Braving New Territory

New trainers, new walking routine, which just happens to involve rising early (I'm so not a natural early riser type personality) and renewed focus on getting fit and strong.

Plus, and this is big new territory for me...ta da drum roll please...I have conceded defeat and signed up for Facebook, with the help of my daughter otherwise I wouldn't be past first base!
I had made a declaration to never venture into the realms of FB but decided I was scared of taking the plunge and I should just try it out and then form an opinion. The thought is not lost on me that being involved with several forms of social media there is inevitably overlapping of news and photos but I'll feel my way and see where it leads.

A link is installed over on the sidebar and I have to tell you this was set up just this morning and I basically have little idea what I'm doing! Hilarious..kind of.

Never say Never..my new mantra.

Annie xx

Happy 1st Birthday Red Roses and Crystal Hip Hip Hooray!

Well my dear lovely readers I made it!
Today is exactly one year since my foray into this blogging biz and can I just say..I have learnt stuff I never ever realized I could learn!
Blogging has taught me very valuable skills and brought insight into human nature. The blog love swirling around me is amazing (now if I allowed anon/unmoderated comments it may be different but I don't have the inclination to deal with nasty folk). This is my Happy space.

Blog Love...the friends I've made are exceptional women, both in real life and online and for this I'm truly grateful. Another thing I've learnt is that fellow bloggers/readers 'get it'. They understand the appeal and what keeps us churning out our thoughts in this crazy world of technology. Now I've experienced many thoughts of 'why why why am I writing a blog'? To this day I'm not totally sure and have no idea if this foray is going to be a permanent part of the rest of my life but for now it's a hell of a ride and when I look at my little blog I see something I've created and feel just a tad proud.
On the whole this caper has been a thoroughly enjoyable hoot but I have witnessed the vicious side of blogging when a dear real life blog friend endured cyber bullying over many months. Nasty vile vicious stuff. A valuable life lesson...be mindful of wolves in sheeps clothing.



Now for something especially wonderful, as well as my bloggy birthday this weekend my family celebrated my dear Mum's 84th Birthday. Love my Mum to bits because she is a real trooper and she taught me the meaning of stoicism. My little family spent the morning visiting at her care facility with cake (only one candle, thought 84 might be overdoing it and set off the smoke alarms) and presents.
Family is very precious.

So once again thank you one and all for tuning in to my ramblings.
To my family and blog pals who give me encouragement.. you Rock!
Reaching this milestone has made me Happy.

Hugs
Annie xx

A New Lipstick and Hauling Out the Heavy Arsenal

I promised to tell you about my new lipstick purchase.
After reading a style post from Alexandria Emporium I convinced myself that yes siree I could sure do with a brand new colour. The lovely lady behind Alexandria Emporium is M. I feel comfortable following her suggestions because she obviously enjoys sourcing and conducting reviews on quality products with a good dose of common sense thrown in.

So I hot footed it to the Estee Lauder counter, chatted with the sales assistant and settled on 01 Stay Rose from their Double Wear Stay range. I have used EL products over the years and love them. This lipstick is divine to use, creamy and easy to apply although I personally prefer the use of a lip brush for even coverage and a definite neat line.



Which brings me to the following photo. My new lipstick and I went out to dinner with Mr red roses so I asked him to aim for a from the nose down shot (do tell.. are your partners used to you whipping out the camera at every opportunity?)
Anyway after noticing the wrinkles around my mouth I thought ekk! You see my face underwent brutally intense chemotherapy skin cancer treatments, not to mention having several BCC's surgically removed, and my skins elasticity has suffered. Since the treatments I've used natural organic skincare to heal and nurture but now I'm thinking I will use the heavy arsenal ie. the hydrating and firming serums which are sitting in my vanity waiting, pleading to be used up. Will my favored top gun treatments help restore my beauty youth elasticity. I have no idea, chances are no..but I may as well give it a shot and in the process at least feel a little more proactive in combating this aging business.
My early past life was spent working in the beauty industry and like it or not the art of looking presentable is etched in my DNA. I don't lose sleep over getting older but I'm sure as hell going to go down fighting.

This week, thanks to M I shall be checking out the new range of BB creams coming onto the market.
Dior sounds nice..
xx

A Bon Voyage Soirée

I had the pleasure of hosting a little gathering of blog friends to raise a glass and farewell our friend A-M who is venturing to New York next week to attend a blog conference and take in the sites of this grand city along with a side trip to the Hampton's...swoon.
So...between myself, Faux Fuchsia, The Distressed Mother and A-M of The House that A-M Built (these beautiful ladies are on my blog roll over yonder) we ate for the nation, sipped mellow French bubbles and chatted and laughed until long after the cows came home.

I love to entertain family and friends in my home. Plus it gives me the chance to serve tasty/naughty delectables. A sure fire winner is Baked Brie served with toasted sourdough bread, quince paste, cranberry sauce and flaked almonds. To die for!

I dashed off a few quick photos on my phone during festivities and here they are. Even my precious little pooch likes to participate and glam up.

A truly lovely evening....

Annie xx

Time for a little Colour Change

Yes you're right...I've changed bits and pieces of my blog design.
Again.
Simplicity is always my aim and a lot of peripheral stuff on my own blog distresses me no end. Don't laugh it's true!
The fact I have an ancient qualification in Showcard and Ticketwriting (a form of signwriting/calligraphy using nibs, inks, sable brushes and paint before computer graphics came on the scene) causes me to be rather picky about my layout hence I'm never happy.

I get bored very quickly and like change. Will this layout stay?
Well I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Probably not!

Do you get bored with your blog colours, themes, layouts and want to change them up constantly or am I on my lonesome?

Annie xx

Pink Slippers and Rumination

Rumination

1. To turn a matter over and over in the mind.

2. To chew cud.

How in the devil's name is this word and it's meaning associated with a photo of pretty pink slippers you ask?

My gorgeous new slippers are the perfect foot attire when sitting in my rocking chair to Ruminate. Mr red roses informs me I ruminate a lot. Maybe chewing some cud might be beneficial although I'll keep that up my sleeve for desperate times.

For several weeks (probably more) I have toyed with the direction of this blog and how I need to proceed. Often I have wavered with throwing in the towel like all bloggers who are finding their own unique path and not because I run dry of ideas but dithering over HOW often do I want/need to post. The direction I'm journeying along has become apparent to me and herein lies a dilemma. My creative side is nudging me to be more prolific with posting with emphasis on a photo to convey my thoughts because I'm no wordsmith. Sure I can string a sentence together but if I'm honest I find composing time consuming and laborious and I truly admire bloggers who write so eloquently (and probably don't do a gazillion drafts with endless checks in the process).

Changing to a different format like Tumblr was considered but my kids and a couple of wise fellow blog friends advised I can still mould my blogger blog into what I desire and I ran the risk of losing my connection with my blog readers which didn't appeal.

A part of my blog journey has been to answer all comments because I appreciate and value the effort my readers take to do this. There are literally thousands of blogs circulating so to capture the dear folk who stop by RRC astounds me. The rapport I've built up with many of you since commencing the blog last August has brought me untold joy and I certainly don't wish to lose this camaraderie.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if I step up my input into this blog I may not have time to answer comments as frequently, sometimes not at all? Also I want/need to find time to follow and comment on my favourite blogs which is important to moi. Truly there just isn't enough hours in a day and I suppose we each need to discover what works best for ourselves.

Even as I waffle here about this issue I'm feeling overly dramatic but I would be sad if any reader felt I had lost interest in what they had to say. Far from it, I read every comment twice before publishing and again after publishing. Your words make my day!

Finding the quirky angle or beauty in a photograph brings me a silly amount of joy and I'm revelling in this. Who knew! 

The Instagram app on my iPhone has become addictive due to the fact it is quick, easy, followers can easily leave a comment or push the Like button. Instant gratification which has lead me to question the merits of blogging for me personally. So much so I find I'm taking photos that could be displayed to perhaps better effect on this blog. I'm no photographer as such..heck my hand-me-down SLR is still on auto, I don't use any whizz bang features or tricks and I still haven't learnt how to crop. *Note to self...Read the Manual Annie.

Finding something to snap helps me focus on the beauty in my life and surroundings plus it's also a great stress reliever and stress is front and centre in my life at the moment. My husbands workplace is going through very turbulent times and I have a health condition I need to get my head around. 

I do feel like I'm waffling now so I hope you get what I'm saying. Basically I'm going to attempt to bombard you with more frequent succinct posts which hopefully are entertaining.

Well that's the plan! I live in hope.

Now if all this talk of Instagram wets your appetite please don't ask me how to set it up to link to your blog from your smart phone because I took the lazy easy option and asked my incredibly smart son to install it! However you can visit here where Beth has written a post on how to set up the gadget-thingamy-whatsit.

For those not familiar with the workings of my Instagram sidebar just place the cursor over a photo and a brief description appears then click on the picture for an enlarged vision. Each day I usually place a couple of pictures of whatever takes my fancy. 

Fun fun fun!

Righto then I'm off to boil the jug for a cuppa and contemplate reorganising my wardrobe. A far bit of cajoling is happening to get my daughter on board to do the deed for me!

Take care one and all...

Annie xx

An Award and some Blog Love

To my surprise I was very kindly given a blog award by The Silver Bunny.
After I sent off a reply to Silver Bunny to accept I remembered that last December I was also handed The Liebster Award which set off a Oops! am I being greedy moment, but I quickly decided to accept graciously in the manner with which SB bestowed the award. After reading through the stipulations I realised that perhaps I should have pasted the tag on my blog as an indication of being a previous recipient (which I may add I've tried to add to a gadget thingy with no luck).

So enough of my rambling and I shall plough full stem ahead and share some blog love.

The Silver Bunny is a new kid on the blogging block but already she is gaining a faithful following of readers revelling in her musings about life. I guarantee you will be entertained.

Liebster is a German word meaning "dearest" and the award is given to bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.

The award has a few stipulations:

1.  Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2.  Reveal your five blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3.  Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4.  Hope that people you have sent the award to forward it on to their favourite bloggers.

Here are the five blogs which I have chosen to nominate and I trust you will enjoy visiting these charming and entertaining blogs. I certainly do!

A Welsh Girl in Australia

Fifi's Fabulous Things

Red Phoenix Style

McCarthy Designs


The Distressed Mother


Quite co-incidentally these blogs are all winging their way to you from Australia  xx

A Pretty Heart all Wrapped up in Blue

Yesterday I received a beautiful gift from Jane, a dear blog friend. Jane is a talented and crafty lady.
Handmade gifts are extra special don't you agree?

Thank you Jane for creating my 'heart from the heart' and I do believe it will look right at home in my precious favourite room.

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

Would you like to be transported to this beautiful location? 

Langford Island is situated opposite Hayman Island in the Whitsundays North Queensland. 

One glorious day during a sailing trip around the Whitsundays a couple of years ago, the members of our sailing crew went for a leisurely amble along this beach and a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Mr red roses and I are packing our bags to venture north to take to the seas and sail around the islands once again. Sea air, salt water and the wind in my hair is the purest tonic.

Packing for a sailing trip is dead easy. Shorts, T-shirts, hat, togs, beach towel, a book and not much else. No make-up or hair dryer for a week and truly bad hair is normal.

Bliss.

If I could live blog from the boat I would but power supply is precious and internet connection less than reliable so I shall share photos upon my return.
You may have noticed on my sidebar the new addition of Instagram photos. Sharing photos on Twitter is a pleasurable pastime of mine and today my son helped me add this feature to the blog. I hope you enjoy my snaps of life displayed over there. He also updated other technology gizmos for me and so tonight as I write this post my brain is spinning and is suffering overload!

This time last year if you had told me I would be writing a blog, tweeting and even using an iPhone I would have shouted 'No way Jose'! But there you have it....never too old to learn.

Be good.

Annie xx 

A Change is as Good as a Holiday...or so they say

Today I tweaked and fiddled and foofed and procrastinated with the design of this little blog in the hope of simplifying the layout.

Now I'm not sure if I succeeded other than driving myself just a little bit insane in the process. Blogging has verified an aspect of my personality that I definitely knew existed...I like change.

Is this design permanent? Most definitely probably not.

Half the fun of learning is trial and error and having a bash and along the way I occasionally surprise myself. Considering this morning I thought I'd lost my blog in cyber space. Feeling the meltdown approaching I just had to walk away for several hours and return to the computer and give red roses and crystal her revamp.

Why am I publishing a photo of bright coloured lollies you may ask. No reason other than I feel like eating a whole packet right this minute.

And if you hear me thinking out loud about making more changes in the foreseeable future, please somebody ...STOP ME.

(yes I'm a drama queen)

xx

A Question and My Weekend

It's the start of a new week and so I will jump in boots and all and pose a question before I share snippets of my weekend. 

People I'd love you to share...how and when do you allocate precious time to blog? Actually writing a blog is not my issue (I always have fodder) but of late I'm in a dilemma because I'm not commenting on my fave blogs as often as I used to. Before I commenced this caper I was a devoted commenter but (and I was warned this would happen) since starting RRC and personally following a stack more blogs which seems to come with the territory, nowadays I find while I might tune in and read the blogs I follow I don't always have time to leave a comment. Same goes for replying to the beautiful comments readers leave on RRC, in this blogs infancy I maintained I would answer all but you know, at times there just isn't enough hours in the day!

How do you share the Love?

Do you blog every day but only occasionally comment on blogs?

Do you blog only occasionally but are a devoted commenter?

Do you break the tasks up ie. sit down to thrash out your own post and leave reading and commenting on other bloggers posts till another time/day? 

I fear I'm probably hopeless at time management in this regard. If I log on and attempt a post then catch up and comment on my pals blogs in the morning like I'm doing right now I find the morning disappears quickly and I'm behind for the whole day.

So many questions and so many answers. Be assured I'm not having a whinge this morning but I still regard myself as a novice at this game and helpful tips are appreciated. 

Alrighty that's about as heavy as I want to get this week folks so here are a few snippets from my weekend

These faux suede boots were made for walking... maybe but I've not done much walking in them I'm afraid. One of those silly first purchases in China years ago when everything looked like a bargain and my life would never be the same again if I didn't bring these boots home.
The reason for this photo you may ask....De cluttering Mania.
Had to be done. I was drowning in a sea of shoes and clothes in the walk-in robe. A visit to the Salvos centre this week will be organised

Breakfast with a friend was delightful. We needed sustenance after scouring the sale at Daryl's store and snapping several bargains. Like cushions. Mr red roses comment..'do we really need more cushions in this house'.
Yes!

The pantry also needed a thorough clean out and re-organisation. As it's a large space, food stuffs tend to get thrown in willy nilly but I am determined to keep this area tidy now.
You read it here folks

A big project under way is the installation of insulation under the deck roof. The tin radiates heat and during a Queensland summer it's unbearable to sit here during the day so a plan was devised to counteract this. I will be posting about this installation in the near future.

This pink crystal has no relevance to the past weekend. Just thought I'd share it's prettiness. Snapped this instagram shot recently of this pretty crystal that sits on my dressing table. $10 from Target and is probably a paperweight I think?

So..please fess up and spill, I would love your thoughts on how you manage sharing your time with this blogging caper.
How do you allocate posting, reading and commenting time so that you don't place pressure on yourself to do it all...every day????

Annie xx