Life, Lately #61

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, lovely readers!!
Can you believe we're already a whole week into 2015!?
I lost a bit of blogging mojo over the past month. I'm totally blaming it on breaking my arm... typing and editing with one hand is exhausting, and takes twice as long - which left me super frustrated. I also can't handwrite anything, so not being able to properly plan anything has left me very demotivated.

The 17th of December marked one of the biggest achievements of my life - graduating from uni! The past five years have been a bit of a rollercoaster, and I feel I've grown so much in that time. Donning those blue academic robes was such an accomplishment, although the tassel on the hat was slightly annoying.

 

Christmas was spent around at my dad's, and this year J joined us. We didn't have a super fancy table setting, but plenty of good food. It's tradition for the partners at work to gift all the employees a ham for Christmas - so this year J and I (mostly J...okay, all J) had a go at glazing and cooking it. It turned out pretty well, and we have been adding ham to almost every meal since. Good food, good champagne, good company and good presents is pretty much the perfect Christmas in my eyes.

New Years was also quite a low-key affair. After dealing with the crowds at work for Boxing Day, the last thing I wanted to do was endure more crowds in the City. My brother acquired some fireworks, so we tried our hand at pyrotechnics. A lot of them didn't fully go off, and there was one that fell over and shot sparks everywhere (first photo). It was a lot of fun though, and quite safe as long as you use common sense.
We ended 2014 playing Monopoly and watching the city fireworks on TV.
To get to the train station from my dad's house, there's a fair bit of a bush-walk to go through. We ran into a really thick spider-web, which had a giant-ass spider sitting on it (no literally...this spider had a massive butt), which was terrifying ut is funny looking back on.

We visited the race-track for family race day. We ended up being down over the whole day, but I still find the races a lot of fun. It's entertaining picking a horse by name, getting advice from my punter dad about that horse, and then ignoring that advice and picking one to bet on based on the way they strut around before the race, and depending on the outfit the jockey wears. I'm also quite partial to the omen-name bet, and couldn't pass up putting money on "Fiery Redhead" (who subsequently lost).

I went to the beach for the first time in forever with my bestie so had to tackle swimwear shopping. Ended up choosing the combo on the left. Hooray for no-match, and thanks to everyone who gave their advice on Instagram!

How was your NYE and Christmas? Leave links to your posts below!



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Lately, in Pictures #59

It's been a bit ridiculously busy around here the past month.
I finished off my final exams ever, and am set to graduate in less than 4 weeks! (Exam results permitting of course).

After five long years, it's a very surreal feeling to suddenly have a heap of free time. Even though I'm working like crazy, and have hardly any time off, I don't need to study when I get home and have all evening to do whatever I like!

I never got around to sharing photos from my law ball last month! Like all law events, there was far too much alcohol available, and far too much bad dancing. I was having a great night ... right up until it was time to leave and we had to wait around in the cold for an hour for a taxi. Too much drama.

Forever the whitest person in group photos. 

I love this time of year and the flowers and trees that come out in full bloom! Jacarandas are my favourite. We also have our own flower garden this year, and it makes me so happy catching glimpses of it from our windows. I'll definitely have to share photos in my next post! 

I upgraded my phone and got the brand new Sony Xperia Z3. I absolutely love it - it's got a fantastic camera on board, it's super fast and the screen is super bright. I lasted three days before it fell out of my camera bag and smashed to bits on the ground.  I had ordered a case from ebay but it hadn't arrived. So $340 later and lots of tiny shards of glass in my fingers... I'm still waiting for it to come back from the repair-shop, but taking it as a very expensive life lesson to always have the case on before taking the phone out.

In fitness news, I've been taking an advanced stretch class lately. It's super intense but I've seen such an improvement in the last 6 weeks. Flexibility is my biggest nemesis, so it's nice to feel like I'm finally getting somewhere with it. My hollowback handstands are far from looking as great as they could, but months ago I couldn't get the shape at all. Although it's daunting to know how far you still have to go, it's always so important to remember just how far you've come.



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OOTD: Exam Wear

After four years of exams, I've finally learnt my lesson: the Sports Hub at Wollongong Uni is freezing, and it's a lot easier to concentrate if you're over-dressed than under.

I picked up this trench coat a few months ago on sale from Portmans. It's a lot warmer than I expected it to be, and it has quickly become one of my wardrobe staples this winter. 

My tights are from Zara. I love them, but the quality isn't that great. The first pair I bought had a split seam in the inner thigh. I took those back and returned them, which was fine, but the seam then split on the waistband, so I had to stitch them up by hand. Other than that, the material is thick, and they have a high waistband, which is flattering on everyone.

My top is from Sportsgirl, it's a lightweight jumper, and is great for layering. 

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My Week in Pictures #51

What a week it's been! I can't believe we're nearing the end of May already! I have a performance for pole dancing coming up next Friday, so have spent a lot more time than usual hanging around upside down. Unfortunately I think I've done something to my left shoulder. My dad's just torn his rotator cuff (an injury my right shoulder is well acquainted with), and I'm wondering if I'm just going out in sympathy pain or if I should book myself in for the physio...

 

Before it got too sore I was practicing some hollowback handstands, when BAM I felt my butt hit the wall! What a feeling! I've been training for this for months...tilting my hips ever so slightly turns a normal handstand into a massive back and shoulder stretch

 

In other flexibility news, my chest also hit the ground in this pose as well! Feeling loosey goose this week! It's the small gains like this that remind me to keep patient with stretching, because miracles can happen.

 

In Rommy-cat news, he is being as adorable as ever. Now that it's a bit cooler at nights, he's taken to sleeping in clean baskets of washing. I can't even get mad because it's too cute. We bought a new entryway table from k-mart, and he diligently helped me to put it together.  Knocking about the screws with his paw. So helpful.

 

 

It's not often I get political on this blog (although it has been known to happen), but far out did this government make a mess of the budget. I wasn't surprised that it was harsh, but I was shocked at just how harsh it is. I absolutely loathe the liberal party, and struggle to understand how anyone can justify literally taking money from the poor people to give to the rich. What a disgrace. 

 

Accidentally found myself taking part in the protest #marchinmay on Sunday. I finished practicing my routine at the pole studio at about 2.15, and wandered down to Central only to find swarms of people protesting. I had my camera with me, and figured 'why the hell not'. Sure I have a politics assignment waiting for me at home, but this is politics in action! So I marched with them, from Central down to Broadway. It was a little overwhelming, being surrounded by so many passionate people. The realisation of just how horrible this government is made me want to burst into tears there and then. So I just kept marching.

 

And now it's Monday night. I imagine I'll spend the next few nights reliving this photo, as I struggle through my last ever politics assignment (I finish off my Arts degree this semester, and I am thrilled about it!), and a presentation for my summary justice class. 

I have a pretty fun life.

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My Week in Pictures #50

(Apologies in advance that these are all instagram photos)

I am counting down the days until my next pole performance, and trying to squeeze in as much practice as possible in between class and going to the gym. I've started putting together my routine, and practicing the moves I definitely want to include. I have 5 weeks until performance day, and a lot of practice to be done between now and then! 

Wearing a lot of curls in my hair lately, courtesy of my hair curler. Watch this space, because I'll be having a review up later this week! 

Picked up this crop on sale last week. I am in loveee with it and kind of sad I discovered it as we're heading into winter. For more details check out this post. 

In probably the most exciting news this week, I got accepted into ANU's GDLP course. To be admitted as a lawyer in New South Wales, not only do you need to undertake a Bachelor of Laws, but you also need a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. This is the 'practical' aspect of the qualification, and I'm so freaking excited I get to complete mine whilst finishing off the rest of my BA / LLB. Which means (if all goes to plan) I will have completed all the necessary qualifications to be admitted as a lawyer by the end of this year. 

Crazy!!! 

Catching up on Game of Thrones on the way to a meeting after work on Tuesday. The hour long journey between Miranda and Bondi Junction is the perfect length for a GoT episode. 

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New to My Wardrobe...

Tomorrow I start my 20-day internship at a law firm. I'm really excited for this; I'm excited to be learning a more practical component to my degree, and getting to experience an actual law firm. I have worked in a law firm before, but this will be different because I should actually be involved in the cases, and working with the solicitors. It is also highly likely that I'll get to attend court which is fun! 

The only thing is that it's been a while since I've had to wear corporate clothing, and the items I did own are a little worse for wear, or don't quite fir me anymore. So I needed to go out and buy some clothes. I've been on the hunt for the past month or so, especially with all the post-Xmas sales. But, finding something within my price range was proving to be difficult, even with the sales. 

So I turned to twitter, and asked where some cheap, nice workwear could be found. ZARA and Target were by far the most popular answers I got and so I headed out to Target to check out their new 'Modernista collection'. Most of the collection is quite affordable, and I really did love most of it. 

I picked up these two dresses to start with, and will probably go back and get some new blouses as well; 

This dress was a bit hard to photograph, but I love the neckline with its cute triangle cut-out, and the overall pattern. 

Next up is this simple, black dress; always a staple:

This one is a simple V-neck, but I love that it's not a solid black. 

Where's your favourite place to find work clothing?
Any tips or advice from those of you who have had to do internships?



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My Week in Pictures #40

It has been a busy couple of weeks here in my world!
I am OFFICIALLY on uni holidays (YAY!) although it doesn't really feel like holidays because my hours at work also increased for Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas...

WE GOT A CHRISTMAS TREE!! 

I've spent the last week catching up with people as everyone finishes off another year at uni. 

Caught up with a friend from work (one of the casuals from my old store) over some Max Brenner. 

So delicious. 

Nomming on some cheese, rice crackers and grapes for lunch. I am so in love with that cheese knife; I picked it up at the Oxfam store! So cute! 

Caught up with my two best girlfriends for the first time in agessss. Homemade sangria and cheese and dips. Chilling in the backyard, drinking wine, as the sun sets is the most ideal way to spend my time. 

The next morning I caught up with Oishee for breakfast. I had the baked eggs and she had the chilli eggs. So, so good. 

 I'm thoroughly enjoying returning to leisurely reading. Currently reading 'Destroying the Joint'; a collection of essays from some brilliant females. This book is fantastic at explaining what feminism is, and why it is needed. But sometimes I get so angry reading it, as it reminds me how far we have to go before equality is actually reached. So I have to take breaks from it. But it is brilliant writing and I highly, highly recommend it. 

I also bought some new $6 flowers (Thanks Woolworths!). It really is the little things that make me happy. 

Yeah, that's Will Ferrell. I went along to the Anchorman 2 Sydney premiere yesterday and it was AWESOME. 

I really enjoyed the film, but of course it was also pretty awesome being mere metres away from the main actors. 

What did you get up to this past week?

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