Happiness - Some Quotes to Contemplate


"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want" - Margaret Young

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have" - Frederick Keonig

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued is always beyond our grasp, but, if you sit down quietly, may alight on you" - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Random Acts

In a world that is full of stress and negativity is taking the time to smile at someone too much effort? I sort of hope that for every smile I give someone they might pass it on to someone else because just maybe it makes them feel better. I'm probably being really naive but wouldn't it be nice to have a smile chain-letter (so to speak). A bit like the ripple effect before you know it there is a tidal wave of smiling people - could it be that easy?

So I am setting a weekly challenge to anyone who wants to accept it, how about you pass on a random act of kindness, friendship or caring or even something as simple as a smile to a stranger this week.

It may be just complimenting someone else on their smile, or their service to you, or may be how a certain colour they are wearing suits them and makes their eyes sparkle.

Just some small thing that you normally wouldn't do on a daily basis.

I would love to know how it makes you feel and what sort of response you get from the person you shared this random act with.

We all get so caught up in our own journeys that the blinkers are on and we fail to see what it around us, sometimes the simple act of acknowledging someone else can make not only our life journey better but theirs as well.

Will you take on the challenge?

The Half Full Glass

There is a philosophy on how people look at life - the glass half full or the glass half empty. The first supposedly means you see life more optimistically than the second which is viewing the world more pessimistically.

For those of you who may have read my other blog (menopausalmumma) you would hopefully know that I try to see the glass as half full all the time, don't always succeed, but certainly try.

I have for a while been thinking about having a blog that shares a positive view on life and helps us focus on things that can inspire us and brings us joy. I very rarely watch the news anymore or read the paper as I find they are mostly full of stories without hope - and I believe in these time of struggle we all need hope in our lives. Hence the name of this blog and the intent behind it - to bring some fun and positive inspiration to others to help everyone see the glass as being half full. It just needs to start with one person feeling happy and they can ripple it on to others. If 100 people feel good it can ripple out to thousands.

So if you have something in your life or something you do that inspires you or makes you feel good, or you come across a story that makes you feel there is hope in this world, you can email it to me at thehalffullglass@amnet.net.au and I will happily post it here so that together we can inspire others. I may also just have links to other people's blogs if they have a post that I find inspiring, uplifting, funny or zany.

I really feel that if we can try and see the good in all things - even if we have been hurt or disappointed badly there is a lesson that life can teach us - we can survive or we can choose to let life victimise us - what will your choice be? I choose to be a survivor because I deserve to have a life full of good things and I believe that you do too.


~ Rain Rain Go Away ~

The weekend forecast for Sydney is rain and cold. Brrr

I hope we don't get blown away

I was hoping to get out and practice my photography skills


But somehow I think we will be tucked up at home keeping warm.  Hope you have a great weekend wherever you are.

Images courtesy of Really Stunning Pictures and Images



~ Neat Neat Neat ~

Look at this amazingly neat linen closest - ahh my dream.  My mother-in-law is the most amazing ironer and folder so I will be asking her to recreate this linen closet for me when we move into our new house!!! 

~ Clean and bright ~

Image: House and Garden
I love this simple, white, bright, clean laundry - makes me want to wash some clothes!! I hope my new laundry inspires me to wash - I plan on having a white, bright, clean laundry very similar to this - stay tuned for future photos to see if I hit the mark.

~ Kids Study ~

Here are some great kids study areas.  It is a few years before my girls need their own little personal study areas but when they do I know where to look.


~ Garden Design ~

I have always loved gardens design by a Melbourne Designer named Jack Merlo.  Every time I see a garden in a magazine that I love it seems to be designed by this very talented guy.  I love the clean crisp lines and the non cluttered look of his gardens.  Here are a few of his lovely designs.  Check him out at www.jackmelodesign.com.au





~ Friday Photography ~

Today I attended another photography course with Andrew from Focus 10 Photography - such an interesting guy with heaps of knowledge.  He provides a very laid back course and it is lots of fun - he even took some shots of me and my bump so I could remember my belly!!!

When we looked back at the photos we realised it looks like I have no legs as my black skirt blended into the black velvet backdrop - my girls thought it was very amusing.

Charlipop Kids - Photo shoot

pj's on the beach - bright colours - smiling faces - fun times - that's what Charlipop Kids is all about!












Tailors dummy

Tailors dummy with pretty trims in the craft room
Tailors dummy, dress form with pretty trims in the craft room
Tailors dummy with pretty trims close-up in the craft room
I have had my tailors dummy for about ten years now. As you can see above, I have covered it in trims in shades of white, cream and aqua that I have collected over the years from antique markets and haberdasheries. Recently, I was asked on Flickr where to get one from.


Tailors dummies
I suggested Baileys home because they sell a variety of vintage tailors dummies and I think the mix of old and new in their store is just right.


Tailors dummy with Russian linen
On further investigation, I found this great dummy upholstered in vintage Russian linen from Ghost furniture.


Tailors dummy from Corset Laced Mannequins
On the other hand, if you're looking for a something a bit more special, then I suggest taking a look at Corset Laced Mannequins, who also make bespoke dummies in any suitable fabric you provide.

~ My poor back ~

I know I only have a few weeks to go but boy oh boy being pregnant reeks havoc on your back - I am dreaming of a lovely relaxing massage to make the aches go away.  May the next 5 weeks go fast so I can relax comfortably like this lovely image below!!!

~ Girls Bedrooms ~

I am trying to decide on furniture for my girls new rooms - here are some beautiful beds I found during my search.






Images: Pottery Barn Kids


~ This weeks Scrapbook Pages ~

I have been busy trying to get my scrapbooks up to date so that when the new baby arrives I will be able to do a few pages of the new little one (that is the plan anyway!!) - here are some pictures of my latest creations. 





~ A place for Everything ~

Here I go again finding beautiful spaces that have a place for everything.

A fantastic hiding space for the printer 

A gorgeous attic  with a desk for all your activities and hobbies



Beautiful ribbon and paper



I guess you could possibly need this many pairs of scissors?

I love the tags, cards and notepaper in their own special space

Martha certainly know how to keep things well stocked and tidy - I wonder if it stays like this for long?  

Images courtesy of Martha Stewart Living
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