I'm back

I'm back and have decided to send this blog in a new direction. I haven't quite figured out what that direction is yet, but we'll get there. Despite being crazy busy and wondering if blogging was just a waste of my, and everybody else's time, I have had a few people ask me about updating. And I have missed it, much to my surprise. There will be a few updates in the coming days/weeks. In the meantime, if you read this and have your own blog, leave me a comment so I can check it out, and add you to my friends list! Reciprocity=awesome!

Hope everyone in Australia and New Zealand is having a lovely ANZAC day weekend!

Love and Laughter,

Mands xoxo

Move It Like Mike Challenge - Week 3

Yes.....this would be week 3 of Move it Like Mike. I didn't update last week, not because I didn't complete the challenge, but because I was inundated with essays. Last week I did a FABULOUS job of the challenge. I went to the gym 4 days of the week with an average of an hour workout each time! I feel fantastic, even if I did feel quite ill after a couple of the workouts.

This week is looking a little less good. I've only done 2 workouts, so might have to go for a super long power walk tomorrow morning before work. How is everybody else going with their challenge?

Love and Laughter

Mands xoxo

Wedlings I Like

How awful is this freezing cold weather? Excuse any typos, I can't feel my fingers!

Here is one just for my sister. Maybe this spider won't freak her out!

Have you ever worried that you've taken warning signs too literally? This is why you should pay attention to them!

For my friend who I recently told that life is not a lego set, this will be about as close as you can get to it. Short of building yourself a lego house. These recreations are amazing!

Are you having a bad day? The cuteness of these baby hedgehogs will definitely make you smile! They're so cute!

CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE! One of everything please!

Hmm, ok, if I can't have one of everything, may I please have a SMILE HAPPY LIVE LONG mug? I LOVE TokyoBunnie!

OH, how I laughed! And chortled!

I've always maintained that Maleficent is the most villainous of the Disney villains. I'm glad that Listverse agree with me!

Love and Laughter

Mands xoxo

Monday Musing

The cure for anything is salt water-

sweat,

tears,

or the sea

-Karen Blixen

Move It Like Mike Challenge - Week 1

Hello chickens! Just when I think I've totally fallen off the blog bandwagon, Pip Lincolne flies in like an angel and resuscitates my blog, injecting me with a newfound inspiration and a way to keep me on track. Move It Like Mike is an idea that she had as a way to keep exercising, as she didn't want to let her audience down. What a great idea! If you want to sign up, just click on the link. This couldn't have come at a better time, as far as I'm concerned. Like Pip, I was wonderfully active last year, and felt better than I have in a long, long time. But recently a combination of a few issues mean that I haven't been as active as I would have liked. A couple of weeks ago I joined a new gym and have been quite good at keeping on track with exercise. The idea of Move It Like Mike is that you need to move for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week. I've already been twice this week, and I have my gym gear in my bag next to me, so I'm looking good for this first week of the challenge at least. I'll update my progress each Thursday, and please let me know if you have decided to sign up too!

Let's get fit together!

Love and Laughter

Mands xoxo

Wedlings I Like

Hello my faithful readers! I'm sorry I've been so neglectful. To make up for it, I'd like to introduce you to Wedlings I Like (Wednesday's Links and Things I Like). Another (hopefully) weekly post to give you something interesting to do when you're supposed to be working/studying/writing an essay/ironing/changing the oil in your car etc etc. So without further achoo (I think I'm getting a cold today) here goes:

• First and foremost, reconnecting with old friends. When it has been a long time, and you realise that the things that made you friends in the beginning are still there even if your interests have changed, spending time with an old friend can be a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
• Hotels can be so stark and uninteresting, don't you think? I LOVE interesting hotels. Do you have a favourite room? I can't pick; I narrowed it down to 10 of my favourites::

Room 309 Clubs - The Secret Palace:: It looks sensual, sexy and a little boudoir-esque. Doesn't look like a room that a lot of sleeping gets done in!

Room 502 Hearts - The Royal Wedding:: This is all about the gold chaise lounge, the cute little table and the enormous slanted ceiling for me.

Room 307 Dryads:: Look at the chandelier! And the walls have deer and trees painted on them! Cute!

Room 121 Sleep Seasons:: I love tents. And that bed looks mighty comfortable!

Room 204 Tokidoki World:: This might just be because I LOVE Tokidoki and think that Simone Legno is a fine, fine artist!

Room 212 Japanese Garden:: Another one of Simone's rooms.

Room 214 Two Swans (Fertility Shrine):: This is about as close as most people will ever get to sleeping in a forest with wild animals.

Room 412 Spring Grove:: I just love the colour and the pattern of this room. That shade of blue is about as close to my favourite colour as you can get.

Room 405 Lifelines:: It's a little bit hectic but the fact that it's black and white makes it very classy and chic.

Room 510 King's Court 2:: This is a little like a fairy tale bedroom. If the fairy tale is the Snow Queen, or something like that. It's beautiful and a little icy and absolutely fantastic!

• Paris Je T'aime
• Hooray for paper and papercraft! I'm just a little bit obsessed with beautiful paper, and wish I could start up a collection like this person has. Flick through all of the photos, they're amazing!
• Cool, useful and slightly educational tote bags. I'd like one of each please!
• Ever pretended to know what happens in a story and then been busted when somebody asks you an unanswerable question? Classic stories retold in 30 seconds. Hilarious.
• Hahahahaha this is my worst fear!

That'll be all for now folks! Until next time...

Love and Laughter

Mands xoxo

Long time, no blog

My dearest, darling friends.

I know I have neglected this blog lately and by extension have neglected you, my beloved readers. I have not forgotten about you, or this blog, things are just a little (LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS) bit crazy with course work at the moment. I promise to return to you soon!

Love and laughter

Mands xoxo

Monday Musing

Tóm được rồi >:), originally uploaded by X.u.k.i.

Joy is the feeling of grinning inside

- Melba Colgrove

Polyvore Thursday

Wow, I can't believe it's Thursday already! Craziness! Ok folks, let's start with mine again, cos it's rather boring compared to the next two. Don't get me wrong, I like the colours and the shape, but it's just a bit blah.

Cute and summery though.

Blue Moon by Moohanda featuring Seven For All Mankind shorts

Charlotte is my favourite SATC character, even if she is slightly (completely) neurotic. She's classy and sweet and a complete stereotype. Holy sweet Moses! I want this outfit.

Sex & The City: Charlotte York by Nikitaaa featuring Charles by Charles David shoes

And I love this one too. It's very pretty!

Charlotte by Phédre featuring CHANEL clutches

Love and Laughter

Mands xoxo

Happy Birthday! to... Erin!

Happy Birthday Erin! by Moohanda featuring Monsoon rings

Happy 26th Birthday, Erin! May your day be full of happiness and joy!

Love and Laughter

Mands

xoxo

Monday Musing

Sound of Laughter, originally uploaded by hersley.

Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Polyvore Thursday

I know, I know. It is simply too exciting for words! You all missed Polyvore Thursday last week, and have been anxiously anticipating its return. You will not be disappointed. I'm only going to add one of my own this week, as I've been stressed out with uni and have only had time to make up one decent set. I really love this one though...it's interior, not fashion. Sooo...let's start with mine, shall we?

When a fairy got drunk and designed my bedroom by Moohanda featuring Old Navy tote bags

Another interior one, which I find almost dizzingly beautiful. So soft and feminine and perfectly understated. This is not a rock star bedroom, but it might belong to a princess.

Irenical by Pikagiu on Polyvore.com

Finally a fashion one (of course). The other two were so whimsical and pretty that I wanted something a with a little more edge for the final layout. This ought to do it. Gorgeous!

- by MyChanel featuring Alexander McQueen bags

Now, keep being excited my little cupcakes of happiness, because next week I'm bringing yet another weekly segment to the blog! Huzzah!

Love and Laughter

Mands xoxo

Monday Musing

Of the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha, originally uploaded by Araleya.

It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish.

-Aeschylus

Polyvore Thursday (won't be appearing today)

Sorry guys, hate to disappoint you, but Polyvore Thursday won't be appearing today as I'm having internet issues!

Love and Laughter

Mands xoxo

Monday Musing

I thought that the light-house looked lovely as hope,

That star on life's tremulous ocean.

-T. Moore

Lorain lighthouse at sunset

Polyvore Thursday

First up, a set from somebody else's Polyvore wardrobe. Oh, won't somebody dress me in Balmain, baby???

City Girl 4 by shoptillyadrop featuring D&G bracelets

And now for one of mine... I like this one, it's almost composed entirely of backgrounds. I love the bird though! And, just quietly, I covet those shoes!

Misspent Youth by Moohanda featuring Converse sneakers

For the love of... Frankie

*Disclaimer. I am no Girl With a Satchel. I lack her eloquence, magazine experience, informed opinions and fancy shmancy blog layout! If you want a decent magazine review I suggest checking out her blog!

Frankie Magazine. For a year now I have been a loyal fan. This time last year I was a patient in hospital and was fortunate enough to have plenty of visitors. Even in that grim time I knew I was lucky enough to be blessed with so many caring friends and family members. One of my best friends brought in a stack of magazines during one such visit. They were current magazines but her flatmate had finished them and thought I might enjoy them (I think my friend is probably reading this with a thrill of excitement knowing that I'm talking about her and that something she did a year ago has inspired an entire blog post! Hi Erin!). Amongst those magazines was Frankie. Ahhh, Frankie. Clever, witty, sometimes sarcastic, always lovely, forever funny. Magazines pride themselves on their point of difference, but Frankie is unique. She's the girl cool enough to hang out with the popular kids, friendly enough that she doesn't intimidate the less cool kids and smart enough to know the difference. I'd never even considered reading Frankie before it was literally dropped into my lap; it seemed a little too "indie" for me. Sweet sweet fortune that somebody with far better taste than I had the inkling I might enjoy it.

The latest issue is a joy to read. Benjamin Law and Caro Cooper are favourites of mine. Benjamin writes with self-effacing humour, Caro writes as though narrative can't help but flow out of every pore. Highlights:

• Kelly White's i love owls feature. Mainly because I also love owls and she's got some cuties!
• Caro Cooper's may contain graphic scenes is a love letter to the graphic novel. Five in particular are highlighted as 'should'-reads ('If you want to. But you don't have to.') I want to. (In case you're interested the are Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine, Good-bye, Chunky Rice by Craig Thompson, I am going to be small by Jeffery Brown, Maus by Art Spiegelman and Jimmy Corrigan: The smartest kid on Earth by Chris Ware.
• a mum's life contains some wonderful moments when four writers spend the day as their mother. There seems to be quite a focus on exercise, work-outs and personal trainers. Perhaps this is what we look forward to in retirement. Benjamin Law's description of his mother, Jenny's, Exercise of the Month is particularly entertaining, as is Caro Cooper's journey into an imaginary world where she flirts with an unresponsive butcher, has conversations with imaginary dogs and cooks dinner for an imaginary partner whilst conversing with aforementioned dogs.
• I encourage all of my PhD student friends, and friends of friends, and anybody even considering undertaking a PhD at any point, to read how uni melted my brain. Benjamin Law highlights everything I've ever heard, or ever considered about this arduous pursuit (it still hasn't put me off though).
• There's a fabulous road test of different varieties of packet noodles and how likely each are to kill you. My favourite noodles are apparently likely to cause me a slow, but sure, death. This feature appears at an opportune time. They're practically all I can afford to buy.
• I laughed and felt a small twinge of shame at Justin Heazlewood's no cd collection is an island. I can definitely relate to both sides of the story, but hope I have never been to the point of being the friend who asks if you've "heard of The Obscures, (my) eyes burning with rage and glee when (you) decline." The article is summed up in the line "It's a testament to the human ego, the way we make our role as fan completely about us."
• Bless Pip Lincolne for including a pattern for a too-cute wheat pack by Claire Robertson.

New issue is out on April 22nd so go out and get a copy of this one now!

Love and Laughter,

Mands xoxo

Monday Musing

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it. bearing with him the image of a cathedral.

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Introducing Polyvore Thursday!

In answer to my previous post, I shall create inspiration for myself and for others, using my own creativity and the tools which the internet provides me with! Hooray. I've found myself addicted to Polyvore and so each Thursday will feature a polyvore set that I particularly like as well as 1 or 2 of my own that I've created using one of that week's top products. Feel free to leave me suggestions on what sort of sets you'd like to see whether they be fashion, interior or art based. Also, sign up to create your own. It's highly addictive. This week I was inspired by the amount of quality interior design sets and so have chosen one to represent all those I really loved. I can't possibly blog every set I like but if you'd like to see more of where this came from add me as a contact on polyvore and, of course, keep reading!

living by mikimouse on Polyvore.com

Just looking at that makes me think of weekends in the country, road trips with friends, wine and snacks whilst playing board games.

And here are a couple of mine. T-shirt focus this week as I adore t-shirts and I don't think that the jeans and t-shirt combo has to be boring. I really love the cupcake tee, the cheerful yellow really lends itself to cuteness, don't you agree?

I Love My Cupcake Tee by Moohanda featuring Pieces necklaces

I love the black, white and red style of this. Though I'm very much a pastels girl, I always think that it's very very very difficult to go wrong with this trinity and a little bit of attitude. The girl with the red lipstick is always going to attract a few (mostly admiring) glances.

We'll always have (my teenage dream of) Paris by Moohanda featuring Coach bags

What do you guys think? Anybody else addicted to Polyvore?

Love and Laughter

Mands xx

Do I require inspiration? Or should it come from within?

The title says it all, really. Well, I think it does. Here I am, sitting in the library, thinking I should be reading the Oresteia trilogy, but feeling that there is something stirring inside of me that I'm not sure I can stop. It's not as though I lack a creative or inspirational gene. I love to create. Lately though, I've felt like there is something missing. That I need outside influences to fulfill me from within...and... is that right? I know that you can't JUST be inspired from within. External factors ALWAYS count. The amazing book you read, the sunset that makes you feel alive, a glimpse of something you almost catch and then it's gone before you absorb it. The friend who shares something secret with you, the taste of the most magnificent meal you've eaten, the discovery of something that fits with you. Falling in love. Having your heart broken. Breaking a heart. Getting married. Having a child. Making new friends. Traveling. Embarking on a spiritual journey. Meeting a soulmate. Perfect weather. Random, spontaneous moments that are gone in a flash but leave a distinct imprint on your heart. These are the external factors that generate creativity. These are the moments in which you gain your inspiration. But do I keep looking for inspiration? Or does it strike when you least expect it? I'm waiting for a spark, a moment, in which I can create something worthwhile. Is it in me? Or is it ruled by something outside? Or is it all connected? Do I just start something and see where it takes me? Or, do I wait? This is hard...

There is poetry, there is prose, there is gardening, there is music, there is acting, there is dancing, there is painting, there is drawing, there is sculpting, there is photography, there is imagination, there is everything in between and beyond and lately I can't seem to get a handle on any of it...