"Celebrate good times"

This week is Birth-iversary week for me. That is my Birthday and our anniversary. A busy and exciting week! Brads parents are shouting us to the Circus tomorrow night. Super excited as it all about acrobatics and the like, rather than animal cruelty. Yay! I am not ashamed to say that i am also stoked for Hot Dogs and Candy Floss. Who wouldn't be, right?

Brad and I have a nice dinner planned for our Anniversary. More on the anniversary on Friday. We are also trying once again to go Hot Air Ballooning, a whole year of trying and no luck, so everyone cross your fingers (and toes) for Saturday morning.

I cannot wait to get out with some friends and dance the night away (as well as my annual photo booth tirade). Scandalous photo's to follow I'm sure. Also filtering in some shopping and a great big family BBQ on Sunday. I am just so excited. With all the fussy stuff aside, I am looking forward to spending time with great people who I love the most.

"All in good time"

Just like Johanna, I too am feeling a bit anti-blogging. Probably for the same reasons, being that there is so much going on in day-to-day life. 

Despite my lack of enthusiasm to post right now, there are lots of great things to come for me and for In My Shoes this year. Over the next few months you will begin to see a new look for In My Shoes. I will also begin to "share the load" by inviting a few guest blogger's along. These lovely ladies will be sharing with you great tips from areas of life that I have no experience with, namely motherhood and the beauty industry (coincidence?). I am so grateful for these lovelies and excited for you all to get to know them and share in their journey's and in their fab ideas.

For me personally this year is going to be a big one. I will graduate this year. I. Will. Graduate. This year will also mark the beginning of a great adventure for Brad and I, as we save for our O.E.

Twenty-eleven will be a year re-claimed for me, and for many members of my family I suspect. The year that Cancer did not consume.



So with all these morsels to look forward too, and many other joyous occasions to celebrate, this looks to be a fantastic year. Well...it must be if I'm finding it too much fun to make time to blog.

"This festive season"

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Years. It feels so good to be home. Brad & I have been zipping round the lower North Island since Boxing Day.



Here are a few highlights and lowlights of our Holiday period:



           Blingin'

• An easy, virtually stress free Christmas Day, filled with great love, food and presents - The majority of my presents were food related. Score! Kitchen post lovelies to follow. A great mixed family breakfast at our place. A scavenger hunt at Brads parents house. Knowing that next year there will be a brand new little person, Brads cousin and his wife have a bun in the oven. Oh...and food, food and more food. 

• Sunshine  - sweet, sweet sunshine.

• Hawkins-family time in Halcombe - Eating cheesecake and trifle at any time of the day. Pretty Ponies. Shopping, mooching, painting and watching family videos. 

• A nostalgic New Year in Martinborough - Sun, friends, family and amazing accommodation. 

• JENGA the drinking game -  Just when you thought JENGA couldn't get any more heart-attack inducing. You were wrong. 

          Mingin'

• Budget highs and lows - Damned STAT day bank closure. 

• Heavens Doors open - Knowing that people you love are suffering loses, and imminent loses.

• Brad vs. Ditch - Drinking games + a game of Spotlight + a ditch = A broken arm for Brad. 

• Parting with Family and Friends - such sweet sorrow.

"Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?"

Christmas Eve. Wow. How time flies.



Today I thought I'd share with you a 'TFF' topic that I am just crazy about. CC. No, not Canadian Club. Christmas Carols. Christmas Carols fill my soul with joy. They force me to reflect on the reason for Christmas. They force me to realize what's most important in my life - and that is love. Love for my family and friends and all those who are willing to share joy and kindness with others. It may not be the literal reason behind Christmas, but it sure is a glorious reminder. Here are my Top Five Favourite Christmas Carols. Click on the titles to have a listen.



5. Rockin' around the Christmas Tree - The only up-tempo song on my list. Reminds me of my Grandad...and Home Alone. 



4. Silent Night - This ol' faithful was a favourite to sing at School Assembly. I am particularly fond of the Boyz II Men Acapella Version.



3. The first Noel - There is something about this song that makes me feel at peace. It also makes me so thankful.



2. O Holy Night - There is something so grand about this song, but I always get a feeling of uneasiness during the part that gets really intense. I think that is my Christmas guilt. I think of families who are less fortunate and can't celebrate Christmas. I think of people who are alone.



1. Have yourself a Merry little Christmas - Oh Judy, dear Judy. How lovely is this song. It reminds me of the touching emotional scene in every Christmas movie ever made. Her voice and the song are both exceptional.





Have a safe and wonderful Christmas. God Bless.

XXX

"May your days be merry"

Christmas is upon us. I am so happy. In fact I am feeling very merry indeed today. It hasn't all been smooth sailing though. I heard someone say yesterday that if you're not enjoying the season - you're missing the point. I've taken this on board, and am letting the little stresses fade away with a little help from some laughter.



Stress: The decorated Christmas tree fell over. All over rover.

Laughing it off: After a little rescue, it is re-potted and re-decorated. It looks better the second time around. 

Stress: Not having time to vacuum before Erica and Aaliah came over.

Laughing it off: Being glad that I didn't after the Aaliah vs. Cookie massacre.



Stress: Figuring out quantities for having ten people for breakfast on Christmas morning.

Laughing it off: Oh well if I don't cook enough food it's not as if they'll go hungry all day.



Stress: Not having completed my Christmas shopping.

Laughing it off: Tackling it with Erica and her Cherub.

NB: 16 month old cutie survives 4 hours of shopping with not a single tantrum - wakes up from a nap and showers her god-mother with cuddles)



Stress: Having a Hairdresser butcher my fringe.

Laughing it off: Walking in off the street (to a different salon) with no appointment (at this time of year) and having an awesome hairdresser fix it...for free!



Here is a pic of the disaster before I had it fixed last night. I know it's not straightened in the after pic, but really it made not much difference!

I would have taken one of the fringe now it has been fixed, but I'm still in my pyjamas!

I'm off to finish cleaning and bake brownies. Have a merry day!

"Labels or Love"

I am totally lusting over Nude shoes this week. Well always actually. Christmas 2006, Brad bought me a pair of electric blue 1950's inspired peep toes. Nude shoes are so comfortable,  funky and fairly affordable (as far as shoes go), this is a winning combination. I popped on to their site today and it's official - I want the entire spring collection. Here are a few styles I am particularly in love with.

All images from nudefootwear.com.au