What I learnt this week...

That following your "gut instinct" pays off - I got a call on Monday offering me the job I had been holding out for. From January I will be working full time at the Department of Justice and Community Safety and I really cannot be anymore excited and glad I didn't accept the other job just because it came along first.

Reunions are funny little social events that can remind you of how far you have come, or where you need to go. Our 5 year school reunion was held on Saturday night and it was really interesting to see the interactions after 5 years apart. There was the initial excitement and hugs as you saw old friends and classmates but by the end of the night everyone was just hanging out with the people that they had already been keeping in contact with. I guess it just shows how much we enjoy being in our comfort zone.

October is going to have to be renamed "Worktober". Too many assignments that need to be handed in at the end of the month and not enough time to get them done, I am trying to comfort myself by saying that it always seems to work out in the end.

Is it just me or has this year flown by? I cant believe that it is less then 3 months till Christmas! Not that I am complaining - Spring is nice but I am a Summer girl at heart and cannot wait for the hot weather.

I have 200 blog friends! I was so excited to see this when I turned on the computer this morning. Thanks for being here! I am planning a giveaway to coincide with my blog birthday in a couple of weeks.

My girls and I at the reunion.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. 

My two cents...

It seems to be a fiercely growing debate in Australia, should Bloggers accept gifts or advertise on their blogs? Blogging began and still is a very unregulated form of modern media, especially in comparison to traditional media outlets. It offers the public fresh and honest opinions, outlook and perception on a range of topics. To list them would be absurd as I feel there is no rock left unturned when it comes to blogging. Blogs can get away with things that modern media can not with out intense public scrutiny that these money making power houses can not afford. And out of all of the new and exciting things that blogging provides to the public arguably the most attractive is that the content is free!
So can we expect successful bloggers to continue to blog without receiving any form of compensation for their time and effort? Even as a small and humble blogger I can appreciate the time that goes into editing and uploading blog content and feel that as long as the overall content and philosophy of the blog is not compromised, if people can make a dime out of blogging good on them. A number of blogs I read are slowly filtering in more advertisements and sponsored posts and whilst some do not interest me, some do. I choose to read the ones that do and leave the ones that don't. I still feel that these blogs are predominantly producing interesting and original content and that will keep me going back. If that changes then I will re-evaluate my readership.
Blogging is huge, the other day I read a statistic that stated a new blog is started every second! This means that it is likely that blogging will remain unregulated for the foreseeable future. The bigger it gets the harder it is to place restrictions on it as there are not enough resources to monitor it (a marketers dream?). So for now bloggers need to self regulate and respect should be owed to each individuals decision. The one thing I love about blogs is, if you don't like it, don't read it. Blogging is such an exciting medium, and this is an interesting debate and I am looking forward to seeing what comes of it, if anything.
What do you think? Do you advertise on your blog or not? Why?

Spring Basics

Today I had a spring clean of my wardrobe. In with the Spring/Summer clothes and out with the Winter/Fall. I loved finding clothes that I had forgotten about, it made me all the more excited for the coming seasons. My sister is coming down next week and we plan on having a little shopping trip and I have resolved to become a smarter shopper. Looking at my wardrobe I realised that I have a lot of "busy" clothes, florals and patterns, so this Spring I am shopping for more basic colors and cuts. I created this on polyvore for a little inspiration...

For clothing details click here..

What are you looking for this season?

Obsession

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I really want a new bike. Once magpie swooping season is over, I want to be pedaling everywhere. Colour is negotiable, cute basket at the front a must.

What I learnt this week...

Doing my groceries at the start of the week makes the rest of the week a lot easier and saves time. I am going to try and do this every week.

I climbed up the mountain again today and took 15 minutes off last weeks time. I feel like it is easy to get fitter but you can lose your fitness very quickly once you stop exercising. Trying to keep myself in routine and exercising regularly is my next goal.

I am really excited for my 5 year school reunion next weekend. When I first heard we were having one I wasn't very keen but as it gets closer I am really excited about seeing everyone.

New costume jewelery makes me happy.

Watching movies and eating chocolate is the perfect way to spend a Saturday night after a busy week.

I miss writing letters...I am putting time aside each day to get back into it, designated me time!

What has happened in your week? What have you learnt?

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A Mail post...its been awhile

Bianca's Mixed CD Swap

This was such a fun swap, I love being introduced to new music, and sent both of my partners an Aussie mix.

Mix from Che

Mix from Blanca

Mix for Mariah

Mix for April.

Gracie's Just Because your Lovely Swap

I loved the concept of this swap and the idea of being able to spoil my partner with things they love. I was partnered with the lovely Katyha from Love Katyha, check out her blog she takes really lovely photos.

I sent Katyha some stationery and coloured markers, some delicious candy and a Women's Weekly cookbook as they are my absolute favourite receipe books.

Katyha absolutely spoilt me with this swap, sending me lots of papery goodness. I have already started using some of it to write letters, even though some of it is so gorgeous I don't want to part with it.

Rhianne's Photoswap 2010

Last year I stumbled upon Rhianne's blog right after entries for the 2009 photoswap closed, and have been looking forward to participating in this years swap ever since. My partner, Melissa, and I were a little late in getting our films to each other, but on Friday this little package arrived and I cannot wait to get the film developed and share the photos with you.

Some Incomings...

Postcrossing cards.

A wonderful postcard from Erin whilst she was in England.

The lovely Faiza, knowing of my love for Glee sent me this wonderful Glee envelope and my own Glee stickers.

Ingrid sent me some lovely friendship books as I was unsure what they were and a delightful letter.

Unfortunately, I am a little behind in my letter writing as you can see from the lack of outgoing. If you are waiting for a letter from me, its not too far away. I am going to start writing a letter a day to catch up :-)

Hope your having a lovely weekend!

Obsession

Jennifer Hawkins

Megan Fox

Jennifer Aniston 

Elsa Pataky

Cashmere and Cupcakes

I want LONG HAIR! I am one of those people who chops their hair off as soon as it gets to a certain length. I am going to try and stay strong for summer.

What I learnt this week...

Welcome to a new little segment on my blog, where I reflect on the week thats been, the week ahead, what I have done and what I have learnt. This new little segment is inspired by the lovely Tez from Perspective who does Reflections on Sunday.

Mt. Ainslie - my Everest today.

This week I challenged myself physically; I walked up a mountain (832m) and survived, I felt so accomplished when I got to the top. I also started doing Power Yoga on Thursday nights, I kind of forgot how hard Yoga is but I am determined to stick with it, plus I just bought a pretty new pink mat so its only fair it gets used. I am surprised at how often I was thinking in my head "there is no way I can do that pose" but once I actually tried I wasnt as terrible as I first anticipated. Still not good but not terrible.

 I learnt to never ignore my gut feeling. I was offered a job earlier this week but I just didnt feel that it was for me. I stressed myself out over it and tried to convince myself to take the job even though it wasnt what I wanted. I ended up saying no, and feel relived and havent regretted my decision. Taking the job would have reduced my anxiety in relation to not having a job next year but I wouldn't have been happy doing it.

 Time with good friends is invaluable. Sitting around chatting, drinking tea and sharing delicious cheesecake. I am a big believer in life's simple moments being the most important.

I am feeling overwhelmed and constantly "busy". I feel like I dont have time to do me things - blogging, writing and reading. I think my "to do list" is gettting so out of control I spend my time thinking about how much I have to do, instead of just getting in and doing it. I am not sure how to fix this just yet.... 

How was your week? What did you learn from life's little adventures?

60 years and still in love...

Yesterday we celebrated my grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary. I feel very lucky to have got to celebrate this special milestone with them. Their relationship is a true testament to what true love can achieve. 

Spring Dresses

Saw these today....

Denim Dress

Aquabella Dresses

...so far I have resisted, we will see how that goes.

Why I love you today...

You break the last lolly from the bag in half so we can share it

You let me choose what television show we watch

You turn the heater on for me when I am having a shower so its not cold when I am getting dressed.

 Even though sometimes it makes me mad I think its cute that you always take charge when we are cooking dinner

You remind me not to doubt myself

You always give me good massages even if mine in return are less then impressive

You bring me back down to earth

You tell me I look nice in the mornings

Its the simple things, that make me love you more everyday.