IF I'M NOT HERE, I'M AT INSTAGRAM.

Instagram is one cool place to be. After joining almost a year ago, after a techy friend recommended it, it's now going off. And more and more people are discovering the joy of the great big photo share.

That, of course, means that projects are becoming more fun, which keeps me visiting throughout the day on my iPhone.

Like FatMumSlim's Photo a day challenge. Such beautiful photographs, and a different theme to photograph each day.

I love the simplicity of a square photo, and the amazing things you can do with it. Sucker for a good photograph? Yep, that's me.

Here's where you can find me: [kymmie_adayinthelifeofus]

Are you on Instagram?

DRINK: HOMEMADE LEMONADE

SERVES 6 | PREP 5 MINS| VEGETARIAN, GLUTEN FREE

So, with the weather topping 38 degrees (celcius for my American friends), my sweet friend Brenda and I thought it would be a great idea to have a picnic at a gorgeous park.

The best park I've ever been to, in fact. It has a flying fox, merry go round, maze, bridge with music notes that you can play by stepping on them, a sandpit, cool slides... seriously, the best park. Ever.

YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF WHAT YOU DON'T NEED TO MAKE YOU HAPPY

Image from we heart it

So, I'm not buying anything new this year. No visiting pretty home shops, clothes shops in shopping centres, boutiques in shopping strips, franchises in shopping arcades. I'm resisting buying anything new.

For a whole year.

This is because I want to lighten my global footprint. Promote conscientious consumption. Pay off some bills. Save for a house extension. Teach my kids that it's good to be happy with what we have. Live within our earning capacity. Teach myself self-restraint.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have a spending addiction. Goodness knows, there just isn't enough money to go around when there are kids in the equation, a home mortgage, investments, and me having a part-time job. I'm the queen of purchasing 'the bargain', and tend to stock up at the end of the two major seasons - hot and cold.

Besides, we don't really need anything. But we sure want a lot. But that's where Buying Nothing New (BNN) comes in.

Okay, so I can't really count the first week of January. You see, I hadn't had a chance to buy the things I actually needed and couldn't live without for a whole year. So, there was a bit of a visit to Ikea after the New Year came in. Plus I needed some bathers and a laundry hamper (trust me, you cannot buy those things second-hand)*. Besides I had a gift voucher I needed to use.

Which gets me thinking, does it sort of undo the BNN mentality when you're 'stocking up'?  And what about gift vouchers that were given to me at Christmas time and will expire before this year is out? Oh, the quandries...

Anyhow, I'm now on a roll. In fact, it doesn't really feel like anything different to the usual, seeing we:

1. Hardly ever eat out.
2. Don't visit shopping centres very often.
3. Make most of our special treats from scratch.

Christmas has the lads loaded up with clothes and summer needs like boogie boards, bathers and tshirts. A few of my friends (and I) have had our annual clothes cull and we've done a bit of swapsies in the clothes department (one girl's trash, another girl's treasure), and so my winter wardrobe is stocked.

But one of the biggest things that has changed for me is my incoming emails. Turns out I'm on a lot of mailing lists. And if I'm not buying any shoes, clothes, linen, or home stuff - then why bother with the emails? Besides, I don't wish to be tempted. It's scary how many things I was subscribed to. I didn't think it was much until I started unsubscribing. Wowsers. The past five years has me signed up to some serious junk mail. But I'm cleansing, and it feels good.

And this is the beginning. I'm sure I'll post about this again, just a few more times this year. But it's a good start and I'm positive it will lead us (and our bank balance) to a good place.

Have you tried Buying Nothing New? Do you think it's bad for me to spend my gift vouchers before they expire? Any suggestions if you've done this before?

*Things I bought in the first week of January included Ikea $60 (vase, jug, step ladder, hooks), Freedom $100 (laundry hamper), bathers $60.

SH*T GIRLS ON DIETS SAY.

Girls say the funniest stuff. And there are some hilarious versions on YouTube of what girls say (and don't say).

Here's the latest (and funniest): sh*t girls on diets say.

How many of these things have you said?

I confess that I'll probably be saying some of these things in the next few weeks. Christmas was very cruel.

(And yes, it's a great link. You're welcome.)

FANCY PANTS [THE MULLET TOP]

EAT: MACADAMIA, SPINACH + LEMON PESTO PASTA, SALAD WITH SPRINKLES + THE BEST DRESSING EVER.

SERVES 6 | PREP 20 MINS | COOKING 15 MINS | VEGETARIAN

Smug is the word I'd use after tonight's dinner.

While my five year old asked for fourths and fifths and my two year old kept asking for more 'fasta', my husband told me he had enjoyed a most superb dinner (yes, sometimes he talks like he lives in the 19th Century - God bless my man).

I can tell you, this doesn't happen around here often. And when it does, I want to break out in song Sister Maria style and do a happy jig.

5 DAYS 5 WAYS [THE MINI]

I just want to be this girl. One who lives in headscarves and owns second-hand bohemian clothes, wears a nose ring, and only eats organic, vegan food. One who throws on clothes that don't go, and has an attitude to match. You know, carefree and a bit careless.

5 DAYS 5 WAYS [THE MINI]

Neutral palettes one of my favourite things. Lots of light colours thrown together. Kind of like block colours, but a much softer kind.

5 DAYS 5 WAYS [THE MINI]

There are days when a mini is just inappropriate. Like when you're running around after 30 kids under four when leading out at Kids' Church.

Which I might or might not have done sometime today.

THIS SATURDAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR... NEW BEGINNINGS.

It's a new year, and the first week of Gratefuls! I'm so excited to be back and reflecting on all that is good in my life. I'm so grateful for grateful Saturdays, that this is my very first thing to list for the year!

1. New beginnings. Another year to start anew; to get off on the right foot. It's an exciting time. And while we could wipe our slate clean any time of the day, week, month or year, there's something nice about doing it from the very beginning.
2. Sunshine. Consistent warm days for a whole week? Check. Time to sit out in the sunshine? Check. In fact, I think Melbourne finally received the memo I sent it last year. And not that I'm encouraging sending your skin cells into trauma, but it's been so lovely to have a healthy glow that comes from just 10 minutes in the sunshine each day. (And probably the first tan I've ever had in Melbourne.)
3. The whole gang. Christmas time usually brings the girls home at the same time, and after they were on the other side of the world last Christmas, we were all home together this year. To top it off, it was five days with all of us together, while Kelly (the eldest) stayed on for another week. I felt I didn't have to leave the house for an amazing holiday, as the holiday had come home to us.

Happy Grateful Day. What are you grateful for?

There's something so exciting going on this week at Maxabella Loves... Grateful is going national! So pop on over, because this is the last time Bronwyn is hosting her very own baby. A new beginning for Gratefuls!

5 DAYS 5 WAYS [THE MINI]

Aaah, the afternoon with sunshine. How I'm loving it!

Spent a few hours with my Madison while Noah was in his room (I'd say sleeping, but I could hear him running around on the floorboards). Apart from the odd popping in to remind him that he should be sleeping, it was so cool to hang out with my big lad, seeing that our days at home are numbered. He starts school in three weeks!

5 DAYS 5 WAYS [THE MINI]

It's high time we did another one of these, don't you think?

Especially since we're all relaxed after Chrissy, the weather is absolutely perfect, and I'm feeling kind of inspired by re-shopping my wardrobe. (And seeing there'll be a whole year to enjoy the very same clothes, because I'm not buying anything new), I may as well get into the swing of things in January!

If you missed the last 5 days 5 ways posts, they are here. So far, we've done the white tee, and the maxi dress. Now we can add the mini to the list.