x Booking Flights - We're on our way to Europe! First stop? One of my favourite places in the world, LONDON! I am so very, very excited. I've been researching travel options for months, but finally took the plunge and booked our flights for Europe in October/November earlier in the week, and can't wait! We booked them with Emirates, and although at the moment it appears as though our reservation has possibly vanished (cue slightly epic amounts of panic), I'm placing my faith in the fact that it will all be resolved soon and am instead focusing on my enormous anticipation! Honestly, I can't wait. I'm already counting down the days! 

x Late Night Beach Escapades - Because sometimes, there's nothing better than filling yourself up with champagne and Pad Thai and then deciding to run amok on the sand at the nearby beach with your girlfriends like it's 1999! (Or, you know, 2010.) We danced like lunatics to no beat at all, rolled around in the sand and shrieked as we were almost swooped up by enormous waves. While I'm sure that we looked moderately insane (the visual evidence is doing NOTHING to dispel this theory!), it was also insanely ENJOYABLE, and completely worth feeling as though I'd undergone surgery on my stomach from laughing so hard the next day!

x Setting Up My Home Office - Ooh, yes! It's underway! I even bought a desk today, too. (The fact that it was only $55.00 from Officeworks is an incredible added bonus!) Having a little nook in my apartment (even though it's downstairs, and sits alongside my boyfriend's drums!) to write and plan and daydream in is something that I've always wanted, so to see it all coming together is extremely lovely (and inspiring!) indeed.

x Other Little Things - Apple and cinnamon twists; Sunday morning cups of tea; being utterly amazed at my boyfriend's handiwork (how is it that he is able to successfully re-build and re-tile an entire floor without any previous professional building experience? HOW?!); becoming an Auntie (ah! She is so gorgeous!); clean sheets; driving lesson progression (I actually drove on a road today and holey moley, it was both terrifying and exhilarating!); having people come to stay; turning a negative situation into something positive; daily phone conversations with my sister (she's in New Zealand and I miss her all the time; she's number one partner-in-crime! Argh! I'm a poet and I didn't even know it!); acceptance; crazy twists of luck (for example, last night: average night = sitting at a restaurant and waiting over an hour and a half for your meal to arrive. Good night =  having the staff finally serve you your meal, in addition to refunding you the full value of your meal because of said postponement! Continued good night = deciding to be silly and toss $1 of the refund into a nearby poker machine, only for it to spit out $30 in coins in return!); and Atmosphere's The River!

♥

Sunday, Schmunday. It's never too late to appreciate brilliant things! What were some of the finest and most delicious snippets of your week? Share, share!

xoxo

(Image thanks to Kimme Ann.)

Related It's Friday! Posts:

xIt's Friday! - 04/12/2009
x It's Friday! - 11/12/2009
x It's Friday! - 18/12/2009

- Jerry Seinfeld, multi award-winning comedian

♥

xoxo

(Image thanks to Anna Theodora.)

Related I Want.. Quotes! Posts:

xA Thought For The Day.. 18/01/2010 ♥
x A Thought For The Day.. 14/12/2009 ♥
xA Thought For The Day.. 23/11/2009 ♥

x So, what is face serum? It's an antioxidant rich potion designed to aid skin repair, collagen reproduction and regeneration. It's essentially an ultra-potent moisturiser, working to provide you with a more radiant and youthful complexion, while minimising the appearance of lines and wrinkles. (Gosh, it's a busy little thing, isn't it?!) It helps to support the skin's natural moisture barrier, and may be used as a replacement or supplement to your morning and evening moisturiser.

x It smells like a combination of freshly mowed grass and oranges. Not particularly unpleasant (in fact, it's rather refreshing!), but it MAY cause your loved ones to slightly recoil with horror/surprise upon accidentally catching a whiff of you.

x It's exceptional. Seriously. If things are quiet around here for the next few days, it's probably going to be because I'm too busy sitting at home writing love letters to it: it's THAT good. Why? Because even if you've never formally introduced some kind of care routine to your skin before (ahem), your skin will magically start looking as though you've been cleansing, toning and moisturising (and possibly eating strictly organic food) for YEARS. Even if you don't. (Cough.) Even if you enjoy a very occasional frequent glass of red wine. (Double cough.) Perhaps it has something to do with all those deliciously natural ingredients that they've thrown in, such as jojoba, macadamia, blackseed and rose oil.

x You'll be tempted to stop wearing make-up. Or at least, foundation. A few days into applying it with my daily swipe of sunscreen and I actually have, and considering that I'm the sort of person who wears a full face of make-up to the beach or even to walk the dog, this is HUGE. But its effect has been truly astonishing: my skin seems to be constantly glowing, and I don't feel the need to apply 10,8677 layers of concealer and foundation to the dark circles under my eyes anymore because um, hello, they appear to have gone missing! 

♥

The verdict? It's a winner. Any product that can provide the miraculous perception of health and sleep will always receive my love and affection and this little number is a STAND-OUT.

xoxo

(Image thanks to Thread New Zealand.)

Related I Want.. Beauty! Posts:

x Fresh! Fun! EXCITING! 7 Make-Up Ideas To Try This Week ♥
x Um, Can I Sniff You?! ♥
x What It's Like To.. Attend A Beauty Launch! ♥

x The Arrival Of Autumn - There are many magnificent things about summer: late nights out, flirty fashion, dips in the ocean, endless sunshine and the constant promise of adventure which seems to permeate the air.. however! There's also a host of wonderous things about its conclusion, too, and for me, that's the arrival of AUTUMN! Oh, I am so excited to have it here! Cooler temperatures! Beanies, knits and scarves! Leather jackets! Printed stockings! Mmmm, mmmm! Don't take it personally, summer, I love your warmer weather and the way you afford me the perfect opportunity to galivant around in the evening and all, but your best friend humidity and I have never been able to see eye-to-eye (she's a HUGE productivity thief!), and as such, I'm completely looking forward to slipping into a season that's, well, a tad more comfortable.

x Developing A Routine - For the past couple of months, my mornings have consisted largely of this: waking up to the screech of my alarm, violently scrambling out of bed and into the shower, tearing through my closet and throwing something on, and bolting out the door in a ridiculous frenzy. A relaxing start to the morning? Hell, no! I've always been a fan of having an enjoyable morning routine (I truly believe that it sets the tone for an excellent day!), but lately, have completely eschewed this in the process of being a very, very busy girl. Well, no more! On Monday, I decided that there was NO excuse not to begin my day as brilliantly as possible, little time or not, and constructed a brand new routine, including waking up slightly earlier to take a morning walk across the beach, and preparing a delicious, filling and nutritious breakfast. I feel so much better for it, and it was such a valuable reminder: DON'T. FORGET. TO. BUY. MILK. Oh, shoot. That's not it! Whoops. I knew I left that shopping list somewhere. No, it was to start your day exactly as you intend to finish: grumpy and stressed? No, thank-you! Happy and content? Yes, please!

x Working, Working, Working - One month into my new job and I'm so pleased to be able to say that I'm enjoying it more and more every single day! When I first began working there, in addition to being manically excited, I was also absolutely petrified: the role called for a copywriter and website designer for a travel company and although I love copywriting more than I love pesto gnocchi and garlic bread (and that's a lot!), in terms of website design, I possessed roughly the same amount of expertise as a cat. TERRIFYING. But, after flicking through my resume` and reading Frock & Roll(also marginally terrifying!), my now boss kindly agreed to take me on, allowing me to find my feet and learn as I went. Four weeks later I've finally learned how to build a website (hooray!), and am loving every single moment spent tinkering and typing away, writing copy and resisting the urge to throw in silly descriptions such as ''it's egg-cellent!'' when describing Easter holidays. Sometimes challenges can be overwhelmingly str essful, but sometimes, they're also exactly what you need to soar forward, too!

x Doorstep Delights - Um, wow. So, this is what was waiting for me on my doorstep tonight. I swear, I actually shrieked. And then when I picked up each bag and saw that they were addressed to Frock & Roll and contained an assortment of the most heavenly beautifying products EVER, I shrieked again. Thank-you so very, very much, Melissa!

x Other Little Things - Rearranging the furniture in my bedroom (ah! It looks so much better in there now! Cleaner! Roomier! Lovelier!); frozen berries; Metallica; weekend plans (visiting one of my best friends' new apartments + dinner + spending a day with my mother + shopping = divine!); being able to wear my ugg boots again (I know they're hideous, but I don't wear them outside, I promise! Well, not anymore..); fine-tuning ideas; peering over travel itineraries with my boyfriend; having a boyfriend that picks you up when it's raining outside and then cooks you spaghetti and cheese balls (a vegetarian alternative to the traditional meat variety and holy heck, they are amazing! Parmesan cheese + breadcrumbs + eggs + parsley rolled into balls and then lightly fried, yum!); bright green vegetables; and aloe-vera water!

♥

What are you celebrating this week? 

xoxo

(Image thanks to Katherine Elizabeth.)

Related It's Friday! Posts:

xIt's Friday! - 19/02/2010 
x It's Friday! - 26/02/2010

1. ''My GOD! Where DID you get that dress?! It's gorgeous!''
2. *shudder* (Or, worse still, a suspicious raised eyebrow and a quick whisper of: ''well, I know that you said we had a lot to catch up on but sheesh, are you pregnant?!'')
And finally, 3., ''So, uh, throwing it over your shoulders aside - how exactly is one supposed to wear one?!''

Ooh, yes. For such an innocent wee garment, maxi-dresses sure are a contentious issue! (Seriously, only a few weeks ago, the editor of the Australian edition of Vogue, Kirstie Clements, dedicated an entire newspaper article to her loathing of them!)

But personally? I'm their biggest fan. There's something so delicious alluring about being able to throw on an item which offers the same level of comfort as a pair of tracksuit pants, but is approximately 500% more delightful to peer at, and their versitlity? Superb! They're the sort of piece that you truly CAN wear to a multitude of events without looking inappropriately clothed, which is precisely why I keep buying 1,43445 billion of them. Here's four common dilemmas discussed when wearing maxi-dresses, and exactly how to overcome them:

Common Dilemma #1: ''But They're Just So Long! Where Do I Start?''

First up? Examine the length. Maxi-dresses come in an array of different styles, with some falling just a little bit further from your knee and others playing happily around your ankles, so deciding on a length that you feel comfortable with while purchasing one is important, and ultimately dependent on your height. Choosing a length that finishes just before your feet, or adjusting the hemline so that it does, is generally the most flattering style, and ensures that you won't be swamped in a sea of fabric!

Common Dilemma #2:''Okay, So I Sort Of Look.. Um.. Frump-tacular...''

Oh, dear! Yes, maxi-dresses are often heaped with the ''frumpy'' tag, but making the transition to ''foxy'' to remind people that why yes, actually, you DO have a shape, is simple with a few clever accessories: just take one fitted waistcoat or a high-waisted belt, add a long, eye-catching necklace and voila`! Hello, instant style! How are you today?

Common Dilemma #3: ‘'Prints Or Plains: Which Option Is Best?''

Honestly? They're both as versatile and wearable as one another - it's all a matter of personal preference! In terms of catering for different dress codes, both printed and plain maxi-dresses have their place, however, for more formal affairs, it's worthwhile considering the type of fabric that you choose. For example, for an evening out or a wedding, opt for silkier, dressier fabrics, while for more casual events (such as a day at the beach), select cotton-based fabrics.

Common Dilemma #4: ‘'I've Tried On Every Single Shoe In My Wardrobe, And Nothing Seems To Work. What Kind Of Pair Are You Supposed To Wear With Them?!''

Wedges! When it comes to maxi-dresses, they're kind of like what crackly chocolate topping is to ice-cream: a soulmate. Oh, and anything with a slight heel, too. They're excellent contenders.

♥

When it comes to maxi-dresses, which side of the fence do you SIT on? One of utter love and adoration, or one of complete revulsion?

xoxo

(Images thanks to Independent IE.) 

Here are some of the things that I'm loving this week.. 

x Discovering New Treasure Troves - One of the very best things about working in a new area is the fabulous opportunity to discover an array of unfamiliar retail haunts, and gosh, have I found a few! From the delectable German bakery which offers treats such as poppyseed slice (poppyseeds soaked in vanilla cream overnight and then drizzled with caramel, drool!), to the gourmet delicatessen which stacks everything from fresh pasta to exquisite ice-cream in flavours such as 'Coconut Macaroon' and 'Peanut Butter Disaster' (the only potential disaster that I can see is the fact that I'm going to become completely ADDICTED TO IT!) and the recycled designer fashion boutique on the corner, I'm in browsing (and buying!) heaven!

x Lusting After Tim Walker's Pictures - Tim Walker is a London based fashion photographer and while I've mentioned my love for his work before, holy heck, it bears repeating: his creations are STUNNING! If I owned this book I would probably remove each page, stick every single one of them on my bedroom wall, and stare at them all day. (So um, it's possibly a really, really good idea that I don't, productivity wise, but ugh! They're so beautiful!)

x The Hotel Missoni - And while I'm still riding the lust train, let's hop off at the very next stop.. The Hotel Missoni! Oh my GOODNESS! I have always swooned over the intricacy and use of colour involved in Missoni's fashion designs, and guess what?! They have a hotel! How did I not know about this?! I'm sure that the price tag of a night's stay there would be absolutely terrifying, but the experience would be phenomenal. I mean, look at the way they craft their BATHROOMS! Mind-boggling!

x Other Little Things - Stretching; invites; my friend Carmen's amazing graphic design skills (she knows so much, it is incredible! I am constantly picking her brain!), and her hilarious e-mails which keep me entertained every single day; Ashe Mischief's article, 'Stop Getting Low-Balled As A Blogger' (nod, nod, nod!); green grapes; the way the sunlight streams through my apartment in the morning; flicking through newspapers; assertiveness; sitting at outdoor cafes`; cuddling; the fact that every Saturday morning, without fail, my boyfriend wakes up ultra early to go to the laundromat and do our washing (we're naughty and haven't bought our own machine yet, gulp!), so that I can sleep in!; trawling through pages of accommodation options for different cities (one of my favourite activities); being super organised and remembering to cook lots of yummy food for busy weeks ahead; The Gypsy Kings; Faith No More; octopi; challenging my brain; and peppermint hot chocolate!

♥

What are you head over heels for this week?

xoxo

(Images thanks to Lola Crayola, Elemental Paul  and telokaspo.)

After spending a long day at the office tinkering away on websites and writing large amounts of travel copy, I was completely seduced by the idea of venturing home, curling up in my favourite pair of pyjamas (flannelette, navy, and covered in stars and turtles, GLAMOUR! Oh yes, I hear that they're set to be a HUGE trend on the catwalks this year!), preparing my favourite chickpea and pumpkin salad and collapsing on the couch with a pile of interior design and fashion magazines.. until I received a call alerting me to the fact that I was d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y meeting a group of friends for some much needed dinner and frivolity after work, and absolutely not going home! Oh, well. One giant plate of nachos, an assortment of lovely drinks and approximately 3,000 laughs later, I was thoroughly convinced that they had made the right decision, and after all, as G.K. Chesterton would say, ''the true object of all human life is play''..

What I'm Wearing:

x 3/4 length sleeve blazer, Review

x One-shoulder dress, Sportsgirl

x Eiffel Tower necklace, Sportsgirl (Ooh, I love this so much! They even have a little matching brooch, too! Cute, cute, CUTE!)

x Black Diva brooch

♥

xoxo

The occasion: A dinner and cocktail date with two of my favourite girls on the planet, Carmen and Priyanka! Gosh, I love them so much.

The nitty-gritty: After meeting and greeting in the city centre, we strolled on over to a lovely Spanish restaurant by the name of Encasa, where we proceeded to consume multiple glasses of sangria, and the most delicious cuisine! (I had the mushroom and pesto pizza and oh boy, it was SCRUMPTIOUS!)

What I'm Wearing:

x Button-down dress, Wish 

x Square print stockings

x Diva headband

x Ballet flats, from a store in New Zealand

x Sparkly blue cross pendant

x Sparkly skull bag, purchased from a boutique named George

After our meals we commenced our prowl for the perfect cocktail venue, when what should I spy? A tiny random stall selling an assortment of glowing accessories! How could I resist?! I immediately purchased a pair of flashing miniature bunny rabbit ears, and happily wore them for the rest of the night. But oh, they weren't such a hit with everyone. While taking a series of ridiculous photographs, an elderly woman walked towards me, reached for my arm and half-whispered, utterly aghast, ''please tell me that is your hen's night?''  When I smiled and informed her that no, it definitely wasn't, she backed away, saying ''you mean to say that you dress like this NORMALLY?'' I nodded. She gasped, cried ''good LORD!'', and disappeared into the night in a dramatic huff.. and to think that I was going to wear my crocodile suit that night! It's probably just as well that it's at the drycleaner's..

♥

How are you spending your weekend, and have YOU ever had an unusual reaction to one of your outfits?

xoxo

What are you loving this week? Here's what's on my list! : 

x Dinner & Drink Dates With Two Of My Favourite Girls - Tomorrow night I am catching up with two of my favourite girls in the entire world, Carmen and Priyanka, and I am so excited, I can't even begin to tell you! It's been MONTHS since we've all been on a proper dinner and drink date together, and I can't help but feel giddy with excitement becase my nights out with them are always exquisite: happy, mischievious, spontaneous and filled with laughter! I am looking forward to it so much. We will dress up! We will trawl the city to find a fabulous new restaurant to explore! We will consume copious amounts of ridiculous cocktails, and engage in even more ridiculous behaviour! Oh, I can't WAIT.

x Lychee Flavoured Beer - It has to be tried to be believed! My boyfriend has been trying unsucessfully for years to encourage me to try small sips of the many different and whimsical beer creations that he often brings home (him? Obsessed with beer? Noooo!), but with very little success: honestly, nothing personal against the lager and all, but to me, the smell and taste of it alone is enough to put me on a one-way ticket to Blurgh Town. Well! That was until I skipped in to The Bavarian Bier Cafe` in Manly on Saturday night, and spied their menu containing beer in a whole RAINBOW full of delightful flavours: banana! Pineapple! Mango! Raspberry! LYCHEE! Yum! All of a sudden, I was completely inspired, my perception of it immediately shifted and I was ordering one quicker than you can say well, uh, ''lychee''. The result? D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! Seriously, who knew that one pint of beer could result in so much joy? (Actually, I'm pretty sure that my boyfriend did, but he was a good sport about it all..)

x One-Day Seminars - I can't get enough! I don't know whether it's the opportunity to meet new people, coupled with discovering a fabulous flurry of new information and developing different skills, but I'm such a stickler for learning and attending them! Next on my list? A course dedicated to becoming more creative with Marketing and Advertising next week, ooh! 

x My Mother - Is it a sign that I'm definitely growing up, or something that can be attributed to the fact that we no longer live together?! Who knows, but all the time, I find myself loving and appreciating my mother more and more. She's one of the kindest, strongest and eternally generous people that I know, and I feel so very, very lucky to have her in my life!

x Other Little Things - Stripes galore; burning white sage; unexpected discounts; writing undercover at bus stops in the pouring rain; lots and lots of little feng shui trinkets; crazy bus shenanigans; hundreds-and-thousands; home truths ; stepping out of my comfort zone; listening to Jimi Hendrix and Al Green; girls who aren't afraid to dress unconventionally; people who are so incredibly helpful and friendly towards you without any apparent rhyme or reason; the two ultra-sweet security guards who save me a seat on an overcrowded bus every Thursday night and smile, saying, ''it's your VIP seat!''; fresh mushrooms; getting lost in gigantic bookstores; Alice In Wonderland anticipation; achieving secret goals; sampling sago dessert (interesting!); feeling loved; sitting in the sand; watching D.I.Y. renovation shows; nutting out travel details; conversations about the future; and appreciating the present.

♥

What are you positively smitten with this week? A new pair of heels? Faux fur? Polka-dots? Share!

xoxo

(Image thanks to sosij.)

x Step One: Do Your Research.

What can you find out about the company that's interviewing you? How long have they existed? What are their core values? Researching this information in advance not only puts you in the best position to understand what sort of candidate that your interviewer is looking for, but it also provides you with some serious ammunition in the event that you're asked ''so, what do you know about XYZ Limited?'' (Tip: answering ''well, now that you've mentioned it.. nothing!'' MAY not be the kind of response that they're looking for!)

x Step Two: It's Time To Get Dressed!

Ooh! So today's the big day! And if there was ever a time to seriously pull out the big guns for your appearance, it's now. Think: ridiculously elegant hair, a beautiful shirt (ruffles? A jewel tone? Delicate buttons?), and a striking necklace (it's the perfect casual converstation starter!). In terms of make-up, keep it relaxed and fresh (unless you're applying for Clown College.. in which case, go nuts!) with a slight smudging of chocolate or ebony coloured eyeliner, and a foundation which supplies you with a delicious glow. (Maybelline's Liquid Mineral Power is UNREAL.)

x Step Three: Arrive Early.

It's a piece of advice that you're likely to have heard approximately 1.532 trillion times before, but there's a reason that it's subject to such high-rotation: it's important!

Nothing sends out ‘'please, don't hire me!'' vibes like lateness and allowing yourself extra time to get to your destination allows you ample opportunity to find the exact location, chomp on a mint and mentally prepare yourself for a full stream of questions.

x Step Four: Smile! They're Not An Axe Murderer!

I know. You're nervous, and hey, that's 100% to be expected! But imagine that you're meeting your beloved's mother for the first time today: what sort of image would you like to convey to them? If you answered ''warmth! Intelligence! Personality! Charisma!'', terrific! We're in business! Because that's the exact impression that you should aim to bestown upon your interviewer.

Knowing that you're about to be seated with someone who is a) a stranger; and b) the gatekeeper to the occupation of your dreams; can be extremely daunting, but secretly pretending that they're somebody that you'd like to forge a closer relationship with, or even picturing them as your best friend, will help you to remember to smile, breathe, and radiate your natural effervesence!

x Step Five: Sell, Sell, Sell!

You know how sometimes people will ask you about something that you've recently accomplished that you're actually really proud of, but choose to answer with self-deprecation and deflection because um, you don't want to sound like a bit of a jerk? (Example? Random Person: ‘'So wow, I heard that you sold one of your ideas to Microsoft the other day, now that's SOMETHING!'' You: ‘'Uh, yeah, well, it wasn't really. In fact, it was pretty lame. You know, they probably just had a shortage of other projects to develop, so they picked mine. I'm not even sure why they chose it, though..'') Now is NOT the time for that! Emphasise your strengths, pitch your ideas and sell your qualities like there's no tomorrow! (Because if you don't, chances are that there WON'T be a tomorrow. Well, at least, not in that particular office!)

If you don't possess a certain skill or area of knowledge that your employer is looking for, don't sweat it. Instead, showcase your other areas of expertise (such as your amazing flair for providing excellent customer service, or incredible design prowess!), and admit that although you may not have 100% of the qualities that they're looking for NOW, you'd be willing to undertake part-time study in your own time to obtain them. In my experience, nine times out of ten, an employer will regard enthusiasm, an eager-to-learn attitude and passion as more desirable qualities than someone with ten qualifications but a big lack of zest.

x Step Six: Ask Questions.

Ask questions to demonstrate your interest in the position and industry, quiz your potential employer about which steps they took to get to where they are and enquire about the company's views on career progression. You'll blow your interviewee away with your intrigue and it'll help you to become a more comfortable conversationalist.

♥

Finally? I absolutely know that you don't need it (you've just got that star quality about you!), but GOOD LUCK!

xoxo 

(Image thanks to The Cherry Blossom Girl.)