Monthly Agenda / December

TUNE / NEED / MEAL / READ

After I started reading 'the happiness project' last month I was so motivated to start getting organised for the New Year, and I started making tiny little changes like cleaning up my bookmarks folder and going through all the links I had saved. I deleted a lot of the links/pages/blogs I no longer read or visit and made the list short and manageable. In the process I found a couple of really neat blogs that have become fast favourites and one in particular that I am getting well acquainted with is Elise Blahah's blog Enjoy It. Another blog that I've been loving recently is 'Oh My Veggies', a vegetarian food blog where I found this delicious looking brussels sprout and apple tart with walnut pesto recipe. I can't wait for Luke to whip that up on his next day off!

Monthly Agenda / November

TUNE / NEED / MEAL / READ

I am really excited about this month's read, The Happiness Project, and I feel as though this book couldn't have fallen into my lap at a better time! I read the first 40 or so pages on the train over the weekend and was instantly hooked. Like many of the self fulfilment books before it like Eat Pray Love, this book focuses on the happiness you can expand on in your every day life, rather than the happiness you might seek from over seas travelling. And it employs a far more practical approach to changing things about your routine and life with an all year happiness plan. I am so glad I picked this up just in time for the new year.

Luke & I often include song references into our daily conversations as reference points, or to lighten the mood. Lately when Romy is tired and refuses to open her mouth for her veggies, we sometimes sing varying songs that elude to her being naughty and we often sing to her 'bad boy for life', even though we don't really listen to much of Sean Combs' music. After it being stuck in my head for weeks, I looked up some of his videos on youtube from when I was younger and got hooked! So I dare so this album will be on high rotation this month. 

My Monthly Agenda / October

TUNE / NEED / MEAL / READ

This month I have decided to re-read 'Valley Of The Dolls', which has been my favourite novel since I was 15. The very first time I read it I was so distraught with the ending, especially the very last page, I didn't go to school the following day I felt so sad about it. I was so excited by the characters and the storyline as it was unlike any sort of book I had read before, & I invested a lot of interest in it. So when Anne sat quietly in the dark, I was really disappointed. My perspective on most things has changed a lot in the last decade, so this time around I might get a different perspective. 

The last couple of weeks Luke & I have been re-arranging things around our house and making little touches to certain spaces and it really gives the whole house a freshen up. I added an Ecoya 'sweet pea & jasmine' candle yesterday to our kitchen space & it is so delightful! I've been especially keen on candles lately, I hope it doesn't get to the 'cat lady stage' of liking something though! 

My Monthly Agenda / September

TUNE / NEED / MEAL / READ

Now that the colder months of the year are 'officially' over, its time to explore all of the different kinds of cold dishes and interesting salads. Yesterday while we were doing the groceries I spotted kale leaves for salad mixes, and I've never seen them before. The kale craze has really only recently started up over here, and I wouldn't be as familiar with it if I didn't read a lot of international blogs. So I'm looking forward to putting some kale leaves in my lunch salads this week. I'm also really looking forward to trying this quinoa & watermelon salad, it looks and sounds so fresh and tasty and will be perfect for summer dinners! It is becoming more and more common to mix up sweet fruits in savoury dishes, and the times Luke & I have done so we've enjoyed it. Luke was especially interested when I showed him this recipe that 'the chronicles of home' shared last month. 

When I was a teenager Friday afternoons could not come fast enough for a couple of reasons, the most obvious being the start of the weekend. But most importantly it was when the 'Rage' playlist was posted on the JJJ website as it was the main source of new music. I grew up in a small country town and the local cd store basically only stocked top 40, and could rarely order indie bands. For example, when I first got into Hole it was impossible to order in 'pretty on the inside' and bands similar. So watching Rage was a big, exciting deal! Since moving towns and being exposed to different avenues of pop culture, I rarely made the effort to watch it. However, a couple of Saturdays ago Luke & I found ourselves watching Rage and 'the jungle giants' music clip came on and reminded how fantastic they are! Luke & I saw them when they supported Boy & Bear last year and I really liked they sound, but just forgot to look into them more. So they are going to the sounds of September in my house!

My Monthly Agenda / August

TUNE / NEED / MEAL / READ

Towards the end of last month Luke & I really started to get into It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. I had season 1 & 2 on my computer, and recently bought the 4th, 5th & 6th seasons box sets. So I just need season 3 to complete the set. I've previously ignored this series because the title was too long, so I thought it would be one of those types of shows. And because I really prefer things without Danny Devito. But I'm so glad I changed my mind. Another thing I normally avoid is pot pies, mostly just because their name sounds off putting. But this recipe has curried vegetables, and I do like curried vegetables! Luke & I restocked our pantry after a massive clean out, so we now have lots of exciting herbs and spices and fun things to make meals with. So hopefully this will encourage me to cook more exciting things this month. I'm also going to make an effort to read more, and not just one book every month because I have so many interesting books on my to-read-list (like The Beautiful And Damned).

And now that I'm getting used to being in the stay-at-home club, I've worked out a routine that allows me to still do things like blogging and drawing and have a tidy house and happy baby. So I'm hoping to get a lot of work done this month on my new project to open my Etsy store selling some of my designs. I'm feeling really motivated and inspired, so I'm ready for the busy month ahead!

My Monthly Agenda / July

TUNE / NEED / MEAL / READ

There has been some serious time elapsed in-between my monthly agendas of late. Before Romy arrived I was so focused on keeping busy at work and with baby stuff that my blog took a back seat. And now that things are a little more familiar & I've learnt the true meaning of time management, I am able to pick things up again like blog features and drawing. Another thing that I now have a small portion of time for is reading. My sister has lent me her copy of "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)" by Mindy Kaling, and guys, it is amazing! I'm only halfway through this easy-breezy type read, but would happily sit and read it cover to cover if Romy would allow me to! 

Luke & I are taking Romy on her first road trip and She & Him's Volume 3 will definitely be on high rotation for the drive. I've had a copy of this cd in my car for about two weeks now, but haven't really given in a proper listen to. By the time I get organised and put Romy in the car I generally forget to put something on to listen to, so our little trip away over the weekend will be great to catch up on music. And on my travels this month I need to stock up on some more French Earl Grey by T2, it is heaven in a box! And the last item on my agenda is to try out a new recipe each month and I'd like to try my hand at making some eggplant parmigiana. I saw a quick version of it on Better Homes & Gardens last week and thought it looked simple enough for me to make. And if I don't get around to making it, I'll leave the recipe open in my browser so my husband will see it and take a hint!

My Monthly Agenda - March

TUNE  /  NEED  /  MEAL  /  READ

It's been a couple of months since I have done one of these posts because I usually think to do them halfway through the month. I've been on such a good run lately remembering to do things and getting organised even though I have an ever present case of baby brain! Aside from getting myself organised for the arrival of our little Lady, these are the other handful of things on my March agenda. 

Until recently I hadn't bought any new cds or music, or had the interest in seeking out new artists because I didn't have enough time. But the last three weeks Luke & I have been getting Thursday's off together and they usually involve a trip to the shops. Unlike me Luke makes the time to find out about new bands and different kinds of music. So last time we were at the shops and he was buying some new cds, rather than stand too close to him and hurry him up I started looking for some cds for myself. I'm so behind I didn't even know Tegan & Sara had a new album out, and completely forgot to check out No Doubt's long awaited reunion release.  So I snapped those up with a best of Elton John for good measure! It has been such a treat to have something new playing on my iTunes when I'm home and has made me pay closer attention to the rotating iPods at work. One album that is on high rotation is Amy Winehouse's 'Back To Black', and the last couple of weeks I've actually started to enjoy her music. I never got into her music because seeing her on the front covers of gossip magazines inebriated and on drugs just wasn't appealing. And for a good year or so that is all anybody wanted to focus on with her. So this month I want to get my own copy of the album, finally.

If you haven't tried the Luxurious Rosehip Body Oil by Kora Organics than I highly recommend that you do! That stuff is bottled magic! My sister bought me some for my birthday last year so I could rub on my growing belly, and it has worked wonders. The past couple of weeks my belly has just popped right out & I don't have any stretch marks to date. I've read a lot of ladies use Bio-Oil on their bellies, and I probably would have too if I hadn't of known about this product. Rosehip oil can improve the appearance of scarring, stretch marks, dry skin, premature ageing and skin tone and is also full of good nutrients. One of these 80 ml bottles lasted me almost three months as I only applied it on my stomach. The product is a little pricey but most definitely worth it. 

Last week in the doctors waiting room I found a handful of really tasty looking meat-free meals in an old copy of Woman's Day, and quinoa fattoush was one of them. I've been wanting to find some really good quinoa dishes to perfect and this recipe is super easy, and the best part about it is Luke wants to try it too so he'll be making it! There is some benefits to being married to a chef! And the last thing on my March agenda is to read a new book. I've barely been able to keep up with reading blogs let alone starting any new books, but I want to change that and make the time for it. I've seen a couple of bloggers post about 'The Perks Of Being A Wallflower' and made a mental note to read it. And theres no time like the present, so it's going to be the first book I read on my Kindle. 

My Monthly Agenda / November

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Last month just happened so quickly, it slipped my mind to post last month's agenda! New month, new needs! I've been waiting for ages for Lisa Mitchell's second album, and a couple of days ago I treated myself to it. She definitely isn't every bodies cup of tea, and although I totally get her, most of the people I talk to don't. Whenever I get a second release of one of my favourite artists, I always find it really hard to warm to their new albums. I've only just realised how fantastic The National's High Violet is, and its a couple of years old now. But I'm already really loving Bless This Mess just as much as Wonder. It is less cutesy, and more open minded. 

Now that the warmer weather is upon us, I've decided to try and give up my daily stocking addiction. I'm starting to think I have one. I actually don't wear anything that I can't finish the outfit off with a pair of black stockings. So in an attempt to ween myself off them, I need to build a collection of longer t-shirt/tunic style dresses that I can wear cute sandals with. I've been wanting to do this for a while, and a pair of salt water sandals will be the greatest motivation to do so. Something else that I have wanted to do for a while is read another novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, and I liked the sound of The Marriage Plot so while I was at the shops a couple of weeks ago I picked it up. If you've read it, let me know what you think. And this month I want to give in and make (or get Luke to make it!) a vegetable frittata. They seem to be everywhere lately, and Luke is always offering to make me one, but I just haven't been drawn to them. I'm really motivated to get everything on my list made/read/bought this month! 

My Monthly Agenda / September

WANT / NEED / MEAL / READ

I wanted to put off posting my new monthly agenda because I haven't yet finished 'Fifty Shades Of Grey', which was last months read. I got behind with my monthly goal of reading a new book each month, because one of the books I was reading was a little lack lustre in some parts and I was put off reading it. And if I start reading a book, I need to finish it no matter how bad it is. Whereas Luke buys books all the time and only reads half of it, then starts another, and it really unsettles me for some strange reason. So I'm 50 pages off finishing 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' and then I intend to start 'This Is How It Ends'. I picked it up at the shops a couple of weeks ago because the book design had lovely colours, and I usually go for the better designed book cover. I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but I studied design and we always did!

I mentioned last week that on our adventures together, Luke & I came across the perfect decorative sitting chair. We saw it in the store on the Monday, and on Wednesday morning I called to order it and because I left it a couple of days they had all sold out and now we have to wait five weeks for it to come back in stock. Which is annoying, but a lesson learnt - don't hesitate when it comes to lemongrass sitting chairs! Another purchase for this month that I intend on making is a melting ice-cream iPhone case. A couple of cutie pie girls came into the cafe last week and they both had one and they were just so dreamy! And even though it doesn't look so dreamy, I want to try Therese Kerr's favourite smoothie which is the most hectic smoothie I've seen! Theres like twenty ingredients to that bad boy! Let me know if you try it out.

My Monthly Agenda / August

WANT / NEED / MEAL / READ

I've been debating whether to read Fifty Shades Of Grey or not, but my curiosity is starting to actually annoy me. A couple of customers have come in to the cafe during their lunch breaks and been reading it, and the more its in my face the more I want to read it. My Mother read it a couple of weeks ago & I asked her what it was about and she blushed a little and told me I wouldn't like it. I still haven't quite finished my read for July, so I better get onto that before I cure my curiosity! Another thing that seems to be everywhere lately is macaroons. The cafes across the road from my flat have all started to sell them, so the urge to bake my own batch will be my Sunday afternoon plans with Luke this weekend. 

Putting together these little collages has already helped me to get organised and prioritise what I need, and focus on what I want rather than impulse buying. On last month's 'Need' agenda I listed a juicer, and last week I actually bought one! I've been saying to myself for the better part of this year that I wanted to invest in a juicer and because I committed to the idea it happened! (I'm less excited about my 'Need' purchase this month, because lets face it, who gets excited over a step ladder?)I also opened an actual novel, which is something I haven't done for quite some time, and cooked a meal I've been meaning to try. The only thing from last month's agenda that wasn't achieved was buying the dress that I listed for my July 'Want'. That won't be happening this month because even though I do want it, I really need some hemp hand cream from The Body Shop. Heres to hoping I get everything covered this month!

*New Feature* / My Monthly Agenda

WANT  /  NEED  /  MEAL  /  READ

I'm really excited to be sharing my brand spanking new feature, My Monthly Agenda. Each month I will set out to read a new book, purchase something I need around the house, try out a new recipe and cut down on random spending and focus on items of clothing/home wares etc that I actually want.