Choosing Happiness in 2012. And a FREE print.

Sometime last week, I decided to jot down some 'power words' & thoughts that I wanted to focus on in 2012. Not so much 'resolutions', but gentle reminders of what's most important to me & the direction I want to drive 2012 towards. I then transferred some of them into a wall print....coz that's what I do :) 

I couldn't fit them all on.....but the ones included were the main mantra words or reminders I wanted to have in front of me each morning when I log onto my computer. Recently, Maxabella asked the bloggy world, what is YOUR word for 2012? At the time, I couldn't think of one word I really wanted as MY word for the whole year! And even now....I'm struggling to settle on just one. A few went through my mind; Love {but I'm so in love with so many people & things at the moment, I really don't need to put any forced effort or focus into that one}, CAPABLE {like everyone, at times I feels so incapable & not good enough.....but 2011 also taught me that I am more capable than I give myself credit for......hey, I traveled the world solo, heavily pregnant, with a 3yr old.....I also overcame a pregnancy loss & then 14 months later; naturally & without drugs delivered an almost 10 pound baby into the world.....so, at the moment, as a Mother....as a Woman.....I'm feeling pretty capable!}, RELAX....{I nearly picked this one.....because relaxing is something that doesn't come naturally to me. If I get a quiet moment, when the kids are asleep or contently busy, I rarely turn off & truly relax....there's always things to do, chores to complete, work to be done, projects to complete, things to read etc etc. However, I am getting better at the whole relaxing thing...proof can be found when I'm on holidays with my family, and I've learnt to start saying NO sometimes, so that I'm not drowning myself in work & projects for other people, which takes quality time away from me & my family.} And in the end....the word {or words} that kept coming back to me.....were 2 simple ones: CHOOSE HAPPINESS.

So, for 2012.....I'm going to choose happiness. Like, almost everything we do & are faced with each day, in this democratic society we live in.....we have choices, lots of them! And HAPPINESS is a choice too! No, I'm not going to be a buzz of fake smiles & over the top happy-happy-joy-joy all day everyday.....because {1} that's just annoying..... and {2} that would be too far from the truth,...... because I too have moments and days, when things are just plain ole' crap. Money troubles, sick kids, work commitments, marriage that requires attention, family worries, drama with friends, endless dirty dishes, messes....oh constant messes, sleep deprivation & unplanned tragedies. So, of course, in 2012, there will be moments of worry, fear, sadness, anger, frustration & hurt.....but for the most part....I can still choose to be HAPPY! Really.....it all comes back to SINK or FLOAT?! In 2012 - Hakuna Matata :)

And to spread the love, I've done 3 colour styles of this print.....as a FREE downloadable, prinatable goodie for YOU :) To download the Black & White {like mine}, CLICK HERE. For the colourful hues, CLICK HERE. And for the light teal & gray, CLICK HERE. Hey, grab all 3 if you wish.....spread the word, let your friends know where they can grab their free 2012 wall print :) Simply download, print & frame....wahlah....easy :) I've made it a standard 20cmx25cm {8x10inch} so it fits into a photo frame! Or save your ink....and make it your desktop image or Facebook profile pic :)

{These ones are FREE!! But, if you'd like any extra or different words or YOUR OWN 2012 RESOLUTIONS & WORDS into a custom print, just contact me. I can do a custom print for you for $15 {as an emailed PDF} or $30 plus $8 postage for a hardcopy; printed & mailed one {30cm x 40cm}.

Whether it's due to the fact that January is usually about people being positive, embracing new starts with a new year & setting goals for a successful & amazing 12 months ahead......or maybe it was some freaky sign from a higher source; but I read a post today on Chris's Cousin's {Beth} lovely blog, that got me excited about 2012.....I could feel the inspiration running through my veins as I read this list:

> Health:
> 1. Drink plenty of water.
> 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
> 3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
> 4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
> 5. Make time to pray.
> 6. Play more games
> 7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
> 8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
> 9. Sleep for 7 hours..
> 10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
>
> Personality:
> 11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
> 12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
> 13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
> 14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
> 15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
> 16. Dream more while you are awake
> 17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
> 18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
> 19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
> 20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
> 21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
> 22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
> 23. Smile and laugh more.
> 24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
>
> Society:
> 25. Call your family often.
> 26. Each day give something good to others.
> 27. Forgive everyone for everything..
> 28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
> 29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
> 30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
> 31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
>
> Life:
> 32. Do the right thing!
> 33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
> 34. GOD heals everything.
> 35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
> 36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
> 37. The best is yet to come..
> 38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
> 39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

No idea, where Beth got it from, but I love it. I think I'll be printing this one too :) It's full of the inspiration & motivation I need to ensure my 2012 truly ROCKS! Oh....That, and choosing HAPPINESS :)

It's going to be a rockin' year!

Peace out......

A FREE Print for you!! Today I will.....

{ABOVE: this image.....can be YOURS....for FREE!!!}

Tonight, I sat down at the computer with my hot chocolate in hand! I uploaded a heap of recent photos & started looking through them....waiting for a piece of inspiration to jump out at me.....a topic to blog about :) A few things came to mind....about Ella, about me, about this week, about our growing family! I have heaps I want to share on here....especially about our baby scan on Wednesday :)))

BUT.....I then, an hour later, found myself happily....busily distracted in my design software......putting together words & quotes & colours....designing new prints. Some were custom orders for clients.....but the others were for me....for our family....for my online stores...and one for YOU!

I have put together a FREE DOWNLOADABLE PRINT. You can save it, send it, print it.....whatever....{except sell it lol}......it's a little free gift from me to you! A few simple words to inspire you through each new day!

Especially created for the busy woman/Mum, but can suit anyone & everyone really!

Print title: TODAY I WILL! Simply click HERE to download it for FREE!

“What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.” {Leo F. Buscaglia}

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!

An Easy Christmas Craft......{& a free DIY printable}

I've always been one to fully absorb myself into the magical atmosphere that only Christmas can bring each year :) As a child, our Christmas focus was never on materialistic items or money value....it was always about being with family & friends, great food, music, traditions, holidays, summer, savouring, appreciating & celebrating! Now, as an adult...and a Mother, I want to saturate Ella with a true love for Christmas too. Of course, {like all kids....or humans for that fact} she will want this toy & want that piece of clothing etc....and as Parents who like to give & enrich &.....basically spoil....she'll get lots of lovely goodies. BUT.....I want her memories of Christmas to be not just of 1 day of presents.....but a whole month of love, celebrating, involvements & celebration. In December, we will bake & craft & decorate & view lights & admire window displays & sing along at Candlelight Carols Concerts & write to Santa & show thanks & give all that we can...we will surround ourselves with loyal friends, loving family members & positive people in our lives......oh yeah, we will do it all baby!!

Last night I designed 2 simple Christmas bookmark templates for Ella to decorate to give as presents......and thought I'd add them here to my FREE DIY Printables so you can use them for free too!

Simply click here to download them for free. Then print and decorate {we used water paint & glitter}! I then mounted Ella's onto red paper, laminated & added some red ribbon up top through a punched hole ;)

A little bit of {easy} homemade, handmade goodness to do with your littlies this year :)

And the finished product....by the divine Miss Ella:

EASY :) We had fun doing them & I hope you do too!

It's the 1st of December tomorrow.......YAY!!!

A few sweet things that made me smile today......and SOMETHING FREE FOR YOU!

Today was one of those days...you know those days ~ where you have no schedule, no plans and no direction!? I usually work Wednesdays, and Miss Ella goes to daycare....BUT....she's sick {again!.....a viral throat thingy/tonsilitis}! So....a day of cuddles & snuggles was on the cards! I must say...I love filling days of nothing-ness with lots of something-ness :) In between cuddles, administering medicine, snuggles on the couch & movie watching....we enjoyed a few moments of fun & giggles & exploration! We had pancakes for breakfast, a quick trip to the local grocer for blueberries for morning tea, we baked chocolate cupcakes & built a block tower, almost as tall as Ella :)

The older I get, the more I want to seep more & more goodness out of life! I have these visions & dreams of the kind of life I want to provide for my children and even if a day is destined to be at-home wiping snotty noses, cleaning up little spews & carrying an unwell 15kg toddler on my hip for the good part of the day...then so be it! We can still find fun & adventure & love & a full-lived LIFE in that day!

I've been feeling so inspired this year.....inspired to be the best Mummy possible to my child/ren! Inspired to find & savour beauty & magic in the simple, everyday things.....I'm inspired to enjoy what some people refer to as the mundane routine of each day & I want to make it fabulous & memorable! I don't know where all this searching & craving for life's amazing moments has come from....but I think a lot has to do with the empowering blogs I follow, realising & being a part of the miracle of life and the drive to be better & live better! 

So....on that note.....even though our day was spent away from work & school & socialising, we still rocked it out....snotty noses and all.....

[Self portrait photo! I jazzed up the day with a coat of mascara, some fruity lip gloss & some Calvin Klein perfume......the perfect way to feel great at home whilst rocking out the stay-at-home Mum gig!! I also wore one of my sweet'n'sexy headbands, coz they always lift my mood!!}

We played with the self-timer on the camera :) I know the one above is not a very good shot....dark & blurry....BUT.....I love it! Me & my buddy!!!

{we returned our weekly DVD's & got new ones.....in gum boots & un-brushed hair....but you're allowed that when you're not well!!}

{We made fresh blueberry & strawberry milkshakes for morning tea.....oh they were GOOD!!}

{I was loving scrunched up faces from sour blueberry bites}

{And I enjoyed the 30mins of quiet while a certain little someone snoozed on the couch!! And I am LOVING the HIPSTAMATIC app on my iPhone which makes photos looks like the one above!! Thanks to Kelle for sharing that app link with me!}

And, that my friends...is a few things that made me smile today & some of the moments where I found beauty in the mundane!

And to end the day on a bang....I have two free PRINTABLES for YOU!!!! Back when my blog was newborn....I made some DIY printable gift tags....well, now I have 2 free DIY greeting cards for you to download, print & use as many times as you want, whenever you need:)

To download the full size version of these FREE, DIY, Printable Cards designed by ME! Simply click on here for the JUST FOR YOU card and here for the Birthday Card!

ENJOY!!! And please, tell me what beauty you found in today?!! I'd love to know!!