Birthday Box!

It seems like ages ago I last posted anything!  Not because there's nothing going on, but perhaps too much! 

A lot going on at work these days.  We've just celebrated our company's 10th Anniversary with a very snazzy black tie affair.  It really was a night to be remembered and a special occasion for our staff, clients and associates.

By the end of this week we will finally be in our new offices.  Thursday and Friday are set aside for moving days, and hopefully come Monday I'll remember take the right route to get there!

Now that we're all caught up on that side, this post is about a Birthday Box!  I got this wonderful idea from A Bubbly Life, and thought it was the perfect idea for a very special friend.  So here is my take on it:

Firstly, gather your special person's favourite things.  For girls this should be fairly easy, some bubbly, nail polish, lip ice and just some all round pretty things.

I suppose the colours don't ultimately matter that much, but I tried to stick to a theme of pink, black and gold to keep it all tied together.

When in doubt, champagne will always do.

I found some Christmas decorations that I butchered to get the gold strands, and added a packet of brightly coloured confetti just for fun.  The candles add some extra birthday excitement.

I wish I had taken photo's of these little banners before rolling them up, but lesson learned for next time.  I cut strips off a large piece of homemade paper from a local craft shop.  Each one had a different little message for the birthday girl in gold pen: "Happy Freakin' Birthday," "You're Awesome!" "Make a Wish..." etc.

And finally I stuck a balloon onto the inside of the lid with some washi tape.  And that's it.  Fairly simple and so effective.  This one was very well received, and I'm sure most people would enjoy getting a box full of birthday fun and cheer.  I think this may become my signature gift for 2015 ;)

All wrapped up, crown included.  That, by the way, was super easy to make.  I'm not sure where I got the idea, probably somewhere on Pinterest, but when I saw some gold paper cups, I knew I had to give it a try.  I just measured even spaces for the amount of points I wanted and cut them out. The crown was attached to the alice band with some double sided tape and black insulation tape.  Done in 10 minutes!!

Have a happy week.

Peace, Love & Birthday Cheer!

Claire

xx

Motivation

What motivates you?

Whether it's to get out of bed an hour earlier to work out, not eat that slice of cheesecake, hop on the bike straight after work, head to the gym when everybody else you know is heading to the pub.

Is it that function you have in a few weeks?  The dress you've been eyeing out in the store window?  Is it just the wondrous feeling of being fit and healthy, or are you trying to impress someone?

I have to admit I'm lacking a bit in the department of motivation at the moment, and while I'm going through the motions: going to yoga classes, riding the stationary bike, doing toning exercises... My heart is just not in it.  

I used to live for the burn in my muscles, the feeling of strength during a work out.  The feeling of having used up every last bit of energy I had, to end up lying on the floor after a run, catching my breath, feeling my heart race.

It is worth it!!

Now, although I do it, I don't give it my all.  The very worst thing has happened and exercise has become a chore, another thing to get out of the way before getting back on that damn couch!  Man, I hate that couch!

Every few days I climb on that scale, with dread instead of enthusiasm.  And while, I'm happy to report the numbers are not increasing, they're not decreasing either.  I still have around 8 or 9 kilo's to reach my goal weight, and they're just not budging.  Every time those numbers are the same any conviction I had just drains from my entire being.

I am trying, I swear I am!

I sneak in a cheat here and there, because "what difference does it make?"  And even though I know that it does make a difference, and before I know it, those flashing red numbers on the scale will be increasing if I'm not careful.  

People still comment about my weight loss so far, and it makes me feel good.  I must add that it has taught me to humbly accept a compliment when I get one, and also to dish compliments out like they're candy.  I love telling someone they look good, or that I love their hair colour (I did this just the other night after scaring the daylights out of a girl when I burst into the bathroom at a restaurant - I like to think the compliment slowed her heartbeat down just a smidge).  But isn't it wonderful to hear nice things about yourself?  I'm not talking complete narcissism or vanity here, but when you put some effort in to look good, it's nice to hear that you do! 

Anyway, I digress.  So, help me out here, if you will, what motivates you?   

Have a great weekend.  And no matter what it is that gets you out there, go out there and be AWESOME!

Peace, Love and Kittens

Claire

xx