Rachel MacDonald

 Loving all this happiness we’re spreading around the blogosphere at the moment! Here’s what’s currently bringing a smile to my dial…

1. Gold Elephant

I love elephants and when this little vintage beauty caught my eye on Etsy, I had to have him (you might remember me mentioning my love of brass animal figurines here). Can’t wait to add more little cuties like this to my collection, Etsy really is a goldmine for unique homewares. Love it!

2. New clothes!

Okay, so the photos I took of our new threads kinda didn’t work out this morning. The light is seriously t-t-t-t-terrible at our place (it’s going to be a pre-req when we move that our place has a lot of natural, good-for-taking-photos light!). Currently, all I end up with is this weird, greenish glow on everything. It doesn’t help that I work during the day when the house is full of sunshine and perfect for photos. Boo.

Anyway, what I can tell you is Ramai and I both scored some great new clothes on our trip to Melbourne – actually, Ramai did better than me this time! I won’t bore you with all the details without the visuals, but for him it was: lots of cool plain tees in varying shades of grey, blue, olive green, an awesome knit (chunky stripes) that I’ve already worn once and sprayed perfume all over to stake my claim, haha (sorry bebe!); shirts, warm black jacket and some classic Retro Super Future sunnies. 

For me: well, I didn’t do very well in the boutiques and ended up with lots of chain store stuff like kimono’s (one long-sleeved lace one that was $120 down to $39!) from Sportsgirl, a bright watermelon coloured blazer from Zara (like the ones here),  two sheer black dresses and a long floral maxi skirt from General Pants, a lace black top from Decjuba, my favourite Armani mascara and a few other bits and pieces. All fab for wearing to work… and now, I’m off to hit some of my most-loved online stores (as mentioned here) to hunt down The Perfect Sunnies in preparation for summer.

3. Salads for dinner every night

After an indulgent weekend in Melbourne that consisted of carbs, carbs and more carbs (oh and cocktails and wine!), we’ve committed ourselves to getting back on track this week with salads for dinner each night. Monday night we added a piece of baked snapper and had a yummy Asian-style salad, and last night one of my favourites, haloumi (organic, and only a few slices) made an all-star appearance alongside rocket, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, radish and snow peas, dressed with apple cider vinegar. TASTY. I’m going to continue the Super Salad Spectacular and find some recipes on my favourite food blogs this week, so I’ll definitely share any good ones I discover! Thinking nuts, pear, fetta, apple and lots o’ greenery! Oh, and one last thing, just saw this from Louise at Table Tonic… how good do all those salads look?

4. This quote

I’ve had this quote stuffed in an ‘Inspiration File’ for years and just rediscovered it. So glad I did!

“Whenever you go out of doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of the head high, and fill the lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine; greet your friends with a smile, and put soul into every handclasp. Do not fear being misunderstood and do not waste a minute thinking about your enemies. Try to fix firmly in your mind what you would like to do; and then without veering off direction, you will move straight to the goal. Keep your mind on the great and splendid things you would like to do, and then, as the days go gliding by, you will find yourself unconsciously seizing upon the opportunities that are required for the fulfilment of your desire, just as the coral insect takes from the running tide the element it needs. Picture in your mind the able, earnest, useful person you desire to be, and the thought you hold is hourly transforming you into the particular individual… Thought is supreme. Preserve a right mental attitude — the attitude of courage, frankness, and good cheer. To think right is to create. All things come through desire and every sincere prayer is answered. We become like that on which our hearts are fixed. Whenever you go out of doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of the head high. We are god in the chrysalis.” – Elbert Hubbard

WORD.

5. Nike Free Run + 2

When we were in the U.S, I bought 2 pairs of sneakers – a pair of Asics Gel Kayano’s that were recommended to me by the physio I was seeing for my IT band problem, and a pair of Nike Free Run’s that I thought I’d use for the gym or group training. I was told I needed maximum support in a shoe so hadn’t run in the Nikes until about a week ago when they were the first thing I grabbed as I raced out the door.

Anyway, not sure if this is a fluke or not, but since I’ve been running in the Nikes, my knee hasn’t played up AT ALL and I prefer them a million times more to run in as they are literally like running in bare feet (as opposed to the Asics, that feel like running with bricks strapped to my feet). Could it be that I didn’t really need the support, or is it just the fact that I’ve only been running about 7km’s each time and I’m not overtraining like I was last year when my knee started playing up? Time will tell… but I’m definitely loving my Nikes.

Extra juicy juju:

1. The old guy sitting behind me at the football in Melbourne who was speculating (loudly) on whether my faux fur coat was “alpaca fur” (hahaha!)
2. Clarity and lots of it
3. Lovely emails from wonderful readers!
4. Me telling Jess in Melbourne “So, you should come along to pilates on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (um, yep, all the way from Melbourne? Clearly haven’t gotten used to the idea of her living down there yet!)
5. Berocca giving me back my B-B-BOUNCE
6. Looking forward to a fun and social weekend
7. Getting asked advice and knowing my opinion is respected
8. Sunny days
9. Getting excited to find myself a life coach (well, more of a Positivity Pal) – anyone have any good recommendations?
10. Staying true to what feels right

+ You know what I’m going to say…. What’s making you happy? Tell, tell! x

 Images: 1. Salad  2. Apartment Therapy 3. Mister Sullivan

Posted on: 27 July, 2011 | Filed under Making Me Happy | 4 Comments | ADD YOURS
Tags: happiness, making me happy