I’ve just gotten home from a run beside the beach and I’m sitting here at the computer listening to old school Sia, marvelling over how truly blessed I am.
I have a blog that fills me up in a way that I can’t quite explain, a great job, an abundance of beautiful friends (both in “real life” and online), a loving family – and dream ‘in-laws’ – and a fiancé who has the most gigantic heart of anyone I’ve ever encountered. There’s no denying this life is a good one, and today I’m blowing big, grateful kisses to the universe for always having my back. It’s the best feeling.
On my travels around the web, I recently stumbled across this quote from Anne Frank that I thought I’d share with you:
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
To me, this quote has a double meaning. One meaning actually loops around to meet the other, in fact. Of course we needn’t wait a single moment to improve the world, but before we do that, let’s look at ways to improve ourselves and our own lives in this moment. It might be changing a limiting belief or letting go of an old story, or just making a minor adjustment to the ways we go about our days. When we start making changes ‘at home’ the whole world becomes a better place.
Remember that what you focus on increases.
TODAY: Open your eyes to a new dawn. Give thanks. Seize the moment. Choose joy. Expect miracles. You’re being lifted up and carried, and you might not even know it.
Sydney
My amazing man and I are off to Sydney on Friday for a romantic weekend of exploring, dining, vintage shopping and simply loving each other’s company.
As you can imagine, I spend A LOT of time on the computer these days, so Ramai is often left watching TV or doing his own thing at night or on the weekend, so it will be really nice to be offline for few days to spend some quality time together.
We’re hiring a car and we’re going to go to the Northern Beaches and see where else the open road takes us (of all the times I’ve been to Sydney, I’ve only ever seen the city and around Bondi – what’s with that?)
Do you have any must-see, need-to-go places you can recommend? Restaurants/ cafes/ cute boutiques/ op shops where I can buy awesome wedding stuff? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Sydneysiders!
Wondrous Wedding Bits & Bobs
Speaking of op shops and weddings, I picked up a a bunch of different sized doilies this week that I’m going to make a garland out of, which will look kind of like this, but not.
Other wedding-related news: We now have a DJ and a videographer, our wedding website is complete – and has made all my bridesmaids bawl their eyes out, and maybe even one of the groomsmen (ha!) – and our invites should be ready to send next week. THINGS. ARE. COMING. TOGETHER.
Today marks exactly four months until I’m walking down the aisle and marrying my dream man! Waaaahoooo!
This Mind-Blowing Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj-RJ4k9c04
This incredible documentary had me in tears over the weekend and I urge everyone to take the time to watch it. Bookmark it and come back to it tonight if you can’t watch it immediately – it’s seriously worth it, I guarantee it will rouse something deep in your heart.
The interviewer in the video is self-help guru Anthony Robbins, but the real star is his beautiful 108 year old subject and Holocaust survivor, who is the personification of gratitude and positivity. I love a good “enduring spirit against all odds” story and this is one of the best I’ve seen. Just gorgeous.
Huge thanks to Marianne for sharing this one with me!
Stocking Up on Health Foods
We hit our local haven of health, Flannerys, over the weekend and stocked up on some new goodies – most good, one not-so-amazing.
The Good
Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Protein: I have to thank Connie from A Life Of Perfect Days for recommending this one to me, I love it! I wanted a protein powder that I could add to smoothies in the morning because I do a fair bit of exercise and find it helps with energy levels and muscle recovery, and wasn’t keen on one that wasn’t overloaded with synthetic junk. Enter Sun Warrior – this one is made from brown rice and doesn’t give me the horrible queasy stomach that I get when I have whey-based protein powders that are full of artificial sweeteners. The flavour is pretty subtle as well which is great.
Natural Celtic Sea Salt: Unrefined. Full of trace minerals. Immune system strengthening. A bunch of other awesome things. Get amongst it.
Nettle tea: This one isn’t for me because I don’t drink tea but Ramai bought it because his boss told him it enhances immunity, increases energy and is full of vitamins. Winner.
Sesame squares: Love these things! I’m sure the honey that binds the nuts/ sesame seeds/ seeds together isn’t altogether healthy but it’s better than chocolate… right?
The Not-So-Good
Our new ‘super greens.’ Note to self: stick to the MOR Life brand. This one seriously tastes like you’ve fallen in a stinky swamp and accidentally opened your mouth. Gag-worthy.
Fresh Fruit
It’s the little things. I realised the other day that I hadn’t been eating much fruit lately (which is very strange for me) so I went to the supermarket on my lunch break yesterday and stocked up on a bunch of fruity treats for afternoon tea every day at work.
I find if I know I have something healthy and tasty in the fridge, I’ll eat it. It’s only when I’m unprepared and have to wander over to Woolies to hunt out something to fill the gap that I find myself reaching for the bad stuff.
It’s really a no-brainer, isn’t it? Why do we complicate things so much?
Rad Reminders
So excited to see someone else do this too!
Remember me talking about putting affirmations in your phone to go off at random times? Look how good it is! Imagine waking up to that every morning?
Seriously, do it, do it!
This Grand Advice
That’s what I’m talkin’ about, people!
In Spaces Between Sponsors!
Have you checked out In Spaces Between’s new sponsors yet?
To wind up the joy-o-meter, visit dream.delight.inspire, and find out how to do just that. You can also hire Kim for writing gigs or social media projects (or to sing at your wedding/ next event, girl is goooood!)
To hire a fabulous designer, or to lap up loads of juicy inspiration, be sure to head over to As Ink Remains. This visually stunning site has become one of my new favourite places to hang out on the web.
For all your web hosting needs, and fantastic customer service to boot, visit 123host.
And finally, if – like me – you’re in the midst of wedding planning (or need vintage furniture and props for photo shoots/ baby showers/ engagement do’s and so on) you’re going to love Little Gray Station. I was thrilled to hear LGS got a booking within the first few hours of their ad being live on In Spaces Between. Hooray!
Stupendous Snippets
+ Planning exercise reviews for you read about (PowerPlate, Hypoxi and Pilates Barre, which I’m trying tonight) + interviews (I’m totally open to doing these if you want to get in touch!) + impending Melbourne trips for my wedding dress fittings + baby showers and first birthdays (“We totally forgot to BYO baby!”) + making the realisation that I know SO MANY talented women and feeling really proud of them + likewise, hearing about friend’s businesses/ careers flourishing + funny photos of dogs running and being hilarious in general (like this, and this) + also, Zoe Foster’s cat being the most outrageous creature on the planet + listening to Gabrielle Bernstein’s ‘White Light’ meditation in the bath, with my iPod plugged into our speakers, and literally leaping out of the bath when the track changed from the meditation to Gotye’s ‘Easy Way Out’ (bye, bye relaxation) + you, you and YOU, fabulous friends!
+ Let’s not beat around the bush: what are you grateful for today? Tell us in the comments below!
Images: Matthew Cavan Brooks | Wee Ww Yun | Crush Cul de sac
Nice post this week! This week I am super happy for not being bound by rules, for being able to look at my life in perspective and not afraid to make BIG changes and follow my dreams. I am also filled with butterflies this morning, because it is a new month, which means I get married NEXT MONTH! Woohoo. (also if you find masses of doilies – please let me know – I need some too!)
I am grateful that I woke up this morning next to my man and had 2 pups jump all over us in our new house we moved into yesterday. I am blessed that after 4 weeks of heart ache my man and I are communicating on a level that after 8 years I thought we’d lost and things couldn’t be better! I love all my amazing friends and the one writing this beautiful blog knows how to pick me up just that little bit more. Love you honey xxxxx
What beautiful comments from you both!
Monika: I’m so excited for you for your wedding – so close now, you must be counting down the days! I’ll keep an eye out for doilies too.. have you trawled all your local op shops? xx
Kylie: I love you and this brought a tear to my eye. Your happiness is so important and I’m thrilled to pieces that everything has worked out for the best. Love you inifnity xx
Love the post – you always get me inspired, what a great way to get the day started.
My alarm note for Monday, Wednesday and Friday is “Bikini!!!! Lara Bingle!!!!!” and on other days “Life is happening! Get to it!”
Nothing like a Lara Bingle incentive to get myself out of bed and on the treadmill in the mornings!
P.S Drive up to Palm Beach aka Summer Bay and go to The Boathouse – such a beautiful spot and they do an amazing burger.
Avalon is great as well – the Bassike store is amazing!
If you have time pop over to Papier Damour in Double Bay – awesome boutique with cute little finds and paper goods. And Ripples on Sydney Harbour has a gorgeous outlook, great food and BYO (if this is your weekend off your no alcohol rule!) xx
Love this bubbling post. It’s honestly the best way to start a Wednesday :) This week I’m grateful for: long distance phone calls with my bestie on the other side of the world + early morning beach sessions with my fiance + homemade bread + *sunshine* and the freckles that she brings + having the power to tell people’s stories through words or images + a growing magazine stash dying to be read + silent laughing fits from HeyTell marathons with my sisters.
Looking forward to your smashing exercise reviews. I’ve always wanted to start yoga but don’t know the differences between all the styles and what suits who. Will you be looking into that? And bring on the interviews. Love little insights into people’s lives. xoxo
Courtney, you are hilarious! I love that you start the day thinking about Bingle! Thanks for the recs too xx
Serena: Awesome, will definitely have to check them out. And yes, might have to break my goal this weekend for a sneaky cocktail. Naughty. xx
Claire: Amazing, amazing list… every word a gem. I can definitely look into the yoga thing for you too, I haven’t done a great deal of yoga because I always end up stuffing my shoulder up (find it very “arms heavy”) but I’ll see what I can do. Thank you for being beautiful – always xx
Rachel, what amazing post – love it and thank you for sharing who you are with us :)
I’m very grateful that I came across your blog- Its inspired me in so many ways – and is also my saving grace at work when I need a little inspiration and me time.
Had to smile when I saw the alarm clock – I have alarms which say – rise and shine beautiful and Morning Gorgeous – it always makes me smile in the morning and I don’t know but i think it does put a spring in my step
Happy Wednesday xx
Thank you so much Jo, it’s lovely to hear that — and your morning alarms are brilliant! That would definitely balance out the ‘annoying factor’ of a ringing alarm tone.
Thanks for stopping by xx
Love the look of the vegan protein! Only thing is paying $60-70 for a ginorrrrmous bag when you don’t know what it tastes like seems risky but I might contact them and see if they have any samples! :)
Love your cute iPhone trick, I’m getting one really soon so will definitely employ that.
I’m grateful for:
– The opportunity to study and the incredible support of my parents
– Being in contact with amazing e-friends who share similar values
– The bicycle that appeared in my life two days ago, and the ability to use it + the focus and clarity of mind I get after riding
So much more! :) xo
Annette: It tastes like a pretty weak cocoa. Best protein powder I’ve tasted actually! How exciting about your course and your new bike, fun times lovely lady x
In regards to alkalising greens, I can really recommend Grants of Australia Liquid Chlorophyll, which can be found in most health-food stores for around $15 a bottle.
It has natural spearmint added, and doesn’t taste bad at all: very, very vaguely “plant-ish” and slightly minty.
I drink this every day, and feel palpably better for doing so. :)
I’ve never seen that protein powder before, but I’d love to check it out. Does it have cane sugar in its ingredients list? It’s difficult to find powders that aren’t also loaded with sugars.
Rach, I actually feel like I become a better person by reading your blog. I love that what you write goes beyond just enjoyable material – thanks!
Aww shucks, you made me blush lovely. Thank you so very much! I am delighted to call myself an In Spaces Between sponsor. :)
Those wake up reminders are THE MOST AWESOME IDEA EVER. Happening right now. xx
Thanks Amber, will check it out. I used to drink chlorophyll actually, I love the spearmint taste. Will have to check the label of the protein for you too xx
Courtney: That’s the loveliest thing I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you so much xx
Kim: Much love to you always honey bunch xx
As always another beautiful post Rachel :) You deserve all the happiness you reap :) That proten powder sounds amazing :) I am a vegan myself and use the pea protein in the strawberry flavour, it is very yummy and filling and comes in heaps of different flavours, but that one looks very nice. I really love the idea of setting affirmation iphone reminders too, think I may go set some now :) x Melissa
As I’ve mentioned to you before, I’m so happy to be a (little) part of your blog – I feel like I’m supporting such a great constructive piece of work and can not be happier! You’re definitely on the top of my daily reads :)
xx!
I just wanted to say how much I love your blog! I stumbled across it a couple of weeks ago and I now look forward to reading every post!
I especially love all the positive and inspiring quotes :-)
I’m also a big fan of Anthony Robbins so I can’t wait to watch the interview x
Pleasure Rachel! I am so happy you enjoyed the video. I have watched it several times and am moved by her attitude towards life and her dedication to her craft.
Love this post, thank you! I set myself a positive message on my alarm this morning + I must tell you what happened!! I’ve taken the images to show you… I’ll send you a FB message! :)
xx
Howdy I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by mistake,
while I was browsing on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I am
here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for
a incredible post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have book-marked
it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great work.