Sweet sweet nectar

Have you ever heard of a nectar list? It's like a challenge to the bucket list. Rather than setting goals and achieving challenges, it's all about acknowledging what you HAVE - the 'nectar' of your existence thus far. A brilliant idea, one I first read about in women's health magazine, but I believe ultimately coined by Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sierra-vandervort/the-nectar-list_b_5753464.html

So. Here's my nectar list for 2014.

1. I've purchased two houses
2. I've reduced my alcohol intake by more than half.
3. I've done my first hip hop yoga class (and many more since).
4. I've married the love of my life.
5. I've ran around Hoan Kiem lake with my friends and written funny post it notes over Vietnamese iced coffee in Hanoi
6. I've changed jobs and found an incredibly interesting / challenging position.
7. I've attended three beautiful weddings.
8. I've eaten at Tetsuya's.
9. I've started the foundations of my own business with my best friend.
10. I've swam in the glorious Maldives.
11. I've eaten fabulous tapas in Barcelona and strolled the streets of this gorgeous city.
12. I've visited - and loved - Hobart. For the first time.
13. I've been spoiled rotten and inspired by my beautiful friends over a weekend in Sorrento.
14. I've written off a car ( a first, hopefully a last).
15. I've attended the 80th of my stoic, loving grandmother.
16. I've eaten at Messina.
17. I've done by 5 km PB.
18. I've seen Wicked for the second time.
19. Michael and I have welcomed our first nephew into the world.
20. I've shopped up a storm in Kualan Lumpur.
21. I've cleared 7 years of clutter and junk away.
22. I've seen my favourite band - The National - in concert.


And I'm not even sure it's the half of it. Pictures to follow!

Thanks 2014. You've been bonza.

Space, space, space ....

I've been thinking the last few days that I need some space - physically, emotionally, mentally. Building space into our lives is necessary - not only to rest and digest, but also to develop resilience.

Don't get me wrong. 2014 has been a bonanza - two houses, a wedding (mine), four other weddings (close family and friends), three countries, a new job (for me and Michael), flatmate moves, new business opportunities and massive lifestyle upheavals. But there's a point where you start to feel like you need to do less 'doing' and more 'being'. For example, I've made all these weird, scatter brained little mistakes lately which are just ... not me, and I think, a sign of stress and overwrought. And I think a sign that I'm crying out for some quiet minutes / hours / weeks.

It's easy, too, to get enveloped in the rush and to lose sight of the bigger picture. For those of you who are in Australia and have watched the news unfold, the Sydney hostage crisis which ended tragically for some in the early hours of this morning serves as a timely reminder - goals, jobs, errands and to do lists will always be there. Things that are beautiful and special can often be fleeting. Put down your lists people! I'm going to do that just now - my dog is begging for some much needed play time.

x

Please stop burning that money in pocket, it hurts.

Oh hai, there online shopping world. Didn't notice you there...

LIES.

There's nothing quite like running into the Australia Post delivery man and  having him squeal SO MANY PARCELS, CRAZY LADY AT NUMBER 52 to make you realise that a check in to the rehabilatory Tom Ford Clinic might be imminent. I like to pretend that he knows me only because it's a small street (it's not) and/or some of the parcels are for my boyfriend or flatmate or dogs (they're not).

Nonetheless, I am buying Very Important Things which fulfil my ongoing resolution to buy quality over quantity. So, in the interests of assuaging my guilt and sharing with you the products of my downsizing wallet but bulging wardrobe, here are some of my online picks:

Nordic Fusion clogs, which just make your little heart and feet and toes sing with all their cuteness and shininess. I chose patent fuschia for me and red patent for my mum as a gift (a mother daughter shoe team, the foot equivalent of Motherboy from Arrested Development). Here is a picture of them on my feet, and as you can tell, both the feet and the shoes are having a Nice Time. You can't tell from the angle, but the shoes are acutally smiling up at me, saying 'thank you for buying us'. Well, that's I what like to think, anyways. You're welcome, shoes. So welcome.

Incidentally, you can also buy these puppies at Urban Jungle in Prahran, which might actually be the sweetest store on Greville Street (running in hot competition with The Lunar Store).

Now, where was I? Yes, make up. Now, some (everyone) might say that I already have ample make up stocks however I am going on a three and a half month holiday and am supposed to be 'packing light' (the apostrophes reflect that I don't really understand what this term means. If you imagine your grandmother saying 'LOL' and you'll know what I mean). Since the new NARS palette - aptly titled 'The Happening' includes bronzer, blush and eye shadow fun, I thought it fit the bill. I got mine from Kiss and Make Up because I am too lazy to go to the shops (but just energetic enough to take deliveries of packages at my front door step), but you can also get it in store at the lovely Mecca Cosmetica

I've developed a mild but very healthy obsession with Pop Basic which offers collections (I'm still waiting for my beta collection, ahhh) of basics and little treats (the first was a polka dot blouse and two necklaces - I'll put photos up soon). I think - am speculating based on things I've seen on Stalkbook - that the next 'basic' will be a breton top in which case I might just lose my mind and need to have a wee nap whilst the party rages around me.

So that's me. If anyone has any tips on this 'packing light' business, please send them my way. My imaginary suitcase is a unhappy mess of three blazers, 9 'basic' tee shirts, 4 perfume bottles and a small parliament of owls, so I really do need some assistance.

So I went on a plane and forgot to pack enough clothes. Oops, etc

So I have tagged this post as 'see', though perhaps it should be more aptly tagged 'buy'... You see, I am on holiday in Perth. Living in Melbourne, I was not prepared for, oh, consecutive days of 35 degree heat.

I used to live in Perth and am somewhat (happily) surprised when I return to find little boutiques, bars and cafes opening up. In Mount Hawthorn I discovered The Annex....

In the interests of not melting into a puddle in manner of the Wicked Witch of The West, I indulged with summery options. Yes! I need these if I am to survive! AND I walked away from a pair of Dita sunglasses which framed my round, slightly sunburnt face. WITNESS THE RESTRAINT!

For Perth dames, The Annex is at 145 Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn.

Puppies

Sometimes, there is no better feeling than patting a puppy. Holly isn't really a 'puppy' per se. More a 'slightly demented 5 year old dog with predilection for eating pegs'. Nonetheless, there are so many feelings you get from petting her. Peace, gratitude, and simplicity.

Arthur is a different kettle of fish. He's a little ball of complexity and loves cuddles more than dinner, walks and terrorising cats combined.

We adopted them both from the animal shelters and, in retrospect, were lucky to stumble on fur babies so special.

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