Eating Right

Lately I've been doing a bit of research on the blood type diet (Eat Right For Your Type) by Dr D'Adamo. Miranda Kerr is a fan, and she looks great, so I thought I'd suss it out. Off to the library I went. I picked up the book and have spent the last few days reading it while Miss L naps.

The theory behind it is interesting - Dr D'Adamo has found that different blood types react differently to certain foods and some foods are better for one blood type than another. He has also found that blood type can also affect one's personality and also what type of diseases and illnesses you are prone to. Some of the characteristics he has noted in Blood Type A (my blood type) are scarily true: sensitive to the needs of others, good listeners, detail oriented, analytical, creative and inventive

He also suggests suitable exercise for each blood type. I was happy to note that gentle exercise is best for the sensitive Type A - i.e. walking, yoga, stretches, swimming, etc.

I am so keen to give this eating plan a go to see if it makes me feel better and helps me lose weight  - but it is super hardcore and eliminates some of the things I love, including beef, some dairy (cow's milk and cheese), black tea and wheat (nooooooo! I love bread).

And it is a bit 'spensive - I spent $70 at the fruit and veg shop yesterday - yikes!

I'm going to take on board some of the recommendations - cutting out a few of the food and beverage items that aren't good for my blood type, but I don't think I could make this a full time venture!

C xo

Shopping Ban Update: Day 3

Time for an update on the shopping ban. 

via Pinterest

Its Day 3 and I have managed to unsubscribe myself from a few retailers email send-outs AND reject a shoe sale 'heads up' from a dear friend. I am so strong.

On Day 2, I did however buy Miss L a top to wear to an upcoming wedding (which she needed), and buy myself a leopard print belt that I've had my eye on with my Forever New gift card - both within the rules of my shopping ban, so its totally OK.

It does concern me slightly that I went shopping on the second day of the ban though.

C xo

Things I Love: Chocolate

Ok, this is a no brainer. Chocolate. I LOVE it. Give me a block of chocolate and I'm set. Lately I have been eating Green & Blacks organic chocolate. It is so delicious - I am particularly fond of the Mint chocolate. I have also previously tried the Ginger one, and it is also excellent, although its hard to find.

Mr B will often 'yell' at me because all of the chocolate has been eaten. I tell him he's got to be fast!

Nothing better than a couple of squares of chocolate and a soothing cup of tea in the afternoon...

C xo

Buy Nothing New Month

Well, it seems that I am keeping up with the times people, because what did I see on KAK (Kerri-Anne Kennerley to you non-Australians) this morning, but none other than this new concept called 'Buy Nothing New Month'.

For the month of October, there is a campaign being run to buy nothing new - the aim of this campaign is to encourage people to think about their purchases and promote conscientious and sustainable buying. Whilst I've taken it one step further to not buy anything new for myself, this campaign is encouraging buying secondhand, swapping items, recycling things, and so on.  You can read about why you should not buy anything new here

I really like this idea. Whilst it may not be good for the economy, it might teach people to shop more responsibly and to also learn to live with only the essentials. So often these days we as consumers are pummeled with advertising about what we must have and what we need - we often take things for granted these days - the simple things in life are often the best.

I know this is an extreme example, but when I read The Diary of Anne Frank, she lived with only the bare minimum and came to cherish the small things during her time cooped up inside the annex. It made me realise how lucky we are these days, that we have access to anything we want, we don't have to live on rations and we can shop online and have things delivered to our door.

I have pledged to Buy Nothing New during the month of October. You can too here

My Shopping Detox

My name is Catherine, and I like to shop. I love dresses and shoes, earrings and tops, necklaces, jackets, skirts, belts and headbands. I love shopping. I love the thrill of it, of buying something new, the rush you get when you walk out of the store with your new purchase in a pretty paper bag. What I don't like is the amount of money I spend on new things when I know I have enough in my wardrobe already (and also the resultant damage this does to my credit cards!).

via Pinterest

Lately I have been tossing up the idea of a shopping ban. I know there a lot of women out there in the blogosphere who have documented their shopping ban - some people are even doing it for a whole year! They are almighty strong. Me, I am thinking a 6 month ban will be a good goal to start with, and then I can re-evaluate at that point.

I want to do this shopping ban and be serious about it. Hence, why I am blogging about it. So many times I have said to myself, 'No more shopping', but who do I have to answer to? You will keep me honest lovely blog readers.

via Pinterest

Now, I need to evaluate why I am doing this shopping ban. There are a number of reasons, firstly, because I am currently on maternity leave and we need to save as much money as we can until I return to work next year, but even then I will only be returning to work part time and the saving will need to continue.

Secondly, I think that I use shopping as a bit of a hobby, and I find that I only seem to value items when they are brand new, which is ridiculous I know, but for example - I have had a lovely Leona Edmiston dress in my wardrobe for over 2 years now and I have NEVER worn it. I am whipping it out for my brother in laws wedding in a few weeks though. And Mr B's biggest gripe is that I have several pairs of shoes in my closet that I also have never worn. Oh dear, - I am a shopaholic!

via Pinterest

So, what are the rules?

1. I cannot buy anything I can wear (however I can spend gift vouchers that I currently have sitting in my wallet since Christmas and my birthday, and I can accept gifts of clothing, jewellery etc);
2. I can make clothes and jewellery for myself and any supplies I need for these ventures;
3. I can buy essential items only when needed (e.g. undies, etc)

My aim for this shopping ban is to make the best use of my existing wardrobe, to realise the potential I have within it, and to also see how it will affect me - what will I learn about myself during this time?

I hope you will support me during this time. As of today, Monday the 5th September I am officially on a shopping ban until 5th March 2012. And I will be doing a lot of window shopping in the meantime...

via Pinterest

C xo

Fashion Friday: Spring Feeling

The weather is so lovely at the moment... I love this time of year when the days are warm and the nights are cool. Its the perfect time of year. I can definitely feel and smell spring in the air, so I had to whip out my most springiest outfit for today's Fashion Friday post. I love this dress. It is so comfy to wear, and it has pockets. I love a dress with pockets.

Dress: Op shop
Cardi: Witchery

I have got an action packed weekend ahead of me... a hen's night on the Gold Coast with my future sister-in-law and my first night away from Miss L. I'm not sure how its going to go. Ideally it would be good to get a full nights sleep, but somehow I don't think that is going to happen with all the fun and frivolity that a hen's night usually entails! Father's Day is on Sunday and Mr B's very first day of this kind. We don't have any plans as yet, but maybe we'll go out for a steak lunch or something? Hope you have a good weekend!

C xo

Celebrity Image vs Self Image

There's lots of hype in the news at the moment about supermodel mum's making us 'real' mum's feel bad about ourselves. In particular, there is a lot of focus on the gorgeous Miranda Kerr. Yes, she looks incredible, and as mother to 8 month old baby Flynn, that is an amazing feat, but I don't see what all the fuss is about? She is a supermodel for goodness sake. It's her job to look good. And she has people she can pay to help her with the baby while she exercises, and I'm pretty sure she has a chef as well that prepares all of her meals. I personally think all new Mum's need both a baby sitter and a chef (haha) but in all seriousness, I think the media is making a mountain out of a mole hill. I don't look at Miranda and think less of myself because I don't look like her, and I'm sure there are a number of other Mum's out there that do not want to beat themselves up because they don't look like Miranda Kerr.

Miranda has always advocated for a healthy body image and a positive sense of self. She has even written a book aimed at teenage girls and young adult women called Treasure Yourself which provides a number of her insights, thoughts and lessons to lead the reader on the path to self improvement.

via Dolly

This book is currently on my must read list. I've heard many positive things about it and I am so interested to read Miranda's advice. I'll be sure to let you know my thoughts once I have read it.

C xo