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Shop Small: The ultimate gift guide for New Zealand ladies

gift-guide-nz

 

I’m really excited about this gift guide.

 

One of my most favourite things in the world is connecting with creatives and small business owners online (and in person.)

 

Nothing spells bravery, determination and creativity like a person deciding to set up their own business to sell whatever it is that they love to create.

 

Which is why I love celebrating these incredible people by cheering them on in their work. Recently, I’ve seen this cartoon (by @adriaadamsco) pop up quite a lot and I think it’s such a lovely idea.

 

Running a small business is HARD work and those who do need all the support they can get.

 

 

So that’s what this gift guide is all about. Giving you some ideas for Christmas presents and supporting some beautiful New Zealand business women.

 

The best part is that when you purchase from one of these small businesses, you know that the person who sends out your order will be beaming from ear to ear. That’s the real Christmas spirit!

 

The ultimate gift guide for New Zealand ladies:

 

BEAUTY:

 

Indigo & Iris

 

 

This company is just awesome. Their slogan is, ‘a beauty brand that gives a damn.’ And they truly mean it!

 

They currently produce mascara which is vegan and cruelty-free and they donate 50% of their profits to charity.

 

I’ve been using this mascara for a couple of weeks now and I’m a huge fan. I’ve always found mascara to be quite clumpy and I get frustrated by the fact it always leaves streaks under my eyes by the end of the day. However, levitate mascara isn’t clumpy and stays put on my eyelashes. It’s amazing.

 

Indigo & Iris currently have free shipping running all the way up until Christmas so it’s the perfect time to try it for yourself and get one for a friend too.

Website, Instagram, Facebook

 

 

ARTWORK:

 

Flowers On The Coffee Table

 

 

Maya sells such cute and quirky artwork. I’ve been following her for a while on Instagram and I love the positivity and joy she shares through her posts. If you aren’t following her already, you definitely should!

Maya creates her art by commission so get in touch if you like what you see. Check out her Christmas cards below, aren’t they just lovely?

Instagram

 

 

Dusk To Dawn

 

 

Jemma’s artwork is so simple, yet so emotive. I have been eyeing up a couple of pieces for some time now because we have got several blank walls that really need filling.

 

I caught a snippet of Jemma explaining the reason behind her artwork on Instagram stories and it made me love her even more. Jemma loves to incorporate images of nude women and flowers into her artwork because she believes both are beautiful and natural and deserve to be celebrated. I am so here for that.

Website, Instagram, Facebook

 

JEWELLERY:

 

Willow Collective

 

 

Layering delicate gold necklaces is on trend at the moment so these Willow Collective pieces would be perfect for any lady in your life.

 

All the jewellery is designed right here in New Zealand and is stocked in over 25 boutiques across the country. Take a look and see if there is one near you.

Website, Instagram, Facebook

 

 

 

Bohome And Roam

 

 

If you are a fan of boho style, this is a brand you need to know about. They carry a range of products including jewellery, accessories and homeware.

 

What I really love about this business is that the pieces are sourced from all around the world but everything has  an ethical and sustainable focus. It’s lovely to know that the person who made your jewellery has been treated well and paid fairly for their hard work.

Website, Instagram, Facebook

 

 

Ashley Co.

 

 

There is no shortage of people selling clay earrings (it’s this years version of soy candles I think) but these are so unique I had to include them on my list.

 

Ashley Co earrings look so professionally made and the designs are bold and beautiful. I am definitely going to be getting myself a pair (you know how Christmas shopping goes…one present for you, one present for me…)

Website, Instagram

 

 

Lunar Blue Designs

 

 

Okay I know this is yet another clay earring brand but oh my gosh how cool are these? I’ve never seen such intricate and creative designs before. I’m so tempted to add these to my cart as well.

 

A girl can never have too many pairs of earrings right?

Website, Instagram, Facebook

 

 

HOMEWARE:

 

Ness Watson Pottery

 

 

I’m such a sucker for pottery. We found a bunch of cups in the garage at home and I had to have them. They’ve just been sitting in my cupboard unused but they are so pretty, every time I open my cupboard they make me smile.

 

I love these cups Ness has made and what makes them super fun gifts is that she can customise them with whatever name you would like. Then whoever you gift it to will feel special every time they drink their morning coffee!

Website, Instagram

 

 

Fox And Ivy

 

 

Emma creates the most gorgeous home fragrances. You must take a look at her Instagram because it’s another one you need to follow.

 

I was introduced to the concept of ‘room spray’ a few years ago and I’m a convert. At first I thought it was weird to spray fragrance around your house, in my head that was more for the bathroom because that’s where the bad smells tend to be.

 

But if you have guests coming over, it’s so nice to quickly make your house smell like freshly baked cookies or clean laundry. So do yourself a favour and get some of Emma’s room fragrances and candles.

Website, Instagram,

 

 

Honeylove Candle Co

 

 

I was given a honeylove candle for my birthday last year and it is simply delicious. The scent I have is salted caramel popcorn which is absolutely as heavenly as it sounds.

 

My biggest fear with buying candles is that they won’t really smell like anything. Sometimes they promise so much and then really disappoint. I promise that Honeylove candles won’t do that to you! They make an entire room (and house if it’s as small as mine) smell fantastic.

 

Honeylove also sells beautiful earrings and soy melts.

 

Website, Instagram,

 

 

Be Chunky 

 

 

Be Chunky sell gorgeous, stainless steel water bottles. Once you try a stainless steel water bottle, you will never go back to plastic. They keep your water cold for ages and you don’t get any of that yucky plastic taste.

 

These water bottles are environmentally friendly (hooray for re-useables!) and are designed by emerging artists which I think is awesome.

Website, Instagram,

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS:

 

Wild Crate

 

 

Gift-boxes always go down a treat. Wild Crate has a great selection of different boxes so you can find the perfect one for whoever it is you are shopping for.

 

What I also love about these boxes is that all the goodies are consumable which means you won’t have more things cluttering up your house.

Website, Instagram, Facebook

 

 

Happy Gram

 

 

Happy Gram is an online gift store that sends little presents to the people you love. You can choose what is inside and the message they receive. What a fun way to show someone you care about them!

 

I’m thinking that this could be perfect for Secret Santa at your work or among friends.

Website, Instagram, Facebook

 

 

I Used To Be

 

 

It’s almost summer in NZ so this gift is perfect. ‘I used to be’ re-purpose pool toys into water resistant accessories. They make bags and purses to keep things dry at the pool or beach.

 

I love that they are using materials that cannot be recycled to create something beautiful and really useful. So clever!

Website, Instagram,

 

 

Flora Grow 

 

 

Flora Grow make little gardening kits. These are perfect for people who find gardening on a large scale a little too daunting. I think everyone needs a little herb selection on their windowsill and these kits are ideal for that.

 

I think kids would really love to join in with growing these mini gardens too!

Instagram, Facebook


 

A few thoughts on a simple Christmas…

 

I hope that this gift guide has given you some Christmas present ideas. I haven’t started shopping yet but I feel confident that I can get it done well before the madness begins!

 

I have been thinking a lot about what a simple Christmas would look like for me. Honestly, the pressure to find the perfect present and spend hundreds of dollars and accumulate more and more STUFF makes me feel overwhelmed.

 

Unfortunately, as a society we have made Christmas about all the wrong things. But it is hard when you are celebrating with friends and family to keep your own values without offending or upsetting them.

 

There was one point when I wanted to throw in the towel and say NO gifts at all but here is my compromise. Giving small, lovely presents that come from NZ-based businesses.

 

At the end of the day, it’s not about how much money you spend or how many things you buy, it’s about showing and sharing love. 

How to create a mindful morning routine to start your day right

mindful-morning-routine

 

Until recently, I wasn’t a fan of morning routines. I found them to be far too restrictive for me. I didn’t like feeling as though I was chained to a particular way of starting each morning.

 

What if I woke up and my energy levels were very low? Exercising just wouldn’t work on those days.

Or what if one morning I felt super energetic? Sitting down and journaling would just feel frustrating.

 

I didn’t really see how one routine could work for me.

 

Well, now that I am self-employed, I see that structure is everything. I absolutely need routines, planning and some sort of order to my days.

 

At the moment I am still trying to figure out what sort of morning routine might work best for me. I thought that some of you might be in the same boat so I hope that you find this post helpful!

 

Thanks to Makayla who writes the blog, Little Me and Family for sharing her thoughts on how to create a mindful morning routine with us.

 

mindful-morning

 

Having a mindful morning routine sets the tone for your whole day.

 

It’s not just about getting certain things done as a habit each morning. It’s about creating the mindset you want to be your default throughout the day.

 

What is mindfulness?

 

Mindfulness is simply creating the emotional and mental space to breathe in your environment, experience it intentionally, and let go of the stresses around you. Mindfulness is about being present in the moment.

 

Being mindful in the morning can change the way you view your whole day.

 

Instead of reacting, you can respond. Instead of blowing up about something that didn’t go your way, you can breathe and accept your situation with love and the grace to change without being angry.

 

A look at my mindful morning routine

 

My mornings don’t always look the same since I’m a mama. But, I try to make sure that my mornings include a few of the same essentials to start my day off right.

 

First, I try to get up before my daughter. This does miracles for my attitude the rest of the day. If I have that time to myself, I feel like even if I accomplish nothing but motherhood after she wakes up, I can rest in the fact that I did things by myself in the morning. ]

 

Some days this looks like me waking up at 4:30am, other days it looks like waking up at 6:30am and just showering before she wakes up.

 

Another morning mindfulness routine that I love to do is reviewing my prayer journal.

 

If it’s the beginning of the month, I fill out my prayer requests and intentions for the month. If it’s the middle of the month, I can look back at these prompts and it makes my prayer/meditation time much more focused and mindful. I also try to fill out the gratitude section of my journal. Identifying my gratitude first thing in the morning really sets a thankful tone for my day.

 

As I get work done in the morning, I find that focusing on one task at a time ensures that each task is done well and with intention. This means not opening more than 1-2 tabs at a time, only completing one task at a time, and completing pre-planned tasks so I’m not overwhelmed.

 

Once my daughter wakes up, I turn screens off during breakfast and try to get some yoga or stretching in. Moving my body first thing in the morning really charges my day with healthy energy.

 

How you start your morning sets the tone for your whole day. This post will give you some great tips for creating a mindful morning routine so that you can feel your best every day.

 

How to create your own mindful morning routine

 

The most important thing you can do for your mental state in the morning is to ensure that you approach your day with grace is to have a good evening routine.

 

Not many people talk about evening and morning routines together, but they go hand-in-hand. If you aren’t going to bed early, without your phone or TV putting you to sleep, you aren’t going to feel your best the next day.

 

Taking care of your body at night will determine how well you can take care of your body in the morning and feel throughout the day. Here are some things to remember when you create your own morning mindfulness routine.

 

Go to bed early

 

You want to aim for 8 hours of sleep. If you have a Fitbit, you can use the bedtime reminder to alert you when it’s time to get ready for bed.

 

Eliminate screens 1-2 hours before you go to bed

 

The light from screens can disrupt your sleep and cause you to take longer to fall asleep. If you want to be well rested, turn off your screens well before you go to bed.

 

Eat a healthy breakfast

 

Make sure you eat breakfast and make healthy food choices. These will influence your food choices for the rest of the day. You can try eggs and toast, a fruit and dark leafy green smoothie, or some oatmeal with fortified nut milk, chia seeds, nuts, and fruit.

 

morning-routine

 

Drink a calming tea before bed if you’re prone to stress

 

If you’re prone to stress or have trouble falling asleep, try a glass of decaf tea or a magnesium supplement to help you fall asleep easier and sleep more restfully.

 

Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning

 

Drinking water is so important for your overall health. Drinking it first thing in the morning not only wakes you up and signals to your body to get moving, but it’s great for your digestion and sets the standard of hydration for the day.

 

Stretch

Getting your body moving first thing is a great way to set your intentions for the day: productivity, mindfulness, and movement.

 

Journal your goals, gratitude, and affirmations

 

Reminding yourself what your goals are, what you are thankful for, and speaking positive affirmations over yourself will require your brain to have these as your default instead of complaining, stress, and anxiety.

 

Focus on one task at a time

 

Don’t multitask. It doesn’t work. Instead, focus on one task at a time and concentrate on doing each one well.


 

Final thoughts

 

Mindfulness is so important for emotional and spiritual well-being. It creates such an impact when applied first thing in the morning.

 

Starting your day with a mindfulness practice can create an intentional and grace-filled mindset for the rest of the day. When everyone else is stressed out you’ll be centered and ready to take on everything with intention.

 

I’m curious. What’s your morning routine? How do you practice mindfulness? 


 

About the author

 

about-the-author

 

Makayla is a mother and the blogger behind Little Me and Family. Most days you’ll find her in yoga pants and a messy bun with a toddler glued to her leg. She is passionate about helping women to ditch the STUFF and to just enjoy the present moment. Makayla works hard to create beautiful resources that make simple living easy!

10 easy changes to create a simple, sustainable kitchen

 

My kitchen is my happy place. I spend hours pottering around in there, stirring pots on the stove, sweeping crumbs off the floor, waiting for the kettle to boil for my tea. 

 

Although my kitchen is tiny and the cupboards are so tall that I need a step stool to reach the top shelves, I love it. 

 

I’ve been doing quite a bit of house hunting with my mum (she’s buying, not me) and in every house we’ve seen, the kitchen is the thing that sells the house for me. 

 

I can live with a small bedroom. I can live without a bath tub or an en suite. I can live without a garage. But I cannot live without a decent kitchen.

 

Therefore, of all the areas in my home, it is the kitchen that I have tried to ensure is as simple and sustainable as possible. 

 

It is still a work in progress but I thought I would share some of the ways I have simplified my kitchen with you. 

 

10 easy changes to create a simple, sustainable kitchen:

 

Buy things in bulk 

 

For some reason, I really hate having multiples of things. I think it has something to do with the fact that growing up, my mother loved to stock up our pantry whenever things went on sale. Having more than I need has always made me feel stressed. 

 

However, I am a fan of buying things in bulk to save on money and unnecessary packaging. So a good compromise for me is visiting a bulk food store or buying the largest quantity of something I can.

 

Earlier this year, I read an article about Tesco’s trialing refilling stations in their supermarkets and I hope that went well because I would love that to become a widespread thing!

 

These are my favourite easy changes to make so that you can create a simple, sustainable kitchen. #ecofriendly #sustainability #simpleliving

 

Start meal planning 

 

If you are a long-time reader then you have definitely heard me mention this before, I love meal planning. 

 

It will honestly simplify your life and kitchen so much. 

 

You will always have what you need, when you need it and you won’t have excess food withering in your fridge or getting lost at the back of your pantry. 

 

I must confess, I’m not always the best at sticking to what my meal plan says but I like that if I’m feeling lazy, at least I don’t have to think about what to cook for dinner.

 

 

Take reusable shopping bags

 

From the 1st of July this year, New Zealand brought in a ban on plastic bags which meant retailers no longer provided shopping bags and this, in turn, has made reusable shopping bags mainstream. 

 

I am delighted to see other people adopting such a simple change to help reduce plastic waste.

 

I keep a bunch of bags in my car and one that folds up tightly in my purse so that I always have something to carry my shopping in.

 

 

Store your food correctly 

 

There are some life lessons that I really wish they had taught us in school and how to store your food properly is one of them. 

 

There is nothing worse than opening the crisper drawer at the bottom of the fridge to discover a vegetable slurry has formed without you realising it. 

 

The fix is simple however, just learn how to store your fruits and vegetables correctly. For example, I recently learned that celery lasts much longer if you keep the stalks standing in a glass jar like you would with fresh flowers. 

 

To learn the best way to store your favourite fruits and vegetables, I found this great post which explains it all perfectly.  

 

simple-kitchen.jpg

 

Try composting  

 

For my birthday last year, my mum got me this gorgeous compost bin. The fact that I was over-joyed by this gift probably says a lot about me. 

 

Truly, my compost bin is one of my favourite possessions. We used an old ice cream tub for a long time but it was far too small and was always overflowing. I love my new bin because it’s 5L and stainless steel so it won’t get all rusty from the wet food scraps. 

 

As far as the actual composting is concerned, all I do is throw it in a heap in the backyard. Then I add sticks, newspaper and dead leaves, and I try to turn it every week or so. That’s it!

 

Start recycling your soft plastic  

 

I have always been the stickler for recycling in my family. I have been known to take things out of the bin, wash them and then recycle them. I hate waste and if I can avoid it, then I will. 

 

I know that recycling isn’t the answer to our waste problem but it is a start.

 

Something you might not know you can recycle is the soft plastic that foods such as pasta and bread come in. 

 

In my city you can’t add this type of plastic to the kerbside recycling bin but there are collection points at several supermarkets where you can drop it off.

 

 

Do a freezer stock take 

 

It doesn’t matter how small your freezer is, it will always manage to accumulate an insane amount of stuff. 

 

Things tend to get lost in the depths of your freezer so it pays to do a little stock take every now and then. 

 

I keep a list stuck to the outside with everything that’s in there. It’s not a perfect system but at least it means I take a good look inside my freezer every month or so. 

 

 

Use loose leaf teas 

 

It is official, I have become a tea snob! I bought a strainer and a box of loose leaf tea and I’m never looking back. I had no idea it tasted so much better. 

 

But besides that, I always felt frustrated having to dump my used teabags in the bin because they contain plastic so can’t be composted like my coffee grounds. 

 

Before you rush out and buy a tea strainer, can I recommend you get one like you see in the picture, not one of those ball and chain type ones? This strainer is so easy to use and remove the used leaves from.

 

I’ve tried those other cute, animal-shaped strainers and while they may look fun, they are the biggest pain to clean out. Simple is best.

 

sustainable-kitchen.jpg

 

Shop at a fruit/veggie store or farmers market 

 

I love going to the fruit and veggie store because it is often much cheaper and I can throw everything in a basket without needing to use plastic bags.

 

It feels good to support a small business too.

 

I’ve learned to go to the supermarket first however, because they tend to have specials on a particular fruit or vegetable each week.

 

 

 

Try natural cleaning products

 

I’m a little iffy on using the word ‘natural’ to describe any product. What I mean by natural cleaning products is using items you already have that work wonders for cleaning.

 

I found some brilliant ideas in the book: Forgotten ways for modern days. Our grandparents had some really great ways of using egg shells, lemon juice and baking soda to clean their homes ‘naturally.’


 

Do you have any tips for creating a simple, sustainable kitchen?

5 ways to practice being present in the moment

being-present-in-the-moment.jpg

 

There are some people in our lives who are so totally our opposite, it can feel as though the two of us come from different planets. 

 

We have our similarities of course – or we would never have become friends – but I often find it is our differences that bring us together.

 

Just like the old saying goes…Opposites attract. 

 

My boyfriend, Dom, and I are exactly like that.

 

I am a flurry of activity, prepared for every eventuality, constantly thinking about the next step. He is content to remain in the same place, isn’t worried about what’s next, isn’t in a hurry to get anywhere.

 

I am in a hundred places at the same time, whereas he is always present, living in the moment, inherently mindful.

 

These facets of our personalities clash spectacularly as you can imagine. 

 

I am tapping my foot, ready to go, waiting beside the front door. He is simultaneously putting on his shoes, checking the oil in his car and sweeping the kitchen floor. 

 

I am carefully writing out and sticking to a shopping list. He is excitedly stuffing things into the supermarket trolley like a kid in a candy store. 

 

I am making everyone dizzy with all of my plans. He is happily pouring his cereal and opening up the next chapter of his book.

 

How can he be so content just living from moment to moment? Isn’t he worried about the future? Isn’t he concerned about how much milk we have left or whether he remembered to turn the oven off or what he said to that person last week?


 

My frustration is pointing out what I need to fix, not with Dom, but within myself.

 

This desperate need to rush, this constant feeling of needing to get something done, the way I resist being still and captivated in the wonder of moments. 

 

Dom doesn’t need to speed up, I need to slow down. 

 

My laser-focus on tasks, productivity and organisation is causing me to miss the big picture or perhaps, the small picture. All those sweet, silly moments that I’m always bulldozing through in my hurry to stick to my rigid plans.

 

I can feel the time slipping through my fingers like grains of sand in a hourglass. If only I knew how to pause it for a second, to open my eyes to what is right in front of me. 

 

The precious hugs that I hold so briefly before I strain to get back to the vegetables I was chopping.

 

The satiny, morning sun in the living room that I glance over while I’m rushing to make the house perfect before our friends arrive for breakfast. 

 

That warm, cozy feeling of being snuggled in bed that I jump from so that I can tackle my to-do list immediately. 


 

And this constant rushing feeds my anxiety.

 

I am always afraid of what is coming next because I am always thinking about, and living in, tomorrow.

 

What I need, is to start living right here, in today. I need to practice being present in the moment. 

 

being-present.jpg

 

So these are my tips for those of you who come from the same planet as me (the hyper-focused, super-organised, stressed-out one). Let’s try to slow down.

 

5 ways to practice being present in the moment

 

Stop worrying about tomorrow

 

I really need to schedule an appointment to get my wisdom teeth taken out and I have been worrying about it for months.

Almost every day I have been worrying about making the call, paying for the procedure, getting the teeth out and the inevitable pain I will feel afterwards. 

 

But the other day I realised something – I am not getting my wisdom teeth out today – and therefore I do not need to worry about all those things today.

 

Each day has plenty of worries without me adding tomorrows worries too!

 

So this is my question for you: Is the thing you are worrying about happening today?

 

If yes, then it is perfectly acceptable to feel concerned about it.

If not, then remind yourself that today you are safe. You have nothing to worry about today

 

 

Rest in gratitude

 

When something makes me feel especially happy, I enjoy it for approximately one second and then I feel terribly afraid that this thing is going to be taken away from me.

 

I call this self-sabotage, Brene Brown calls it ‘foreboding joy.

A way of protecting ourselves from the worse-case-scenario by playing it out in our heads. And according to Brene, the antidote to this miserable way of thinking, is gratitude. Daring to be vulnerable and choosing to feel the joy over the fear.

 

When you feel that rising panic about something going horribly wrong- give thanks. 

 

 

Notice your joy

 

So often, we don’t allow ourselves to fully enjoy a moment. We cloud our happiness with our pent up anger, sadness and fear.

 

When a moment strikes you as being absolutely delightful, when your chest swells and your laughter rings out, take a second to soak in that joy.

 

Notice how it makes you feel. Stay here awhile instead of rushing off to do the next thing. 

 

5 ways to practice mindfulness and being present in the moment. As someone who tends to rush from one thing to the next I need to consciously choose to slow down and rest. Being present has helped me feel less anxious and much happier. I hope these 5 tips will help you too!

 

Be intentional on social media

 

It can be all too easy to use social media as an escape. A chance to numb ourselves and avoid whatever is going on in our real lives.

 

We can sometimes let hours slip by as we scroll mindlessly through our newsfeed, without even stopping to notice or connect with anyone else.

 

Try to be intentional when you are online. Use those apps to actually connect with people. Leave thoughtful comments, share something you found valuable, add to the community rather than skimming over the posts you see. 

 

 

Focus on one thing at a time

 

We like to think that if we do two things at once we are being more efficient but in reality, we are more likely just doing a bad job of two things instead of a good job of one.

 

I am not a fan of multi-tasking. I say focus on one thing and give it your full attention.

 

When I am driving, I can’t also be texting (mostly because that’s illegal but also because it is distracting.)

When I am talking to someone, I can’t also be editing a photo for Instagram.

When I am studying, I can’t also be on Facebook (although, if I am honest, I never really adhere to this.)

 

You just can’t be in two places at once. Be all here.


 

You know I am glad that we aren’t all the same. The world needs both of us. People to make things happen, to plan ahead, to get the job done today. And people to encourage us to rest, to keep us grounded, to remind us of the importance of being present in the moment.

13 tiny changes you can make to simplify your life

simplify-your-life

 

We all have those topics that get us all fired up. The ones that once we start talking about, we find it hard to stop. The ones that seem to ignite some sort of fire within us which spur us into action. 

 

Well, simple living is one of those topics for me. 

 

Hence the blog and the newsletter and the Instagram page. I’m an unstoppable force when it comes to inspiring others to look for the beauty in the small and ordinary things. 

 

I find myself constantly scouring the internet for whatever posts I can find on ways to simplify your life. I’m always buzzing to tell someone about a brilliant new product I have found which has made life just a little bit easier for me. 

 

I am passionate about finding ways to simplify your life because it often combines two of my other favourite things – saving money and looking after the planet. 

 

Earlier this year I shared 13 super easy ways to make life simpler and in this post I want to share a few more ideas I have discovered since then. 

 

ways-to-simplify-your-life.jpg

 

13 tiny changes you can make to simplify your life: 

 

Use a to-do list app 

 

I am a fan of both paper and digital planners. I know digital is the way of the future but paper planners are cuter (shoot me.)

 

That being said, to-do ist app is my best friend. It syncs your list between devices. You can plan days ahead but keep the tasks out of sight for simplicity sake. You can set the priority of tasks and reminders to get them done on time.

 

Plus you get the satisfaction of ticking tasks off and seeing them vanish from the list which is really the only reason anyone makes a to-do list in the first place.

 

 

Start creating a weekly meal plan 

 

If there is one thing I hate, it is not having the ingredients I need to make a meal. But I also equally hate trying to decide what to make for dinner when I am already hungry and cranky

 

Cue meal planning. 

 

You shop for exactly what you need. You save money by avoiding unnecessary purchases (and you can plan for budget friendly meals.) And you avoid wasting food that you buy but forget to cook with. 

 

You can take this one step further by prepping your meals beforehand, but planning is as far as I’ve got.

 

 

Try out period underwear

 

It is a well known fact that there is a huge amount of waste created with traditional feminine hygiene products. But besides that, they are also uncomfortable and can be pretty pricey. 

 

So when I first heard about period underwear I was really keen to make the switch. However, I had two main concerns a) the price (at the time the only brand available cost over $100 a pair) and b) how effective they would be. 

 

I finally found ModiBodi which were affordable and I was excited to discover, super effective as well. 

 

Seriously, these are game changers. Money saving, eco-friendly, comfortable and no more fear of leaking!

 

 

Wear colours that suit you

 

You are probably aware that there are certain colours that suit you best. You probably even naturally gravitate towards these colours.

 

One way to make your wardrobe a whole lot simpler is by buying clothes in these colours and finding accessories/other clothes that match.

 

For items you plan on wearing every day (eg. a winter coat) try to stick to a plain or neutral colour that will go with everything. It isn’t as cute as the red one I’m sure but at least it won’t clash with your pink dress!

 

 

Unsubscribe from mailing lists 

 

Usually bloggers try to get you to SIGN UP to their mailing lists (you can join mine if you like) but I’m a big fan of unsubscribing too.

 

For some reason, I never seem to learn and I always give out my email address to win competitions/make purchases/get freebies. So my inbox is a huge mess and it makes me stressed.

 

I know it seems easier just to delete their emails but I really do think it is better to unsubscribe altogether. Your inbox is an important space and only those who you truly want to hear from should be allowed to send stuff there. 

 

 

De-clutter for five minutes before bed 

 

This is one of Gretchen Rubin’s tips from her book ‘The Happiness Project‘ and it is so clever.

 

Just a few minutes each night can really help to tackle some of your chaos. A quick wipe over with a cloth, picking up your shoes off the floor, stacking the dishwasher, it isn’t much but it makes a big difference to how you feel in the morning. 

 

 

Learn to say ‘NO’

 

Learning how to set boundaries in your relationships is so freeing.

 

But you have to be okay with letting people down. You have to know that their disappointment won’t last. You have to remember that you can’t be everything for everybody. 

 

Life can be busy, hectic and exhausting at times. In this post I share 13 small changes you can make to simplify your life and make it less stressful. #simpleliving #minimalism

 

Put your clothes away at the end of the day 

 

I’m guilty of throwing whatever I was wearing onto the floor and hopping straight into bed. But that just means I end up having to spend half an hour folding all the clothes that pile up later on in the week. 

 

It only takes a couple of minutes to fold the clothes you were wearing and put them away. That is so much better than having piles of laundry on a chair in your room or littering the floor. 

 

 

Budget & track your spending

 

This is essential regardless of the state of your finances.

 

Keeping track of your spending can make you aware of some bad habits you may have that could be leaching money (for example, eating out all the time.) 

 

It also means less stress and worry as you can set aside the money you need to pay important bills before they are due. 

 

 

Write in a journal  

 

I tend to think that working through my problems can be done just by thinking about them. But that’s actually called over-thinking, not problem solving. All it does is make you more stressed. 

 

To work things out, you need to spill the problems out from your head. That may look like talking to someone or perhaps like me, writing it out in your journal. 

 

 

Create a seasonal wardrobe  

 

All those winter coats and scarves you aren’t wearing take up space and clutter your wardrobe making the decision of what to wear each day even more difficult. 

 

Put your out-of-season clothes away in a box in your garage. Keep the things you really need in your wardrobe. 

 

 

Let go of worn-out relationships

 

Forget about having tonnes of friends. Forget about having a best friend that you call up every single day.  Forget about having a huge group of friends that always hangs out together. 

 

You don’t have to feel bad for letting old, worn-out friendships fizzle out. You also don’t have to feel bad for being a twenty-something who only has a couple of friends (one of which is your mum.)

 

It is about quality over quantity.


 

What small changes have you made to simplify your life? 

Minimalism: how to be content with what you already have

content-with-what-you-have

 

Most days, scrolling through my Facebook feed feels like stumbling through an inferiority minefield. I have to work really hard at being a good person and being happy for my friends that they have such wonderful lives. 

 

The other day, one of my friends shared a picture of himself at the airport, backpack on, passport in hand, a big smile on his face as he was about to board his plane to Greece.

 

I kept scrolling and saw another friend sharing a #bumpdate, she’s twenty weeks pregnant and the bump is really starting to show now.

 

As I scrolled down further, I saw another friend’s cute little coffee date from her weekend away down south. 

 

I breathed out a deep sigh as I gazed down at my sweatpants, the slippers on my feet and the cat on my lap. It is in these moments that my life feels too small and simple. So small it is claustrophobic. 

 

Green is one of my colours, but envy still doesn’t look pretty on me. 


 

As a society, we tend to focus on what we lack. We are constantly receiving these messages that we need MORE to be happy. That what have can’t possibly be enough for us. Marketers play at our weakness, they know how much we love the new and novel

 

They tell us that if we truly want to be happy, what we need is another sweater, a bigger TV, and a week-long holiday somewhere exotic.

 

They are in the business of selling, so they sell us a fairy-tale that MORE STUFF will make our lives better.

 

However, I’m beginning to realise that if I don’t make a change in my attitude, if I can’t learn how to be happier with a life that is small and simple, I will spend my entire life discontent. 

 

I’ll always be chasing after these things that are supposed to make me happy, only to find out I’m not satisfied once I have them.

 

The new and the novel don’t satisfy us for very long. Pretty soon the excitement wears off and once again we are left aching for more. 

 

minimalism, how to be content with what you have, decluttering, finding contentment, buy less stuff, own less, keep what sparks joy

 

Last week I went on a lovely day trip. We went shopping and walking and soaked in the hot pools. It was a full, busy, wonderful day. I came home feeling tired and content

 

And yet, a week later I feel the same itchy, desperate desire to get out and do something interesting. Our outing last week didn’t cure me of my need for adventure and excitement. 

 

Because the truth is, no matter how many countries we travel to, there will always be another we are dying to see. No matter how many books we read, there will always be a new one we just have to read. No matter how many pairs of shoes we own, there will always be THE pair that we believe will finally complete our wardrobe. 


 

There are times when contentment is a necessity and for me, this is one of those times. 

 

Right now I am studying and we are living off one income so we can’t afford much new. No new shoes, no new books, no trips to exotic destinations or flashy electronics. 

 

What I have has to be enough. 

 

being-content-with-what-you-have

 

But instead of feeling sorry for myself, I am taking this as an opportunity to be content with what I HAVE instead of giving into that endless craving for MORE

 

We have a roof over our heads. We have groceries in the fridge and pantry. I have an entire wardrobe stuffed full of clothes and shoes for every imaginable occasion. And I live close to a library with hundreds of books that I am still yet to read. 

 

I have enough. I have plenty. I do not need more. 

 

This is the mantra I am repeating to myself as I avert my eyes walking past sales racks and unsubscribe from shop mailing lists. And when I start to feel that claustrophobic fear that my life is too small, I am reminding myself that I have enough time as well.

 

There are plenty of years ahead for me to get to live out my dreams. I don’t need to pressure myself to cram it all into this year. I don’t need to accomplish all of my goals right now. There is enough time. 

 

Maybe this won’t be the year that I travel around Europe, but perhaps I’ll get to explore my hometown and finally conquer some of those more advanced mountain biking trails. 

 

Maybe this won’t be the year… I live in my dream home, but perhaps I’ll get to live in my very own flat for the first time. 

 

Maybe this won’t be the year… I make an 80k salary, but perhaps I’ll finally get to do a job I really enjoy. 

 


 

Minimalism is teaching me that what I have is enough.

 

I don’t need more space, I need less stuff.

 

Less stuff that I picked up at an op shop because it was super cheap and kinda cute. Less stuff that I was given and feel too guilty to give away. Less stuff that I bought trying to be someone that I’m not. 

 

Less stuff distracting me from the beauty and joy that is hidden in the ordinary, dull, normal moments of every day.

 

I’ll leave you with this quote I found which sums up why I am a fan of the minimalist lifestyle. A simple and small life is enough if it contains more of the things we love and less of the things we don’t.

 

“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things that we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.” – Joshua Becker