Day 31: Absolutely exhaused

So nada from me today.

But 1 mth done and 11 to go -yah!

Day 30: Ikea madness

Mark picked me up from my facial in the city and not surprisingly he took me to Bunnings AGAIN. I swear we are keeping the chain in business. That's right readers, that makes at least four weekends in a row now, probably more but I can't remember back that far. The visit was all the more painful because I knew Ikea was waiting and Bunnings was cutting into my time there. I haven't been to Ikea IN AGES. I love it for a good wander around, so many clever ideas. But you always forget what a shit fight it is - way too many people! Anyhoo, while I was looking at some cushions there Mark spotted two cushions side by side with our initials as monograms - E & M. We thought it was quite cute (but we didn't purchase). On this trip we just got some storage stuff for our new whizz bang laundry but I would like to go back soon and get some other bibs and bobs.

Day 29: Cactus Blue Micro

Mark asked me out for some cocktails and tapas at Cactus Blue Micro in Neutral Bay on Friday night. We have been to Cactus Blue a few times and we really rate the food, this was our first time at Micro. The tapas was very nice and the cocktails were delicious. We had 4 each - 3 mohitos and a caprioska for me and 2 long island ice teas, 1 caprianha (sp?) and a dry martini for Mark. Good way to unwind for the week!

Day 28: Showcasing my brother's talents

My brother Ryan is very much into woodwork. He made me an awesome timber framed mirror for my birthday - it is so so smooth, he uses some very fancy machinery to finish it off perfectly. The mirror is spotted gum (i picked the timber with him) and weighs over 6kgs! I got it in December as a belated birthday gift (my birthday is in July lol) but we only just put it up the other day as we needed to buy super strong wire and hooks given it is so heavy. I love it - thanks bro.

Day 27: Go and give blood

A blood bank is right near my work building. I encourage all my readers to go and give blood if you can. Unfortunately I cannot join you. Many moons ago I tried to give blood and failed. I fainted at the pin prick test and had to stay in a room for 20 minutes whilst I recovered. They were very understanding but banned me for 5 years all the same (I can understand - I was hindering rather than helping). My ban lifted some time ago but I think I would still have the same outcome if I went today. I still almost pass out from every needle or semi medical-related icky thing. I would if I could though! So go on - don't walk, run.

Day 26: Aussie BBQ

Happy Australia day to all my readers! Today we had Danny, Senor Cool, Huong, Susan, Trevor and Elliot over for a BBQ, a fitting way to spend Australia Day! Our food had an Aussie theme.
Typical snacks...

Retro Aussie fare - mini meat pies (but gourmet style)and sausage rolls with tomato sauce

Mark made damper which we served with garlic butter. I haven't had this since School Camp (oh and also at Kingsley's Steak House). A great Australian Classic.

Lamb! (yes we did out patriotic duty) Mark marinated a few batches - Moroccan, rosemary & garlic and au natural - v v yum!

Organic beef and lamb sangers (we don't often serve sangers at our dos but made an exception for Australia Day!) and onion

Mixed salad I made with marinated fetta and olives plus whole baby beets (an Aussie BBQ essential)

Lamingtons for afters


Not suprisingly, Mark and I did not need dinner!

Day 25: Semi Straight

I'm getting slightly better at using my new GHD. My second attempt resulted in semi straight hair (I'm naturally very curly) and way less boof than my first attempt.

Day 24: Invictus

Today I went and saw Invictus directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Everybody knows Morgan Freeman is a great actor and boy was he a good choice to play Nelson Mandela. I was also impressed with Matt Damon, he seems to just get better and better is quite charismatic. The film is a look at the life of Nelson Mandela whilst he was President, after the fall of apartheid, when he campaigned to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event as an opportunity to unite his countrymen. In case anyone is wondering, Invictus is Latin for unconquered.

Day 23: Bunnings... again!

My husband is quite often dragging me to Bunnings of a weekend while he picks up bibs and bobs for the various projects he may be actioning. We have been there 3 weekends in a row. His current project is tiling our laundry, stay tuned for before and afters.

Day 22: Coast

Mark and I went to dinner with my best friend Kel and her lovely fiancé Terry at Coast. We decided to go for the Chef's 4 course market menu. The first two courses were to share - entree of poached tuna followed by cod & pumpkin ravioli (I forgot to take pics). The next two courses were individual servings - silver bream for main followed by dessert which was a donut kind of thing with chocolate sauce (crap description by me but it was delicious). Thew view is of Darling Harbour. The four of us had a great catch up!

Day 21: Pretty Purples

Hydrangeas from our building garden. Pretty.

Day 20: Burger in a Bowl & a Peanut Butter Shake

On Wednesday I finally made it to The Counter Burger with some Bellas. I have been wanting to go there for ages! There is a great review of it by NQN. I had the PB Malt (really good!!!) and next time I am going to try PB & Choc. I also had the burger in the bowl (i.e. sans carbs) which was quite yum too (I had 150g beef with tomato, corn salsa, pinapple, black olives, onions and garlic aioli)! Way too full afterwards though, think I could have just had the shake.

Day 19: My Precious

Mark gave me the GHD Precious set for Xmas at my request. I have quite curly hair, which I like, but decided it might be nice to wear my hair straight sometimes. Normally I only get hairdressers to do this for me so its quite daunting having to do it myself. Attempt 1 was a bit of a failure - I ended up with big and boofy hair rather than straight and sleek hair I think because of the way I blow dried it prior to using the GHD. I am going to try next time without the blow dryer. I've gotten some good tips as well so stay tuned. I will master this yet!

Globes Fashion

I absolutely love the awards season staring with the Globes, to the BAFTAs to the Screen Actors Guild and then finally, to the Acadamies. Bring it on! So I thought I would share today the photos of those stars I personally found the best dressed on the night.

The best dressed IMO - loved the makeup, hair, dress and colour (Maggie G):


I like Nicole Kidman the next best - gorgeous dress and colour, and her hair looks fab red again, not too mention lovely makeup:


Chloe always looks good (and yay she won for Big Love - she makes that show!):

Emily Blunt looked v nice as well, very pretty makeup:

Jennifer Morrison looked good I think although the dress is a bit odd it still works:

TBH, I am no fan of red usually. But this shade of red is gorgeous - Cameron is rocking the red dress and fabulous matching red lippy:

I'm not 100% sold on this outfit but given I'm absolutely obsessed with January Jones I'm including her as well (nice red lippy here too)(she was one of the best dressed last year so I think we will see more from her as time goes on):

I also consider Toni Collette on this list, I shared her picture yesterday :)

Day 18: United States of Tara

Great show and amazing acting by our Toni Collette - a well deserved Golden Globe! And doesn't she look gorgeous!


P.S. I'm not really sure about John Corbett though (aka Aidan) - I've always been on Team Big.

Day 17: Breaky with friends

Mark and I did a repeat of last Sunday and went for Breakfast at Ripples Chowder Bay but this time we went with our friends Paul (who requested to be referred to as Señor Cool on this blog!), Huong, Danny and Krystal. Some piccies of our meals :) See day 10 for photos of Chowder Bay & Clifton Gardens).

Day 16: Lobster

On Saturday I went for a ladies lunch at Drummoyne Rowers Club with my lovely friend Kim and some of her friends. I haven't been to Drummoyne Rowers in YEARS - it looks like it has been recently renovated. It was a great central spot to meet for a leisurely lunch. I had half a lobster and a mohito - yum!

Day 15: Lady Melbourne

I purchased a few necklaces this week from Red Phoenix Emporium and my favourite is the Lady Melbourne which they said was inspired by blogger Lady Melbourne. Wonder if someone will make name a necklace after me soon? bahaha

Day 14: Overdue!

So on Thursday night I finally got my hair coloured - I get a half head of foils every 3 months but this time I had left it for over 4 months, so it was probably long overdue (sorry if anyone has been offended by my regrowth). I don't like to get my hair done any earlier than 3 months or otherwise I find my hair starts looking too blonde, I don't like that block blonde look on me. I like it to be a mixture of my natural colour (now a dark blonde) and a lighter blonde. I don't get any other colours as I hate that orangey blonde look - you know when they put in a gold here and there - it ends up looking orange or red or strawberry blonde or something, and then they fade anyway, and you are left with a weird colour. So it's stock standard peroxide for me! I get my hair done by my friend Toni who also happens to be my best friend's sister. Toni works in a law firm now but many moons ago she trained as a colourist for Toni & Guy. She does a fab job (fine folis, close to the roots and the perfect level of bleaching) so I'm lucky to have her! Action shot from Thursday night:

And my old natural colour ;) :

Day 13: I'm dreaming of...

Bora Bora

Day 12: Booty Camp @ Balmoral

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was starting boot camp. The one I'm doing is called booty camp and is for ladies only. Had my first session today and am enjoying it so far! Luckily the early morning view is a great motivator to get me out of bed. (sorry for quality - taken on my iPhone like most of my blog photos).

Day 11: Carb detox

I started a 3 day carb detox today which means dear readers, no more pics of tantalising food and delicious cocktails for a while :) And in that vain, no pic today! I also worked to 10pm, so bit of a non-event day all round.

Day 10: Breakfast at Chowder Bay

Mark and I got up early (9am) and decided to head to Ripples @ Chowder Bay for breaky. You can't book a table for breakfast (but can for lunch and dinner) so we were lucky to get a great spot overlooking Chowder Bay and Clifton Pleasure Gardens and out to he harbour. Every other time we've been to Ripples has been at night so it was great to go in the day and have a wander around the area. I think we will be heading back for a picnic soon. I tell you it is great living in God's country! :)

View from Ripples (of Clifton Pleasure Gardens):


View from Clifton Pleasure Gardens:


View of Harbour back up at Chowder Bay (including a nice tall ship):