I am the Flamingo: A Back to Uni Look

Another University year is almost upon us here in Australia (wow those 3 month holidays went fast!!) and I find myself with a changing style as the new school year begins. I don't want to re-acquaint myself entirely with last years Uni wears - I feel a revamping of my wardrobe (slowly slowly of course) is needed to match the classy and more mature young woman I'd like to be viewed at.

That doesn't mean throwing flair and creativity out the window - no no no!! I would say this fun flamingo pendant (from eQUIP) perfectly captures the combo I'm really striving for this year - classics that can be worn anywhere, with a pop of fun.

And to match that funky flamingo neckwear is THIS SheInside dress that happened to come in the mail today...I wonder how that happened hehe. 

I know that a lot of people are either team SheInside or not, but personally I find that if you take the clothing for what it is - cheap - then you won't be disappointed. I've spoken about this online store before (here) and while the tracking and delivery can be a kind of mystery in that communication is sparce, I actually love the clothing. I've tried purchasing more formal going out pieces before, which have been hit and miss, but I find that with casual clothing the store is right on target. Hey, you get what you pay for, right?

Anywho, onto the 'lookbook' - an outfit I will most definitely be wearing to Uni this year.

How to be Happy 101

On the first of January this year, I posted this image on Instagram. After a bit of a trying year last year, I want nothing more than to remain positive (chin up, buttercup!) and to enjoy life for what it is!

I started 2015 with a new diary (Lorna Jane 2015 Diary) and at the start of each month there is a double page spread with a full month calendar. I made it my aim to fill every single one of those days in January with something to do. I think I was under the impression that if I do something every day and remain busy, that I'll be full throttle in the zest of life and will therefore be happy. 

Needless to say, by January 27th, I was pooped.

Not just tired, but sick. By forcing myself (no matter how much I wanted a rest) to go out day after day, work, see friends and family, make time for the beauty of the beach or the beat of the dance floor - I had managed to make myself mentally and physically exhausted. 

I've realised that living each day to its full potential doesn't mean making yourself the busiest bee and traversing all over town. It doesn't make you happy, necessarily, to force yourself to put on a smile and see friends when in actual fact you'd much rather smile into a pillow. And I've learnt that staying home, cooking a meal, lying down and reading doesn't make you lazy.

February is a much more balanced month for me. And so I thought I'd share some ways (in this rather chatty post) of how to make the most of your life, your days, your time.

• Be excited about every day. 'Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.'
• Drink water, eat healthily, work out (preferably with friends - make it a social event, but make sure muscles other than your tongue are working!!)
• Know that there is a time for work, rest, laughter, play, friends, family, food, love. You don't necessarily need to rush any of those, or sacrifice any, to get the rest.
• Treasure, and never EVER feel badly about taking time out for you. Write in a diary, read a book, take a bath, light a candle - do anything that fills your soul and your heart, not necessarily the hearts of everyone else. We all have something we love to do - a passion - and you need to make time or even set aside a whole day to pursue it and remind yourself how calm you can feel in your own body!

Ok, I think I've rambled enough for today, but I do hope this post has helped you. I'd love to hear your suggestions about how you stay happy and positive, and what things you'd add to my list!

Vegan Restaurant! Earth to Table, Bondi Junction

You might not know this, but for 10 months now I've been a vegetarian (or pescatarian, rather - for health reasons which I won't discuss now). I'm planning quite a chatty post about my reasons for being a veggie, how I'm finding it, what I eat and points like that but at the end of the day I'm a firm believer in don't judge others for what they eat - pushing vegetarianism is NOT my main aim here, though I do believe it is a way of life more sustainable and altogether kinder for the animals.

This post, however, is about my adventure (well, adventure because last time I tried coming here with my friend we didn't think to look ahead of opening days, ahem...) to the popular vegan, dairy/sugar/wheat free restaurant, Earth to Table. The restaurant is only a 10 minute walk from the transport interchange, and super close to the shopping centre which makes it a lovely day out all around :D

I'll admit, having waited many weeks to try this place and after two attempts at coming, I was slightly underwhelmed when the food actually came out. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it - I did! - buuuut I think I was expecting a little more from the delicious looking food.

Starting with drinks as we discussed possible meals, my friend Carmen slurped a healthful greens smoothie while I indulged my love of tea for a blue rose concoction - both lovely choices and we devoured them heartily!

Onto lunch...

Having just purchased a spiraliser for making 'noodles' (courgette noodles), I couldn't resist the zucchini pesto pasta with hazelnut "cheese" so that I could see how the professionals create such amazing flavour with raw zucchini - I'll be sharing my own recipe very soon for this dish!

Overall, I LOVED my 'pasta', and the fact that Carmen continued to scoot her fork over to my plate tells you what we both realised the minute her dish was set in front of her...it was not up to par considering the delicious array of food around us. Carmen opted for a falafel salad with zucchini hommous - unfortunately, that 'homes' turned into a sort of sauce which neither of us were expecting. Strike one. The falafel were altogether too hard and caused much strain when cutting them...strike two. And the salad was just...salad. Strike three. 

The table opposite our was devouring a vegan shepherd's pie which Carmen and I both vow to try next time!

Dessert, however, did not disappoint. It was amazing. My only wish was that was more of it!!

A raw vegan raspberry and peach 'cheezecake' with coconut milk and a cashew base served as our lasting reminder of Earth to Table. It was delicious, but then again every cake/dessert option sounded amazing!

I would come to Earth to Table again. I probably would be more mindful of what I ordered, and might come for breakfast instead (their acai bowl and coconut nectar banana bread sounded incredible). A lovely foray into the world of raw veganism. 

Baby's In Black

Something a little different today, and something I hope I will continue to post and get better at...an outfit post!

Fashion and the way style has changed not only within me personally but overall global trends, really fascinates me. Especially when older 90s styles resurface, and completely new trends work alongside them.

In this post, a 90s halter top shape compliments the fairly recent 'crop top' trend, yet the lace overlay on the black skirt keeps the look classy and polished for a night out. My tip when pairing a crop top is to balance lengths - i.e. opt for short when you want something fun and vivacious, and longer bottoms when the occasion calls for sophistication and grace.

Topped (or should I say bottomed!) off with a pair of classic black pumps - mine are from Forever New - the look is complete! Voila!