Success or Happiness?

Am a bit of a fan of Australian Kelly Doust of Crafty Minx fame (which is a whole other story I will elaborate on in another post very soon), but I came across the following link on her site which I found really interesting and it has become an idea I have been thinking about quite often. I believe in setting goals for myself and I enjoy that boost of confidence I feel when I'm working hard and the end goal is approaching. But does this way of always looking at the world run the risk of flipping your ability to feel satisfied, content - even happy, off balance. I believe you can control your own attitude and outlook on life, I'd even go so far as to say that we are happy by choice. This speaker has given me some good practical tools to retrain myself in the mental exercise of being happy in my success rather than chasing success in the hope of happiness. I hope this short video provides you with some interesting ideas too.

interactive art adventurers

 

 

Hopefully that wasn't the last of the sunshine yesterday morning but if so we managed a great morning out exploring our local Art gallery (how posh does that sound!). We're lucky to have the Wallace Art Collection on our doorstep, housed in the beautiful Pah Homestead within Monte Cecilia Park (off Hillsborough Rd). Entry by Donation and there's a great cafe with seating inside or on the terrace overlooking the garden, scuptures and out across to One Tree Hill - its really quite spectacular. Turned out to be Kid paradise too - the gardens are extensive, gorgeous trees and rolling hills and riddled with rabbits in summer. James Wallace is responsible for NZ's largest private collection of NZ art and his trust sponsors the Wallace Art awards every year, the trust has worked with the council to restore this historic homestead and now it is home to his wonderful collection. The art changes frequently and it is full of friendly volunteer helpers. Its one of my (very) happy places and I was so thrilled the kids enjoyed it too - lots of space to run around outside and more than enough to look at inside too - they fitted right in and tip toed and whispered all the way round. Definitely worth a visit - rain or shine. (I'm obviously no photographer but hopefully the pics pass on the message - we had fun!)
James Wallace Arts Trust @ Pah Homestead

and the mother of all clearouts just gets bigger....

running late on my personal deadline of posting my favourite fashion throw-outs for sale....the pile just seems to keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger! It still feels somewhat liberating but the last thing anyone needs is an extra washing basket brimming over in the corner of your bedroom so I have to get onto it tomorrow. Stay tuned for link to pics and postings....and let me know how you're going too of course!

bootcamp styling in the sunshine

 

Am all a quiver with endorphins following my first ever bootcamp session. A brilliant time and more than worthy of a plug. I'm pretty quick to use "mother of 3 under 5" to get me out of a lot of things but this session was tagged kid friendly and at the civilised hour of 9.15am I felt it was worth a shot. It's located at Bellevue Reserve on Dominion Rd/Bellevue Rd with a kids playground at far end of the field, I'd recommend bringing your other half to help keep an eye on really young ones but with a cafe close by for coffee supplies it makes for pleasant child minding duties. My 4yr old happily followed me for most of the session, providing added incentive to not fall apart, so older kids would be fine to potter within sight or join in here and there given the very cool and safe location. There appeared to be a diverse range of fitness levels with some super fit looking types alongside beginners like me, but sessions are structured to give you scope to push yourself no matter what level. It felt like great value and is very well run, certainly better value than you'd ever get flouncing around a gym and a good fun morning out for the family too. Their website is ... www.outdoorfitness.co.nz ....and I'm booking in for Kelly's session each sunday for the next 6 weeks (just $75!) - check it out!

major wardrobe overhaul in progress

Caught up with lovely friends on Friday and got to talking about that saying "you only wear 15% of your wardrobe". One of the lovelies had spent an afternoon clearing out her wardrobe under the critical yet guiding eyes of 2 friends. Several massive bagloads to the charity bin later and she was now raving about how liberating it felt to be so organised. She was loving her favourite wardrobe surviours with renewed vigour and shopping adventures would have focus now she knew what she really needed and what truely suited. This exercise has to be the perfect example of less being MORE.....so i've started my own clear out as the picture shows. I'm about half way through and will also add an extra element. I am being ruthless in my culling but there will be 2 piles for me - those destined for the charity shop and those destined for Trademe resale. I've had some success selling and buying clothes on trademe (NZ's ebay equivalent). So if you too feel so inclined to do your own wardrobe overhaul and wish to follow me into Trademe retail land too then send me the link to your listings and I'll promote your listings to fellow squanderers too (just click on "comment" below and post in box).  Its going to take a while for me to clean, photograph and list these items but I hope to have most of them up by Monday. Will keep you posted and I hope to hear from some of you too....