my new homepage is live

You may have noticed we've had a bit of a revamp around here.
Check out my new homepage at: www.allylouise.com
Exciting things ahead!
x

First illustration for 2014

My first illustration for 2014 - a custom piece for Mel from MelV Fitness . Mel is soon to release a brand new website and her very first ebook! She's a master of functional training and the 'if it fits your macros' style of eating. Keep an eye out on this girl in 2014!

And then it was 2014

New year
New focus
New possibilities
New goals
New opportunities
New excitement!

currently...

Currently buried under a pile of pencils, paper and watercolour paints... I adore working on exciting new creative projects!

tuesday morning

Tuesday morning. Weights - check! Yoga - check! Now currently head down, bum up busy working on an exciting new illustration project! Above is a little sneak peak I can share...
Loving immersing myself in coloured pencils, paper and watercolour paints!
How are you spending your day today?

birthday bliss

As one of my friends said to me yesterday - you know you are turning 24 when you get excited that someone gives you a zucchini spiraller! hahaha I was excited. Zucchini spirallers are awesome and I can't wait to give it a test run this week!

I had such a lovely weekend full of laughs, hugs, coffee dates, luncheons, frozen yoghurt, friends and family. I'm not a huge party animal so I chose to celebrate my 24th year with a series of little catch ups with those who mean the world to me. That's my idea of complete bliss.

I loved that my Mum drove down to Melbourne to spend the day with me. I don't see her very often, so it was so precious to have some girl time with the two of us. We enjoyed a yummy lunch by the ocean in St Kilda, green smoothies (avocado, kale, spinach, apple, pineapple and chia seeds!) and I took her into work to give her a first experience of lululemon goodness.

My housemate and amazing friend, Lauren, spoilt me with a frozen yoghurt bar date Saturday night, (in LOVE with that stuff), a healthy birthday cake to take into work with me on Saturday and a dinner date at the oriental tea house. I'm still recovering from all the cuddles and wishes from the weekend. I'm so happy and excited to be 24 - I can't wait to see what the coming months bring!

24 today

I'm 24 today. Yep, it's my birthday! 

I'm pretty sure that my 23rd year has been my favourite year of living so far. This last week in particular has been one of the best weeks of my life.

I feel as though I've grown a lot over the last 12 months. There have been too many amazing moments to count and a few which, to be honest, totally sucked. However, I believe that it was through the crap times that I actually learnt the most about myself, so I'm choosing to treasure those experiences. I love this quote:

'An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it's going to launch you into something great!' 

That it did and I feel as though the last few months have been the best in my life. My wish last year was to 'find my glow' before my 24th Birthday. I felt as though I'd slowly let it fade and I wanted it back. I smiled when I woke up today with the realisation that I've found it again. I'm me again and that's the most amazing feeling in the world. 

I'm so happy and excited to see what the next 12 months bring!! I know my 24th year will be one filled with smiles, laughter, creativity, happiness, love, gratitude, positivity, inspiration, movement, nourishment, health, kindness, new experiences and adventure. 

be vulnerable

I believe that our weaknesses are often our hidden strengths. It's through identifying and acknowledging them that we unleash our personal greatness. Sometimes allowing yourself to be vulnerable is the strongest thing you can do.

Be authentic, honest and live with integrity. 

The most fulfilling feeling is knowing that you're being true to you.

reflections on trust, fear and hanging upside down

My cheeks are burning, my head pounds and I'm clutching the silks suspending me off the ground.

My hands are aching, yet I tighten my grip.

I won't let go. 

No way. 

I close my eyes and feel my body swing slowly from side to side. 

'Just relax. Trust it.' Encourages a quiet voice to my left.

I ponder for a moment. 

I'm scared. 

I try to relax and rely on my core. I loop my feet around the silks, bend my knees and make a decision. 

With a deep breathe I tentatively release one hand from the silk and then another.

My palms come onto the mat below me and my body rocks backwards until I'm hanging vertically upside down. 

I did it. 

I'm here.

My body shakes and I still feel tense, but slowly I start to see things more clearly.

As I settle into the inversion, I pull my shoulders down my back and bring my feet a little closer to my head. I observe the room around me. The floor. Things look different when you're upside down.I stay here for a few minutes until my breathe deepens and then I curl into a ball, move my weight forward and flip out of the pose.

My feet thud to the floor. 

I'm still working on being graceful...

I was lucky to be able to experience Aerial Yoga for the first time yesterday at a new studio, Body Flow Yoga, with some of the team from lululemon. I arrived at the class expecting it to be physically hard - and that it was, but what I didn't expect was how mentally challenging it would be. 

The strongest lesson I learnt from our hour was not at all about how to flip myself upside down on a piece of silk. 

No. 

It was about trust.

Constantly I observed my mind telling me 'no'. That little voice in my head would speak up whenever I felt uncomfortable or scared. It would tell me to back down. Step away. It was that fear of the unknown. 

Midway through the class I realised that this aerial yoga challenge could be used as a lesson for everyday life. I realised that I do tend to move away from discomfort and challenges in many situations. Why? Because it's easier. Because it's safer. Because of the fear. 

That moment was when I made the decision. Whilst inverted in shoulder stand, I decided to make a conscious effort to change. To accept fear. Yes, acknowledge it, but not let it scare me. To move past it. Challenge it. Use it as fuel to propel myself forwards and never allow it to pull me backwards again. 

I realised that sometimes you have to take a chance, to let go, release control and to trust. 

There's always an element of risk, but isn't that part of being alive?

fear of flying

"In every moment we can choose fear, or we can choose love. When you operate out of love, you smile at strangers, you tip generously, you assume that other people have best intentions. When you live with love life opens up to you, like a blooming fuchsia rose. Opportunities present themselves, connections are made, and everything feels good. You move swiftly along with the wind at your back, and there is a sense of ease with everything you do." - Gala Darling

Right now I'm completely intrigued and inspired by the concept of identifying, facing and overcoming fears. I'll be exploring this on the blog over the coming days. What are you scared of?