Wednesday's What Not

Source: Leuie.com Via This is Glamorous

Smiling at....Summer days in Winter. And this is why I love living in Sydney...it is AUGUST (read: Winter) and we have had a week long stint of blue skies and sunshine! Divine. I have all the doors in our house open to let in that glorious summer breeze and bright Sydney light. Am a very happy camper. It's time to shelf the Acne boots that I have been living in and get my hands on a new pair of Bensimon tennis flats for every day (my favourite spring time walking shoe - would love a watermelon pair)...!!!

Laughing at....hilarious 29 vs 31.....I am 32 (not 31) but this clip has me asking myself "what would I tell my 29 year old self?". Probably to hurry up and get in shape and enjoy the freedom and spontaneity that's not possible once you have children!! Warning: very funny. (Disclaimer: seeing as a SINGLE  girlfriend posted this on Facebook, I feel as though I have her permission to share it here - very funny!).

Watching....The Newsroom....amazing new television drama...not since The West Wing have I so thoroughly enjoyed a program and actually felt as though it was worthwhile TV viewing. Don't get me wrong, I watched every episode of Revenge but I am sure that I am a little bit more stupid as a result....! Newsroom is screening Monday nights on SoHo on Foxtel. Watch the trailer here.

Reading.....too many books! Just finished All That I Am (Anna Funder) which is a beautiful portrait of different kinds of love and ultimately betrayal amongst German anti-Nazi activists in London before WW2.  Am currently devouring The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern), a whimsical fairytale full of mystery and intrigue.  Next on my list is the thriller Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn), can't wait for that one! 

Pouring over...Dunlin Home. This beautiful online store was profiled by The Design Files here...I already want new bed linen, those beautiful pouring saucepans and tasting spoons....love.

Exasperated by...party supplies! It's my little girl's birthday in a few weeks and we're panning a very casual party in a nearby park on the Monday morning of her birthday. I am getting a little obsessive about Paper Eskimo, Donna Hay General Store and Papier D'amour. What am I so worried about? She's turning ONE! There is no way she'll even remember this party....!!!

Source: Leuie.com via This is Glamorous

Simple Pleasures



Source: 1. travelmuses 2. Peony Melbourne 3. Unknown 4. Classy in the City via This is Glamorous 5. What Katie Ate
6. Neilson Park by Aquabumps



My friend and fellow blogger Canna recently inspired me with her post, Simple Pleasures. It seems we spend so much time worrying about the 'stuff' in our lives that we forget to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. So here are some of the simple things in my life that I'm most grateful for - walks in the park with Nelly, the Wonder Dog, macarons from Laduree (or Adriano Zumbo in Oz), reading ferociously through a new book, cups of coffee quietly at home or shared with friends, Mum's pavlova and swimming in one of Sydney's ocean or harbour beaches (we are so spoiled for choice in this glorious city!).

What I'm Reading

It's hard to decide whether or not I prefer reading or choosing what to read next! Here are a few of the current novels on my radar.

I've just read....Under The Influence by Jacqueline Lunn, a book club choice that I thoroughly enjoyed. We had the pleasure of meeting Jacqueline over the weekend to discuss the book. I must say she is so lovely and it was inspiring to hear from her about the writing and editorial processes as well as her upbringing and life as a mother of three, both which inspired this story about girls growing up and how what happens in high school can set a pattern for the rest of your adult life.  Especially perfect for anyone who went to an all girls school!

What I'm reading at the moment........is true story The White Masai by Corrine Hoffman who falls in love with Kenyan warrior Lketinga while on holidays with her boyfriend and subsequently changes her entire life in order to follow her heart and be with the man she loves, moving from her comfortable life in Switzerland to Africa to live in a hut, eat goat and drink chai and spend her days with the rest of the tribe. It's an amazing story that has since been translated into film. Amazing.  

             

What I'm reading next......well, I'm torn to be honest. I will probably start with One Day by David Nicholls which is by no means a new release but supposed to be fantastic. I am keen to read it before the movie starring Anne Hathaway is released in Oz.  After that (or maybe concurrently) I'll get stuck into The House in France by Gully Wells, whose memoir of her fabulous upbringing in London during the 60s sounds just wonderful!