para-para-paradise

This is what I wore today to Rottnest Island, which can only be described as paradise (travel blog post here).

I bought this dress after seeing it on Julie's blog. As a plain black dress I thought it could easily be dressed both down for the beach or up for a day/night out which is perfect when you're living out your suitcase.

 

Julie's blog post - here

Dress - Asos

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Flip flops - Havaianas

 

jaws

I woke up this morning to a 'Shark Alarm' going off on the beach opposite. It sounds whenever a shark is spotted so surfers and swimmers know to leave the sea. I found out later in the day that 13 Tiger Sharks were spotted and had eaten a dolphins not far from the beach.

 

Today was a beautiful day to go to King's Park (see pictures of the stunning view here). It was 28 degrees which I think is the perfect temperature and it was lovely to sit on the perfectly kept grass and look at the city. I can't wait to go back with a picnic and some cold alcoholic beverages.

After we got too hot from sitting in the sun we went for lunch at The Lucky Shag which is right next to the bell tower. The pub looks over the river and I have been told you can some times see dolphins as you eat. The food was beautiful and it was an amazing location and I will most definitely be back there again.

 

This is what I wore for the day. My wardrobe has become incredibly casual and basic but it's just what you need in this sunshine.

Shorts - Cotton On

Tee - H&M

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

 

feeling festive #10 - markets

I am staying at the Emperor's Crown hostel in Perth for 6 nights (review here). The family I was staying with have recently gone back to England for a holiday over Christmas and New Year, so I am staying at the hostel until Monday when I will be meeting up with my friend Becky. I have known Becky for absolutely ages and she come to Australia for a year in April so I've not seen her for 8 months. Excited is an understatement.

Each Friday there are markets just round the corner from the hostel but as we are now in December there was a Christmassy theme. There was some beautiful home made crafts, delicious food and a small band singing festive songs. I had such a fun night and I finally started to feel a bit festive. You can see more pictures of the markets here on my travel blog.

This is what I wore to the markets. Please excuse my hair, this is what no conditioner, hot weather and a lack of hair dryer and hair straighteners looks like. You can see a better picture of my shorts here.

 

Tee - Dotti

Shorts - Cotton On

Bag - Zara

 

park life

 

The family I am staying with have dogs and today we went for a walk through the local park. It's been a bit stormy the last few days so it was nice to finally have some sunshine.

I'm still not 100% sure if I like the top I am wearing (similar top here). I like the loose fit but I'm not sure if I like the back of the top as it is so much longer then the front.

Top - Primark

Leggings - Topshop

Flip Flops - Havaianas

Sunglasses -Ray Bans

More pictures of the local park on my travel blog.

 

once upon a time

This is what I wore tonight to the Laura Ashley blog birthday event. I met the lovely Laura and after getting slightly lost (damn google maps!!) we were greeted with beautiful cakes, tea cocktails in vintage cups and saucers and the amazing Christmas collection which is well worth a look.

Playsuit - Primark

Jacket - Zara

Scarf - Edinburgh, Scotland

Bowler Hat - H&M

I am holding a gift from the 'wish tree' and I was lucky enough to get the set of 3 white lit birds which have already found the perfect spot in my room. I had such a wonderful evening.

 

 

if you never try you'll never know

I feel like I haven't blogged or been on twitter properly in ages, when in reality it's only been a week. On Monday I handed in my months notice at work. It's official; I'm leaving a second job to go to Australia! It is finally starting to sink in that I don't have a lot of time at all before I leave.

I hate eBay with a passion. There's always someone who doesn't pay or asks to have their item shipped to a different country when you've specifically stated UK only. As my parents are planning on doing our house up whilst I'm gone, and I could do with some extra cash, I have been going through all my clothes to see what I can put on eBay. I don't think I've thrown anything away for at least 5 years so there was A LOT of clothes to go through. Secret hoarder much! Pretty much everything is going to start at 99p so if you fancy a bargain please have a look at my eBay page. There will be much more going on over the next few weeks so keep an eye out :)

As well as selling my life on eBay I've also got to fill my iPod with some epic tunes, learn how to blog and edit videos/photos from my iPad. It's going to be a busy few weeks so I apologise if I don't blog, comment or tweet much. I've also decided that I will be creating a YouTube account so I can vlog whilst I'm in Australia, so prepare to laugh at my first video in the next few weeks too. So much to look forward to ;)

Playsuit - Primark

Jumper - Zara

no one gets left behind

I thought I'd do an outfit post from #ldnbloggermeet. This my lovely friend Laura who I met at my very first blogger meet over a year ago and we have stayed great friends ever since. I love how many people I have met and become good friends with through my blog, it really makes it all worth it.

 

I am wearing:

Dress - Topshop

Bowler Hat - H&M

Earrings - Broome, Australia

Bracelet - Gift

 

Laura is wearing:

Playsuit - Lipsy

Blazer - Mango
Ring - YSL

blue blooded murder of the english tounge

I've been meaning to put this post up for about a week, but I have basically spent all my free time sleeping. I have wanted to have my birthmark removed for a long time and last Wednesday was the big day. The operation went well and didn't hurt much at all but this still didn't stop me being a sweaty, shaky, pale mess after. I really do not cope well with needles or the thought of having my arm cut open. During the operation I didn't look at my arm at all so when I went to get the dressing changed on Friday I was a bit shocked when I caught sight of it. It's healing exactly as it should be but I still ended up crying down the phone to my mum in public which was a new low for me. I think I have cried more this week then I have in the last six months which is crazy because I have got exactly what I wanted.

 

Shoes - River Island

Jeans - Levi's

Vest Top - Topshop

Kimono - Primark

let's see if it's true

I spent this weekend climbing through the trees, going on long bike rides, going down rapids and feeding ducks whilst catching up with some friends and consuming huge amounts of junk food and alcohol. I spent this weekend at Centre Parcs in Elveden and had a brilliant time. I wanted to do a few outfit posts whilst I was there but it turns out I spent a lot of my time in my Zaggora Hotpants or onesie.

 

Shoes - Primark

Leigh Jeans - Topshop

OMG Tee - Topshop

Jacket - Zara

 

you can't sleep? me either, let's can't sleep together

Tee [old] - Topshop

At the moment I feel so tired that I think my bags look like I've been punched in the face. They don't actually look too bad in the picture but I think I look unwell and tired.
Like a lot of people, I have trouble sleeping. I wake up tired and spend the whole day being tired. In fact, the only time I start to feel awake is when I should be settling down to sleep and because I feel awake I start watching CSI or writing lists or doing something on my 'to-do' list. Before I know it my alarm is set for only 4 or 5 hours time. It's ridiculous.

I've worked out that it is roughly every 4 weeks that I have to book a half day at work because I'm feeling so exhausted. I work full time, go out too much and don't sleep enough. I miss the days where my Sunday's used to mean staying in bed pretty much all day, watching films and reading.

I am now trying to make an effort to change these bad habits. I have a lot to do in the next few months and I need to make the most of my day instead or being sluggish and useless. I am making the effort to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. I know it's meant to be 8, ideally I'd like 9, but I think for now this is something I can manage. I've also found a few things that help me settle down:

Camomile Tea

Kalms

Lavender Candles

[Fuck Off] Eye mask

Relax & Rest app

My friend Tara told me about the Relax & Rest app when I went to visit her in Norway. I think it's meant to be for meditation but you can change the settings about a bit. At the moment I go to sleep to the sound of crashing waves - I realise this makes me sound like a freak.

I am also trying to avoid my computer late at night; there is always something to distract me. I also keep a note pad near me when I'm sleeping. I always have random thoughts pop in to my head about what I need to do the following day or something I need to book up. I write them down so I know I will remember and I don't have to worry about forgetting.

Do you have any tips that help you sleep?

get up, stand up

This past week has been hectic, but in a good way. I've been working at the Olympics as well as my normal job and trying to check off as much of my 'to-do' list as possible. I don't think I've ever been this tired before, but it's all totally worth it.

On Saturday I had a day off from the Olympics, which worked out well because it was my friend's 30th birthday. We went to Jongleurs in Covent Garden for dinner and a comedy night, which I'd recommend. The Thai Green Curry was lovely and the cocktails are half price from 5-10pm, what more could you ask for! Sadly, I had to leave after the first comedian because I had a really early start on Sunday - I was in London by 7:30am! The first comedian was really funny and I've been told they only got better as the night went on.

This is what I wore for the evening. I usually never wear heels but I stupidly threw my only pair of black flats away, so I had no choice. On the way back to the train station, and being in Covent Garden, I made a sneaky Paperchase purchase - a magazine holder. It really is sad how much I love stationary and being organised.

I have been working in my normal job the last two days but I will be spending the next four days at the ExCeL for the last few days at the Olympics. I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Shoes [old] - New Look

Tights - Primark

Dress - Topshop

Jacket - Zara

I left my heart in london

I finished work at the Olympics at half past 3 on Friday and I was meeting some friends for dinner in the evening at St Katharine Dock, which is a beautiful place. As I had a few hours spare, I took full advantage.

I went on the cable cars from the ExCeL to the O2. It was such a beautiful day and there were amazing views of our great city London. I have written a post about it here [the-travelchain].

After, I went for a wander around Tower Bridge and St. Katharine Dock. There was such a buzz in the air, it made me fall in love with London all over again. I think Tower Bridge looks brilliant with the 5 Olympic rings and The Shard standing in the background.

I first discovered St. Katharine Dock when I went there for dinner for my friend's graduation. I thought it was brilliant last time, but it was even better this time round. When I walked round the corner I found a massive Denmark sign with stalls and live music outside The Dickens Inn. The atmosphere was amazing, I've not felt anything like it before. Soon after this I discovered Fiji and Austria around the corner - I love London for dotting different countries around our city!

Shoes - Topshop

Jeggings - Primark

Top - Zara

Jacket - Zara

Bag [old] - River Island

live your dreams

Top - Topshop

Once again, I have changed my mind about what I want to do with my life. Everything I said in this post can basically be ignored. I will be going to Australia and I will be going soon. I love to meet new people and explore new places and I think, momentarily, I forgot that and got too comfortable in my life as it is now. I have forgotten what it feels like to be out of my comfort zone and how much I enjoy not knowing what will happen next.

I am so excited about my plans, but at the moment I haven't told my parents about my change of heart. They want me to follow my dreams but at the same time they will think I am a massive idiot to leave another well paid job to travel. That may be true and may seem stupid to some people but I am a huge believer of following your dreams and I have wanted to live in Australia for as long as I can remember.

Before I leave I will be selling quite a bit on eBay and setting up a Big Cartel shop to sell some vintage clothes I have discovered, so keep an eye out. All money made will be going towards my travel fund. I will also be organising one last blogger meet before I go and I hope I'll get to see a lot of you there.

I really do love to travel and I have set up my own travel blog [the-travelchain] which I will be updating a lot more now my mind has been made up about leaving. I hope you'll enjoy reading about my journey along the way.

london we go hard

You can not escape the Olympics. If it's not interfering with your journey to work, it is on your TV screens being used in adverts for just about everything. The build up has been slightly ridiculous and all we seem to see on the TV is the greedy and negative sides of the games. Despite all of that, I am actually looking forward to the Olympics as I will be part of it. I will be one of 70,000 volunteers working behind be scenes, know as game makers. I am based at the Excel on the Technology Team working behind Fencing and Taekwondo.

I sent my application to be a game maker for the Olympics from a little internet cafe in Darwin, Australia in 2010. I still remember the very first interview I had and I can't believe the day of the Opening Ceremony is finally here.

This is a post to show you the uniform that I will be wearing.  As Adidas are sponsors of the Olympics I will be dressed head to toe in sportswear, including the first pair of trainers I have owned for a long time. I will be volunteering for 10 days out of the 2 weeks as well as working at my full time job when I can. It's going to be a busy few weeks but I am sure there is going to be an amazing atmosphere that will make it all worth while.

whatever you do in life will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it because nobody else will

My friend Cathy graduated yesterday and I was luck enough be to invited along with her parents and her boyfriend. It was such a wonderful day and I am so proud of her for doing so well! Cathy now lives in Germany so it was lovely to spend the day with her! :')

Dress - Apricot

Jacket - Zara

Shoes [old] - New Look

Belt - Primark

highly motivated to do nothing

I'm not going to lie - I bloody love baggy, comfy clothes and could spend my life in this denim shirt. I am really pleased I rediscovered my old school Vans. I bought them in Cornwall about 5 years ago but they've been hidden away for so long I forgot I owned them.

Yesterday, I had a hair cut. I do not like the hairdressers at all! I don't like the small talk and the fact they never seem to do what you ask. I asked for a little off the length and a thick side fringe - I got about 3 inches off the length and a thin wispy fringe!! I ended up cutting my own hair with scissors that had glue on them to get my fringe how I wanted it. Luckily, I didn't get too scissor happy and I think it looks okay. Thankfully I won't have to go back for another few months!

Tonight I went shopping and had Nando's with my mate Ben. I bought a boys cardigan from H&M and he bought his girlfriend pretty birthday presents. I am not really a fan of wandering around the shops so it was good to go shopping with a boy. Bish bash bosh!

Shoes [old] - Vans

Jeggings - Primark

Denim Shirt - Bik Bok

Earrings - Broome, Australia

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

wild hearts can't be broken

I can not handle hangovers at all. I have spent the majority of the day in bed after a great night out in London with Faye. After a 5 hour "nap" I managed to muster up the energy to go out to dinner with my mum and dad in Leigh-on-Sea. It was such a lovely evening!

Shoes [old] - River Island

Jeggings - Primark

T-Shirt - eBay

Bag - eBay

Friendship Bracelet - eBay

Casio Watch - Asos

Earrings - Broome, Australia

Sunglasses - Ray Ban