HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY TO ME!

Image courtesy of Digitalart

"Happy Blogiversary to me, Happy Blogiversary to me, Happy Blogiversary to me-e, Happy Blogiversary to me" (sung in my best singing voice)!

It was exactly this day, one year ago, that I wrote my very first "Life's like a Cupcake!" blog post.  I never imagined, at that time, how much joy this "phenomenon of blogging" would bring.  A creative outlet, a way to free all the thoughts that spin around in my mind, an avenue for meeting some beautiful people from near and far, and a door to opportunities that would never have come my way if I hadn't hit that very first magical "PUBLISH POST" button!

A Selfless Act

It's no secret that I love blogging.  It's one of my many creative passions, along with cupcakes (of course), beauty, fashion and food!  These are all things that are centred on ME though.  I mean, I'm okay with that, as I'm all for self-care, self-preservation and healthy self-esteem!  However, I'm always totally blown away by people who do things in life that are completely selfless.

The most amazing part about the people who perform many selfless acts, is that although they are blessing other people with whatever they're doing, they actually get a real buzz from it too.  From my perspective, that's a win-win situation.  The one is blessed, and the other is blessed to be a blessing!  Does that make sense?

Let me share two amazing examples of selflessness I have come across in the last couple of weeks, which I think are totally cool and have caused me to realise it is selfless acts that make the world go round!

My first example is the story of my friend Nat, who I introduced to you a couple of weeks ago...

A DOSE OF JOY!

Before I write about anything else, it brings me great pleasure to announce the lucky winner of my very first giveaway (which was a $450 Dettol Baking Pack)!!

I used trusty Random.org to pick the winner as follows (please note any lovely commenters who commented more than once only got one entry, sorry):

Congratulations to MSunflower whose winning comment was:

"Ooh, what a package!  You guys are hilarious hehehe!  I would love to win because you inspire me to try baking!  I am a terrible cook but I LOVE decorating sweets...that edible glitter looks like so much fun!!"

MSunflower, I do hope this fun Dettol Baking Pack brings you much joy, as it did my family!!  Keep your eye out for a big box in the mail, full of all these wonderful goodies from the lovely people at Reckitt Benckiser...

WHAT ABOUT THE CUPCAKES?

I've often talked about my long "to-do list".  In fact, it seems to be an ever-growing list of things I want to do, see and achieve in my life.  It's been no secret that after my breast cancer diagnosis, making the most of my life has become a priority.  I've become quite focussed and unapologetic about pursuing my hopes and dreams.  


One of my dreams, which my family is well aware of, is to be a writer.  I've always had this dream, but never considered it possible that it could become a reality.  But after much encouragement and support from my family, I now call myself a writer.  Writing is something that comes from within.  It's an innate passion.  Although my ultimate aim is to eventually get paid for it, this is not why I write!


I just have to write.  I want to write.  I need to write! Writing is part of who I am and who I want to be.  This is how the whole blogging about cupcakes thing came about.  It's become clear though, that I have a lot more to write about than just cupcakes.  For that reason, I'm bursting to share some great news with you...


I have a new blog, A Brush with Beauty!!  It is a beauty blog, as the name suggests.  For those who may not be aware, I'm actually a qualified Beauty Therapist and Makeup Artist and owned my own beauty salon for over 6 years.  The whole 'beauty' thing is definitely another one of my passions.  What could be more rewarding than making people feel beautiful?

Image courtesy of Nixx Photography

CHASING THE LOVELY (A BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!)

I can't quite believe it's July already.  Not only that, but I can't believe that on the 28th July it will be a whole year since I started my blogging journey!  Time has absolutely flown - which just goes to show that time really does fly when you're having fun!

Seriously though, I don't know how I ever lived outside of blogland...such a wonderful place, filled with creative souls, passion aplenty and opportunities galore.  A beautiful blog friend of mine, Florentina, calls herself "the girl saved by the blog".  I think we must be "blog soul mates" as I believe I too have been "saved by the blog".

Ever since my Breast Cancer diagnosis in 2009, my focus has been on chasing the lovely in life.  There is enough of the "unlovely" to deal with throughout our lives, so why dwell on those things when we don't have to?  As much as I can, I've chosen to dwell on the beautiful, the delightful and the harmonious, which has been a wonderful aid in my healing; not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well.  I'm determined to reach for the stars in all aspects of my life, now that I truly believe that all things are possible!