Life Update

  

With Monday having apparently been 'blue Monday' - the most depressing day of the year - let's just all take a moment to remember that whatever makes us feel down is only a dip in the rollercoaster. When things feel bad, always remember someone has it worse, and make the most of the situation. Think positive!!!

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Smoothie in hand, assignment submitted, and it's only 12 noon. I've already been to a 9am job interview, and had a meeting with hubs' bosses. I'm exhausted! 

This past month has been positive in all sorts of ways, and even the negatives have metamorphosised into good. We're nearly at February now (!!) so it feels like a good time to reflect on whats been going down in P-Town.

Lets start off with University. My MPsych course is going...well. By well, I mean as well as any course could go, considering it's the first year its been run and everything is pretty much a mess. I've had 4 deadlines this month, 2 on one day and 2 on another. But with everything thats been happening at home, I've been given two extensions so that had made things a lot less stressful! One assignment was a critical review of the recent literature into the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. I actually found myself really enjoying writing 8 pages on the topic, and I'm proud of what I handed in. Today I submitted 8 pages into PTSD and the barriers to treatment. Also very interesting. I have a stats assignment due Tuesday but have an extension, so am hoping to get that done next week, then no deadlines for a month!! I have also started a placement one morning a week in a special needs school for one of my modules. I start next week and am really looking forward to it. I was meant to start this week but I was so tired and feeling poorly, I didn't make it.

I've got my dissertation planned but its scaring me something silly! I'll think about that once March is over, I think. 

   

 Hubs' bosses visited us after. They came to see how he's doing and probably make sure that they're holding his job open for him for the right reasons. They were lovely, and really made me feel like they cared about his well-being. I just know that when he goes back to work, he'll be looked after. B&Q, you should be proud of yourselves. The Government, on the other hand, should not be. This man fought for his country, worked since he was legally old enough to, and has paid more in taxes than should be possible. But when he becomes ill and cannot work, they're not willing to help out with benefits, and that has been a downer. 

But hey, onwards and upwards! Health > Money. Until the bills need paying, of course...! 

   

 Scout's awesome. He's really been picking up on a lot recently. I took him to the park with my sister, nephew and Grandma the other day. He was super - although he's still really scared of other dogs, something that will hopefully be overcome in time.

I'm on a smoothie obsession at the moment. My new blend-active blender by Breville is sha-maaaaaze-ing!!!! Literally, just bung the fruit and some yogurt/juice (or both, if you're a piggywig like me) and blend. The blender itself is the sports bottle so just remove the blade lid and put on the bottle lid and voila. Couldn't be more lazy-friendly ;). Scout definitely approves. (Look at that little stand-up thing he does when he wants something!)

Ooh! I also had my hurrrr done ;) I am loving Julianne Hough's style in Safe Haven - please Netflix it if you haven't already, it's a great movie! I had to go for it and get the chop. I love it, and I haven't been asked for ID since. Definitely digging the fact that apparently I don't resemble a 15 year old anymore...!

I'm also stoked that The Following in back on Sky Atlantic! Huge fan right here. I'm digging American Horror Story: Coven, too, after taking a while to get into it. But what we're really looking forward to is the Winter Olympics! It always makes me want to dig out my snowboarding boots and book a holiday. If only!

Oh, and I'm sure you'd like an update on the little squish...!

He surprises me everyday in how he crumbles every milestone so early on. He's trying to walk and talk, has started on solids that Kerri makes for him, and has started using the potty. I'm so proud!

Anyway - it's Friday! Woohoo! For those of you (not me) who have the weekend off, eat lots, sleep lots and watch a movie! And for those of you working, keep smiling and have a great weekend.

Saira xo

Sunday Social 19/01: 3

Goooooood Moooooorning! 

Woke up to a new Sunday Social button - how cute! Very 'me'...sat here

with my turquoise mug of honey lemon tea, laptop on my lap.

This week's questions are all about the number 3! I can't wait to read your

answers too!

1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food 

I absolutely love Asian food. I'm a sucker for a pad thai or spaghetti noodle dish.

I recently tried Yo Sushi! Their chicken teriyaki and pumpkin fritters are amazing.

 

Other than that, froyo is a close second, 

and popcorn, my guilty pleasure <3

2. First 3 things you do in the morning

Try to remember what I've got to get up for. My brain takes a while to get started!

Put my clothes on, after searching for them in the dark.

Brush my teeth and procrastinate out of the window looking at the garden :)

3. Last 3 things you do at night

Brush my teeth, charge my phone, set an alarm.

4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss

Doctor Who, Holby City and TBBT :)

5. 3 places you want to visit

AZ, Bora Bora and Aus :)

6. 3 people you can always count on

Momma, Sister and of course my best friend and boyfriend x

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab the fun NEW button, and link up with us!

Next week's questions

These are all fun beauty questions!

1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup?

2. What are your top 3 favorite beauty products?

3. What is one makeup product you don't leave home without?

4. What is your daily beauty routine?

5. What is your favorite hair/makeup product you've discovered in the last year?

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Sunday Social 12/01: Me!

Hey peeps!
Every few months, the creators of Sunday Social; Ashley and Neely, take a week of Sunday Social to let all of the participants introduce themselves! So here we go, this week is all about ME! :)   

 

1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?

My blog is called Living in the Moment (partly after my favourite Jason Mraz song, and partly because I think it's really important to do so). I have been blogging privately for about 3 years, and publicly for about 2.

2. Why do you blog?

I blog because I love to have an outlet to get things off my chest! 

I have always kept a diary but decided it would be easier now to keep a blog

where I can look back and reflect on what I wrote. Plus it's a great way to meet other bloggers!

3. What is the first blog you ever followed?

I think it was probably my good friend Joanna's blog Running on Sunshine.

I love following her baby stories and following her amazing life :)

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2013?

Oh wow, uhr. Probably the wedding planning post 'One Day' haha! 

I'm not engaged yet (because as soon as we are, we want a wedding 

soon after, so we're waiting until we're completely ready) but its really good fun to scout around and look at the options. Every girl likes planning a wedding ;)

5. What are your blogging goals for 2014?

I definitely need to blog more private posts, so I remember the little things and not just

the big things that I post publicly. 

And! I want to hopefully get more followers. My views have tripled this year and

I'm so thankful to every one of y'all that's stopped by! :)

6. Top 3 favorite blogs to follow?

1. Joanna @ Running on Sunshine

 2. Lyzi @ Being Little

 

3. Ashlea @ Ashlea with an A

Please feel free to pop on over to any one of these

lovely ladies and I promise you, you won't regret it!

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab the button, and link up with us!

Have an awesome week :) 

Next week's questions

These are all about the number 3!

1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food 

2. First 3 things you do in the morning 

3. Last 3 things you do at night 

4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss 

5. 3 places you want to visit 
6. 3 people you can always count on

2013: A Year in Review

Template from Lacey Buchorn

Sunday Social 29/12: NYE!

Hey guys :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! If you've checked out my Christmas 
post, you'll see we did!

This week's questions are all about the new year!

1. What is the best New Years Eve you've ever had?
I don't really remember many NYE, other than standing out the front and shouting Happy New Year and watching Jools Holland on the tv. 

One NYE I do remember, though, was the Millenium. 

 

Me, Grandma, my cousin and his Mum, and my little sister in front.

 

I vaguely remember the hats, champagne (one sip, mind you!) and sparklers.

2. Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so what?

 

Every year we've been together, hubs and I have sent a sky lantern off the balcony at our flat.

Well, now we have our own home, and no balcony, so what do we do? Ha! What we always do, Pinky (sorry, inner geek right there), we'll snuggle up in our onesies and watch the countdown on the TV, list our dreams for that year, and I'll probably take a photo of the fireworks, which will then be deleted because they're pretty naff. :) Perfect. 

3. Name a book we should all read come January?
Okay so I haven't read it yet but I'm going to - Safe Haven, by Nicholas Sparks (he of The Notebook fame). I watched the movie last night and its incredible. Major girly crush on Julianne Hough, too! 

4. What are your new year's resolutions?
Stress less! Always remember that nothing is forever, and never feel like I'm stuck having to do something I don't enjoy. 

Knuckle down and finish uni before I have a nervous breakdown!

Stay skinny Stay healthy, so that when my tummy tenant moves in, I can give it the best possible home (for 9 months, anyway!)

 

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab the button, and link up!

Next week's questions

These are all more questions about the new year!

1. Do you plan to change any of your eating habits in the new year?

2. Any workout tips to get us back in shape after the holidays?

3. What is your favorite thing you did over the holidays?

4. What is something you hope that you accomplish in 2014 that you did not in 2013?

5. Name 3 things happening this year you are excited about and why.

Merry Christmas!

All that hype and build-up, for one crazy day! I don't know if you feel the same way,
but it seems that as soon as Boxing Day is over, I just want to take down all the decorations and have done with Christmas! 
But boy, did we have a great couple of days!

I worked in the ice rink on Christmas eve. It was so nice - all the decorations were up,
the Christmas playlist was on, and everyone was super stoked for the next day.
My sister popped into the ice rink with my nephew to bring me a black forest hot chocolate and a breakfast toasted sandwich, because I'd forgotten to bring lunch :)
After work, I headed home and we got the house ready - there was lots to do, but we somehow managed it by about 9pm, and then we settled down to watch Christmas tv and have dinner. We put the lamb and beef into the slow-cooker, and set the table. 

On Christmas morning, sudden realisation hit that I was an adult - instead of bounding down the stairs to rip open my presents, I was more excited to check the slow-cooker! 
Woody opened his gorgeous photo that Steph from Quirkilycurious drew for me. Its of our rats, Einstein who died recently, and Freud. It captures their personalities perfectly!

I opened two beautiful dresses, and then had to pick which to wear today,
whilst hubs started cooking...

Then our guests turned up. Here are a few photos from the day... :)

How amazing are these sofa and chair cushions, as well as a beautiful pin board, that my sister made for me?!

Watching Woody with my nephew was so lovely :)
they were best friends straight away!

Absolutely love the Woody onesie that my parents got Woody, and I had to put on the 
Breaking Bad one that I won from the amazing company OnePiece!

And my awesome sister got me a Doctor Who festive jumper! Coolest ever!!!

Just some of my amazing pressies!

 We had an awesome day and dinner was amazing. Oscar is now 6 months so we let him explore solid foods (Kerri's practicing baby led weaning for anyone who's interested!).

My favourite present from my sister, who hand-made every gift, was this

Doctor Who charm bracelet.

And spoilt - rotten - me got a beautiful Swarovski necklace from Woody :)

Every year, my Mum and her 5 brothers and their respective partners/children all meet up for the family Boxing Day party. This year it was at one of my Uncle's houses - we tend to alternate. Me and Woody are hoping to have the next one :)

It was so lovely, my cousins brought their baby daughter Sienna, and
Oz got to play with her. It was just lovely, as always, to see everyone.

I hope you all had an equally lovely Christmas! I am super excited for
Christmas next year now (which is so unlike me this early on!). Although these past 3 months have been the hardest ever, we've had an amazing year and have lots planned for 2014!! ;)

Saira xo

Sunday Social: 23/12 Christmas!

Can you believe it's so close to Christmas! Sorry I'm a day late this week -  yesterday was mega hectic with hub doing his last minute shopping and cleaning up the house ready for our guests!

This week's questions are all about the big C, of course!
1. What is your favorite holiday season tradition? I have so many, but probably having Christmas coffees with my sister, Christmas shopping with my mum, and opening one present at midnight with Woody on Christmas eve/day.
2. Do you have a certain holiday movie you watch more than others? If so, what is it? I've watched Yogi's First Christmas twice already, I've watched Jingle All The Way, Elf, The Santa Clause, Disney's A Christmas Carol and I have A Muppet Family Christmas for Christmas day!

3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have? I love having a turquoise tree! I do it every year because its our favourite colour. Slowly, the whole house is turning turquoise ;) This year, one of my favourite decorations is this cute little owl tree topper! My mum found him for me, after I couldn't decide what to top my tree with.

4. What is your favorite holiday song? I am loving White Christmas by Michael Buble and Shania Twain! It's such an upbeat version of a great traditional song.

5. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I never liked Christmas pudding as a kid, but I have started to eat it more recently with clotted cream :) But my favourite dessert is probably egg nog french toast. We made it once with powdered sugar, egg nog and of course bread, and it was amazing.  

6. What is on your wish list this year?
Something pretty to wear, whether its clothing or jewellery :)

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab the button, and link up!
Next week's questions

1. What is the best New Years Eve you've ever had?

2. Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so what?

3. Name a book we should all read come January?

4. What are your new year's resolutions? 

Have a great Christmas, guys!