Author Archives: Catherine

Create :: A Sanctuary

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We all need a space of our own. Whether its the garden, kitchen or bedroom you love to spend time in, it is important to have a space in which you can put your own stamp on and surround yourself with your favourite things. For me, this space is undoubtedly my study. I love to spend time there working, designing, planning, listening to music and surrounded by books, my vision board infront of me and with a cup of coffee in my hand.

Having recently moved into a new house and study I am currently still getting settled in. My original post lovely home office contained a few ideas on furniture. So far I have

#1. My Desk…

After much deliberation I decided on this from Ikea. Its a good size (1400lx700wx780h) & I love the glass top, so there’s room to display items below your workspace. I currently have mine full of lovely notebooks, markers, diary, and a couple of gorgeous books…

Its called Vika Gruvan/ Vika Lilleby, from Ikea.

#2. Bookcase

Needed a good size bookcase to hold my ever-growing collection of books. I don’t see my love of books ever changing… a kindle cannot replace an original copy. I got this lovely bookcase also from ikea.

Expedit bookcase Ikea

image The Klein

 #3. Vision board

I’ve got the corkboard, now I just need to follow the tutorial on the happy home blog! My board contains – photos of my dog, pics of style, quotes, lists of new fonts to download, books I want to read, calendar, cards received, recipes, and any beautiful images I find. I will post a picture when it is looking suitably curated!

image the happy home blog

image pretty stuff tumblr

Image Etsy

#4.Pictures

Currently gathering these… a mixture of inspirational quotes/mantras and beautiful images.

image creamy life

image fashionismo

image Bungalow 5

 #5. Some lovely Office Spaces

 

image The Simply Luxurious Life

Image House to Home

Image House to Home

What’s your favourite space in the house?

Catherine, xo

Remember :: take risks

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‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’

You can’t get anywhere unless you are willing to take a risk. We take risks every day that we don’t even think twice about, getting into a car or crossing the road to placing our trust in other people. We have to take a certain level of risk in all areas of our life if we are to move forward, however in this fast changing and increasingly uncertain world, how do we know when to play it safe and hold onto what you have or when to take a leap of faith and risk it for possibly greater gains.

#1. Beyond your comfort zone

In order to grow and develop as a person, we must step beyond our comfort zone and push ourselves. Be open to new experiences, places and people. Be the best you can be and live your life to the full. In the words of the Baz Luhrmann song Everybodys Free (to wear sunscreen)

 ”Do one thing every day which scares you”

#2. Optimist or Pessimist?

Our outlook on life has a impact on our risk taking. If we believe that by taking risks generally the positives of taking the risk outweigh the negatives we are much more likely to take the leap. And psychologists have frequently demonstrated that people tend to overestimate the likelihood of positive things happening to them and underestimate the negatives. It is necessary to have a certain amount of self-confidence and optimism if we wish to meet our goals in life, but it also important to be fully aware of what the downsides could be and be prepared for them too.

‘Aim for the moon and you’ll land among the stars’

#3. Thrillseeker

Some people thrive on taking risks and become easily bored constantly looking for the next adventure or challenge. Thrillseekers tend to have a relaxed view of the future, living by the motto ‘it will all work out for the best in the end’ –  Although many people would faint at the thought of taking some of the risks that a thrillseeker would, there are a couple of lessons we can all learn from them; taking risks and trying new experiences generally makes for a more interesting and exciting life. Taking risks opens up your perspective on life as you travel to new places, meet new faces and try new experiences. This type of personality is generally ‘happy go lucky’ and having an optimistic, relaxed attitude to life is definitely a good thing!

#4. All that’s left…

Sometimes we reach a point in our lives where we actually have no choice but to jump. Whether it be because we have been thrown into unemployment, going through a divorce or simply because to remain in the same position would just be too unbearable and we have to trust and have faith that what lies ahead will be worth the risk.

Are you a risk taker?

Catherine, xo

image (1) Pinterest (2) Pinterest (3) Pinterest (4) Its no piece of cake (5) Pinterest

 

Commit Yourself

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Those who succeed set themselves
apart by their commitment.
Most of us make an effort:
we prepare; we try; but then we hope.
If you really want to achieve something,
you must be prepared to stretch yourself.
You must distil your energy and focus all your efforts.
You must give of yourself.

image

Wish List :: 3

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Some of the lovely items I’m coveting this week…

#1. These gorgeous edgy necklaces…

#2. Copper and brass boxes from Muhs Home.

#3. This sparkly bracelet from ShopBop

#4. Love, love, love these… from Pour Reporter.

#5. These shoes are so elegant and feminine. Nearly too beautiful to wear… nearly…

#6. A twist on the traditional ‘blue jeans’ – great summer look

 #7. Peplum skirt from Zara. Fab colours.

What’s on your wish list?

Catherine, xo

Image (1) Pinterest (2) Muhs Home (3) Shopbop (4) Pour Porter (5) Crush Cul de Sac (6) Pinterest (7) East Coasting It

Outfit idea :: Rain Showers

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Ok – I know shouldn’t be posting about outfit ideas for rainy days in July! But unfortunately it is something we need to prepare for…

#1. A lovely coat – mac/leather jacket/trench/anorak

#2. Scarf

 

 

#3. Brolly, can’t go wrong with a black umbrella…

What are your favourite rainy day coats?

Hopefully we won’t be needing them too much this summer!

Catherine, xo

image (1) pinterest (2) pinterest  (3) pinterest (4) pinterest (5) pinterest (6) pinterest (7) pinterest

Remember… to maintain focus

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Once we have decided to make a change in our life or to set a new goal, or like me set a whole bunch of new goals  (see my 30 before 30) the initial motivation and drive is wonderful. However how do we maintain this when life happens – daily priorities and events can knock us off course and regaining that motivation is easier said than done.

Stay on track…

#1. Assess your progress

Whatever your goal is from running a race to planning a dream holiday or losing some weight, stop and ask yourself how much progress you have made/ will you reach your target within the time scale you set yourself? Can you run as far or for as long as you should be able to at this stage in your training plan? Have you saved the money for your holiday you had planned to?

#2. Don’t berate yourself

Remember you are only human, and life happens, no-one is perfect. You may have got sidetracked but that doesn’t mean you are an awful person who is doomed never to achieve their goals and dreams. Give yourself a break. (just not too much!)

#3. Be patient and mindful

The tendency when things don’t go quite as planned, is to throw the towel in and tell yourself ‘sure I’ve mucked it up now, I may as well eat/do whatever I want now – I’ll start again on Monday‘ This is generally a knee-jerk reaction and one that I’m sure we have all had. Think however – what would you say to your friend? I would say something along the lines of – don’t be so sore on yourself, think of the progress you have been making and all the effort you have put in, this is only a bump in the road don’t let it derail you from your course – you are stronger than that and the achievement is going to be worthwhile.

Sometimes when we are knocked we allow ourselves to be all too quickly turned around and heading down the wrong path. The result of this is generally – some distance down this path we realise this is not the way we want to go and turn around with extra distance to ‘re-travel’. The key when we initially stumble is to ‘stop and think’. Be mindful of what we are saying to ourselves and what we are allowing ourselves to automatically do. Ask yourself what you really want before you head off in wrong direction again.

#4. Learn from experiences

So you stumbled – what happened, why did it happen, how can you learn from it? – so next time it happens you are better equipped to deal with it. If you keep a journal these thoughts and feelings should be easily identifiable, however I find that when things go off track generally everything goes off track – journal writing included. It is such a worthwhile exercise however, and can help in keeping you mindful of your actions and your eye ‘on the ball’.

#5. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going!

We all know it takes hard work, determination and commitment to make changes and reach goals. The important thing is to get back up – no matter how many times you fall.

YOU CAN!

How do you maintain focus?

Catherine, xo

All images pinterest

 

 

 

 

Create :: The Perfect Career

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‘Ask what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.’
Howard Thurman
Discovering your true passion is not always as easy as you might imagine. Life, society and family are just a few of the things which commonly alter or direct our course in life. What is deemed success/failure in the eyes of our peers and community can mean we choose to study or follow a career path purely to please or measure up to the standards set by others. Sometimes others think they know what is best for us, but it is so important to realise and remember that at the end of each day there is only one person looking back at you in the mirror and you must be happy with them. No-one else knows how you feel inside and in order to live a happy and fulfilled life it is vital to tune into what is important to you, what makes you tick and where your strengths truly lie. There are many people who are in jobs which they are very capable of, and can live a contented life but they are not necessarily ‘in their element’.
Other external forces such as the necessity to pay bills and support a family can also impact on our choice (or not having a choice) as to what we do. This is a reality of life, but if we search within ourselves and discover what our true passion is, nothing will stand in the way of our quest to fulfil it, because it is in essence what we are. And the age old saying ‘where there is a will there is a way’ is very apt and very true.

How to find your element

There is no easy or quick way to discover your element, particularly if you have been following a career or subject for a long time that you don’t enjoy or feel fulfilled by. However sometimes it can just be a matter of stopping fighting your true feelings. As I said before sometimes we can be reluctant to open up to what we truly feel because we are trying to conform to others expectations. And change is hard. It is scary. But it is necessary if we are to live the life we are destined.

#1. Be prepared

You must be realistic about the time, effort and commitment required to make a change. As with any aspect of life, for example creating a new healthy lifestyle, change doesn’t happen overnight. You will have to put in hard work and effort, whilst maintaining your motivation.
#2. Get to know yourself

Do you know what makes you tick? What motivates you? What your natural strengths are? What environment you thrive in? Are you a people person or do you prefer to work alone? Brainstorm all the things you enjoy doing (leave nothing out, even the things you think might be silly) Try this free personality test for fun and give you an insight into some of your traits.

‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life’
Confucius
#3. Try new things

Aim to do something new every week, to open up your mind and maximise your exposure to new experiences, people and see what you learn about yourself!

Some ideas
Go to an exhibition
Try a new exercise class – yoga/pilates?
Cook a new recipe
Climb a mountain
Read an inspirational book
Write in a journal
Try a new make-up look
Go to a concert
Volunteer for a cause you care about

#4. Allocate time

Set aside time every week to work on discovering/developing your new career

#5. Get Motivated

When it seems like too much effort/ taking too much time ask yourself what will life be like if I don’t change? Do I want to spend the next 20-30 years doing something I don’t love? Visualise your life when you are in your new career.
What will your day be like?
How will you be feeling?
Will you be your own boss?
How much money will you be earning?
Will you be working 9-5
Will you be working from home?
What are you wearing?

#6. Pay attention to detail

There will be many clues to what your true interests and desires are if you allow yourself to be open to them and listen to your emotions. Even what you are happiest wearing will reflect your personality. Do you like wearing business suits to work or are you a hippie at heart? Do you like structure and order or do you prefer to be more flexible and go with the flow? If you are naturally artistic you will not be happiest in an office environment.

#7. Be true to yourself

#8. Work Hard
Nothing worthwhile comes easy. If it is worthwhile we must work hard to achieve it.
#9. Move

Take a small step every day that takes you closer to your dream career. Do not remain static. In order to gain momentum we must move.

#10. Never.ever.give.up.on.your.dreams!

What is a life that fails to reach its full potential? Do not waste the wonderful life you have been given. You owe it to yourself to be the best you can be. Always remember your motivation.

Has anyone made a career change recently?
Catherine, xo
Image (1)  Cac-o-e-thes via reckless bones (2) positively noteworthy (3) Ryan Marshall Instagram (4) Retronaut (5) Imgfav (6)  note to self (7) Pinterest

Lifestyle :: Update 1

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So its a month since I made a pact with myself to change my lifestyle for the better. So far I have updated you on my journey once. You can read that post here.

There has been a shift in my mental attitude and that has been the biggest change for me. I am choosing to focus on how I am feeling rather than how I look or how much I weigh. (Don’t get me wrong I am keeping tabs on the scales and so far I have lost 7 pounds reducing my BMI from 29.4 to 27.4 ) these things are still really important to monitor progress, but the point is they are not the be-all-and-end-all to your progress. The scales don’t know how much effort you are putting in, whether you are eating right and how you feel. We shouldn’t give them so much power over us.

Tips to stay focussed on your journey

#1. Focus on the intrinsic motivators rather than extrinsic.

How you feel rather than what you weigh…

#2. Be your own best friend

You wouldn’t dream of telling a friend who has had a bad day, or eaten something ‘wrong’ that she is useless, weak and doomed to be fat forever! You would tell her not to worry, a lifestyle change doesn’t happen in a day, we are all human, no-one is perfect and take it as an opportunity  to learn and move on in knowledge that the next time she will know how to handle the situation she found herself in today. Cut the self-abuse. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

#3. Visualise your goals

It is important to have something to work towards and remind us why we are making a change. For me I put together a set of images and mantras from Pinterest and put it as a screensaver to remind me of my path.

#4. Monitor

Ok so I said before not to get worked up by the scales, we still need to use them, just give them less of an importance. Set up a spreadsheet with your goals, interim goals and monitor your progress. Take your measurements and BMI. On days when you haven’t lost you can always check your measurements – just because you haven’t lost pounds doesn’t mean you haven’t toned up. Monitoring applies to your emotions also. Keep a journal. Highlight positives in your feelings and in your day.

#5. Reward

Reward yourself for the positives and don’t dwell on the negatives. Set yourself mini-goals and when you reach them mark it somehow, and give yourself the praise you deserve for all your hard work and effort. Making changes isn’t easy and you should acknowledge that.

How do you create a new habit?

Catherine, xo

images (1) Pinterest (2)  Shinyhappylife (2) motivationintohabit

Wish List :: 2

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Some of the pieces I’m craving at the moment…

#1. Maxi skirt in this lovely caramel colour

#2. Marni spotty lingerie

#3. Brightly coloured clutch. Loving this whole combination, the shirt, sunnies, necklace, knotted belt and sunkissed skin!

#4. Clashing textures and prints

#5. Amazing LBD

#6. Strappy black sandals

#7. Drop waist dresses and killer pins

#8. Effortless chic

#9. Black leather shorts.

#10. Leopard print clutch.

What’s on your style wish list?

Catherine, xo

Image 2 net a porter all other images pinterest