Things I Love Thursday

I come across so many things that I love. Things that I want! So, following in the footsteps of other blogs that I admire, I'm starting a regular Thing I Love Thursday post. So I can gush about things I adore, and secretly wish someone will buy them for me!

Via Lark

These bunny statues are just adorable.

Via Lark

I have been lusting after this lamp for a long time. 

Via Lark

I think is print is adorable. And so completely accurate!

Via Lark

This puddings print

Via Asos

Not a colour I usually go for, but there is just something about these shoes that speak to me. 

Via Asos

THIS DRESS! I need this. I am so in love with it. I'm buying it as soon as I can. 

The future hangs over our heads, and it moves with each current event

I know I have been neglectful lately. And I could spill out a number of excuses, Major Tom was sick and needed my constant attention, I'm addicted to Once Upon A Time, I'm working hard on my business, but you don't want to hear those! Just know, that I am working on new recipes, and regular posts. I'm working to revamp the blog, and hopefully get some more followers, and maybe even sponsors!


Now, to tide you I found this. The ones in bold are the ones I have done. Clearly I have a lot still to do. Mind you, I have done quite a lot that is not on the list, and I feel pretty happy with my accomplishments so far (both on the list, and not on the list), so no complaining here :)

1. Started your own blog 

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain, well not technically climed, but I was up the top of a mountain in Switzerland. And a storm blew in, and we were stuck up there.
9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon 

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie 

56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching - 

63. Got flowers for no reason  does buying them for yourself count? I think so
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

[Brain²]

So, a little while ago I posted about what I do. And now, I'm going to introduce my brand new business. My business partner, Aaron, and I have been busy working on this new venture, and we are super pleased to announce it!

We are called Brain². This is an amazingly exciting time for both of us as we make the transition into running our own business. We have been lucky enough to be given a huge amount of help from where we are currently working (we are basically taking over the current business, re-branding and revamping!) and we are hoping to take the world by storm with our awesome neurofeedback powers! And by that I mean, make neurofeedback more accessible to EVERYONE!


We are going to be introducing packages, but the most exciting this we have to offer, and it's ready to be offered, is our Gold Card. It's a membership to Brain², which is paid for monthly, and you can come as much as you want within that month (limited to 1 session per day), so you could come every single day! And, we will guarantee you an appointment. It's an amazing offer. 


Our website isn't up yet (my amazing mum will be working on that soon!) but, we do have a facebook page, you can visit it by clicking right here.

21st Century Foxes (Mulder!)

Even though it was a school night last night, I ventured out to see Mulder launch their amazing new visual experience! And boy, am I glad I did!


I did have dinner before the show with my Mum and Dad, but to be honest, it wasn't worth blogging about, so I'm not going to. 


So, Mulder have been playing for a while now, and they always get an amazing reception at their gigs. Last night, they added video. It took their show to a whole other level, and just goes to show how talented these 2 lads are. They created video that was projected onto a screen behind them, and it matched the theme and beats of the songs they were performing. 


During the first song, I Want To Believe, they hand out sparklers to the audience, and light sparklers that are attached to their instruments. I have never seen so many sparklers in 1 place in my entire life. The entire venue was lit up by them. (you can see a photo of that here) 


I honestly think it was the best show they have ever played, and if you missed it, shame on you, don't miss another one. 


Here are some photos

2 Bands in 2 Clubs in 1 Night

My littlest brother bought me a ticket to see Atmosphere for my birthday, and Friday night was the night! I was super excited all day. Not just to see the band, but also to hang out with my brothers. 


Since Atmosphere wasn't on until 11.20pm (I know right!), and Stereoflower was playing a show beforehand, my brother Tim and I set off to see them play. It was a great start to a super fun night. I got these photos (Sometimes I still find it hard to believe that's my littlest brother up there!)

I hadn't seen Stereoflower play for a little while, so it was super good to hear them. But, as soon as they finished, we hopped it on down to the Atmosphere gig. Wow, it was amazing. So much emotion, but totally no nonsense playing. 


While the brothers headed down the front, into the crowd of people, I preferred to hang back a bit. I find I enjoy shows WAY more when I'm away from the mass of people. It means I can usually see (I'm short, and lets face it, tall people ALWAYS stand in front of you), and I'm comfortable. This time, I managed to snag a seat of a big comfy couch that gave me a complete unrestricted view of the stage and the band. It was the best way for me to fully enjoy it. And I did!


I didn't get home until nearly 2am! Which, if you know me, is quite unusual. When I got home, I was super buzzing from such a fun night, so I got a late night snack and snuggled up in bed to watch TV. It was an awesome end to an awesome night. 


Big thanks to Alex for the ticket, and a big thanks to Tim & Alex and everyone who made it one of the best nights I have had in a long time!

Plush Broccoli & Spicy Soup

Wow, I have been super busy this week! I've had a pretty full client load, plus I've thrown myself back into my weight loss and fitness goal with a vengeance! I even braved the cold this morning and went for a run around the river near where I live. It was a beautiful morning, and the fresh air was just so exhilarating. Even if I was gulping it down as fast as my lungs would take it!


I skipped over to Ikea last week to pick up a few things, and while I was there, I just couldn't resist this

via ikea

A plush broccoli! Just look at it! With it's little face! Awww


Then, as I was wandering through the cushions, trying to justify buying new ones for my couch (which I really don't need, I'm a cushion fanatic, and have millions on top of my wardrobe waiting to be used) I came across this cushion, and I knew that I just couldn't leave the store without it

via Ikea

I know right! And, I got dinner for under $5. It was a very successful trip!


I also saw Mulder play on Friday night. It was such a great gig, and I'm super glad I dragged out in the rain to go see them. Seriously, check these guys out. NOW!


Sunday rolled round, and it was soup time! I managed to get pumpkins that were .99c per kg, so of course I was going to make spicy pumpkin and chickpea soup. This recipe serves about 4, but you can double it. And I did double it. But this recipe is the single version.


Ingredients


2 tbs olive oil
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp of oregano paste, or fresh oregano if you can get it
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1L vegetable stock
1kg Butternut pumpkin, peeled and chopped
1 400g can of chickpeas, drained
2 cinnamon sticks


Method


Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat, and cook the leek, stirring, until soft. Add the garlic, oregano, chili and cumin, and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. 
Add your stock, pumpkin and cinnamon. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, clamp on a lid, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender. 
Remove the cinnamon sticks. If you can, allow the soup to cool, and then blend it until smooth. If you want to eat it straight away, leave it for 5 minutes before blending. You can use a stick blender, but I blend it in batches in my blender. 


It's so warming, and has a great kick to it. If it is too spicy, some natural yoghurt stirred through is super yummy, and takes the edge off.

Dreams of Disney World

As most of you are aware, I was going to be getting married in Las Vegas. I'm not anymore, but I still want to plan a big trip away. Either by myself, or with friends. I'm super keen to spend at least a week at Disney World, and have been spending ages on their website using their planning tools to plan my trip.

I want to visit every park! You can buy packages which include accommodation, tickets to the parks, and dining. Which will be what I do. Hopefully I'll be able to save enough, and get there to celebrate my 30th birthday....that gives me 2 years....do you think I can do it??!!??


I'm going to buy lots of merchandise, and take photos with all the characters. I'm going to be a kid! I've always secretly (or maybe not so secretly when I was little) wanted to go to Disney World. So, I'm going to.


Who's with me??