The simple things...

Whoo hoo! I got my camera out again today. I decided to test out my lonely 50mm f1.8. It has been collecting dust lately so I thought I would test it out for something different.

Jackson needed to get outside, so outside we went! I love that Jackson is so interested in the small things in life. Eating bark, watching the washing machine spin, touching leaves and plants.

It is so amazing to be able to watch him grow and develop. I feel super grateful that I get to stay home and be a part of it! Although I must say that today was a big day and I am ready for bed now :)

 

Doing personal photography work is actually quite fun! I can do things at my own pace, try different editing, lighting and angles without any pressure!

Today I posted a bunch of CD's out to clients which was exciting. Still more to send tomorrow. Always so much to do. Note to self, improve editing workflow and general organisation. So much to learn still!

♥Shayla

{Inspire me}...Moodboards

I love "moodboards". I guess you could call them "inspiration" boards too. Here are two beautiful ones from my new favourite blog Jacqueline Rose. I would love to put together something like this. The trouble is I would run out of printer ink really quickly! Maybe this can be one of my new projects!? I'm gathering ideas of what sort of projects I can do at the moment.

Here are some of my ideas for topics:

--> Weddings (what a surprise I hear you say!)...but real ones, with real brides. And local ones too. I love the wedding blogs out there, but some are very busy and not relevant to the local area you live in, or they don't include budget specifics.

--> Inspiration boards

--> 365 gratitude project

--> Learn a new skill every week (for example, how to make a flower bouquet)

--> Get to know Brisbane

--> Wedding photography mood board!

So now for more of a plan. Lol...I get all of these ideas but starting them is the issue. I want to do everything at once!

Here are a few moodboards I found through google images:

Love ST xo

My new photography props...

Today I ventured outdoors to run some errands and when I arrived at the shops I saw a Lincraft store and that angellic choral sound echoed in my head. Why the excitement you ask? I have been wanting to purchase some material I can use for backdrops when photographing babies/ children. At the moment I am a little bit into polka dots so I thought these would be fitting. Not cheap though hey! I was sort of surprised.

Hopefully I will be able to use them this weekend as I'm taking some baby/ children photos! :-)

Today is a beautiful day!

So after my long-winded post the other day, I realised I was complaining and feeling down about something I have complete control over. Also, it contradicted exactly what this blog is meant to be about...so here is to a new day with new and exciting things ahead! I have so many project ideas coming up I'm excited to share. I love feeling positive and motivated. Life is a beautiful gift to be cherished! So I'm ready to live it!

Random thoughts of a tired mum...

Lately I have been feeling really lost about what I should be doing during the limited free time I have at the moment. Some may say sleep, and others are probably thinking I'm crazy because I'm sure they could think of a million things they would love to do with some free time. But that's just me. I am a career- minded- working girl who is now at home. It's a change. It's different. Don't get me wrong, I love being at home, I love being a mum, but I have been feeling a little lost in it all lately.

I am someone who has always been an *average* achiever. I watched all of my intelligent friends get amazing grades in school and at uni. They were so dedicated. I did the work, I studied, I passed. I got the degree...although I also procrastinated! lol. I have also, never really finished a lot of things. Well, I don't know if *finished* is the right word. For example, I started learning instruments and gave up pretty quickly...lol. I am not someone with an abounding natural talent in any particular area. I wasn't super at any one subject at school. I don't know how I got through university sometimes. I think it was pure hard work. I have to practise things over and over and over. 

Right now I have to decide what it is I want to pursue. Because in this digital age, I am resorting to the computer. Sure, I find blog after blog, photographer after photographer and things to drool over and be inspired by, but do I really want to be on the computer in my free time? Not really. Surfing the net. It's such a time waster. I learn a lot sometimes though.and other times I get lost in the abundance of information you can access.

One day I hope I have enough readers and we can discuss it together. I think it's awesome to gain support. And like another fellow blogger wrote, there is no reason to use blogs as another medium to compare ourselves to others! See here for what she wrote about blogging and depression/ negativity. I can see how people may get down, but I think this is another reason why I want this to be a happy place!

So, I am still working on it, but I am looking into what hobbies or talents I can develop further, or what adventures I can have while being a mum. I'm looking forward to when I can decide on something. But for now, confusion reigns.

So funnily enough, now I have written this I feel like I can go to bed. And if it makes no sense to anyone other than me I don't mind because my head is clearer. *midnight! Oh so sleepy.

Night

Shayla
xo

Mummy Monday....How to find joy in your day

I nearly forgot it's Monday. I have had a lot of thoughts swarming through my head today. I'm sure the weather is contributing, and the fact that I have had Jackson in his Baby Bjorn sling for four hours asleep (my neck/ shoulder muscles are starting to go numb)!

Is it just me, or do any other stay-at-home mums question how much they are doing (or not doing) for their families, their children, themselves? Sometimes I think I get so caught up in making the most of the moment that the moment just passes by. And sometimes because I don't conquer the "motherhood" world I feel a bit glum. I stumbled across a post written by a photographer which included a letter to her son who was turning four. She reminisced over the daunting and ever-consuming first year of life and it was obvious that she really missed it. See her entry here . It's a nice reminder to appreciate every moment. And funny enough her sons name is Jackson!

So, today I am grateful for sore shoulders because I get to hold my little boy close and listen to him taking small breaths, kiss his forehead and smell the sweetness of milk (lol...possibly gross to others?). It's actually quite beautiful. Today, even though I didn't get the dishes done, it rained on my washing and I doubted my abilities to start my dream business...Jackson smiled beautifully at me so many times, he has slept and I know when he wakes up he will be excited to see me again (after I feed him..lol).

So to my little boy....I love you sooooo much and am grateful that you make me smile every day!

I'd really love to hear from others mums, or even those who aren't about how they spend/ would spend their time at home!

Oh, and don't forget to drink lots of water everyday!

xo Shayla

I love my baby boy...but....

...I'm sure I was meant to have a girl! lol

Click here to see more beautiful girls clothing.

By Pirouette Petti Skirts

Mummy Monday...on Thursday...

So I'm a little behind the eight-ball with this one. And it's only going to be quick because my boy is screaming...again. He doesn't seem to want to sleep today. And meanwhile I am feeling a little nutty, however I was lucky enough to get some beautiful play time with him and one of these:

Makes it all worth it hey!

Off to rescue the little man...

Shayla xo

Things that make me smile...

Today as I was walking to the car with a trolley full of groceries, baby in the sling in-front, mobile phone to my ear in the other hand I realised I am getting better at being a multi-tasking mum! As I finished putting the groceries in the car (and still on the mobile), the trolley-guy came up, smiled at me and took my trolley back! I said thank-you, but it wasn't until later on I realised he had made my day! It's the simple things that make me smile, especially now since becoming a mum.

Called to serve...

My family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and as some of you may know the young men in white business shirts with the black badge serve in an allocated country/ city for two years.

My brother Matthew came home from Serving in the Adelaide mission where he spent time in both Adelaide and Darwin. He was hard working, sacrificed his time to serve and I admire what he gave up during this time. He has been an example to all of us. If you ask him, he will tell you about the amazing time he had.

So this week I am grateful for family, especially Matthew who has made us all so proud. We are super excited to have him back home! Some pictures of the anticipation and joy of having our Matt home!

xo Shayla

Life lessons in strange places

I wish I could remember the first time I saw this card. It was the day I realised that there would be no specific 'point' in my life where I would reach ultimate happiness in my life. I was a teenager and so this message came at a time when you're questioning, searching and definitely learning! It was a lesson that there will always be ups and downs in life but that it all comes down to attitude and perspective. I bought the card the next time I saw it at a news stand in the domestic airport. I had to have it as a reminder of a defining moment...a stand-out teaching moment. It has been placed on many of my work desks as a reminder to find joy in the journey!

ST xo

Mummy Monday

Today started out with the most beautiful blue sky, lots of Sunshine, but as the day progressed I think the weather started to reflect how I felt! Jackson decided to demand all of my attention and not let me do any of the chores I originally set out to do! Washing is still in the machine, dishes need to be stacked in the dishwasher, errands to be run and I'm left feeling pretty exhasted. And I used to wonder what I would do with all my "free time" as a mum. Oh how wrong I was.

My lesson as a 1st time Mum today is that this is why I am here....to raise Jackson. So, the dishes, errands and washing can wait. I devoted lots of cuddle time to bubs today and at least I know he is happy and taken care of. He rewards me with beautiful smiles (in between the tears) and the cutest eyes I have ever seen! Those are what I am grateful for today!

Also, I found out that a friend of mine gave birth to a healthy boy this afternoon. I am so excited for her and her hubby and this made my day! A reminder of the things that matter.

ST xo

My blog!

It's Sunday night, and only 10 to 9pm and yet I am feeling pretty exhasted. My nearly 10week old baby decided to test out his lungs a little tonight and consequently my head is still ringing! So although bed should be calling my name, I thought I would come on here briefly to "debrief" and unwind :-)

I've decided to enter the world of blogs and create a place where I can put together thoughts, treasures I find, words that inspire and projects I'm planning to persue. I figure I may as well share what I'm doing so then people can come along for the journey, hopefully be inspired or just unwind a little with me.

The name for my blog has two sides to it: 'Bowl of Beauty' is the name for a type of Peony flower (which I love at the moment!) and it stands for the contents of this blog.

I'm pretty excited to get started and see where it takes me. Please leave comments and let me know if you have any ideas for me!

Enough babbling :-)

Goodnight world. xo