Philofaxy 360/30 Lists: October 2012

I believe there exists a high correlation between loving stationery and loving lists… If you love one you gotta love the other… I don’t know which one comes first. You love stationery therefore you love lists or the other way around??

Anyhoo, the understatement of the day or realistically, the understatement of the decade is that I love lists. I also love planners, diaries, journals and notebooks (surprise!). So when I came across the fabulous Facebook group 365/30 List: Philofaxers I couldn’t resist!

I know I’m starting late, but didn’t want to let that stop me!

I’m writing the lists here on the blog and/or in the notebook file I’m carrying around at the moment while I set up my own system.

Are you a list lover too?

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne

My Portable Office

I mostly work from home, but also work at the 10thousandgirl shared space once a week and then at random places on an ad hoc basis when I just need to get out!

This means I have to have all my important stuff together so I can do what I need to wherever I am.

Some people are very minimalist. I am not one of those people.

I am visual - I need paper.
I need lists I can see and schedules that are in front of me.

So here are the items that make up my portable office (and yes, sometimes I am really daggy and I cart them around in a wheelie case - it was not sexy enough to photograph for this post.):

Phone & Headphones

I love listening to podcasts on the go and the headphones are also good for handsfree conversations.

iPad

I gave up on my internet dongler because it really was hopeless! Now I just quickly check and send emails from the iPad if necessary.

 

 Laptop & Mouse

I don't like the mouse on the laptop so I always have my wireless mouse on hand. It is especially helpful when I'm fussing around with excel spreadsheets and jumping between different programs.

Diary/Organizer/Planner

I cannot live without my planner. It has all my important information in it and its where I schedule and prioritise what is going on in my week.

 

Blog Planner

Since I created my own blog planner I wonder how I survived before! It helps me plan what posts should be ready when and keeps it altogether and clear for my chaotic mind.

 

Notebook

While my diary keeps me on track I use my notebook to scribble out plans and details of the projects I'm working on. I prefer paper first and then I put things together and edit on the computer.

Pencil Case

It makes such a difference writing and planning in colour with nice pens as opposed to just boring old blue or black ink. That's why I carry around my pink polka dot pencil case. It holds all the important writing and work tools including:

Whiteout

Pens

Coloured markers

Highlighters

USB stick

Post its

So, that is my portable office!

Do you lug around as much as I do or are you much more minimalist or digital??


Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne

Carry-On Calm Travel Packing List

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Long-haul international travel can be taxing on the body and the mind. I'm off to London next week and that means a lot of hours on the go, on the plane and in transit. Probably about 30 hours door to door with very little sleep!

But there is an upside. I have to say that, for some reasons, I like travel. I always find it exciting. Everyone going somewhere with some sort of purpose. The arrivals hall of airports is one of my favourite places. Seeing families and lovers reuniting, I always wonder what their story is. Plus it is my opportunity to catch up on movies that I never get around to seeing at the cinema (and then forget about when I'm at the video store)!

I thought I'd share with you my clothing suggestions, carry on luggage list and what the necessities are to bring with you when posing as an international jet-setter. I sometimes wish I could be that guy that you often see that just carries on his book, boarding pass and passport (but I'm not). It may be overkill but when I'm in a different place I like to have things on hand (and just in case my checked-in luggage ends up at a different location than I do) - add and subtract to suit you :)

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Clothing Suggestions To Wear Aboard

• Wear something that is absolutely comfortable. Now is not the time for that tight pair of jeans.
• Bring layers - the temperatures vary so much so you want to control what you can. Scarf, cardigan, jacket.
• Wear closed shoes that are easy to slip on and off (remember, feet often swell at altitude).
• Not very sexy but I wear compression socks because I had sore elephant feet once and I don't want to scare myself like that again
• Think about the weather at your destination too and bring it with you or pack it at the top of your suitcase to take out and change at the airport
• A watch - I don't normally wear a watch as I use my phone for the time, but if I have to switch my phone off to conserve battery, I still want to know how much longer I have left on the flight!
  

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Check-In Luggage
Make sure it has wheels or something that makes it easy to move around (have you ever had to walk from one terminal to another at Heathrow?! Lesson learned!)

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Carry On Luggage
Roller Bag - if you have a lot of heavy stuff it's easier to wheel than carry!
Handbag with sections so things don't get jumbled up.
Travel Document Wallet - to keep all the important docs together (tip - keep a copy of important docs in carry on and in checked in luggage)

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Important Things

• Passport
• Ticket/Itinerary/Boarding Pass
• Wallet (don't forget to take out all the loyalty cards you won't be using overseas to lighten the load)
• Some foreign currency (you don't want to take the chance that your cards don't work and you haven't got any cash while you sort it out!)
• Hard copy version of important phone numbers, addresses and travel confirmations
  
  
  

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Entertainment

• Book
• Magazine
• Crossword/Sudoku
• iPod - for my audio books, podcasts and music
• iPad/Kindle - to read books/play games
• iPhone - I don't suggest reading or using your phone for too much while travelling. You want to save your battery for phone calls/text messages
• Headphones
• Apple USB charger (some planes enable you to recharge at your seat)
• Laptop
• Laptop Charger
• Camera
• Journal/Notebook - for musings and idea scribbles
• Pens
• Organiser
  
  

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Personal

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deoderant
• Perfume
• Hand Sanitiser
• Face/Body Wipes
• Moisturiser
• Lip Balm
• Eyedrops
• Hairbrush, pins, hairband
• Mints
• Panadol
• Vitamins, medicine
• Melatonin or other sleep/jetlag remedies
• Rescue Remedy
• Blow up neck pillow - it takes less space than the other ones
• Change of underwear and top to stay fresh :)
• Snacks - because I hate being hungry!!!
  
  

Optional
Eye mask - I'm not a big fan but some people swear by using them
Personal hair and makeup artist to arrive in style (I wish...)

Happy Travels SSSs! Print out your own list and tick it off as you put things in. Don't forget to charge all your electronics before you board and double check the important things (passport, wallet, ticket) before you leave. You can buy everything else if you forget them.

Make it as comfortable as you wish!
Jetsetter Arienne xo

Arienne's Wishlist @ April 2011

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Okay, I'm putting on my materialistic hat here...

So I have been very good with not spending money recently. I am quite proud of myself! Okay, I've been buying books and personal education courses and the mortgage is still 'eating', but that doesn't count right??!

Unfortunately, not spending on beautiful items doesn't mean I've not been lusting for things both luxurious and practical.

Here is my current wishlist. Some of them have been on there for a few years, others have cropped up recently. Bit by bit I will be saving for the larger items and prioritising the smaller ones.

Most of them will have a super huge impact on my ability to create or bring beauty to my everyday or promote a healthy lifestyle.

• An iPad 2
• Digital SLR and lens
• A new yoga mat (I'm a bit embarrassed by mine at the moment!!)
• Workout clothes
• A fabulous pair of black pants for work
• A pair of comfortable flat black boots
• New iPhone headphones my current ones are falling apart and crackling!
• A juicer to make wonderfully nutritious and fresh liquids
• A red kettle and toaster to match the chilli red pepper mill and pots I have
• Clothes from TranquiliT - I've been lusting after the Jumpsuit for a few years amongst other things
• Fold up shoes to carry around in my handbag to use when the stillettos are killing
• Knee high Ugg boots for winter - as I brought my pair with me to Switzerland. I think they miss me because I'm missing them..
• Stylish warm clothing - I seriously don't have many! Thank god for layers in the meantime
• A proper microphone, software and website for Savvy Sassy She and the podcast!

Tatiane or Liane, feel free to pass this onto Mum and Dad...hee hee

What's on your wishlist SSSs?

Make it as you wish(list) SSSs!
Arienne xo

50 Random Facts about me

Since I love lists and I love random facts I decided to do one of these! Here are 50 Random Facts About Me:

1. My favourite flower is the oriental lillium
2. I was born in Hong Kong in 1981
3. I have two tattoos 
4. I love skinny black ties
5. I was voted 'best dressed' in high school...in 1998
6. Is a massive lover of books. One of my favs in Daddy Long Legs
7. Once learned to play the drums...not very well...though it sounds cool doesn't it?
8. Is a total romantic. I love The Man
9. Continually strives for order in the physical chaos I create
10. I am messy. But I like to think that I am a organised mess maker
11. Is a stationary fiend
12. I can speak English and Australian (thanks mum and dad...I could have been brought up speaking fluent German and Chinese...but no...)
13. I've moved country/city approximately 15 times in my life, going to about 8 schools (entered some of them twice) and 2 universities. I don't know how many times I moved house.
14. I can't click my fingers
15. I have 1.5 sisters, but I love the halfie like a whole ;) 
16. I am the eldest
17. I was always curious about having a brother - I've been told I haven't missed much ;)
18. I went blonde once...for a day (it was really more orange)
19. I've never been engaged 'm engaged!
20. My middle name is Bianca - not too bad hey
21. My left ear sticks out waaaay more than my right ear
22. I once thought the 'shhhh' gesture was the hello greeting (that's what you get for growing up in hotels)
23. I grew up in beautiful five-star hotels - dad worked in them. I now live in a normal house (and unfortunately have learned to cook and clean and realise that room service is not on the other end of the phone if I dial '5')
24. I once was a Brownie
25. I think I am a grandma in a young person's body - I love to do crosswords, sudoku, cross-stitch and love old-school big band and ratpack music
26. I used to have a favourite teddy bear named Snuggy. My sister told me, years after the fact, that she had dropped him in the toilet. I don't know where he is anymore (sob).
27. I can read maps and have a good sense of direction
28. My pet peeve is incorrect spelling (though I am probably guilty of that in my tired moments) and when people say 'somethink' instead of 'something'
29. I love systems, routines, planning and organising but sometimes fall short in the implementation
30. I laugh at my own jokes - some of them are really good...really...
31. I'm not very good at looking after my hair
32. I'm finally admitting that I prefer apres-ski to the actual skiing or snowbaording 
33. I once had a major crush on Edward Furlong (Eddie) from the Terminator movie way back when
34. I like to walk down the street with a smile on my face. Others find this strange
35. I cry in movies a lot. I'm also occasionally known to cry over TV adverts and the news
36. Want to do so many things but sometimes find it hard to know where to start
37. I really enjoy a good cup of milky coffee. Sometimes instant is better than cafe (sorry java aficionados)
38. I like to see the good in people, in the world and in the everyday. Though sometimes my mind goes a bit foggy and these things are hard to see. I'm working on it because I think people and the world are fundamentally, awesomely and fabulously great
39. I love my good friends, but I'm not the best in keeping in contact. Luckily, the relationship is often still wonderful when we reconnect
40. None of my family live in Sydney
41. I've been a permanent resident of Australia since 1988
42. Was once told I could be a great actor by a producer from the BBC. Oh well...
43. Was really good at geography at high school. Really?! Yes, I was good at knowing the rainfall (or precipitation) in different locations around Australia
44. I've been slapped across the face once. By Edwina in Year 3. I still don't know why.
45. The first album I owned was Kylie Minogues "I Should Be So Lucky" one
46. I've been told I snore. I'm still waiting to see if this is a fact. I don't believe it
47. I love connecting with people
48. I love the feeling of laughing so hard you can't stop
49. We were once asked to leave a performance due to 48.
50. I adore my family - my mum is inspirational and the source of so much good in my life, my dad is the most wonderful teddy bear, my step-dad is a fabulous crazy visionary, my sisters are my best friends. 
51. I love lists :) and just had to add one more to make it 51.

What are some random facts about you? I encourage you to make your own list - it's fun!

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

Arienne's 101 Things to Do in Her Fabulous Life (My Bucket List)

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So I thought I would share with you my 101 list. I have to say it is a bit daunting putting it out there! There are big things and small things on there. There are things that will take a while to achieve and others that have already been started. There are serious things and frivolous things. There are things that will make a difference in other people's lives and things that will make an impact on my immediate surrounds. There are things that are specific and things that are ongoing. I think it is a pretty good mix!

Please note it is a work in progress and this is my list at 12th April 2011. I haven't reached 101 items yet and I know there are more amazing things to go on there!

1. Go on a dog sleigh ride
2. Have a TV show
3. Meet Oprah
4. Publish a book that becomes a best seller
5. To have a perfectly organised home – everything in its place
6. Start and maintain a family tradition- 16 Nov 2011 Started a family recipe book
7. Have a fabulous white pants suit
8. Sing a jazz song to an audience in a red dress
9. Create photo albums of all important photos
10. Design, build and decorate my dream home
11. Fly first class on a long haul flight
12. Breathe freely
13. Be amazingly fit and healthy on my 30th birthday- 17 May 2011
14. Accumulate assets of > $5million
15. Visit the Maldives
16. Stay in a Bora Bora villa over the water
17. Go diving/snorkelling in Exmouth
18. Run a marathon I've realised I don't really want to do this!!!
19. Stay in a villa in Tuscany for at least 2 months
20. Have at least two children
21. Marry the love of my life - Step 1 done! Engaged on 28th Dec 2011
22. Be a keynote speaker to an important crowd
23. Be interviewed for a magazine
24. Have beautiful artwork adorn my walls
25. Paint a picture I’m truly proud of and hang it in a prime position in my home.
26. Have an extended period living in Paris
27. Take beautiful photos with an SLR camera May 2011
28. Have a romantic beach escapade
29. Do a hot air balloon ride
30. Have my own business that helps others inspire and create
31. Sponsor a child or village or regular provide microloans
32. Be the most amazing mother and grandmother
33. Go on an art retreat - Scheduled May 2012 with Kimberly Wilson Done May 2012
34. Go on a meditation/spiritual retreat a la Eat Pray Love
35. Go on a solo holiday
36. Have a beautiful garden full of blooming flowers and 3 water features
37. Go on a tree top holiday with zip lines
38. Have a dog - The wonderful Zander entered our lives in June 2011
39. Surround myself with things I love at home – that are gorgeous, inspirational and eye opening
40. Organise a fabulous party in someone’s honour
41. Have a dream picnic
42. Make a real difference in peoples’ lives – large and small
43. Be great mentor to someone
44. Speak German fluently
45. Speak French fluently
46. Become Australian
47. Become better at archery
48. Regularly write on a popular blog
49. Have my own website a la Kimberly Wilson
50. Swim in a waterfall
51. Own a convertible
52.  Visit Hungary  June 2012
53. Start a foundation for something I believe in
54. Have a fabulous mentor
55. Meet and really connect with one of my mentors May 2012
56. Learn to sew both by hand and with a sewing machine
57. Tape my father’s stories
58. Let my parents really know how much they mean to me
59. Create a book of family recipes contributed to by the immediate and extended family
60. Learn how to make delicious dumplings February 2012
61. Meditate daily
62. Have a night of stargazing and find the constellations
63. Have a beautiful view of the water out of my window at home
64. Have multiple sources of passive income
65. Go white water rafting
66. Go hang gliding
67. Visit the Maldives or Seychelles
68. Participate in La Tomatina 
69. Fly a kite
70. Respond don’t react
71. Join a Toastmaster group
72. Receive a standing ovation
73. Celebrate each significant birthday with a bang!
74. Life a more scheduled life to minimise wasted busy time
75. Have a beautiful, workable, practical diary
76. Be an active part of a like-minded inspiring community
77. Have some photos taken of me that I really love
78. Dance in the rain and get saturated again
79. Take a long train trip with beautiful views
80. Snowshoe
81. Be a tourist in Sydney
82. Take the road less travelled
83. Write my amazing memoir of living an extraordinary life
84. Try laughter yoga
85. Create a popular podcast
86. Make regular contributions to the global community
87. Master my mind
88. Create a wonderful wardrobe and style
89. Create a balanced life full of inspiration
90. Continue a life of continous self improvement
91. Regularly reflect on my life and lessons
92. Be a great friend to those around me
93. Regularly fill my well
94. Update my vision board
95. Create a portable business that makes a difference
96. Walk over the Anzac Bridge
97. Walk over the Harbour Bridge

What does yours look like?

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo 

'I feel good about me' List

I wrote a blog post recently that suggested that you sometimes need to be your own cheerleader. I suggested making a list that you can keep in your organiser or diary and refer to when you need a bit of a pick me up.

What have people complimented you on?
What have coworkers said?
Why do your friends love you?
What goals have you reached?
What do you love about yourself?
What do you know is great about yourself?
What have you done well?
When did you feel satisfied, or even ecstatic about something you were involved in?
What are you proud of in your life?

Keep adding to this list as time goes on. Add to it regularly! And look over it regularly, perhaps especially when you're feeling a little down, or have run into an obstacle.

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

Arienne Loves...The Paperless App

Paperless is one of my favourite apps on the iPhone. I love lists. That is probably an understatement. I adore lists. I'm one of those people that will put something I've already completed on my list just to cross it off and have that feeling of accomplishment.

The app is easy to use and has the bonus of being pretty to look at as well!

I used to create all my lists and put them in my organiser, but I was finding this hard to lug around all the time. Carrying it around in my phone has saved those extra pages and lightened my organiser (and saved my shoulder, well a little because I still have way too much in my handbag).

Paperless allows you to create a range of different lists, name then and use a relevant icon to identify them. You can make each list a checklist that you can tick off as you go or just create a general list.

The lists I have in my phone include:

• To Buy - things I need to get or am thinking about getting. ie new headphones, cotton kimono
• Arienne's Wishlist - the presents I would like to get myself (or to hint to my loved ones)
• Present Ideas - listing presents that would be good for someone as I come across them (ever had that instance where it's time for someone's birthday and you go blank as to what to get them?)
• 101 list ideas - to capture things to put on my list when I'm on the go. Then I transfer them to my proper 101 list
• Sydney - A list of things that I would like to do in Sydney. Restaurants, attractions and activities to do
• Places to Visit - Oz - Towns, cities and attractions to visit around Australia
• Places to Visit - World - Places to see around the world
• Books to Read - as I meander through bookstores and get recommendations of what to read I put them here so that when the time comes to read the next book there is a whole list there
• Blog Ideas - capture the ideas as they come along
• Blogs to Read - what to look up and read when I have a minute
• Movies to See - surprisingly movies to see to stop going blank at the video store
• Business Ideas - things that pop into my mind as I'm out and about to look at to implement
• To Create - things that I would like make or craft up
• My Manifesto - ideas to put on my personal manifesto
• Lessons Learned  - Epiphanies as I go about in my everyday. The list is not too long yet...
• Magazines to Read - I'm always on the look out for worthwhile magazines (outside gossip and fashion)
• Home Projects - things that need to be done around the house
• To Do - General

Do you keep lists? What do you keep lists of? How do you keep yours?

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo 

6 People I Really Can't Live Without

Tatiane on the Left and Liane on the Right

And I'm going past things like air and water... These are important people that I love, that inspire and make my heart sing. And okay, it's more than 6 people, but you get the point.

1. My Sisters - they are hands down the best sisters in the world. We're attuned and in sync and always there for each other even though the three of us live in different parts of the world - currently Perth (Tatiane, aka Gooby), Switzerland (Liane, aka Nunny) and Sydney (me, aka Sissy). We annoy our parents when we're together because we laugh too much and talk at a million miles per hour and they can't keep up.
2. My Parents - Love, support, guidance, food and occasionally money and a place to stay (after all that's what parents are for right?!). My parents blow my mind at times. They've each done so much and I am in awe of them sometimes. I also sometimes get frustrated, but that's normal...
   
3. The Man - oh to love and be loved and all those little things that you do and say to each other beyond other people's hearing. The precious bond you share that no one else can experience. He makes my heart sing and melt and soar.
   
4. My Besties - they are near and far, but worth so much. The laughter, support, tears, shenanigans, adventures, just being. Fabulous ladies.
   
5. Charlie the Cat - 20 years old and still going strong. She makes me stop during my day and just be. She meows annoyingly sometimes at 6am for food, but I love her so. She has lifted my spirit so many times over the last 5 years we've been sharing a home in Sydney (I exported her from the family in Perth). Though she does tend to sleep a lot with her tongue hanging out. Cute!

6. The Inspirers - those around me that show me what is possible. That do things differently, that motivate me and guide me. Those that I know and mentors that I've only met through their blogs and programs from afar. You nurture my growth.I give thanks for having so many of these amazing people in my life

Who are the people you can't live without?

Make it as you wish SSSs!