Sunday 29 July 2012

Sunday Mornings

When I started today, the day was grey and cold.

After brekkie with my newly returned from overseas bestie I read the paper by my inspiration wall
I lit my vanilla candle while I finished my assignment
Newly returned bestie brought me pressies
I indulged my multiple inner 'I'm your number one fan' stalkers at the JB Hi-Fi sale
I browsed Sarah Wilsons IQS cookbook

I recovered my childhood sweethear Mumbo (right). For awhile now (a year) the planner in me fretted over Mumbo's whereabouts as in the event of an emergency, he would be the first thing I grabbed. Father B got on it and rescued Mumbo from under the house so now I am at one with the universe again, and ever prepared for a dash. (Notice such was my attachment I also had a back up Mumbo- obviously 'it' was by no means the partner that Mumbo was, hence 'it' did not get used as much as Number 1 Mumbo did. But just in case.)

Then the sun came out, Triple J streamed Splendour live from my speakers and all was well with the world again!

Happy Sundays x

*In the interest of entertainment giggles, if you scroll back up to look at Mumbo...his right leg got like that as I used to suck my thumb and rub his leg across my lip. Obviously I do not do anything of the sorts these days but it is clear some time and effort went into Mumbo's comforting me with his leg. What an battlefield injury to tell the other toys.






Saturday 28 July 2012

Wisdom

"Be Content With What You Have; Rejoice In The Way Things Are. When You Realise There Is Nothing Lacking, The Whole World Belongs To You"

- Lao Tzu

Splendour Blues

Sigh. This weekend the entire world bar me is at Byron Bay for Splendour In The Grass. Not so long ago I was on a record of nearly striking five years in a row. The conclusion of Splendour just had me counting down the 364 days to go until the next one. I swore I would bring my (future) kids when it came to it so mumma can still have a boogie and unleash her hippy spirit via henna, an armful of string bracelets, gumboots and headbands. Unfortunately work commitments have stolen this pleasure away from me and all I can do is reminisce. Splendour is so much more than just an event, its a culture. I miss the road trip, with the token Maccas stopoffs and random friend making with all the other north bound grommets. I miss the Big Banana photo op. I miss the wedding chapel of evil, the rainbow slurpees spiked with my BYO vodka, the carefree vibe, the party in the tee pees, and the occasional 'actual' hippy- glazed eyes, cotton wrap around 'skants' and armpit hair in full tow. AND I miss the music. The eery and powerful sounds of Florence and her machine, the sing along campsite feel of Mumford & Sons, the synchronised dance moves to Hot Chip, and the sitting on shoulders to Birds of Tokyo. The amount of times 'I loved this song' actually turned into a drinking game. Speaking of which, I miss the caravan and the vodka breakfasts, the festive spirit of everyone on the bus, the suspense in walking into the festival and the arrival; the middle of winter sun striking heat so warm a new pair of speciality festival shorts were required each day. Funny how sometimes you can feel such intense love for something. I heart music at the best of times. I heart Splendour more than my potential wedding day!
* Words that I do admit may have escaped my mouth on the odd occasion...
** Granted being the true romantic that I am, once upon a time I have also been known to declare that I would marry Triple J and the Shire's local nightclub if I could...

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Life in The Shire



Today I would like to enlighten my readers on what life is really like in The Shire. This has stemmed from Mondays nights debut of the dramaledy and without further ado I feel I need not rehash the details of what was portrayed. Three of the ‘stars’ I know and were exactly the type of person you would find in our little country. The rest were all clearly scrounged up from across the bridge.

Growing up as a young kid in the Shire, family events were always celebrated in the national park, after school time was spent at Sutherland Library picking out what new Babysitters Club books to hire for that week and school picnics were simply down to Shelly Beach. Swimming lessons and carnivals were at Sutherland pool where you could be sure to encounter half the school. Parents were friends with the teachers (well my mum was) and there was such a community feel in any school event whether it be the annual school fete or the sports carnival.

As a teen in the Shire house parties consisted of being serenaded by the school boys taking on the likes of Usher, once the UDL’s kicked in we then played our ‘Wild megamix’ cds to create a DIY nightclub in a loungeroom. Majority of party go-ers would be all sitting on the floor in the hosts bedroom while the token couples would all be having a secret smooch. Summers were spent down at the beach sunbaking, or walking kilometres at a time in between friends houses just for something to do. Lunch was at Maccas in Cronulla mall.  Always. Birthday dinners were held at GPK. There was even one summer when Good Charlotte came to North Cronulla and put on a free live concert. Exercise consisted of a walk along the Esplanade at the beach then a coffee in one of the many cafes afterwards.

As an early adult, come festival season buses were hired to transport all 40 of us out of the depths and into the normal inner city parklands (including the token stop at the petrol station along the way). The same bus would be waiting to pick us up and return us all home. After the riots, visits to the beach were not the same so the locals would now hang at secret nooks of beach that only Shire knowledge would allow. Boating along the Port Hacking River with the esky filled with Cruisers whiled away the days. Night time would bring early evening drinks at Northies before heading to Fusion nightspot. Same crowd each time. The comfort of everyone knowing everyone is slightly unsettling however now leaves me feeling odd and lost when I go out elsewhere and cannot recognise anyone. Every new person met in the Shire is another 4 people gained once knowledge and history is discussed of shared friends. An alternate night out is to The Brass Monkey, an underground bar/dining establishment with a small loungeroom type feel hosting live music, the likes of Josh Pyke, Andy Bull, Pete Murray and Matt Corby to name a few. Dinner at El Sol, brunch at Nun’s Pool and cocktails at Zink, and coffee at Grind are just a few of the amazing local places to be seen at.

If you go down to The Shire today what could you expect to find? A tight knit community, the boys all boys boys, good looking and funny; the girls attractive and friendly girl next doors. Footwear is bare foot in summer, thongs in winter. Dress code is shorts and singlets, jumper if you’re cold. The waves would be rolling, surfers can be perved on all day, the cafes are buzzing and a really sunny, happy little ‘country’ would be in action. Am I proud to be from the shire? Yes. Would I settle down anywhere else? No. Because one day I want my kids to have the relaxed, safe and people filled lifestyle I was brought up with. I don’t think anywhere else can match that.

Wednesday 11 July 2012



I am freaking out. Filtering through my usual mountain of daily blogs I subscribe to, I just read a fellow bloggers post over at Desserts for Breakfast and I quote "I celebrated my last mid-20s birthday. (Next year, I officially enter my "Late 20s," which is terrifying, given all that I haven't yet accomplished!) "

I turn the ripe old 25 in nearly a month's time and until five minutes ago I was feeling pretty excited about it. A huge part of the reason being that I love my birthday with as much fanfare as an MTV reality star would celebrate their birthday with. Age is just a number. 16th August is a day that I was brought into the world and should be acknowledged with gusto each year. Madonna was also born on this day. Elvis died on this day. Need I say more about how amazing this date each year is?

Until, I read that. 25 looks fundamentally life changing, what a transition phase! Next year though, I am no longer a spring chicken, I now become a "late twenties" and that makes me wonder what the world on the other side of fresh brings?

Should I be pondering my life to date? As stated previously, I definitely had my quarter life crisis at 21 so that's done and dusted and presently, I feel calm and content. Could it be calm before the storm? Or could it be calm before a whirlwind of new? Hmm lots to think about, perhaps in the meantime I will just bake my thoughts and put them in this cake.

Sunday 8 July 2012

Woman Who Inspire

At the moment I have two woman that are totally the source of my inspiration in life. Both these woman are polar opposites of each other but I guess that shows you can always find common values in the people you admire. I also think its good to be a fan sometimes so you stay motivated to aspire to forever be awesome.


1 2 3
I think Asher Keddie is just stunning. She is such a natural beauty, so humble yet so talented and well liked. Part of me also can really see myself in her alter ego Nina from Offspring. The socially awkward, bumbling and stuttering her way through relationships and walking around with a continual inner dialogue running-  that's me to a T! However whilst Nina perfects her poker face while she argues with her inner voice, I still need to work on that!



1 2 3

Now this one I can explain. A couple of weeks ago I went to Lady Gaga's concert, I had bought the ticket under the premise of well der it's like 50 Shades of Grey, you might not want to like it, however you read it cause you know its going to be good and you would be a cotton headed nini-muggans not to (except to contradict myself I stand by my refusal to hop on the Grey bandwagon- but you get my point) anyhow, in this one concert I became so eager to let Gaga know in fact, I am a little Monster and what can I do to show I'm your biggest fan? She was outstanding. A girl of 26, again so humble in stating she has come from singing to a bar of 30 to a crowd of 30 000 and still has such a long way to go. Gaga had raw talent that you just dont see these days. She sang every song to perfection, each song had a costume change and there was a whole production to her show not just a stand alone with a mic kind of gig. This girl is worth every cent of her fame and more. Needless to say her albums have now been purchased and on repeat on my ipod. I also got creepy and purchased her coffee table book. Im one step away from carrying around a teapot and cup wherever I go (for visual purposes only).

Naw, poor Asher, I clearly got carried away with my Gaga spiel but I promise you I love them both equally!

* Cringe I also just re-read this and have totally, accidentally referenced a Gaga song in my Asher tidbit