Beauty and Self Care

In the whirlwind of daily life, my evening routine is like my daily recipe. Combining essential chores with a good splash of relaxation. After all, life shouldn’t be all about work, work, work! So grab a cup of something fun. And join me for this month’s edition of Let’s Look, hosted by Erika and Shay. The topic for this month is Our Evening Routine, Let’s get started! My Evening Routine Getting Things Done: The Start Of My Evening Routine The minute I step inside my home, I kick start my evening routine with a round of household chores. The last thing I want is to let them pile up and turn my weekend into a cleaning marathon. No sir!  So to avoid this I make sure to get a few things done every evening. Daily Bathroom And Laundry Tasks: I’ve discovered that giving the bathroom a quick clean and doing laundry regularly is crucial for my sanity, and the best part is, that it doesn’t take long. Just a bit of effort each day keeps everything fresh and in check. Cooking With A Side of Entertainment:  After the cleaning tasks, it’s time to get on to cooking dinner. To make this more enjoyable I like to listen to some of my favourite music or indulge in a TV series that doesn’t demand my full attention to follow the plot. I never used to think that cooking was very relaxing. Especially when my kids were young. Back then it was all about getting food on the table ASAP. But these days, cooking while being entertained is surprisingly very relaxing! Starting my evening routine with household chores may not be the most fun. But it’s the only way to make sure that I don’t have a mountain of things to do on the weekend. And I’ve learned (the hard way) that if I even so much as glance at my phone or sit down, my motivation completely fizzles out. So no phone, no sitting- I stay on my mission! The good news is, I always get a burst of energy and a second wind when I walk through the front door. It’s such an ahhhh moment. Probably because I’m so excited to be home after such a noisy and long day at work! Time To Unwind! Once dinner is ready it’s time for some well-deserved relaxation time! Shower Time: Before I eat I desperately need to have a shower because I like to wash the stresses of the day away under the relaxing hot water. Then I put on my comfy home clothes and I feel squeaky clean and very content. Dinner Time: My husband’s work schedule varies and my son’s study and work schedule varies too. So most evenings I dine solo, except for Wednesday and Sundays when we are all home together. Favourite Part Of My Evening Routine This is the time that I look forward to each day – it’s my ultimate reward! After the kitchen is all clean, I get to do what I love. Blogging: My absolute favourite hobby is blogging, and I make sure to dedicate some time to it every evening. Although I don’t post every single day, my routine includes posting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. While I wish that I could have a few posts up my sleeve, my current approach of sharing mostly in real-time has become my go-to. But that’s mainly due to my busy schedule of juggling work and life. I really admire bloggers who work full-time and post every day. How do they do it?! Time For Some Entertainment: After blogging, it’s time for some entertainment in front of the TV. I make myself a cup of tea, get comfy on the sofa and dive into a series. Right now, I’m hooked on “Who Is Erin Carter?” on Netflix, it’s such a great watch. I prefer limited series because well, they’re limited, and it keeps the excitement high! My Simple Evening Skin Care Routine When it comes to skincare, I’m all about keeping it super simple. Firstly I wash my face with a gentle gel wash. Next, I reach for a trusty cotton pad soaked in micellar water for a refreshing wipe. It’s fantastic for getting rid of the last bits of eye makeup. To wrap it up, I use this nourishing nighttime cream. While I do occasionally splurge on those ‘magical’ creams, my tried and true favourite is the Aldi Lacura brand. It not only leaves my skin feeling fantastic but also keeps my wallet happy. And that’s a huge win as I tend to be very generous with the cream because age is a demanding boss! Night Owl Dilemma I have shared with you guys before that I am a total night owl. Although I do have good intentions to get to bed earlier, it never really happens! I’m usually brushing and flossing my teeth at around 11.20 pm and then it’s lights out for me at around 11.30 pm. So, that’s my evening routine in a nutshell – a mix of chores, relaxation and skincare. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my evenings! Happy Wednesday friends!      

And just like that we are back for the September edition of Not Just A Mom. Hosted by these lovely ladies – Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne, Lauren and Sarah. Didn’t August just fly by? I mean it honestly feels like it was just last week when we were all sharing the contents of our handbags. Today we are diving into the world of hobbies, so let’s jump right in! Hobbies Cottage Crafts For me, the interesting thing about hobbies is that they change as our tastes and lifestyles evolve. Once upon a time, I loved covering notebooks, tissue boxes, baskets, and anything else that stood still with padding, lace and floral fabric. I think this hobby was called cottage crafts or something like that. Cringe! I spent so much money on all the supplies that I needed. And my friend and I even went to an evening community college for a whole term to learn this hobby! When we talk about it now, we practically roll around on the floor laughing! I’m laughing right now thinking about it!! I even gave these padded, lacy things I made away as GIFTS because I thought they were so beautiful 😂. Cross Stitching When my oldest son was a baby, I also loved to cross-stitch. Luckily I could see well back then, now I would probably go cross-eyed! I made Luke a hand towel trim with his name on it. So that he could take it to preschool to dry his hands. Back then, kids were encouraged to bring their towels because paper towels weren’t a thing. I was taking a trip down memory lane to write this post. So I went digging around and I found my old box where I kept all my cross-stitch threads. I discovered that I had never finished the trim for Luke’s bath towel. I did finish the small trim for the hand towel but not the big one for his bath towel. I almost wanted to cry. What kind of a mother doesn’t finish her first baby’s bath towel trim? I showed my husband and he was very comforting. He said, “Don’t worry, finish it and give it to Luke for his 30th” (Luke turns 30 next month). Bahahahaha!! Seriously? Zumba Fast forward several years after I snapped out of the cottage craft phase. My much younger cousin and I discovered Zumba! I guess you could call Zumba a hobby. Anyway, we just loved Zumba. And sometimes we would go three times a week. I even got my friend (the same one who crafted with me) to come along and she loved it too! They were fun times and I miss going but COVID hit, the classes stopped and the amazing instructors quit teaching. But that’s a hobby I would be happy to pick up again for sure. iMovie My more recent hobbies have been making movies with iMovie. I have spent endless hours lost in the editing process while I put together end-of-year movies for our preschool families. It was so much fun and I think the families appreciated them too. The last big slideshow/movie I put together was for my mum’s funeral. I knew that there was no way that I would be able to stand up and speak on the day. But I wanted to say something about her amazing life. So I created a eulogy video and I spoke on the film. Although it was emotionally tough to put together. I was proud of the result as it allowed me to honour my mum’s life through a visual tribute. I could convey exactly what I wanted to say and include some of her favourite music. Which of course included ABBA’s Dancing Queen! Instagram Reels Now I like to create Instagram reels. Although I enjoy making them, I have only done a few because I don’t have a lot of time. In addition, I’m just totally hopeless when it comes to social media. Sometimes I’ll post a bunch of things in one day and then weeks will go by and I don’t post anything. But I’m going to make an effort to be more consistent. So if you’d like to follow me you can click here. Blogging And this brings me to my present-day hobby which is…..blogging! I just love it so much and I hope that I never lose this passion. It’s tricky squeezing in full-time work, family stuff and blogging and I wish that I could devote more time to this favourite hobby of mine. My younger son asked me the other day “Mum why do you like blogging so much?”. He sees me typing away every evening. I said, ” I don’t know, I just love everything about it!” Then we both laughed because he said he hated writing when he was at school and I said that I did too! But for me, blogging is more than just writing, although I have grown to truly love it now. And I’m baffled because even though I was good at English in school. Writing creative essay assignments was equal to agonising torture for me back then. But I just love every aspect of blogging-for me it is the complete package when it comes to hobbies. It satisfies my creative side, I get to journal about my daily life, I write articles on things that I find interesting, and best of all I have made new friends and I am part of a fantastic blogging community! So a big thank you to you guys for taking time out of your busy days to read my blog. I appreciate all of you! And thank you too for dropping me a comment. They always make me so happy! I hope you have an amazing Monday!   Sharing on        

Hi friends It’s Friday! Everyone throw confetti!! After my first week back at work, I’m beyond excited to celebrate the weekend! I thought that for today’s Friday Favourites post, I would share my top 10 favourite self-care tips. Because as you all know life can get super hectic and it’s easy to lose sight of looking after ourselves. And I will be the first one to admit that I sometimes forget about self-care amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So, let’s kickstart the weekend by diving into the world of self-love and pampering. Let’s go! Hydrating Face Mask Nothing feels better than a super hydrating face mask. The best part is that when I treat myself to one it also means that I have to lay down and relax! Aromatherapy Candle Aromatherapy candles are my go-to solution for unwinding after a long day. Lighting a scented candle with subtle warm fragrances makes me feel instantly happier and my home feels cozier. Especially now that it’s winter and some nights are so cold! A Cup of Tea I like herbal teas such as chamomile with a splash of honey or any fruit-inspired blend. English Breakfast and Early Grey are also a couple of my favourites. A cup of tea in my favourite teacup and saucer after a long day is just so comforting and soul-soothing! A Soft Warm Blanket I definitely prefer summer over winter but if there is one thing that I do like about winter is that I get to wrap myself up in soft cozy blankets at night when I’m watching TV, reading blogs or playing Words With Friends. Stretching The simple act of stretching is amazing for helping to get rid of that annoying knot in my neck. But I’ve realised that I should do it more often and not just when I’m in pain. Jade Roller I often forget to relax my facial muscles and sometimes I have a full set of baggage under my eyes. Rolling the cool stone over my face is very therapeutic and great for reducing puffiness. Inspirational Planner My lovely friend gifted me a beautiful planner full of sweet illustrations and inspiring quotes. It’s kind of my substitution for a journal. I use it as a planner and I also jot down memorable moments and things that I am grateful for. Lavender Essential Oil I’ll admit that I used to be sceptical about the claims that lavender essential oil reduces stress. But I was wrong, it really does work! Healthy Snacks This week I have been back on track with eating healthier. While I was off from work after surgery and then on holiday from preschool. I was snacking on all the wrong things like there was no tomorrow. But now I have gone back to eating healthier snacks such as fruit and nuts. I do feel much better for it but I can’t lie….I would much rather munch down a bag of salt and vinegar chips any day! Laugh Often I’m a total softie and will cry easily but I definitely love to laugh often. Laughter is a natural mood booster and can reduce stress levels. I’m super lucky to have wonderful friends and family who still love me even when I ugly cry. And they also love to hang out with me for a good laugh! I hope you find my top 10 favourite self-care tips as helpful and rejuvenating as I do. Thank you so much for stopping by today to read my blog! Remember that self-care is all about embracing those little moments that make life brighter. Have an amazing weekend and I look forward to being back here on Monday. Happy Friday! Linking up with Andrea and Erika  

Are you tired of dealing with dull, damaged hair? It could be that you are making some common hair care mistakes. By learning about what these hair mistakes are then you can help to keep your hair looking at its very best. Hair Care Mistakes To Avoid Washing Your Hair Too Often I struggle with this one because I love squeaky clean hair. And working in a preschool with all sorts of things flying around the air. Well, it just makes me want to wash my hair every day! But unfortunately, over-washing your hair can strip it of its natural oils. And then this means that your hair will be dry and brittle. Therefore making it prone to breaking easily. So try to limit your hair-washing routine to every 3 days. And if you can, then try and stretch it to every 4 days. Using Heat Styling Tools Too Often All heat styling tools can cause damage to your hair. And don’t be fooled by the ones that promise to be ‘safer’ for your hair. This is not really true because any heat styling tool such as flat irons, curling irons and hair dryers can still damage your hair. The best way to avoid heat damage to your hair is by using heat styling tools less often and by using a heat protectant spray. I have been using the  Hask 5-In-1-Leave In Spray that you can find in this bundle. It’s really made a huge difference in regards to avoiding heat damage. Even my hairdresser noticed that my hair was in better condition since I have been using this leave-in spray the last time I went for a trim so that’s a huge positive! Using The Wrong Hair Products It’s important to use products that are specifically formulated for your hair type, whether your hair is curly, straight, thick, fine, oily or dry. Using the wrong hair products for your hair type can risk damaging your hair or leaving it looking dull and lifeless. Skipping Regular Haircuts The best way to get rid of those unattractive split ends is to go for regular trims. Even if you are trying to grow out your hair. Regular trims are essential for preventing split ends, and breakage. As well as for promoting healthy hair growth. Similar to how trimming dead or damaged leaves from a plant promotes healthy growth and allows new leaves to thrive! Therefore it’s essential that you don’t skip those trips to the salon for a trim every 6-8 weeks. Tight Hairstyles Try to avoid wearing your hair in tight styles such as braids, buns and ponytails every day. Because these hairstyles cause too much tension on your hair which may lead to breakage. Brushing Wet Hair When hair is wet it is more fragile and can break very easily. So be careful to avoid running a brush vigorously through your wet strands. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush. Then very gently work out any tangles. Towel-Drying Your Hair This is a very common hair care mistake and one that I used to be guilty of! When I was in a hurry to get my hair dry I would rub the towel over my hair vigorously. Unfortunately, this is one of the most damaging things for hair. Because the rough texture of a towel actually creates friction on your hair and this causes breakage, split ends and even worse…the dreaded frizzy hair. The best thing to do to remove excess water from your hair is to very gently press it with a microfiber towel or even an old cotton t-shirt works well. Washing Your Hair In Very Hot Water Hot showers especially in winter are wonderful, however, they are not great for your hair. The reason for this is that hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils and this can lead to dryness and breakage. It’s best to wash your hair in lukewarm or cool water instead. Neglecting Your Scalp A healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair so don’t forget to give it some attention. When washing your hair use your fingers to massage your scalp and this will help to remove any build-up and promote blood flow. Using Too Much Product Overloading your hair with too much product can cause it to build up and weigh it down. Making your hair appear oily, greasy and dull. Instead, use a small amount of product and make sure to work it through your hair evenly. Skipping Conditioner Conditioner helps to restore moisture and nutrients to your hair leaving it feeling soft, sleek and healthy. Another benefit of using conditioner is that it helps to detangle your hair making it easier to manage. Choose the right conditioner for your hair type and remember to focus on the ends of your hair where it tends to be the driest. Not Using A Hair Mask Another one of those common hair care mistakes is neglecting to use a hair mask. Hair masks give your hair nourishment because they are made to deeply condition and hydrate your hair. This helps to improve your hair’s texture and shine. If you use heat styling tools or colour your hair then using a hair mask regularly is a must. Not Protecting Your Hair From The Sun UV rays can be harmful to your hair and cause it to become dry and brittle. Wearing a hat will give you great sun protection for your face as well as your hair. Using The Wrong Hair Ties Using the wrong hair ties can cause damage to your hair. Hair ties that are too tight or have metal rings can cause damage to the hair shaft and breakage. Elastic hair ties can also be damaging, especially if they are too loose because they can cause your hair to get tangled and knotty. Go for hair ties that are made of a soft, stretchy material like the old phone cords. Scrunchies and hair clips are also

Hi friends welcome to the May edition of Let’s Look. This is a fun link-up with Erika and Shay where we get to explore some fun topics, exchange ideas and take a peek into how we do life. Today’s topic is ‘Our Morning Routine’. I really and truly wish that I was a rise-and-shine kind of person. But sadly I’m not, instead, I’m more of a struggle and whine kind of person. Mornings are just not my thing at all. So I have discovered a few tricks to make my mornings a little less painful. My Morning Routine 6 AM Wake Up First thing, I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier than I actually need to wake up. This gives me some extra time to hit the snooze button and ease into the day. Those 30 minutes are so precious! And now that the mornings are so chilly. I just love enjoying the coziness of my quilt and soft pillows. I use these 30 minutes to do my quiet time using the Bible app on my phone. Then I stretch and prepare myself mentally for the day ahead. A few years ago I would lie in bed and feel anxious about almost everything. But now I make a conscious effort to use this time much more productively. Thankfully by giving myself 30 minutes extra time in bed. By the time my actual wake-up time arrives, I feel much more centred and ready to get out of bed.  Of course, the struggle to get out of bed is still very real!! But First Water As soon as my little cat Sushi hears me get up she is out of Sam’s room like a shot and ready for her breakfast. So I feed her and then come up to the kitchen and have a glass of water. I’ve read that drinking water first thing in the morning boosts your metabolism and it’s great for digestion and brain function. It’s a small habit in my morning routine with big benefits, sounds great to me! Then I go and get changed into my clothes for work, and put on some light make-up. Just some sunscreen, tinted moisturiser, concealer, blush and lipstick. Once this is done I’ll get onto some chores. Chores! Neverending chores aaargh! But I like to spread them out over the working week so that I don’t have a mountain of things to do on the weekend. I start by giving the main bathroom and ensuite a quick clean. I also wash a load of laundry and hang it out to dry every morning. Then my reward for all this effort is a nice cup of coffee before I dash out the door. I skip breakfast because I am never hungry before 10 am. The thought of food before this time makes me feel a bit sick. I wonder if anybody else feels like this. My morning routine isn’t very exciting! I don’t work out or go to the gym. But I do walk 20 minutes to work and 20 minutes home. So that counts as exercise, right? I’d love to get some blogging done in the mornings too but this never happens. My mornings are mainly all about focusing on getting ready for the day ahead and making sure that my home is clean and organised. Gone are the days when my morning routine revolved around getting the kids fed, dressed and out the door ready for school! I didn’t mess around with housework in the mornings back then. I was just living in survival mode! But now that my boys are all grown up and one has flown the nest. I have more time in the mornings to keep on top of household tasks. Here is a very simple breakdown of what my morning routine looks like Thank you so much for reading about my morning routine, even though I’m not exactly what you would call a morning person! I’d love to hear about your morning routine. Are you a morning person or a night owl like me? Hope you have a happy day! Here Are Some Previous ‘Let’s Look’ Posts In January we looked at Scheduling/Organising A Busy Family. In February we snuck a peek to see What’s Inside Our Medicine Cabinets. March was all about Our Favourite Amazon Finds And in April we shared our Pet Peeves, and this was such a fun topic!

Hi friends today I am linking up with Holly and Patty for the January 2023 edition of Monthly Musings. This month’s topic is ‘Beating The Winter Blues’. Here in Australia, it is summer!! And I am so happy about that. Winter would have to be my least favourite season and it sure is hard sometimes to beat the winter blues. Especially when there are endless days with grey skies and freezing temps. Nope, I am not looking forward to when it’s our turn for winter AT ALL. But I do have some tips for how I beat the winter blues. Before I know it, It will be my turn to be freezing and I will be reading all about my friends in the Northern Hemisphere having a wonderful summer! Beating The Winter Blues SOMETHING YOU DO FOR YOURSELF TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES I try to get as much sun as possible during the day. I work in a preschool and we spend large chunks of the day in the playground. So when we have those really crisp cold days and the sun is out. I will make sure to sit in the sun and soak up the warmth. The sun really lifts my mood and I miss it so much when we have those cloudy grey days in winter. SOMETHING YOU DO FOR YOUR FAMILY TO BRING JOY OVER THE WINTER I like to indulge all of us with lots of delicious comfort food. Comfort food would have to be the best part about winter! FAVOURITE COZY ITEMS OR GO-TO’S We keep a basket full of our favourite soft cozy blankets in the living room. So when we sit down on the lounge to watch something on TV or read a book they are right within reach. WINTER EXERCISE HABITS OR PRACTICES Other than a very fast-paced walk to and from work which is about 25 minutes each way. I don’t do any other exercise. DO YOU PRACTICE JOURNALING OR MEDITATION? I practice journaling but I don’t do it as often as I would like to. I’m hoping to be more consistent this year. DO YOU LIGHT CANDLES OR USE ESSENTIAL OILS TO RELAX I really like to use both but on really cold nights I prefer to light candles. Either scented or unscented. Anything that gives off heat to help beat the winter blues! BEDTIME RITUALS I like to have a shower and put my pyjamas and fleecy robe on. Then have a cup of tea while I watch a bit of television. I always feel so relaxed after I have a shower and wash the day away. WHAT ARE MORNING HABITS THAT HELP PREPARE FOR A GOOD DAY Confession time…I am not a morning person at all. I struggle so hard to get out of my cozy bed during winter. So once my alarm goes off I have to force myself to get up. But once I’m up I try to make sure I do my morning devotions. If I don’t do them first thing then I forget. I also try to drink a glass of water in the morning. When I do this I seem to remember to drink more water during the day. Then like to get stuck into my weekly cleaning routine so that chores aren’t waiting for me when I get home from work. And also so they don’t pile up for the weekend. FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND A DAY OFF IN WINTER In my warm cozy home binge watching a favourite show and drinking hot drinks. FAVOURITE WINTER-THEMED MOVIES I honestly don’t have any favourite winter-themed movies. Our winter is from June to August so we can’t even enjoy watching Christmas movies. I think that if I lived in a country where it was winter during Christmas time then I would definitely be watching those! It was fun joining in today’s link-up. Thank you so much for stopping by to have a read. As I struggle so much with beating the winter blues I did a blog post last year all about Ten Winter Essentials that you might like to read. Happy Thursday friends and stay warm!      

One of the nice things about being on summer holiday is that I have more time to do things that I enjoy. Such as blogging as well as reading other blogs too. It’s the best feeling not to have to squeeze in these two fun things between working full-time and doing all the things. So today I’m excited to be joining the Monthly Musings linkup with Holly and Patty where the topic is Goals For The New Year. To be honest I have been counting down the days until 2022 is over. I thought 2020 and 2021 were tough. But for us as a family, I would definitely say that 2022 has been way harder. I am so ready for a fresh new start and I am actually excited for a brand new year. So let’s begin with our first question which is… Goals For The New Year DO YOU MAKE RESOLUTIONS/GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR In the past, I have been super vague about any resolutions and goals. Maybe about ten minutes before the new year rings in is usually the time when I have started thinking about goals for the new year (not very intentional of me!). But not this year. This year I feel completely different and I have been really reflecting on some things that I want to change/improve or stop doing. I want to be much more hopeful and excited about the gift of a new year. I guess this is what happens when you get kicked to the ground by a bad year. DO YOU HAVE DIET/EXERCISE GOALS I started walking to and from work last year. And it has been great for my mental health as well as for some exercise. I also went along to a dance class towards the end of the year which I really enjoyed. So I’m hoping to go regularly next year. Dancing is my favourite type of exercise because it’s so much fun that it doesn’t feel like exercise at all! DO YOU HAVE PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL GOALS FOR 2023 One of my personal goals for this year is to go to bed earlier. I am such a night owl! But I really need to get more sleep both for the sake of my well-being and to eliminate that full set of luggage that I have under my eyes! As far as professional goals for next year I really want to get on top of how we document the development and progress of the children at preschool. Up until this year, documentation was not really a big part of my role at preschool. But that all changed this year and going into next year I will be doing more. I’m totally up for the challenge now that I am getting my head around the process. DO YOU USE A PLANNER? PAPER? ELECTRONIC? COMBO? For me, it’s a planner all the way! I love planners (or diaries as we call them here). My super sweet and thoughtful bestie gave me a Twigseeds 2023 diary. This gorgeous diary is illustrated by Kate Knapp who is an Australian artist and author. She uses pencil, ink and watercolour for her beautiful illustrations. I have started writing things inside my diary. It brings me so much joy every time I open it! The cute images always make me smile and the quotes are just so inspiring. It’s a happy diary for a happy new year! DO YOU HAVE A WORD OR PHRASE FOR 2023 My word for 2023 is RING IN THE NEW YEAR OR ASLEEP BY 10 PM For as long as I can remember I have always stayed up to ring in the new year. And for the past few years, my husband has had to work so I stayed up with my mum and my son. We would always wait for midnight and say “Happy New Year” then watch the midnight fireworks on television followed by the movie starring the Village People “Can’t Stop The Music”. I’m not sure why but they always play this movie on TV after the midnight fireworks but they do. This year things are different and so I’m going to go to bed by 10 pm. I want to get on top of my personal goal of going to bed early from day one 😉 FAVOURITE THING TO DO ON NEW YEAR’S DAY I don’t have a favourite activity or tradition for new years day. To be honest I kind of feel a bit down on new years day. Because after so many weeks of anticipation it means that all the festivities are over. So I’m looking forward to any ideas and suggestions. ANY TRAVEL PLANS FOR 2023 Other than a few overnights stays here and there to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. Nope, we don’t have any travel plans. THINGS/EVENTS YOU ARE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2023 2022 was a year of changes and endings. So I’m looking forward to new beginnings in 2023. My son finished high school and he will be starting uni next year. He’s so excited about getting his license, getting a part-time job and studying for his chosen career. So I’m excited for him, a bit nervous (ok…a lot nervous about the licence bit anyway) but I’m excited too…..really I am 😬 WILL YOU BE WATCHING ANY BOWL GAMES ON NEW YEAR’S OR AROUND NEW YEAR’S? American football isn’t televised here in Australia. I think that you can only watch it on paid sports streaming services. I have caught a few bits and pieces of the game on the news, documentaries and movies. It fascinates me to see all the gear that the players wear for protection. Here in Australia, we have rugby league and the players don’t wear helmets, padding or anything. I’m pretty sure that they only wear mouthguards. I’m not a fan of this sport but my husband is. I always cringe when the players smack into each other…..shudder!!   That wraps up the fun topic of

Hi, everyone! On yesterday’s post. I mentioned that I had been really loving some sustainable beauty products from my friend’s online shop called Aroma Of Earth. So today I wanted to share with you a bit more about them. But first of all, I have to say that this is not a sponsored post and I will get no commission on any sales based on my recommendations. I just wanted to tell you about some great sustainable health and beauty products because I really think they are fantastic and if you tried them. I’m sure that you would love them too. Sustainable Beauty Products Reasons Why I Love Products From Aroma Of Earth They’re all about sustainability and I think that this is super important. Aroma Of Earth produces excellent quality sustainable beauty products that help keep the environment clean and liveable. Their products are all ethically sourced and don’t contain any nasty chemicals. Furthermore, their products are also vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Their sustainable beauty products smell amazing and are beautifully handcrafted with genuine care for their customers as well as the planet. Some Products That I Have Tried And Loved Body Scrub This gorgeous body scrub is made from all-natural ingredients. Like brown sugar, mango butter, shea butter, and jojoba oil just to name a few. I have been massaging it on my body after my shower. Concentrating on my knees and elbows because these are the areas that need extra moisture. My skin feels so much smoother and hydrated. We are just coming out of winter here in Australia and into the warmer months. So I’m feeling much more confident about wearing shorts and t-shirts after using this luxurious body scrub. Relaxation Massage Oil I have had this annoying pain on the right side of my neck. I’m guessing that it’s a result of tension and carrying a heavy bag to and from work every day. Anyway since I have been using this massage oil I have started to feel the pain melt away. I also really like that it doesn’t leave behind a strong smell. The massage oil actually has a very refreshing scent and when my son kissed me goodbye the other day. He commented on how fresh I smelled! Geranium Bath Salt One of my big goals for this year has been to work on my self-care. These geranium bath salts are just so good! Last Friday night I dissolved these in a nice warm bath and indulged in a relaxing bath to wash away the stress of the working week. I love working with children but trust me. By Friday I am more than ready for some very much-needed downtime. Lemongrass Soap I love the smell of lemongrass! It just smells so clean and fresh so I often use it in my diffuser.  I also use lemongrass oil in a cleaning hack that makes my home smell amazing. So because of my love for the clean smell of lemongrass. Then it’s no wonder that I am excited about this soap! It not only smells great but it leaves my skin feeling so smooth. And the reason is that it is packed full of natural oils instead of harsh ingredients. So my skin doesn’t feel dry like it does when I use regular soap.   I am really excited about the beautiful sustainable beauty products from Aroma Of Earth. I really encourage you to check out their website where they have so many more amazing products and the good news is they do international shipping too! I’m all for supporting small businesses, especially ones like this one where the founders and owners really stand for some very important principles and values. Hope you have the best day!              

Fun Things To Do At Home Alone –  Isn’t it funny how the seasons of life can sometimes change so unexpectantly? I remember not so long ago wishing for days when I could be at home alone. The house was always full and noisy. someone would be watching TV with the volume turned up so high, talking, asking questions, needing this or that, and gaming very loudly. Now things have changed due to various circumstances and I find myself at home alone A LOT! At first, I had to get my head around my new normal. Then once I did I made a mental plan of some fun things that I could do when I found myself at home alone. The plan soon turned into a list and so here we are today. A list of fun things to do when you do find that you are at home by yourself. I hope that you find this list helpful if you are navigating your way through some changes and now find that you are home alone more often than before like I am at the moment. 1. Set The Mood It’s winter here in Sydney and this means that it starts to get dark quite early. So I make sure that before the sun goes down fully. I go around lighting my favourite candles to make the house feel cozy. I also like to have some soft music playing or the TV on low volume. Being home alone in a dark and quiet house is not much fun. So I make sure to set the mood so that it feels comfortable and inviting. Once the weather starts to get warmer I will be opening the windows to let the fresh air in. I will also cut some flowers from the garden to bring in some cheery colour. 2. Watch Anything You Like On TV One of the upsides that I have found about being home alone. Is that I have full control of the TV ! This means that I can watch whatever I want. I really like watching my favourite movies on repeat as well as watching new movies. Being at home alone also gives me the luxury of flicking over from one movie or show to another without annoying anyone. 3. Go Ahead And Binge Watch There are so many streaming services available with so many amazing shows! You are bound to find a series that you like. I sometimes have three series going at once and I will alternate depending on my mood. If you are stuck for ideas then you can check out some of the shows that I have binge-watched here and here. 4. Enjoy Some Self Care When I know that I am going to be home alone on a Friday night then I like to go ahead and plan an evening of self-care. I will do things like listen to an audiobook while I enjoy a relaxing face mask. Or I might do my nails while watching a movie. 5. Try Some Guided Meditation Or Breathing Exercise I am trying hard to not be a constant shallow breather! So I like to take some time when I am at home alone to practice simple guided breathing exercises or do a guided meditation. 6. Get Some Decluttering Done It can be so much easier to get stuck into some decluttering and organising when I am at home alone. When I first start decluttering I will usually make a huge mess. But during the process of getting rid of “stuff”. Everything gradually starts to look so much neater as I start to put things back. I get such a buzz out of revisiting my drawers, cupboards, or rooms once I have organised them. 7. Listen To A Podcast Sometimes I like to listen to podcasts when I am doing some cooking. It’s such an entertaining way to spend time in the kitchen. I can focus on whatever I am making and my mind doesn’t wander because I am enjoying a great podcast. 8. Do A Jigsaw Puzzle Jigsaw puzzles were all the rage during the pandemic probably because they are so entertaining and relaxing at the same time. I find that when I am doing a puzzle the time just passes by so fast. I don’t even notice the time because I am so immersed in joining my jigsaw pieces together. 9. Start A Blog! If you have been thinking about starting a blog I really encourage you to just jump right in and go for it! I love blogging and it’s really the best creative outlet that I have found. Once you get through the technical side of things and work it all out. Blogging can be such a fun way to make new connections with so many lovely people from around the world. I’ve been blogging for about 15 months and it’s been a great journey so far. I recently did a post about my one year of blogging that might like to read. 10. Treat Yourself To Some Take-Away Why not go ahead and indulge in ordering anything you want for dinner? How fun to not have to worry about cooking and just enjoy a slow relaxed meal of your choice. 11. Read A Great Book One of the best things about being at home alone is all the uninterrupted reading time you can have. Curling up on the lounge with a nice warm drink and getting stuck into a good book makes me so happy. I like to use a Kindle because it’s so easy to download any book that I choose. I know a lot of people prefer to hold real books and I do love that too. But a kindle is just super convenient and I also really like that I don’t end up with a bunch of books that take up space. 12. Cross Stitch Or Knit Another creative outlet that you might like to consider is

Hi, friends thanks so much for stopping by to have a read. I thought that it would be fun to share with you some of the beauty products I use either daily or regularly. When it comes to beauty products I like to keep things super simple. I don’t wear a lot of makeup or anything like that. I just do the basics so that I feel ok about myself. And I like to make a bit of an effort just to make sure that I don’t scare the parents or the children when they see me at the preschool where I work. 1 I like my face to be squeaky clean before I go to bed. So I have recently started using this Neutrogena cream cleanser. When I was younger I would just use soap and water, but that is a big No-No!. Now that I’m getting older I am much more careful and have switched over to gentle cleansers like this one. I just keep this tube of cleanser in the shower and wash my face with it when I have my evening shower. Easy Peasy. 2 I have been using this Sukin night cream for a few months and it works well. My skin feels hydrated and the great thing is, that Sukin is an Australian brand and their products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The company is also certified carbon neutral and to top it off all its packaging is made from recyclable materials and is also recyclable. 3 I really love this Garnier Micellar water (oops I dropped the bottle recently and the lid snapped off). Anyway, it is absolutely fantastic for taking off eye make-up or any make-up in general. It is so gentle and leaves your skin feeling nice and clean. I just pour some micellar water onto these cotton pads and wipe gently. 4 I’m a big fan of face masks. I’m not particularly fussy about what brand I buy. I usually go for the ones that say firming and age-defying on the package, haha we can only hope! Oh yes and I like to buy the ones that are on special too. Face masks are fantastic and I probably should use them more often than I do. They’re really great because when I put one on it means that I have to lie down for at least 15-20 minutes. So I use it as part of my self-care routine. But I have to admit that when it comes to self-care I am a bit on the inconsistent side! 5 In the mornings I splash some cool water on my face and then apply some daytime moisturiser. The one that I use is also from the Sukin range. Then I just apply some of this BB cream. I know BB cream also has a moisturiser in it but my skin needs extra. I really like BB cream for a couple of reasons. Number one it is really fast to apply, Secondly, it gives me a nice sheer cover so my face doesn’t feel heavy as it does with a regular foundation. And lastly, it gives my face a bit of even colour. I get this BB cream from Aldi and it feels great, it’s super inexpensive and it matches the colour of my skin. 6 This Thin Lizzy Professional Loose Powder is great. It suits any skin tone and you can use it as a blusher, bronzer, eye shadow, face, and lip contour. I really like using it on my lips and then adding a bit of lip gloss for that natural look. 7 I like this concealer from Chanel and I really need to get more as this one is nearly finished. I have these weird liver spots on my face (what an awful name) and I use concealer to cover them up. 8 This Clarins Instant light lip perfector is really nice as it is a lovely lip gloss with a touch of pink. 9 My favourite lipstick and the one that I wear all the time is this Chanel Rouge Allure No 34. It’s a lovely matt colour that is not too red or too pink. I hope this colour never gets discontinued because if it did I would be devastated! It has taken me years to find a colour that I am truly happy with. 10 This mascara is also from Chanel and gives me just the right amount of thickness for my lashes. It’s not clumpy and best of all it doesn’t run. 11 I also love my Chanel eyeliner. It glides on really easily, but I try not to be too heavy-handed with it otherwise it looks a bit too harsh. These are my 11 favourite beauty products! I use the cleanser, moisturisers, concealer, lipstick and BB cream every day. The rest like the mascara, eyeliner and Thin Lizzy powder I will usually only wear when I go out somewhere special. I like to keep things simple when it comes to beauty products and skincare. But these are my go-to favourites that I use the most often. A while ago I did a post on 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Improve Your Skin. Here you can find some useful everyday tips and suggestions about things we can do to keep our skin looking healthy and full of natural glow! Linking up with Andrea and Erika Sharing on Create With Joy