Dog gone.

I have had so many thoughts about blog posts but since becoming a studying, commuting, preparing-to-move, career woman, spare time is very hard to come by.
It is one week until the big move to Sydney and I cant wait for it to be over. Im sick of the whole 'preparing for the move' thing.

The biggest step in preparing for the move was to find our adorable, loving dog a new home. We are unable to take our little boy with us to Sydney as we are moving in with relatives.
The drive to Oscar's new home was long and sad. I kept looking at him and he'd be looking up at me with trusting eyes. I was scared that the new owners wouldn't 'suit' him.
As soon as we arrived, all my doubts disappeared. The new owners were lovely and were so excited to have Oscar. We felt so relieved knowing that he'd be going to a great couple that would love and spoil him like we do.

After drilling them on what his favourite toy is and where he likes his belly scratched, we left. I could barely say goodbye, I was choking up.
As I drove away the flood gates opened and I balled all the way home. This resulted in me missing my turn off and adding an extra half hour to our already long trip.
I wanted to text the new owners as soon as we got home but bf convinced me to give them some time.
I keep walking past the back door and expect to see him standing there wagging his tail.
I eventually sent the new owners a text the next day and was told he is settling in great and is making himself right at home.

Ill always love my little boy.

Melbourne.

An early birthday present for myself was a trip to Melbourne with my bf. I'd never been there before so we thought it would be nice to spend a few days in Melbourne as it would feel like a lovely holiday without the huge price tag.

Melbourne was amazing. To say the least.
Bf said (within 2 hours of arriving), "I wish I was rich so I could live in Melbourne and just walk around".
Yes, the atmosphere is just brilliant there!

I took a giant suitcase but only packed a few necessities because I decided to do a whole lot of clothes buying! By the end, my suitcase weighed 19kg (that was just 4 days of shopping).

We loved exploring the hidden allies with the beautiful graffiti work and the little cafes. I have now found a cafe that sells the best hot chocolate in the world (the froth is amazing, I cant even describe it), another cafe that sells absolutely mouth watering wraps (I had tandoori on this really thick kind of pita bread? Toasted of course) and a bar that sells delicious tapas.

We spent a few mornings in Pancake Palace. I am addicted to chocolate pancakes!

Our favourite place of all was this alley that is covered in artwork. We took nearly all of our photos in this one alley.

I have been incredibly busy this last week. Commuting to work each day is very draining, plus I have been arranging everything for our impending move to the big smoke of Sydney!

 To catch you up quickly on my week, Ill tell you 4 things that i've done;

• Made the most delicious choc chip cookies (they didnt last past the second day - all eaten up!)
• Spent some of my early birthday money on some fabulous finds from Sportsgirl. (see above bag)
• Had fun eating Jelly Belly's! (So many crazy flavours! Dislike= the coffee ones. Like= popcorn and licorice flavoured ones)
• Was introduced to the Hamish & Andy podcast from itunes (my commute is much more exciting now)

Top shop.

I am addicted to shopping. My wardrobe is overflowing terribly. I have arguements with my bf about him having a few shelves and me having 3/4 of our double wardrobe.
But lately I have been a bit more like my blog namesake and have been a bit slack on my shopping habbit. I did pick up a few things though this week and these include a $19.00 necklace from Diva and some 'Milkshake' coloured nail polish from Sportsgirl.
Am currently in lust over these two purchases!

Perfect Protest.

I decided to join in on the Perfect Protest and post my own picture and thoughts as I thought it was a great idea and a good opportunity for everyone out there to share their imperfections and still be great!


Me, not at my best, at my Sister-Inlaw's 21st.

I am not perfect, although I hate to say it but I do try very hard to be. I am obsessive compulsive. I have to plan and organise everything. I spend hours everyday trying to look and feel perfect. I scour books to find the answer to being a 'better me'.
But its ok not to be. I know that.
So here are my imperfections. They make me who I am. And I do have to say - I am proud of me!

• I cant cook. I mean, I have my good days but the bad meals outnumber the good ones.
• I have terrible eyesight. I wear contacts and still can hardly see.
• I am not very good at blogging. Im better at reading other peoples' blogs.
• I apparently snore. Ugh!
• When im angry my voice turns into a horribly loud, high pitched noise.
• I rarely walk my dog :(
• Im moody
• I change my outfit 20 times before leaving the house
• Im forgetful
• I cant stop burping when I drink soft drink

I could go on. The list is endless but I decided I should reign myself in and limit it to 10 items.

I cant stop trying, but I can accept that im not perfect. That I can just be happy!

A weeks break.

I feel like I haven't stopped for a long time. The last few weeks have been hectic. Travelling every weekend and sometimes during the week. Ending my last job and preparing for my new job. Birthdays. Baby Showers. BBQ's.
Arriving home yesterday after a long weekend away, my bf and I fell onto the lounge and decided we're not going away for a while. (Well, until November when we go to Melbourne for a few days!)

I finished my old job last Friday and have this week off before starting my new dream job on Monday. I will be commuting temporarily to my new job until we move closer, so my time spent with bf each day is going to be reduced. Therefore, this week, we've decided to just spend some time with each other.

Unfortunately, today has been spent cleaning. But we've still done it together and had fun doing it?!

I thought i'd better write a blog update anyway as i've been a bit slack lately. Im much better at reading and checking on my favourite blogs rather than updating my own!

What a wonderful week.

This last week has been up there with the best.

• I became an Aunty. To a beautiful baby girl.
• I got my opening into my dream career (after a year of hard work, applications and rejections).
• I spent a weekend eating my way around Sydney - Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese dumplings!
• I bought a beautiful dress to wear to my sisters wedding. Im in love!

There is a lot of change happening in my life. For the better of course! I am so looking forward to the future.

Fantastic idea of the day.

Enrol in a beginners Italian language class and then travel to Italy.

Chocolate addiction.

I need to make myself feel better about eating chocolate. So im going to justify myself here.
Like most workplaces, my office is flooded with chocolate vending machines and those boxes of chocolates that are put out to raise money for schools or life saving clubs or other such groups.
I recently lasted 2 weeks without having a chocolate. Prior to that I would have one every day and this week I have been back to having one each day again!
My justification is as follows;

1. I refuse to buy the regular size chocolates and only purchase the 'fun size' ones (partly because of the cost and partly because eating less is better for you?).
2. I always check the fat and sugar content and choose the chocolate that has the least (It still tastes as good!).
3. I dont have any other sweet or dessert that day.
4. I eat fruit and vegies and salad throughout the day.

I try so hard to get home without having a chocolate but by 2.30pm I actually feel like I cant go on without having a little chocolate to get me through.

This is enough justification, right?

I've decided the walk up hill to my car at the end of the day works the chocolate off anyway (wishful thinking). =)

The Hunt.

I have been on the hunt for over a year. Scouring the internet. The newspapers. Shop windows!
The ever elusive dream job.
Or any job really? Just one that is relevant to my chosen career path. Or even just one that I enjoy each and every day.
I have known what I wanted to do since I was in year 10. I have been completing course after course for the last 5 years to assist me in my pursuit. I've had a 12 month stint in the workplace doing my dream job (sadly resigned to pursue a life by the beach).
There are weeks when I think I cant take it anymore and want to give up the hunt. The endless 'unsuccessful' emails and 'unfortunately you didnt get the job' phone calls. My support group (Bf, family & friends) continually tell me, 'You'll get the right job for you and it will be perfect'. To which I reply in my head 'Isnt 12 months enough of a wait?'.
But just as quickly I am invited to another interview or I think ive finally found the job of my dreams and put my all into an application.
Someone told me (I have no idea who or when - you'll get used to me being like that) that for every interview attended (within the Sydney area) there will be approximately 45 'unsuccessfuls' before it. Not sure if that is true, but it sure feels like it!

Anyway, back to my wardrobe. I have an interview on Friday and need to prepare the perfect outfit!

Good luck to any other job junters out there! It will happen!

Picnic day.

Macadamia Farm

Saturday turned out to be everything promised and more. The sky was a perfect blue. The sun kissed the skin very nicely.

A picnic lunch was packed. Sandwiches, greek salad, potato salad and fruit.

We played with the horses in the neighbours paddock at the Lavendar Farm, lay on the grass and ate our picnic and then drove along to a Macadamia Farm!

The owner of the Macadamia Farm gave us a bucket and let us gather the Macadamias off the ground. He then took the outer shell off of them and told us to leave them on the window sill for a few weeks until we can hear them rattle and then they are ready to be cracked open and eaten!

We tested a few that had been prepared earlier (haha) and also bought some Macadamia and toffee ice cream cones (made on the farm). Delicious! (And that is saying something as I can say im quite the ice cream connoisseur).

On the drive home we noticed these 'scarecrows' and had to get some pictures! People are so creative. There were many fantastic displays but here are just a few.

I hope everyone had as wonderful a weekend as I did!

Drink up.

"You can't not drink! Its her birthday!". A gal pals' boyfriend exclaimed today.
This weekend it is a close friends' birthday and a group of us are going out to dinner and then to a pub for a night of eating, drinking and dancing.
"I'll have a few glasses of wine but im not going crazy" was my answer.
"But you have to drink! She wont be happy." came the reply.
It annoyed me a little that this would be the response to my not wanting to drink. I've had my fair share of big nights which has then ended in my fair share of hangovers. I can also hold my own whilst drinking with friends, but the last few months i've just not been a big drinker.
My personal choice. No dietary reasons or anything, I just dont feel the need to drink and I definately do not feel the need to have a big night and end up feeling fragile the next day. Waste of time.
I hated the fact that I had to explain myself to my friends and I quickly advised them that I was not going to be peer pressured into it.
Im attending the birthday party and im going to have a good time. Little alcohol required.

Long whinge short, alcohol is a choice not a necessity. (I dont need to say anymore).

White Balloon Day.

Im currently reading the book, 'Broken' by Shy Keenan. It is a true story about Shy's battle as a child of sexual and physical abuse.
It is absolutely horrendous what she had to endure but she never gave up and kept fighting even when no one believed her.
I've found a group that are fighting the battle against child sexual abuse, 'Bravehearts Inc'.
Tomorrow, the 7th of September, it is 'White Balloon Day'.
"White Balloon Day is not only a day of recognition, awareness and support for the victims of child sexual assault but is also the principle fundraising initiative which enables Bravehearts to educate, empower and protect all Aussie kids."
Please visit this website and make a donation and forward the information to other people to help support the fight against child abuse.

Thank you

Sydney Adventures.

In a few weeks, a gal pal and I are spending the weekend in Sydney. We've both been to Sydney a million times. In fact, I used to even live there for a few years!
But this weekend is going to be different. We have big plans! Lots of adventures to be had.
We've got a fancy hotel (room service provided), a bit of savings and we're ready to take on the City!
Day 2 is already booked up with 'Parklife' (Missy Elliott here we come).
Sunny weather, music, laughter, dancing and lots of festival food - Sounds fantastic, I know!
Day 1 is completely ours to be like a tourist and take on the sites. Some possible activities include: SHOPPING, Ferry to darling Harbour, visit the Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge. The list is endless, I could go on and on and on.
We are so excited. Its such a simple weekend away but its a nice break and so nice to enjoy something without going far from home.

Photos will be provided. The count down is on!

Music to my ears.

The Ipod playlist. A very personal choice of music. Filled with current favourites, all time classics and the odd cringe-worthy song that you secretly love.

Im a closet 'ballad-lover'. You know - Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Guns 'n Roses - November Rain, a bit of Toni Braxton and even Miley Cyrus' latest 'When I look at you'.

My bf strongly dislikes my playlist and I dont fancy his playlist all that much either. But I do have to say that im a bit more accepting of all musical tastes than he is.

But whether you're a closet Abba fan or even like the odd Backstreet Boys hit, everyone has their hidden pleasures.

So turn it up on your drive home from work or whilst cleaning the house and sing along loud and proud! Because each song may have a special meaning to you, or it may bring back a happy memory.
Either way, 'Music is medicine for the soul' (I read this somewhere and couldnt agree more).

Sweet Dreams.

One thing that has gotten me through my first day back at work (after 11 very relaxing days off) is the knowing that tonight my bf is home after 7 nights of night shift.
Sweet dreams and snuggles!

Picture Perfect

Ive been looking around for some artwork to fill my home with and came across this Aboriginal Art Store.
The paintings here are by Australian Aboriginal Artists and are absolutely exquisite.

Here are a few that are on my wish list:

Im going to have to do some overtime at work so that I can purchase one or two pieces! (Or maybe ill get a surprise for my birthday?)

Spring time

It is impossible to not feel full of happiness and life when the first signs of Spring time are sneaking in. I decided to go for a drive along the beach with a nice hot chai latte (Muffin Break does the best!).

My backyard

Everyday should be a reminder of how lucky we are. I am going to start looking for the special things in each day. Ill let you know what I find!

To work or not to work?

I am always coming up with 'fantastic' projects for myself to do to either:
1. Not work at all; or
2. Work from home
Unfortunately, I never follow through with any of these ideas as staying in my current job is the 'safest' option and the most foolproof.


I agree with those that believe we should have a 3 or more day weekend. Isnt life meant to be enjoyed rather than work away all week and collapse in an exhausted heap by the weekend?
But then again, the less we work the less we earn and although 'they say' money doesn't buy happiness, It sure helps, right?


One day im going to take the leap and do something that I enjoy and make my life have some meaning, not just working within the masses.


I know I have many talents and that they are going to waste each day that I wait, but Im also secretly satisfied in the knowing that im slowly working, sneaking, towards my ultimate goal of happiness and daily enjoyment by planning and preparing for the moment when I do take the leap.


Im sure everyone feels the same.


Ill keep you posted on my journey

Sex, I like it!
With all the hype of the new movie, Sex and the City 2, I thought i'd jump on the train and see what all the fuss was about.

Since i'd never really been a devotee of the series, I borrowed season 1 off a friend and spent my day off work watching the show (albeit ignoring a stack of assignments) and I have to say I like it!

As I am a bit late in watching the series, the fashion isn't as up to date as the more recent episodes but the stories are amazing and im seriously considering moving to Manhattan!

Now on to season 2...