August blogger of the month: Royal Milk Tea

I am so excited to introduce you to the lovely Lyndall from Royal Milk Tea. She has a gorgeous whimsical blog that is delighful to read with a cup of tea. Lyndall is now one of my daily reads and I am sure you will love her blog as much as I do. 

Name: Lyndall         

Blog: Royal Milk Tea (http://royalmilktea.nu)

Location: A little cottage about ten minutes away from Adelaide, in South Australia

Describe your self in five words?

Daydreamer, introverted, organised, creative, and kinda nerdy.

How would you spend your perfect Sunday?

I work every second Sunday, so my favourites are the ones where I'm not at work. It would involve sleeping in a little bit, going out with my partner, B., for breakfast at one of our favourite cafes (I particularly love Big Table - http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/cafes/the-big-table,  and Hawker Street Cafe - http://thethousands.com.au/adelaide/eat-drink/hawker-street-cafe/), then maybe going for a drive somewhere if the weather is nice, or relaxing at home while listening to records.

Why did you start blogging? And any tips for bloggers just starting out?

I've been blogging for a long time in a variety of places, pretty much since we got our first computer/internet connection when I was in high school. I started Royal Milk Tea as a 'news' section on what used to be an art portfolio site, but I found that I really liked using it as a kind of virtual scrapbook where I could share pretty things and little parts of my life. It's become a really enjoyable hobby and a big creative outlet for me. I love the sense of community which can come from the blogging world- I've met a lot of wonderful friends through the internet! 

My tips for new bloggers…

- Write and create from your heart. Don't worry about trying to write what you think people will want to read, because it will drive you crazy! Just have fun, and create something you love that makes you happy. Don't try to copy trends, innovate, be original, and be yourself!

- Communicate with other bloggers. I love it when someone leaves a nice, thoughtful comment introducing themselves on my blog. Simple things like leaving comments and saying hello can be a great way to connect with other bloggers.

- Have a nice blog design. Maybe it's just because I'm really into web design, but I really notice it when a blog has an ugly layout that is hard to navigate. If you're a design novice, there are plenty of beautiful pre-made templates and graphics resources that you can find. Pugly Pixel (http://www.puglypixel.com/category/blog-layouts/) is one of my favourites!

- I also keep a notebook where I write down blogging ideas, and write goal lists of posts I want to do and things I want to achieve. But I'm a bit obsessively organised, so you know, don't force yourself

And final words of wisdom....

Be happy, love yourself, and find magic in the little things in life ♥  

receipe for a happy weekend

Two slices of lazy morning

three cups of laundry

a spoonful of exercise

a sprinkle of wine mixed with friends

coat with some shopping

garnish with fresh flowers

and serve with a good book.

Yay its Friday, Fridays are the sweetest day of the working week, everything is a little slower and more relaxed and everyone is happily awaiting the weekend. Working fulltime makes me appreciate the weekends so much - I love having time to myself and already dream of only working four days a week. I made this little compilation as inspiration for my weekend, hopefully you can find some inspiration too. Have a wonderful weekend, have lots of fun.

Outfit: likes and dislikes edition

pants: zara // top: forecast // shoes: bigw // ring & earrings: diva // bracelet: tiffanys

Likes

The sunny winter days were having, with no wind. The wind is the killer in Canberra but I am not optimistic enough to say Spring is on its way.

I have signed up for Beauty Box, a fun treat once a month.

That the annual trip I take with my high school girlfriends is being planned.

Its games night - wine, cheese and jenga.

Discovering this gorgeous blog.

Getting a good tax return.

Tandoori chicken wraps, my go to dinner at the moment.

Dislikes

Getting kicked off the family health insurance and having to get my own - I think I am a grown up now.

Already getting a stain on the shirt in this photo - the first time I had worn it.

Veggies and fruit being expensive at the moment, I miss bananas.

What are you liking/disliking this week?

Its off to work we go

top: kmart // skirt: target // shoes: big w // earrings: lovisa // jacket: target // bag: forever new // necklace: bought in Amsterdam // ring: pandora // bracelet: tiffanys // watch: swatch

Last night we went to a Christmas in July dinner at a friend’s house, it was the first one I have been to and it was delicious. Cheese and dips, roast chicken, smoked ham, baked veggies and the piece de la resistance an ice cream pudding for dessert. This skirt was perfect for hiding the little food baby I grew after all that food.


Can you believe it is nearly August all ready? This year really seems to be flying by. My favourite times of the year – Spring and Summer are still yet to come and I find it hard not to wish the remaining weeks of winter away. This means I am constantly reminding myself however to live in the moment and not always be preoccupied with the future, easier said than done.

Bookclub: Joe Cinque's Consolation & A long way down

Joe Cinque’s Consolation: Helen Garner

You have just been picked up by a friend and you are on your way to a dinner party. In the car your friend tells you that the dinner part is actually a farewell, because the host of the party is planning to kill herself and her boyfriend later in the night....what do you do? This is the reality for a number of people at a dinner party hosted by Anu Singh in mid 1997. The only problem is no one does anything to stop it and Singh’s boyfriend Joe Cinque dies from a lethal drug overdose administered my Singh after knocking him out with Rophenol. Most frighteningly this is a true story.

For me this story was really gripping it was kind of an urban legend whilst doing my law degree as the crime occurred in Canberra, so this book filled in a lot of the puzzle pieces. The story follows the murder trial of Anu Singh and the co-accused. It includes interviews with the victim and the accused families. Most importantly it questions the justice system and why no one did anything when Singh had made her intentions clear to a number of people. I read this book very quickly and was just completely absorbed in the story, for a complicated legal matter it is easy to understand and regardless of the subject matter is a story most people will be compelled by.

A long way down: Nick Hornby

I was really excited when we chose this book for book club as Nick Hornby is a great author (think High Fidelity & About a boy). The book starts when the four main characters meet on the roof of Toppers House on New Years Eve all with a plan to commit suicide which is derailed when the others are there as well. They make a pact to wait until Valentine’s Day to see if things get better, and agree to keep in contact to help each other.

The main thing I like about this book is the character development, by the end of the book I felt like I really knew the four main characters and could picture them vividly in my head. I think it’s a great concept for a book but I felt unsatisfied by the ending and thought overall a lot more could have been done with the storyline. It’s an interesting read but not one I am rushing out to recommend.

I have just noticed how morbid the last two books I have read are, whoops. Have you read anything good lately? I am always adding to my "books to read" list.

The detective's hat

Dress: Portmans// stockings: sussans // shoes: inniu // bracelet: vintage // ring: gift // hat: jeanswest

Naming this post was pretty easy due to the number of comments I got from people about my hat today. Brendan asked me if I was off to meet Sherlock and Watson when I walked out in the morning. I then saw a friend who asked me if I was channeling Carmen Sandiego. I dont mind I personally like the hat, what I am embarassed about is that great big leaf on my shoe that I didnt notice when I took photos.

I went shopping yesterday and picked up this dress. It was $130 down to $35 it really drives me crazy how quickly things are priced down - it would really upset me if I bought this full price then saw it nearly $100 cheaper. I guess it just demonstates how disposable fashion is these days. It makes me think I should never buy anything full price - I guess its lucky I dont really try and keep up with trends so I can make use of these sales.

I hope your having a good weekend. Today I have eaten too much and slept the afternoon away which means I will be up until some crazy time tonight but sometimes you just cannot resist an afternoon nap.

two months

LA  ~ Las Vegas ~ Grand Canyon ~San Francisco ~ Muir Woods ~  New York  

I am one of those people who signals every major event with an official countdown, so today I am very excited to say its only two months till I will be touching down in the US.

Plans are coming together, with tours, accomodation and shows booked.

Very importantly shopping lists and 'places to eat' lists are being compiled.

Ridiculous amounts of time is being spent researching and daydreaming.

Pennies are being saved

Its really nice to have something so exciting to look forward to.

something old, something new

dress: myer// blazer:tempt// necklace:thrifted// shoes: kmart // rings:gifted// earrings: diva

These photos were taken yesterday, right after I locked myself out of the house and just before it started raining. I very rarely wear this dress but I like how it looked with a blazer so think it will be making a comeback.

Lately, I have been doing alot of research into Chinese massage, partly for work and a little out of my own interest. The massage I got yesterday was at a Chinese treatment centre and I have to say I am really impressed. I told the therapist that I had been having problems with my sinuses a little from my asthma and a little from allergies. She gave me this amazing face/sinus massage and last night my sisnuses really hurt but today is the best they have been in a fortnight. Maybe its a coincidence but I really do think it helped, I am always keen to try something new and I think this paid off.

a day off in pictures

sleeping in ~ brunch ~ nail painting ~ getting dressed ~ reading ~ netball

Having today off was just what I needed, I feel relaxed and like I have caught up on things I was behind on. Today I really spent a lot of time doing not much at all. I watched some Sons of Anarchy and Real Housewives of OC (I am up to season 4 and sad all my fave people are slowly leaving). In the afternoon I went and got a massage that I had bought ages ago from Living Social.

The only downside was locking myself out of the house at lunchtime with no phone. Luckily our neighbours were home and let me phone Brendan to come back home and let me in. It could have been much more disastrous if I had to sit on the step until 5pm when he gets home. 

I hope everyone is having a good start to the week, back to work tomorrow for me.

experimenting

top:myer//skirt:dotti//tights:sussans//necklace: diva//ring & scarf: sportsgirl//shoes:kmart

How has your weekend been? Mine has been so nice and relaxing. The last couple of weekends have been so busy its nice to just stay at home. I slept in on Saturday until 11am, got up and had breakfast and then went back to bed to watch Sons of Anarchy it was nice to not have to worry about being anywhere or doing anything. I finally got up in the afternoon and went to the gym with some friends and then cleaned the house. I am pretty sure having a clean house is one of my top mood boosters.

Sunday was spent with my sister. We made a yummy big breakfast and then went shopping and to Max Brenner, so delicious but so naughty. This was the outfit I wore today, mainly to experiment with my new scarf. The weather was beautiful and I didnt need to wear a jacket for most of the day.

The best thing about this weekend is that I also get Monday off, Sunday nights are so much more relaxing when your not thinking about going back to work.

new things

This week I made a few little purchases, two things that I really wanted. I have been looking for a bag like this for about a year now since my friend got one similar, so I was happy when I found this one here. This scarf was a steal and I am looking forward to wearing it on the weekend. Finally, this Oroton key holder isn't new it belonged to my nan and has now been handed down to me, I love me some glo-mesh.

The winner of the giveaway was Carly, lucky number 13, thanks so much to everyone who entered I loved reading all the comments.

love: some perspectives

I am not a very "lovey dovey" kind of person, nor have I ever been very good at articulating the way I feel into words. You wont often find me in a philosophical conversation about what love is, or giving out love life advice to people. I have always been jealous of the way some people can express their intimate feelings in such a beautiful and poetic way. Despite all this I found myself on the weekend in two different conversations about the complexities of relationships.

One of these conversations was with Brendan's dad and the other with my mum - two people who I trust know a lot about the topic despite being in two very different situations. Brendan's parents have been together for nearly thirty years and are very much in love whilst unfortunately my parents are in the middle of a separation. For some reason both there trains of thought really struck home with me and I thought I would share.

Brendan's dad said we all need to realise that relationships can be hard work, that at times things can be tough and its all not a bed of roses but at the end of the day it comes down to whether or not the person your with is a good person and that they treat you well and that you can go to bed smiling. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes but at the end of the day we have to go back to basics, is this person good and do I love them? If the answer is yes than it is most likely worth working for.

My mums advice followed very similar lines, she said you can never go into a relationship thinking you can change someone. The person your with now, is the person they will be in thirty years time. If you can accept their faults and they yours, that's a good start as it leaves plenty of time to concentrate on the things you love about them.

Take from this what you will, I just found it really interesting listening to their different perspectives and being able to take it and apply it to my relationship. As for what I think... I am not perfect and either is Brendan but all the time I find new things about him to fall in love with and I think that is pretty special.
P.S This give away ends tomorrow, don't forget to enter ♥