Bucket Lists

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Bec

I’ve been thinking a lot about Bucket Lists lately, which I admit is more than a little morbid. Putting aside my genuine affection for lists of all kinds, there is something so romantic and deliciously systematic about a Bucket List that I can tick off as life rolls along (the ticking off is the BEST part). And should I not finish my list, a loved one can carry out the remaining items in my honour which would make a delightfully predictable rom-com. Jessica Alba would play me. Any woman over 50 would be played by Diane Keaton.

I digress. The irritating thing about my Bucket List is that I can’t think of anything to put on it. Which, as I tweeted this morning, either means I have lived a ridiculously fulfilling 24 years or that I have no soul. The former probably holds more truth.

I consulted Pinterest to help with my Bucket List.  The results ranged from hilarious to completely inane. Some ideas I had already done:

Some were amusing:

Some were bizarre:

Huh? I don’t even… Why? Is this a thing from The Notebook?

And some were plain boring:

Who on earth gets to the end of their life and says “Remember the day I finished an entire bottle of OPI Big Apple Red? Those were some good times…”?!.

I think it might be possible to have something on your Bucket List that you never knew was there. For example, when I went to Italy in 2010 I suddenly realised that I had wanted to go since I was little. I fondly recalled cutting out pictures of the Colosseum and Pisa from travel brochures and begging my Mum to take me to Pizza By the Meter on Lygon Street. After I left Italy I felt a deep sense of satisfaction, which is either indicative of how much gelato I ate or of the fact I had finally carried out I long held wish.

Sticking with the theme of travel, there are a few things I can put on my list:

  • See Machu Picchu
  • See the Pyramids
  • Live in Manhattan (failing that, Brooklyn will do)
  • Go to all the Disney Lands/Worlds

My list probably needs some padding out with meaningful things such as ‘Be called Mum’ and ‘kiss in the rain’… Ugh, this is harder than I thought. I think the only definitive thing I can put on my Bucket List list is :

  • Write a Bucket List

Wish me luck! Do you have a Bucket List? What’s on it? Any suggestions?


Posted in Misc, Travel | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

DIY leather bow necklace

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Bec

 

This is by far the quickest, easiest DIY I’ve completed. I made it a while ago but forgot to post the photos in the craziness of the last few weeks. So while I’m currently tucked up on the couch with the dreaded lurgy, I thought I would share it with y’all.

1. You will need some scrap leather, I used leftovers from the hem of a skirt I took up.
2. First cut a rectangle out of the leather, mine is approximately 14 x 10cm
3. Cinch the middle of the rectangle until you get your desired bow shape.
4. Wrap some thread around the middle to hold the shape.
5. Cut a small piece of leather to cover the thread, I cut approx 1.5cm x 5cm.
6.Using hot glue, fix the small piece of leather in place. Voila! You now have a bow. At this point you could attach it to a bobby pin, headband or a bangle, but I’m going to add a chain to made a necklace.

Glue the ends of the chain to each side of the bow, I didn’t measure the chain, I just made it long enough to slip on over my (sizeable) head.

Isn’t it cute? I’m going to make smaller bows and turn them into hair pins (…one day).

Let me know what you think.

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Instagram Update

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Bec

Hello One and All!

How lazy I have been since arriving home in Melbourne almost one week ago. Perhaps not lazy, but perhaps too busy basking in the joy of being surrounded by loved ones to tend to my dear blog? (Side note: I have no idea why I am writing like a character from Pride and Prejudice?!).

Anyway, here are some photos of what I’ve been up to.
I flew in last Friday about half an hour after my friend Claire arrived from Sydney (clever, non?!). That night we were joined by more friends for drinks before heading back to Tarn’s house to stay – a huge thank you to Tarn and her housemates for having us! The next day we attended my school friend Andie’s wedding. To say I was on the verge of bursting from happiness the entire day is a gross understatement. Andie wore not one, but three stunning dresses. The entire ceremony was in both English and Mandarin (it was like being at the Olympics!) and everything – the food, reception, table centre pieces, band, cake, dancing everything! – was perfect. Andie and her new husband just looked so, so happy and I hope they are enjoying their honeymoon in Thailand at the moment.

Pretty wedding outfits.

 A bridal swing dance.

By Monday morning Claire and I were completely spent, having not been to bed before 2am since arriving. We had breakfast on Chapel Street followed by lunch in the city with Sophie (a fellow Vienna exchange student) and Tarn.

We also got photo booth pics done. Obviously we didn’t know when the first shot was going to be taken…
Next I headed to country Victoria to hang out with my Mum. I got to meet her new dog Charlie (looking very serious in the photo above) and new kitten that we named Benson. I don’t have a photo of Benny in focus yet because he can’t sit still.

 Mum and I headed to Melbourne yesterday to see old friends (like family to us). We had delicious Yum Cha for lunch and as usual, ruined the paper table cloth.

We also went to an op shop in Preston where I had ridiculous success. I bought the floral blazer above as well as an amazing vintage Hawaiian print dress, a great suede and leather cropped blazer and a beautiful blue shirt dress. Earlier in the week I scored a Victoria Maine suit dress, a silk coral shirt and a belt for $19. I love Melbourne op shops.

I head back to Melbourne tomorrow for more fun (including a trip to the football and brunch at St Ali) before the dreaded flight home on Sunday night.

Also on my mind are; my new job (I start on Monday, cue nerves) and off-shore processing, due to be passed in the Senate tonight.  While I can’t stand the thought of sending asylum seekers to tents in Nauru or on Manus Island for an undetermined period of time to be ‘processed’ , I’m all for stopping deaths at sea. I believe Australia’s attitude to asylum seekers is disgusting and fundamentally wrong. This gets me down a lot. But more on that another time.

Happy Friday xx

Posted in Misc | Tagged | 4 Comments

Stripes

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Bec

I love me a horizontal stripe.

How was your Monday? Frankly I might still be recovering from the weekend. I have a big week ahead. Thursday is my last day at the newspaper I work at. I’m pretty sad to say goodbye but I have a new media job to go to. Friday I fly home to Melbourne for 10 days! Exciting. Today was the first day of a huge mining conference in Kalgoorlie. For once suits outnumber the high-vis jumpsuits around town which is slightly easier on the eye.

I’m still attempting to catch as much Olympic action as possible, but failing miserably. In other news you may have seen me on Mamamia’s Wardrobe Week today.

I’m off for more leftover cake, have a great week x

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24: An Olympics themed birthday.

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Bec

Just a couple of instagram photos from my Olympics themed birthday party last night. It was such a fun night and I really enjoyed going to town with DIY decorations.

I believe I now have the same amount of gold as the Australian national team. Bazinga.

Posted in DIY, Misc | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

White blazer.

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Bec

Is that not the most exciting blog post title you have ever seen?! I bought this non-curry-friendly blazer on a shopping weekend in Perth recently and thus far have managed to keep it pristine. How long it stays that way remains to be seen. I also purchased this amazing neon green silk shirt on the same weekend. Happy Days. Sad bank account.

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Travel Tuesday: this moment

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Bec

The Red Light District, Amsterdam.

I’m taking time out from my regular Travel Tuesday format to bring you a single photo. A single memory. I love this photo. I love this photo even though it is mostly out of focus. It captures the moment so perfectly and every time I look at it the way I feel when I’m travelling comes rushing back. Light, free, optimistic, full of possibilities.

Not many photos can do that. Also, I’m wearing pleather pants. Yessss.

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ASOS Guest Post: Wrap Up In Neon

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Bec

You guys are well aware of my affection for anything neon. It is a trend I firmly refuse to let die, but admittedly, it is a little harder to work into a winter wardrobe. So when Laura contacted me on behalf of ASOS to do a guest post on neon winter warmers I said yes.

Winter may be well upon us but that doesn’t mean we have to hide away in black and navy all season long. A great trend which continues to grow, as more people start to embrace it, is neon. And it really can be a great way of keeping cosy whilst staying firmly on trend.

A knitted jumper is always a winter essential and this fluorescent orange cropped jumper is perfect for a little extra warmth when needed. Worn with skinny jeans and a white shirt this colour injection packs a real punch into a classic look. The cropped length will also make it a great cross-seasonal piece as it will be a fun look in the spring over a jersey maxi dress.

Trousers are always going to be a winter staple, but this doesn’t have to mean wearing the same old indigo or stone wash jeans day in, day out. A fab wardrobe update is to switch your usually tame colours for a bold, bright neon pair. To keep the look sleek and not too OTT a simple black jumper and ankle boots will complete this look.
If large items of clothing in vivid neon is just really not for you then why not use accessories to add in a pop of colour to your existing wardrobe. These lime green kitten heels from ASOS will be perfect for a shopping trip teamed with your favourite skinny jeans and a crisp white blouse. For a cute evening look they will also add interest to your staple LBD.

A large tote bag is a brilliant day bag, perfect for carrying all your work stuff around, and you will look über stylish at the same time, result! And don’t worry about if this vivid colour scheme doesn’t ‘match’ your clothes, clashing colours is a really fun trend this season so neon really will work with anything.
So go on, edge out of your comfort zone and experiment with this fluorescent fancy, you may just learn to love it!

This has been a guest post on behalf of ASOS.com

My neon ASOS picks (above): Equipment Signature Silk Shirt in Lime Punch, Paul Smith Skinny Belt, Cambridge Satchel Company Exclusive to Asos 11″ Green Fluro Cracked Leather Satchel.

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Sunday.

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Bec

Happy Sunday Amigos!

Apologies for the lapse in blog posts. It’s been an interesting weekend. Friday night I went to a 1980s Las Vegas casino night. It was great! I got to wear all my neon things, sip sparkling wine and remind myself why I never gamble.

Saturday morning I was headed through the door into work when my right kneecap decided it was time to leave home and twisted so far out of its socket I ended up on the ground hitting my leg in a vain attempt to put it back in place. Eventually the knee cap conceded and popped back in. Damn dislocations. It’s been a while since the last one.

Saturday night I headed to the basketball with my lady friends to take advantage of my work’s sponsors box. The Goldfields Giants won. I never want to hear the word DE-FENSE again.

Today I am lazing around in true Sunday style before heading out to do the WAG thing at the soccer (do you like my WAG outfit?! Needs some super sized sunnies…). Tonight I’m going to see Magic Mike. I haven’t been this excited about a movie since Spice World in 1997. Expect glowing reviews!

Have a great week x

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Under the sea

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Bec

I have been saving this Zara dress that I bought while I was away (in Ljubljana no less) to wear to my friends wedding next month. It’s not exactly what I would call Melbourne winter friendly, but I love the ocean graphic and the simple cut. And so I will happily freeze through the hanging-around-out-the-front-of-the-church-for-no-reason part of the day because that is what good Melbournians do. I will also wear a blazer.

After the wedding I will no doubt add this bad-boy to my sad collection of once-worn dresses earmarked for an outing to the races. I will actually wear it to the races though. Promise.

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