne xo

Raw Food Challenge Day #19: Challenges

Well, the last few days have been quite challenging. Being out and about a lot has been quite hard in respect to the Raw Food challenge. There are not many raw options available when you're out. Unless you are supremely organised and have a whole bunch of food with you. Raw in Sydney is not very good for spontaneity.

Last weekend we went for a lovely brunch with some friends at a cafe nursery with beautiful balinese decor. I pretty much could only have a fruit salad, then a fruit juice. Man I was totally fruited out. Then we decided to meet another couple and went to a cafe near the city. Unfortunately there was nothing available on the menu and I didn't want to uproot everyone and search for a more suitable location.

So I tried to survive on a peppermint tea and the nuts I had in my bag. I really didn't feel very great with the lack of energy and nourishment. This diet, to be feasible for the next 10 days with a busy schedule, I've decided to expand my options to include raw fish. This means I can at least dine out a little easier with friends and a hen's evening I'm joining (thank god raw is over for the wedding!).

And okay, I have to fess up...My soul just needed a bit of something. Some nurturing that only warm food can bring. So I had a vegetarian noodle dish last night on Date Night with The Man. I know, I know...But I've been 100% raw for 18 days. I didn't even eat the whole dish! I had about half and was supremely filled up. So I listened to my body and I have to say I don't feel guilty because I know I needed it. And it wasn't chips or a fatty dessert!

And I soooooooooo enjoyed it :) I was full of appreciation for the warmth and the flavours. A plate of noodles never tasted soooooooo good.

The major thing I am missing is coffee. I went shopping with some girlfriends this morning looking for shoes for her bridesmaids who live out of town. I had never noticed how many coffee shops there were at that shopping centre! I had a fresh juice instead.

I have to say being without meat is not too bad. I'm craving things like rice and pasta more than I am meat... I feel like I'm making this big list in my head of all the things I want to have when it's over. Naughty! I don't want to have a week of eating all the more unhealthy meals just because I haven't been able to go near them the last month!

What I have found is being this strict with the diet is quite unsustainable. At least for me. I would recommend doing it 80/20. 80% raw food and juices etc 20% healthy cooked options. Moving forward I would like to have a strong foundation in eating a large portion of raw, but having other foods in moderation.

Otherwise I am still feeling good and seeing the benefits in my skin and body in general. My energy is much more consistent and my mental clarity is quite high.

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

Raw Food Challenge Days #7-11: Can you feel it?

I sure can! 

After 11 days on Raw Food, I really am starting to feel great :) On the most part it has been a lot easier than I expected and I am soooooo proud of myself to have cut out caffeine, dairy, meat, processed foods etc. But I am kind of craving some things (hmmmm steak...) with another 20 days to go, I really feel I can do it and even afterwards, while I may not stick to 100% raw, I am going to be carrying over many of these fabulous habits and ways of eating.

I'm perhaps not seeing as big an impact as I have heard from some people. There could be a few reasons for this:

• I'm still going through changes and it is only day 11 after all. There may be even better improvements ahead!
• My starting point wasn't too bad
• My body is pretty hard working and efficient at what it does already

It is hard to describe the positive changes I am feeling but they are there!

• Clearer eyes - who knew they could be this white (the pic above is not my eye though)
• I can breath easier, it just seems that things are flowing well. Goodness is flowing all around me
• I've got more energy. I've had some pretty early starts and am getting through the day really well
• More confidence in me. I mean 11 days in a row without without a coffee? Or a glass of wine? Or milk and meat? Pretty cool.
• I'm slimmer and stronger from both the diet and bootycamp :)

I'm discovering some great food combos and flavours that I haven't tried before and may not have made the effort to try if I was sticking to my normal routine.

Tonight we made a delicious smoothie with watermelon, banana, coconut water along with chia seeds, LSA and physillium husks. Delicious!

We've been totally juicing it up. Got some spinach? In! Zucchini? Why not...Chard, beetroot, carrots, brocolli stems, apples, cucumbers, kale it makes a wonderful juice.

I have to say that I am really interested in the reactions people are having to the Raw Food Challenge. I have had several different people really anti the idea. And quite vocally too! They don't understand enough about it or the reasoning as to why I'm doing it. They are thinking Fad Diet, stupid and ridiculous etc. Not seeing that I'm doing it to see how I feel, for my overall health. Gosh, it's not like I'm living on lemon water for a month. I'm having the largest range of fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds as possible, in versatile and delicious ways, that is giving me pretty much all the vitamins and minerals I need (I've been taking B12 supplements as you can't find it in this diet).

I'm not doing this as a drastic way to lose weight (because that is definitely not the way it is working for me - though I'm losing a little and feeling slimmer and building a little more muscle).

Anyway, I know the big picture and it is not a fad diet. It is a health challenge. Though I guess it does sound pretty fad-dy - Organic Vegan Raw Diet...

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

Raw Food Challenge Day #4, 5 & 6: Onwards and...upwards?

Well I've been a little slow in the updates, but here are three days rolled into one post. Why not?

Friday there wasn't too much to talk about health wise. My arms were super sore from boxing, but I guess that is expected. Lucky for me The Man is good at rubbing Tiger Balm into my back for tingly soothing. Total hightlight of my day.

Saturday saw me venture to the Organic & Farmers Market at the Orange Grove School grounds. There are some great stalls there and if you hunt around a little you can find some bargains. The other great thing is shopping for seasonal fruit and veg and enjoying what is meant to be eaten now (though I really did want cucumbers and nobody had them...).

Sunday started with a lovely juice. I weighed myself and pH'd myself. Oooh, is it possible after all this to go backwards in acidity?? I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that the scales and the pH levels hadn't moved too well in the right direction. Though I'm not beating myself up about it. It is only day #6 and maybe I had one too many gazpachos for the acidity? And this is really for better overall health, and I am noticing some things changing. I'm feeling a little more energetic and something in my body is feeling pretty good. Though it hasn't been leaps and bounds.

I bought Kris Carr's book Crazy Sexy Diet on Kindle to read on my iPhone as it is not available in Australia until April or something this year! I've just read a few chapters and the way she writes is inspirational and motivating, so I am reading it at the right time.

It is opening my eyes to different perspectives on food. Better health in general is really quite straight forward. Even if we don't practice it, we all know that it is about healthy eating and exercise. When you really look in depth at food it is quite fascinating. and learning and understanding where your food comes from should be a necessity for everyone. I think we are often so unconscious about what we put in our mouths that a little bit of focus and attention on these areas is important. Just so we can create informed choices, and perhaps if we choose meats and eggs, choose the ones that are better for us, for the animals and for the environment. I think The Man might think I'm becoming this crazy food activist from all the discussion I was having with him in the car, but rest assured I don't think I am. At least not yet...I would still like to have a juicy steak and some cheese...but perhaps I would now want it as organic beef and goat cheese.

Anyway Sunday then progressed to having brunch with a lovely friend of mine Miss S. About Life is a great place to go for Raw Food and healthy options. They are probably one of the only places in Sydney that I've found that are offering Raw options on their menu. Poor BFF C went to get some take out from Raw place she'd found online last night and was very disappointed with the food and the pricing :( I had a wonderful Bircher museli made from nuts with fruit salad and a big green juice.

I'd been warned that weekends can be a bit trying as you're not always as busy as you are during the week. It wasn't too bad, though today has been a little bit harder as I've given myself some time to relax and read, but my mind keeps wandering to the fridge (and I've just been given a bowl of rockmelon and some kiwi/banana 'ice cream' - who am I to say no?!).

So it's almost been a week, only three to go...But I am feeling better than I was a week ago! How much better will I be after another week? Heaps? yeah, bring it on :)

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

Raw Food Challenge Day #2: Gazpacho!

Well Day #2 wasn't too bad. I'm thinking that some of my headaches are coming from my glasses that are a bit tight at the sides of my head. I guess that is one of the downfalls of having a super round face - it is very wide (thanks mum and dad) and can be quite difficult to find glasses that suit and fit! I should start using my sleep-in contacts again (I think there is an official name for them, but you pretty much insert the hard discs in like normal contacts just before you go to bed and then take them out first thing in the morning and you can see during the day without glasses or contacts!).

I'm really surprised that it is going quite easily for me. I admit that my will power is not the best, though I'm aware that it is a muscle that can be exercised and strengthened. Sure there are hard moments. There was about 5 minutes today when I could have killed for a bowl of some meat infused broth. It is a little tricky when The Man is eating normally and the smell of toast and meat come wafting over (and then the show My Kitchen Rules was on TV showcasing yummy food...I found the remote control very quickly).

There is something awesome going on that I can't even find the words to describe. I feel smoothe and light. Like things are flowing easier. It's only the end of Day #2 so can it be the food already?

Today I Had:
Juice: beetroot, carrot, celery and apple
Breakfast: Muesli, almond milk and strawberries
Lunch: leftovers from yesterday! Zucchini, Carrot, tomato, basil pesto
Dinner: Gazpacho - cold tomato/capsicum/cucumber/garlic soup - think Virgin Mary (Bloody Mary without the vodka!)
Snacks: raw nuts (brazil, walnut, hazelnut, peanut and almond), cherry tomatoes, blueberries, apple, plum
Drinks: water, peppermint tea


I love Gazpacho. Dad has made it throughout our lives, but it didn't click to me that it is Raw Food! This realisation dawned on me as I was running some errands and contemplating what was for dinner that evening. I didn't think I could stomach something similar to Lunch and BFF C hadn't let me know yet. So I made an executive decision, stopped off at the health food store and picked up the ingredients along with a few prepped raw food snacks. It totally hit the spot and I can't wait to make it again.

I'll start taking some photos of the meals we're eating if you're interested.

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

Raw Food Day #1: Minor Hiccups

I didn't sleep very well last night...I think the idea of getting up at 5am to do a whole lot of things disturbed my sleep. But it is also exciting, today, Tuesday February 15th 2011 (strategically the day after Valentine's Day) is the first day with of the Raw Food Challenge!

So, we were supposed to test our pH levels today to see our level of acidity/alkalinity. BFF C described the process yesterday that we had to spit out a few times and then spit the third 'spit set' in a spoon and dip the testing paper in (lovely!). And she stressed that we had to do it before put anything into our mouths, no water, no anything.

So I woke up nice and bright and early this morning for bootycamp and brushed my teeth and came downstairs. Whoops, so much for not putting anything in my mouth – toothpaste counts! But it was okay because BFF C couldn't find the pH test papers anyway. So tomorrow it is.

Breakfast was raw muesli with almond milk, raw honey and strawberries. YUM!

I was feeling a little tired, at 10am but I'd been up for 5 hours. Where is this energy that was promised? I had to close my eyes for about 10 minutes and it made a difference.

I had a little bit of a headache today, probably from caffeine withdrawals because I was definitely hydrating myself well. Then again, I have 1-2 cups of coffee a day and then maybe a cup of tea and while that's probably not a high cafeine intake

I surprisingly haven’t been very hungry, I managed to eat only half my lunch (zucchini, carrot and tomatoes with a basil pesto) and dinner (I had a steering committee at home and BFF C made us all a bunch of Raw Food stuffs – red peppers stuffed with a yummy raw mixture. I tried not to look at the chips provided for the normal gals). Being okay with eating these small portions is very strange for me as one of my downfalls is the quick eating of large portions.

Day #1 was all in all fine. A little groggy and uncomfortable but nothing I couldn’t handle!

I think I am starting an obsession with cherry tomatoes!

I will set up more of a structured post about the diet and all the things related to it.

Have you ever tried to change your diet? How did you go?

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne

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