Weekly Catchup

Well nothing really that new to report here. Just thought I should pop my head in to prove I still love you! 

Most of my time is being consumed with research and budgeting for my trip to Melbourne/NYC and also trying to find a place to move into once I get back. Talk about a few things to do!!! Oh, plus I'm avoiding all forms of socialising since I'm on a spending lock down for my trip.

I have been a bit naughty though. I did make some purchases last Friday that I had to have before the disappeared. This shop I like has a million and one things arriving every second but they always sell out within days if not hours. I have to buy it when I see it otherwise they won't have it tomorrow. Especially in my size!

Aren't they adorable? They're military inspired and I'm just a sucker for anything in this style. I've always wanted harem pants too! Sorry the colours are a bit off, hate night time photography with weird lighting. Never looks right. Well at least I haven't quite learned how to make it right in any case.

I also found some shoes that were perfect for work. I've been basic, closed toed black pumpless for a while now and whilst it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, I have to really think about which shoes I want to wear in the morning because I'm missing my go to black pumps since they fell apart. These are the PERFECT solution and whilst not being from the house of my favourite designer, (guess who?) they are Italian and have a leather upper, innersole and lining. The best part? I was prepared to pay a great deal of money on my fave designer's shoes in plain black but I got these for a bare $100 AUD on sale!! SCORE! I know I shouldn't be spending the money but come on, how could I refuse such a good deal fr something that I'll wear every second day if not almost every day?

Here's some of the food I've been having in the last week....

Lamb and barley soup with sourdough

Thick home made (by me of course! :P ) pumpkin soup with sourdough

Salmon with frozen veges - my lazy, I-don't-want-to-cook dinner

I've decided for my own good I need to start eating regular and healthy meals again. It's been so-so for the last few months and I think that's why I feel fat. Duh! I started with a ham and cheese roll yesterday and it was soooo good!

See that beautiful freshly made roll? It's absolutely delicious and whilst I don't normally like sandwiches for lunch because they remind me of school, I really loved this roll. It had a great flavour and a bit of crunch!

Today: banana & honey yoghurt with oats, handful of natural chicken flavoured rice & corn crackers, small banana, 2 small macadamia & white chocolate cookies (had to sneak in a sweet treat!) and salmon & veges for dinner.

Hopefully I can keep that good eating rolling! Stay tuned to see whether I succeed or fail miserably.

Okie dokie, gotta get back to my researching. Catch y'all later! xo

Going, Going, GONE!

Dear Diary,

Well, it's been an age since I last spoke to you hasn't it? So much has happened in 20 short and furious days!

Ok, so where do I start? The last thing I told you about was the first open house wasn't it? Well our place was so popular that a couple had exchanged contracts by Tuesday and we sailed through the cooling off period no worries. I was a bit peeved at the real estate agent for showing more people through the following Saturday when it was already under contract. From a buyers point of view it's quite annoying when you go to see a place only to find out it's not available!!!

Anyhoo, so the place is sold and we have to be out by the 13th November. That still leaves us 2 and a half months to find something else which is plenty of time. We're still undecided about whether or not we'll buy or rent. Oh the joys of the fickle property market!

What else has gone down? Oh yeah! I got told that I'm going to the US for work in October!!!! I am over the moon about that but I'm also pretty scared because I'm not sure how much money I'll saved by then as it's such late notice. I just hope I save enough for a week after home office training! You can't go to the US without shopping!!

You know how I've been itching to take my Nikon D5000 out for a whirl? Well A and I met up and walked through the Botanic Gardens to hone our photography skills and I must say that whilst I took some horrendous pictures I did end up with a few I really liked.

The picture with the tree trunk was completely natural, no photoshop involved. I think it's so cool! Oh and that egg thing surrounded by plants? Believe it or not it's made of metal! Another cool thing I found in the gardens. Such a fun day that we have to do again. Somewhere else though.

After our hour or two of wandering around the park we decided to call it quits because we felt some rain starting to come one. We quickly legged it over to the Ship Inn for some gourmet pizza and cocktails. We got there just in time as it started raining heavily with strong winds about 2 minutes after we got there! Sorry, no pics of the food, just a description as I felt a bit self conscious pulling out my dslr in a crowded pub!! I had a kir royale cocktail and a cripsy duck pizza.

Oh, um...those Valentinos I said I wanted? They were sold twice on the bay but for some reason the transactions never went through and I was fortunate enough to finally snag them.

Aren't they super cute? They are going to get some much wear over summer and I think they're work appropriate when I don't have any meetings scheduled of course.

I finally pulled the trigger and bought a T-Bags dress that I've been drooling over from this ebay seller wendell_62vae

 Photo belongs to wendell_62vae

And to finish off my post I'm going to show you some food porn! I don't know about you but I ADORE Mars Bars and rice bubbles so combining them in Mars Bar Slice is absolute heaven for me. I try not to make it too often otherwise I would be the size of the Michelin man by now since I eat a batch in a couple of days flat!!

Look at all that caramelly, cripsy, gooey goodness *faint* And it's about the simplest recipe you can find.

Ingredients: 6 Mars Bars, 50g unsalted butter, 3 cups of Rice Bubbles

Dice Mars Bars and butter and melt in mixing bowl over boiling water. Once melted combine Rice Bubbles and pour into slice tray. Set in fridge.

How easy is that?! That particular one above will fill most of a slice tray. You can add less or more Rice Bubbles depending on your preference.

Now that I've made y'all hungry I think it's time to say goodnight!

xo

Our First Open House

Dear Diary,

I am so angry at tradesmen right now! You know how we had carpet laid on Monday? Well turns out that they left a hole in the wall at the top of the staircase.

Shocking huh? And before you say I should have seen it I didn't have my glasses on and I thought it was just a ding that I could putty up and fix. Well I jumped up and down since they also broke a trolley we had under the bed by crushing it to death. I was more concerned with the wall as we are trying to sell the place!

Anyway, I spoke to some douchebag "problem-fixer" at Carpet Court who just tried to weasel his way out of the damage claim and said "oh well, we can't take any responsibility for any property damage we may cause". I don't think so buddy!! You cannot legally contract out of negligence in this country. I don't even know if you can do it anywhere in the world.

I finally got some resolution and the carpet layers were going to come out either Thursday or Friday first thing in the morning to "help" me fix the problem but they would text me confirmation even though they said it would more than likely be Friday morning. I hadn't heard from them by 7am on the Thursday and figured they weren't coming so off I go to work. I get a call at 7:53am from the carpet layer saying he's outside my place!!! WTF? So there went my Thursday morning...at least the wall looked a lot more presentable when all was said and done!

Much better now isn't it? Barely noticeable. And I discovered a great product, liquid gyprock!!! It's fantabulous stuff.

I've had a pretty bad eating week so far, chicken fried rice and fried potatoes to name a few dishes in the last week or so!

Today was our first open house inspection and I was blown away by how many people wanted to see our place. We had 11 groups through and 2 of them have already requested contracts. I did also feel quite violated by the open house as people were not respectful of personal space and opened cupboards up left right and centre checking everything out. Of course my cupboards were stuffed to the gills with everything I didn't want them to see, weren't they? The thought of having a quick sale makes me happy and very, very sad at the same time. To think I may only have 6 more weeks in paradise.

I was a little naughty tonight and got some takeaway from my fave Japanese place Edoya Sushi Bar in Devonshire St. Tempura udon and age-teriyaki tofu! I shouldn't really be spending money but I was a little depressed over our place possibly selling really quickly and having a fight with M that I just had to have some comfort food.

Oh and I took this picture last week as well. Shot on my baby Nikon on colour setting Vivid+1. This is why I don't want to move out *sigh*.

Well that sorta wraps the last week up for me. Might head off to bed now. 

Catch ya later alligator!!!

xo

Packing...blech!

Hello Sunday night and MasterChef finale!

Nothing new to report here really. Still haven't found a new place, just packing up the old one and getting some basic repairs done before it goes on the market. Can I just say how much I abhor packing?! I'm not sure there's anyone in this world who actually enjoys packing and unpacking. If there is, please put your hand up and I'll beg you to come do it for me!

A couple of new outfit pics for you to look at too. I love the pictures my Nikon takes, such good, clear pictures. If I hadn't blurred out the background you'd be able to tell but I'm sure no one wants to see my toilet. Maybe in the new place I'll have a mirror that's not in my bathroom.

 19th July: DVF Tessa with Scooter ruched kitten heeled boots

Friday night was casino night with the work girls. I have to say I was very good, didn't gamble or drink. I was on a budget so that might be why. I also don't have any photos because M took my little point and shoot with him. I didn't particularly feel like lugging my Nikon around like a tourist!

Luke Nguyen has opened a restaurant in Star City casino called Fat Noodle. I have to say it wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as his restaurant in Surry Hills called Red Latern.

 23rd July: Portmans cotton stretch pants, panda singlet, black zip jacket with cream leather jacket over the top and my Christian Louboutin Penny Girl flats

Saturday night I got my cook on and made a honey mustard chicken from scratch. Just look at it!

Easy peasy - cream, seeded mustard, mild American mustard, honey and chicken are the ingredients. 

Brown the chicken in olive oil, add the cream and seeded mustard, stir, add honey and mild American mustard and simmer for 10-15 mins. You could have it with pasta or rice. I had rice as I love soaking white rice in the sauce.

Today I've done nothing but finish off my book and pack some more. I now have 10 boxes packed and about half my wardrobe to donate to good will. I can't believe how quickly you accumulate clothes you don't wear. I've been a bit ruthless in my cull but I've had to be as I know I haven't worn quite a few things in more than a year.

Dinner was a pizza with the lot and the best thing about it is I still have at least 2 more dinners out of it - YUM!

Now I'm just kicking back watching the finalists battle it out!! On that note I'm off to have a cup of tea and watch the rest on the couch. Night!

Six months is not a lifetime

Dear Diary,

I'm so sorry I have neglected you!! Things have been a little crazy here and I'll tell you what I've been up to in a second. How have you been? Have you missed me? C'mon, don't be so cold! I'm here now aren't I?

Ok, since you don't want to talk to me I'll tell you what's been going on with me lately.

Well M finally finished uni and he got a job with a major construction company. That's great right? Bad news is that he has to move to Coffs Harbour for 6 months. That's 5 hours away!!! And I'll probably only get to see him once a month or so. I shouldn't be complaining but he finally finishes uni and I can spend time with him and he gets sent far far away! Not fair. 

I mean it'll be a great experience for him and I don't begrudge him at all. Unfortunately I can't move as my job is based in Sydney CBD. So I guess I'm in a long distance relationship now. What makes it worse is that he'll be away for his birthday next month, our 5 year anniversary in October and my birthday in November :(  C'est la vie!

We've said farewell to a bunch of friends trekking the Kokoda trail in PNG. Personally I admire their guts and drive to do it but think they're crazy!!! If I were super fit I would maybe consider it..even then....

We met them at a bar that served 1kg of ribs with chips for $20! You cannot beat that for value. And it was DELICIOUS! I wish I hadn't shared with M and got my own. I might have been sick though as that is a lot of ribs.

We've celebrated a 30th and boy did that make me feel old! Aside from the fact that it was the week before payday and I was skimming the bottom of the tin, I just didn't feel like being out that late in Kings Cross. I remember the days when I could party all night and still feel refreshed in the morning. Those days are long gone! I think I made it to 11:30pm, eep!

Oh yeah, I cooked a dinner of lamb steaks seasoned with rosemary and garlic with roasted potatoes and green peas. Delicious!

We're also putting our unit up for sale as we are sick of living in a one bedroom unit. We need something with more space and room to grow. We want kids one day and a 1 bedroom unit is not going to cut it. There have been real estate agents trampling through the house non-stop and we, sorry I, have to de-clutter the unit since M's has gone off to Coffs now.

We thought we had found a new place and our offer was accepted. Unfortunately the agent neglected to tell us that there were other contracts out for the same unit and then before our solicitor could get the contract someone else had already put a deposit on it. We were heartbroken as it was exactly what we were looking for! I guess there is a better place out there waiting for us.

Bailey has been shipped off to mum and dad's whilst this take place as we won't be home much and it's better for him to have fun in the country chasing bunny rabbits, echidnas and goannas. He's even getting walked every hour! I certainly can't live up to that.

I've been promising myself I'd buy myself a new camera for a while. I was hemming and hawing over which camera to get but finally settled on a Nikon D5000 dslr. I did a post previously on all the things I want and I believe this was on the list. I had slated it in for February/March but shoes got in the way as usual. At least now I can take top notch pics of my shoes!

Isn't she pretty? I am so excited about this baby and she takes wonderful pictures. I just need to learn how to use an slr all over again since I've forgotten a lot of things. Here are some pics I've taken with it so far.

Accessories

Traffic - love the vibrancy of colours in night time traffic

Baked ricotta cheesecake from our farewell dinner downstairs at Fratelli on Cooper.

M left this morning and I promised him I wouldn't cry and that it wasn't a big deal. I mean six month is nothing right? Wrong, I broke my promise and I started bawling when it was time for him to get in the car and drive away this morning. Such a big sissy I am. But I will miss him very much, I already do. He's my best friend and I hate that I can't run into the next room and scare the shit out of him and then laugh myself silly over it, or tell him about the auction I just won or snuggle up with him when we watch tv at night.

Six months is a long time but it's not a lifetime.

xo

Celebration!!!

There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you

Kool & The Gang had it soooo right. I am in fine form tonight and ready to PAR-TAY!!! June 30th was rough and I barely made it through by the skin of my teeth and I still have A LOT of tidying up to do but hey, I'm in July now :D

Now a couple of things came in whilst I was slaving away last week but I didn't get a chance to photograph them because since it is winter our light appears after I get to work and escapes before I get home. I finally got a chance to photograph my new arrivals on the weekend. Maybe I present with great price my new Christian Louboutin Lady Claudes in Marron Glace metal patent. The colour is a superb neutral and I can see these getting a lot of use in summer! They are a little loose in winter though as I found out tonight.

Another item to arrive last week were my Gilt items. I have waited a long time to get my hands on some Amrita Singh jewellery and now I finally have some. Thanks to R for her fabulous help!!! xo  This is me on Saturday before going to my great aunt's 90th birthday celebrations.

And now the reason for the party mood, you ask? Well today I found out I got a well deserved promotion if I do say so myself! I have been working towards this goal for the last 3 and half years since I decided that I would give the insurance industry a go. I cannot even begin to tell you how ecstatic I am. I know that with this move comes more responsibility and more accountability but I am more than ready for it. I'll have my bad days and I'll my great days. You can't have one without the other and like any job I'll love it and I'll loathe it.

I couldn't sit still this afternoon after I got told and I rushed off after work as M and I had plans to have a celebratory dinner. He has a great job and now I have a new position so all the more reason to celebrate.

The pub downstairs has a new restaurant open as of today called Fratelli on Cooper so we decided to give it a whirl.

Garlic crust

Bacon & boccocini lasagne

Fettucine Gamberi

Outfit: jeans, singlet, Anthropologie Spilling Ruffles cardi & Christian Louboutin Lady Claudes in Marron Glace patent

Well I'm off to bed now so I'll catch up with ya'll soon!!!

Stuff I've been doing, buying and wearing

Well hello 7am!!! I don't often leave for work at this time so I am pretty wowed by the fogginess of the morning. It's not shown in the picture very well but it was kinda cool. I've been doing long hours lately and I've pulled a few 12 hour days since it's end of financial year. Blech!

For the first time in a long time I found some non-designer shoes that I adore. They have the cutest zipper rosettes on them and I'm a sucker for anything with zipper embellishments on them!

Poor Bailey was sick on Friday night. Something must have upset his stomach as he wouldn't stop vomiting. His bed and blankies went into the washing machine and the poor thing had to sleep on towels and a set of pj's I had been given but never wore. I would have had him sleep on the bed with me except for the fact that I didn't really want to wake up to a sea of dog vomit! I don't think anyone would to be honest not matter how much they loved their dog.

Saturday night we had a birthday dinner at El Bulli for a friend's birthday

Outfit: jean leggings, black top and jacket with Christian Louboutin Madame Claude in leopard patent.

The boys being cheesy!

This is the most extravagant paella I've ever seen!!!

The paella confirmed my belief that crab is not worth the hassle. It's so much work to get to the meat and then there's not a lot of it!!! I prefer lobster for sure!

It was a cracker of a day on Sunday and we decided to go for a wander around once our heads were firmly back on our shoulders after the festivities of the previous night! I got a chance to wear my new Christian Louboutin Almeria wedges and they are simply the best!!! Stylish, practical, and they get major points from me in stability too. I didn't walk for hours but I think I might have been able to in these! Can't wait to really work them out.

Didn't quite get the picture I was after here - wanted the soles to show too, dammit!

I'm off to bed now to prepare for one of the most hellish days on earth, followed by one of the biggest nights on earth....June 30th! I'll let you know how I pull up on Thursday :)

Naughty, naughty, naughty me!

I've gone a bit nuts lately...we had a long weekend last weekend and I'm afraid I kinda bought a whole heap of goodies! That's what happens when I have time to trawl through the internet and call around stores...eep!

A few things popped up (or I found them) and I couldn't resist. Well, some of them I had had on my mind for a while and then finally took the plunge on buying them, some were impulse buys and others were things I thought had disappeared and when they reappeared I just had to snap them up quick smart! Am I convincing you that I needed all of them yet? Hahahaha!!!

First up, a couple of items from Asos that I justified I needed as I haven't got a yellow dress or black jacket yet. Plus the yellow dress will go perfectly (I hope) with a future shoe purchase of mine.

  

Next up, some Gilt.com purchases - a dress from Torn and Amrita Singh Napea earrings in turquoise. I had been drooling over these earrings on Gilt for a few weeks but only the red version was available and I was only interested in the turquoise version. All of a sudden they popped up and I just had to nab them before they disappeared again!

I have been anticipating the arrival of my next purchase for a few months. I am waitlisted for them in London in both peacock AND prune satin but they had looked like not appearing until September/October as part of the main Fall/Winter collection. All of a sudden I found them on one of the smaller stores in Europe and it was instant love/lust and I just had to have them...may I present my gorgeous Christian Louboutin Madame Butterfly Pump 120 in peacock satin!!!! *swoon*

I will have to post some outfit pictures of them soon. Can't wait to wear these babies out and about to show them off! I'm also waiting for another parcel to arrive but I'll leave y'all to wonder about what it is. That way I can leave something to the imagination and so that you tune in

Oh, how could I forget to post food shots? We went to brunch on the long weekend last week and I just realised that whilst I actually took pictures I forgot to post them on here!! We went to one of my favourite brunch cafes, Omlette.

Mine: potato hash with wilted spinach and poached eggs

M's: french toast with banana, bacon & maple syrup

M's brother T's: eggs benedict with double smoked ham & avocado

Now it's Saturday night, well Sunday early am and we've gotten home from M's cousin's party just in time to watch Australia vs Ghana. I'm steaming with annoyance here with the rubbish refereeing at the World Cup! Plus I'm constantly annoyed by those bloody stupid horns blowing in the background.

I mean, Harry Kewell got RED CARDED for not moving his arm in time while Ghana tripped us and only got YELLOW carded...WTF?  UNFAIR!!!

Anyway, I'll leave you with that little rant before I really explode over this travesty of a game!