ENJOYING A FABULOUS JULY
Well, July has come and almost gone - and brought with it lots of rain, lots of snuggling down near a heater with a good book, lots of family time, and lots of all the other good stuff that comes with cold Winter days and evenings. So, with that in mind, here's what's been Fabulous throughout the lovely month of July....
FAMILY-ING
July in Australia means school holidays and that means a few days with our grandgirls. It's always such a joy seeing them, and their needs are simple. We went to playgrounds, wandered around the shops, ate icecream and cake, and generally did small girl fun things. They are the sweetest company and get easier with every visit. Grandparenting is definitely one of the highlights of this stage of life.
BLOGGING
I've been cruising along with the blog - every time I think about slowing down or even stopping for a while, something new comes along - a thought, an idea, an experience, or even a collaboration (see below). I've been writing about the changes that have happened since my hip has become an issue, and the ensuing 'un-retirement' I've done for one day a week - and a few other things. I've included the links for July's posts in case you missed any and want to catch up.
COLLABORATING
One of the things I love about blogging is that I get approached by companies who would like to collaborate with me, and every now and then one sounds like they'd be a really good fit with my blog and then the conversation begins. A few weeks ago I was contacted and asked if I'd like to try some products from Chalmers Dale & Co, a lovely online Australian health and beauty company who are keen to connect with women who are in the 40+ age group (and that's us!)
They sent me a wonderful care package containing shampoo, conditioner, skin cleanser, Vit C serum, and some anti-inflamatory capsules (great timing for my dodgy hip!) I've been trying each of them out, and I'm loving them all so far - lots of fresh citrusy scents which are my favourite. Chalmers Dale & Co also wanted to share the love by offering 20% off any product purchases by using CREST20 at the checkout. They ship to Australia and internationally - so win/win! You can use the discount code anytime by clicking on the ad in my sidebar too.
READING AND CREATING
I'm still binge reading all the book series by husband and wife team Ilona Andrews (I do love a good dystopian fantasy novel!) and I also finished Nora Roberts' latest book "Nightwork" (I think I've read all her books at least once - and many of them twice!) So the collaging has taken a bit of a back seat again this month. I did play around with a few and the latest four are here if you're interested in checking out how my book is progressing.
FABULOSITY
So, to make up for my pathetic lack of spending last month, I went all out and did a little bit of online t-shirt shopping at Shein. I love a fun t-shirt and these were my choices for the year ahead (they made me smile) The frazzled cat one is a favourite and has the response I have in my head when people ask me how my hip's going....
A FABULOUS QUOTE TO FINISH WITH
JUST A FINAL NOTE:
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Such a fun post Leanne. We've just caught up with our almost 4 year old granddaughter after. along time apart and she is so sweet, growing up far too fats. Your little grand-girls look very cute too and obviously make you happy. We can't wait to see Dottie in England in a few day's time and make memories with her too after all this time. Your t-shirts are perfect for you and what a great product you are sampling, I love anything citrusy. Wishing your hip well and reading is a great way to escape the pain. Have a great August :)
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I can't believe it's almost D Day (Dottie Day!) for your big reunion after soooo long - I hope the flight goes well and that Grant's suitcase doesn't end up on the floor of Heathrow surrounded by several thousand others! I'm looking forward to seeing all the happy snaps and will be celebrating along with you x
DeleteSounds like July was kind to you Leanne. I love the family photos. The little grand girls are growing so fast. I do love the quirky T shirts and will check out Shein. Good luck with the collaboration. It seems to be a good fit for you
ReplyDeleteThanks so much - the skincare and hair products have been great so far, so it's been nice to be able to recommend them - and the t-shirts are fun and not expensive - I'm wearing the Attitude one atm!
DeleteI'm so glad that you've had a fabulous July! Your grandgirls are beautiful, and I'm happy that you've spent time with them. I'm looking forward to seeing my grandkids, in November, when we'll celebrate our Thanksgiving holidays, with my son, and family. It's been a busy summer, working on the porch, and sunroom, but it's been enjoyable. I'm also still working on my paper mache trees. I hope to have them done before our trip to the States. after the States, we've booked a 3 month stay in Strasbourg, france. It looks like a beautiful, medieval city. Thank you for sharing your very entertaining post. xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - I love how you guys get around all over the world ("we've booked a 3 month stay in Strasbourg") and make it sound like an every day occurance! You're going to love seeing your family and grandkids - I hope you'll post a few pics on FB so we can enjoy it with you. And I'm hanging out to see those trees of yours!
DeleteI recently read Nightwork too and really enjoyed it a lot! It sounds like you had a wonderful visit with your granddaughters and a wonderful month!
ReplyDeleteI love Nora Roberts and all her books (including the JD Robb series - I'm such a fan girl of Eve and Roarke!) I'm glad you enjoyed it too Joanne.
DeleteLeanne, I love the 'attitude' tee. Going to search for it now. Love the photo of your girls under the snowflake tree.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - these t-shirts make me smile every time I put one on - they're kind of snarky but in a nice non-confronting way. The attitude one says it all :)
DeleteLove the fabulous quote you ended with, Leanne. Your collages look so good. I would like to have a chat with you about them - will connect on Facebook. Have an equally fabulous August!
ReplyDeleteHi Corinne - I'd be more than happy to chat about my collages any time - they bring me a lot of joy and kind of a serene headspace when I'm putting them together. Thanks for the lovely compliment about them x
DeleteYou are living fabulously Leanne except for you hip. I do hope you can have something done to improve your mobility soon. The girls are growing up fast. x
ReplyDeleteHi Sue - I've found a physio program (G.L.A.D.) that's supposed to be really good for "pre-hab" strengthening of the muscles around the hip. I'm delaying starting because I want to get the benefits closer to the op (and I know I'll slack off if I start it too soon - I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to long term exercise programs!)
DeleteLots to love in here - great pics of the grand girls, loving those t-shirts, your collages bring so much colour, and those products sound good. I do, however, feel for you in regards to your hip. Take care...
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - I'm loving my new t-shirts - especially the "it's fine, I'm fine, everything's fine" one because it sums up my damn hip so well (ie: suck it up princess and get on with things til the magic op day arrives!) And yes, the products are really lovely.
DeleteI'm really enjoying how you're focusing on your WOTY all year long. It really is such an upbeat, positive word!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat - I feel like life is what you make it - and if you choose positivity then you're an extra step in the right direction. I need all the steps I can get to keep smiling and walking atm!
DeleteWhat a lovely, happy, upbeat post! How lovely for you to spend some time with your grandkids, and I love your fun t-shirts! The cat one is my favourite :D I hope you find ways to make your hip better.
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne - I figure that life has lots of fabulous little moments if you pause and look for them. I refuse to let my annoying hip colour too much of my world - it's much nicer focusing on the good bits that pop up throughout the month :)
DeleteLovely energy coming through in this post. Thanks for that. Fabulously talented, you are.
ReplyDeleteHi Judith - I really aim to be as positive as I can about life in general, and in my blogging. There's so much doom and gloom if we look for it - I'd rather find the glimmers of sunshine that are always there if we take the time to seek them out :)
DeleteI had no idea Fabulousity was a real word - first used in the 1600's! Very cheery - glad you're having a fabulous time!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it came from that far back in history Lydia - you've taught me something new! I just love it as a word - I also use Fan-damn-tabulous wherever possible because I love how it rolls off the tongue. :)
DeleteHi Leanne, Thank you for your weekend coffee share. I'm glad you're enjoying a fabulous July. Great pics of your granddaughters, your collage and the fun t-shirts. Have a wonderful weekend! Natalie
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie - thanks for keeping the one and only link party I attend these days going strong. I love popping in to share my posts and to see what others have linked up for the weekend.
DeleteLovely July!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara - it was a great month all in all.
DeleteHow fabulous you could find so much fabulosity here Leanne. I reckon you have nailed the brief and despite the hip pain, living life to the full. So true about pre-school aged granddaughters, they are a delight. I miss that time from our lives! Denyse #weekendcoffeeshare
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - it's such a simple time for our grandgirls - and they're very easy to please. I'm enjoying this age and stage while they still want to visit and stay with us. I like looking back on the month and finding the little moments of joy that help balance the times when my hip gives me the willies and I just want to sit all day long!
DeleteLoved your update Leanne. How did you like the shirts from Shein?
ReplyDeleteHi Kirstin - this is the second lot of t-shirts I've bought from Shein - I think they're excellent value for the price. They'd never compete with high end stuff, but for a fun slogan they make for inexpensive casual wear (and I'm big on inexpensive and casual these days!)
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