My crazy year in review

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This year has been insane, sometimes I can’t believe that everything that happened fit into just one year, other times I can’t believe it’s been a year already… these are my highlights (or what I can remember in the middle of summer – the sun is known to negatively affect my mental faculties…SO MUCH HOT)
 
 
 
January – I went from doing layout for the local newspaper to starting a job as a reporter and loved it. I even got front page stories and was on the third page practically every day (a big deal for a features writer)
 
February – Although I loved my job I was drawn back into depression and anxiety ( I didn’t even realise what it was at first. I had dealt with it pretty well even through losing Logan, but suddenly it was overwhelming again) My Anxiety got so bad I couldn’t sleep
 
March – I turned 30… Omw how even…The anxiety never went away… But I did suddenly find myself toying with the idea of becoming a work from home mom and then I resigned WHAAAT. Oh and Aidan got two cousins, Caleb and Cruze who he loves to death now
 
April – Aidan turned 2 (his party was a flop) and I started my new life
 
May – I started out on my own, freelance writing and launching Oh!Boy kids and starting a gifting business with a friend
 
June – I bought my own domains and launched my online store also started a short course in online digital marketing
 
July – the hustle was real, freelancing and running my business. I was contacted to lecture in communications and was learning the finer details of sewing. WAHMING was/is harder than I thought.
 
August – I stepped away from lecturing and went back to layout when I received an offer I couldn’t refuse… three days doing layout which would cover my main expenses while I build my business and blog the other days 🙂 I also found myself trying to find myself
 
September – the juggle started; blogging, working and so much sewing
 
October – started seeing someone for my anxiety and seeing some improvement
 
November – feeling blessed yet bothered. Finances not where I want it but Oh!Boy gaining momentum and I can even employ someone to help
 
December –  overwhelmed by Christmas orders but heart so full of joy knowing that the things I made are being opened around SA this Christmas – say whaaaat?!?!
 
Going into Jan : I don’t think I was quite prepared for either the financial strain or the mental benefit and extra time with Aidan that my career change would bring.  I did really well in my last short course… distinction baby!!! and signed up for a short course in graphic design, which I start on Monday – these courses are all for self empowerment and I love it. I hope to grow my business in the new year and continue with you guys on the blog because through it all my one constant (not including Rob) has been this blog 🙂
 
What was biggest life change for you in 2015?
 
 

Curly countdown with Claire

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It’s Thursday and the second in my curly countdown series.
I’m quite excited about today’s curly countdown!!! The woman I’m featuring is inspiring in many ways…She runs her own business, can hold a crowds attention with her talks and is the master mind behind the Curls in the City group which all Nelson Mandela Bay curly girls and guys can agree is a God send…
Here is Claire’s  curly countdown

5. Random facts about me and my hair

I have fine curly hair which was blond when I was born but changed during childhood

It has a mind of it’s own – most days

It can be ‘managed’ with the right products and ingredients

I absolutely love my hair – no ghd required

4. Products or activities I cannot live without

leave in conditioner – a must for any natural

twisting/braiding it to set my curls after applying curling custard or leave in conditioner. My curls come out looking the same this way.

Currently cant be without Aunt Jackie’s products (this might change as I like to try new products ALL the time)

I also have to deep condition at least every two weeks – which means walking around with a shower cap on my head for an hour

3. Tips for other curly girls

Find out what type of hair you have and what you can do to make it go with it’s natural flow – and not against it

Just do it – You will find that  your natural hair suits you perfectly because their are  yours.

We all have different hair types so try various methods and find what works for you.

Use products that do not contain sulfates or parabens – they are big no no’s for your hair.

Give it time as all good things come with patience – the natural way is not the quick way.

Not everyone has to like how you wear your hair. Just you!

 

2. Misconceptions about curly hair

That we just wash and wear our hair – not with my curl type!!!

Most people think that I have permed my hair – and want to touch them.

Some even mistake them for dreadlocks!
 

1. The awesome pic above


 

The gift of a family game night

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So yesterday I showed you how to make a Pictionary-like board game. Today I show you how to turn that, or any other board game/board games into a great gift for a family you love

game

. I’m doing this for my family and Robs family this year and I can say it on here because none of them read my blog. True story hahaha my siblings and his (the intended gift receivers) are not blog readers so I can say just about anything about them haahaha…but I love them so I won’t

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How to make a “pictionary like” game

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family fun

For many people this time of the year is all about family fun. One of the things that has always meant family fun to me is BOARD GAMES! I love getting together and having a laugh over a game board.
I was looking for a board game that would be fun for the whole family and thought PICTIONARY!!!
But then I couldn’t find the game in store and I didn’t want to brave the malls for too long so I came up with my own version… It’s not the same but it will do. In fact I loved how it turned out so much that someone will be getting this under their tree on Friday 🙂

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Dear future son, please dont be a jerk

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Right now you are two. You are cute and polite and you light up a room with your smile.

Sometimes you are so well mannered you put me to shame by asking the waitress or cashier for their name so you can refer to them as uncle or aunt so and so.

You love sharing and making other people happy is a priority to you.

You get so happy to hand the car guard money because, “he can buy some foodies now”

And if a child comes to the door for bread you insist they get a treat with it (apples, raisins, you will give your last biscuit)…but the thing is you are only 2.

Life has not jaded you yet, your heart has not been broken yet.

I know life will change you, people will be idiots and you will grow harder in your outlook on life.

With all this I have just one request for you, you can study what you want, marry who you want and within bounds (I’m still your mother after all) follow your own path just please don’t be a brat or a jerk!!!

Please don’t say things like “how long does one wait for service around here” at the age of eight because you want your milkshake NOW (I actually witnessed this)

Don’t be rude to staff because you think you are better than them.
– Your mom stocked shelves, your dad served food, and we expect you to work hard too.

Always say thank you and greet people with a smile. It costs nothing and can make someone’s day.

Keep your faith, and be a good person.

Don’t look down on others, make jokes of a racial or homophobic nature, or anything in “bad taste” really.

Try to keep your view that “hands are a body part not a colour” (you actually said this you smart arse)

And when you are told girls can do certain things and boys do other things please keep doing what you do now…question it! Question why you  can’t be gentle why she can’t be tough, don’t take things at face value.

Don’t make people wait for you with no explanation, your time is not more important than theirs.

Do not talk down to others, instead, stand up for them and for goodness sake dear child DO NOT BE A JERK!!!


*  What is your hope for your child/children?

Foodie Fri-Dae Quesadillas!!!

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Davene is back and today she is sharing a recipe filled with my favourite ingredients, mushrooms, avo and corn!!! YUM
cheesy-quesadillas
Cheesy quesadilla’s [serves 4]
8 corn tortilla’s
250g of corn (boiled)
1 packet of bacon (cooked in water preferably),diced.
2 large avocado’s mashed & seasoned as desired
200g of grated mozzarella
200g of grated cheddar
100g of feta cheese
6 sliced mushrooms, fried in 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Olive oil
Method.
In a pan.  Sauté the tortilla wraps on both sides one by one.  Pre-heat the oven at 210 degrees.  Once all the tortillas are all sautéed, spread the avocado evenly, not too generously across the surface of the tortilla. Distribute bacon, mushroom& corn evenly to the one half of all the tortillas.  Do the same with all 3 cheese, cover with the other side of the tortilla. Half every folded tortilla once and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Bring the temperature of the oven down to 180 degrees. Put it in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven & serve immediately.
be sure to check her out on her BLOG