Happy New Year (and Birthday)

Self Portrait with Curled Hair on Birthday, 2008

Well, another year is ending and with it another year of life goes by. Today I am 27, so as of 3am this morning I am officially in my late twenties (as opposed to mid-twenties), which is a little scary and makes me feel like I should probably be grown up... or something.

This time of year makes everyone a bit philosophical, and I for one have certainly been pondering life, the universe and everything a lot lately. I posted recently about job security vs. job satisfaction, and wondered what I should do next in my working life. Well, it seems that fate stepped in and not-so-subtley guided me towards the job satisfaction option. So as of January 5th 2009, I am not on christmas holidays, and I am a self-employed freelance designer.

I'm apprehensive and I feel a little nervous if I can actually carry this off successfully. But I am ready to give this a go and find out what it really is like to work for myself rather than "The Man" (or in my case, it was more the Devil wears Prada).

So in honour of new beginnings and big challenges (with big potential rewards), my motto for 2009 is:

Not be lazy, but learn to breathe, take it in, and not stress so much. Work hard to enjoy the rewards it brings at the end. Do what you love, and love what you do.

That, and actually follow through on things (my late resolutions for 2008 are still outstanding, so I'm rolling them over to 2009).

Happy New Years everyone, I hope that all your 2009 dreams come true!

Morty's First Christmas

I don't want this to become a blog entirely about my dog, but his first Christmas was just so cute I couldn't resist:

Wake up Morty, Santa's been!

*yawn* But I don't want to wake up Mama!

Wait, did you say Santa's been?

That means I can open my presents??

WOO HOO!

*rip* *shred*

Hey neighbours, look at my new Stegosaurus!

4pm Boxing Day - Morty is yet to wake up after all the excitement of Christmas.

Hope your Christmas was as wonderful and fun as ours!

'Twas the night before Christmas...

In the spirit of giving, I give you... an interesting post! :) I am determined to get this blog happening in the new year, so hopefully this is one of many going forward.

My parents and sisters are coming over to our house early tomorrow morning to rip open many presents and have breakfast together before everyone splits to see various in-laws and assorted other friends/family. I love setting the table for Christmas, its the opportunity to do something really special.



I'm trying to be thrifty this year, so apart from the fresh flowers everything else are things I had around the house - the blue "table runner" is left over wrapping paper, with a strand of tinsel for sparkle, a set of Ikea candlesticks which I bought on special, and left over tree decorations as napkin rings. The spotty mugs and the plain plates are part of a set I got last christmas and I love them (althought they are not dishwasher friendly so I don't love washing up after using them!)



Even the flowers are a little bit thrifty - the lisanthus are left overs from a bunch I bought last week, I just pruned out the floppy/browning ones. I added singapore orchids, Christmas bush and some random glossy foliage (cost $10 altogether) to plump out the bunch. I also love to bust out my Jasper Conran for Wedgewood teapot/creamer/sugar bowl whenver I can, their platinum rim adds to the sparkle.



I'm certain Eddie Ross would have something to say about this table setting! :) Well, how do you properly set a table for breakfast? I have just winged it here - knife and fork for eggs and toast eating, spotty mug with teaspoon inside for tea and coffee sipping, and a wine glass for some extra special orange juice drinking.




And last but not least, our Christmas e-card. It took about 1.5hrs, 2 sets of antlers and dozens of blurry shots before Morty would sit still and smile for Mama, but what a gorgeous smile it is.

Merry Christmas from my little family to yours, I hope your holidays are safe and magical!

Growing up & ramping up

Gosh, it has been months since I last posted. So much for my new years resolution to post more often - maybe I should start them next year, since its so close!

A year ago today we got the keys to our little house. It has flown by so quickly, I just cant believe it! We have made improvements here and there, and it still makes me smile that this is ours.

The little guy in my last post has now grown to be this large fellow:


...who makes us laugh all day long with his crazy antics (right now he's trying to wedge himself under the lounge for no apparent reason).

I was going to write a long, deep post about the many many things I have been working on and pondering lately, but I think instead I should just update my blog more often and explain it as I go!

One big thing I have been thinking carefully about is my career, and the interesting conundrum that arises when a secure, well paying job yields zero job satisfaction. Do you leave and do what you love, sacrificing a steady wage (and possibly some of the lifestyle that that affords)? Or do you stay and be miserable every day, but be able to afford lifes luxuries? Its a tough one.

I have had my little business on the backburner for quite a while now, I'm thinking that 2009 may be the year to ramp things up and get some real job satisfaction happening. Stay tuned!