coastal adventure

Once a year I head down the coast with a group of friends for our annual beach trip. We all use to live in Canberra but now half live in Melbourne so the trip has become even more important to all of us. This year we decided to meet half way between the two cities at Lake Tyers Beach near Lakes Entrance. It was a bit of a hike to get there, a four and a half hour drive after finishing work on Friday was not a lot of fun but so worth it. I am pretty sure this is the most beautiful beach I have been to and we also had weather to match. We also got to have fresh seafood which I love I could eat prawns and crab all day. It was probably the best way I can think of to spend the last weekend of summer. What did you get up to this weekend?

Acquired V2

Lately my shopping has been geared towards getting ready for winter. I am really loving ASOS at the moment, I got the coat for $60 down from $160. Living in a different hemispere does have its advantages.This year I want to wear lots of colour in winter I am loving mustards, burgandy and navy. The weather has decided that its time for Summer (finally) so these pieces wont be coming out just yet.

What have you been buying lately?

Shield of yellow

shoes: bigw // dress: vintage // jacket: kmart // bag: steven madden

Yesterday I woke up sick and grumpy and decided that it was one of those days were the brightest thing in my wardobe had to be worn. Unfortunately bright colours and lots of veggies didn't manage to keep this cold at bay and I am spending today in bed trying to sleep it away. Oh that and watching season one of Revenge, it is such a good show. I am hoping this afternoon I might hop up and go for a walk a little sunshine probably couldn't hurt. I hope you are all feeling happy and healthy!

From my kitchen V3: Brown rice salad

I have pretty amazing friends, for reasons that could fill a whole post, but one thing I really love about them is they are all really good cooks. In Melbourne for New Years one of our friends served this delicious brown rice salad and ever since we have all been making our own little versions. It is so delicious and easy.

I just chopped up some capsicum, salami and carrot (I accidently forgot red onion) and cooked it in some extra virgin olive oil. The great thing about this dish is you can add in any veggies you like. I than squeezed in a little lemon and sprinkled in some soy sauce and removed from the heat. I also heated up some brown rice whilst I was cooking the veggies. I than mixed everything together and added in more soy sauce and lemon, I didn't do exact proportions just until I liked the taste. It is really important to garnish with parsley as this gives the taste a real kick.

Next time I will definitely remember the red onion, oh and maybe some celery - if I ate tuna I think it would be a perfect accompaniment with this salad for an easy, yummy lunch.

Edgy

Shoes: joanne mercer // dress: dotti // bag: vintage // ring: gift

I wore this dress out last night to celebrate a friends birthday and I have to say I am kind of in love with it. It is really different from what I usually wear a little bit edgier than normal. Plus like half of the blogoverse I am loving cute collars at the moment so this dress also ticks that box.

How has your weekend been? I feel like I haven't achieved that much except for lots of housework, yuk. I also went shopping with Brendan for a new fishing rod which he has been playing with ever since. We are meant to be going to a short film festival this weekend but the storm clouds around our house are looking pretty threatening so fingers crossed we make it there.

Casual Friday

shoes: toms // shorts: urban outfitters // top: target // cardigan: jay jays // watch: fossil // necklace: tiffanys

This is what I wore for casual Friday at work yesterday. I very rarely wear shorts to work but had no meetings yesterday so decided that I wanted to get a few more short days in before the end of Summer.

I started my new position at work on Thursday and so far so good. I have went from working on Civil Law projects to Criminal Law which I am more interested in. I have to admit one of the most exciting things about the job is my new desk, I now a in front of two windows when I use to have none. I cant believe what a different being surrounded by natural light makes, I have felt much more productive. 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Not one for the rules

Shoes: sportsgirl // skirt: myer // top: ids // bag: steven madden // belt: betsey johnson

I meet a photographer on the weekend who told me that shooting people against a green back drop is a big no-no. The red skirt and green background is probably an even bigger no-no. However this is one of my favourite places to take photos in the morning so I am not quite ready to give it up just yet. I bought this skirt in the Christmas sales and was tossing up between the red and an aqua colour. I am glad I went with red as this will easily transition into Autumn. I cannot believe Summer is coming to an end already.

February blogger of the month: Two happy hearts

I am so happy to introduce Christen as the February blogger of the month after a brief hiatus in January. As soon as I came across this blog I was hooked and read far too back into the archives than I care to admit. Christen has a fun sense of style and is in the process of making and selling her own dresses which I cannot wait to see.

Name: Christen Peters

Blog: Two Happy Hearts 
Location: A quaint apartment I share with my husband Timothy and our dog Casey in Valparaiso, Indiana. 
Describe your self in five words? Quirky, adventurous, colorful, fun-loving, floral (it's my favorite! haha)

How would you spend your perfect Sunday? My perfect Sunday would consist of a morning service at the church that my husband & I are involved in. Followed by lunch with friends at one of our favorite restaurants in town. Then outfit shots with Timothy! Followed by a quiet evening of editing photos, movies, dinner, and chocolate ;)

What is something you are loving right now?  Shoes!! I've been spending so much time admiring shoes online lately. I'm searching for the perfect vintage ankle boots...It's a bit of an obsession right now!

Why did you start blogging? And any tips for bloggers just starting out? I started blogging because I needed a daily creative outlet in my life. And I've always loved the positive, encouraging connection the blogging community is all about. My tip for bloggers just starting out would be: get involved! Start leaving comments on your favorite blogs. Build relationships and friendships. That's what it's all about!

And final words of wisdom.... “The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.” 

-Audrey Hepburn

Little life updates

♥ salmon dinner // friends birthdays// modcloth dress // flowers from Brendan ♥

♥ my Saturday morning breakfasts // clean jewelery box // weekend lunches // haircut ♥

Reading... 'The Sinkings' Amanda Curtain

Watching... Gossip Girl Season 4 and The New Girl

Talking... to my old house mate who moved to Melbourne

Thinking... that I need to keep in better contact with my friends who live far away.

Buying... really cute jumpers from Jay Jays. I haven't been in that store for years but it has really nice stuff at the moment, check it out.

Planning... my sister's 21st Birthday party

Wearing...by black maxi and polka dot shirt

Picturing... being down the coast in two weeks, I hope this rain stops by then. It is forecast to rain the next 34 of 28 days :-(

Tweeting... most likely about food, books or clothes, I need to get some more interests.

I think I want to start doing these posts once a month but I am the worst at keeping to a schedule so wont make any promises. What has been happening in your world?

Casual Sunday

Today has been the epitome of lazy Sundays. I woke up to beautiful 30 degree weather and was very keen to go swimming. However Brendan had to work (he starts working as a Kindergarten teacher tomorrow) and all my friends had plans so I was stuck at home. I should have just went by myself but didn't think splashing around by myself would be much fun. Instead I cleaned my office/wardrobe space and caught up on Gossip Girl, not to bad really.

Considering I only left the house to go grocery shopping I thought a causal outfit was in order. I am very happy with the versatility of this tshirt I bought last week, I think it is going to become a wardrobe staple very quickly. I got my haircut yesterday as well, it is always so refreshing, even though I seem to get the same thing done each time, I guess I just know what I like :-P

Here is a few more photos from my weekend, what did you get up to?

♥  Yoga on Sarurday morning ♥  coffee ♥ weekend make up ♥ finishing one day ♥ delicious cider, definitely a weekend treat ♥ lemon tart made from this super easy receipe, I definitely recommend it ♥

Love, jobs and new pants

scarf: liberty // pants: target // shoes: sportsgirl // bag: Steve Madden // watch: fossil // tshirt: myer

I rarely wear pants they I find it hard to get anything that really suits me. I was in Target the other day and saw these and decided to try them on for fun. They are the most comfortable pants I have ever worn and probably the most flattering. I have worn them to work twice this week already.

This week has been a whirl wind of excitement. On Monday I found out that I got a promotion at work which was very exciting. I didn't expect to get it, so was completely shocked when I was told. It means moving to a different team which will mean a little adjusting, but a change is always good.

Yesterday it was Brendan and I's five year anniversary. We went out for a beautiful dinner at Italian and Sons and splashed on expensive wine. It was a really good night and I look forward to another five years with my best friend.