Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

So I've been on a wee bit of a spring cleaning thing at the mo', and started to tackle the mountain of papers under my bed. Whoever knew a space that small could house so much??!

Here's the stack of mags I'll pass onto my sister!

xx girl30*

red and white

I have a great little mock (mobile phone sock) for my sparkly new digital camera. Now... if only I could figure out how to get the pics off the camera, and onto the computer! d'oh!

stay tuned as I'll figure it out asap!

xx girl30*

Shhhh take a peek

...into my takeaway filled fridge. No, not proud of the pizza boxes and empty fruit & vegie shelf, but sometimes life just gets in the way. eep!

xx girl30*

daily habit

My fave coffee shop round the corner from work. Unfortunately I love it. It gets me through the mornings. But at least I've cut back on the coke. hmmmm coke..

Voyeur?

I adore going for a walk in the evenings - the sun is low, the weather is cool, and the pace has slowed down. You can peek into windows and watch people potter in their homes, you can hear dinner plates and pots and pans clang and clatter, and there is just this beautiful smell about summer evenings in Sydney.

Most Monday's I walk through Hyde Park between yoga classes and now that the lights are shining and christmas is close, it is as close to perfect as one can get in the middle of traffic and tall buildings!

Here's to finding a little bit of peace amongst the mayhem in your lives.
xx girl30*

Dancing in the street

I have been wanting to do a dance class for a while - apparently they do a fab 'stretch class' at the Sydney Dance Company that is a beautiful combination of dance and yoga. And walking past this beautiful display window full of tutus and ballet slippers is a sign - surely!

I'm attending a Yoga, Nutrition and Lifestyle Retreat day this Saturday but next Saturday I hope to make it to the class!

Yay for the little signs :)

xx girl30*

The most gorgeous girl in the world

Somehow, this 1 day old treasure puts it all into perspective.

Pls send good and healthy vibes to little gem and her mum.

xx girl30*

Welcome little Luca Grace!

Today I became an aunty to gorgeous little Luca Grace, the most exquisite girl in the whole world. I will meet her tomorrow and I'm so happy : )

My sister is my best friend - W, I'm so proud of you. What a gorgeous little fam xxx

Do one thing a day that scares you

Breathe deeply

Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age

Dance, sing, floss and travel

LOVE

* more at Lululemon

Mid-week Summary

Driving to yoga... enjoying my new little hanging display in the car. W gave me this gorgeous little green bird, a wind chime that I've put up on my rearview mirror to give me a bit of zen as I drive around the streets.

xx girl30*

Jack, I miss you already

To the best dog in the whole world: enjoy being happy jackie... we love you, and miss you. Hope doggie heaven is full of chewie bones, big backyards and beach walks. xxx

xx girl30*

Summer in the City

Mid-Martin Place, the Chrissy trees are now up, and there's some beautiful history that thousands walk past each and every day.

xx girl30*

Day 2: 30

So now I've been 30 for a whole 24 hours and you know, it's all still rolling along. Got a decent night's sleep last night (yes! the night of my b'day I was in bed before 11!), which was just what I wanted & needed, and got up before my alarm at 9am this morning, got dressed and crossed the Harbour Bridge for a hatha yoga class.

I have been trying to go to this teachers class for aaaages but I used to teach on Sunday mornings and couldn't ever make his other classes, so I finally did today - and of course he's currently away for a fortnight! D'oh! But Melissa taught a beautiful ashtanga class and it was the perfect start to my day.

It's sunny and sparkly outside, warm but not too hot, I've got a fridge full of fresh fruit, juice and vegies (including some yummy lentil patties for dinner) and I've a smile on my face.

Hope yr all rockin,
xx girl30*

Happy Day!

THANK YOU to my gorgeous friends and family. I actually came home after my birthday dinner this evening - and cried. They were joyous, greatful and happy tears, because I am so very lucky.

The last 10 years of my life have been, on the whole, a constant battle with depression, interspersed with happy random moments. It's been tiring. Bloody tiring!!

But I can actually see that I am moving through this - and the people I spent my birthday today with (either in physical contact with or via the phone and email), well, I love you guys. I truly am blessed to still have these gorgeous people around me in the happy times (like yesterday), especially after they've been there in perhaps the most dark periods of my life.

For you all I am truly so thankful. Bless ya, you all rock : )
xx girl30*

A big day such as today clearly required a scrumptious

breakky at the beach with my family! (pic above)

Pain, a whole new level

There was no going to the gym before work on this last day of my 20's. Instead, I actually felt quite sick during the day - not sure why and am feeling fine now, but physically it was all about PAIN PAIN PAIN.... my legs = PAIN. My arms = PAIN. Sitting down, standing up, moving in general = PAIN.


But the PT session was great and I'm back on Monday and fingers crossed I won't be hurting so much tomorrow on my big day!!!


xx girl30*



<-Driving home after work - sun is shining and I am too!

Getting Buff

To give you an indication of my week of turning 30 -> I'm in tears at dumb cheesy ads because I'm so tired!

Monday taught 2 x yoga classes after working

Tuesday hoorah! just a regular work day, out and about visiting media

Wednesday taught a 7am yoga class, went to work, then taught another yoga class at 8.30pm

Thursday 7am personal training session that had me wobbling all over, then worked all day - moving my office upstairs (ie 2 BIG flights of stairs)

Tomorrow - Friday I was hoping to go to the gym before work for a quick run/walk on the tready, followed by some bike action... then work all day, then down the coast to start celebrating my Saturday Spectacular Celebration!

Oh - after the killer PT session this morning, I am so determined NOT to eat crap and undo all the hard (read: killer!) work I am doing, hence a delish (and homecooked!) spinach & ricotta pasta dish with tomatoes and mushies for dinner, and an equally delish green bean & avocado salad (look at the yummy aray I chose from!)

xx your very tired girl30*

Wednesday Night Yoga

A Hip Tranquil Chick* is one who aims to:
live fully, seek serenity, laugh often, tread mindfully, savour simplicity, love passionately, think globally, exude creativity, treasure tranquillity

I am quite a fan of Kimberly Wilson as she infuses fun into her yoga and practices 'true' yoga - not just a physical practice, but something that touches every part of our lives. See the manifesto below - wouldn't it be lovely to work this hard during my upcoming year?

How to be a HTC:

practice yoga on and off the mat daily

nourish my inner artist through constant creativity
breathe through challenges

creative a vision for my life
consciously carve my career path
host savvy soirees to expand my community
handle my money mindfully
design an oasis to nurture my soul at home and work
think globally through socially conscious actions
exude my signature style with a dash of flair
challenge myself
seek opportunity and express gratitude
find inspiration in the mundane
nurture my relationships
surround myself with candles, flowers, and positive pals
nourish my body with oodles of water, fresh fruit, and whole grains
schedule herbal tea sipping, bathtub soaking, and journal writing

* source: Hip Tranquil Chick

Goals & such

I am heavily into podcasts and self-help books at the moment, and one great one was about being AMBITIOUS, and having GOALS.

Must say, the last few years were a battle of depression. I've had many joys - including some job changes and training to become a yoga teacher - but for the last year I've been quite stilted in picturing the future and dreaming of where I'd like to be.

So it was very fitting that one of the podcasts I was listening today was about this gal turning 30, and sitting down, writing down where she was right now, and then setting a goal of where she would like to be in exactly one year : where she was going to be when she was 31.

I haven't quite figured out my goals yet - BUT I'm working towards it; and today during work I crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge (see below!)... is the bridge a sign of me crossing over to something in my year of the big Three Oh?

Let's hope!

xx girl30*

ps - please pretty please share with me your fun podcasts that you listen to regularly, and any books that have inspired you to follow a new & inspiring direction : )

Walking through the City

....from one yoga class to another - and what do I see this early November? The big city chrissy tree being erected in the city!

The buildings are sparkling, and you can see the top of the tree ahead this huge pole!

xx girl30*

Hoorah for sunshine!

Today was the Newtown Festival and true to my promise of yesterday, I went out and enjoyed myself. Big smiles from M & I -->

The day started at 9.30 with the Dog Show... small, medium and large 'dog dash' races done, it was time for Celeb Lookalike Dog (congrats to Princess Leah!), and then time for the most Disadvantaged Dog.

My gorgeous friend Bekk has her own dog but has recently fostered the most beautiful mannered and lovely doggie, Lily, as she is on Death Row. Poor Lily and her sweet demeanour won over the crowd and of course she won her section (Most Disadvantaged Dog) against last years winner... the one eyed little pup. We're still waiting to hear if Lily has been adopted out to a loving family, but all in all we had the most fun day with her.

<-- Here is Lily in love with my shoe.. knackered out after winning the comp and meeting loads of other beautiful doggies!

If you thinking of getting a puppy or cat, why not contact the Sydney Dogs Home? If you are keen to save Lily from Death Row, you'll even be able to enjoy a lovely night away in the Blue Mountains (Lily's prize!).

So now I've just gotten back from doing some grocery shopping, I'm a little sunburnt but full of smiles.

Hope your weekend was just as magical,
xx girl30*

A Hip & Tranquil Weekend!

the weekend promises yoga, writing time, and some creative license thanks to unstructured time. i'm delighted. may you carve out some unstructured time this weekend to laugh, read, write, dance, and be. au revior. Kimberly Wilson, Hip Tranquil Chick

Oh how I’ve been falling into a little depression lately. I say ‘little’ because it’s nowhere near as major as I’ve suffered before, but it’s definitely creeping upon me. I can’t decide what to do (so instead, I just sleep all day), I can’t decide what to eat (so I don’t have anything) and that general blah feeling has settled. So it was perfect timing I read this beautiful quote above on Hip Tranquil Chick.

Today is Saturday and I spent the day sleeping, but tomorrow is the annual Newtown Festival and I am looking forward to breathing in some fresh air, catching the dogshow, and having lovely girly time with some friends. I still have some time to fill my weekend with some beauty, fun and dancing.

Perhaps I'll fit a yoga class in as well.... This is the pose of the month on my yoga calendar and while I have a strong practice, I think this pose is still a way off for me!!

STELLAAAAAAaaaaahh!

I love The Simpsons, and I have to laugh everytime I watch the episode where Marge stars in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.

I was off sick yesterday with a horrific headache, and after sleeping all day was a bit mopey. Cabin fever had set in! But I turned on the TV at night, saw this episode, and a smile (albeit a small one) lit up my face.

A Daily Reminder

...I wake up each morning to read this beautiful word on top of my shelf - and it reminds me to live life to the full. To take some time to breathe deeply, to look into my heart and just to chill out sometimes. Yoga isn't just a practice that you do on the matt, it's as much mental as physical.

Yes, it's true

This was the image that was right in front of me... as I was cycling away in the gym during lunch break today! Woohoo, I'm actually exercising!!

This week I am pleased to say that I think I've hit my stride with the new job. Not only am I getting my head around things, but I'm also feeling a bit more 'awake' - the cold has gone!

I also asked one of my yogi teacher friends to ask me next week, how many classes I go to in the coming week. Yoga makes me feel good and I just haven't been doing it enough. And gee, how am I meant to teach if I'm not discovering the joy of yoga myself?

So cardio - tick! Yoga - soon to be ticked!

xx girl30*

Well...

at least Bananas In Pyjamas make me laugh. It was the highlight of an otherwise dull/blah/yuck day. (ps - that's me on the left, did ya guess ;))

Smiles!

x

Walking in the City

So tonight it was all back to normal. I taught 2 classes after work, am feeling all lovely and stretchy now, and also got to walk through Hyde Park on my way to them.

The sky was getting dark but I had the best sight as I looked up at a palm tree, and saw a huge office building behind it. Odd... and such a good pic : )

xx girl30*

the After Party...

is always so tiring! well... the after effects of the party!

Shower went of beautifully, almost as beautiful as the sleep 'mum-to-be' and I had after everyone left. Sheesh!

Now I'm ready for a weekend... dang it's Sunday night!

xxx girl30*

ps - isn't she beautiful?!

Party Time!

Gee, it was a long weekend! But the most gorgeous baby shower ever was planned, so of course it was busy!


Glasses ready (as well as mopping, re-arranging furniture, sweeping and food prep!), set and G-O!

xx girl30*

Today:

...I have played a lot of Iron and Wine. And Jose Gonzales. It's that kind of day.
...I have a bit of a sore throat so gulped down a yummy orange, pineapple and extra ginger juice.
...I am inspired to make some yoga music playlists.
...I am excited about the baby shower this weekend.
...I am thanking god it's Friday!
...I need to take note of the post up on Wish Jar! Taken courtesy of my laptop at work. (note my strawberry mousepad on the RHS)

xx girl30*

The month has arrived!

Today was a pretty blah day. I am still so tired, but also found out R's mum has cancer. Then after that I found out that N's friend is in hospital. It just really threw me for a six.

But the day is over, it's officially the 1st of November and there's 17 days till my birthday. Dirty 30 - or should that be flirty 30?

Anyway, Daylight Savings has kicked in and it's so glorious getting home and the sun is still out! Hoorah for light skies!

love, girl30 xx