darling deer

 Wearing: Emerson tee, Dotti skirt, Oasap bag, Kmart shoes, Forever New hair flowers, Burt's Bees Lipcolour in "Rhubarb" 

I picked up this adorable tee during the holidays for two reasons: it was an "under $10" purchase (my budget was wearing thin) and it has deer on it... surrounded by purple blossoms. Enough said? I think so. It's been a bit of a summer staple too... making beating the heat easy and helping me nail the effortless look whether I need to dress it up or down. Oh, and this skirt might be a recognisable piece! It's not actually mine; I pinched it off my sister and it's still at our house so I guess I could temporarily claim it as my own. The weather was seriously beautiful today too and actually, life has been beautiful. I'm in a really good place right now. My skin has never been healthier, I've started year 12 on a high note and I left my job so I have much more free time and less stress in my life. February is also the month of love and my birthday. I'll be a 17 year old! How did that even happen? I feel like it was only yesterday I was a second grader with a bed-wetting problem* and a centimetre gap between each tooth. I hope you're all having a great week so far! xo

*Don't worry, that problem has been fixed for a long time!

P.S: I hope you guys like these pictures! My Mum actually bought me the flowers back from her mini-holiday over the weekend. They're seriously beautiful and I feel very feminine and elegant when I wear them. 

life through the lens #3

The last time I compiled a "Life through the lens" post was in 2012 - a pretty long time. They're similar to my instagram updates (which I haven't done in a while either), except they have a specific theme to them! This set (and I plan on doing a lot more in future) is dedicated to my Summer holidays and how wonderful they were. Despite having a wonderful time on holidays however, it's fantastic to be back at school again and getting into the swing of Year 12 (aka my last year of school, oh my gosh). I should probably get over that sometime soon, I've been drilling it into the heads of my family and friends and I think they've got the picture... 

Anyway, I've been enjoying school a lot over the last few days. We've been singing our hearts out in "glee club", I'm getting ready and preparing ideas for my job as editor of the school magazine, we're getting motivational talks, getting subject outlines and all that jazz. It's all very exciting. 

One of the highlights of my holidays was going to Brisbane to see the tennis with my cousin. I couldn't really believe that I was in the presence of the Roger Federer and it may have affected my concentration on the game just a little bit...okay, maybe a lot. He ended up winning which was even more exciting! I didn't bring along an influx of clothing choices so I went with an old favourite; my summer dress and white tennis shoes. It was very comfortable; perfect for the travelling back to our hotel on the other side of Brisbane too. Did I mention that on the shuttle bus that took us to the train I was standing because it was so crowded?! Usually that wouldn't have been a problem but because the handle rails had all been claimed by strange smelling men and a few other teenagers, I had to just wedge myself between some people and hope that there was no lurching involved in the journey. Just my luck though, the bus driver was quite insane on the roads and I nearly fell on top of an old couple who were sitting down. It wasn't my most glamorous moment but it's definitely a funny memory!

I also managed to get some fantastic shopping in too! I don't think I've ever spent so much money in one go before (and probably won't again for a while because I had buyer's remorse all the way home), but it was fun none-the-less and I picked up some beautiful goodies from Lush, Cotton On, Typo and a few other little stores. 

I also went into Kitten D'Amour, and although I didn't come out with bags full of beautiful dresses, it was still a lot of fun to look at their new collection and conjure up some ideas for what I would like to wear to my formal at the end of the year. And lastly, check out that fantastic view! We stayed at the Meriton, the tallest building in Brisbane and since I had never stayed at a 5 star hotel before I was a little starstruck and took about a million pictures of the view. I'm such a dingbat sometimes... I even got excited about riding in a taxi (that was my first time too...). 

The rest of the holidays after the New Year trip were pretty relaxing. I worked, went shopping and hung out with friends and did all that essential fun stuff. I also stayed with my amazing and awesome Aunty and Uncle and we spent the weekend playing with the five puppies (and Doug the dog wet the bed because I accidentally locked him out of the rest of the house so he couldn't go the bathroom...), eating yummy food, watching movies and exploring the acreage. It was so fun and I'm desperate to go back! 

Oh, and I dyed my hair again! It's a little darker and compliments this Element Eden dress perfectly! I need to wear it more, it's perfect for Summer. I hope you are all having a lovely day! And happy weekend, enjoy it xo

my sister's 21st birthday fiesta!

After months of planning between Gabi (one of my older sisters) and my lovely Aunty Narns, the Mexican fiesta to celebrate her 21st birthday all came together on Saturday night in a fantastic, colourful way. Naturally, I brought out my trusty Canon and snapped the night away, enjoying the festivities along with my fabulously colourful dress and a yummy coconut cocktail to liven things up a bit (don't worry, I didn't go crazy...or maybe I did?). The night was so much fun and it was really made special with all of the incredible decorations. We had Corona bottles instead of vases filled to the brim with colourful flora surrounded by candle-lit glass wear and rainbow confetti. Streamers and pompoms swung above heads as well as two lolly-filled piñatas for whacking later on and genuine Mexican laser cut flags (thanks to my globe-trotting Aunty Michelle) hung along the windows. 

It was such a fantastic night that ended wonderfully with the nutbush, macarena and an embarrassing 'this is your life' style powerpoint that highlighted the hilarious period of my sister's life over the last two decades. The Mexican theme was an awesome idea and everyone went home with bellies full of taco, burrito, Mexican inspired beverages, perhaps a little bit of tequila and the fantastic birthday cake! My favourite costumes were probably the walking cactus (my Uncle definitely suited it), and the walking taco (posing with me in the first photo). Anyway, I hope you all like the photos, I think they turned out quite well. The colours are just fantastic! I'm a little tired from last night and today... I spent the whole day lazing about doing nothing and now I'm even more exhausted. Tomorrow I will be active! xo

{These were some of my favourite photos from the night ft. family, friends and the friendly piñatas!}

sunny & bright

Tree of Life dress, Kmart shoes, Burt's Bees lip butter in 'Watermelon'

After a little lie down with my swanky new 2014 diary today, I finally concocted a list of goals for my future. I am probably the most indecisive young woman I have ever known (I feel sorry for my future boyfriend.. he doesn't know what he'll start when he asks what restaurant we should go to for a date...), so naturally I was worried that I would never come to a conclusion about my future. I'm not just talking the next two years or so, but you know, my life. My career. So, it has officially been decided that I am going to study a Bachelor of Arts and major in Criminology (hopefully at UQ). Many of you have asked me if I'm still doing fashion... and to be honest, if I was offered a full-time blogging job like Nicole Warne, I wouldn't hesitate, but for now, blogging is a hobby that gives me joy, but probably not a future career. 

I'm still tossing up whether a gap year would be a good idea because I want to get started as soon as I can... travelling in between study and work. I'm really happy about coming to a decision though because now I can actually aim for specific results and start planning. The future is scary (but wonderful), so I want to make sure I'm really prepared. 

To be honest, I'm a very comfortable girl. I live in a small town, go to a small(ish) school, and I rarely go on holidays without my family with me, so moving away will be a big step and because I'm finishing school forever in less than a year, something I have to start considering. A big part of me wants to stay here: comfortable, sheltered and secure with everything set out, planned and in a familiar routine. Another part of me however is longing for adventure and a change of scenery. I want to experience really crazy stuff! I want to go exploring, I want to jump out of aeroplanes and get out of my comfort zone without clinging onto my imaginary security blanket and going back home at the end of the day because "I just couldn't handle it". I want to study abroad in the States and visit my long-lost family. I want to get out of here but I also want to stay. It's overwhelming and also amazing that instead of picking which uniform I'll be wearing on a certain day of the week, I'll be choosing what I will do for the rest of my life.

I think I'm prepared for it, but there's also that little nagging voice in the back of my head that always dreams up wild ideas but never actually gives me the courage I need to DO them. 

I honestly think 2014 will be my year though. It's the year I've kinda been waiting for... but I'm still hesitant for it to end. It's the start of a new beginning. And 2015, the year after, will be the year that I become an adult and I actually start living the life I've been planning.

Anyway, I think that's probably sufficient rambling for tonight. Hopefully I haven't confused ya'll with my nonsense! In the meantime, do you have any thoughts about the future? Was it scary moving away from home? Any tips or advice for a teenager who thinks way too far ahead?! Haha. I hope you all had a lovely weekend and as always, thank you for the continuous support. Internet families rock! xo