Happy New Year!

A new year is a fresh start. It's like a new baby, rosy cheeked and full of potential.

What will you do in 2017, that will make you proud by December 31?

What will change you? What will enhance your life and the lives of those around you?

2016 was my Homespun Year. You can read my Homespun posts on the designated page at the top of my blog. You might also like to check out Budget and DIY, and even Motherly Advice.

I am proud of what I achieved in 2016, and I hope that I encouraged you to stretch your imagination and creativity, so that you too, feel you've achieved something special. Congratulations. It's not easy learning a new skill, or understanding that creating and gifting home made, is something of which to be proud, if you've always been committed to a big spend up for celebrations. Did I help you see gifting and celebrating in a new light? Did I help you to see that you are talented, in ways you never imagined? Were your treasures welcomed by family and friends, be they baked, grown, crafted or stitched? Can you now see a future where you've gifted generously, but you're not facing Credit Card debt come January each year? Because that is my greatest wish. Well done, you.

2017 will be my Nurturing Year.

Will you join me as we nurture ourselves first and foremost? For unless we do so, we cannot give of our best self to the ones we love most.

My aim will be to see us looking after our mind, body, spirit, diet, consciousness, and dress sense, in a way that will see us changed for the better.

I want to see us zhooshing up our neighbourhoods with our personal fabulousness. We can be the bright light in someones day, the face the shopkeeper looks forward to seeing, the smile that lights up the room, the person of whom it's said, 'they always look lovely, no matter what'.

Let's make it a year of rising that little bit earlier to take more care with our appearance. The year of adopting a gentle exercise programme that can be acted upon come rail, hail or shine. The year of eating more healthfully, shunning the foods that we inherently recognise are not good for our body, no matter how good they taste, and embracing the fresh, the foods bursting with nutrition. The year of allowing ourselves time for a home made beauty treatment once a week. Of viewing ourselves honestly in that full length mirror, and acknowledging that we can be better, trimmer, healthier, more at peace with ourselves, our lot in life, and the world at large.

I'd like to see us stepping out our front door each day, bursting with confidence, knowing that whilst we may not be Zsa Zsa Gabor (God rest her gorgeous soul), we can live life to the full, inspiring others with our gentle demeanour, good manners, and impeccable grooming and dress.

We Aussies, myself included, are a bit guilty of the 'that's good enough' attitude (also known as 'she'll be right, Mate) when it comes to our appearance. In my neighbourhood, I see many women who just look tired and frazzled, shopping in their workout gear, or tracksuit pants and a t-shirt. I have nothing against either of those things, in their place. Workout gear in the gym, tracksuits likewise. Or at worst, as something to keep you warm in the depths of Winter in your own home. And even then, is there not something more flattering that will keep you just as warm?

I know we all have days when we just can't be bothered. But aren't those also the days when we catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror as we walk by, and cringe slightly? Yes it's nice to have a pyjama day, or a casual day, but even then, could your pyjamas and casuals do with a little makeover? Then at least Pyjama Day or Casual Day still sees you looking fabulous, not frumpy, and that glimpse of self that catches your eye in the mirror, sees you with a spring in your step, pride in your heart, and a smile on your face.

As with everything here at A Tray of Bliss, this has little to do with spending money. It's about knowing how to care for yourself, and your wardrobe, so that you make the most of both. It's about not letting fashion or celebrities dictate how you choose to dress. But it's also about not dressing down to make others comfortable. That's for the birds. It can be about finding your own style, or dressing to reflect the things in life that are important to you. Even then, however, we can find ways that do not end with us looking less than our best.

I want to show you how a pair of shoes or a scarf, can change the way you see yourself, and how others see you. We can talk about how to have a good hair day, every day. The words 'Dress - Formal' on an invitation will no longer strike fear into our hearts. And a trip to the supermarket will see our demeanour, smile and dress sense, put a smile on the faces of all who we meet.

My secondary goal is to continue my Homespun theme, making it more about nurturing home and family. I'd like that. A sense of continuity is good.

Are you with me?

Let's start on January 14th.

That allows you two weeks to collect the following items...

A full length mirror (available at Dollar stores and Variety stores for around $10)

A journal

A camera and/or selfie stick

Your favourite home outfit

Your favourite daytime shopping/out and about outfit

Your favourite after five outfit

Your favourite shoes and bag

Be honest. Do not contrive to make those outfits anything other than what they are. Your favourites. No judgement. Even if they are workout gear or tracksuit pants and a t-shirt. From there, you can only enhance your self esteem and personal presentation, so there are no rules.

Let's start two weeks from today, and see what we achieve by December 31, 2017.

Happy New Year!

...Mimi...