Tuesday, January 31, 2012

How much can one heart take??

Sometimes events make us think that life isn't fair.
That bad things happen to good people.
And when sad things happen it is easy to look at the negative parts.

But a blogger that I love to read has taught me over the last few months,
That there is always a better way, a more positive way to look at things.

Over the past few years I have been reading a blog by Lisa King.
She is a mormon here in Tasmania.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting her,
But i have loved being able to read her blog and see all the gorgeous photos of her family.
I admire her so much.
She is the type of blog that I would love to become.
Being able to blog about life, the good and the bad.
She is such a incredibly strong woman.
So amazing.

Four months ago they lost their son Noah at the age of ten.
On the 26th January Lisa lost the father to her children, her husband and best friend.
Aaron passed away suddenly from a suspected heart condition.
Now leave her to look after her three sons.

Reading her blog entries over the past week and from when Noah passed away have brought many tears to my eyes.

I have never met her,
But I admire her, and look up to her.


Please show your love and support,
The next coming months are going to be extremely hard 
both emotional and financial.
Every little bit help.

Rest in peace Aaron and Noah,
May you enjoy your time together now you are together in heaven,
Watch over you family here on earth,
Until you meet again.
Family can be together forever.
Lisa King Photography

Quote of the moment...

Absolutely love this quote at the moment!
No matter what is going on in your life,
No matter what trials you may be facing,
These are words to always remember.
Pinterest

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Religion & Relationship...

I'm Back!
Sorry about my little disappearance over the last few days.
Life was been a bit messy,
And I need to refocus a little bit,
Sorry that my blog and email has been the thing that has been put on the back burner.

For those of you that my be new to my blog, or that don't know me that well,
You may not know one important part about my life...
I am Mormon.

There is so much that I wish to tell you about how I have come to love this religion,
But that is for another day.

Today I would like to share with you some videos that have been flying around the web lately.
They have all started from one Video...

I find this a very interesting video,
It makes you think about religions in the world today.

I really like the response that a member of my chruch
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormons)
This video explains what we stand for...

I love the comment that goes along with this video...
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or "Mormons". I am also a Christian and agree with about 90% of what my brother Jeff said. He's right on the money about people being hypocrites and being self-righteous. We as human beings are not perfect and pride is indeed a sin. But the great thing about Jesus is that He established His own religion. He set up a church for His believers. And even though Jesus, the church. and its apostles were rejected, the gates of hell did not prevail against it. God restored His church again. And the good news is that the church is a hospital for the broken. We welcome all into our worship services. On the outside of every LDS meetinghouse are the words "Visitors Welcome".

I totally agree with the words in the comment and on the video.

The guy that did the original video to 'why i hate religion, but love christ'
Also did a video about Sex, Marriage & Fairytales.
Now this video I think he has done perfectly.


My favourite quote in this video is...
"Become friends first before becoming lovers,
Have Jesus as your foundation before getting under the covers,
A strong friendship before marriage,
Will make a good marriage after.
Marriage isn't just sex, it's conversation and laughter."

There is more to relationship then sex.
Become friends first before you race into things.
If a guy or girl is willing to put the effort into a strong friendship,
Then don't you think that they will be willing to put even more into a relationship/marriage.
That they are more willing to be there in the morning when you wake up,
Or when things get tough, they are willing to stick it out.

Marriage I think in the world has lost it's importance,
I know for me, that marriage,
The importance of being friends before hand,
To put the effort into my relationships,
That the Lord is going to be the centre of my life and relationship.
And to remember that no one is perfect, we are all human and we all make mistakes.

I am a mormon
And proud of it!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Little Letters...

Pinerest

Dear Hair,
You have been behaving yourself really well over the last few days, cute curls! Thank you for behaving! And thank you for being easy to straighten tonight... oh how you have grown!

Dear Ballet Flats,
I love you, your are such cute shoes, I have loved wearing you, you go with so many of my outfits from jeans to skirts. I will miss you! I am sorry that my feet hate you.

Dear Feet,
I have to spend so much money on you at the moment and go through painful injections, so can you please hold up your side of the deal and get better!

Dear Australia Day,
I am so glad you are this week, I am looking forward to having a day off this week, it is well needed! And I can't wait to celebrate Lisa's birthday!

Dear headache,
You chucked a hissy fit with me last week, and now have been annoying me for the past two days! I tried to warn you to go away with simple nurofen, but no you wanted to stay and play. Well headache meet strong migraine medication! Serves your right!

Dear Music,
I have loved listening to you tonight, just what I needed!

Dear Weather,
You have been amazing lately, not too hot but just right! Please feel free to put on some nice entertainment this week with thunder and lightening!

Dear Sis and little nephew,
I can't wait to see you! 3 Weeks left till I get cuddles with both of you! BTW, sis... I plan to kidnap my spunky little nephew!

Dear Letter,
I hope you reach your destination safely.

Dear Pinterest,
Thank you for your amazing inspiration! I may be a bit addicted to you :)

Monday, January 23, 2012

Have A Great Day...

Lately in life I have started to kinda enjoy look over my life,
And assessing what I can improve,
What I need to change,
What I want,
Adjusting my goals so that I am able to achieve those things.

I am truely luck to have some very supportive people in my life.
That pick me up when I am down,
That make me believe that my dreams are possible.
And that I am fully capable of achieving anything that I put my mind to.

"Sometime I believe as many as 6 impossible things before breakfast"
-Alice in wonderland.

What you think is impossible now in your life,
Won't be impossible tomorrow, or next week.
All we need to do is have the ABC...
Attitude
Belief
Courage

Today is the start of a fresh week,,
Start of a new day,
Yesterday is gone,
Have a great day!


So each day I promise to strive to improve my life,
To create the life that I currently think is impossible,
To put in all my energy to achieve the life that I want,
To settle for nothing less than an extraordinary life,
And to enjoy every step along the way!
And NEVER regret a single moment!

Pinterest


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Detox Time...

7 Day detox
Done and dusted!

So because everyone has been asking me on facebook what I am on,
I thought that I would share it all with you...

Some may say that it was a diet, but I hate the word diet!
It's a lifestyle change,
Cleansing the body,
Getting the junk out of my body.
Teaching me to eat more healthily.

This detox is a soup based detox.
You can eat as much as you like but only of certain things.
I found the first few days pretty easy,
With the last three days the hardest.
But I felt great,
Didn't feel bloated, felt fresh and energised.
During the detox I wasn't able to excerise due to my foot injury,
But I still managed to lose 5kgs.
I now have two days break and go back onto the detox on Tuesday.
I actually looking forward to it cause today when getting carbs I kinda felt yuck.
Bring on the fresh fruti and veg!
But first I really want waffles! Naughty I know!

Some pieces of advise given to me that really helped...
*Learn to like the feeling of being hungry and notice the difference between straving and just feeling like something to munch on.
*Keep yourself busy
*Clean out the cardboards and fridge of unhealthly stuff
*Keep a diary so you know why you are doing it and to keep you focused.
*Have a support group

Soup Recipe:
2 Cans of crushed tomatoes
1 Bunch of green spring onions
2 Large cans of Campbell's beef consomme
1 Pkt of vegetable soup mix (dry)
1 Bunch of celery
2 Cans of green beans or 1 pkt of frozen beans (500g)
2 Green Peppers
3 Carrots
2 Beef stock cubes
2 Chicken stock cubes
2 Cups of water

Season with salt, pepper, curry or parsley or hot sauce.
Cut vegies into small to medium pieces, place all ingredients into a pot.
Boli fast for 10 mins, reduce to simmer and continue cooking until very tender.
You can leave soup chunky or blend it to a liquid. 

Eat the soup when every you are hungry. You can eat as much of the soup as you like. The soup will add no calories.

Drink: 
Plenty of water!!! You can also drink unsweetened juices, tea, coffee, cranberry juice, or water, water, water.

No:
Bread, alcohole, carbonated beverages (including soft brinks of any kind), fried food or oil.

Day One:
Any fruit, except bananas, cantalope and watermelon.
Eat only fruit and soup today.

Day Two:
All vegetables, eat all fresh, raw and canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy vegetables, stay away from dry beans, peas, and corn. Eat veggies along with the soup.
At dinner time reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter.
Don't eat any fruit today.

Day Three:
Eat all the soup, Fruit and veggies you want.
Don't have the baked potato.

*At this stage if you have eaten the above and have not cheated you should have lost 5-7lds. (2.5-3.5kg)

Day Four:
Bananas and skim milk, eat at least 3 bananas and as much milk as you can, along with the soup.
Bananas are high in calories and cabs, as is the milk, but you will need the potassium and carbs today.

Day Five:
Beef(or chicken-boilded or baked, without skin.)  and tomatoes, you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes or as many as 6 tomatoes.
Eat the soup at least once a day.

Day Six:
Beef (or chicken) and vegetables. Eat to your heart's content of the beef and veggies. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like. With green leafy vegetables. No baked potato and be sure to eat the soup at least once.

Day Seven:
Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies. Again be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup.

*By the seventh day if you have not cheated through out the week then you should have lost between 10-17lds. (5-8.5kgs).
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Photoshop

For ages now I have wanted to learn how to use photoshop,
Today was still on bed rest for my foot,
I decided to teach myself how to use it.
So thank for google and my cousin Lolly.
I was able to learn how to make my first creations...


I have always loved typography,
So I knew that it had to be my first creation.

What do you think?

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Like Me...


Girl With Curls has had some changes!
First one is link, at the moment my blog is going through the transition of the address being...
jess-barnes.blogspot.com
Changing to...
www.thegirlwithcurls.com!

Another change will be the email address, over the following weeks that will be changing to..
girlwithcurls.blog@gmail.com

Another change that has happen is Girl With Curls now has a Facebook page!
Please stop by and say hi!

So many changes,
So exciting!
Hope your all having a great week!!

Facebook Page

Friday, January 20, 2012

Pinterst Link Party!

Everyone knows that I am a tad bit addicted to Pinterest.
And as soon as I saw on iBlog4me a blog hop for Pinterest I know straight away that I had to share this link party!
Thanks iBlog4me for starting this Pinterest Link Party!
Some link yourself up and discover some new and awesome Pinterest pinners!

Come visit me: Miss Jess

Best Proposal Ever!!!

Thanks to a friend on facebook for sharing this awesome video!
Check out what happens when you add a flash mob and a proposal!
The video is long but is worth it!

If Only I Was Crafty...

Lately I have had the urge to try to become crafty,
So I turned to Pinterest for some inspirations.
Here is what I would love to try to make...

My little nephew E, would look so cute in this outfit.

This would look so cute on my nephew E or my niece Z.
How cute is this hat!

I love the ruffs!
Such a cute throw.

I love the colour in this art work, 
And it would be so easy to create!

I would really like to make a bag one day,
Once I can settle on a pattern I like enough.

This scarf looks cool!
Must learn to knit again...

Love this skirt,
And bonus is...
My mum is currently making it for me!!

These look so cute!
Would love to hang them in my room!


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Once Upon A Time...

As you know I have recently become a fan of the tv show 'Once Upon A Time'

And now I have to movies that I am looking forward to seeing when they are released later this year.

It seems that you have turn from the world of vampires and werewolf's,
To the fairy tales of our childhood.

Two movies,
Same title,
Same base story,
But totally different.
Can't wait to see both.


I wonder what fairytale Hollywood will do next?

Monday, January 16, 2012

101 Random Facts About Me...

I have now been blogging for just over two years.
I have really enjoyed getting to know people and getting to know myself better.

But now I want to get to know you all a lot better.
And I want you to know me better.
As apart of my 101 in 1001 project
I am going to share with you 101 random things about me.


  1. I am the youngest of 6 kids! I have now got... two brothers, three sisters, two brother-in-laws, one sister-in-law, two nephews, three nieces, and one niece or nephew on the way. Big family and I love each and every one of them.
  2. I hate having dry hands, lips and feet, you know that yucky dry feeling, hello hand moisturiser and body lotion! And lip balms are my best friends.
  3. I love stationary, I really wished I studied so that I had a better excuses to buy more!
  4. The opening to my doona always has to be at the bottom of the bed.
  5. I crack a lot... my knees, hips, ankles, shoulders, thumbs... all crack. The worst are my knees. They sounds like creaky stairs.
  6. I love reading chick flick books, sometimes it's just nice to curl up to a good book and let yourself dream.
  7. I love bright nail polish, and i have lots of colours.
  8. I can bend my thumb back and behind my knuckles and make a fist. Hello being double jointed.
  9. I love music, I am aways listening to some form of music, and I have a wide taste range. But there are times that I love to just sit and enjoy the silence, and listen to nature.
  10. I am allergic to rock melon otherwise known as Cantaloupe.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Life of Learning...

Each day is a new day,
Everyday I want to set out to learn some thing new,
To experience something new,
To meet someone new.

I first got introduced to Rick Mereki's videos on Kelsie's blog last year,
And now absolutely loves them.
This is one of a set of three...
The other two are Eat and Move.

Enjoy...

Saturday, January 14, 2012

A Girl Can Dream...

Wedding dreams and ideas...

I love my curls, and I think that this would suit me very nicely.
 This is such a cute and simple wedding cake.
Minus the flowers.
This is so cute, the groom hired a photographer to take a photo of him proposing to the bride.
She didn't know this was happening and he gave her the photo framed on their wedding day,
 Cute way to ask someone to a bridesmaid.
 Presents for the bridesmaids... survival kits
 Thank you card idea.
This would be so much fun!
 Love this, have tulle and fairy lights to decorate the celling.
Setting names in scrabble pieces.

Want to see more of what I dream my future wedding to look like?
Join me on Pinterest!
Also check out my wedding dream posts part 1 and part 2

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Shake It!

Thanks to my friend Kat for introducing me to some awesome country music
This song just makes me want to dance!

Anyone have any song suggestions?
Something that just makes you wanna get up and dance!

p.s... he is hot!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

New Favourite...

Everyone should believe in fairy tales!

New TV Show that I quite like!

Have you seen it??

Monday, January 9, 2012

Weekend Adventure...

Another weekend has been and gone
This weekend's main adventure was camping...

Now I have been camping before but not for the past 10 years...
I didn't really know if I would enjoy the experience, 
But I thought that I would at least give it one go.

So here are my thoughts on camping...

PROS:
*Relaxing
*Nature
*Random conversations
*BBQs
*Laughter
*Friends
*Falling asleep to the sounds to the waves
*Camp fires: building a nice big campfire pit
*Friendly fellow campers, especially the ones that offer us some of their freshly caught fish
*Beaches: swimming in the ocean for the first time in about 8 years
*Sleeping in tents: This reminds me of my childhood, and camping in the back yard in tents with my brothers and sisters.

CONS:
*I can't cook potatoes in a fire.
*Bugs and spiders
*Mosquitoes: hate them with a passion!
*Rocks... climbing over rocks bare foot in search for a better beach... just tell Kat NO! 
*Sand... it's great to walk on, but then when your wet it gets everywhere.
*Freezing cold ocean, little bit warmer would have been great.
*Smoke: coming home feeling like camp fire smoke.
*No Showers, oh how I really wish we had a shower.
*Drop Toilets... they stink and when people tell you never to look down... trust them 110%... NEVER LOOK DOWN! Hello nightmares for weeks!

Do Again:
*Take Ipod player
*Go swimming
*Make a big breakfast (Bacon, eggs, mushrooms, hash browns, tomatoes)
*Take Kat's Dad's car again... it has a fridge
*Make the drive fun... beat... 50+ waves, 5 head nods, 1 thumbs up, 1 smile, 1 beer up.
*Take a first aid kit... Kat will need it again.
*Be nice to fellow campers!
*East Coast of Tasmania is the best place to camp.


Things To Remember For Next Time:
*Take more water
*Try not to go in school holidays, there are so many people camping around that time.
*Bring heaps more friends.
*When Kat says the ocean is not that cold... it's cause she can no longer feel her legs due to the freezing water.
*Try not to smoke out the neighbouring campers... take notice of the wind direction before setting up a campfire.
*Hammer... rocks work but not as easy and as well as a hammer
*Firewood... Easier and safer then big branches
*Camping shower... oh how that would have been nice
*Camping mattress... sleeping with a yoga mat and a sleeping bag between you and the ground is not always comfortable.
*Card games & Board games... good way to pass the time.
*Hammock... that would have been so relaxing.
*NEVER LOOK DOWN!!!

Would I go camping again...
YES!

So any advice for me??

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Excitement!!


I am super excited! 
Today, after some hunting for cheap flights my sister has agreed to come for a visit next month.
And she is bring my spunky, handsome 8 month old nephew with her!

Oh i can not wait!
I have that they live so far away, 
I miss having cuddles with them,
Watching him crawl and play games with them.

I can't wait to see him play with his little cousin Zoe,
Last time they saw each other E was only little.
Will be so much fun to see them together again.

I think I either to to kidnap him or move to Queensland!
Bring on the 15th of Feb for cuddles!

Well I am off camping tomorrow,
So there will be no post from me
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Be back soon!!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

30 Day Challenge...

It's the start of a new year!
A few of the things that I am focusing on this year is...
*Improvement
*Motivation
*Focus
*De-stress
*Positive

So this month, to start this year off to a bang!
I am doing a 30 day challenge.
Made up of three different challenges.

1st Challenge...
Daily to do lists.
I find that I achieve more of a evening when I get home from work if I have it all written down.
I write down about 10 things each day that I wish to achieve,
Sure there are going to be day that I may not get everything done,
But I at least have it written down and in my head that I need to get it marked off.

I think the reason why having a daily today list works so well is because I hate not seeing everything ticked off.
4 Days in and it is working very well,
I feel that I have achieved more of a evening when I have gotten home from work,
Because I know that those things need to be done so I don't really let myself relax until they are done.

2nd Challenge
Lifestyle Chart
This is a tick chart that I have created.
It is made up on 7 things that I have to strive to do every day for 30 days.
They are...
1: Eat breakfast everyday
2: Eat a salad everyday
3: Exercise for 30 minutes per day
4: Be in bed by 10:30, with lights out by 11pm
5: Say my prayers daily
6: Study my scriptures daily
7: Tidy up my room

Each day that I complete the item I tick it off,
I know that I'm not going to be able to do these everyday,
But I hope to improve how much I do do them,
And strive to make them habits.

Then at the end of the month,
If I have have done well,
Then I get to reward myself.

3rd Challenge
30 Days With Christ
This month my sister J. and myself are doing 30 days of studying different scripture references to do with Christ.
I am so glad that my sister came up with this idea and got me into it.
The scriptures are amazing,
And I love learning about Christ and what he has done with each and every one of us.
I am learning so much and I am so grateful for that.

Other things that I am doing this money is...
*Drinking more water
*Eating less junk food
*Spending less money
*Write in my journal more (aiming for daily)
*Review my life, and deciding on where I want my life to go this year.
Also recording things on one of these...
Print from Pinterest
What's your focus for this month??

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Love This Place...

I am so lucky to leave in this beautiful place called Tasmania.
I love the fact that a short drive (max of an hour) can take me to a beach, rainforest, mountains, country or city.

I love this place, and my heart will always belong to Tasmania!

-No need to edit these amazing photos!!
Oh how I love summer time! 
Gorgeous long summer nights when the sun doesn't go down til 9pm!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Sponsoring Opportunities...


Would you like the opportunity to promote your blog or shop?

It is a new year! 2012 is going to be a great year!
To celebrate and welcome in the new year I have a special for each and everyone of my readers.

For the month of January & February I am offering FREE sponsoring!
You can choose either a 200x200 or 200x100 size spots.

What do you get??
*Free Advertising
*Mentions on Twitter
*Chances for guest posts

Requirements:
*My blog button to be featured on your blog
*Email me your button code, website and twitter details

Email address: jess.life.liveit@gmail.com

Any questions please feel free to email me.
I can't wait to meet some awesome bloggers!

*Please be aware there is no cut off date for this offer,
Please email me though you details as you as possible.*

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012...

Another year gone,
And another year to come!

Hope that 2012 bring a better and bright future for you all!
Updates coming soon!

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