The blog is back!

amateur home made acai bowl with blueberries and cacao nibs

After a long hiatus, the blog is back!  I'm feeling cheery and inspired again so watch out for some new content coming on a regular basis.  Woohoo!

la dolce vita

I am buried in over my head with a million safari tabs open (in fact my macbook crashed the other night because I had 72 open at once) researching my Italian sojourn.  I have an excel, word and paper diary itinerary going all at once.  I am at the pointy end with just over 2 months to go.  I am too scared to look at my credit card.

This has by far been the hardest trip to plan as it involves the consideration of interests, tolerance and comfort of a 3 year old.  I am a massive fan of art and history and I couldn't imagine anything to be less interesting to a 3 year old.  Italy seems like a lovely place to take children and even Caffe Florian has a children's menu so it may work out okay.

I am the type of person who sets the alarm for 6am and needs to see every corner of every place and I can't help but schedule every panini shop and hidden Gelateria I can find.

I am not a hotel person when it comes to sight seeing holidays but I have had to ensure the toddler is comfortable and has her own space and comforts.

I camped out on Wednesday night to get tickets for Da Vinci's The Last Supper as they were released for my date.  I can't wait to take in Florence from a rooftop bar and enter Venice in a water taxi.

I am also trying to decide on only 6 outfits for a 3 week trip.  Gulp.  I don't want to be dragging luggage on and off trains and would like to leave some room in my luggage for a trip to Space (the Prada outlet).

On my packing list so far are:

a large Le Pliage.. a no brainer really.  Is very light, fully zips (unlike my LV Neverfull) and can fit essentials for carry on as well as day trip necessities like a change of clothes for aforementioned toddler, water bottle, snacks and my SLR.  

Muji packing cubes.  Cheap and a lifesaver since I've begun travelling with a small person.  I use 4.  One of my clothes, one for my shoes and same for her.  That way I can unpack my suitcase and not unpack the cubes but still know where everything is.  And how easy is it then to pack?  Place 4 cubes plus toiletries into the suitcase and you're off.  

I discovered Bared shoes this past summer.  They are designed by a podiatrist so are actually "good" for your feet.  They absorb shock on the soles of the feet, support the heel and support your arches while not looking like daggy pharmacy sandals.  Win!  

Bassike jersey harem pants.  These are the most comfortable pants in the world, especially for plane travel and I swear you can dress them up and get away with wearing them as part of a smart outfit  

Don't judge an old mutton like me but I am SOOO in love with this romper.  Will be making it's debut at Villa d'Este.  I might run into George Clooney.... :P

On acceptance

I've been doing a lot of soul searching in recent years.  A lot of growing up.  A lot of reflection about self awareness and how I project the person that I am.  I figure that impression is so important in this world, whether we like it or not.

Another thing is acceptance.  Of who I am and what I do.  Of things I can't change and of accepting to challenge to actually influence what I can.  I think that's really important.  Voicing an opinion.  Trying to improve systems and methods.  Be more efficient.  Sharing wisdom and experience.  Trust.  Trusting the moment.  Trusting the situation and why you are going through it.  Trusting that you're strong enough to get through it.  Trusting the reason why you're going through it.

People often ask me how I cope with everything I have to do.  The answer is simple, I do it without overthinking it.  And I say no to the things that don't matter.

Ode to summer

I already miss summer.  We had a late stretch of warm weather yesterday and I think summer has officially set sail.  Do you ever wish you'd made more of the warmer days and longer nights?  I am the biggest summer lover on the planet and could spend days at the beach and hours in the ocean but for now my toddler hates the sight of the beach and ocean so I have had to adapt.  Hopefully she turns and changes her mind.  

I did decide to take a blog hiatus over summer, but I miss writing and hope to bring back some regular posts in the coming months.

Beach review

Banana, berries, coconut water, chia seeds.  REPEAT.

Burleigh Heads beach

Noosa beach

Zimmermann 'Lucia' embroidered playsuit, now on SALEEEE

Spinning on the balcony until she's dizzy 

I love that the new year break coincides with summer.  After the manic lead up it's nice to spend time with family, reflect on the year that was (for me it was a significant year in my career, that I've worked so hard towards).  2016 will demand even more of it.  It's lovely to regroup by the ocean, swim, hike, write lots of lists (including recipes and meal plans for the inevitable and dreaded return to work and reality), reassess my goals and development areas and soak in every second with my baby girl.

I'm hoping to do just a little bit more in 2016

• be a little bit more active.
• plan and in return eat better.
• visit some new places.
• learn and study. READ.
• I am also doing a major home refurbishment and declutter this year.  Replacing linen and some furniture.  I've been inspired after reading the KonMari decluttering book and have signed up to the Apartment Therapy January Cure project which I will begin when I get back home.  When all the corporate day job and parenting is done and Friday night arrives I collapse in a heap.  As KonMari says, the less stuff you have, the less you have to put away.  True!
• keep on top of my emails/unsubscribe from some MORE mailing lists.
• wake up a little earlier to tackle the menial tasks. I'm exhausted by nights end and things are often left to hang over my head and cause me to wake up at 3am in a panic
• be a bit more patient.  Holidaying in a small place when living in a big place shows me just how rushed I always am.  
• put away the phone, yeah!
• let go of the guilt that I am not enough.  Enough of a parent, friend, colleague, cook.  Nobody can be all things to all people.
• be present in the moment a little bit more.

Wishing you all a year filled with kindness, adventure and happy memories.