Inspiring People: Lannah Sawers-Diggins, author of Red Dust Dreams

This week’s inspiring story comes from Lannah Sawers-Diggins. Lannah is an author and a passionate advocate of the Australian outback. In this interview, Lannah shares some of her experiences and advice on achieving goals. 

1. Tell us your story:
I am Lannah. I am a 60 year young about-to-be grandmother who originates from a sheep station in the outback of SA. While I have lived in Perth for most of my life, I have always remained passionate about our mighty outback. 

2. How did you identify the goal/s you wanted to achieve?
I think the only way to answer this question is that I woke one morning about six years ago with an epiphany. I needed to have my late father’s book published and that led onto the book I am currently working on. 

Red Dust Dreams by Lannah Sawers-Diggins



3. How did you work towards achieving your goal – did you have a plan and a deadline to achieve your goals?  
No, I did not have a plan – and still don’t. I just started doing it. And I am about to go to publication. 

The chimney stack ruins of an old country house. 
Image taken by Lannah. 



4. What was the biggest challenge you encountered along the way?
Many challenges. It has been a mammoth learning experience – some of which is being published. One of the biggest challenges occurred very early in the piece and nearly stopped me in my tracks. In short, it was an ‘attack/witch hunt’ on social media. 

Boab Prison Tree. 
Image taken by Lannah. 



5. What inspires you and keeps you going when you encounter obstacles?
When encountering obstacles, I take one step back, consider it and how I can overcome/avoid it – and do so. My inspiration? The outback. 

The Outback – Lannah’s main source of inspiration. 
Image taken by Lannah. 



6. What advice do you have for anyone wanting to achieve a goal?
KEEP AT IT. If things get you down, take a deep breath, look at the problem and find ways to overcome/get around it and KEEP GOING. 

Kimberley sunset. 
Image taken by Lannah. 


7. What are the next goals you hope to achieve?
To help raise awareness about the outback. To educate people everywhere about the sort of life the stations people live – to help tourism in Australia and so much more. The list is endless. 

Lannah is about to publish a book about the mighty outback of Australia. Check out her website, www.lannahsawersdiggins.com or Facebook page for more info. 

Cake of the week: Poop Emoji Cupcakes

It’s official that Emojis have taken over our lives when the poop Emoji makes an appearance as a cupcake…


Why we love them:

  • You have to admit, they’re super-cute – once you get over what they are…
  • These would be a humorous cake for a teen-birthday. 
  • They’re pretty easy to make – chocolate cupcake, chocolate icing applied with a piping bag and edible eyes. 
  • These would be fun as part of an “Emoji-themed” party. 
  • Great for guys or gals

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What do you think – hit or miss??? We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

Gift wrapping idea of the week: Elephant balloon

Who doesn’t love balloons? This is a really cute way of incorporating a balloon into your gift wrapping…

Why we love it:
  • Kids will absolutely LOVE this idea. 
  • Look at the shape of your balloon and think about other characters you could create. They don’t have to be actual animals – create your own monsters and other little critters. 
  • This is a really inexpensive style of gift wrapping, especially if you use brown paper. 
  • This is a great way of jazzing up really plain shaped gifts, such as books. 

Check out our other gift wrapping ideas here…
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20% OFF STOCKTAKE SALE

Mr Gift Logo
Can you believe we’ve reached the half-way mark of 2016?

Chances are you’ve got a few more birthday, wedding, anniversary, housewarming, and thank you gifts you’ll need before the year is out.

We hope we can make your gift purchasing experience convenient (and cheaper) with some great ideas at great prices in our store-wide sale.

So go on, make a list and let us help you tick some things off your gift list today…
 

20% OFF STOCKTAKE SALE 
store-wide until midnight 30 June 2016. 
This is a VIP sale offer, only available to those ‘in the know’. To redeem your discount, enter coupon code STOCKTAKE in the ‘Discount Code’ field when you place your order. Please note that this offer can’t be used in conjunction with any other offers.

PS: You can forward this email onto family and friends so they can enjoy this discount too.

Best Wishes,
Courtney and the Mr Gift Team
 


Gadget Gifts on sale

Metal Detector

Gentlemen's Hardware Bicycle Repair Kit

Kreafunk aMove Speaker

Fruit Alarm Clock

Burgon and Ball Secateur Holster

Tweet Cone Bird Feeder

Burgon and Ball Gardening Gloves

Burgon and Ball Notebook

Fred Have an Ice Day Ice Tray

Ceramic Measuring Jug

Joseph Joseph No Spill Salt and Pepper Mill

Weights and Measures Mug

Go-Comb

Go-Comb
NOW $11.96
(was $14.95)
YMMN Black Leather Wallet

Race Car Cufflinks

Wurkin Stiffs RFID Passport Wallet

Cycling Champiom Frame

Kreafunk Amove Speaker

Rosanna Reina Porcelain Tray

Troika Black Carbon Pen

Work Darts Set

Made By Humans Eco Stapler

Labrador Small Leather Bag

Areaware Sphere Bottle Opener

Suck UK Bottle Light

Gentlemen's Hardware Cocktail Shaker

Alife Design Washing Pouch

Guitar Multitool

Credit Card Night Light

Inspiring People: Leah Franklin, Stadium Stomp

This week’s Inspiring Person is Leah Franklin, a Melbourne nurse who set a weight loss goal and used the Stadium Stomp events to help her get there…



1. Tell us your story:
My name is Leah Franklin, just turned 46 and I am from Melbourne. I am a Registered Nurse and I work in the Aged Care Industry. I am the mother of a 19 year old son.

2. How did you identify the goal/s you wanted to achieve? 
I needed to lose weight, but I struggle with motivation. I decided one of the best ways to ensure that I stay motivated was to set myself goals and challenges that involved a level of competition (I am really competitive!). I also figured that if I was working out anyway, I may as well try and raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

3. How did you work towards achieving your goal – did you have a plan and a deadline to achieve your goals? 
My initial goal was to lose 45kg in 12 months (the 12 months was up on the 14th April 2016 – I still have 5 kg to go). I joined a gym and started watching what I ate. I did require surgery to also assist, however the main focus has always been on improving my physical fitness.

4. What was the biggest challenge you encountered along the way? 
One of my biggest challenges has been keeping on track with food and exercise, while working in a job that requires a significant amount of travel / time away from home and generally working really long hours. To combat that issue, I joined a 24 hour gym where I can use any of their gyms across Australia – sometimes I just have to work out at 4am to ensure I get my workouts in.

5. What inspires you and keeps you going when you encounter obstacles? 
The thing that inspires me the most is people that have gone through similar journeys and have hit their goals. There is also a fair amount of pure stubbornness and again that competitive side to me that just won’t give up. It doesn’t always work, but when I do fall off track it’s only for a short time before I get going again.

6. What advice do you have for anyone wanting to achieve a goal? 
Set small goals initially – even if you have a big end goal start with something small. I knew in May last year that this year I wanted to participate in the Stadium Stomp at the MCG. So I began looking at small challenges like colour runs and fun activities. As I got fitter I then committed to completing all 5 Stadium Stomps. I know that I will still be one of the slowest but if I complete all 5 I will of achieved something that 2 years ago would never of been possible.

7. What are the next goals you hope to achieve? 
My next goals are to compete in the Melbourne OXFAM Trailwalker in 2017 and also I would like to do the Kokoda Challenge next year.

What is Stadium Stomp?
A unique, fun event, Stadium Stomp is a stair-climbing challenge that give participants access to some of the largest sporting stadiums in the country. Participants climb up, down and around the stairs within the grandstands, traversing literally thousands of stairs along the way before finishing on the ground itself. 

The events take place the MCG, Adelaide Oval, SCG and The GABBA participants can ‘stomp’, whilst raising money for a nominated charity at the same time.

It is not a competition or a race, but a personal test of stamina and concentration open to all levels of fitness, 12 years and over.

Dates and venues are:
• Adelaide – Adelaide Oval on Sunday 3 July, 2016
• Sydney – SCG on Sunday 17 July, 2016
• Brisbane – The GABBA on Sunday 24 July, 2016

Check out www.stadiumstomp.com.au for more information and to register. 

Read more stories about other inspiring women here…

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Cake of the week: Beauty and the Beast Cake

Sometimes you come across a cake that is so incredible you just can’t work out how it has been made. This Beauty and the Beast Cake is one of these cakes! 

I challenged my friend to make this cake for her daughter’s 2nd birthday last weekend…yes, I’m a mean friend!;-) This cake defies gravity!

Anyone ever attempted anything like this?
We’d love your thoughts, please comment below…

Gift wrapping idea of the week: Name beads

You’ve probably seen these letter beads used to create names on jewellery, but have you seen them incorporated into gift wrapping before?


Why we love it:
  • These name beads add the ultimate personal touch to a gift. 
  • Thread them over twine or ribbon. It doesn’t matter if the ribbon is a little thicker than the beads and folds the ribbon – this makes the beads stand out more and adds to the look. 
  • Use these beads on gifts for anymore – men, women or children or any age. White or cream beads with black text will coordinate with any wrapping colours. 

Check out our other gift wrapping ideas here…
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