The Stories of a Twentysomething
Now that it’s December, I’ve been livin’, breathin’, eatin’ and drinkin’ Christmas. One way I’ve been getting into the Christmas spirit is with these delicious Spiced Apple Ciders. Made with my favourite alcoholic beverages, these cocktails are not only scrumptious but easy to make too!
While my family long suspected that I was a Christmas Grinch, I was secretly Christmas obsessed waiting for my moment to explode with festive spirit. And now it’s my time to shine! Last month when Kmart released this year’s Christmas range, their Geometric Reindeer caught my eye. Instantly, I knew that it would be the ideal centre piece in our apartment.
Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to achieve my November Goals. It was a very emotional and challenging month and my routine was completely thrown out. While it’s disappointing, a new month has arrived presenting another opportunity. December will have its own challenges. With an abundance of Christmas events and catch ups planned in the next month, my diet and exercise will be affected. There will also be some financial pressure with my car registration due and presents to buy! By no means am I expecting December to be easier, but I’m not going to let its challenges to stop me from trying.
Big celebrations today as it’s Friday, the beginning of December AND my second post in my FRIYAY series! With the Christmas spirit in full swing at my home (I had my Christmas tree up mid-November — #soznotsoz), I’m excited to make December’s FRIYAY theme fully festive. Without further ado, here’s how I’m planning* on celebrating my FRIYAYs during December.
* While I’ve every intention to enjoy my FRIYAYs snuggled on my couch, inevitably that won’t happen in December. Why? Firstly, I’m spending one Friday flying home to see family – YAY! Secondly, my work Christmas party falls on a Friday, and I’m not passing up free food and booze.
Traditionally, I’m a night owl. But now that I’m working full time, with a 1.5 hour (at least) commute in the morning and night, I’ve had to change my routine.
No matter how much sleep I get, I struggle with a 5.30am start. The last thing I want and need at that time of the day is unnecessary stress. And while some hiccups are unavoidable, most can be dodged. So what’s my secret to a stress-free morning? Well it’s pretty simple. The trick isn’t what you do in the morning, it’s what you do the night before: prepare.
I know how hard it can be to peel off the couch and get stuck into preparation mode. But trust me, it saves you so much time and misery and it’ll take you no more than thirty minutes! If that doesn’t entice you, maybe this will: the more you prepare the evening before, the more time you have to sleep in the next morning!
A couple of years ago, we were inspired by Little Creature’s divine pumpkin salad and decided to make our own at home. The result, was this little beauty. I have to restrain from loading my whole plate with this salad, because it taste so scrumptious!
Since moving out, I make it regularly because it’s the best of both worlds: easy to make and delicious to eat! And not only can you have it as a salad, you can also add it to a wrap for a slightly different lunchtime treat!
With a three hour commute every day, it’s hard for me not to do a little online window shopping to keep me entertained! Naturally, I’ve fallen in love with accessories, teas, home decor, beauty products and books from a range of my favourite stores and new ones. So without further ado, here’s my November Wishlist,. Fingers crossed I can find the room in my budget to snap up a few of these divine goods!
Raise your hand if Friday arvo is your favourite time of the week! I have to be honest – I forgot how good Fridays were while at university, because everyday felt like Friday. But now that I’m working full-time in advertising, I have a new found appreciation for the end of the working week.
However, while I’m filled with exhilaration on the commute home, I’m always torn between my Friday night options. Do Kyal and I head out to the drive-in and gorge on warm, jam donuts? Do we head into town to enjoy a sneaky drink or two? Or do we stay at home in our tracky-dacks, eating leftovers and watching Riverdale? It’s a tricky decision, but the ‘Stay at Home’ option usually wins, and I love it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with lowkey lovin’ a night in.
Being a self-proclaimed homebody, I love to treat myself during my Friday night R&R’s. So for each month, I am going to have a theme (and a budget of course) to turn my Friday into Friyay. To kick off this series, I’m starting with Honey, Honey. Y’know, cause it’s the last month of spring, and in spring the bees are about, and bees make deliciously gooey honey. Anyway, we’ll just get started!
November is going to be a bittersweet month for me. While I’m overjoyed to get stuck into some monthly goals, I have to say goodbye to my better half as he heads back to Perth for over three weeks on a course for work. I’m super stoked for him, as it’s a step closer to promotion, but it’s the longest we’ve been apart since deployment. It’s going to be tough running a home by myself, but ultimately I’m going to miss returning to a home filled with laughter and love.
Based on what I’ve struggled with in recent months, I’ve decided to revolve my goals around health, money and writing.
Health: Since moving to Melbourne I’ve adopted an unhealthy lifestyle, and I am beyond ready to return to a happier and healthier me. Seeing as we’ve recently joined a gym, focusing on overall health and wellbeing seemed fitting.
Money: The other week, I had a bit of a meltdown regarding money. I was upset, not because I’d spent money, but because I wanted to spend so much of it. Ultimately, I was overwhelmed by how much I wanted. My little freak out is what’s lead me create goals centred around money.
Writing: I’ve been wanting to partake in NaNoWriMo for years, but it always clashed with the final month of univeristy when all my assignments were due. Now that I’m working full time – and it’s now been over a year since I honours destroyed me – I am ready for the pen to return to paper.
Is it just me, or is it incredibly difficult to find a healthy snack? Whenever I feel a bit peckish, I usually spoon a generous amount of peanut butter to keep me going. But as I’m about to kickstart my health journey (again), I’m determined to boot harmful habits, like my bad snacking. One thing I now always have on hand are rice cakes because there are so many ways to enjoy them. As the weather’s been warming up Down Under, I’ve really enjoyed my rice cakes with this refreshing and classic trio: Avocado, Coriander and Lime. These three are a perfect combo because they’re opposite flavours that compliments one other. Zestful, citrusy and smooth. Together, it’s the perfect balance.