A gift to myself (and you as well!) on my twenty-fifth birthday; four standards to live by.

-

You can call it what you want; optimism, mindfulness, thankfulness, positivity, gratitude etc. but the action and effect are still the same. Happiness and contentment are emotions we learn to develop, they don’t just happen automatically. It doesn’t matter how you go about it either; say a prayer of thanks, write down what you appreciated today, tweet with #gratitude or blog about your best moments. Focus on the good stuff. Be thankful. You’ll be better for it.

-

We all need to learn how to stick up for ourselves, to leap into adventure, to be brave. Don’t forget that you are allowed to say no.  Cook without a recipe. Do not suffer idiots to waste your time or your friendship. Walk with your eyes closed. Be an artist.

-

Don’t panic. Don’t worry about things you can’t control. It’s a useless waste of energy. Recognise that being stressed won’t solve any of your problems. Keep calm and carry on.

-

Kindness matters. Charles Darwin once said “This virtue, one of the noblest with which man is endowed, seems to arise incidentally from our sympathies becoming more tender and more widely diffused, until they are extended to all sentient beings.” Once you recognise that we’re all essentially the same underneath it’s pretty easy from there. Be kind to strangers. Be kind to animals. Be kind to yourself.

-

Autumn Leaves

What codes do you live by?

Apologies for not writing sooner! A combination of an enthusiastic reading schedule & a need for recovery meant that I haven’t really had time to write. Until now that is! I’m back baby! & things are going to be brighter & better than ever! I thought I would share some photos from my 21st birthday party.

The theme was “Casino Royal” which meant I could enjoy two of my favourite things; cocktails & card games! I managed to hire some professional croupiers & card tables from Love2Party, acquire a substantial amount of liqueurs & whip up some delicious vegetarian finger food. The scene was set & all that was needed now were the guests! Revelry ensued! Here are my favourite photos form the evening;

The two winners of the evening; together they won forty-seven thousand dollars! In play money of course….

Well dressed party goers!

My aunts & two of my cousins

Bow ties ahoy!

“wardrobe catastrophe” indeed!

At the poker table

& the roulette table

& the blackjack table!

Handing out cash….as you do!

Fun with chips

In lieu of a birthday cake I had cupcakes & a tea light – awesome!

My Mum & my Dad

Everybody pout!

& the evening ends!

More photos

• The Flickr photo set
• & more at kennethcraig.com

When I was a kid I never bothered with birthday wish lists, or Christmas wish lists either for that matter. I was, it seemed one of the most content children around. Now however, things are a little different & that’s not to say for the worst. I think its fun to dream up extravagant lists & imagine the fantastic. It just so happens to be my birthday soon, so I thought I would whip up a wish list – it can’t hurt to ask right? Of course not – so here it is!

A night of bubbly drinks and thrilling card games, a Sony Vaio laptop (TZ series in case you were wondering!), a comfy cashmere cardigan, dainty crochet gloves, a talored blazer, knee high argyle socks, more teacups & saucers! A phone of my own (my last was mercilessly destroyed when I splashed water on it), a ticket outta here (oh yes!), Christian Louboutin patent pumps, vintage cameos, a potted orchid – my favourite flower, magazine subscriptions, decaffinated earl grey tea (find some for me & I will love you forever!), Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch, potted herbs & a big stack of books!

[ Bella Blithely powered by Wordpress | Skinned Bare by Matthew Trevino. ]