The year that was 2013

10 Years ago New Years eve was all about what party you were going to..

Now i find new years is a bit more reflective, possibly because my husband is a cop & is always working on new years so we never get to go out together!...or just because I've got older & don't really care about partying the night away anymore {yep...i think thats more it!}

Anyway i always find myself thinking on new years eve what I've achieved & the struggles in the year just gone. It's amazing how much can happen in one short year. I can tell you this time last year, i could have never imagined what has happened in 2013!

We sold our old apartment, and have lived with Ben's parents for the year.

Very excited that just before Christmas we bought a new home! 

Much bigger & a 10 min walk from the beach - a lifelong dream for me!

I was asked to be part of the Sanofi/World Diabetes Tour Type 1 Kilimanjaro expedition.

 In August I spent 3 weeks in Africa climbing mount Kilimanjaro with 12 other diabetics from around the world.

 I have made lifelong friends with a common bond. 

Since then i've spoken at the Jelly Bean Ball, World Diabetes Day & at the World Diabetes Congress! Wow!

Two of my closest family members have been battling cancer. My father in law who has prostate cancer, had radical surgery & is now recovering well. And my 80 year old grandmother who has liver cancer - the model of positivity & is rocking her new wig! 

On the work front my business continues to grow. Ive worked on some great projects with wonderful clients this year. 

A highlight was seeing my work featured twice in Home Beautiful Magazine!

I was bridesmaid for one of my best friends, and saw two others have their first babies!

Ive lost weight (and put some back on.....)

My amazing husband continues to be an inspiration in his job as a police officer

 He was awarded the region commanders certificate this year for his work {very proud moment!}

So 2014 - Lets do this!

Its sure to be a big one for us - in April we get the keys to our new home & then 4 weeks later we are off on a 10 week European Adventure through Northern Italy, Southern France & Northern Spain! Was supposed to be the big trip before another mortgage & a baby... 

Somehow ended up with the mortgage before it, so now just have to try to not make any babies before we go! :)

I wish you the best in seeing out the year & an amazing 2014 ahead :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas my lovely bloggy friends!

{and what on earth are you doing on the blogs on xmas day - get back to the champagne & ham!}

Thanks for hanging out with me on the blog this year & another year of fun & inspiration.

We are having just a small lunch for 23 at Ben's parents house today ;)

 Whatever you may be up to, have a wonderful day & stay safe on the roads if you are driving anywhere ;)

Sal  xxx

Neutral Christmas

This post was inspired by a conversation i was having with a client last week.

I was admiring her beautiful tree - covered in all white & metallic silver decorations - and we were discussing our OCD & how we seem to avoid the usual reds & colours of Christmas in favour of whites!
Here are some of my favourite Neutral christmas images {although a bit of colour has snuck in!}

New Home!

Christmas came early today!  We just exchanged contracts on a new home :)

My lifelong dream of living within walking distance of the beach has come true!!! {just a tad excited} 

We don't get the keys till April, so no doubt there will be plenty of decorating inspiration posts coming to the blog in the next few months! 

We headed to our new 'local' Armchair Collective for a celebratory lunch after we signed our life savings over to the bank haha

Wednesday Wisdom

Christmassy Goodness!

Just a totally random post full of Christmassy Goodness :)

Ergoflex mattress giveaway winner!

A big congratulations to Instagram follower Kylie Morris (@mrskyza) who was drawn as the winner of an Ergoflex mattress! 

We had a fabulous response to the comp with entries from the blog, Facebook & Instagram.

Thanks to all who entered & we hope Kylie loves her new mattress!

Merry {Hermes} Christmas

Now wouldn't we all love to see this arriving on Santa's sleigh? ;)

Sleeping Beauties

I have been so busy lately - work is crazy and I've had quite a few commitments in presenting the documentary from our african trip.

If you follow me on instagram you'll know i had a whirlwind overnight trip to melbourne for the World Diabetes Congress last week.

I've always been one to value my sleep {i tend to be an early to bed type when i can!}

If you missed it last Friday, i am currently running an AMAZING giveaway!

You probably notice i don't do many giveaways & only do them when its a product i really love myself. 

Well this one is huge; 3 years ago i bought an Ergolex memory foam mattress & it has seriously improved my sleep. 

The mattress feels a bit like play dough - no bouncing around on this one - when you lie on it, you slowly mould into it, which means you are unable to toss & turn as much as it supports your body in the one position. 

Ive teamed up with Ergoflex to give one of my lucky blog readers, Instagram followers or Facebook 'likers' a brand new Ergoflex memory foam mattress - in the size of your choice no less! And if you are the winner you could have it by Christmas! 

Check out all the details in this post.

Excited?! Perhaps it might inspire a bit of a bedroom makeover?

Today i'm feeling the need for a nice serene bedroom to escape to, so here are some inspiration shots!

IDH Magazine Issue #3 - Mexico!

IDH Magazine Issue #3 is live!

Its has a bit of a Mexican theme going on this month & ive written an article about traveling to Mexico's Yucutan Peninsula. 

Think swaying palm trees, powder white sand & turquoise water, iguanas sunning themselves on rocks & $2 margaritas! 

Trust me, you want to go there!