2012: A Year in Review

When I look back on 2012, the word that is most dominant in my mind is Love. Bliss. Change. And all of the above.

While I've known most of it for a long time, 2012 taught me or reconfirmed;

- Happily ever after isn't just in fairy tales and princes don't always come in horse-drawn carriages

- You can be completely swept off your feet with love, joy and thanks for your life yet feel an incredible sadness

- Peter Pan had it wrong; growing up is more fun than you can imagine

- Goodbyes are never easy no matter how much time you have to prepare

- Billy Joel was right; only the good die young

- Even when you think you can't possibly be happier and more in love than you are, without bursting and sending glitter and rainbows everywhere, you are

- Life is short

- Family really is the most incredible blessing in the world

In 2012,

- I married my best friend

- I moved out of home 

- I said 'see you later' to my father-in-law

- I got a promotion at work

- I travelled to Thailand for the first time and took home more memories than I imagined was possible

- I was incredibly blessed with family, friends and life

Despite the sadness at my father-in-law's passing, I look back on 2012 as one of the most incredible years in my life. I experienced so many life changing events, I'm not sure I'll have one like this again.

Of course I can recall the wedding, the moving, the apartment, the honeymoon and work, but they are only a fraction of what made my year so incredible. The laughing so hard with AK that I had tears streaming down my face, random acts of kindness or visits from BFFs and family. All those little random moments added to make it the wonderful year that was.

I feel an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness from all the love, memories and bonds that were shared during this year.

I hope you all look back on 2012 with fond memories too.

What was your favourite part of 2012?

Birthday Wish List

I am going to reach my mid-twenties in T-minus five days. If all goes to plan then the next year of my life is going to bring a lot of new experiences and adventures as I become a wife, move out with my husband, learn to cook and travel. What is not to love about being mid-twenties?

I probably say "I want...X" on a daily basis but truth be told, I don't actually want a lot. Birthdays are all about wants and things that you probably wouldn't buy yourself, not needs that can be satisfied on one of the other 364 days of the year because you don't need an excuse, right? 

So I had a think and came up with came up with the list below:

// a new car

It must have

- self parking 

- heated seats

- a light that shows up on the side mirrors when a car is in your blind spot

-  more power than a four cylinder

 - a connector to play music from my Samsung Galaxy

- optional: 4WD would be an added bonus after my accident a month or so ago.

// Louis Vuitton Trevi PM or GM (I'm not fussy!)

- I haven't tried this on so I'm not sure if the PM or 

GM will suit me better, but I LOVE the look of this 

bag in Damier canvas. 

// A Weekend Away

-  Somewhere in the country

-  With a fireplace

- Where AK and I can snuggle on the couch with blankets and movies

- Without mobile phones

and for those of you planning on sending a gift I will provide a practical list:

- Parlux 3800 Eco Friendly Supercompact Ceramic Hair Dryer 

- Parlux 3800 Finger Diffuser

- statement necklaces

- lipsticks

- a massage

If I get anything off my birthday wish list I can predict which one it will be... so I'll take it in charcoal with cruise control, thanks!

What's on your birthday wish list?

One Word To Describe Me? Happy!

So far 2012 has brought many tears, questions about 'why' and immense feelings of sadness, so it's probably hard to understand why I would choose HAPPY to describe myself in one word.

I chose the word happy because despite the loss of my father-in-law, a car accident and the other curveballs that life throws us, I am happy! I am immensely happy!

During the week a friend at word asked why I was so cheerful and I couldn't think of a specific reason except to say 'life'. I feel that I have been blessed with so much that despite everything, it's hard not to be happy. Sure, I still cry a few times a week about my father-in-law W, get stressed about day to day tasks and while I don’t walk around with a smile planted on my face 24/7, overall I think that I have so much to be thankful for that I think the happiness is going to burst out of me.

AK//

My love, my best friend, my soul mate and my strength.

Family//

 An ongoing source of love, laughter and support, from both my family and AK's.

Work//

I am very lucky to work for a great organisation where I enjoy what I do and like the people I work with.

2012//

While so far the year has brought great sadness, this is the year I will become a wife and planning our wedding together has been a lot of fun (and hard work) and gives us something positive to look forward to.

The Little Things//

Probably the biggest thing for me is finding happiness in the routine and focusing on the positives in the life. With AK recently starting his new job, this week we started driving to work and walking part of the way together until we have to go our separate ways and I explain how much I love this. On Tuesday morning we walked hand-in-hand in the rain to work and while it means waking up earlier, this little morning car ride and walk to work with AK is the best start to the day I could imagine.

Remembering everything happens for a reason//

We might not know the reason just yet, but there is one.

Being Thankful For What I Have//

Yes I have a wish list of items I want, but I also pay attention to what I do have and remember to be thankful for it. When I had a car accident last week, I was hurt and shaken up, but I focused on giving thanks to my father-in-law W (who I think is my guardian angel) and God, for looking after me. I stopped just before a large electricity pole and know it could have been a lot worse.

Memories//

I reminisce a lot about good times and great  experiences, but I also remember those nights spent at home cooking, playing games with mine or AK's family and all of those little moments you normally wouldn't think twice about, which are the sweetest moments to me now.

What word would you choose if you had to describe yourself in one word?

Dakota Fanning

Source

I just LOVE these photos of Dakota. 

Classy, beautiful, intelligent.