April In Photos

April - you weren't what I expected and I'm really not sure how I feel about you. I think you were a necessary evil. I do however accept that the extreme ups and downs were necessary for growth and transformation, but I'm not sorry to see you finish for the year. I think we will have a better time next year.

 It was a month to be truthful with myself and what I want to do. I spent a long time standing at a crossroad; confused and wondering which road to follow. Neither is more or less appealing than the other, they are just different. Both with attractive aspects and otherwise. There were daily arguments between my head and my heart and although it's still happening now, I think my heart is slowly winning. I will let you know :)

Bring it on May!

For once I have no expectations for this coming month. In fact I want to live this month day to day. I'm tired of planning so far in advance and worrying about the 'what ifs..'. I want need a month to live each day as if that is all that matters. Tomorrow may never come and yesterday is gone. Today is the only day that I care about. By the end of the month I should feel refreshed enough to start looking at the bigger picture again.

- Rhiannon

March In Photos

March has been an exciting, scary and wonderful month. I am still trying to find a new job, but there isn't too much out there. Fingers crossed something will come up in the next few weeks though. Today is also my birthday- woooooo! I've got a quiet day at home for myself, with a delicious dinner at my parents later on. 

This month...

• I finished up at my job of 6 years which was quite emotional. My first week off was quite bizarre.
• I'm still learning ways to improve working at home during the week. Kyla Romoa wrote a fab 5 part series I have been referring to.
• I am 95% ready to open my online store. Although it won't be ready today as hoped, it will be by tomorrow or Friday.  I'm still organising for prints to be done professionally.
• I spent a lot of time outside to try and find some sort of grounding again. After finishing at work I have felt very lost and unsettled. 
• Autumn arrived, and so has some much needed rain. 
• We finally bought paint to start painting one of the rooms. which is next weeks project.
• Spent a lot of time with my kitties. Spaz had to go to the vet but she is fine now. And I saw Zeus climb a tree! (in the 4 years we have had him, I haven't seen him do this!) Our house and garden is cat heaven and they are all so happy.
• I managed to smash my phone *doh*. Waiting for it to be repaired still.

What did you experience this March?
-Rhiannon

February 2013 in photos

February you have been one interesting month- I've experienced some pretty intense emotions these last 28 days. Summer is still going strong here in NZ (despite today marking the start of Autumn which is a little sad, but exciting. This will be the first winter in our very own insulated & warm house) but my garden is loosing it's colour- in fact Northland was declared in drought this week which is so not cool. I would love a good downpour to refresh everything; hopefully it's not too far away. I haven't managed to get to the beach much, but have plans to change that this Sunday when we visit some friends and hit the West Coast beaches.
Well, what else have I been up to this month?

Y The biggest thing this month was being made redundant on 8th February. My last day is next Friday and I am sad, excited, worried, excited. I think my first day off is going to be quite odd.

Y I went to see my man who was tattooing at the 110th Anniversary Harley Davidson show.

Y I got my desk 80% set up. Still a few more things I want to do, tidy up and clear out but I will be ready for the 11th March.
Y I bought back my Weekly Art Journal Page posts

Y I found Dillon sitting in all sorts of weird positions. I'm also giving him regular showers and he loves them but he looks so scrawny after that I always end up giggling.

Y Dan and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary together which was wicked! 

Y I went through some old photos at my parents and found some rather funny ones of me when I was younger.

Y I've also been appreciating the incredible phenomenon that is our sky. Gorgeous sunsets, blood-orange sunrises, clear blue skies- when you really think about it, it's pretty amazing.

Y I've been experimenting with different juices recently too- I will be sharing a few of my favourites soon.

Y Caught up with a really good friend for milkshakes and cookies at Moustache. (<3 Nicola)

Y Said goodbye to two lovely ladies who I work with- both are on to bigger and better adventures.

Y A quick trip to lush made me giggle.

~March you are going to be such a great month- I just know it. 

-Rhiannon

January 2013 in Photos

Already one month gone for 2013 - geez! Who put life on fast forward? Despite all that, I'm impressed with how much I have managed to fit in this year. It feels like I've only just started to gain momentum too so I can see a lot more amazing things to come in the coming months. So what else have I been up to?

Y I got a mini-undercut which then progressed to something a bit more extreme (which I love and you can see below!)

Y I've spent a lot more time outside than I usually do at this time of year and its been so good for me.

Y New Zealand has amazing beaches - and I'm making a big effort to go at least once a week.

Y Bought home Dillon to join the family - Zeus is quite happy with him now but the others are still a bit unsure and I think are sulking a bit.

Y Got more work done on my Max tattoo- only one more short session and he is finished.

Y Started reading Harry Potter again. I never got round to finishing off the books and I never saw the last few movies so I'm quite excited to see how it ends (no spoilers please!)

Y I got my teeth stuck into re-learning watercolours with the help of Alisa Burke.

Y Did some a lot of soul searching.

Y Spent a lot of time appreciating the gorgeous sunsets we have been having recently.

Y I've tried green smoothies.

Y I've attempted the 1 Mile a Day challenge (it's turned out to be a successful failure but that's a story for another day)

Y Received a postcard from my best friend who is living in Germany (I love post cards!!)

-Rhiannon

2012~ A year in Review

I have been reflecting on the past year and while I love reading about others reviews, I have decided not to share one this year. This years has been filled with huge ups & mega downs~ I am scribbling notes, thoughts and ideas down and I've decided I don't want to turn this raw energy into something comprehensive simply for the blog. I like it broken into small, barely comprehensive little  pieces. 

Instead, I am going to round up the last two months in photos- It's so good to look back on snapshots and realise how much there is to be grateful for and appreciate.

Had fresh, New Zealand strawberries and I cannot stop eating them!

The first trip to the beach for the summer.

I bought a super bright and flowery summer dress.

Started to get ready for my first year of fruit + vegetable gardening.

Saw incredible sunsets (the balls of light are reflections on the glass from the restaurant I was in)

Accepted the fact that Christmas was approaching and decided to buy some festive decorations.

So of course then I had to get a tree to put them on. I love the smell of pine.

Auckland started to look pretty good...summer is here!

I love my Ariel PJ's that I got for Christmas. I also got a juicer which I have used every day since I got it~ so fresh and delicious.

Went mountain biking with my dad + Dan and totally kicked butt (considering I hadn't been on a bike longer than 10 mins in 10 years!). 13km and 1.5 hours later we were exhausted but happy.

Made a lovely platter for a big family feast yesterday. It's always so lovely to have everyone together.

October in Photos

October~ You bought longer and much warmer days. I found myself wanting to get outside as often as possible and bask in the sun. You also bough me a nasty cold *shakes fist* but I finally seem to be back to normal now, thank goodness. As for the rest of the month? Where did it go? I'm pretty sure I blinked and missed October entirely.

Y I finally went to The Auckland Winter Gardens

Y I had another plum risotto date with one of my best friends.

Y Drank more peppermint tea

Y Discovered that strawberry jam & mozzarella on toast is totally uh-mazing!

Y Spent some time playing Diablo 2 with Dan- what I call 'questing'

Y Got presents from Japan~ hello Domokun mug & biscuits

Rhiannon xxoxx 

September in Photos

September~ you were a month of change, of improvement and new beginnings. You welcomed a new fitness routine that has already made a huge difference in my life. I feel stronger, healthier and happier. When people say that exercise makes you happy- they really aren't making it up! I've know for a long time that in order to manage my depression I need to be active, of course its the actual 'doing' part of that I have struggled with. But with some help from my super awesome fitness buddy, I have rekindled my love for lifting weights and running so I don't see it as 'a necessary evil' any more. I look forward to it each day and it certainly helps having a friend to go with- makes everything more fun! 

What else happened this month:

Y We have had Sushi come stay with us while our friend is overseas

Y I have been changing up my daily routine to try be as productive as possible (still working on it!)

Y I started reading The Happiness Project- I have so much to write about this!

Y I did my first chalk drawing at the Zoo

Y I made lots of new food~ I'm in love with what I call 'fancy weekend oatmeal'- banana + shredded coconut + maple syrup *yum!*. As well as broccoli + parmesan fritters & cookie dough bites, 

Y I went to Moustache~ a brand new, ridiculously popular milk and cookie bar in Auckland city.

Y I went to the beach and collected some shells

Y I wrote a really popular 'how-to' post on making a dream catcher

So quite a lot- and I'm sure I've missed out some other cool things that happened but hardly surprising! I've been rather busy :)

Rhiannon xox

August in Photos

August~ you were a month of 'get shit done'. Many paintings were started, my dream catcher was finished, cupcakes were eaten, blue skies were seen & instax photos were taken. You were the last month of winter and I am so happy to say fare-thee-well. It's high time we got more sunshine and our days became longer and warmer!

This month~
Y I bought magenta tights & painted my nails sparkly green
Y Reintroduced Spaz to the outside world (on a harness). However she prefers to be inside near me now, the total opposite to when we were in the old house.
Y I shared my first roll of 35mm film
Y I made homemade banana and peanut butter ice cream. It is so much better (and creamier) than I thought~ and dairy free! I see much more of this being made as summer arrives
Y I saw the beginning of spring peek through the winter days
Y I saved a snail who found its way up 9 floors and into my work building (how? I have no idea)
Y I planted some flowers on the deck
Y I painted outside in the sun
Y I went on Sunday lunch dates with Dan
Y I drank umpteen cups of peppermint tea
Y I got a new tattoo

Rhiannon xxoxx

July In Photos

July~ you were kind. You bought new adventures, pretty winter skies and colourful hair. It was a month of long overdue catch ups, getting back on track, and getting ready for super exciting new things. This month reminded me that it will always get better, especially when it feels like it has hit rock bottom. I'll tell you what though, I am so ready for summer to arrive. I'm well and truly over the long winter darkness. I can't wait for sunny & warm summer days and everything that comes with them.

This month I have~

Welcomed Spaz back home

Moved from Three Tall Poppies to my new home here

Changed the name of my blog & soon-to-launch Etsy shop Riz Made This

Got my Max tattoo started

Saw many foggy mornings waiting at the bus stop

Became addicted to Soy Hot Chocolates and discovered Vanilla Chai Lattes

Spent time in my sketchbook

Crossed many things off my lists (dream-catcher post is coming next week, as is my first developed roll of film)
Started back at the gym
Reviewed my 2012 goals

How was your July?

Rhiannon xxoxx

June in Photos

June~ you tested me this year. You really did. The loss of Max was (and still is) incredibly hard to think about. Lots of time was spent with Dan cuddled on the couch, staying warm, drinking hot chocolates and watching movies. I watched far too much Spongebob Squarepants (have you seen this episode?!) and got reacquainted with my sketchbook.

This month I have~

Ticked off one item on my list

Made progress with my goal to fill up my art journal by the end of the month

Had lots of yummy lunches & coffee dates with friends and family

Spent lots of time remembering the good times with Max

Worked in Goddess Leonie's Circle of amazingness

Started to run more frequently

Stopped drinking coffee (and all caffeine) 

Had lots of cuddles with Zeus & Tillie

Here are a few photos of things that made me smile; of things that I love (photos are not in any particular order):

I made a list to end all lists & am slowly working my way through it

KFC released a pie- it was big news here in NZ so I jumped on the bandwaggon and gave it a try. Pretty good for a pie actually- pleasantly surprised!

I love this photo of Max I took early June. I went to clean the litter box and while my back was turned he decided to hop in. He has got that 'oh crap, she's seen me' look on his face hehe.

I took a stroll around the block to try and get to know my area a bit better and what do you know? It looks like this~ how beautiful!

A Sunday morning excursion at Mission Bay with a couple of friends for a big breakfast & Kiwiyo 

Some light frost from down our road; winter is very much here *brrrr*

I wrote a rather popular how-to post on making a blog calendar

Dan and I went to scatter Max's ashes on 24 June down at Bayswater Marina (near where we used to live). Dan bought me this 'M' for my Pandora bracelet to remember him by xx

A delicious fruit salad with greek yoghurt~ noms!! <3

This beautiful sky was taken for Connie's Project to commemorate her dear friend, Uncle Johnny. Pop over and read all about her project here

How was your June?

Rhiannon xxoxx

May in Photos

Hello June~ You have bought with you crisp & clear winter days. A nice change from the rainy & windy days of late May. The days continue to get shorter, and it gives me a chance to get cuddled up on the couch and begin to learn new skills like knitting. 

This month has been busy...

Busy getting back into routines.

Busy making plans for the rest of the year.

Busy with work.

Busy creating art journal pages.

Busy learning new things.

May was the month to tick off a few things on my to do list. I have to admit, I only began one thing on the list~ number 4. Number 6. will be done next week however as I have now found somewhere that can print film. I am working through the rest of the list too so stay tuned.

Here are a few photos of things that made me smile; of things that I love (photos are not in any particular order):

How was the month of May for you? What did you get up to?!
Rhiannon xxoxx

April in photos

Hello May~ I see you have bought with you the start of winter. There is frost on the grass in the mornings and I have a big thick scarf permanently around my neck. I wasn't prepared for you to arrive quite yet, but nevertheless I would be lying if I said it wasn't nice to see you.
I love wearing coats, scarves & boots.
I love the crisp air.
I love the nights cuddled up on the couch under a blanket watching Seinfeld.
I love that things slow down in winter. It gives me time to learn new things, or spend more time inside making art.

It is also the month that I start ticking off things that I have planned for myself.

April has been a blur of moving trucks, late night McDonald feasts, boxes and a perpetual unsettled feeling. However I did snap a few photos along the way of things that made me smile; of things that I love (photos are not in any particular order):

I will share a few drawings/sketches I have managed to do over the last month later on today :)

p.s. My copy of Carla Sonheim's book Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists arrived today- I can't wait to start the exercises. My soul is starving and needs to be fed something fun and creative so I am going to be drawing a lot over the next few days. Stay tuned for posts focusing more on art journals, drawing, painting & other creative outlets.

Rhiannon xxoxx