I have enrolled in a Bachelor of Economics at UNE, which I will be completely part time (if I enjoy this first unit). I currently already hold a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing – but I am just looking to expand my knowledge base so I have more options. I had always enjoyed Economics at school – and feel quite excited to be studying back on the more left hand side of my brain, as most of my dad is spent using the right. We’ll see how long the excitement actually lasts…I am guessing until my first assignment.

me and a friend – looking somewhat surprised at being photographed – image from http://www.rtistgallery.com.au

a few of my favourite pieces

I would love to have a graffiti piece in my home – unfortunately these ones were a little one of my range.

My blog is officially two years old! How time flies – this time two years ago I was just returning from my trip to Japan and decided it was a good idea to chronicle it in blog form…

It is a very simple design – but if it worked out well I imagined replicating it in many different fabrics and colours for a fantastic work staple dress.

After work one day I headed to Spotlight for a bit of a fabric shop and discovered a beautiful khaki green flower type material which last weekend I managed to whip into this:

(excuse the weird foot thing – not sure what is going on there)

The pattern itself was really easy to follow, and I had it finished within a matter of hours.  I think next time I might go for a heavier fabric, as the Cotton Voile creases very easily – not the best for work. I am now taking a look back at all my other patterns that have been sitting unused – just need to find some good fabric and hopefully I will have some more home made creations soon.

Now I don’t consider these cupcakes beautiful enough to cross #8 off yet (I am thinking amazing icing, and maybe even cupcake toppers will be required) but they have been a good first go with the piping bag.

red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing

Luckily I have morning tea at work today so I won’t have to eat them all. I grabbed the recipe from over at bakerella if you’re interested.

It was supposed to be served with rice, however eating for one I didn’t really want to extend the servings by adding rice to the meal, so I ate it alone. The flavour was the perfect balance of spicy and salty, however I think next time I will make an extra effort to get the thai basil, rather than ordinary basil – I think that could make all the difference.

The watermelon first drew me into this recipe – as it was just amazingly sweet in Thailand and since I have been looking at ways to incorporate it into anything I am eating. It may seem a bit out-of-place in a savoury meal – but trust me you won’t be disappointed!

Sometimes I think we have a lot to learn from our pets. Like how to have the time of your life with the simplest of things (in this case my gym bag).

Now I am sure most of you are aware what living minimally contains – and although I will never be someone who can give up their TV, or live without make up, I am finding so many of the truths of minimalism inspiring:

• Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful  - William Morris
• There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little - Jackie French Koller
• Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you - Lao Tzu
• The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less – Socrates

I have managed to get a start on having less, firstly by unsubscribing to the million of emails I get daily with sales, decluttering my google reader feed, and having a massive wardrobe cull. So I am slowly taking steps to make my life more minimal.

Now the major problem I am facing with embracing this well and truly is my career. I studied and currently work in marketing – the art of selling people things they don’t need – and this is direct conflict with the above.  I don’t think I could ever embrace the minimalistic lifestyle without abandoning what I do, at least in a commercial sense.  I have begun to search for other ways my skills could be useful – perhaps marketing for a not for profit – but until that perfect job crops up, I am going to have an internal dilemma going on…

Are any of you on a decluttering/minimalism journey? What are your roadblocks?