Life Lately

It is Sunday evening as I type this, I am sipping on a delicious grapefruit and lime cocktail, listening to Vampire Weekend on our record player and feeling optimistic that this coming week will be better than the last!

This week has been challenging; work deadlines, family drama and illness have all been present over the past 7 days and it has been draining to say the least.

Hubby and I have both been under the weather with sore throats and earaches but a busy work week has meant no chance of a sick day to rest for me "sigh" (yes, i'm a total mopey mess when Im feeling unwell). Luckily I have a super adorable husband who went to the farmers markets this morning to by me a pistachio bagel and strawberry macaron to help cheer me up - total swoon worthy move.

This week a lot of focus for me has been on my family. I have had an immediate family member going through a tough time with mental illness which has been really heartbreaking not only for that person but also for my family. Whilst i'm usually a very open person this isn't something I want to go into detail about - I think its still too fresh in my mind and personal for my family. Mental Illness is a real bitch isn't it?

On a more positive note here are some things I am loving this week:

• Sochi Winter Olympics - I am crazy loving watching as much winter olympic action as possible. I don't think I have ever enjoyed watching an olympics as much as I have these winter games. I really love anything snowboarding! I also really love the sportsmanship and positive outlook of these athletes.

• Exercise - The Jen of 3 months ago would never have said this but I am really enjoying going for a walk/run every morning. It puts me in a great mood for the day and side effect is that I have been losing weight and loving the results. Who knew exercise could be enjoyable?

• Firmoo Glassess - After getting my eyes tested a few weeks ago I ordered glassed from Firmoo. I paid for express shipping (so worth it) and they came within 2 weeks. I am in love with the glasses! I love that Firmoo sell fashionable, fun glasses but without crazy optometrist price tags. Ill post a few photos of my 2 pairs of glasses in the coming days.

Here are some photos from the last week.

Sending love and positive vibes for the week ahead!

Peaceful afternoon watching the waves crash

Morning walk along the Foreshore - perfect time of day!

Friday night date night at Moneypenny at Honeysuckle - its our regular! 

Newcastle Town Hall by night

Jen, Xx

Looks I Am Loving Right Now

Whilst I would definitely not call myself a fashionista I do love looking at fashion and putting an outfit together - plus I completely LOVE shopping! My style varies as I don't really follow trends - it feels like too much effort to me.

However, after spending "some" time on Pinterest (I won't admit how long, Pinterest is really addictive!) I started to think that I really would like to put more effort into my outfits.

Here are a few of the looks I love and that made me look forward to autumn!

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How would you describe your style - do you follow or set trends or do you prefer to go for less fuss?

Jen Xx

Sunday Edition

A Domestic Goodess I Am Not

I may be a 27 year old with who has lived out of home for the past 7 years but one thing I have come to realise is that I am so NOT a domestic goddess.

Here is how I like to tackle a few domestic challengers:

• Spill red wine or nail polish on the carpet and want to clean it up quickly? My rule of thumb is to experiment with all cleaning products in the house until one of the works.

• Hosting a dinner party for in the inlaws? Buy food that just needs to be put in the oven and served (burning the food is optional as is serving dry meat...ive done both of these...yum!). 

• Need a dress ironed for work? Throw it in the clothes dyer for 20 minutes.

• Accurate measurements needed? Meh, that looks close enough.

The downside of growing up in a home with an amazing mum who cooked dinner, baked cakes, cleaned rooms, washed clothes etc, is that you really don't learn to do anything for yourself. All of the women in my family are great cooks, have beautiful tidy homes and are domestic goddesses - I think I'm missing that gene. 

Don't get me wrong, our house is tidy and well presented but cleaning is not my favourite thing (thank god for a dishwasher!) and I hate having to schedule in time to clean and tidy on week nights or the weekend for that matter.

My cooking is slowly improving, I make a mean pasta and you better get ready for my kick arse cupcakes (made from a pack of course) but Im still a work in process on the cooking front. 

The good news is I have made it a goal this year to improve my domestic abilities by adding "bake a cake from scratch" and "host a dinner party and do all the cooking" on my 28 by 28 list. Im hopeful that somewhere down the line my domestic goddess side decides to show itself but for now I'm comfortable in my easy to prepare meals, my cupboard full of mostly unnecessary cleaning products and contestant need to google how to do things around the house.

Anyone else out there domestically challenged?

Side Note - my husband is much better at me with domestic tasks so thank good there is one adult in our house!

CREDIT

Jen Xx

A Happy Tuesday Moment

This post should probably be labelled "majorly self-indulgent" but Im going to go ahead anyway....

So I have had this work dress in my cupboard for 4-5 years, unworn and tags still on. It isn't anything too special, just a straight black work dress. I purchased it knowing at the time it was too small but for whatever reason I fell in love with it and thought "heck, I'm going to lose weight". Turns out that didn't happen right away. So the dress has remained in my closet for years, tags still on, moving from place to place and whenever I have had a wardrobe cull I just haven't had the heart to part with it.

Now for the exciting bit (well to me anyway) - after lots of exercise, positive lifestyle changes and improving my diet TA-DA it fits!!!! 

I wore the dress today as I knew I had a lot of meetings and I wanted to feel extra put together. It was a good day. I know in the big wide world its just a small possibly shallow and vain thing but it kept a big smile on my face all day. Sometimes its small unexpected moments like this that are most satisfying.

Here is a terrible, dark work bathroom photo of said dress - whilst it is a bad photo my day long smile is evident!

Have you had any small wins lately?

Jen Xx

Is it Monday already?

How did the weekend pass so quickly? I feel like I was just walking into the car park to head home Friday afternoon and now its lunchtime Monday - boo!!

I am feeling wayyyyyy to tired for a Monday morning so a few earlier nights this week are in order. I have made an effort to eat well and exercise over the past few weeks but I think sleep is the one area I have neglected to work on. 

I had a really fun weekend with beach time, drinks by the harbour, long early morning walks, time spent catching up with family, New Zealand holiday planning and quality time spent with Gav.

But alas the weekend is now over which means I need to get myself ready for another busy work week. 

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

How did you spend your weekend? Any big plans for the week to come?

Jen Xx

Sunday Edition