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Blush + Grey - Wallart
Blush. Black + Grey, everything in my life right now.
So I made some BIG wall art for my bedroom, and I thought I'd share it with you,
for free. just like that.
'cause i think you're pretty incredible.
and you deserve really, really good vibes.
XO
Adulting - Rainbow Budgets.
#realtalk. I suck at budgeting. like really suck. like that time in high-school when I missed two weeks of school because of glandular fever and that was the time they chose to teach algebra. suck.
My little sister is the queen of budgeting, frugality and living within your means, something i've always envied. So with a little (hell of a lot of) pushing from her, I've got my head out of the clouds and am so proud to have successfully budgeted for the last month.
and it was easy, seriously. i built budgeting up to this big scary, overwhelming thing and.. it's not.
but like anything else, you just have to start, it may not be perfect, or exactly how you want it - but just start!
So I sat down and looked at the way I was spending my money, I lost my debit card a few months ago so I'd been using my phone and the "tap to pay" option - which was so dangerous, just tap and go, and forget (about saving anything!)
Using Cash and only cash has totally changed the way I think about money, how I spend it, how I earn it, and what's the whole purpose of saving. I think about whether I really need/want things now, I am more connected to it as a physical thing, not just these numbers sitting in an account somewhere in the cloud.
I think you have to really figure out what's going to work for you, (I'm not saying this will work for everyone! this is just what worked for me, do some research, there are so many options out there!) when I'd decided what type of budget I wanted to start I went about researching - pinterest, blogs and google are your best friends here. I also found a few podcasts quite helpful!
Frugal Living Now - Best Cash Envelope Wallets
Seed Time - DR Cash envelope System
Pinterest - Cash Wallet
All in the Mind Podcast - The psychology of money
Basically after I found Dave Ramsey's Cash Envelope System i was set; It made sense to me (for the most part) But I did switch the envelopes to dividers in my wallet.
I wrote my budget using the "Simple Budget" in the Excel templates, when I had that figured out I split my expenses into 3 sections; cash I'd need to withdraw, bills to pay, and money to be moved to separate savings accounts (I have one account for my car expenses and one for holiday savings)
The bills that need to be paid; mortgage, loan, spotify etc. all get paid on pay day.
The other expenses, car insurance, holiday savings, phone bill - all get moved into their accounts on pay day too.
Then I go to the bank and withdraw the exact amount of cash required for the fortnight (I'm paid fortnightly) - Side note; it's better to go into the bank if you can, so you can get smaller bills - which you'll need to split into the dividers.
Here are the sections my dividers are split into -
In my wallet; groceries, coffee, toiletries, household, personal, petrol, school, fun stuff.
At home in a separate folder; gifts, christmas, medical, savings (ie; any extra income for the week) these are "sinking funds" and I don't access these every week, only when I need to.
In that folder I also have a second set of all the dividers to put any leftover money from the week so that;
1. so that I can see how much money i'm not spending and i can alter my budget later
2. in case i need to spend extra money on a certain group ie; get my hair cut or go to the doctors.
You can download the rainbow dividers I made here -
(yes! for free! we're on a budget!) They're blank so you can use photoshop, Illustrator or Word to add a text onto the tab, then resize, crop or trim them when you've printed them to fit your wallet - measure first!
I printed them on 250gsm matte card and laminated them at my local officeworks.
A few lessons learnt:
+ this won't work for everyone, you need to take in to account your financial situation, home situation and what you spend your money on, do the research; really sit down and think about it, listen to the podcasts, inform yourself, it'll make it easier.
+ Handling cash has made a big difference for me - I've only used my debit card once in 4 weeks (to buy chicken soup x3 one weekend when I was sick!) I've disabled tap and go on my phone and I have really been asking myself "Do I need this?, Why do i need this? what purpose will it serve?"
+ It's all you'll think about, stress about, worry about for the first 3 weeks - push through, it'll get easier and become second nature.
+ make it easy by making it fun & pretty! find a nice pretty wallet, put colour into your spreadsheets, lists, dividers!
+ meal planning is your friend - I sit down on a friday/saturday and plan all my meals for the week, trying make dinners that will have leftovers for lunch and making my breakfast in bulk!
+ try not to deprive yourself of the all the fun stuff completely, @alyssajtasker likened it to a diet, if you don't allow yourself a treat every once in a while, you're going to binge at some point.
I'm trying to be as transparent and real life as possible, if I can help you I want to! Please if you have any questions comment below or email me; paperedthoughts@gmail.com and i'll do my best to answer them!
Hey Babe.
TWO - #PTlettinggo
I made these for you. I made these for you because as much as we're told not to wake up and check our phones first thing in the morning, I know you're going too, as much as we're told to breathe and be mindful and try some yoga, i know you're going to check your instagram or facebook or snapchat before you do anything else.
I made these for you because before you do those things I think you should read something good, I think your first thought in the morning should be how brilliant and magical and worthy you are.
enjoy. xo
I made these for you. I made these for you because as much as we're told not to wake up and check our phones first thing in the morning, I know you're going too, as much as we're told to breathe and be mindful and try some yoga, i know you're going to check your instagram or facebook or snapchat before you do anything else.
I made these for you because before you do those things I think you should read something good, I think your first thought in the morning should be how brilliant and magical and worthy you are.
enjoy. xo
These images are 1440x2560 they are for private individual use and are not to be reproduced or reposted without the express permission of papered thoughts.
2017 - You've Got This.
THREE. - #PTlettinggo
YOU are in control of 2017, you are in charge, YOU can do this. Look at how far you have come. Look at all you have fought for and against. Remind yourself that you are brave and strong and worthy. You've got this.
These images are 1440x2560 they are for private individual use and are not to be reproduced or reposted without the express permission of papered thoughts.
2017 and the art of letting go.
I am a hopeless romantic, sentimental to a fault. I find stories in everything and anything, from receipts to stamps and old grocery lists. little parts of strangers lives, seemingly insignificant. but a little thread, a connection to a bigger picture. see.. hopeless romantic.
i don't see any of these as negative traits, i like the stories, i like seeing more than most, i like holding on to things,
but I spent 2016 learning to be brave, so now i'm trying a different kind of bravery, a new challenge, a new story - the art of letting go.
here's the plan - i'm going to let go of as much as I can; my art, my books, my thoughts, my things. things that matter to me. but i'm going to hold onto the stories. because that's what really matters in the end, all the stories. maybe a little part of me is hoping some of them will find their way back to me, because imagine the romance of that.
ONE.
Books seem to change my world as nothing else can, in 2015 it was "Brightside" by Kim Holden, I practised damn hard and learnt to forgive quicker and more fully than before. This year it was "words in deep blue" by cath crowley. One of the most beautiful books i've read, ever. So much more than "Girl meets boy", more than tragedy and growing up, it was just more.
I adored it, it's got folded down corners, underlined passages, and love letters tucked inside. i've told anyone who'll listen how wonderful the story is, but for now it sits on my bookshelf, quiet, dusty, but there.
i think it deserves more than that, so i'm letting it go. sending it away, for someone else to read, to live in, to write in, to tuck little notes inside of and then send it on, to someone else, to love and adore, to become a story, a seemingly insignificant connection between strangers, but a connection none the less.
Follow the journey via instagram @paperedthoughts ++ #PTlettinggo
So now I need you, I need you who loves books, and stories and strangers as much as I do. I need you, so I can send you my books, and things, and stories and you can read them, and fall in love and pass them on too. If you'd like to be a part of this project - please contact me via direct message on instagram - @paperedthoughts.
On Worth.
Is it good?
Is it good enough?
Will it matter?
Does it matter?
Is it too much?
Is it too little?
Should it be bigger, smaller, brighter, cheaper, more expensive?
Will people like it?
Will they get it?
Will it make them happy?
Small business is hard.
These little insecurities,
These little thoughts breaking you down,
You want to be successful,
You want it to work,
You want to reach people,
So you start saying yes to things,
You know you shouldn't,
You start letting people take you,
and your work,
for granted.
Just to drive the thoughts out,
Just to make you feel like it's all worth,
something.
Don't.
Please,
Don't, Stop, Stop now.
You have to stand up for yourself,
and your work,
because no-one else is going to,
stand tall,
and say,
I matter,
my work matters,
I am worthy,
and my work is worth it,
and if they can't see it,
they don't deserve it.
Paint Chips && Love Notes
The love notes I leave around wherever I go. I'd love to hear from you if you find one!
good vibes rock!
spread love.
it sounds simple.
and it is.
really.
it's easy.
just be kind, smile at strangers and help people.
but what happens when big brilliant creative projects collide with this mantra?
things can get a little costly.
"papered thoughts" was never created to be a profitable business.
i just want to fund my next big idea - spreading love on a bigger, brighter scale.
paint, brushes, pens, paper, tape - none of it comes cheap.
i guess i just wanted you to know,
i'm not selling out.
i just want to keep making people happy.
the papered thoughts etsy store.
it sounds simple.
and it is.
really.
it's easy.
just be kind, smile at strangers and help people.
but what happens when big brilliant creative projects collide with this mantra?
things can get a little costly.
"papered thoughts" was never created to be a profitable business.
i just want to fund my next big idea - spreading love on a bigger, brighter scale.
paint, brushes, pens, paper, tape - none of it comes cheap.
i guess i just wanted you to know,
i'm not selling out.
i just want to keep making people happy.
the papered thoughts etsy store.
NEW - "good vibes rock!" hand painted rocks by papered thoughts.
CBA x Papered Thoughts
I came across a quote whilst I'd misplaced my creative mojo a few months back.
"Be who you needed when you were younger.."
It hit me like a ton of bricks. and has driven the direction of all of my recent creative projects.
"Be who you needed when you were younger.."
It hit me like a ton of bricks. and has driven the direction of all of my recent creative projects.
Growing up I was a dork, I had harry potter glasses (before they were hipster), braces and a wonderful hair cut (think 90's boy bob). I was happy but shy and teased relentlessly.
And then high school happened, and everything I knew changed, apparently you couldn't be happy being shy and hanging in the library, and spending time on your own made you weird and put and even bigger target on your back.
So I met some bad people, did some bad things and changed (regularly) to fit whatever crowd I was in. Kind of like a chameleon avoiding the bitches.. I spent years miserable and sad and lost. and I was fabulous at hiding it. But it sucked, it really, really sucked. and the worst thing is - my story is the norm. Kids are mean, Girls are meaner. so everyone tries really hard to fade into the background and unfortunately that's where the problems really begin..
Fast forward to 25 and It's taken 3 years of hard work - but I actually know who I am now. And I'm happy. And that's why that hit me so hard. I wish I'd had words from someone who had been there and done it. Just something - anything to hold on to.
and then, as if serendipity was calling me, I stumbled upon Card Bombers Anonymous by the Lucky 44 that same day.
Created by Tanya - the CBA collective aims to send an explosion of positivity and happiness to one person in need each month. Basically - You sign up and each month you get your secret assignment and one lucky soul ends up flooded with love and kindness!
Tanya and I chatted about how much being a teenager can suck, emails full of heartbreak and hope were exchanged and an idea was born. What if we targeted teens and young adults every couple of months - young girls and guys nominated by family who could use a little love and direction.
So that's where you come in.
We all have stories of high school suckiness , heartbreak and bad ideas. We all wish we'd done it differently. And I think we all wish we could be that person we needed when we were younger.
So here's your chance.
This is your call to join the CBA and participate in sending good vibes to a young person who could really use it. Whether it's a note to your younger self, words of encouragement or a simple "you are loved" let's make sure the younger generation knows just how much they matter.
What can you do?
2. Nominate a Young Person via CBA (son, daughter, neice, nephew, friend, god-daughter etc...) who could use a little brightness in the form of handwritten love notes.
3. Spread the Word! the more people who become involved the more love each month to those who need it! Use the Images below & spread them everywhere!
Love Notes & Getting my Mojo back.
I lost my Mojo a month or so back. To the point where I couldn't stand instagram, or writing, or making. I felt so much internal pressure to document and photograph everything I did, So I just stopped all together. Everything. I had no creative motivation, but I also wasn't worried about what everyone else thought, about comments or likes or followers. It took a couple of months to shake off all the bad juju and to start making again, but I did. I wrote some letters - I didn't document them, I didn't photograph them - and the world didn't end. So I wrote some more, I created for me, I spent some time getting back to basics and remembering why I loved what I do.
It was good.
and then something happened. I really wanted to share something I'd created. really, honestly and authentically. That simple.
love notes left around my local #northernbeaches
all I want to do, for the rest of my life, is be that warm yellow light
that radiates around strangers and loved ones alike.
Papered Thoughts by True Story
I was going to pre-fix this post with a rambling mess of words about how I am not a front of camera girl, how I feel awkward and nerdish most days, how I don't like the sound of my own voice, how I feel uncomfortable talking about myself for long periods of time (let alone on video!)
Instead I will tell you this, this was hands down, one of the most incredible experiences of my life. to be able to tell my story was one thing, but to receive a video that was so beautifully edited and put together was another thing all together.
Hai you are incredible and "thankyou" will never feel like enough.
Instead I will tell you this, this was hands down, one of the most incredible experiences of my life. to be able to tell my story was one thing, but to receive a video that was so beautifully edited and put together was another thing all together.
Hai you are incredible and "thankyou" will never feel like enough.
Who Are You?
sometimes opportunities come along, that you aren't expecting, and didn't ask for, but they knock your socks off all the same. when I was asked by two very talented people to interview with them, my first thought was "Why me? I don't have anything to say. I don't have a story to tell..." But I did, I do and thanks to the very talented Hai Truong and the amazing Katie Ivey I realised that.
It's kind of a special thing when people believe in you and your story even when you lose sight of it yourself.
I turn 25 on the 14th of March, and I couldn't think of more perfect timing to release this little piece of my heart and soul into the universe. I am Happy, my soul is content, my life is full of good and I want to share my story with you. I hope that it may make you a little happier, I hope it fills your heart with a little more love.
But above all I hope it makes you pick up pen and paper and reconnect with old friends, love letters and the art of the written word.
Stay tuned for the amazing video by Hai Truong.
2015 is going to be Amazing.
This year, In lieu of Christmas cards, I sent "2015 is going to be AMAZING" packages to friends, family and instafriends who inspire me daily. I stuffed them full of kindness, happy thoughts, confetti, sparkles and a little fortune fish. And then packaged them up in some wonderful clear envelopes and sent them out across the oceans.
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