Wake up Happy

5 ways to wake up happy

Alarm. roll over. press snooze. repeat. Sometimes waking up is harder than it seems. Your legs don't want to move and your eyes don't want to open. It couldn't possibly be time to wake up already. Five more minutes in bed translates to ten and next thing you know you miss the bus and have to go to school without a proper shower. I came up with some ideas to help wake up happy and I wanted to pass them on starting with the most basic.

1. Get the proper amount of sleep.
- Straightforward yes, but common no. You need sleep in order to function at your best during the day. Typically the average adult needs 7-8hours. I find the hard part actually falling asleep. By bedtime I'm already thinking about the tens of things I need to do the next day (this is where a notepad by the side of the bed comes in handy). Thoughts assessing what happened today and what will happen tomorrow race in my mind. I know not to recommend anything but... Melatonin helps me fall asleep. It's not to be taken on a regular basis but a small dose can really help calm my body. Talk to your doctor before taking anything. Drinking non-caffinated tea also helps me fall asleep. The first step to waking up happy is going to bed at the right time. Not wasting your whole morning in bed is also better. I honestly can get more things done before noon than some people can all day. I'm very productive in the mornings. I go to bed around ten and usually wake up for 6, that way I get a good start to my day. When I am productive during the day I feel better at night.

2. Music
- Get rid of that buzzer and trade it in for some of your favourite tunes. Nobody wants to wake up to yelling and that's how most alarms sound. I normally wake up to Ed Sheeran or Florence and the Machine. Something upbeat and I change it up. I turn the volume up to make sure I wake - up. The way you wake up sets the mood for your day. Don't wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Wake up to your own playlist. Make it a great day. For some inspiration check out Urbans UQ

3. Water
- Before you go to bed put a glass of water by your bed. When you wake up start your body going by drinking a glass of water. Then open those blinds and let the sun shine on in. This also helps your metabolism get going. Don't forget to start your day with breakfast! Can't stress this enough. It's important. Your body just fasted all night. My favourite breakfast is oatmeal, juice, and eggs. If I don't have time its a smoothie and granola bar to-go! Orange juice is also good for waking up!

4. Naps
- My new found favourite part of the day. After a productive morning and early afternoon an hour nap feels awesome (needs to happen before 5 or your risk waking up groggy and mucking up your sleep cycle). Not everyone can do it, but for those who can, go for it. Word on the street, is that our bodies weren't meant to go a whole day without rest. To read on about the power of the almighty nap go to 8 benefits of napping. I highly recommend it. I'm more productive and awake after one.

5. Slow and steady
- Reward your body for waking up. I set my alarm earlier than I should so I can wake up slower. I know I don't have to get into the shower till 630 but I set my alarm for 6. That way its a slow and pain free process. Stretch when you wake up, most animals do it, why don't we? Once I shower I go back to bed. Yup! I dry off then go under the covers again and close my eyes because hey, I woke up! Everyone wakes up differently and this is the process that works for me. Wake up happy so you're happy all day.

Army cookies

Awe yeah cookies. yeah. I really can't cook or bake, but I am making an effort to try. Without further ado...

I present to you the Anzac Biscuit! This cookie is associated with the army. During the war wives would send them because the ingredients wouldn't spoil. Fun Fact.

1cup flour
1cup rolled oats
1cup coconut
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tbs golden syrup
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbs water

1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees. Line baking sheet with non stick paper
2. Mix flour, oats, coconut, and brown sugar in a bowl
3. In a saucepan stir butter, syrup, water, and baking soda until melted over medium heat
4. Combine saucy goodness with bowl of mixed ingredients. mix mix mix.
5. Make your cookie balls and place on sheet 5cm apart (use a fork to flatten slightly)
6. Bake for 10min or until golden brown
7. Set aside to cool then you can go ahead and munch

Ta da!

Bits and pieces

Today I sit down to write and I'm oddly inspired and not overwhelmed.

Many little things have happened and I want to share them with you.

• This week I've sat through three days of amazing Independent Professional Projects. Each exciting and uplifting in their own way. Congratulations to all of the 2nd year crecomms! It has made me eager to start my IPP... Breaking news, this just in, I will (fingers crossed it goes through panel) be creating a health and wellness radio show called Tune Up! More details to come in the following weeks. 
• I also watched two very interesting films; Perks of being a wallflower and Celeste and Jesse forever. Both with similar messages: do not take what you have for granted and live life to the fullest. My favourite line from Perks is "We accept the love we think we deserve" - a good lesson for everyone. Celeste and Jesse was disappointing, but it's very well done. If you watch the movie you'll see what I mean. Here are the trailers courtesy of You tube. Perks gets four lovely snow angels out of five and Celeste and Jesse get two heart hand motions out of five. I've seen a lot of movies but I'm always wanting to see more. Let me know if there are any amazing movies you think I should check out. 

• This week was also the travel assignment and magazine project wrap up. If I have learned anything from this week it is two things: never underestimate the power of connections and time management is a beautiful thing. This is the first time in ages I'm not procrastinating and actually done a project before it's due. I have my fabulous group members and my loving god mother to thank. 

It's when the bits and pieces finally come together that it feels wonderful to relax. 

I really hope this motivation and peacefulness lasts for a while. This week I leave you with another blog to lift your spirits: inspired joyful chaos

Have a wonderful weekend :) 

Look! A new outfit!

I'l admit it, I'm a shopaholic. I blame it on being in retail. Every shift I walk in thinking, what's new? What can I buy this shift? How would this shirt look with that pair of pants? Yikes! Why didn't I think of getting a job selling stuff I don't like? Oh right, I actually like my job.

My bank account hurts. If it could talk it'd be coughing. This week I bought a cute black and white stripped shirt and last week I bought a military green studded jacket. Super jazzed. My closet just keeps getting better and well bigger. Actually its stuffed. My discount is 50%. You'd think that'd be a good thing, but now whenever I see a price tag I always half it. That's bad when I walk into other retail stores.  I don't think I could ever go back to buying clothes full price. You'll find me at the outlet mall later in life.

I'm going to have to change jobs sooner or later. I really like my job, but I'll always be broke. I will enjoy my discount while it lasts. I don't think being a shopaholic will ever wear off though. Time to embrace it. I love accessorizing and putting outfits together. There should be a club.

Speaking to all of my fashionistas out there I will direct you to Look Book (if you haven't already been there). Get inspired to try out different outfits. It's fashion from around the world. Such a fun site. I could honestly sit for an hour just scrolling through different outfits. Liking them and sharing them. Go ahead create a profile. Upload your favourite outfits. Pin some outfits. Like them on Facebook and follow them on twitter. Add to the hype of your fave outfits. Of course there is also an app. Which means I waste more time on my phone. Enjoy surfing the site, you're welcome.

How cute is this outfit!?

Chockie poo

Recipe time!

Looks funny but tastes good. Chockie poo! After a lovely conversation with my friend Chelsea, she brought out this lovely creation. Yum. Half the recipe for an individual size.

1 1/3 cups of margarine
1 1/2 cups of sugar
4 cups of oats
6 tablespoons of coca
2 teaspoons of vanilla
2 tablespoons of water
1 cup of chocolate chips

Mix, refrigerate, and enjoy!