My Life Through Pictures

Christmas lights driving on Christmas Eve. 

Finally wearing my TopShop skirt I bought in September and finding it looks great with my new necklace.

Cute little gifts from my best friend. 

My Moustachio looking very disappointed he didn't receive a cat friend for Christmas. I am SO with you there Moustachio. 

Being on holidays from work means casual outfits galore!

Received some beautiful bone china - one of the plates now being used as a jewellery dish. Love the colour / patterns. 

Cooking delicious treats including this caramelised garlic tart. So very yum. 

Rocking pink lips ( MAC Chatterbox) with matching nails ( Essie Fiesta). 

New Year Dreaming

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! I certainly did, plenty of time spent with family and an abundance of food made me one very happy girl. My only question is, when will the increased intake of food ever stop?!

Like a lot of other people I take this time of the year to reflect on 2011 and think about what direction I want my life to take in 2012. 

All up 2011 was a good year for me. Highlights include:-

Heading to New York City for an adventure which was a life long dream of mine. 

Learning how to manage my finances and plan ahead which meant I was able to save for the above trip in a matter of month and wasn't left scrambling to pay big ticket bills like car insurance.

Bettering the relationship I have with my boyfriend T. After 6 and a half years I feel like we are better than ever. Spending a long weekend together in Byron Bay was one of the best parts of my year!

Slowly coming to terms with the fact that my life cannot be measured against others - everyone has a different path.

Now as we come into 2012 I have thought of a few things I would like to aspire towards including:-

• Continuing to work on my savings for some long term goals including a home deposit amongst other things. A mini goal here is to also be able to save for a small overseas trip.
• Work on the way I interact with my family/siblings as I am very quick to respond in a negative manner which I don't do with any other people in my life! I am disappointed that I still do this and I really want to change this about myself. 
• Apply myself to my studies and strive to do very well rather than strive to get an assignment in on time!
• Possibly the most confronting for me......... leave my comfortable job with a great employer for something more challenging?!
• Depending on how the year turns out - look at moving out of home!

That is about it for me at the moment, but I would love to hear about any goals/ aspirations/ resolutions/ dreams that you are hoping to strive towards in the New Year?

The Dress Saga- Update!

Thank you for all your encouraging comments on my last post, it only confirmed what I already knew - the dress must be mine!

Never underestimate the power of Twitter people. After blogging about my dress woes for all to see, the lovely M of She Wore It Well alerted me to the fact that the dress was selling on the Westfields website for only $99.00!

Come to mama! 

 Considering it was originally going for $399.00 this is AMAZING! First thing I did this morning was roll out of bed and purchase it and it will be with me in 3-5 working days, yipee!

It's been a while since I've gotten a bargain, I am very pleased indeed. 

Has anyone else got any bargains to report? Do share! 

xx

The Dress Saga

I went to do some Christmas shopping with T today when I spotted a gorgeous dress in David Jones that I thought might be nice for New Years Eve. I decided to try it on as it would only take a minute..... OR SO I THOUGHT.

Because the material didn't stretch and it was covered in sequins it was a little challenging to put on , especially as I went a size down because dresses tend to be a little loose in the chest area for me ( WAH!).  Once I had it on I thought it looked quite nice if not a little tight and lumpy around my butt.

I love the back too, very pretty.

Then I tried to take it off. Hmmm. Getting it back up over my butt was one thing, but for the life of me I couldn't get it over my arms/shoulder/head.

My thought proces went a little like this:-

1. Denial - This dress can't possibly be stuck, I just need to keep wiggling.
2. Acceptance - OK it's stuck. I'm stuck in this dress.
3. Anger- I'M STUCK IN THIS F#@KING DRESS. WHYYYYYYYYY?!
4. Fear- What if I am stuck in this dress forever? I'm going to have to wear it to work everyday. I'm going to be the girl who wears sequins during the day. GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!

In the end I got permission of the girl at DJ's ( who no doubt thought I had problems ) for T to come in help me wrangle this dress off. After much effort I was finally free, but I'm pretty sure I lost half my skin and hair to sequins in the process.

Long story short, I should have tried the next size up instead of fleeing in my frazzled state. Now I can't stop thinking about it! It was on sale from $399.00 down to $199.00 but of course my size is sold out on the Thurley website! The worst part is I know they had the next size up in store .....grrrr.

So opinions please, should I continue on a mission to find and obtain the dress that nearly destroyed me today?! And if I did get it, what accessories would be appropriate?

Friday Ramblings

Firstly, check out this song. Amazing. AMAZING. I am in love. Of course I just found out Lana Del Rey is playing a show at the Oxford Arts Factory in Sydney in February and the tickets went on sale and promptly sold out this morning. DAMNATION!

Totally suits my mood at them moment- but I won't even start on that for fear I will never stop!

Thought I was getting to finish work for the year on Monday, that has now been changed to Wednesday. I can barely get out of bed in the mornings. Gah. 

For the first time in my ENTIRE life I submitted an assignment a day early this week. It felt so GOOD. So that is what it feels like not to be finishing off referencing 30 minutes before it's meant to be turned in haha? Might have to do this more often. 

My oldest friend from back in my primary school days texted me this morning to let me know that she is being induced to have her first baby this morning. SO EXCITED! BABBBBBIEEESS! Nothing cuter than a baby I tell you. I was thinking about my three best friends from when I was around 13-14 today. The one I just mentioned is of course having her first child, another is married and has two children and the last one is getting married next week! It would seem I am a bit behind haha? As I am 22 I am not worried! 

Next thing: OVER SHARERS. I've discovered throughout my life that I have a special quality. Apparently if there is someone within a two kilometer vicinity who loves to share every single detail of their life, I shine like a golden beacon and they come talk to me. At the work Christmas party this week I had a man tell me all about his two knee reconstructions, how his sister donated a kidney to him, how his Endone tablets make him feel like he can fly and that the last time he ate prawns he had gout so bad he couldn't walk for a week. Not only did I have no clue who he was, I don't even know how he started talking to me. WOW. But hey, that's nothing compared to the girl who decided to give me the full rundown on her psychotic episodes and a detailed history of her past drug use as well as dysfunctional family life the week before last. Hey chick- I DON'T KNOW YOU SO WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS!

I'm sorry, my life has been so boring lately and I have nothing to blog about! Now excuse me while I continue to consume the contents of Christmas hampers with great enthusiasm. 

New Years Eve

Last night I went to the movies and saw New Years Eve. You know the one, has about three million actors in it including Katherine Heigel and Lea Michelle, both of who I cannot stand! I'd say the actual film was average but it did really make me want to spend one NYE in Times Square NYC. Now wouldn't that be brilliant?!

It got me thinking about NYE in general. I feel like each year I plan on having the most CRAZY, FUN, WILD night EVER and each year it never lives up to my expectations. Also, despite the fact I can stay up late basically any night of the year, I feel like falling asleep at 10:30 on NYE ha ha!

I haven't made any plans for this year yet so I guess I have left it too late to do something really fun, but my god please don't let it be worse than last years house party where we were 'shhhhhhhsed' when screaming out the countdown and where the host promptly went inside at 12pm, drew the blinds and basically waited for us to leave :/ :/ :/ . YES REALLY. To make matters worse I was forced to leave my jug of lovingly prepared sangria behind! RIP YOU DELICIOUS JUG OF BOOZE!

NYE 2010!

This year T will be overseas so I won't even have a midnight kiss! Wah!

I think I'm going to buy a bottle of expensive champagne, wear a new frock and hope for the best!

Have you got any plans for NYE? Please let me live vicariously through you!

Espresso Espresso

Finally visited a little gem of a cafe before work yesterday called Circa Espresso in Parramatta.

I had heard and read good things and seeing my Twitter gal Anita visited there confirmed it must be good!

Having worked in Parramatta for a number of years, I had given up hope of ever having a coffee that wasn't bitter, made with burnt milk, or resembling the contents of something squeezed out of a dirty mop.

This place is AMAZING.

First up, the coffee is good. Not the absolute best I've had but it's actually enjoyable to drink. Big tick! They also sell Little Marionette beans which is good to know, as I really enjoyed the coffee at Little Marionette in Balmain.

I had the French toast with rhubarb, labne, pistachios and cinnamon. It was so delicious and most importantly not too eggy (vom!).

It's a small place with a very laid back vibe, and wouldn't be out of place in a lane way in Melbourne. They make the food right along side the tables , you see it all. If you are ever in the area I encourage you to pop in!

Oh I should mention the prices are extremely reasonable.

Circa Espresso - 21 Wentworth St Parramatta NSW.

In other news, check out the chocolate counter at DJ's. I picked out a box as a gift and the longer I stood waiting for the lady to tie the ribbon, the more I wanted to jump the counter and gobble them up! I managed to resist. 

YUM!

Have a good weekend all x

Weekend Wrap Up

Had a lovely weekend!

Friday night I headed to Rockpool Bar & Grill with my girlfriend for some after work drinks and a bite to eat! Wish I could share some photos but I am afraid it is way to dark in there to take sneaky iPhone pics. Flash is out of the question! Finally tried the wagyu burger , sOoOoOo good. Have to admit, that was the first of many NoSugarVember slip ups this weekend, whoops!

Up bright and early yesterday to do my personal training session, did some dead lifts and let me tell you my hamstrings are feeling it today! After the gym I did my usual volunteering gig.

Casual Saturday outfit!

Hard to see in this photo, but I love these Zara pants. Black coated jean type pants with gold zipper detail as pockets and at ankle!

Today I had to get out of bed way to early when T went to work. I had to get my car cleaned professionally after an unfortunate incident last week when a bottle of balsamic vinegar leaked all over my passenger seat :/ :/ You can imagine how lovely that smelt , especially on a hot day. 

While I was waiting I walked to the local homemaker centre , the shops weren't open yet so  got a coffee ( my first all month!).

And then I stumbled upon the most dangerous thing I could have possibly stumbled upon..... CANDLES!

Ahhhhh can't believe I have to admit that I am now ADDICTED to delicious candles. But would you look at these Glasshouse special edition Christmas candles?!

Must resist.....must resist.......Oh I've already swiped my card? Fail. Smells so good though, NO REGRETS!

I brought two of these super cute sets ( also Christmas edition) to give as gifts come Christmas. At $39.95 they are pretty good value considering Glasshouse prices! In a pretty box too :)

My nice and clean car, now lacking a balsamic glaze. 

Came home and decided I had to tackle my hot mess of a room. Not just a usual clean though, my once a year ' get rid of sentimental crap' and 'clothes that you NEVER wear' super clean. 

Now tell me, am I the only one who takes forever to clean their room? It seriously took me all day. I just can't help it, I have to go through EVERYTHING and take a long stroll down memory lane. 

Like my Year 7 diary.....

Ok, I'll admit I loved Beau Brady but I don't recall loving Malcolm in the Middle's big brother hahaha?! EWW.

Found a picture of me when I got my photos taken one day when I was doing work experience at Jackon's on George in the city ( what a seedy dive hahaha). The question was "What is your favourite thing about summer?" by the way! I was 15!

Finally sorted all my little photos out and put them in a photo album. Some great memories here, whether it be me and the girls skipping school to go to the shops, being under the influence of a lot of wine at an engagement party, or the really old ones I used to stick on my bus pass.

I threw away photos for the first time today. Ok, they were really bad ones of a girl I was friends with in Year 8 and zoo animals but seriously, I've never done that before. Progress!

De-cluttering feels so good!

Are you the type of person who can just throw old cards etc or are you like me and keep holding onto them?

NoSugarVember

So if you watched my November Goals video or follow me on Twitter you would probably know that I am currently participating in NoSugarVember. Yep, a challenge to cut out sugar for the month of November. If you are interested in learning more about the finer points pop over to Natalie Carter's blog and check out this post.

I thought I would do a post about my journey so far and a comparison of the changes I have made with my eating habits. 

Breakfast:-

THEN :- Toast with  butter and vegemite or avocado, two toasted sandwiches ( with plastic cheese, the horror), yoghurt with fruit and honey, left overs!

NOW:- Grilled bacon, avocado, tomatoes, lots of rocket, small amount of goats cheese fetta, youghurt with a low sugar fruit and cinnamon. Sometimes i will have a vegetable omelette if I am in the mood. 

Before Lunch:-

THEN:- A few coffees per week on skim milk, more than occasionally accompanied by a blueberry bagel with cream cheese and honey ( oh how I miss thee!). 

NOW:- A small handful of unsalted raw nuts. As much tea ( I don't like mine with milk/sugar) as I like. 

Lunch:- 

THEN:- Most of the time I would make salads to take to work, eat fruit or tuna with biscuits. Some days I wouldn't bring anything and would get Vietnamese salads or sushi.

NOW:- Two mountain bread wraps with a spread of ricotta, sliced cucumber, grape tomatoes, rocket and some protein like shredded chicken. 

Afternoon Snacks:-

THEN:- Any form of lolly I could find in the cupboard at work ( I slayed those Minties) or a low fat yoghurt from home. There is a RIDICULOUS amount of sugar in low-fat yoghurt. Carrot sticks, salted nuts.

NOW:- Small tub of natural yoghurt with half a pear. Another small amount of raw nuts. Carrot sticks. 

Dinner:-

THEN:- Whatever we were having at home, or would make myself something to eat usually a salad or veggies with chicken etc etc. 

NOW:- Not much different, though I won't eat white rice or pasta with my meal. Instead I will have it with more veggies ( zucchini, broccoli, rocket being my favorites) or quinoa. 

What I have learnt:- 

Protein is key! I could eat enough salad to fill a swimming pool and will still be hungry 30 minutes later if I don't have some protein with my meal. 

I also don't actually miss sugar THAT much, I actually think about it less. I don't feel that I have had to sacrifice too much, and after this month's challenge is over I will let myself have a treat on special occasions. I wasn't drinking much soft drink before so not much has changed there. 

A sugar free diet isn't as boring as you think it would be. You can still enjoy two pieces of low sugar fruit a day. 

The hardest part:-

 Hidden sugar in sauces and condiments is something I need to remind myself to check for. 

Going to events like birthdays, parties etc is a challenge because that is when those little treats you never really get to have come out! No one likes passing up that kind of stuff, it's hard to resist.

Getting over the urge to get a coffee in the morning ( and sometimes a treat...). I don't dwell on it, just make a tea instead. Surprise surprise, life goes on without coffee! I am not a must-have-coffee-or-i'll-die type but I do enjoy it and this is the longest I've gone without any in a while. 

My tips:-

BE PREPARED! 

I like to do a small shop on Sunday night to get some things together for the week. I just take it all to work and leave it in the fridge and put it together for lunch each day. So much easier then getting up a little earlier in the morning to make something. 

Drink lotsssssss of water and tea. I find a lot of the time this helps kill cravings and gets you through a little longer to the next meal.

Use lots of herbs and spices to make your meals interesting. Nothing like some basil with tomatoes and avocado with breakfast, makes me feel like I could be ordering out at a cafe!

And now for the BEST PART EVER.

Since starting this challenge my stomach has been FLAT. HALLELUJAH! Since taking refined carbs out of my diet  ( white bread, pasta and rice) I have lost that bloated look and I am loving it sick.

ETA: I feel like I have lost a little weight, but I haven't weighed myself consistently as that hasn't been my focus. 

I also feel a little less sluggish, but my energy levels have not improved noticeably. Sleep and low iron is probably to blame for that. 

Well that was a bit of a long post, but I hope you found it interesting. If you've got any tips to share please do!

I'll do a quick update at the end of the month to let you know what a month without sugar feels like. 

Beach Trip

Today I did one of my favourite things in the whole world, spent the day at the beach!

I love Freshwater Beach because it is not too hard to get to ( given I live out west!) , it's a beautiful place, it's not toooooo crowded and most importantly, you can actually find a parking space less than 6 suburbs away from the beach ha ha!

Beach trips call for bright nails and salt water friendly accessories!

I love this polish, it is Rimmel 'In Style Coral'. I brought it last summer, it was so cheap. I hope they still have the colour!

So this isn't one hundred percent compliant with 'NoSugarVember' but it was the best I could do. And I enjoyed every single bite. I've been going great, perhaps I should do a post on my sugarless journey as the month progresses. 

It was such a beautiful day, hot but not too hot, sunny, glorious!

There is something about the beach that completely recharges me , nothing beats getting out there in the waves and letting them wash away any worries or stresses. I know I feel completely zen floating on my back in the ocean.

I was appropriately covered in sunscreen at all times and had the hat and sunglasses going. I managed to avoid blinding the whole beach with my intense whiteness by hastily applying some fake tan on Friday night ha ha!

My hair goes so cray cray after a swim, dry and bleh! 

The best thing next to the beach, is coming home and having a cool shower to wash it all off!

Anyone else love the beach as much as me? Wish I could go more often, must try harder this summer!

Also, Sydneysider's hit me with your favourite local beaches please! I hear Balmoral is glorious!

Fish Eye 2

I recently brought a Fish Eye 2 and have been having fun experimenting.

Haven't quite got the hang of it, after years of exclusively using a digital camera and snapping away freely, a film camera has taken some getting used to! I have to admit I had trouble putting the film in, oh the shame. 

I didn't know you could get copies of your film shots put on CD now! Handy.

Here are some pictures from NYC. A bit dark unfortunately ( though it was really overcast) , I need to do a whole lot of practicing.  

Central Park

Midtown East

Super convoy of police during the U.N General Assembly

This was my second roll, I had some better shots on the first roll I took but unfortunately don't have them on a CD.

Does anyone else use a Fish Eye? 

November Goals!

Ohhhhhhh hello!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend my lovelies. I know I sure did, a combination of sleep ins, fancy dinners, cocktails, friends, pub lunches and sunshine saw to that!

So I have again forayed into the world of videos and now produce my second video!

This time I thought I would share my goals for the month of November ( yep, I'm getting in a little early!), I hope you enjoy. 

Would love to hear if you have set any goals for this month x

Now and Then

Can't believe it has already been a year since my 21st, how time flies!

I was just looking at this post on my old blog, ah memories! 

With the lovely K on my 21st!

I had a very low key birthday this year, just the way I prefer it really. Took myself out for some pancakes and widow shopping on my lunch break yesterday and spent the evening on the lounge with T watching movies in between stuffing myself with all the delicious food my dear mum cooked up for me!

Pancakes!

Mmmmmm crumble, it was all I could do not to eat some for breakfast this morning.

T is taking me out for a nice dinner at Rockpool Bar & Grill tonight which was my one and only birthday request! I love the dining space , its just beautiful. Last time we went was for our 4 year anniversary, I have such fond memories of having to wait at the bar whilst they got our table ready. Long story short, it was a long wait and we accidently got kind of hammered ha ha!

Yessssssssss!!!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend, and thank you for your comments on my last post !

Shake It Off

I feel like I have been stuck in a bit of a glum mood the last few days. Not good, not good at all! 

There is nothing worse than being in a bad and or sad mood, I can't stand it myself because I hate feeling down and I especially hate when I inevitably take my feelings out on unsuspecting bystanders eg. poor T!

Time to retreat to my standard mood-busting activities I think!

Spend more time with my boyfriend:-

Mushiness alert! T is so suuuuuuper cute and shares an incredibly bizarre sense of humour, he never fails to make me laugh. He is also really good at bringing me back down to earth and helping me realise that some things really aren't a big deal, and instead of whinging, do something about it!

Source: We Heart It

Boxing:

 This ALWAYS work for me. I don't visualise punching peoples faces or anything, but just hitting something as hard as you can for an extended period of time is amazing. Always works, whether you've had a bad day at work or your everyone is just being a JERK!

Hot Bath:

 Get that bath tub nice and full and jump on in. Add something that smells nice, light a candle, put some music on. RELAX.

Sleep: 

When shit gets too real or you can't shake your mood, sleep on it. Call it quits early ( no playing on your iPhone for hours in bed either) and just sleep. Chances are you'll feel better when you wake up, even if you don't at least you had a good solid 8 hours of unconsciousness.

What do you do to shake off a bad mood? Please share your wisdom with me !

Another Weekend Wrap Up

Ahhhh so I didn't manage to post anything since last weekends wrap up. My bad. Here is a wrap up of this weekend. 

I wore : 

Anthropologie striped maxi dress with asymmetrical top. I am into maxi dress' in a big way at the moment, I like simple colours and absolutely NO halter necks myself. So comfy and easy to wear.

I drank:

A truck load of cider and too many vodka sodas. Loving it. 

I went:

Out for drinks with my girlfriends for some pre-birthday celebrations, damn you mid week birthday!

Was so looking forward to downing a few million mojitos but the place RAN OUT OF ICE. No thank you I don't think I will be waiting 20 minutes for my drink, give me a Strongbow ( poor substitute by the way.....).

Our table number is my soon to be age, damn this past year has gone quickly.

I burnt:

Glasshouse Coconut & Lychee candle. So summery, so good. A big thank you to my gorgeous bestie for gifting this to me!

I hated:

The fact that my skin is getting it's freak on and has morphed into a itchy mess! WAH! WAHHH I SAY! 

My mum is sooooo nice and brought me a bodywash from Lush to try help, thanks ma!

All up it was pretty good as far as weekends go!

Thanks for all your good wishes last week, am pleased to say I did pass my exams! YAY! YAYAYAAY! Although they did sent the results to my house early so I was convinced it was a letter of failure and spent a good two minutes having a nervous breakdown before I opened it :/ :/

This week: re-enrolling for uni, my birthday, boy toy taking me out for a super nice dinner on Friday!!