Last weekend

After being relatively unsocial and nanna-ish of late, I had a fabulously social weekend last weekend. A very dear friend who lives in Hamilton came down to visit from Friday to Sunday which was outstanding. On Friday night a group of 6 of us went out for dinner at The Brewer’s Apprentice (if you’re ever in Palmy, stop here, it’s the place to be on Friday nights) which was delicious. After dinner and a cheeky walk to get dessert, we went home to get changed and then went back into town for a bit with another of my lovely friends who was visiting from Wellington. Saturday morning we hit the gym for two hours then saw Johnny Depp’s latest flick The Lone Ranger, which was very amusing. That night we had a few friends over for drinks and hit town (the first time in agesssss for me, considering my town appearance history). It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately my Hamiltonian friend had to leave on Sunday which was sad – a weekend visit just isn’t long enough. But regardless, it was a fantastic weekend.

My friends are just fabulous.

xx

Cray Cray

So last night was going to be a relatively quiet one, a few bevys with a couple of girls. No big deal. HAHAHA well that plan was shot through the roof and we ended up having an amazing flat party with about 20 people. It was off the chain. And the best part about it was that everyone had a good time. Excellent practice for the big one this coming Saturday!! Which reminds me, I'm almost 21!! Wow.

My left arm is currently covered in vivid ramblings which, despite my best scrubbing efforts, are refusing to budge. Sigh.

I saw a funny quote today:

"Heat makes things expand. So I don't have a weight problem...I'm just hot..."

Also, I have begun the process of returning to blonde. Had my first 'eraser strip' session on Saturday which lightened my hair quite a bit. Next I am getting foils done to further lighten. Very excited :)

This is the goal:

 

Colour before (please excuse the completely posed nature of this selfie)

Colour after (hopefully!) (also, JLawr is such a babe blonde!!)

Peace readers

xx

Inadvertent absence

I've been rather busy lately. More socially than anything, though my work hours have also increased a bit (such a relief). A few things I've been up to lately:

• Work experience at the local community paper. This has given me an insight into journalism and I like what I see!! Have had 3 articles published so far including one front page!! :)
• A 21st in Wellington for one of my dear friends. It was absolutely awesome and we ended up staying out till about 4:30am (at which point we were pretty much falling asleep in the clubs lol)
• A very enjoyable visit to Wellington zoo.
• My first ever hotpot experience. I was the only non-asian present and found the whole experience super interesting. Delicious also.
• Attended Jim Beam Homegrown. And what a day it was. My absolute favourite was Minuit. 
• Job screening test in Wellington at Sentia Media. Such a flash office! Would absolutely love to work there.
• Being super social. Town 3 times in a week is not uncommon atm (possibly need to ease up hah).

My favourite picture from our zoo trip:

so cute

xx

What's been up lately...

Apologies for my delay between posts, I have been all over the place lately and haven't actually found the time/have been too lazy to sit down and write. But I will be better from now.

Over the past few weeks I have been on the hunt for a job, which is getting more and more desperate/depressing/scary/worrying as time goes on and my savings keep whittling down. Thankfully my hours at my current job have picked up a bit again but still not enough. I have lost count of the number of jobs I've applied for online, but the problem with online job-hunting is that all those jobs are applied for by hundreds of people, and there will always be someone more qualified or better for the role than me. It's hard to not get really down about the lack of success, but I'm trying to keep my head up!

In talking about my monetary woes though, I have myself to blame for a lot of it. I've been travelling around a lot lately, which hasn't helped my funds! I had the 21st of one of my dearest friends in Hamilton one weekend (which was awesome!) then was up in Hamilton again the following weekend for the Parachute music festival (sooooooooo much fun) which was a real money-killer. Fortunately since then I've been able to curb my spending quite a bit, and I've had some decent work shifts too.

Here are some pics from my life lately...

Social social social!! Sorry some of the pics are terrible quality (they're from an iphone).

My next step is to go door-knocking with my CV. I am dreading this very much, but I must do it.

Ly xx

The old resolutions

So the time has come to welcome in the new year - 2013. I am heading back to Hastings this afternoon to see the new year in with my best friends. I am really quite excited. We will probably head over to Napier and watch the firework display. So I found my resolutions that I made at the start of this year, and here's how I did:

• Do really well academically seeing as it's my final (and most important!) year

I did pretty well this year, though I could have done better for sure, but then that's always the case. I'm pretty happy to get top in class for a few of my papers, and to have a degree that has over 50% A grades. It's awesome to have a degree under my belt now! And can't wait for graduation!!

• Get into the habit of eating really healthily. Three meals a day, everyday. Here's to making this year the one where I finally kick those unhealthy habits!

Don't think I've really achieved this one. Had periods of eating really well but they didn't tend to last very long. I definitely still need to get into the 3 meal a day routine.

• Keep up regular exercise.

Yes!! Jaclyn and I have been excellent with the gym this year, and I've reached the point where I actually really enjoy going. We've varied things up this year by taking Les Mills classes to supplement our usual cardio sessions, and this has definitely made exercise more enjoyable :)

• Be more social, and make more friends!

Well I most definitely achieved this one! It has been my most social year to date. The people we flatted with helped with this as they were a social bunch. I have been out pretty much every weekend! It's been great. And I have made more friends as a result. Met so many new, interesting people. Didn't really have many guy mates before this year but I can say I now do, which is cool as.

• Become more self-confident....somehow...

These all kinda link in with each other. Definitely have become more self-assured and confident. No doubt being way more social has helped in this respect. Actually was talking to Jac about this a little while ago and she said she'd noticed it in me too. This makes me happy :)

• Go to more gigs!

Haven't really been to many local gigs. But I did go to Coldplay (which was beyond amazing) so that kinda counts, right?

• Blog more! And maybe get to 10 followers? 

Don't know if I've blogged more but I've kept it up! And yes I surpassed 10 followers! Yuss. 

A kiss for you loyal readers, cause you are awesome :) 

xx

One magical night

On the 8th of December it was the 21st of one of my nearest and dearest friends. A group of about 20 of us went out for a meal at Lonestar in Napier and then went back to her place for dessert and drinks. My amazing friend had completely decked out the backyard with a gazebo, fairy lights, candles and other lovely things so that the effect was a magical wonderland of sorts. It was just beautiful. The dessert was fantastic too - cream puffs, jelly slice, cheesecake, strawberries, whoopie pies, mini pavlovas...!! It was the most wonderful night. Great food, great music and great company. Unfortunately I didn't get too many photos of the setup but here are some that give you a rough idea (though they don't really do it justice):

^^and one of the cool kids couch ;)

I believe that Jess got a few ideas for decorations from pinterest. Definitely a source of inspiration if you have any events coming up!!

xx

Pink lips, pink nails

So I'm heading to a 21st tonight (filled with nervous excitement) and have bought a new LBD for the occasion. I've decided to accessorize with a single chunky gold bangle, a gold heart necklace and little gold rings. I'm wearing my black strappy heels, and to add a pop of colour I have painted my toenails and fingernails bright pink and will wear my bright pink lipstick to match!

Le outfit

Le nails and lipstick (which you can't really see but it's very bright!)

I've tried the outfit on a few times and am happy with it so hopefully I can pull it off tonight! :)

xx

Well hello there

Interesting things as of late:

• Watched Memento for class yesterday. Brilliant movie, so intense and intellectual! Just how I like. I think Christopher Nolan is up there with my favourite directors. He must be one smart cookie.
• Worked at an 80th birthday party last Saturday. The man whose birthday it was, Fred, was the sweetest little old man ever. He has Parkinsons and couldn't hold his drink for long due to shaking. So sad to see.
• Bought a dress online the other day from Nasty Gal. Can't wait for it to turn up!
• Going to a 21st this weekend that is going to be absolutely insane. Met the guys whose house it's being held at last weekend, such crack ups.
• Two songs we are cranking a great deal lately: Gangnam Style and Feel Inside (and stuff like that). Also loving Pursuit of Happiness by Steve Aoki and Kid Cudi. 
• Had the cutest Gilmore Girls date the other night. 3 of us (one being a boy) sprawled on my bed watching Lorelai and Rory go about their lives. Currently on the second season (I've seen them all multiple times) which I think is one of, if not, the best. I love Gilmore Girls, actually.
• Despite sounding cheery above, in reality this is me a bit lately...

It hasn't been the best of weeks :(

xx

Current life haps

Hey there! Sorry for the delay between posts, I keep meaning to post but then don't get round to it...my bad. Here's what's up with me lately:

• Uni - getting pretty busy atm. 3 assignments due next week (gaaaaah). I'm sure lecturers get together in their staff room thingys and connive to put due dates all in the same week. evil. 
• Work - got heaps of hours over the study break which was excellent (ca-ching!). Next few shifts are doing nights which I much prefer, so cruisey!
• Flat - going ok at the moment. Things have calmed down somewhat (for now anyway). As always, love living with Jac who is my go-to/confidante/partner in crime/SB4lyf.
• Weekend - Nuts. Had 2 crazy Australians visiting the flatmate over the weekend. So the boys decided they would do a 3 day bender: going out Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Thursday night I sober drove them to town (5 big boys in my little hatchback (one in boot) = LOL), they got home 2:30am. Friday night they had another added to their number and hit a party then went to town. Awoke at 3am to moaning in the hallway followed by retching in the bathroom. Poor Graeme had a wee bit too much. Saturday night they were all over the place so Jac and I went to watch the rugby at Erik's and then hit town with him. Met the boys in town. Got home with the boys at 3:30am and went straight to sleep. Pretty sure a few boys slept  on the floor that night cause we didn't have enough couches/beds for everyone. Crazy but fun times. Also hung with the parents on Saturday during the day which was awesome. So lovely to see them again. We went out for lunch, I took them for a tour of my work and then we had a drink beside the fire at Brewer's Apprentice. So nice. Also got to see Jess and Ethan on Sunday which was also cool! Such a mean weekend filled with my favourite people :) :) :)
• Le Garcon - texts everyday, is coming over for a movie night on Friday (ta for advice Emma), is also coming to party in Hastings with me&jac&erik this weekend! excite! still incredibly attractive ;)
• Gym - really enjoying it lately. Body Attack tonight YAY (that is not laced with sarcasm btw).
• Music - getting into a bit of trance music lately, courtesy of le garcon. Armand van Buuren what up.
• Recent splurges - went clothes shopping with Jac yesterday, spent too much oops. Bought a khaki parka (have been wanting one for aaaaaaaaages so this purchase was justified I think), a top and some cute ankle boots. Also bought some new flats today. Soooooo balance has suffered a wee bit.

Here are some photos from Thursday night. Adam, Blair and Dan were gutted they weren't on my photo wall so made me take some  photos. However, they wouldn't stay still so the pics are all rather blurry. This is probably how they were seeing things though hehe...

Me & Adam - I was standing on the bed so I could be the same height as him. 

Me, Adam, Blair

Adam and Blair - he actually wasn't punching Blair in the face.

Adam, Blair and Dan. Silly boys wouldn't stop moving. LOL

good times though

xx

South Island Trip (part 1)

So am finally getting round to blogging about my trip down south, sorry about the delay!

I'll begin with Friday...
Got up at 6am (packed the night before), flatmate drove Jac and I to Wellington airport at 7:30am. Got to airport, had a mocha (yum) and muffin (horrid - had been heated to the point of inedible dryness and upon losing heat turned rock solid, ick). Caught our flight and an hour later we were in Christchurch! What a b-e-a-utiful city that is! Such gorgeous weather too. Got to our mates flat, dropped our bags off and went walkies to the nearby Westfield mall. Checked that out for a bit, had a smoooooooooooooothie then walked back to the flat to wait for the mate to get home from work. Not much later we left the garden city for our final destination: Dunedin!

4.5 hours and a subway dinner stop in Oamaru later, we arrived. Got out of the car and sheesh was it cold!! Put the puffer on straight away. Then finally got to the flat of two of my best and oldest friends. Went for a walk round Otago University (beaut! so flash!) then headed back home and stayed up chatting with friends and friends of friends until 1am. Was great. Had a mean sleep in the 'fort' that night :)

One of the beautiful Otago Uni buildings 

Saturday...
Got up late then headed into Dunedin town with Jess, Jo and Jac. Went for a tour of the Cadbury chocolate factory (got a goodie bag of chox && a sample of liquid chocolate *drool*). Then headed to the Botanical Gardens with lunch and sat in the sun enjoying nature, good food, great company and great conversation :) was grand. Also visited the aviary at the gardens but the parrot wouldn't talk to us. shame. Then headed back to the flat, got alc, got dressed up and settled in for a few drinks (which became more than a few for one in particular ;p but that's history now). This period from 8-12am included: beer pong, snap, many shots, second trip to liquor store, catching up with 2 old school friends, an American with something interesting in his pocket and a shoe-swap incident. Headed into Dunedin town after midnight which was pretty coool, was lots of fun dancing with J&J. Got home and crashed around 5am.

Stay tuned for part 2 :)
xx

Replica

So last night was pretty cool. Had about 60 people over for the flat warming, and it was mean. So. Much. Fun. Some highlights were: dancing the macarena with new friends, catching up with old hostel buddies, the strobe light, painting the nails of two new friends (both male, I must add), Cotton-Eye Joe, jelly babies with a twist && Jelly Shots. The night was not without its hiccups though, one guy ended up fracturing his ankle after attempting some wrestling moves, and the flat took a while to clean today! But overall, it was great. Before we got ready, Jac and I were trying to re-create this one epic photo we took back in first year. I think we've got one that's pretty much as good....

     The original - taken mid 2010 on thaaaaat night (eh Jac hehe) during re-o week

The replica - taken last night. Of course there are some inconsistencies but overall pretty close!

Hope your St Pats celebrations went well :)

xx

Saint Pats

Hope y'all have a great daaaaaaaaay!!
This is currently on our fridge.......

Can't wait for tonight :)

xx

Officially an adult

So I turned 20 yesterday. Sheeeeesh that's old! And I got totally, unnecessarily, but awesomely spoilt. Received mail/packages from the bestie, a cousin, the twinnies, the grands && something everyday for 6 days (!!) from the mothership. Also got an amazing, super-customized-just-for-me present from the other bestie. Unfortunatly I had a 9-5 day of uni and work but when I got home, the flatties had a beautiful cake and candles waiting, and there was another package in the cupboard.
This is what I discovered upon opening the package....

12 beautiful cupcakes of various flavours.

And they taste amazing. 

Mum, you really outdid yourself, I can't wait for my 21st!!

xx

The Ultimate Cocktail

Had a pretty sweet day today, class involved watching the original Stepford Wives from 1975 which is a very good movie, though undeniably creepy. We were viewing it as a feminist text, which it definitely is. It was funny though because if any of the characters walked down the street today in the attire they're wearing in the film, they would totally fit in. They were wearing things like frayed denim short shorts and crop tops (pretty much what all the girls who think they're cool wear these days).

On another note...a while ago my friends and I went out for cocktails and ever since then I've really wanted to experiment with making them for myself. I've got this mean retro cocktail recipe book which has recipes that sound SO delish. I want to make drinks like this:

                 

                                            Mojito                                          Long Island Iced Tea

                             Sidecar                                                             Tom Collins

                    The All Nelson                                                Frozen Melon Margharita 

YUM sooooo keen to create some of these bright, colourful, nommy drinks! They be lookin so fly yo!

I think that one day I would like to have a collection like the one they have at work:

With a collection like this, the options would be endless.

Btw, I am not an alchy haha. I don't even drink much at all.

xx

My little corner of the world

Moved into the new flat yesterday afternoon! Not only is it a lovely place, but it's also clean and the new flatties are tops :) I'm thinking this year is going to be a goodie and can't wait to see what's in store! Its awesome to be back cooking and gyming with my amazing friend again too. Cannot wait for the 17th of March: it's the weekend following my birthday, it's St Pats (the biggest night of the year in Palmy) && our flat warming! Gonna be epic as! YAY. Here are a few snaps of the house...

Meanest sound system out

Kitchen. Notice all the eggs, one flattie works for an egg company so we are never short!

Hallway. My room on the left, Dan and Emma on the right.

My usuals - Johnny and the photo heart with my favourite people :)

The amazingly awesome calendar my lovely sister made for me :)

oh, and wanted to show this xmas prezzie from the mothership, a super cute tin for 'random crap'. And crackup how on the side of the tin it says 'Warning: Bend knees while lifting box'  haha!

I love the new place, and now that I've sorted out/decorated my room, it defs feels like my 'me' space :)

xx

A quickie ;)

Been very busy lately. Here is the lowdown: palmy, wedding, party, day of rest (hallelujah), meanest game of Risk ever, epic work week, 3am wakeup for a 5am start, rugby, mingling with All Blacks (!!), sober d, crash after being awake for 25 hours straight, tennis, thai nomnom, massive cleanup, last day of work YUSS. Heading to Palmy tomorrow. Excited!
Whilst perusing a favourite blog tonight I came across this awesome underwater dog photography by Seth Casteel and because the pics are hilarious and I love dogs, just had to post it :)

Hehehe these pics made me laugh out loud
xx