30 before 31

About a month ago I turned 30 (yikes!).  I had a little freak-out at the time, but I'm feeling okay about it now... mostly.  As is my yearly tradition, I have made myself a new list of goals to accomplish before my next birthday.  See my past ones here, here and here.

As is also tradition, I'm sharing it here with you in the hope it'll give me some extra incentive.  I've not fully completed a list yet, but here goes...

1. Create a routine - in the hope of getting a few simple things done.
2. Find 'the dress' - no, I still haven't found my wedding dress.  Time is ticking...
3. Enjoy the gym - I joined in December and really need to work on my fitness.
4. De-clutter - kind of standard, but necessary nonetheless.
5. Keep in touch - I am the worst at this.
6. vintage shopping - I love this and want to do more.
7. Make cake - I got loads of cake maing stuff for Xmas and want to crack it out.
8. Go to the llama farm - a personal ambition of mine since discovering there is one near Sheffield.
9. Clean eating - less processed foods = healthier lifestyle.
10. Read before bed - to get me back into reading regularly.
11. Worry less - harder than it seems.
12. Practice ukelele - I taught myself as a previous birthday goal... now I need to practice.
13. Make paper/fabric flowers - possible wedding project.
14. Cut down on meat - for mine and the planet's benefit.
15. Home videos - my new camera has video (!)
16. Craft my wedding - saves money, adds personality and is fun!
17. Rotate my wardrobe - I always end up wearing the same things.  I plan to change this.
18. Betty portraits - well, she is gorgeous.
19. Eat local produce - another effort to help the planet (and local economy).
20. Purge my craft supplies - I have too much stuff!
21. Weaving - I bought a lap-loom ages ago and haven't used it yet.
22. Spa Sundays - taking the time each week to pamper myself.
23. Less personal shopping - in an effort to save money and cleanse my wardrobe.
24. Stop my bad habit - since I was a litte girl I have chewed the skin in my mouth.  I really, really want to stop.
25. Find a new home - our flat is lovely, but mouldy.
26. Get back into yoga - a past hobby I would like to revisit
27. Use less heat on my hair - I'm trying to grow it.
28. Refocus logii - something I have neglected recently :(
29. Experiment with tofu - there are so many possibilities
30. More craft fairs - one down, more to go.

So there you have it.  I'll try and update as often as I can with my progress.  Do you do anything similar?  I love making lists!

29 Before 30

So every year for the last few years I've made myself a list of things to accomplish before my next birthday (see here and here).  It's nearly a month since my birthday, so I thought I best get round to posting this year's list - oops.

1. Improve my social networking - something I really need to work on.
2. Use up most of my yarn - I have way too much and need to stop buying!
3. Stay hydrated - I don't drink enough water and want to change this.
4. Paint my nails - again, I have so much nail varnish, and hardly use it.
5. Learn to do the splits - I want to improve my flexibility.
6. Make an 8mm - gonna try and have fun with my i-phone app.
7. See live music - because it's awesome.
8. Go for long walks - one of the advantages of living near the Peak District are the amazing walks on your doorstep.
9. Book a wedding venue - top priority!
10. Modular origami - I want to step it up a gear.
11. Experiment with bleach - in a crafty sense.
12. Get a dentist - this needs to happen.
13. Send snail mail - I always love receiving it, and sending it can be so much fun too.
14. Make fabric labels for logii - to give my crocheted creations more of an identity.
15. Finish a paint by numbers - I have a few of these that are sadly unfinished.
16. Save save save!! - this will be another big priority this year.
17. Take better care of my skin - I want to get into a routine.
18. Use my camera apps - a goal I set for myself before Xmas that I want to continue.
19. Make a souffle - always wanted to have a go at one of these.
20. Swim - it just so good for you.
21. Support local/independent businesses - I'm a big believer in small business.
22. Enjoy the simple things - getting back to basics.
23. Make some art - I want to explore my creative side (hmmm).
24. Wear lipstick - like the nail varnish thing, I have loads but never wear it.
25. Flower pressing - something new to try.
26. Build a terranium - because they're pretty.
27. Aromatherapy - something I'm starting to get into, thanks to my Auntie.
28. Bake more - why not?
29. Meditate - the small amounts I've tried have really benefited me.  Time to try it properly.

So another year, another list.  I'll try my best to keep you updated here on my progress.  These lists have really made a difference to my life.  I'm sure there are so many things I wouldn't have bothered trying if they weren't there written down and taped to my cupboard.  I recommend giving it a go!
If you've a list of your own, please share it in the comments - I'd love to see what your annual goals are.

4 Simple Goals

If you've been following me for a while you'll know that I love to make lists.  I'm a firm believer that if you write something down you're more likely to get it done and making goals is important for me to give me focus on the things I want to accomplish.  I'm not so great however at setting a deadline (with the exception of my Birthday list), so when I saw that Elsie from 'A Beautiful Mess' was repeating her 4 simple goals challenge I thought "why not?" and decided to play along.  The rules are:


1. Choose simple goals that will make your life richer and happier on a daily basis. Choose things you may not otherwise get done, but that are not difficult to accomplish.

2. Do not choose result oriented goals, choose activity oriented goals. for example.... instead of "lose 10 pounds", choose something like "eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day". Get what I'm saying? Positive actions instead of just the end result!

3. Choose goals that are personal that you believe will truly make your life richer just by doing them! They can be daily, weekly or one time experiences.

4. Choose a reward for each goal as it is accomplished! It can be a small or large reward- it's up to you.

5. Blog about your goals, each one as you achieve it and a big post when they are all finished before the new year!

 1. Frame Pictures - I have quite a few pictures that have been hidden away in cupboards, boxes and drawers for so long purely because I haven't got round to framing them.  It's such a shame and I need to do something about it.
2. Use my camera apps - I have a bit of an addiction to i-phone camera apps... there I admitted it, and now I have that off my chest I'm going to do something about it.  I'm going to make use of all the apps that lay dormant on my phone and add a bit of variety to my photos.
3. Meditate daily - this is something I have been trying out recently and I must admit I'm finding it really interesting.  I think there definitely is a benefit within meditation and I want to introduce it as a regular part of my daily life.
4. Showroom at least twice a month - there is an amazing independent cinema in Sheffield that me and Floyd are members of, but to get the best value for our membership we should go at least twice a month (which we haven't been doing - oops).  Now I've got more of a reason to change this poor attendance - and I'll get to see lots of good films along the way.

I haven't quite thought up what my rewards will be, but I'm sure I'll be able to think of something soon enough... If you are going to play along too I'd love to see what your goals are - leave a link to your blog below and maybe we can give each other encouragement.

Lois x

I've been tagged!

Ok, so I know I only recently did a little "getting to know you" post, but I can't help this one... I've been tagged!  Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules

2. Post 11 random things about yourself

3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag

5. Go to their blog and tell them they’ve been tagged!

11 Random Things About Me:

1. I had a mini 'goth phase' when I was about 10.  Me and my best friend had a major girl crush on Wednesday Addams.

2.  I studied Art for a short phase, and regret not pursuing something creative from time to time.  I think I'm catching up on all that now though!

3. I used to be really good at speaking French, but alas (!) I have forgotten almost all it.  I'm secretly hoping I'll go back there one day and it will all come rushing back to me.

4. I have size 3 feet (European) - yep, small!

5. I love food (don't we all), but the only thing I get fussy about is puddings - which most people find bizarre.

6. My true musical love is torn between indie and electro.

7. I once thought George Michael was my Dad.

8. I can sleep anywhere, and if someone left me to it I could sleep for days at a time.

9. I have a thing for Robots/Cyborgs - they fascinate me!

10. I used to live in a haunted house (ask my mum).

11. I can't drive.

What Bianca asked me:

1. If you were on Mastermind, what would your specialist subject be?

Hmm tough one.  I don't think there's any one thing I know tons about, but if I had to say it would probably be Audrey Hepburn - I love her and know quite a bit about her.

2. Name one thing you want to do before you die.
Go to the moon.

3. What is the best gig you've ever been to?
Daft Punk, for sure.

4. What's the weirdest thing someone's asked you?
I get approached by strange folk all the time.  My boyfriend thinks I attract them, and I'm too polite to get rid of them once they've honed in on me.  I wouldn't be able to narrow it down to the strangest thing I've ever been asked - boring answer, sorry.

5. What's your biggest regret?
I regret not going travelling as soon as I left University.  I feel I won't have another real opportunity until I'm much older.  It's something to look forward to though.

6. What is your favourite book from your childhood?
 I read so many Roal Dahl books as a kid, but I think it's got to be "The Twits" that brings back the most memories for me.

7. What's your biggest pet peeve?
Noisy eaters.

8. Name one thing you're terrible at.
Fixing my hair (or anyone else's for that matter).

9. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to work as a Zoologist or Archaeologist.  I loved animals and dinosaurs and saw myself trekking through the jungle making friends with all the creatures I met.

10. Do you have any phobias and if so, what are they?
I'm afraid of clowns and I really really really don't like spiders (standard) - although I respect them and would never kill one.

11. Name one guilty pleasure.
I have so many... erm, my electric blanket.



Bloggers I tag:

Shy Scout
Oh, lovely day!
Tongue Tied in Awe
GingiberSnap
Oh Shoot


My Questions:

1.What is your worst habit?
2. Would you rather be able to breathe underwater or fly?
3. Spots or stripes?
4. Do you have any reoccurring dreams?
5. What is your useless superpower?
6. What was your favourite cartoon or kids programme growing up?
7. If you could live in any era for a year, which would you choose?
8. Name the strangest thing you've ever eaten.
9. What's your party trick?
10. Do you have a nickname?  If so, which is your favourite?
11. If you could look like anyone other than yourself, who would you choose?
 

28 before 29

So here it is... just over 1 month since I made it.  My annual list of things to accomplish before my next birthday.  Read more about this thing I do here.

Just in case you can't read it up there:

1. Random acts of kindness.
2. Make cute clothes for Betty.
3. Cocktail party.
4.Take polaroids.
5. Learn ukelele.
6. Decorate.
7. Make a GIF.
8. Write (someone I love) a letter or e-mail a week.
9. Try 15 new recipes.
10. Apply to a craft fair.
11. Find my style.
12. Make weekly/monthly goals.
13. Get business cards.
14. Try making rubber stamps.
15. Visit a new park (there are loads in Sheffield).
16. Make myself something to wear.
17. Do a "photo an hour" one day.
18. Book binding.
19. Work on branding for Cellar Door.
20. Fill my home with photos.
21. Wear heels.
22. Do more entertaining.
23. Learn to knit with circular needles.
24. Use my tagine.
25. Make blogbuttons.
26. Design packaging for Cellar Door.
27. Dance lessons.
28. Bento.

I'm going to try extra-hard this year to cross each and every one of the list.  Wish me luck!  Do you do anything similar?  Leave me a link if you do - I love checking out other people's to-do lists (strange, I know).

Getting to know you

I am so pleased to say that I have gained a number of blog followers this past week! *big smiles*  So I thought it appropriate to share a little something about myself.  WARNING - silly post.

1. My absolute favourite food is Dim Sum (Chinese dumplings) - in all forms.
2. I dream about having an Alpaca farm when I'm older.
3. One of my guilty pleasures is reality TV.  Currently I'm loving "Take Me Out" - a British dating show.  Pure cheese on toast!
4. I'm allergic to kiwi fruit.
5. I've only ever broken one bone - my rib.
6. I dream every night, and sometimes if I'm lucky I'll have a lucid dream!
7. I worked in a frozen meat factory for one day.
8. I have a really bad habit of chewing my mouth.  I've tried to stop, but don't even know I'm doing it half the time!  Annoying.
9. I'm scared of clowns.
10. I went to Japan when I was 21.  To this day it is the most amazing place I've ever been to.

Thanks to all of you who have stopped by my little blog recently, and to those of you who have made comments - big smiles all round.  I always like to check out your blogs too, so don't forget to leave a link.

- Lois x

27 before 28 recap

Last year on my birthday I took inspiration from this post and made myself a list of things to accomplish before my next birthday.  Here it is:

I actually managed to complete more than I thought I would (see what great faith I have in myself) and think it's a great way of acheiving things you wouldn't usually set out to do.

Through making this list I have definitely done more, tried new things and been places I probably wouldn't have made the effort to otherwise.  I shall continue this tradtion until I have done everything I ever wanted to!

I shall post my new list soon... stay tuned.