Here's me reluctantly admitting that Christmas is over, but oh boy am I happy for the New Year!

I was planning on making my usual yearly review about why it was my best year yet (life still gets better every year) but I came across this post by A Rosie Outlook and thought it was a much better idea! So credit goes to her for the post you are about to read.

There have been so many blessings this year, hard times too, but looking at all the happy things has me feeling so grateful. This time a year ago I was still at home, one dog left, just got together with Steve, working part-time, a newbie at a CrossFit, and my Instagram was only just above-average. To say that I'm in a different place now is an understatement and it all feels right. I always love this time of year where you wonder what you'll be writing in your new yearly round-up.

Here are the 50 things I'm most grateful for in 2017:


1. Moving out of home and into the perfect house for me and Steve

2. Road trips to Dunedin

3. The chance to complete a Spartan Race

4. Getting full-time work

5. Jane the Virgin on Netflix

6. Paddle boarding on Kailua beach in Hawaii

7. Working hard on an Instagram feed that I'm proud of

8. All those Crossfit classes

9. Carly Rowena keeping me motivated as a blogger/in fitness

10. New foodie places we found in the city

11. Our family adopting Bond

12. Hitting 700 followers

13. Epic shopping day in Hawaii with Mum and the boys

14. Cozy blankets

15. Sunny Spring weather

16. Competing in a CrossFit comp and coming 3rd

17. Slow cookers

18. Ice cream dates by the beach

19. Night Noodle Market

20. Wireless bras

21. Instagram stories

22. Croissants for breakfast on a Sunday

23. Having my own kitchen

24. My Mum always shouting lunch because otherwise I'd be too poor to leave the house

25. Little Mix

26. My saint boyfriend putting up with my crazy hormone-episodes

27. Original source shower gels

28. Kmart home-wares stepping up their game

29. Making new friends (especially you Mel)

30. Clearance sections

31. Vegetarian bacon

32. Late night McDonald's dessert runs

33. Playing UNO with Steve

34. Thor Ragnarok

35. Queenstown marathon run

36. Days of blogging in bed and marathoning The Big Bang Theory

37. Avocado on toast

38. Emailing a dog breeder for our dream dog

39. Puppy-sitting for friends/relatives dogs

40. Discovering Acacia Brinley (follow her!)

41. Beautiful sunrises after an early workout

42. Being able to kick into a handstand

43. Food shopping (the best kind)

44. Having a scare and realizing I do want my own lil family soon

45. Getting back into blogging after a long burnout

46. Turmeric lattes

47. When Ollie the cat chooses me for cuddles

48. Charity shops

49. Buying our first Christmas tree

50. Everyone (IRL or online) that has made me smile and laugh in 2017


Going into 2018 I'm more confident as an adult, a blogger, an athlete, a girlfriend (wife skills improving all the time) and as a woman. At the beginning of the year there were a lot of uncertain things that would come in time, so I feel great now that it all worked out how it was meant to.

I LOVE the feeling of a new year and what adventures await.


Goals for next year? 

1000 followers here and on Instagram would be bloody great.

Get stronger.

Write heaps.

But most importantly, make lots of memories.

Have a Happy New Year Everybody!

Steph x. 

What's on your 2017 gratitude list?

Looking Back On My 2016

I love this time of year when I get to reflect on the year that's been and how much things have changed for the better. I've checked off a few more items on my bucket-list and carry around a few more tattoos with me. 2016 has been the year that I've become the best version of myself and really followed what makes me happy. You guys know that I try to always look for positives and even though this year has been crappy on a world-wide scale, I've still enjoyed life as best I could. With a few added surprises that made the year even better.


Here's a mini wrap-up of my pop culture favorites and highlights of the year:

Best Movie: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

Best Book: Illuminae, by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Best Album: Suicide Squad Movie Soundtrack

Best Music Artist: 21 Pilots 
 

 Best TV Series: Teen Wolf, Chuck, Jane the Virgin

Trip to the States

At the end of August, we gathered our saved pennies and headed to the sunny east coast of the USA. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed LA and how much I want to go back. It wasn't just the heat, a magical day at Disneyland, or visiting Hogsmede at TWWOHP (can we talk about frozen butter beer though?) But also unexpected delights like Santa Monica and walking Griffith Park. Not to mention all the healthy foods we don't have here...Seattle was absolutely gorgeous and it makes me want to do a road trip to be among all that beautiful nature for as long as I can. Canada, I'm coming for you soon!

Best year of my fitness journey so far

I've focused a lot of my energy on my health this year, mostly because it keeps me happy. The first half of 2016 was kicking up my gym routine and really training harder. I even took up boxing and my fitness levels went up quicker than I expected. The second half of the year was the tough part and I faced an important decision: do I stay at my gym or leave for something new? I was bored. So, so bored. To the point where I had no motivation to be there. CrossFit came into my life when I so desperately needed a new challenge that would push my limits. I made new friends, found a great coach, and have hit so many PRs in the last few weeks that I feel like Super-Girl. I found my love of lifting this year and it's taken me further I thought it would. I can't tell you how excited I am to see what 2017 holds for me!

Blogging Friends 

When I first entered the blogging community, I found it hard to make friends. There were so many lovely people on Twitter, but it was only during chats that I found the courage to talk to them. This year I've found some amazing people that support me each and every week. When the internet gets a little negative, I know I still have these girls to chat to. 

Lucy, Kelly, Sian, Katie, Lottie, Tania, Dee, and every one of you lovelies that leave me the best comments, thank you for being so awesome!

Getting my full driving license

I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it really was a huge achievement to me. I had a bit of panic set in when I realized my restricted license was expiring (in NZ there's three stages to complete as a driver.) I could either renew it and put off the test for another decade, or I could get over my fear and just go for the final driving test. Turns out I had nothing to worry about! I passed easily and it was over in about twenty minutes. Just goes to show that you shouldn't not do something because you are afraid.

Losing Jess

The biggest heart-break this year for our family was saying goodbye to our beloved dog Jessie. Probably the saddest part of the year, but I wanted to include her in this post. She was super-cheeky and knew how to be the princess of the house. I used to give her hugs and she would rest her head on my shoulder to hug me back. I will always miss waking up to her wet nose in the morning, she was an unforgettable part of our family. She's back in her castle now. Will miss that beautiful face forever.

Pushing my comfort zone

This has been one of my biggest life lessons for 2016. "Be braver" has always been on my New Year's resolutions and I've finally made the effort to take more chances. And let me tell you, being bold can really pay off! Even trying new fitness classes or saying yes to more things can do wonders for your confidence. Sometimes it even changes your life for the better. From now on if my gut is telling me to go for it, I have to no matter how anxious I might get. Nothing ever changes if you stay where you are comfortable.

I definitely feel like I'm ending the year on a high note, so much so that I'm struggling to find any resolutions to make. I have my supportive family, great friends, my blog, a gym full of great people, and an amazing new partner by my side. I couldn't ask for more! I already have plans for more adventures in 2017 in the making. 2016 was tough for all of us, but there's a positive for every negative. Never forget to look all the good things. 2017 is going to be a good year, because I will make it so. I'll be sharing tonnes more recipes, motivational posts and fitness tips to help the make the most of your year too. We're in this together!


Have a great New Year everyone! Let me know some 2016 highlights in the comments!
Steph x.