To Better Days

It's been a long time since I blogged. I've been missing writing a lot, but sometimes your world is turned upside down and hobbies take a back seat to just trying to carry on! Which sounds far too melancholy - everything that's happened has been for the best and has been liberating to say the least.  It's a relief to be back on track and to have life return to some sort of normality.  Here's to new beginnings, and getting some balance back!

x

A Bit Dark My Friend

My staple diet for the past week

 I have been so very lazy this past week. No exercise, no blogging, no sewing or anything creative - just eating, reading and watching TV. The weather is a mind-numbingly cold mixture of wind and sleet with snow to come, and the rest of the country is worse off than us. Seriously, who can be bothered doing anything?

 

Luckily today is the winter solstice and that means we are finally on the way back out of our wintry dark days. It's not going to get warmer for a while, but at least we'll have more daylight. Plus our winter carnival is on tomorrow with a beautiful lantern parade, so I can't wait to brave the cold and appreciate the beauty of my city on a winter's night.

 

Here's to keeping warm! x

Monday. Seriously.

Yup

Why do I hate Monday today? Well because I am super mad at myself. I dropped my cell in water (no prizes for guessing where) and it was only 6 months old (a Christmas present - waaaaa!). Not a problem in the grand scheme of life but I'm so so annoyed and I hate not having a phone. BOO.

Monday. Seriously - Did You Know You're Actually Tuesday?

WHY are there SO MANY expired yoghurts in the work fridge??! You know you're not going to eat it, WHY even bring it in. Oh wait, I think one of them's mine/I HAVE RUN OUT OF TEABAGS/I wish it was appropriate to lie down in the middle of the office, even just for a second. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and just need a moment/SO MUCH WORK/

Thank goodness for short weeks huh?  Only a couple of weeks until the shortest day, then we're on the way back out - yay! I can't wait, I've really been missing being able to run in the evenings and all this darkness is a serious mood-dampener. Luckily I've got lots of fun things with friends (and inevitibly wine) coming up. I know that I'm usually a stay-at-home kind of girl but I'm feeling cabin-feverish lately, and it's so nice to have fun things planned to break up these dark wintry days...

Freedom

Some days you just want to quit everything and escape....days are cold and dark, work is doing my head in - all I want to do is lie on a beach. Who's with me.

When Books Imitate My Life

I know that a book is enjoyable when the protagonist is relatable, but it's a little unnerving when you realise you often have the exact same thoughts as your main characters.  My current book is the kind of story that makes me laugh at the pithy, resigned way my main character observes his life, but only because I often observe mine the same way.

I'm not yet halfway through my book, which I prefer - I've still got a way to go so I can savour the story, and the anticipation of when I next get to read.  I'm not yet at that panicky stage when you really want to see how the story ends, but you don't want it to actually end - the internal struggle is nearly overwhelming.

I suppose a story is more relatable when it's set in the present, and doesn't involve any exotic locations or supernatural elements. But that's my favourite kind of story. I always seem drawn to books in which the main character is someone frustrated with their (often self-imposed) oppressed creativity, someone who is nearing 30 and still doesn't know what they want to do in life.  

Not that I'm unhappy with my life, but I just think I'm nearing the age where things haven't worked out the way I thought they would, and I'm realising that's the way it is for most people. Does that mean I'm finally becoming an adult? If so, it's about time. Up until now I've felt perpetually 12 - a bit awkward, internally clumsy and with front teeth a bit too big - but still with childish hope.  But lately things have been shifting and I can't really pinpoint when or why.  I'm still hopeful, and my dreams haven't faded at all, but now I feel like someone with determination and the realisation that your dreams don't magically drop out of a unicorn's rear and shower you with sparkles while turning you into a pop-star.  I feel purposeful and more in control, which is probably more exciting than any childhood dream.  Self-reliance is no longer scary, it's liberating and the anticipation of what I'll achieve as an adult is pretty cool.  I only wish it'd happened to me sooner.  

When did this turn into a therapy session. Sneaky books making me think about stuff.

(If anyone is wondering, it's called Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace)

A Public Place to Hide

It's nice to have quiet time in a crowded restaurant.  

If you've never dined alone, you're missing out. It can be a little bit scary to begin with, but if you take a book (or have good games on your cellphone) it can be lovely to sit somewhere warm, have someone bring you food, and just enjoy the time to think your own thoughts and people watch.  My favorite place to go is a Thai restaurant close to work, and I usually go there on days when I think I'm getting sick. Don't worry, I'm not a psycho bent on spreading my germs to unsuspecting folk - but I am convinced that a steaming bowl of spicy tom yum soup can stop a cold in its tracks. Today was no exception. I'd been battling a sore throat all morning, but I swear all that chilli and lemongrass cleared any lurking virus away before it could take hold!

I am naturally someone who likes spending time alone, doing something crafty, or reading. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my friends and going out to parties etc, but if I had to choose I would usually rather stay tucked up at home.  So sometimes a public yet solitary experience can be quite enjoyable - you get to go out and do something fun, but you can make all the choices about what you do, and you can go home to bed whenever you want!  I really want to try going to a movie alone, which I'm sure would be easier than a restaurant, but somehow I think I would feel creepy. Depends on the movie I suppose....

Monday. Seriously.

When I woke up this morning I thought "WHAT. It's Monday already?!  I HATE YOU SO MUCH". Then I shook my fist in a Homer Simpson manner. But now, in the comfort of my sofa, I can honestly say that I still hate it.

Today was the worst. Not only did I have to talk to people and do stuff, but I was nursing the Monday hangover. Now the Monday hangover is VERY different from the Sunday hangover. Sunday hangovers involve slothing around the house, eating lots, maybe feeling a bit ill or headachey. You feel crappy but at least you can hide in your house and recover in a peaceful manner.  

Monday hangovers are a whole other story. If I've been out on a Saturday night, the next Monday is by far the worst day after that. Physically I feel fine, I just hate myself and the entire world around me.  Not only that, but all my money is gone from the weekend so I can't afford anything nice to eat. 

Today I had cereal for lunch, and let me tell you, I was dark. 

Something Nice To Look At If, Like Me, You're Feeling Lethargic

I'm a bit poorly today.  I didn't overindulge on the gin too much, but it was definitely a late night and I really need my sleep. Despite a sleep in I'm still a bit jaded and have the shades of a hangover blurring the edges of my senses. Strong sweet coffee and food high in carbs usually help, but for me, looking at pretty things seems to counteract the feeling-sorry-for-self that comes with the morning after.  So today's post is full of things that are just nice to look at. Plus if I do a blog post then I've done at least one productive thing and I don't feel so guilty about lazing around all day.

So settle in by the fire with a cuppa and enjoy my selection of nice things.

This stunning photo project with a beautiful back-story

This Salted Chocolate Caramel Fudge Cake. Oh my.

This delicious ampersand photography project

My talented friend Julia captures exactly how I feel today

This treehouse surrounded by cherry blossom (Photograph copyright Akihisa Masuda)

My friend Heather cooks this dumpling soup to remedy a cold, but it looks so good, I'm sure it could cure a hangover too!

These pictures have definitely helped me feel better, but I'm also super hungry now...I'm off to rustle up something delicious.

Never Too Cool

This weekend I'm going to a school themed costume party, and getting my costume together has got me thinking about high school, friends, and the fact that it's been 10 YEARS since I was there (sigh. What have I done with my life so far?!). ANYway....

Thinking about high school brings up a mixture of great and awkward memories.  Mine are more awkward than anything - I was not cool and there were a LOT of unrequited crushes (Puberty Blues anyone?) - but one of the greatest things is that I am still friends with most of the same people from school. My high school buddies and I don't often see each other as I live in another city to most of them, but I miss them all tons and I am so grateful that we still stay in touch.  

I'm feeling a little nostalgic I guess...10 years is a long time. I can't believe we're all grown up already.

Yes. That is me. In an "Ever After" inspired medieval theme ball dress. 
Told you I wasn't cool.

Monday. Seriously

My cat is far too greedy/Why am I tired ALL THE TIME/Could people GO any slower up escalators?!!

On Mondays I look like this on the outside (well, similar but crappier):

But I am actually doing this on the inside:

Source

Zero effort pic and the post is a day late but guess what? I was too annoyed to do it yesterday. Ha. 

What gets you riled on a Monday? Tell Aunty Steph...

Monday. Seriously.

It's cold. People talking to me before I am caffeinated. Why can't I wear my pajamas. I hate my hair. I miss Top of The Lake. My back hurts. The chair is scratchy. People whose mobiles beep with every button push. Having to do stuff. The footpaths are too slanty.

I know some people must enjoy the start of the week, but I don't know any of those people and if I did, well I'd probably want to throw my coffee at them. Especially if I met them on a Monday.

I can't help being irritated on the first day of the week, I feel like I've been rudely awoken from a cozy weekend dream and now people are trying make me use my brain - it's not pretty. The only thing I can do is embrace the feeling and allow myself a weekly rant.  It will be carthatic for me, and hopefully entertaining for you. So enjoy. Or not, I don't care. Where's my coffee.

What Are We Waiting For

As I write this, New Zealand Parliament is holding the final debate regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriage.  As I write this, I am watching the live stream of the debate (note - the debate is now finished but this link will still take you to Parliament's live stream - it's fascinating!) and both sides are offering empassioned and stirring arguments.  

I have been following the movement of the bill through its stages and my feelings of support for marriage equality have bubbled up more strongly than ever.  While I understand that everybody is entitled to their beliefs and there are lots of people against it, the question circling over and over in my mind is "why is it anyone else's business who wants to get married apart from the couple involved???!". The more I think about it, the more frustrated and baffled I become, and the more I want this bill to be passed.  

This is the most politicised I've ever been and I'm glad this debate has awakened my political awareness. I want same-sex couples to have the same rights as straight couples, I want people to marry whoever they love, and I want everyone to know it. 

x

18/4 - It's official!! Our Parliament last night voted to make same-sex marriage legal, making NZ the 13th country to legalise it.  So proud NZ xx

Easter

Happy Easter! I'm looking forward to a long weekend, which I will fill with pottering around the house and sewing. I might even try these pretty patchwork eggs from The Purl Bee.   Hopefully I'll also get to indulge in some chocolate and am definitely planning a couple of nice long runs to burn it off!  

Here's hoping for a sunny weekend in Dunedin (except I do hope the farmers around the rest of NZ get some decent rain).

Have a lovely holiday x

Vintage Re-revival

Well obviously I let my wee blog go a bit...nearly a full year since my last post and I'm slightly ashamed.  But not really because it's mine and I can do what I like.  Blogging obviously went way down in my list of priorities, but I really miss doing creative things so I'm excited to get started up again (hopefully this time for good)! Plus winter is on its way here so I'll be hibernating a lot and will need something to do...

It's time for a new start so I've refreshed my blog design and I've got some great ideas for regular posts and features, plus a new outlook on blogging that includes using it as an outlet for honest opinions and creative inspirations. Hope you can join me! x

PS You can actually buy this awesome (and so applicable to me it's scary) card here.

It's The Thought That Counts

As usual I've let my blog slide, but I'm once again feeling inspired and ready to get back to posting regularly. Really this time... I've got lots of ideas for regular features which will hopefully keep me on track, and the winter weather is conducive to snuggling up doing crafty/bloggy things anyway.

ANYWAY, I realised that I've had this blog for over a year now, and didn't even celebrate my "birthday" way back in April. Hence the pictures of delicious cake. 

Happy late blog birthday to me, and here's to many more to come!

 1, 2, 3, 4.

You Give Me (Wedding) Fever

This year we've been lucky enough to be invited to three weddings, the first of which was a few weeks ago up in Auckland.  The weather was hot, the champagne was cold, the scenery was beautiful and the friends were great! I caught up with old friends and made some fantastic new ones. 

Not to mention it was an opportunity to get dressed up fancy, and of course no-one was fancier than the bride herself.  My absolute first reaction was to gasp, and then straight away in my head I thought "what a bitch!". Which I suspect is how most brides want their girlfriends to react! Haha.  Everyone danced the night away to fantastic classics by a great live band, and of course the next day get-together allowed for tales of the previous night's shenanigans!

There's honestly nothing better than a celebration with food, drink and lots of people all brought together for one reason - love! Awww.  Cheers!