TIME FOR A NEW ME

New year, new me.... just kidding that is up there with my least favourite sayings. I don't want to be anything other than myself , I don't want to be a new me but rather an ever evolving same me. I think there is something about the saying, new year, new me that disregards the growing process and gives off the idea that you weren't good enough as you were. Having said that I do still write new years resolutions in my visual arts journal, somethings are specific like last years, quit smoking, some a bit more general like dorky cliches such as "don't worry, be happy." 

This year I am really excited to start my degree so one of my new years resolution is to do my best at that. I want to learn to meditate. I have already got an app for it called "Calm" and have done it a couple of times, it was actually really surprising how difficult it was to sit and practice mindfulness for only 10 minutes. I am a terrible fidget so I think it will take time and practice. I want to increase my fitness levels, last year I started using the Nike+ training app and have found it really good, I've recently downloaded the Nike + Run Club and have been enjoying adding running back into my fitness schedule. One of the resolutions that I most want to achieve this year is to learn to drive, it has long been on my list of things to do and this is the year that it will finally get done. Next on the list if to spend less time on social media, not in the sense of less blogging but spending less time scrolling, I feel like I am spending more time that I want to be observing other peoples lives and not enjoying my own and It just isn't how I want to spend my time at the moment.

My apologies it has taken till the now to write my first post for the year, like I planned it has been heads down, work, sleep and count down the days until I go on holidays. I have two days left of work and then it's time to fly to America for my first ever trip there.  Would love any suggestions for places to go to in New York of Los Angeles, particularly fashion stores, good soy coffee and vegetarian food. Happy New Years, hope 2017 is wonderful so far xx

Pastel Cross Bracelet - Nile Perch

Bubble O Necklace - Saturday Lollipop

Pink Tank - Old season Topshop
Pastel Slip Dress - Second hand from Depop

Pastel Rainbow Striped Socks - Kmart

Reebok Nylon Classics - Hyped DC

Photos by Kye Smith

NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS

The last day of 2016 is here and now is the time to do inevitable reflection of the year that was.  If social media is anything to go by it seems that I am one of the few people that isn't desperately wanting 2016 to end. There have been a lot of deaths of a lot of really inspirational. cool people this year which really sucks. What it does show is what can be achieved in a life time and how privileged we all are to be blessed with the bodies of work that have been left behind for us all to enjoy.  

For me personally,  this  year has been one of love, growth and achievement. It has had it's moments, times where I have wanted to rip my hair our with frustration but overall it's been a wonderful year. I have gone through a few of the big things that have happened for me this year: 

Finishing Open Foundation and getting into a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Quitting Smoking - 5 months and going strong

I have to say the most wonderful thing that has happened this year is my best friend asking me to marry him. I knew in the first week of talking to him on the phone that he was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. In the first week we spoke for forty hours on the phone and two and a bit years, my heart still skips a beat whenever he calls me. He's currently in Boston so you will have to excuse me if I am getting a bit sentimental. At the end of April/beginning of May my partner took me for a surprise trip away. I didn't find out where we were going until I got to the airport, so impressed he managed to keep it a secret. He'd organised an amazing trip to Tasmania, it was my first time there and it was absolutely beautiful. We visited the Salamanca Markets and Mona Gallery, which has been on my must visit list for a really long time. On the first of May we drove the hire car from Hobart to Launceston, a delightfully scenic trip filled with snacks and awful singing (by me). Half way to Launceston there was a sign that said the highest point and we drove up the off road track next to the sign. It was the most breathtaking countryside and we stopped the car to take in the view. My partner got out his ipad and showed me this video he had made:

Of course I said yes. Everything about the moment was perfect and it was so us. Straight after he also showed me a Good Riddance (my favourite band) drum medley he had also made but I was to overwhelmed to take it in. I couldn't believe how much he had done for me and in that moment and in every moment with him I feel like the luckiest person in the world. 

Since then of course the question that everyone asks is, "How is the wedding planning going?". I feel like I have kicked them in the face when I tell them "Uh.. it's not." The truth is life has been busy, I've been focused on study and my partner has been focused on his visa and getting to the states and all other time has been taken up supporting each other in achieving our goals. There hasn't been the time, no that is a lie, at this point in time we don't really want to make the time for it. I use to want the big wedding, especially the big dress (think Gwen Stefani's pink dip dyed wedding dress) but things have changed. I've seen people planned weddings and they seem really stressed and it seems really expensive and I'd rather spend that money going to Japan or buying Lazy Oaf haha. We will get married one day but it'll  be when we think of something that feels like us and I am not sure what that looks like just yet. 

Which leads me to my big life lesson this year and that is to enjoy the moment. As Garth from Wayne's world would say 

It's really lovely to be engaged and just enjoy that and live in that moment, not always on to the next thing, like they are a series of boxes to tick -  marriage, babies, morgage.. death... . And furthermore, next year to enjoy studying rather than purely focusing on what the end goal is because it's kind of a long time to commit to focusing purely on the future. I am not saying that having goals is bad but that sometimes it's good to do things and just enjoy them for what they are in that moment and maybe not put all the focus on their end goal. 

Wishing you all a happy and safe New Year, see you in 2017 xx

Gold Pineapple Necklace - Lovisa 

Fresh Fruit Shirt - Lazy Oaf

Limited Edition Sunny Milo Tote - Lori Herbst

Fruit Salad Leggings - Kid's section at Target

Roshe BR - Fuchsia/Lava - Hype DC

OI TO THE WORLD

This outfit wasn't my initial Christmas outfit, I had a dress coming from Ebay but it didn't arrive in time. I was checking my aus post status updates feeling initially hopefully and then bummed I was going to have to pull something together last minute. The positive is that it made me dig out this cherry/gingham skirt I made a few years ago and barely wear, considering the amount of time it took to hand gather the gingham ruffle it really deserves more love.

Hope you are all having a wonderful festive season spending time
with those you love xx

Gingerbread man studs - Saturday Lollipop

Red Bralette - Cotton on Body (on sale for $5 at the moment!)

Kate Cami (aka candy candy top) - Bardot

Cherry/Gingham Ruffle Full Circle Skirt - diy

Reindeer Socks - Cotton On Body
Gold Glitter Sneakers - Rubi Shoes


photos by Kye Smith

CUTIE CUTIE SO CANDY LOVE

First round offers came out on Friday and guess who starts their Bachelor of Psychology next year!! Although I am currently loving the break from uni work I am missing it a little bit too and cant wait to get started in my degreee. But for now it's time to put my energy into planning things to do while I am in New York and LA, I can't believe I go in less than a month. xx

Cookie Monster Cupcake Studs - Saturday Lollipop

Lilac Crop Top - Topshop

Lazy Oaf Sweet Stuff Sheer Top - Depop - this is the one that arrived with a big hole in it but you can't really notice it. 

Motel Candy Stripe Skirt - purchased this from ebay, I bought the little hot pants in the same fabric from asos when they first came out but I never really wear them. Not enough places to wear hot pants, was super glad to find the skirt version. 

Rainbow Striped Tote - Vintage - I think from Salvos

Nike Air Max Thea - Hype DC