I have so many thing that I love this week is it just ridiculous. Remember, this is about starting your week out right, and that means being positive. There are so many things working against us, so many negative people, that it really takes effort to focus on the positive. I'm taking the effort out of it-just love what I love!

First is a Tijuana based illustrator named Victoria Rosas. She loves to create portraits which is one of the reasons I love her. I am not a fan of drawing/painting people, so I have loads of respect for anyone who does. Here is some of her work.

Honestly, these people look so cool to me, and it's basically how I think I look. Who am I kidding!!! Haha!

I just opened a shop on etsy called TheBarmyFoxShoppe. What's not to love about that!? So far there's not much in there, but I'll be adding more each day, so keep checking back and buy all my things!! If you don't see anything you like-don't worry! I do custom orders. :) Don't be afraid to send me a message and tell me what you want!

I've also found a lot of local blogs that merit a good long look at. They're all listed below so take some time to have a gander. Some are deep thinkers and some are whimsical and fun. Let me know which one you love (honestly I love them all, I'm kind of addicted to blogs)!

Destinee has so many awesome things on her blog to think about, from love to her personal goals. Check it out!

Colleen does a similar thing to I heart Monday where she chooses things she loves each month. Definitely worth having a look!

Katie Peters blog is just amazing. I love to read what she writes because it is written so well. Probably because she's an English teacher. :) It's also one of my favs because it's so real and so many people can relate to what she writes.

Patricia is a good family friend! She's written some how to tutorials for crafts as well as some good recipes. Check her out too!

I'm also loving this quote I found. I think it was on buzzfeed under quotes we should live by. Honestly I don't remember but I love it just the same.

I think that being scared is sometimes just a cautious form of being excited. Imma print this out and put it on my wall. :)

Ok. So I found this hair a couple weeks ago and haven't been able to get it out of my mind. I think I would be hesitant to try it on my own hair, but I freaking LOVE it. Like, I want it now LOVE it. Ugh. Who knows. Maybe I'll try it!! It's this lavender/silvery mix that is just gorgeous to my eyes. What do you think!? Should I just go for it!?

Ok so this last one is special. I honestly have no idea where it came from, but I want it so bad.

Because David watches every sport under the sun, seriously, it's hard to keep track of what is on where. So basically I need this shirt to save our marriage. Hahaha. Imagine it. You could be supporting every. Single. Sport. He. Watches. All in one shirt. Brilliant!! Go sports team!! Who's with me on this!?

That's it for this weeks I Heart Monday! Sorry I've been busy for a couple weeks-but will continue I Heart Monday. It makes me focus on the good. And who doesn't like that!?

Till next time my loves,

Tory xx

1 tbsp Olive Oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
200g pack cherry tomatoes (halved)
3 tbsp pesto
3 tbsp creme fraiche / 250 ml cream
Fresh basil leaves (optional)
2 cups of rice

This takes about 25 minutes and these ingredients serve 4 people. 

NiHao PengYous!! (hi friends!)

Technically it's Tuesday, but it's been a busy busy day, so my post was postponed. Sorry!

There are so many things I am loving this week. But first, I want to talk about a huge love of mine, so the other stuff might have to wait for a Hump Day post.

My Brother...sewing machine. :)

Lets talk about sewing. I have been addicted since I bought a sewing machine for $100 off taobao over three years ago. I've made bags for friends (Nikki I'm talking about yours!!), quilts, blankets, bean bags for games, iPad and iPhone cases for charity, aprons, banners and I'm sure there's more. I have made so many things. I have loved making each and every one of these things, mostly because I have made them for other people.

I have come to the realisation that I just like making things for people. I like to give away the things I make because I know it will make other people happy, kind of like my love of buying presents for people, but better because I MADE it!

Now that I have a sewing machine again, I am so hooked.

I've been thinking about this for a while, and just decided to do it. Why not!? What's the worst that could happen?!

I'm going to open an etsy shop to sell the things I make. I'm thinking that it will have iPad/laptop cases, make-up bags, overnight bags, shopper bags, pencil cases, some fold over clutches and maybe even some blankets! I've also gotten some requests for baby items, so I'm thinking wet bags(for cloth diapers or even for swimming suits in the summer!), baby bandana bibs and burp cloths.

I'm even going to start to sell some of the paintings that I have done, pet paintings, sunsets, basically whatever you want painted. I've done a couple pet paintings for friends who had a pet pass away over the summer and for my parents, but maybe other people want them as well?! I am loving painting photos of my lake at the moment.

What do you guys think? Would you be interested in any of these things!? At the bottom you will see my latest project, burp cloths, as well as the other projects I have made. :)

I am so excited for this and hope to hear some feedback soon! Let's make this happen!

Loads of love,

Tory xx

I have not updated this in a whiiiiiile, and that's mostly because I have been playing around with my tight sewing skills. Jk. I really don't have any-so I have been practising.

I will resume my 'I Heart Mondays' starting with this next Monday, the 12th of January. It's going to be a good one!!

Here are some photos of what I've been up to since the new year.

That's really about it. It's been a chill week and I'm pretty happy about that. The goal is to sew more and just do things that make me happy. Sounds like a good plan to me!

Until next time...

Tory xx

New Years is a time to spend with friends and family, having a couple of drinks (alcoholic or non, no one is judging here) and watching that surprisingly tiny ball drop in Times Square. Yay for all that!

The other thing that people always do during the new year is evaluate themselves and make resolutions.

'I'm too fat...I will lose 100 pounds.'

'I eat so unhealthy....I will only eat salads for the whole year.'

'I am unhappy...I will be more happy.'

Newsflash. This doesn't work.

Just because it's a new year, doesn't automatically make you a new you, but seriously wouldn't that be cool!? Only YOU know what will work for you; only YOU know your strengths and weaknesses. Only YOU will be disappointed if you don't stick to your resolution.

Here's an idea: let's rethink this whole 'resolution' thing. Here's how.

Stick to small GOALS that are manageable for you to accomplish. Think 'lose five pounds' instead of 'lose 50 pounds'. It's more attainable because it's a smaller number. Then have a plan for what to do next after you reach your first goal. Example: Lose five pounds. Then lose five more.

Choose something that you know you will stick to, and encourage others with like goals to join you. This will help you stay accountable, and who doesn't like being with friends!? When you're down, someone will be there for you to keep you on track, and you can do the same for them (cause you're a good friend, duh). Help and encourage each other to reach your goals together. You don't have to have the SAME goals, just a similar mindset.

Challenge yourself to try something new to nourish your mental health. This can be anything from learning a new language (there are tons of fun apps for this, it's really not that intimidating!) to trying a new hobby (think cooking, crafting, painting, exercise, reading, geocaching). Take some time for you!! The key to this is not trying to do it all at once. Try cooking a new recipe couple times a week for a month. Does it make you happy? Did you learn anything new? Does it make you feel fulfilled? If the answer is no, then don't worry! You tried something new and found it wasn't for you. Well done! Just because you didn't find it fulfilling doesn't mean that you have failed. Now try something else you are interested in. You never know what might stick and become your new temporary (or even lifetime) love!

Finally, get organised. Maybe you rely on the computer or maybe you're an old fashioned notebook and pen person (I'm a bit of both), but you can't reach your goals if you don't know what they are. Write them down somewhere you can see them, like, all the time. One of my friends makes a 'visual board' with all her goals, and then crosses them off once they're accomplished. I LOVE this and might make one for myself! It's the perfect way to see what you want to do in 2015 and is so encouraging when you get to cross off something you have accomplished!! If this isn't your style, no worries, make a list, set a reminder on your phone, have a friend check up on you, start a Facebook group for it, just find something that works for you! Be sure to hang it somewhere that gets a lot of traffic, whether it's in your house/apartment or office. You want it to be a reminder of the things you want and to inspire you to action, not shoved under your bed.

Don't be one of those people who looks back and realizes that they haven't accomplished what they wanted to-no excuses!!! This is the first day of the new year, and you can make it anything you want to! Set your goals, and accomplish them!

What are your goals for the new year, and how are you going to hold yourself accountable!?

Hopefully this inspires you to get off your bum and do something, even if it's just making a list. :)

Leave me some love.

Tory xx