Optimistic Fascination

We have moved

2011-03-30T00:29:00.001+11:00

You can now find me over at HERE

(this is mainly for my mum, who asked have you moved blogs again!!!, and the answer is YES. LOVE YOU MUM)

But for those few people who might be interested this is where you can find me

take care
ez

RIP WYNSTON

2011-03-16T08:23:00.000+11:00

(please excuse how badly this post is written, i just wrote it quickly and did not want to reread it)

Today i had plan on doing a Wedding Wednesday, but it just did not seam approriate with all that has been happening this week. Over the weekend by My little Big boy got very sick, and he stop eating which is when i new something was seriously wrong, as i had to work, My fanastic Boy, Dan took him to the Vet. After examination, the vet told him it most likely was nothing to serious and just push fluids and he should be okay in a couple of days, however he said there was a 30 percent chances that it could be something more serious an he wanted to run some blood test as well as some urine test. So we decided that this was the best thing to do, After the test were done Daniel brought Wynston to pick me up from work and we all went home together. Daniel told me how cool and calm Wynie had been at the Vet, and how the vet said they had never had a cat so calm to have his temperature or blood take before. ( He was alway such a good boy). About midnight that night we got a phone call from the vet to say that Wynie was in acute renal failure and could we please bring him back to the vet to discuss treatment options. So we got up and headed back in, on arrival i knew that we were going to have to make a hard option. 

Basically what happened was the vet told us, even with treatment the prognossis was not good due to the extended of the damage, i asked about the blood results  to see how far of the scale they were, and it was extreme. He said if we wanted to go ahead with treatment we could, and wait to see if he improved. However, even if we did this and he did somehow imporve his kideny would be rather damage and he quaility of life would not be good, and he could have a lot of health problems. By this stage Daniel and I were balling our eyes out, Our baby, yes i know he is not our child but he is still our baby was dying and there was nothing we could do.

 Daniel and I decided as hard as it was that we did not Wynie to suffer and decided to put him down. He was a good boy right to the end, the vet told me when i was saying my last good bye, that  he did not make a fuss about having the cannula put in but just sat there. Daniel, also being my white knight did something i could not do, i did not Wynie to be alone when it happened. So he held him to the very last minute while i waited in the waiting room. 

So Wynie the Pooh, My little big boy. Mummy and Daddy love you, and RIP. We miss you!

Sunday Music: The Bamboos- You Ain't No Good

2011-03-13T09:48:00.005+11:00

Sunday Music: Sarah Blasko - Hey Ya (OutKast Cover)

2011-03-06T07:07:00.001+11:00

I just think there is something complete beautiful and sastifying about Sarah Blasko's cover of OutKast's Hey Ya. Maybe it just me but i could listen to Sarah Blasko sing all day.

Project 365: Day 2

2011-03-03T01:06:00.000+11:00

Pre-dinner Drinks: Freshly squeezed lemons with ice and mint: Yummy!

Project 365: Day 1

2011-03-02T00:40:00.000+11:00

I have wanted to do project 365 since I first heard about it a few years ago, but I just never got around to it or was never motivated enough to do it. Well I started today, and here is my first photo.... 

Unfortunately, this photo is off me doing one of my least favorite things to do, waiting for the bus!

E & D in February

2011-03-02T00:35:00.000+11:00

This month bought them some much need break time

Early in the month they went to the beach together

He taught her how to stand in the waves

She finally got to use her Polaroid

He did some work with his grandfather

before he started his dream job

she went back to uni

but not before

They went for a drive down the south coast

where they saw a big blow hole

and went for a walk around a national park.

2011 Goals list

2011-03-01T12:19:00.001+11:00

At the beginning of this year I wrote myself a list of goals of things I wanted to do. I said to myself at the time I don't need to get them all done I just need to accomplish something, well I have not done any of them yet... So today is March 1st and I have decided to focus on what I want to achieve just for this month out of my list of goals:-

1) Finish organise the apartment

2) Deep Clean apartment

3) Create a personal mission statement

4) Read a book

5) Do a Sudoku puzzle each day (0/31)

6)start working on birthday cards

7)have two date nights

8) Blog more

9) start project 365 finally

10)attend the zombie death march in Sydney this month

Sunday Music: Belleruche- Clockwatching

2011-02-20T10:36:00.001+11:00

Mini Album: Monthly Faves

2011-02-18T12:12:00.010+11:00

With the left over paper from my book of list i create this little mini album, to list my monthly favorties each month.

Mini Album: Book of List

2011-02-18T10:10:00.001+11:00

.Since seeing Elise's Book of Lists, I have wanted to create my own. Recently Rachie of Complicate Simplicity (you can see Rachie's list here) started her own, so I decided just to get onto it!

I have written 7 lists, one for each week of the year so far, and will continue to write a list each week.... Now I am slowly just put them into the Mini album, which i share with you as i get the finish!

2011-02-18T09:49:00.002+11:00

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share a photo of you as a kid

2011-02-18T00:40:00.000+11:00

Celine from The Green Frog Studio has a new feature on her blog, called Vintage Wednesday. For the first week she ask us to share a photo of ourselves as a child... so after a quick search I came across this photo of me in the backyard at my grandma and grandpa H's house.

Valentine's special editions of Sunday Music: Dean & Britta-Friday, I'm in Love

2011-02-14T07:45:00.005+11:00

Okay it not Sunday, but it is a Valentine's Day. So i am sharing with you a new duo i have just discovered Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips. They covered The Cures, Friday, I'm in love back in 2008 for the American Laundromat Records tribute compilation "Just Like Heaven - a tribute to The Cure". I personally think it a beautiful version of the song and just could not wait to share it with you.

Sunday Music: Megan Washington- Hallelujah

2011-02-13T07:39:00.001+11:00

This week songs is a cover of Leonard Cohen's Halleluhah from the fanastic Megan Washington (who i have posted here before.)

Wedding Wednesdays: Kate and Dave's Vintage Wedding

2011-02-09T09:00:00.002+11:00

Borrowed and Bleu (check them out for other beautiful weddings) featured this wedding back in November last year, but i only come across it today and it complete blew me away. I completely in love with vintage-themed weddings, at the following one of Katie and Dave's at Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois, ticks all the boxes to me of what makes the perfect wedding. The following Photos were taken by Hazelton Photography

I want to blog

2011-02-08T00:04:00.000+11:00

I really want to blog, I really do want to sit down and share what has been happening BUT when i finally sit down to write i cannot find the words... I type up a message then i deleted, and i go through this process a couple of times until i give up. Why? Because i don't feel as though what i write is good enough, i don't feel what i have to say is important enough. SO much is going on in the world, and my voice is so unimportant (but this post is not about what going on in the world). I don't feel as though i can articulate my self the way I want and I also don't feel as though anyone cares what i have to say or share.

Right now i need to refocus, on what is important to me, what i want from life. I need to find time to do the things i enjoy (including blogging). I need to remind myself, this blog was not for other but for me. It was for me to find my voice, for me to have a place to look at and see who i am, so it does not matter if other read or if they care.

So i am going to really try to make the effort to blog more often, to share my life, loves and hates. Get back into posting regular.

I promise you this blog, I will write to you. I will share with you.... I might just be a little sluggish for a little while longer, just until i find my voice again! Just until i find a little bit of passion (and if you know who stole it, tell them to bring it back please).

So until next time
Love
E

Dear Blog

2011-02-01T09:37:00.000+11:00

Dear Blog,

Don't worry i have not abandon you, i just been extremely busy. Now that January is gone i am sure i will have a little bit more time for you.

I will be back later today with another post for you dear blog

until then

love
E

Sunday Music: Ray LaMontage- You are the Best Thing

2011-01-23T09:20:00.000+11:00

Loved and Inspired 15th of Jan

2011-01-15T10:01:00.000+11:00

Last year every Saturday I shared what I was loving this week, this year I wanted to develop this concept a little futher, so i can to sharee what i am loving this week and what has inspired me.

Loving

This Family Portart by Calgary photographer (and interior designer), Lori Andrews

This print by Sabine Gebhardt

Inspired By

I saw this wonderful Elise Blaha's DIY copper art. Thinking i might try and make something similar to hang above some picture i bought while in Hong Kong.

DIY bangle project by Elsie Flannigan...

Challenge masters: January Book of Me Challenge

2011-01-06T13:07:00.000+11:00

A new month brings new challenges at Challenge Masters., and though my scrap room is a complete mess and is not really conducive to doing scrapping, I manage to complete the book of me challenge.

This month Challenge was to create any project documenting " you goals, resolutions for the new year".
So I created this little mini album so i can document my goals, as I achieve them.

Wedding Wednesday: Outdoor Engagement Shoot

2011-01-05T09:14:00.000+11:00

Daniel and I (well mainly I) are hoping that sometime this year we will have time to do an Engagement Shoot with our Photography, I have lots of ideas of what I want to do and when I come across ideas like the one below I go throw out my old ideas.

I came across this photos on Le Wedding Party, the new super cool Blog by Elise Flannigan and her sister, Emma. All photos take by Sloan Photography .

Currents 4th Jan 2011

2011-01-05T00:06:00.000+11:00

listening: Wonder by Lisa Mitchell
eating: home made bread

Drinking: Coke Zero
reading: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
wearing: Monty uniform (it must be Tuesday)
feeling: overwhelmed
weather: mostly cloudy
wanting: a super clean house
needing: a long holiday
thinking: how to make her dreams come true

enjoying: the piece of the house

wondering : what tomorrow will hold

Becoming a Healthy Me

2011-01-03T17:18:00.001+11:00

Number one on my list to do this year was to Get Healthy (loose 20kg), I need to loose more than 20kg but i think that this is a health amount to focus on for one year. I hope that I stick to the plan, lose weight and build strength. That i get to a point which i am happy with and i can do what i want to do (dance classes, hiking and riding my bike to work)

I will be honest I don't like looking at myself in the mirror, and i certainly don't feel good about myself or have the self confidence to conquer the world.
So the PLAN is:

drink more water ( i want to be drinking at least 2L per day by the end of the year)
eat healthy meals (and more home cooked one too),
eat a balanced diet including vegetable, fruit, grains etc
Exercise daily
yoga 6 times a week
an at least 30 mins on a cross trainer 6 times a week
Keep track of my progress
weekly weight and BMI using the Wii Fit
monthly measurements
reward myself ( i going to work out a reward system for myself, i.e.once i loose this many kilo i will get this.... going to sit down and work this out yet)

This is the plan, simple yet i know i will struggle at times... I know i am going to need tons of support and encouragement so please send them my way! Thankful Dan is being so supportive and encouraging me to the max. I will most likely update you monthly on how i am going or maybe i might do a week overview, not sure yet...

Sunday Music: Pablo Blaqk: Find Your Way

2011-01-02T09:04:00.002+11:00

December in Review

2011-01-01T18:02:00.000+11:00

December bought rain rather than heat (she was very happy with this)

She sent Christmas cards, much to his dismay

He spent three out of five weeks on call, much to her dismay

They spent hours searching high and low for the perfect gift for everyone,

And in the end decided that it is the thought that counts

She decorate the house for Christmas

The boys helped her

By learning to climb the tree

Overall, it was a pretty good month

2011

2010-12-31T19:38:00.003+11:00

Next Year which is only a few hours away, and i hope everyone is having fun celebrating the beginning of a new year. I not making myself resolution in a sense but i have written myself a list of things i wish to accomplish this year.... There is a 100 of them, i doubt that i will finish all of them but that is okay. It not about doing everything but it is about achieve as much as i can and being happy with this.... some of the goals overlap with my 27 before 28 list, but most of them a new goals, new activities, new thing to accomplish..... I am so excited for this new journey of self discovery.

Get healthy (lose 20kg- 0/20)
Drink only water for 31 days in a row (0/31)
Do yoga 6 days a week
Have my hair cut every 10 weeks (0/5)
Have 4 facials (0/4)
Wear make up every day
Organise Photos
Organize apartment
Deep clean apartment once every four months (0/4)
Decorate apartment (interior decorating)
Write a letter to myself in ten year
Create a personal mission statement
Try something new weekly (0/52)
Read 12 books (0/12)
Do a Sudoku puzzle each day
Identify 100 things that make me happy
Identify my 100 biggest inspirations
Create list of cities/towns to visit
Take a workshop
Make our own traditions
Mediate daily
Live a seasonal life
Make a new friend
Join a book club
Send birthday and anniversary cards (0/24)
Send handmade Christmas cards
Do 10 random acts of kindness (0/10)
Have 30 date nights (0/30)
Daily act of love (0/365)
Write 12 love letters (0/12)
Have a candlelit dinner
Blog consistently (roughly 5 times a week or more)
Post a video blog
Weekly cooking post
Weekly self-portrait, something along the currents (0/52)
Monthly family portrait with “D+ me”-inspired by Elise projects (0/12)
Learn to knit
Do 12 crafty projects (0/12)
Sew an apron
Make a head board (see Here and Here )
Paint and rephrased second hand bar stool
Make garlands
Make advent calendar system
Make 28 minibooms (0/28)
Book of lists (one list each week-0/52)
Where we eat miniboom
A to Z of me mini book
Make 12 playlists (1/12)
Post 52 different artists on my blog (/52)
Photograph our home
Photograph our neighbourhood
Photograph our city
Project 365 (0/365)
Go on a photo scavenger hunt
Take 52 self portraits (0/52)
Take 12 family portraits (0/12)
Travel to Vietnam
Spend time outside for 250 days (0/250)
Visit the farmer’s market
Go on 2 picnics (0/2)
Take the scenic route/road trip
Spend a day at the beach
Go swimming 5 times (0/5)
Visit 5 national parks (0/5)
Witness a sunrise and a sunset
Explore 2 new towns (0/2)
Go to a drive-in movie
Go to a museum
Stay at a bed and breakfast
Have a movie marathon
Go to a festival or concert
Home cooked meals for 31 days (0/31)
Make gnocchi from scratch
Bake bread every week (0/52)
Try a new recipe every week (0/52)
Plant something
Get my driver’s license
Make a Will and get D to as well
Learn a foreign language
Record one thing a day that has made me happy for 30 days
Get a tattoo
Visit Jamberoo Action Park A
Attend the zombie death march in Sydney
Scan film photos
Create inspiration binders A
Throw myself and a birthday party
Go see the Christmas display in the city
Visit Adelaide
Go camping
Go fishing
Explore Sydney
Make Christmas cookie and candy
Plant something
Ride a Ferris wheel
Buy myself flowers
Pay off credit cards
Use only reusable bags
create a morning and evening ritual
walk 10,000 steps each day
participate in Earth Day

Book Review: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

2010-12-30T10:39:00.000+11:00

I had watch the film, the boy in striped pyjamas and was highly disappointed, but everyone I spoke to about the book said it was powerfully affecting original book, and I guess on some level it was. However, I finish the book and was left with an empty feeling.

The book is set in Berlin, 1942 and follows the life of Bruno who is nine year old. Bruno returns home from school one day, to discover his belonging being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house. There behind an wire fence, Bruno met Shmuel (the boy in the striped Pyjamas) who lives a life very different from him. As their relationship develops Bruno journey from blissful ignorance to painful knowledge which results in devastating consequences.

The problem with this novel is the inaccuracies and ludicrous details in this story. Let’s look at Bruno for example, he is meant to be nine years old but he read like he is 6. Furthermore, his ignorance of his basic is frustrating , for example he thinks that Der Führer is "The Fury" and Auschwitz is out-with, despite being corrected several time and seeing it written down, plus “Heil Hitler!” is a fancy word for hello, because he understands neither “heil” nor “Hitler”. I could have actually put up with this, as it play to the character of Bruno, as innocent and naive and leads to the concept that people can be just ignorant about deeply unpleasant thing happening right in front of them.

What annoyed me the most was the it was historical incorrect, though it is billed as a fable, i think any book that is written as historical fiction has the responsibility to be historically accurate. I do thing that there is room for creative freedom but i think this was taken too far. What happened to the real children in the holocaust would shock you and make you feel sick to the core of your being.

Working in an aged care home, that primarily has people of Jewish Decent; I have seen the impact of the holocaust on the survivors, but also on the children and grandchildren. I have heard the stories, i have cried with this people and i have been touched by their strength and courage.

Cheesy Chilli

2010-12-30T07:50:00.000+11:00

This recipe is from Nigella Lawson's new book, Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home. My Parents gave Daniel and I this book for Christmas, and we are just in love with all the recipes. So tonight i am going to try my hand at the first one which is Cheesy Chili. Even though i have had the day off work, i just want some quick and easy to cook for dinner tonight mainly because we are desperately need to do a food shop, so with the ingredients i have on hand i can mange to cook this.

Nigella describes it as "easy, quick and comforting"

Ingredients

110g chorizo, cut into fat coins and halved

500g beef mince

1/2 teaspoon coca powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 x 15ml tablespoon tomato paste

1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes

125ml water, swilled from empty tomato can

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 X 400g can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 X 125g fresh mozzarella cheese balls, chopped ( I only have a pack of 500g grated mozzarella, so i just going to use half of this)

seas salt f;ales and pepper, to taste

handful chopped fresh coriander, to serve

Put a cast-iron casserole or heavy-based pan (needs to have a lid) on the heat and add the chorizo, Nigella says that you need to cook them long enough for the orange oil to appear
Add the mince (make sure you break it up with a wooden fork)
When the meat begun to loose it raw colour, sprinkle with cocoa and oregano, dollop in the puree and give a good stir before adding the canned tomatoes. Swill the empty can out with 125ml water, and empty that in turn into the pan, followed by the Worcestershire sauce and drained, add the rinsed kidney bean, then let it come to the boil
turn the head down, put the lid on and simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove the lid, and let it come to the boil again, then turn off the heat and stir in the mozzarella. stir and serve immediately.

Nigella goes on to give you tips on how long it will freeze and way to use leftovers.

Result: Daniel and I both loved this. Daniel added some extra chili (after it was served) as it is piquant rather than fiery hot, which makes it perfect for me.

grrrr, internet

2010-12-29T12:25:00.000+11:00

Since Christmas Eve our Internet has been on a go slow, it has improved a little today however it still only dial up speeds.... and i starting to get a little frustrated with Internet and phone companies who blame each other for the issue and take no responsibility for anything. So even though i had big plans for blogging after Christmas it looks like that the world had different plans for me... Lol, this seams to be always the way. When you think that you know what you need the universe know what you really need... AND yes i need a break from the blog, from the Internet and most of all from FACEBOOK.... So what did i do on those days with little or no Internet, well apart from celebrating Christmas and working. I spent those quite moments with Daniel cuddling in bed or on the couch, flying his helicopter with him (yes, and crashing it to the point we need spare parts so we can fly it again), a lot of thinking and working out what next year has to hold to me, CLEANING was a big thing, who knew a Christmas dinner for two could cause so so much mess, chasing cats around the house because they are getting into things they should not get into and just over all relaxing after a year that has been hectic, but over all a good one. Yes, there was bad moments and i hope next year is a better year for us but overall i have to say that I AM HAPPY, ALIVE AND I SURVIVED.

I have so much to share with you, over the next few days (if the Internet works that is), first i want to share my December daily and a few other mini album projects i am working on.
Secondly i want to share my goals for next year, which i am very excited about as well as a recent purchase that I made from ebay (which currently Piggie is sleeping on).
I have a two book reviews to share (I will probably post the first later today) and i will be starting up my mid week cooking feature again tomorrow with a new recipe from the fantastic recipe book my parents gave me from Christmas ( Nigella Lawson's Kitchen).

So until next time
love E

XMAS Music: John Lennon- Happy Chirstmas (War is Over)

2010-12-25T08:00:00.002+11:00

I hope everyone is having a very MERRY CHRISTMAS, I will be currently curled up on the couch with my beloved boy watch Christmas movies before we have our Christmas lunch. That is, if he has not be called out for work as he is on call this weekend, and if he has, well I will eat a simple lunch on my own and cook him the best dinner he has had in a long while when he comes home. So normally I post Music on Sunday but I will not be blogging until the Wednesday at the earliest, and even this post is being written and the beginning of December (so who knows how much I want I will have written will still be true, he he) however, I really wanted to share with you my all time favorite Christmas song, which every time I hear I cry and really wish it was true.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN!!!

Summer Album

2010-12-22T14:04:00.000+11:00

I tried to do a mini book on spring and it was not a great success for many reason which I not going to list here. However, I have decided to try the concept again for this summer period. So I created a 6 by 4 album to put photos and memories into, these are my foundation pages. (The paper i used just repeated right through to the end of February)

Day 30- In this past month, what have you learned

2010-12-22T00:17:00.000+11:00

It has taken me over a month to complete this project as I have days where I just don't feel like blogging, but while participating in this project i have learnt amount myself and where my focus should lie.

I am focusing on letting go and being happy, I am focusing on enjoying life and just doing all i can to experience it... I may not have achieved this, but i know now that this is what is important and this is what i hope to achieve.

Sunday Music: The Killers- A Great Big Sled

2010-12-19T07:58:00.007+11:00

Ch{all}enge Masters: Tag group

2010-12-16T08:23:00.000+11:00

Challenge : "Tis the Season for me to see your holiday/Christmas tags. They can be any kind of tag you want as long as they have a holiday/Christmas theme to them. These are my favorite kinds of tags to do, because I put them on my actual gifts!"

I don't make tags very often, unless it is needed for a mini album or it Christmas time. So when it is Christmas time i get super excited about making tags. You can see last year Christmas tag here.

This year I wanted to do something using Tim Holtz and Tattenered Angels products. I had heaps of fun playing with the ink, paint and glimmer mist to create this year Christmas tags. Each tag is backed with Kraft paper, has fake stitching and the to and from written on it.

30 days of Me Missing post Part 2

2010-12-15T18:36:00.001+11:00

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have

Plans

travel

loose weight

redecorate

Dreams

peace

happiness

love

success

Goals

save

buy a house

plan a wedding

30 days of Me Missing post Part 1

2010-12-15T14:34:00.000+11:00

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

My Grandma

Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days

I can cook, I not a great cook but I can, so when I do and it turns out perfect (like our homemade pizza above), I am over the moon.

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends

Me and Ms. Julie

Ch{all}enge Masters: Altered Group

2010-12-15T11:43:00.000+11:00

I decided to start participating in the Challenge again on Ch{all}enge Master, I just need a little motivating when it comes to scrapbooking... I have loads of ideas in my head but have a hard time translating them onto paper.
The first Challenge i have decided to participate in is the Altered Group challenge which is being hosted by Anne this month.

The Challenge: My challenge is for you to alter the cover (or more, if you are so inspired) of a notebook or journal book or composition book (like the kids use in school) - basically anything that you write in. You can make it as simple or as complex as you want. It can't get much easier than that, especially this time of the year.

The Result: I wanted to keep it quite simple. So i covered my journal with some Kraft colour wrapping paper i had for Christmas paper, i then wet embossed french scripted all over the cover, and then add some simple embellishments over it.

a couple of things

2010-12-13T12:00:00.000+11:00

I decided not to do ReVerb 10, i love the concept and would love to have participate BUT i just do not have the time. There is so much going on right now that i had hardly enough time to breath let alone participate in Reverb, so this is going on the list of things to do next year when life is a little less crazy.

Also i noticed some of my 30 days of me entry have gone missing in cyber space, so i go to re-post those prior to doing day 30 so that all of them are done and that little project is completed. ( I going to fix this up on Wednesday when i have the day off work)

Still working on my December Daily and will share photos once i get photos printed so i can actually finish the whole page. I found the little traditions and things Daniel and I do are quite amusing and am loving documenting them. I most like post one big post of all the complete pages, after Christmas as i do not see me being able to get photos printed before then, but i will share some more of my journalling and photos over the next few days.

Sunday Music: Train- Shake up Christmas

2010-12-12T08:00:00.001+11:00

Day 29- Your favorite song.

2010-12-10T09:05:00.000+11:00

This is such a hard one, because I love music, I could spend my whole life alone as long as I had music, so I really not sure if I can pick one favorite song and I not sure I can pick an all time favorite even. Some of my recent favourite songs can be seen here .

So the song I am going to choose is not one that I listen to regular (these days) but it something that has sentimental value to me, Daniel and I did the whole long distance relationship for over two years it was extremely hard, we even broke up once for a month, this song by Thirsty Merc was our reminder that someday we will be together again, someday we will be each other "ONE"

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

2010-12-09T09:24:00.004+11:00

A lot happier
Ready for a change
Engaged
Has started to learning to cook
Started a new job

Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

2010-12-08T00:19:00.000+11:00

I am doing these challenge for one reason and one reason alone to REDISCOVER. I feel sometimes that I have lost who I am, for so long I have been defined by what others have thought of me, or the role I have played in there life. I have been daughter, sister, student, girlfriend, friend etc etc for so long RATHER than ME! I look at these challenges and see an opportunity to reflect on myself, my life and things that I love. I saw it an opportunity to REDISCOVER myself!

Day 26- What you think about your friends

2010-12-07T23:06:00.000+11:00

I think I have some of the best friends in the world (especially Caz), there is no words to describe them, they are simply the best and my life would not be the same without them. I miss those who are so far away, and wish i could be with them more frequently. I love them all so dearly.

Currents 7th December 2010

2010-12-07T08:42:00.001+11:00

listening: Xmas Songs
eating: Vegemite sandwich

Drinking: Water
reading: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
wearing: My Felix the Cat PJs
feeling: Excited
weather: Overcast but humid
wanting: a new paper trimmer
needing: Breakfast
thinking: It time for a change

enjoying: Gray's Anatomy
wondering : will Dan finish on time today

LOL: It's Alway Sunny in Here from Scrapbooks.com

2010-12-06T17:45:00.002+11:00

Mini Album for Mum

2010-12-06T10:16:00.002+11:00

December Daily 2010

2010-12-05T12:57:00.000+11:00

I have finally started working on my December Daily as i have not printed my photos i have not actually started putting it together, however i have started working out what i want to put in for each day so far. I am basing this album around traditions, new and old. This is the first year where Daniel and I have not really had our family around for the Christmas period, which is a little sad and we will miss them terrible, but i am trying to make the most of the situation. So i have decided we need to start making our own traditions, finding our own meaning for what Christmas is for us.

So i have started working out my journaling for the first few day of Christmas, and I have some photos taken but i need to take some more to finish of this days, as i no so much scrapbooking day by day, but focusing on the traditions we are creating. However, some days will be actually what happened that day, e.g. Daniel's work Christmas party on the 11th, but others will just represent the meaning and feeling of Christmas to Dan and I.

December 1st: Advent Calender (Need to get a better photo for this)

This is the first Xmas, Daniel and I will start to make our own traditions for Xmas. Though we have had many Xmas together, they have typically been spent with our family, or with a lack of money but this year though we are comfortable in our money situation and our families are in another state. I thought long and hard what Xmas meant to me and how i wanted Daniel to see how special it really is (Dan is a bit of a HUM BUG), so i decided to make him an advent calendar. One of my fondest memories growing up was of opening up my advent calendar each day counting down to Christmas. So after a little Internet browsing i came across, a concept a website that included free templates for little boxes. So the concept was born, each boxes has either a voucher e.g. breakfast in bed, candy or a promise to him. I put all the boxes under the Christmas tree, and the plan is each morning to put it next to his wallet so that he wakes up to find a surprise.

December 2nd: Xmas Letters

Today, Daniel was on a call so I decided to work on a new tradition we have decided to do this year which is to write each other a letter that we will open up on Christmas day. I cannot wait to open up Daniel letter and see what he has to say to me.... His hand written letter or typed if he wants will mean so much more to me than, any gift that he gives me.

December 3rd: It beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

We bought a tree, some decorations and lights the other day and i also had made some decorations to put up around the house. So today while Daniel was at work i put up the tree and decorated it and the apartment. (note: i do not have enough decorations to cover the whole tree, as we are working within a budget so i just decorated the part that is visual at the front). I left the most important Christmas decoration of the tree, which is the star. When Daniel got home, it was his job to put the finishing touches on the tree.

Prior to putting up the decorations i had gone out had a facial and then got all the food need for our Xmas lunch with Sasha and Julia on Saturday.

Audit: Xmas lunch was cancel due to Daniel's work commitments, to be rescheduled.

December 4th: Xmas Cards

This year I had big plans, but they were too big, I wanted to make my Xmas cards, but after much humming and haring I realised it just wasn’t going to happen. After, this realisation, I was a little disappointed and said to myself I am not going to bother with cards at all this year... but then I yet again changed my mind and said screw it I will just send some out.... So over the last week I painstakingly wrote out my Xmas cards, and today I finally finish

Once I print my photos and put my pages together I will show them to you.

Also on another note, I have been so busy I have not be able to do my Reverb 10 writings, so hopefully tomorrow before work I will be able to sit down and do a catch up on those and the 30 days of me project.

Sunday Music: Coldplay- Christmas Lights

2010-12-05T07:49:00.007+11:00

Since it December, and I have found myself in an extremely Christmas mood. I have decided that my Sunday Music should be filled with Christmas songs from some of my favorite artists. On another note, last night i made a extremely long list of XMAS movies i want to watch over this season with Dan.

I Heart December 4th 2010

2010-12-04T10:36:00.000+11:00

These sweet Xmas theme cookies, from here

I defentially feel some xmas baking coming on.

I really want to try this next year for our Xmas tree skirt


sorce: Re-nest

While looking for save the date ideas i came across these, letterpressed cards, and i just love them

Source: Papersheep

Next year Christmas Cards

source: Paige + Modern

Another super cute xmas project.

source: Cakies

December 2 - Writing

2010-12-03T23:55:00.000+11:00

What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

Well this is an easy one for me, as I am a big procrastinate, I love spending time just bumming on the couch, wandering around the house, and surfing the web look at other people's creativity instead of taking the time to use my own. So I need to find some focus, cut back on the hours just surfing the net and work on my own projects, then I would definitely have more time for writing and for finding my own words.

GOAL FOR 2011: Find my Own Voice.

Day 24- A letter to your parents

2010-12-03T08:58:00.003+11:00

Dear Mum and Dad,

I know that we don't always see eye to eye but no matter what happens i always love you. Right now, we are so far away from each other but i feel as though our relationship is even stronger now than when i lived with you, how funny that how it work out. I wish we were a little bit closer to each other so we could see each other more frequently rather than just talk on the phone, but that will happen one day soon.

I love you
E

Reverb 10- December 1

2010-12-02T09:23:00.000+11:00

I came across this new project to participate into today while surfing the net, i am becoming the blog project girl atm, but next year i am will be getting back to my normally blogging, that is writing about my life and my scrapbooking but for the rest of December i am going to be finishing up my Me Project, sharing my December daily album and participating in this project.

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

For Me, 2010 was a year that represented change, which is quite funny in itself because most of the big changes like moving stated had happened a few year before, but this year had more change significant change than other, it was the little things like Dan starting a new job, and for myself moving areas at work, but these simple little things with others have lead to more personal development and awareness than anything i have done previous in my life.

For 2011 i am so excited about what is to come, we have a big year ahead of us, which includes planning a wedding, making a head board , and i want to find the courage to achieve some of my goals (more on this early next year). So next year is going to be extremely busy, and really hard to pick just one word. I think right now i feel as thought that word should be JOURNEY. As it will be a journey next year as we plan everything and work on our project, it won't be about the end results, it will be about the path we take and the fun we have doing it.

Day 23- Something you crave for a lot

2010-12-02T08:46:00.000+11:00

Chocolate- need I say more

This is what dan will wake to find on the 1st of decemer

2010-12-01T09:00:00.001+11:00

I came across a very cute DIY advent Calendar item (check it out here), and decided to use this concept to count down the days of Christmas. So each morning, Dan is going to wake to find this....

In each little box, I am going to put a love voucher, or one of his favorite candy or something to celebrate this wonderful time of the year with him....

I will keep all the boxes for next year or may use them as part of my December daily album, and once he has cashed in his vouchers, or left behind the wrappers from his lollies I want to included them somehow in my December daily album too.

(sorry for the bad photos, i am taking these at 1am in the morning here. I will replace them with better ones in the morning).

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy

2010-11-30T10:04:00.002+11:00

It such a commerical item to pick and there are so many things that make me happy BUT it said picture and i don't really have a picture of the things that make me happy the most ( i will list these below), so i posted a picture of my Kindle which makes me extremely happy while reading on the bus, because it lighter, easier to read that an actual book while travelling on Sydney patchwork quilted roads. But the real things that make me happy are these

waking up beside the man i love each day
having little boy meow into my ear first thing every morning
visiting pineapple section (the area i used to work in at work) and singing songs with the residents
Ringing Caroline in Melbourne and having an extremely long chat at least twice a week

November Reviewed

2010-11-30T09:20:00.001+11:00

Things were pretty quiet this month,

Daniel had a few week on call,

This meant Erin had loads of time on her own

They hired a carpet cleaner and clean the hall and lounge carpets

She wishes she took photos of it all

The microwave broke down

And they are yet to get another

Her little boy finally got taller than her big boy

But big boy is still a lot stronger

She is starting to make Christmas decoration

As well as plans for her xmas lunch with friends

They also went and saw the new Harry Potter movie for date night

Which they loved

But are sad they have to wait for so long for the last instalment.

Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

2010-11-29T09:04:00.001+11:00

This is my boy, this is the one i will marry one day. Actually, we set the date ( March 3rd, 2012, one day after our ten year anniversary), we booked the church (well actually it a Chapel) and we are going to live ever after (note: i did not add happily, because in reality there will be good time and bad times)

Sunday Music: The Tea Party- Paint it Black

2010-11-28T23:12:00.000+11:00

This week Sunday Music come from my partner, Daniel, as i had an extremely busy week and have not had a chance to find a song that has capture my mood, or my heart. So i asked Daniel what is one of his favorite songs and his reply was The Tea Party: Paint it Black.
>

Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them

2010-11-27T00:04:00.009+11:00

I have had loads of nicknames over the years, but some that have sticked are

grisely bear - This is my Dad's nickname (Dad aka Jamez for me. The reason behind it i guess because i so grisely puss.

ezza- Well, my name is Erin, and as Australia's love to do, change people name to an za. So Erin becaome Ez,Harry becomes Hazza, Sharon becomes Shazza, Barry becomes Bazza however I really hate this nickname, i really don't like when people call me this. However, people still do i encorugae them to use Ez instead. The other nickname that related to this one is ezzie, which my friend Laura aka Hippi Lollie uses.

Daniel aka Sexy Rexy has many names for me these include Bubes Malone which is a play on the gangest Bugsy Malone name, because as he jokes i am his little gangest, which is a quite strange since i am no gangest.
He also calls me Bubkasha, which he thought meant baby, but it actually translates as "old women wearing scaf", and is a term used for "grandma" in russia... but i love the way he says and the thought behind it even if he had the meaning wrong, so i let him call me an old women wearing a scaf.

I am sure there is many other nicknames i am called but these are the one i remember the most, or i love the most.

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

2010-11-26T11:19:00.000+11:00

This one is a hard one for me, for a few reason... My life is what it is and yes it not perfect but it still my life and i would not change that for anything. The other reason is that there is so many fantastic people out there, that have done so many amazing things... However, i think i would like to be Zooey Deschanel for one day.... The reason why, well i love her personal style and the attitude that she presents in life.

Book Review: Breaking Dawn

2010-11-25T10:29:00.000+11:00

They say the final book in the #1 bestselling twilight saga, will take your breath away. However, this was not the case, i painstakingly read this book as i had read the other and once i start a set of books i like to finish them. Unfortunately, The twilight saga, is just as painful as nails going down a chalk board. However, i must say that any book that get teenagers reading is a bonus so i will say for this reason and this reason alone, twilight has done some good in the world. Anyway, back to Breaking Dawn, there were moment when i laugh but for the most part i was waiting for something to happen, i actually thought this books was heading somewhere unlike it previous books but nothing happened, and i finish reading, I thought to myself what a waste of time and effort. And the main story line, Bella's pregnancy and the half- vampire and half- human baby is oven done. Book such as Vampire Academy, L.J. Smith's Night World: Huntress have one or more, and movies like Blade and Underworld also have this concept, and even one of my all time favorite TV shows, Angel had Connor.

As this is the final Twilight book, i will thankful not have to read another one, and if Stephanie Myer write another book about anything, i will not be reading it.

Day 16- Another picture of yourself

2010-11-25T00:03:00.001+11:00

Wedding Wednesday: Sarah and Joe

2010-11-24T20:42:00.011+11:00

This week wedding comes from 100 Layer Cake. The wedding was in October, and to me represents everything Autumn is about.

Congratulation to Sarah and Joe, and if you want to see more of this fantastic wedding head over to 100 Layer Cake

Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

2010-11-24T11:55:00.000+11:00

My old Ipod died recently and so Daniel bought me a new ipod But then the computer with all the music on it died, so at the moment my ipod is very empty for music but what i do have on it are recent favorites so i will share, and maybe in a month or two when my i have all my music on my ipod i will do these again

1. Stevie by Lisa Mitchell

2. Dog Days are Over by Florence and The Machine

3. En Attendant By Carmen Maria Vega

4. I Got you by Train

5. Romeo and Juliet by The Killers

6. Fat Bottomed Girl by Queen

7. Witchdoctor by Little Red

8. Syrup & Honey by Duffy

9. IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg

10. Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons

Currents 23th Novemeber 2010

2010-11-23T23:37:00.008+11:00

This is another thing that is going around the scrapbooking blogs but i just loved it and have decided to do it myself.... i am going to post it hopeful every Tuesday and turn each post into a page in a mini album.

listening: Mumford and Sons
eating: Pasta tossed with sun dried tomatoes and marinated feta
drinking: coke zero
reading: (this is sad to admit) Breaking Dawn by Stephine Myer
wearing: My Monty uniform
feeling: extremely tired
weather: warm
wanting: the dishes done so i don't have to do them
needing: to go to bed
thinking: i should go to bed

enjoying: the peace of the house
wondering : how will tomorrow go

Day 14- A picture of you and your family

2010-11-23T11:53:00.002+11:00

My Little brother, Daniel and and I at the Maxi food Xmas party.

Dad (aka Jamez), Mum and I in Hong Kong

Sexy Rexy and I at Burwood Westfield

Meet Piglet

2010-11-22T23:58:00.000+11:00

Nicknames: Piggie, Little Boy, Kitten 

Kitty Complexion:  

Activeness : crazy (currently running laps in the apartment) 

 Intelligence: Genius 

 Curiosity: Curious  

Friendliness: overall affectionate especially if he want something 

 Vocal: vocal most of the time

Quick Bio:

Birthday: Feb, 2010

Coloration: Tabby 

Likes: Fish, ripping up toilet paper, the laptop

Pet-Peeves: not being feed on his schedule

Favorite Toy: anything he can get his hands on

Favorite Nap Spot: Top of the fringe, on the couch

Favorite Food: food is his middle name

Skills: making mum laugh, opening doors and getting locked in rooms

Dwells: indoors

Lives Remaining: 8 out of 9 (only because of all the toilet paper he has destroyed)

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

2010-11-22T11:53:00.001+11:00

Dear Person who hurt me,

Don't you understand that no matter what you do to me, i will always find a way to get over it... The only person you really hurt is yourself.

E

Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one

2010-11-21T11:53:00.004+11:00

I think i found out about blogger was when i finish started scrapbooking i discovered Elsie Flannigan who i fell in love with her scrapbooking style and i wanted to know more about her, and see more of her work... so i google her and then found her blog which at the time was hosted by Blogger, a few year later i moved to Sydney and wanted to keep a diary or a personal writing of that experience so i started this blog to do so... since then this blog it has become so much more than that.

Sunday Music: Jeremy Larson - Make Believe

2010-11-21T04:22:00.002+11:00

I have decided that for my Sunday Music i want to do a little introduction to the song, artist, etc....

This week song is Make Believe by Jeremy Larson... now i hear you ask who is Jeremy Larson? Well first up i have to say that he one of my favorite blog reader Future Husbands, Elise Flannigan. But more importantly he is a solo artist from Springfield, MO, who performed as a guest paniost on Jay letto show for post-rock band Mutemath.

also i would love to hear some recommendation for my sunday music feature, so please post a comment below

I Heart November 20th, 2010

2010-11-20T09:39:00.005+11:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60655099/mr-and-mrs-hand-stamped-pillow-cover

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59608188/ps-i-love-you-hand-stamped-lumbar-pillow

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57473060/the-pouch-in-carmin-red

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58067453/vintage-olive-green-luggage-train-case?ref=fp_treasury_1

December Daily 2010

2010-11-20T00:41:00.000+11:00

As i previously mentioned i am participating in Ali Edwards December Daily this year, and i was thinking about what sort of things i would like to included in my album, what sort of events will be happening. Our Xmas won't be a very typical one, due to the fact we are not near any family and this year we are not and they are not travelling to each other. On top of this fact, Dan and I will both be working over the Xmas period, i will have Xmas day off but it looks like Dan going to be on call which puts a damper in our Xmas plans... So this year my December daily will not be filled with Xmas events etc but will represent where we are right now and what we are doing right now to make our lives work... i think it will be interesting to look back on and see the difference from this very un-Christmas Christmas to one in ten years or so that will be a true Aussie Xmas.

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

2010-11-19T00:01:00.011+11:00

artwork by

kilari-chan

The soundtrack of my life does not depended on my mood, i will listen to the same music when sad or happy, bored or hyped because it bring me joy. The killers, Mumford and sons or the many other artist that i enjoy help me no matter what mood i am in because that mood lead to the my interpretation of the song at that given point in time.... so the songs or music i listen to is not depended on my mood but my mood does give me a different perspective on the music i enjoy.

Music and I are best friends. I love MUSIC, and i listen to everything and anything. MUSIC lift my spirits, it bring me joys, it lets me dance and calms me down... it sets the beat to my life and gives me the lyrics to my story.

December Daily 2010 Foundation

2010-11-18T14:31:00.000+11:00

Ali Edwards once again is hosting December Daily, this year I have decided to participate... all I can say so far is WOW everyone has such fantastic albums. For my foundation pages i used the a paper pack and stickers from Echo Park, i have kept it pretty simple so far, but eventually i will kick it up a notch... Anyway here are my foundation pages...

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why

2010-11-15T11:52:00.001+11:00

1. Finish my mini album on hong kong

2. spring clean the whole house

3. finish making my xmas cards

Sunday Music: Hindi Zahra-Beautiful Tango

2010-11-14T08:25:00.001+11:00

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why

2010-11-13T08:39:00.002+11:00

"Into every generation a Slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their numbers. She is the Slayer."

Some would argue that Buffy is not a superhero but I would disagree. A superhero is defined as someone with "xtraordinary or superhuman powers" and dedicated to protecting the public and has some visual characteristic (typically an outfit) that makes him/her identifiable. Buffy has "xtraordianry powers" these included superhuman senses, strength, agility, resilience and speed, and also occasionally receives prophetic dreams in her sleep, these powers all help her "protect the public" from the forces of darkness, mainly vampires and demons. As for "some Visual Characteristics", if blond hair and good fashion sense isn't enough, Buff is usually found with her weapons and equipment included her trust stakes and all popular scythe.

And like all good Superheros, she has her sidekicks, the Scoobies.

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

2010-11-12T08:38:00.002+11:00

I had trouble decided on one picture of somwhere i have been, so i picked three pictures.

Fanling Wai- Fanling Wai is a walled village in Fanling built by the Pang Clan. It is recognisable with the distinctive pond and layout including features such as cannons and watchtowers. All these elements were crafted to form an integral part of the village setting. Fanling Wai is the centre of the Pang Clan who arrived in Hong Kong late in the Song Dynasty. People still live in the building today however, the younger generation tend to leave for the city so the population tends to be elderly.

Hong Kong Disneyland - it is the smallest of all the Disneylands but it still has that magic. After, visting i now have the dream to go to every disneyland in the world at least once.

Tian Tan Buddha -large bronze statue of a Buddha, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. The statue is located near Po Lin Monastery and symbolises the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion

Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have

2010-11-11T12:15:00.000+11:00

One habit I wish I did not have is " taking everything to heart", I really do take what people say or do personally and let affect how I feel and what I am doing. I wish I was one of those people that could just let things go and get on with it. This is something I need to work on, to learn to not care to just focus on what makes me happy and do that rather than being concerned with others.

meet WYNSTON

2010-11-10T21:48:00.000+11:00

Nicknames: Wynnie, Wynnie the pooh, Big Boy, Kitten (Edward Cullen based on this picture)

Kitty Complexion:  

Activeness : Sleepy 

 Intelligence: Genius 

 Curiosity: Curious  

Friendliness: affectionate when it suits 

 Vocal: not vocal most of the time

Quick Bio:

Birthday: March 5th, 2009

Coloration: Chocolate, Cream 

Likes: Fish, the laptop, eating Mum's oregano, sun baking in a window, sitting in front of tv while people watch it.

Pet-Peeves: Piggie jumping on top of him while he sleeping

Favorite Toy: Al foil rolled up in a ball

Favorite Nap Spot: The end of the bed, or on top of the fridge

Favorite Food: Salmon or prawns or fresh chicken

Skills: Opening doors

Dwells:indoors

Lives Remaining: 9 out of 9

Note:Piggie's Bio coming tommorrow

Wedding Wednesday

2010-11-10T16:04:00.000+11:00

I have decided that Wedding Wednesday is going to be more than just sharing my plans for D and I wedding, there will be still a montly update how our plans are going but i thought i would share some wedding that i have come across while searching the web, for the first week i want to share with you a wedding that i came acorss of Green Wedding Shoes   

Maria and Micheal had a beautiful wedding in New Orleans

all images from green wedding shoes
To see and read more about this wedding, go here

Day 03- A picture of you and your friends

2010-11-10T08:37:00.002+11:00

My old high school buddy who i have know since Kindergarden, Hippi Lollie (aka Laura Haynes)

My best bud Caroline, we met working at Maxi and have been best of friends every since

Julie and I work at Monty together, we use to be apples together, then we were pineapples together.

My Uni Bud, Alex

Publish Post

and my best bud of all, Dan

Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name

2010-11-09T08:33:00.000+11:00

When i first started this blog the name was optimistic fascination, the reason for this was because i think it is important to have an optimistic out look on life, hence the name. ATM the blog is simply called E & D, which has no really deep meaning except that it the documentation of Daniel and My life together, eventually one day i am sure i will go back to Optimistic Fascination but right now i feel that E & D simple suits.

Spring Album

2010-11-08T14:10:00.000+11:00

10. Plan a date night each month Part A

2010-11-08T14:04:00.001+11:00

I shared already the photos from our first date night but i wanted to share the page i created for mini album

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

2010-11-08T00:59:00.000+11:00

1. I rather be bare foot 2.I have a major sweet tooth, it's a problem. 3. I'm extremely emotional 4. I can spend hours watching re-runs of any of the following, Supernatural, SATC, Buffy, and Angel. 5. I have to start my day with a bowl of honey porridge 6. I love writing list, I have a list for almost everything. 7. I am one of those people that needs to be doing something 8. I try to do one sudoku puzzles everyday. 9. I swear I fall in love with Daniel again every single day. 10. I still have my teddy bear from when I was a baby. 11. I cannot go to sleep before one am. 12. I cannot stand the taste of alcohol and hence I have never been drunk in my whole life. 13. I hate doing the dishes, I avoiding doing them under all circumstances (that why the kitchen cleaning is Daniel's job NOT mine). 14. I could spend my whole day of etsy (well who couldn't) 15. I secretly love watching Sci-Fi.

Sunday Music: First Aid Kit - You're Not Coming Home Tonight

2010-11-07T09:00:00.003+11:00

I Heart November 6th, 2010

2010-11-06T09:00:00.001+11:00

http://lepapierstudio.com/2010-calendars-c-46_48/2010-calendar-pillow-p-115

http://lepapierstudio.com/2010-calendars-c-46_48/2010-botanical-calendar-p-111

http://nightowlpapergoods.com/images/P/wcal155-2011_critter_wood_calendar-p.jpg

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60328143/2011-calendar

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60625683/the-tree-calender-2011

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60693910/2011-illustrated-owl-calendar-by

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58105688/2011-calendar-bloom-grow-love-floral

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60266834/2011-looseleaf-calendar?ref=pr_shop

Thirty Days of Me

2010-11-06T01:04:00.008+11:00

I came across ths concept on From Alaska with Love, and I though what a fun idea... The concept comes from this blog.
So for the next 30 days starting on monday I plan on sharing a little bit more about me, 30 days, one post a day.

The 30 questions are as followes
Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- Your favorite song.
Day 30- In this past month, what have you learned

Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down

2010-11-05T00:15:00.008+11:00

"New Year's Eve at Toppers' House, North London's most popular suicide spot. And four strangers are about to discover that doing away with yourself isn't quite the private act they'd each expected
Four strangers, who moments before were convinced that they were alone and going to end it all that way, share out the pizza and begin to talk ... Only to find that they have even less in common than first suspected." Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down is a novel that asks some of the big questions: about life and death, strangers and friendship, love and pain, and whether a group of losers, and pizza, can really see you through a long, dark night of the soul"

I never read a book by Nick Hornby and after reading this one I am not sure I will read another, I am sure a lot of people will find this book rather enjoyable and I would not say it was bad but at so many moments I just wanted to put it down and not pick it up again.

There were moments that were funny and could help but lol, and I love the ending because it was not the typical Hollywood ending , however the characters in the book were not like able, there was nothing enduring about them, nothing that drew me to them... when I read a book I want to love my characters or love to hate them but with this book I felt nothing, I did not care for them at all.
.

Wedding Wednesday: Only a day late

2010-11-04T12:10:00.000+11:00

i am totally inspired by these flowers right now

i was seeing the wedding in greens and purples already but these flowers have just confirmed that idea for me.

Sunday Music - Fleet Foxes:White Winter Hymnal

2010-10-31T00:00:00.003+11:00

Midweek Cooking: Goat's Cheese Quiche

2010-10-28T12:32:00.001+11:00

We are having the wonderful Ms Alex over for dinner tonight, and i wanted to cook up something very yummy and something i had not cooked before, so i decided to make Goat's Cheese Quiches

Ingredients

4 eggs

1 cup (250 ml) milk

1 cup (250 ml) 35% cream

Salt and pepper

1/4 tsp (1 ml) nutmeg

2 tbsp (30 ml) butter

1 large garlic clove, finely sliced

1 green onion, finely sliced

2 cups (500 ml) spinach, stemmed

1/2 cup (125 ml) goat's cheese, crumbled

1 9-inch (22-cm) pie crust, uncooked ( I actually bought some pasty, as i wanted to make individual muffins sizes ones)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 °F (205 °C).

In a bowl, beat eggs with milk and cream. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and set aside.

In a skillet, melt butter and saute garlic, green onion, and spinach.When spinach becomes limp, remove from skillet and spoon mixture into pie crust.

Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with egg mixture and bake for 20 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 325 "F (160 °C) and bake for 15 minutes.

I will post up a picture and how it went tomorrow

Audit: I was unable to take a picture due to the fact that they were eaten too quickly... i guess that really says it all.

Wedding Wednesday

2010-10-27T13:40:00.002+11:00

So this week we finally booked our photography, she is so lovely, sweet and when i saw her photos for the first time it had that WOW factor. The best part is she lives around the corner from the venue so she know it extremely well, she is reasonably priced and has to be one of the nicest people i have spoken to so far about wedding plans

You can check her out here http://www.amberwilliams.com/

I WON

2010-10-27T09:47:00.002+11:00

I received an email the other day saying that I had won Vera Wang perfume from The Knot, Australia at first I laugh and giggle as I never win anything... Anyway it arrive in the mail, and I just have to say I love the scent, I love the way it make me feel. I love putting it on in the morning and feeling all girly.

So i think i have accomplished another thing of my list of things to do? OR maybe i still will go perfume shopping and see if can find another perfume i love very much.

COMING TOMMORROW

2010-10-26T23:22:00.000+11:00

Coming tomorrow, I will finally be able to finish some craft project and share them with you.... But in the mean time I wanted to share a sneak pic photo of my desk right now.

(Sorry for the bad Photo, but it is late at night and we have the terrible lighting in the study/ craft room actually we have crappy lighting in the whole apartment BUT the study does get some beautiful sunlight during the day)

Today

2010-10-25T12:34:00.001+11:00

Today I feel so sore and tired all over, it partially because I have a cold which is cause general aches and pain but also because I am trying to keep to my 27 before 28 goal of exercising each day... okay so far this one has not been going well BUT I am trying, so today I did 30 mins of Yoga, followed by 20mins on the cross trainer, so it wasn't much but it was a start and after a few days the aches and pains will go away AND I will start to feel good about it..

2010-10-24T23:53:00.000+11:00

Sunday Music: Little Red - Coca Cola

2010-10-24T09:09:00.004+11:00

This week Sunday music, is inspired by a conversation I had with my best friend Caroline earlier in the week. Caz works at La Trobe university, and they are trying to get Little Red to play there... Anyway Caroline and I saw Little Red open for The Exploders about two year ago, and we were laughing as we can both say we saw Little Red before they were famous, before they asked ten thousand per show when their mums uses to come and watch them play (OK, this last point may not be true, but it sets a point)... So in honour of La Trobe battle to get Little Red to play there, and My friendship, with Ms Caz (and our mutually love for music), I present Little Red's Coca Cola