ETC
December 29, 2016
Tata 2016, Hello Shiny New 2017
[Onetangi beach, Waiheke Island, NZ, December 2016]
This year I pegged down a whopping big 3 blog posts lol. What I lack for frequency I make up in consistency though, because I have always posted one final recap post before the year is out.
Looking back on this year...
February 25, 2016
Favourite Finds #3
One very bright and hot day in Oia, Santorini, August 2014 - my head was cooking nicely towards 'well done' inside that hat.
January 2016 has passed us by, so we've skipped a month, oh no wait, we've skipped two. It's now the end of February 2016... and I think I've procrastinated quite enough. Before I know it, we'll be a quarter way through the year and my to-do lists will get out of hand again.
I had 20 links to share in my last Favourite Finds...well I hope you have a whole pot of tea and a jar of biscuits ready, because this time I've upped the ante and blown out to 30 :)
December 29, 2015
Toodles 2015, Hello Shiny New 2016
Well this year has been one for a few changes, and before the year is finished, I'd like to reflect on the highlights and poignant parts of the year. I think it's become a blog tradition for me to reflect, as this is my online diary of sorts and I like to keep myself in check and to ensure I count my blessings.
Last year's reflection post was interesting. I spoke about being on a windy path to happiness and ended it with a toast to everyone (myself included) to finding self fulfilment, new adventures, stopping to smell the roses and making brave decisions.
Well I did indeed make some brave decisions and we have had some new and fun adventures... but I am still very much jogging along the windy path and will never really see myself getting off. I'm still excited for the challenges and goal kicking that is going to happen in 2016.
And so this year's reflection can be summed up by my top 5 memorable and important points:
October 08, 2015
Favourite Finds #2
[Photo of a delicious Dole Whip taken at the Dole Plantation farm in Hawaii]
When I first built up this list of links (at least a month back - WHOOPS), the weather here in Sydney was torrential rain, windy and grossly cold. Just when I thought I put my winter coats and tights away because Spring/Summer was here, I pulled them right back out again. And then over this past long weekend, the glorious sun and hot winds came out blazing and we were treated to temperatures of 30+ degrees celsius. This is what you get for living in a country full of extremities.
No matter where you are though, I hope you find some time to yourself to unwind, relax, grab an iced tea (or hot cuppa) and perhaps feel entertained or compelled to expand your mind a little while you thumb through the following list. I know it took a long time to post another one of these. So I've blown out this time and have 20 odd favourite finds (reads) to share :)
As usual, you'll see a mixture of good reads themed around personal entries, funny reads, business-y subjects, girl-power and a mix of interweb finds ranging from unusual, funky and pretty things, beauty bits (and perhaps a quick fire review), life enhancing and uplifting ideas.
Enjoy!
September 11, 2015
Pearls of Wisdom For Myself
Today's my birthday and I'm feeling like a wise (old) owl today, so I thought it would be nice to write down a few bits of advice and what I've learnt in the last year, kind of like those posts where you write to a younger version of yourself, but I'd like to write this to myself a year ago. A time when I left my corporate job, stuck 2 fingers up to the sky (peace sign of course) and proclaimed #yolo.
Your time in Europe with Jase is precious. 5 weeks is going to fly by and you're going to pine for more when you come home. Cherish it always and if you forget for a moment how lucky you were to experience 5 weeks of bliss on the other side of the world, sort out your thousands of photos and edit that video already!
Your patience will be tested and you have to believe that things happen for a reason, things in life are timed for a reason. Trust in the timing. Everyone's timelines are different. Opportunities will come in their own time as long as you put the effort in.
That nagging feeling you have had about pursuing your hair and makeup dreams are not going to go away anytime soon (they haven't gone away for almost 10 years). It's probably going to take you almost the end of your 8 months off to realise this, but when you do realise that the opportunity is NOW....take action and keep working hard. Something that has always been part time can become full time. Yes it's not going to pay the bills at first but you can find a balance between your analytical and creative brain and take up contract roles in the corporate world. Make it work for you.
If you're going to preach the #yolo mantra, go hard or go home.
You hate quitters, so don't even think about being one yourself. Stop worrying about the things you can't do and find ways to do things with what you CAN do. Everything always has a workaround.
Remember those that have supported you all along. Take stock of those peeps that raise your spirits and lift their hand up to you for high fives... and forget the ones that doubt your dreams or simply don't care. You're getting too old for that crap.
Aspire to the successes of others and remember they also fought hard for their dreams. You will have to as well.
Learn learn learn. You can never know enough about your craft(s), and you can always learn more about other people's perspective on things.
You're going to want to go out less than before... it's okay. You're allowed to be more introverted in your older age. Own it. But don't be too much of a hermit.
What do I hope for my next year after this birthday?
- Tick off my never ending to-do lists, or stop calling them to-do lists and re-label them "brainstorming sessions"
- Carry on practising patience and mindfulness. Remember to be thankful that I have the luxury to make the decisions I can afford to make today... others aren't so lucky.
- Carry on learning.
- Commit to the workout plan. 30 minutes a day is NOTHING.
- Plan the next eye-opening trip... hello NYC take 2! Don't take Australian beaches for granted!
- Remember whatever I end up doing or decide to do for myself or our family, happiness, above all, is always the most important thing.
I'm off to celebrate my birthday, starting with a day off to get my hurrrr did. Brunch, cheeky wines, quality time with friends, french crepes, beach time, a nice dinner out and catching "Straight Outta Compton" is also on the agenda! Have a great weekend!
X
June 23, 2015
Favourite Finds
If you're one of those peeps that like to go online to look up a specific item, then find an hour later you are YouTubing best fails of 2015, this is maybe the kind of post you like.
Every now and then I'm going to plop down my favourite links around the globe. They're most ideal for those times you have a bit of time to kill on the train to work, need some advice, want to know about things you don't know, or some general inspiration and tips for a bit of zing in your life.
I like to visit links I haven't seen before and my phone/Evernote app is full of screenshots and links that I like to save for a rainy day and feel like sharing the love among friends. You may find some bits and bobs about my opinions on things. Read on if you like :)
Here are my current favourite finds.
1. 4-7-8 sleep method for insomniacs.
2. Mac matte lipsticks to come in permanent including shades that match current lip liners, I have my eye on Kinda Sexy. Velvet Teddy and Heroine are in the line up for future MLP Swatch of the weeks!
3. Blogilates 3 min abs (now no one has excuses for no time... this is literally just one song's worth of abs) or the 8 min swimsuit slim down. I was shocked at how much I was dying during these few minutes. If you feel like a challenge, how about 1000 abs? I may be a bit nuts, but I want to work my way up to this! If any of you guys are going to try this out, lets keep each other motivated!
4. Barefoot blonde hairstyles…IN GREECE. I mean COME ON.
5. Cat Thug Life…I can’t get enough of cat antics or of any animal thug for that matter
6. If you ever want to nosy in a fashion makeup artist’s kit, prepare to have your jaw drop at Val Garland’s makeup kit (warning it is a heart emoji eye inducing 46 min long video). If you don't know who she is, she's well, only one of the world’s most famous and well respected makeup artists. It's really refreshing to see she does not discriminate between high end and drug store makeup brand, she only likes to use what works... ahhhh, a lady after my own heart. Now if only Pat McGrath would open up even one of her 8 makeup suitcases for a show-and-tell ey?
7. Also in the same vain, I've finally started to crack into the ultimate beauty companion; Pretty Honest by well renowned beauty writer; Sali Hughes, whether you’re just starting to peak an interest in beauty, a bit of a beauty noob, a beauty fanatic, this book is a great read and I’ve learnt a few new bits and bob advice from a few chapters so far.
8.
Currently also reading... Paris Pastry Club. You didn't think I would be reading novels would ya?Reading this probably doesn't help my thighs but ... the sweet anecdotes with the most perfectly organised sectioning of recipes, I especially love the section of recipes that serves ONE. This also contains the most useful tips, like did you know you could get the most perfect dent on top of a loaf cake by piping a bit of butter down the middle of the loaf?
9.
Umm... this is possibly my holy grail mascara for my non existent stubby lashes. Max Factor Masterpiece Glamour Extensions Volumising Mascara. WOW. I spotted Chloe Morello plopping this mascara on her lashes and heart eyed emojis grew at the sight of her lashes elongating right before my eyes. Granted, I don't have the length of Chloe's lashes, but man I can really fake it till I make it with this mascara. Apologies for the close up phone pic, but I couldn't take a better pic of my eye with the big camera. I like to think that the legendary Pat McGrath had a hand at developing this little wonder, and this just confirms to me what a living legend/makeup Goddess she really is. There's another one called Masterpiece Transform High Impact Volumising and the names just all get really confusing (I had to check the website 4 times to double check whether I typed the right name), but let me tell you they are all SO WORTH IT.
10.
oh and if you're a non-bride kind of bride, don't forget to check out the new issue of Hello May. My dream is to be featured here some day. Have u checked out this band Duke? I was recently lucky enough to get the opportunity to do Hair and Makeup for their lead singer; Josie. GORGEOUS.
11. An example of working from the bottom and getting to the top of your game; How Rachel Zoe Made It. The hard yards do eventually work out.
12. 5,4,3,2,1 guide to packing light for travel
x
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