10 things I've learnt by 24

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I truly believe with all my essence that life is what you make of it. In my study I have a saying that hangs right in front of me so that everyday when I sit down to persevere with a new project or work on achieving a goal I read it. "The only thing keeping you from what you really want is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't have it". It's my simple but powerful reminder. I don't believe in the words can't or impossible. I don't believe that age or gender can stop me from working towards any goal I set and I don't believe that we should ever stop learning or loving. I don't know much. In fact my vocabulary is sometimes shocking - just ask Mr M who has to hear me stuff up phrases or make up new words all the time - but what I do know is that life is what you make of it and with that in mind, I wanted to share 10 pieces of my own advice of things I've learned in the past few years.

1. Be kind & grateful - but not fake kind or fake grateful. Be genuine and kind from the heart. As they say the people you meet could always be fighting harder battles - I truly believe that.
2. Work hard and play harder - I live by the philosophy that we are here working to live not living to work.
3. Be respectful - to those who are willing to respect you (& to your elders). 
4. When things get tough, always be the bigger person - it might mean holding your tongue or letting things go but remember it's worth it in the long run. 
5. What you do in this world and how you leave it is more important than the clothes you wear or how you look.
6. Don't let anyone tell you who you are - know yourself exactly who you are and always live true to that.
7.  Work out your values, write them down, live by them and let them be a guiding factor in your life.
8. Don't settle - in anything. Love, work, friends, ... you've got just one, ONE life .. why put up with anyone or anything less than the best.
9. It's never ever too late - to write a goal, to chase a dream, to start again, or to fall in love. If life is what you make it no external factor should ever get in the way. 
10. Love - passionately, fully, honestly and loyally. Life is a beautiful journey but one I've learnt that should be shared. 

Photo a day May - My life in snapshots

Joie de vivre 

Being alive & delicious in the moment.

Joie De Vivre is a French phrase often used in English to express a cheerful enjoyment of life; an exultation of spirit.It can be a joy of conversation, a joy of eating, a joy of anything one might do - Joi De Vivre may be seen as a joy of everything, a comprehensive joy, a philosophy of joy.

I love it. I just love that word. I had actually found the word on my latest 'me' trip to Bali and knew instantly that this phrase and I would have a long and happy life together. To be alive and delicious in the moment. How beautiful that is. We live in an amazing but incredibly fast paced world. A world that sometimes, if we blink, makes us miss moments. Precious moments. Exciting moments. Sadly enough, sometimes even surreal moments. Joie de vivre reminds us though that it doesn't have to be like that. The beautiful thing about this life, our life, your life, is that you control it's destiny and have every opportunity to live it to it's fullest potential, I believe to do that can be as simple as being in all of your here and now moments. Putting it simply. Being present. That might mean turning up your favourite song when it comes on the radio. Watching the sunrise or sharing the sunset with a loved one after a long day. Catching up with a friend and listening about everything that is exciting in their life right now. Smiling when you see two strangers in love or simply just realising, that each and every day, all you have is the right now, this moment. If lived correctly, it would mean you're not in the pursuit of happiness - you are happy. I took part  in the photo a day May challenge because a) I already had a healthy obsession fascination with instagram (you can follow me at annabelle3) but mainly because b) I loved the idea that for 30 days you got the seek out the beauty in your life and share it as you went along, I felt it encapsulated Joie De Vivre, encouraging you to live in the moment of your day if only for a fleeting moment as you snapped the photo. Below are a snapshot of my 30 photos from this challenge (which is a great view of my world through my eyes)- you can join in on Junes challenge (all the details are here), but be sure to let me know so I can follow your own Joie De Vivre through Instagram.

My life & work in politics

Last week, after careful thought and a lot of discussions with mentors, I made a huge career decision - I decided to leave my job and gracefully bow out of Australian politics. I have been working for a Federal Member of Parliament for the past 3 and a half years and have loved and adored every second of it. I had never meant to get in to politics, it found me, literally. My boss rang me at my old workplace after being given my name and asked if I'd like to start in his office. At the time I couldn't have told you if we had a Prime Minister or a President - turns out we had a Prime Minister - and  I didn't have the slightest clue about anything political. I learnt though, and fast, and over the past 3 and a half years have educated myself on the Australian political system and policies all the while doing it with my loud and crazy flair. I was incredibly lucky to have a boss who let me be my own person within the role and sometimes rather 'tough industry'. I was the girl who would get dressed up in Parliament house and hand out chocolates on Valentines day and candy canes at Christmas, who would make all the politicians go through the 'pits and the peaks' of their week in the Chairman's lounge after a crazy 70 hour week and who still got excited by all aspects of my work - the media (getting on TV with the last leadership spill in Australia) the events (like telling Allan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas that I wanted the mini chocolates back on the Canberra to Perth flights...& getting them) and even just bumping in to the Prime Minister in hallways (this happened on numerous occasions over the years). I had never meant to stay in it as long as I did, but as with all things in life, not everything always goes to plan and so what was meant to be a short term job, turned in to an incredibly rewarding and fun career. However, with a degree in HR and a burning desire to kick start the new chapter of my life when I return from Europe I thought now was as good a time as any to leave - as hard as it was - & embrace my new career with all that I've got. I have been given beyond amazing opportunities, made friends that I will have for life, been very proud of all of my achievements and learnt incredibly powerful lessons that I can carry in to my future working life. I was 'just a girl' who worked hard, absorbed all that I could and made sure I always played harder. I look back on every day with my boss and job with a huge smile on my face and fantastic memories in my heart. Today I share with you just some of the things I learnt along the way .... being 'just that girl' - in a very male dominated industry.

• Always walk in to a room confidently with your head high, eye gaze strong and handshake stronger.
• Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't, that you're not smart enough, or that you're not old enough - your limitations are only what you think they are. Anything is possible, never let anyone tell you otherwise.
• Believe in your worth, if you respect yourself and work hard, others will believe in you to.
• Learn how to network and do it well - it's not what you know, it's who you know.
• Know your social graces - and use them.
• Learn to listen, properly and to emphathise, genuinely. 
• Be yourself - of every hour of every day. For me, that meant remaining loud, slightly crazy and sometimes inappropriate (for that industry anyway) but it meant I was being honest, and true to myself and it matters. It really does.
• Work hard and play harder - remember that we are here working to live not living to work.
• Be assertive, respectful and honest in all that you do and you'll always come out on top.
• Use your voice - speak up. Your voice is important just like anybody others, so are your ideas and opinions.
• Don't ever be unlimited by the fear of the unknown. Ever.
• Have fun. With everything. Always.

This is a small snapshot of my life and advice from the past few years and I can't wait to begin the next exciting chapter. Here is to learning and loving all that we do and always believing in who we are. 

Below are some of the pics I've snapped over the years including one of my fav's with the ex Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon John Howard. If you're wondering why I look quite different in the pics read the story I wrote here on my major corrective jaw surgery.

Anna xo

[ The Hon John Howard - Ex Prime Minister of Australia ]

[ The Hon Tony Abbott - the current Leader of the 

Opposition ]

[LEFT: The Hon Joe Hockey - Shadow Treasurer of Australia RIGHT: The Hon Colin Barnett - the current State Premier of Western Australia]

[ Getting to meet the new Guide Dogs for the Blind at Parliament House ]

[ RIGHT: At my desk after a marathon day in Parliament LEFT: The Hon Malcolm Turnbull - ex Leader of the Opposition, current Shadow Minister for Communications ] 

[ Visiting the war memorial in Canberra & being able to pay my respects to Australia's fallen soldiers - one of the most humbling days of my life]

Raw food + Friends = Love

[All pictures seen here were taking by the gorgeous Belinda R - an amazingly talented photographer friend]

Being a lover of trying new things and adoring catch ups with dear friends, I was so excited to have plans this past weekend to try out a new little cafe in Fremantle that only serves raw and organic food - 'The Raw Kitchen'. B & I arrived for lunch amongst a bustling Fremantle setting and sat excitedly trying to choose just what we wanted off the menu - such a hard task which is probably why we ended up with almost all the menu items on our table! From the food to the service to the chatter however it was all just superb. We sat and ate deliciously healthy goodness all the while polishing it off with Choc and Iced Coffee (all natural of course) drinks - did I mention we started with dessert first? You want to know the best part about it all though? I got to share this experience with such a gorgeous soul. It wasn't the food or the drinks or the setting that set the day from amazing to extraordinary, it was the conversations shared. For over 3 hours, we sat and swapped stories - good and sad,  dished out advice, laughed and just enjoyed each others company. It made me realise just how important good, real, honest friends are in our lives and how lucky we are when we do happen to find them. It's important to remember that good friends are those that want the best for you, the people that support you, that are there lifting your spirits and giving you truths that you may want to - or not want to - hear. Which reminded me. When we are lucky enough to find friends like that - we need to support them., to love them and cherish them. Vows in friendship can be just as important as vows in any relationship (marriage or not). I'm so lucky to have friends like B and others in my life and know that we'll always have each other through the best bits and worst bits of life. So here's to friendship - to beautiful friends, to the amazing times and memories we create with them and to sharing life with those we love.

My week, with Instagram

So I was a bit post light last week as I was in an incredibly intense period of decision making to do with my career - a decision that had been carefully thought out for the past 3 months. I can confirm that I made my decision and will be sharing the whole experience and reflection over the next week. I found though, throughout said intense period making decision, everything that should have pointed me in the right direction - did. Books came in the mail that I'd ordered weeks ago with the most un canny titles relative to my situation, opportunities were offered that came at just the right moments and articles were stumbled across with all the right advice. It was a very incredible experience and one I learnt a lot from. One of the articles I stumbled across was one I'd written for Possibly Maybe (not yet published) that talked about Steve Jobs and his advice on work and life - so with this weeks round up of Instagram photos and my rule of thumb with finding beauty in the small stuff and sharing my little life lessons here is this weeks lesson inspired by Steve Jobs.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keeping looking until you find it. Don’t settle." - Steve Jobs 

So my advice? Don’t Settle. In love, or in life. Pursue your dreams, search for great relationships and always do what you love, and love what you do. 

Pinterest Loves

Sometimes, when you least expect it, a weekend comes along that is exactly what you needed without you realising it or having to plan it. It will be packed full of social events which don't break the bank, long conversations with beautiful friends, amazing food and a satsifaction that only comes with feeling you got everything out of every moment from your two days off. This was exactly what my weekend consisted of just gone and I have gone in to this week ahead with a relaxed and refreshed attitude. There is so much to look forward to at the moment, including the fact we're only 70 days away from our Europe adventure so I'm taking extra care to take each day as it comes and remind myself that as fun as it is to plan for the future - all we really have each day is the here and now. With that in mind, here is what is catching my eye right now on Pinterest.

I love...l.o.v.e maxi skirts, and know they'll be a staple go to outfit when I'm frolicking through Europe so I am trying to find as much style inspiration as I can for them before we go.

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I have just received a stack of books I'd ordered that are meant to keep me inspired for all my weekends in - & inspired in general, so I can't help but daydream of big comfy chairs by big windows to read them in

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Sometimes the best advice is as simple as this. You know, it really will be ok..no matter what

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My niece's 1st birthday is coming up and mum, my sister & I will be doing all the catering for it so I've been trying to find lots of finger food inspiration for it - Arancini balls have made the list

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When I saw this wall art I knew I had to do it for one of my corners in my house. I think I'll do this when we're home from Europe and use my travel photos to do it with

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Mothers Day

24 years ago I was so very lucky to have the stalk that drops all babies at parents door stops - that's how it happens right? - drop me off to my mum. I have, for 24 years, had the world’s best mum teaching me all there is to know about the world, the good and the bad. She has taught me about love, about honour, about values, about strength, and supported me un conditionally. I remember growing up I used to say I wanted to be a cop – until I realised I was scared of the dark & didn’t want to work on Christmas – then a ballerina, then I was going to own a hotel! But no matter what or who I wanted to be she supported me, got excited for me and would talk about just how I was going to do it. There was no words of doubt, no negativity, just unconditional love and support. Mum always says we’re nothing alike – she’s introvert and very shy, and I’m extrovert and well, not shy, but what she doesn’t realise is just how alike we really are and how much I aspire to be as kind spirited and loving as she is. Of course like any mother / daughter relationship there are fights and disagreements but that's what makes us mother and daughter. So for Mothers day which we just celebrated May 13th I wanted to honour mum by saying thanks in such a public arena. So thanks. Thanks for the sacrifices you've made for me and the family, for the unconditional love & support we've always been shown, for the nicknames I still cherish as kids like treasure and pumpkin, for making life seem safe & normal when really it was falling apart, thanks for teaching me strength and being a role model when it came to sticking up for yourself when it was right and for bringing me up to be an independant woman. But most of all thank you for being who you are - with all your incredible lessons you have taught us and memories you have created for us. Happy belated Mothers day mum - you're a treasured gem that we'd be lost without.  

Thank you to ALL mums in the world - you gave us life and love and make our world spin faster xx

Pinterest Loves

There is nothing quite like a weekend of opposites, full of events but quiet time, early starts but sleep in's and relaxing nothingness but productivity which was exactly what my whole weekend contained just gone. We are a mere 78 days - but who's counting specifics right? - away from Europe so are being extra hermit tight asses behaved when it comes to spending. I seem to have perfected the right balance of staying in vs still having human interaction however which is something I'm quite proud of. Friday night saw me + Mr M + bottle of red + couch + Movies whilst Saturday night saw us out in Perth City trying out a gorgeous new bar for my girlfriends 25th, all in all a lovely weekend all round. Here is what I am currently being inspired by on Pinterest however - p.s you can find all my boards here.

I have finally found the leather skirt that needed to be in my closet which I purchased over the weekend so I am now loving finding style inspiration to go with it (I have seen lots and lots of girls with buttons all the way done up when it comes to styling)

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When - not if - I own a big beautiful house I always wanted it filled with loved ones so find outdoor entertaining ideas like this so inspirational. I also have a current obsession with open fire places as we come in to the cooler months. I LOVE this verandah

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I have been quite stressed at the moment about work & when I saw this immediatley let it sink to to my whole being. Sometimes we really just have to close our eyes and let it go. 

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If I have never mentioned to you before, I am actually a cold hard chocolate addict. Really. No really. My addiction of choice is Twix bars so when I saw these homemade twix slice I thought I'd died and gone to chocolate heaven (Mr M has been asking me every weekend when I'm going to actually make them so I figure sharing this makes me all the more liable to follow through on it!)

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Mr M has secretly made me quite the nerd with his love of computer games, software and Marvel movies so when I saw these gorgeous framed DIY's I knew I had to make some for his man cave (aka anywhere else I can think of to put them in the house)

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25 beauty tips reusing household items

I always love finding new ways to use old things for practical use so when I found an article on Elle website I couldn't believe my luck. The article went through ways to use household things for things you may not have otherwise thought to have. I have already used some of their ideas (including the button idea and the dryer sheets that you will see below) so I knew someone else out there might benefit from these handy hints also.

Extraordinary use of household items

1. Old Buttons
Repurpose spare buttons by using them to keep pairs of earrings together: Most buttons have at least two holes in them, so simply place an earring in each opening to neatly store when not wearing.

2. Dryer Sheets
No time for a shampoo? Rub a dryer sheet on your hair to tame flyaways and make your hair smell shower fresh.  

3. Flat Iron
A hair straightener works great for ironing between buttons on your shirt, where a regular iron doesn’t fit. You can also use it for minor wrinkles on your blouse when you’re in a hurry.

4. Vinegar
Considered a natural bleach and powerful cleanser, vinegar (just a dab) can reduce the blueness of bruise. This kitchen staple can also be used in your bubble bath to help prevent yeast infections. Tip: Try apple-cider vinegar for a less pungent smell.

5. Yogurt
If you burn your forehead using a curling iron, slather plain yogurt on the wound—the coolness will help with swelling and the yogurt will reduce redness and speed the healing process.

 6. Toothpaste
Have yellow nails? Scrub them with toothpaste to remove stains and add shine. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice for extra whitening; it’s a natural bleaching agent.

 

7. Clear Tape
Remove dry skin from lips by pressing the sticky side of tape to your pucker, or see what a nail polish color will look like without the mess by placing a small piece on your nail and doing a quick test.