Helllllo! I’m back after a gorgeous Summer break with my family.
We spent a week in Noosa which was just magic. Such a fun and easy holiday with kids (blog post to come!).
I also headed to the South West of WA to a beautiful beach house for a very relaxing stay with my girls, parents and my beautiful Nana. Very special memories.
It’s the start of a brand spanking New Year! A great time for reflection and to think about goals, hopes and dreams for 2016.
GETTING ORGANISED
My hubby and I recently spent every spare moment decluttering our home – clothes, toys, linen, crockery, toiletries – bags and bags of stuff have been donated or thrown out. How on earth do we accumulate so much stuff?
It drives me NUTS!
Arriving back from Seclusion on the Bay – a beautifully minimalistic beach house – I feel the urge to keep our home as simple and clutter free as possible.
I find it’s so much easier if everything has a place, rather than taking up space on tables and floors. Last year I had shelves built for the girls school bags. As soon as they get home from school, the girls take their lunch boxes our of their bags, and I pop them away in the cupboard. Soooo much easier than having bags, keys, art and STUFF everywhere!
I recently read about the Marie Kondo approach to organising your home, if it doesn’t spark joy – send it on it’s way!
I’m going to do my very best to keep our home clutter free and organised this year. If we don’t need or want it – it’s out the door.
If you want some tips on getting your home organised, you might like this post I wrote a few years back, ‘Organising Your Home‘.
FITNESS AND WELLNESS
The best thing I’ve done in the last few years is invest in my wellness and find my kind of exercise – Pilates. I absolutely love it and it really works for me. I exercise more for my mind than my body – if I’m feeling overwhelmed, stressed, tired, flat or run down (which let’s face it, is one or the other during most weeks!) – Pilates re-energises me, helps me focus and I always leave feeling ready for whatever the day throws at me. I am so much stronger and more confident for doing Pilates.
Some weeks it does get tricky finding time to exercise, so I try to squeeze something in – even if it’s a 15 minute at home session with Pilates by Lisa, a session at One FHL or a walk for fresh air with my girls.
I get grumpy if I don’t exercise!
READING
I grew up without a TV and reading was my first love. I read everything from the Anne of Green Gables series, What Katie Did, Anne Frank’s Diary, The Story Girl and loads more. I was always spending time at the library finding new books to read.
I continued my love of reading throughout my twenties and even had a book review column in ‘Air Crew’ magazine when I lived in Dubai working for an international airline.
Over Summer I finally made time to read again.
I LOVED ‘The Girl on The Train’ – read it in 2 days.
I also really enjoyed Liane Moriartys ‘Big Little Lies’, ‘ The Husbands Secret’ and Diane Von Furstenburgs biography ‘The Woman I Wanted To Be’.
I’d LOVE to hear what your most recent favourite read is.
TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Gosh it’s so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of life, rushing around without spending time doing what makes you truly happy.
For me – time with family and friends is the most important thing. I commented to my hubby how I was sad I hadn’t spent much quality time with my Nana, so I booked in a breakfast with her and my Pop and invited them to join us on our trip down South.
We had such a special time together, my girls loved chatting with my Nan, asking her questions, showing her their dancing and singing and I loved watching my Nan and my girls together. It made me truly happy.
Memories I will treasure forever.
Wishing you all a wonderfully, happy, healthy and safe 2016!
I hope you spend it with the people you love, doing things that make you truly happy.
A x x x x x
What are your hopes and dreams for the New Year?
What makes you truly happy?
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Hello Gorgeous and welcome to 2016. After following you for all of last year and admiring your commitment and awesome results from your exercise and diet routines I have been truly inspired to after 20+ years of prioritising everything and everyone else that 2016 is going to be MY year.
May 2016 be everything you hope for and much, much more. May Baz, Ava, Chloe and You continue to be blessed with good health and more wonderful memories to cherish as a family. Thanks for inspiring all your followers to your blog, Twitter and Instagram including this follower. x x x x
Good for you Tracey, and thank you for your kind words. Wishing you and your family a truly wonderful and special 2016 full of love and laughter! x x x x
Hi Amy,
Love reading your blog, and lovely to hear you & your family are doing well (Basil is a very lucky guy :-))
Well I want to share with you a couple of books I’ve recently finished, you HAVE to read The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth (her last publication) & if you can listen to the podcast interview of her by Richard Fidler (abc radio) it is very worthwhile, she is so amazing, has a PHD in fairy stories, and has had a most interesting & challenging life, absolutely inspiring! Also just read The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna – last years Miles Franklin winner, this was different and not too bad either. Take care & keep smiling, Lynn G
Thanks so much Lynn! I LOVE hearing about what people are reading and loving in their life. Much appreciated. Wishing you a truly wonderful 2016! x x x x
You are always so undeniably stylish & chique but everything about your posts scream superficial & self indulgent: aka all your blow dry, designer clothes, manicure, posts etc etc. All that shite is so unimportant at the end of the day.
I will probably be accused of being jealous & fair enough but so much projected perfection becomes boring after a while.
Hi Sammy, thanks so much for stopping by. I’m sorry you feel my posts are superficial and self indulgent – but perhaps you should re-read my blog post about what’s important for 2016? These last few years, life as a mum have been my most challenging yet, with serious sleep deprivation, weight gain and not feeling my best. I have shared these experiences on my blog and social media. I am also a solo parent much of the time with no Au Pair or cleaner or Thermomix! If a blow dry or mani helps me feel my best – then I don’t see anything wrong with that. I wake up most days around 5.30am and am still cleaning / tidying / organising until late in the evening. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2016. x x x x
Good response Amy! Move on and away Sammy!!
Perfect response!! ? “move right along”!!
Got nothing good to say, don’t say it.
Not liking the images.on an IG account? Don’t look at them!!
These ppl make me laugh ?
Fab post Amy 🙂 Here’s to an awesome 2016!! I have a feeling it’s gonna be great ??
Sammy are you for real??? Didn’t your parents teach you that if you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything at all. No one is forcing you to follow Amy- if you don’t like it then don’t look. You can’t judge a book by its cover- you don’t know what happens behind closed doors – Amy is sharing her life experiences with us. They are hers if you don’t like it tough!!! Jealousy is such a curse… Amy looking forward to a wonderful 2016 xx
Such a classy response. Some people just read what they want into things and can’t be happy for anybody. Good on you Amy for staying real and true to yourself. Some people just look for the negative.
As women, we should be celebrating each others successes and offering support when we need it. Amy, you do this with each post by replying oh so kindly to many comments each day. Keep up your fab work lovely because we adore it! XOX (Sam not to be mistaken for Sammy lol)
Sam recently posted…Hello 2016!
I don’t agree at all. You must not have been following Amy for very long because there is no way that you would feel this way if you have!!
If you knew Amy you would know her to be beautiful inside and out. If you think her blog is boring please feel free not to read it or respond. I find it inspirational and very down to earth.
Sammy. Actually I wouldn’t call you jealous.
However, I would certainly call you a vindictive mean calculating, person. Me, personally don’t know Amy, but I throughly enjoy her posts, which I may add, are informative. Cannot apprehend, you ! Insulting a female of Amy’s Calibre. Amen
Amy I enjoy your posts and all the little snippets you offer. I’m glad that you’ve been reading. I find it to be such a stress release.
As for “that comment “- here’s a lesson in how to be chic. If you have nothing good to say, say nothing.
Mental health for many women is a very real and serious subject. For some of us it creates anxiety and a feeling of worthlessness. It is very uplifting to be able to connect with someone who is prepared to share her ups and downs to make others feel better (irrelevant of designer wardrobes!!). Sammy I feel that you probably need to take a step back and realign yourself. You don’t have to have mani’s and pedi’s or wear designer clothes to feel good about yourself, its how you feel inside that makes you the person you are. I get the impression that you aren’t happy with who you are and feel the need to put others down to make yourself feel better. I feel for you, maybe you should try to see Amy’s blog for what it is and not what you think it should be.
Well done Amy I love reading your blogs, and I for one would love to look like you 😉 xxx Happy 2016 🙂
Welcome back Amy, I enjoy your blog posts, and I’m inspired to focus on my health and well being this year! In order to be the best mumma I can I need to be fitter and stronger! Keeping up with three under 5years is challenging at times. I definitely want to start dancing and Pilates again this year.
Hoping 2016 is full of great adventures and you have fun making new memories to cherish Amy. I look forward to reading your blog this year too.
Lorelle ?? xx
Hats off to you Lorelle! Three children under 5 years of age is a big challenge! Thank you for always being an encourager and a wonderful supporter. Wishing you and your family a truly fabulous 2016. xxxxx
Hi Amy
I love your social media posts, you inspire me to try and look and feel great about myself. Even on the days when tired. I have actually gone out and purchased some of the things that you have posted about or clothes, shoes that you have also posted. Keep up your fab life xxxx
I totally agree!! I find Amy so inspiring 🙂 Amy has helped me also. I am so grafeful for strong positive women like Amy who are happy to share their tips and secrets 🙂 xox
Thanks so much for your lovely words Helen x x x x
Hi AMY
I am much older than you and a working professional mum to three adults/teenagers! I love your blogs and your enthusiasm. I also read ‘The Girl on the Train’ in two days in my break… Loved it. Don’t worry about the negatives!
Thanks so much Lucille – any tips on successfully raising happy kids?? 😉 x x x x
Welcome back Amy, hope you had a wonderful break. I too have just finished reading Marie Kondo (as well as Lianne Moriarty’s Little Lies and the Patterson Girls), but I can’t yet bring myself to take the plunge and throw things out. I am so sentimental! I have even stored the glider that I breastfed Joshua on, because I can’t even think about parting with it. It’s been almost 3 years since he was breastfed! I’d be interested to hear your tips on decluttering.
Am glad your back but honestly girl, you gotta get a thermomix! 😉
x
I totally get being sentimental – it’s so hard to let go of baby things! I think I need to see a Thermie in action 😉 x x x x
Hi Amy,
I loved reading your blog and I agree 100%. Your posts inspire me and I love to see that other mummy’s don’t always have perfect days. I couldn’t agree more that if something as small as your hair done makes you a better mummy and gives you motivation to keep plotting along, then I think it’s well deserved! Our ‘job’ doesn’t ever really stop. As much as it’s the best thing in the world, its also very challenging at times. Your thoughts and inspiration for 2016 is just perfect! I look forward to your posts. Sarah xx
Oh gosh it’s relentless isn’t it? Especially when you don’t get much sleep and your kids like to wake up at the crack of dawn 😉 x x x x
Hi Amy, love your site and find your recommendations are great even though I’m closer to your mum’s age group. Maybe it’s the Virgo thing but I find Pilates really good, love your recipes and thought Girl On A Train was terrific….read it in 2 days also. Molly Meldrum’s biography was hilarious and a good trip down memory lane. Local author ( & young mum of 4) Loretta Hill writes easy to read novels which are set In our N West (Girl in Steel capped Boots) or more recently in Yallingup. She’s also a qualified engineer and grew up next door to me Her latest is Grass is Greener….available in digital form or Big W etc.
Keep up the inspiring posts, ignore the sneering negativity and all the best for 2016. Fran X
Oh thanks so much for the recommendations and for stopping by – much appreciated Fran 🙂 x x x x
Love reading your posts and following you Amy, as a mum to 3 young kids I can relate like many other Mum’s and I enjoy your tips, reading about your day and your family .. Happy new year to you and your family looking forward to seeing what 2016 brings your way ., God bless you xx
Thanks so much Lydia – wishing you and your family a wonderful 2016! x x x
Hi Amy
I always love good book recommendations! I just finished reading Useful by Debra Oswald (i think she was one of the writers on Offspring). It was a good easy read – I really enjoyed it. At the moment I am reading Let’s explore diabetes with owls by David Sedaris and am enjoying this too. It is such a luxury to read a book when you have young kids!
Kate x
You are SO right! Reading is SUCH a luxury when you have young children 😉 x x x x
Welcome Back Hun,
I love your posts and your honesty towards life.
Since 2016 rolled around I vowed to myself to do just one thing each day for myself and in the 19 days that I have been doing it I am a much happier and healthier person. From simple things like a 30 min time out with a cup of tea, buying those shoes that are on sale, taking a bath or just laying out in the sun it’s amazing how by putting myself first and looking after myself how much of a better mum I am.
I don’t roll my eyes at ever “mum mum mum” or scowl at the though of having to make dinner.
I do need to get onto the decluttering though. That is a job I am not looking forward too.
All the best for you and the FamBam in 2016 and I look forward to reading more posts.
xx Genelle
Such a wonderful way to kick off 2016 – if you look after yourself, you’re SO much better at looking after everyone else. Happy New Year lovely! x x x
Beautiful family photo Amy x
Thanks so much Maree. x x x
Love your blog posts Amy! Very inspiring 🙂 Wishing you and your family all the best for 2016 xx
Happy New Year to you too Danni! x x x
Happy 2016 Zempilas family 🙂
What a fantastic summer and lovely Christmas break. Making memories are so special and I love your nan’s smile in the pic, gave me a little giggle… he he
Wishing you a great start to 2016 and congratulations on building up your blog and business in 2015, while being a ‘ solo’ mummy, social profile and business owner 🙂
Us mummy’s need to support eachother, so thank you for the motivation 🙂 Keep it up lovely 🙂
Lv Lee xx HeavenLee Swim xx
Happy New Year to you too lovely! It’s been such a pleasure working with you 🙂 x x x x
Just love seeing the pics of your gorgeous girls and what a wonderfully special time you have had with your parents/grandparents. Those are times of making wonderful memories. Negative comments are so uncalled for. I don’t get the fact why people follow if they don’t like. I too grew up with no TV and I think it’s been a wonderful way of nurturing reading. Love a good book. Reading at the moment Still Alice by Lisa Genova which is an excellent read. Looking forward to more of your fabulous pics on Instagram and your blog. xx
Oh I have heard of Still Alice – will check it out next time I’m in a bookstore, thanks so much and Happy New Year! x x x
Amy, I always love reading your blog and am always inspired by your beautiful posts. As someone who has been reading your blog for a while, I know that you are so honest with what you put on here. You are such a beautiful Mum and wife. Wishing you the best for 2016!. p.s Can’t wait to see your Bento boxes for the girls this year! I think this Uni student needs to get one for herself x
You absolutely need to get a Yum Box for yourself! And a panda sandwich cutter 😉 x x x x
Thanks Amy! I have to get into the decluttering this year! Thanks for the great tips!
Also I just finished Lost and Found by Brooke Davis – I loved it 🙂
Thanks so much Megan – will check it out! x x x
Awesome blog Amy!! I love reading your posts and seeing your pictures. As a working mum of a 1 year old (also called Ava) I have thought about a Thermomix and wondered if it would help me out. BUT I honestly love pulling out my old fashioned blender, and my mix master and my new best friend, my slow cooker! Wishing you and the family a happy 2016!! Keep posting your inspirational words. It means a lot to so many and I admire your honesty about how tiring it can be to be a mum and wife. Although we wouldn’t change it for anything 🙂
Oh thanks so much for stopping by Anne – I hope your 2016 is off to a wonderful start! x x x
Keep up the fab blogs Amy I enjoy reading it and following you on Instagram. All the best for a wonderful 2016 and I look forward to many more blogs from you x
Hi Amy, my favourite part of your post was that you and your girls got to spend some quality time with your Nan. I was lucky enough to stay for 2 weeks down south with my parents, and my Nanna also stayed. I loved spending more time with her but also my girls (especially Miss 5) really bonded with her which was lovely. Family is so important x
Haters gonna hate hate hate, shake it off! Shake it off!
Love your blog, your recipes, your enthusiasm and your adventures!
Book recommendations: Rosie waterland. The anti cool girl. She writes for mamma mia and does the bachelor recaps.
Hi Amy ….I love reading your blogs their straight from the heart and as honest as they can be .I have 5 children and love every minute of being a parent just do what your gut tells you and there will always be haters just ignore them . Here’s to a fab 2016
Karen x
Yay you are back! Your girls and hubby are awesome Amy. And your heart is so kind, your loyal readers will know this.
From one busy working mum of two ratbag but crazy boys to a fellow mum.I wish you and your family a joyful 2016 x
Wishing your family a wonderful 2016! Your posts make me feel inspired to try and take a little time out for myself. I would love to declutter more but my 3 kids make toy and craft decluttering difficult!!!
Looking forward to more posts from you this year 🙂
Gemma
Oh gosh, I’m not sure this post or anything you do online or off calls for such negativity. Love your response.
We too are in de-cluttering mode. Getting ready for our 23rd move. So over moving. I can’t believe how much stuff we own. It takes far too much time and energy to keep it in order, so like you I will be continuing to cut back over the next 12 months.
Raychael aka Mystery Case recently posted…Worth Casing Wednesday Linkup | Fragile
Amy – so strange but I read The Husband’s Secret and The Girl on the Train!!!! Great minds think alike – I loved them both.
Love and best wishes for 2016, J xx
Hi Amy!
Great post! Hlad tou had a wonderful break!
I too have been freling down in the dumps, weight gain*sigh* but have no motivation!! I do work fulltime with a little one (14 months) while she is home with grandparents etc.. after reading this i really need to get myself into gear. Not only for me but for my baby too.
P.s. please look into a thermomix! If you want to de clutter you could probably get rid of some cooling utensils, pots, pans etc! And there is so much healthly options! Raw organic bliss balls are my fav! And the girls will enjoy it too (and making them)!
-katrina
X
Such a nice uplifting post. And a good reminder that simplifying life is a wonderful thing, good for heart mind body and soul. I too, am a stay at home mum, with a husband who works away a fair bit. We are atm, in the middle of three weeks apart, and with school holidays still happening, Its a LOT!!
I think looking forward to having your hair done, nails and opportunities for a bit of time to exercise are definitely things to look forward too, and celebrate! A good lesson I learnt as a child and one I’m sure we are all aware of is ” If you have nothing nice to say, Say nothing at all!!” Keep up the great work Amy, I enjoy your blog and Instagram very much x
Love your posts Amy! I’m not yet a mum but you’re definitely a mum I aspire to be like. Your girls are very lucky!
PS- Totally agree with some other commenters! You gotta try a Thermomix!
Hi Amy
You have inspired me for 2016 to take better care of myself. I work full time with kids with special needs I have 2 children and my husband is FIFO so my time is limited and I’m always making excuses why I can’t fit in ME time. But this year I’m going to make sure I take time for myself everyday.
So thank you. And don’t mind the negative people. There’s always someone trying to pull you down!
Jodes xx
Amy,
I thoroughly enjoy your posts/blog. I’ve raised my 2 daughters (they’re in their early 20’s now), but I love seeing how you’re little cherubs are growing up, how you cope with being a solo parent whilst Basil is away working. Life can be tough for some & for others they don’t hit the speed bumps. I too enjoy a mani & a blow dry once in a while so I can’t understand how someone could see that superficial etc. life sends us people like the above person who was negative for us to learn from. Live how you want to cause you’re doing a great job as a mum, wife & a blogster. Enjoy 2016 to the fullest. Xo
Ann-Marie
Hi Amy,
Thank you for your lovely blog/website.
You have such a beautiful voice and wonderful tone that I just had to say thanks so much for your generosity in sharing your life, thoughts and inspirations with us all.
I am now feel so inspired by yourself, and others who have commented here, to work on regaining my health in 2016, after suffering during the last couple of years with illness and extreme fatigue.
Many thanks and best wishes, Imy xxx