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Little Steps | Big Heart
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It is incredible, year after year when we look back we can see how much we have grown as a person. I am not the same person I was 2 years ago, and I'm not the same person I was in January, nor in May, nor yesterday... it is a constant growing cycle and it is exciting how much this past year I have grown. 
As I look back at 2014, soaking in what it taught me, I reminisce on the adventures and memories that were created. 

This year I visited 2 new places - The UK & Cuba. Both were completely amazing. The UK... London, Rugby, Hertfordshire, all so marvelous in their own unique ways, that I must go back for longer as there is so much more to see. And then Cuba which screams of so much history (if you are into that) and definitely worth a visit. It got my inner wander-luster revving up for more adventures.

Life is indeed full of teachings, with that said, I learnt so much this past year of myself, who is in my life and where I want to see my life going. 

I have grown and learnt to be strong, to speak out when most of the time I would stay quiet. To not allow anyone to walk over me because I'm "too much of a nice person to say anything" and to stand firm in my ground in what I think is right/wrong. I am no longer a door mat for people to use.

The hardest thing this year showed me was the true colours from people I would never think twice of hurting... people I thought were "friends". After tears and a constant stabbing betrayal feeling, I woke up and walked away, and it may bring on more they can say about me, but trying to impress themselves will only leave them looking foolish. The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. Be careful who you share your time with. So here I am, moving into 2015 without a few, and a lot more space in my heart for those that know the value of love, friendship, honor and respect. 
This year, I started my blog. From "luludarling" at wordpress, to "missluludarling" at blogger and then changed entirely to "littlestepsbigheart". It has been a bit of a bouncy journey not knowing where I stood in the blogging world, so having a first year and sticking to it, made me so much more confident that I have decided to change up my blog a little more to suit who I am. So, if you notice my writing and the content changing, don't worry, it is still me. :)

As I mentioned in a past post about some exciting things that will happen next year, I broke it down into bullet points. 

I guess you can call this my 2015 bucket list. :)

  • For the coming year I would like to travel to at least 3 new places. 
  • Take my fitness to another level and get certified as a Personal trainer/fitness coach. 
  • Apply to a few local / Caribbean magazines as a freelance writer.
  • [Maybe] start a youtube channel. [I keep saying I would in January, but I get so scared/nervous as I just sound so lame on camera. lol ]
  • Stick with my yoga for the entire 2015 and conquer a handstand without wall help. 
As always, lists grow, so this will definitely be an expanding list of exciting things!! 
I do hope you have each grown this year. I would love to hear from ya'll which was your hardest hurdle and what 2014 taught you. 

Also, what do you think of a youtube channel? And do you have any advice for me if I were to do one? 
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'No excuses' is what I keep telling myself, but if your work life is anything like mine, you would understand the long working hours can somehow drain you and your inspiration to write. 
*waves* Hellllllooooooooo

Gosh, it feels like forever since I have sat at the computer to blog. What's been going on ? :) I hope the season has been treating everyone well and you all have been getting through your Christmas shopping. :)

Last month I got together with some friends for dinner and we did the whole 'Secret Santa' thing, which we met up Saturday night to reveal. 
We did it a little more fun, where we closed our eyes and placed our gifts infront our chosen Secret Santa and upon looking/opening, we had to guess who we thought our Secret Santas were.... which was pretty much a giveaway just by wrapping alone. hahaha :)

The restaurant of choice this month was a lovely Italian restaurant called Rizzoni's Ristorante Italiano. I am a sucker for Italian.. oh my mmmm  <3 
After dinner we decided to go try our luck at Club 1 casino. The only thing I ever play in a casino is Roulette, but this casino was so different.... from the slots, to even the Roulette ! Everything used a chip card you put money on and it credits it as you win etc. But, what I hated was the Roulette was electronic and it wasn't as enjoyable as having chips in hand. So.. my chances of going back there are pretty slim.
In no way am I a gambler... I control how I play and how much I spend, so it's all good in the hood. :)

I am also working on a post but will not be publishing it until after Christmas, but sit tight, as next year I want to add a few new additions to blogging, including a bit more of travelling. 

Here's a caterpillar cocoon I found today and was completely amazed at how he created it with twigs and web. So much beauty. I stuck around to even see him poke his head out a few times to move. Completely speechless.
Hummingbird feeders I bought the other day. Can't wait to hang them in the new year.
Christmas countdown:
9 days 
*excited*
Happy Holidays !
Are you excited for Christmas?

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Don't you just love Christmas time?
One thing I especially enjoy about the season is not only getting selfies with Santa, but decorating the tree and putting (or in this case making) the crèche [Nativity Scene]. 
However this year, I didn't put up a tree but I did use something else in place. :)

DIY Crèche 

Step 1 : Put on your favourite Christmas music.
I started with 'Little Drummer Boy' from Pentatonix. :) 


Step 2 : Grab a box ! The size depends on you and if your Nativity figurines are small / big, etc.. mine are fairly big. 
With the box, cut off the flap on the top and both sides (don't throw away, you will need these pieces.) I left the bottom flap for support as how I display my Crèche is at an angle, so I push it towards the wall and use the flap to keep it supported, if that makes any sense. lol 

Cut the middle top of the box in half and use 2 of those flaps you cut off to staple each end to the box halves. You will need one of those heavy duty staple guns that have long staples to go through the cardboard. Bend the pieces before to make a flat top. 
[See photo to see what I mean]
So far, this is what it should look like.
Now that the basic box is complete, time to dress.
Materials used are Burlap and Brown/Gold paper.
Step 3 : Take the brown/gold paper and lightly and sparsely spray with a rustic colour spray paint, after dried, crumble to give it a nice texture. 

Step 4 : Dress the box. Crumble and cover the box, using pins to secure in place. 
Step 5 : Use the burlap and dress around the Crèche. I used the natural colour and a dark brown.  Be creative with placement and colours or materials! Most importantly have fun! :)
Feel free to add moss and pebbles to your Nativity Scene. I like to add trees and also drape some lights around. 
If you have any questions, let me know. 

For our tree this year, I used these red branches with balls and swirls from Raz Imports. I used a tall glass vase filled with stones to keep steady and used red crinkled paper to fill it. 
Another little something I put together for decoration. 
Have a wonderful week !!! ♡ ♡ ♡
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Finally catching up with blogs today when I came across a Christmas tag by A Glass of Ice so of course, I just had to spend some time to do up a post cause.... it is all about Christmas - so why not! :)
I tag - Every and anyone who comes across this,
Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy

What are your favourite Christmas movies?
Ooooo I love Christmas movies !!! 'Home Alone', 'Serendipity', 'Love Actually' ahhhhh it is a never ending list !


2. Do you open your Christmas presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Sometimes I open 1 present on Christmas eve..... sometimes. Everything else will be at the crack of dawn Christmas morning !! :) 

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
I have a lot actually but the most memorable one would be when my brother and myself woke up to see our presents strung together in a row leading to the play room, which we eagerly followed to be surprised by 2 bikes. 




4. Favourite festive food?
I know this will be a "wha?" to y'all but it would have to definitely be pastelles ! Mmmmm yum ! I can't wait for Christmas now !

[Trinidadian pastelles are small meat-filled cornmeal pies stuffed with meat, fish, soya or vegetables seasoned with fresh herbs and flavoured with raisins, olives and capers wrapped and steamed in a banana leaf. They are traditionally prepared and eaten during the Christmas season. It is believed that they were introduced by Spanish colonizers who ruled between the late 15th and early 18th centuries]



5. Favourite Christmas gift?
I don't have a favourite Christmas gift, I kind of just appreciate everything equally.




6. Favourite Christmas scent?
I love the scent of Eucalyptus in the house during Christmas. mmmm That reminds me - I need to get some. 

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
I actually have to work every Christmas eve to sometimes 8pm, but when I get home the house is open allowing friends and family to come by. Christmas music fills the home, as well as parang, the ham is in the oven, and my Dad always use to be there greeting me with his scotch and coconut in his hand in one of the most joyous moods. He was the highlight of our Christmas celebrations and so although it wouldn't be the same, we would still carry it on as if he were still here. He would want us to. :)

8. What tops your tree?
An angel, tho we haven't put up a tree this year. 


9. As a child what was the one extravagant gift you always asked for but never received?
I actually am blank for this one.... maybe I just don't remember right now. lol

10. What is the best thing about Christmas for you?
Being with my family and loved ones and watching everyone have a joyful time. 
Nothing warms my heart more than seeing people be happy and jolly. 


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Props to all of you who FIND time to sit daily and blog. The last 2 weeks have been a non-stop go for me, to the point, sitting at a computer just to write was the last thing on my mind. 
Saturday I had a Bohemian / Moroccan themed dress-up housewarming party to attend... could I say anymore than I was in my glee !! 
The following day even though I was feeling a bit ill, I went to the UpMarket with my cousins to browse what the vendors had..... and although I initially took money to buy gifts, I ended up buying more food than anything else. lol The tummy wants, what the tummy wants. :)

I came across these adorable cupcakes from Batters and Bits !!!! Look at their reindeer one!
The lady said they are all edible, but with cuteness like that, I wouldn't want to eat him. :)

When I got back home, I slept for an hr and a bit to see if I would feel better for work...(Yes, it has become that time of year, when working on a Sunday happens - boooo) however, the mall was completely dead so I didn't bother to open. Instead I joined Mom and took my Niece and Nephew to the park for a Christmas fair. 

There was entertainment, more food *grins*, pony rides, cookie decorating, and even Santa and Mrs Claus made an appearance. It was really fun, even for me. :)
[My Niece & My cookie decorating skills]
[Fun with Mr & Mrs Claus]

Today before work, I met up with a friend for some lunchtime sushi. Always so great catching up as, at the same time, it helps open doors.  :)

In the New Year I will tell all about my new venture once finalized. 

Speaking of 'New Year' - one month countdown has begun! That was quick 2014, hope 2015 takes it a bit slower. 

Do you have any Old Years / New Years plans?  :) 
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On the 8th, I finally got to have a little birthday celebration with 2 of my girlfriends that I meet up with monthly for dinner.

I know - finally !! 
We choose Samurai Trinidad as the destination for celebrations and it was so lovely. After being seated, we ordered our cocktails and toasted to another year. 
There, as I sat with my girls, looking back at 20 years of friendship. The most beautiful thing about our relationship as friends [and some of you ladies might have the same/similar relationships] is we can go days, weeks, months, without talking.... and when we do, we pick up from where we left off. There is no jealously of who else you are hanging out with, or "why you haven't contacted me", etc. There is an equal and beautiful understanding of what we have. 
..... 
Our waitresses were amazing, so cherry and happy. They made jokes with us and were outstanding when it came to hospitality - [Props to Samurai] as this is extremely hard to find. :)

I have read some bad reviews of their service and their rolls, but up to now, everything had been flawless and our food, delicious !
During the course of the night, Melanie mentioned that it was my birthday - so that had entitled me to a yummy dessert of my choice. How fab ! :) Since I was already having the Lychee Martini, I decided to have the Lychee cake as well. Clearly I couldn't get enough of Lychee! hehe
After our dinner we ended up at the Carousel park - such kids - hahaha They had 2 new rides and although you have to be "14 and under" we still got to ride. 
I tell ya.... 33, and still enjoy rides! :)
[My failed attempt at getting all of us on the carousel]

Do you have anything planned ? :) 
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