Tidbits

A few things I've loved reading, obsessing over and doing lately.

Pilates on the beach - last week was the first session at City Beach and it was a beautiful Perth Spring day. While the instructor was telling me to find my imprint, I was subtly trying to fall asleep in the sun!

New Matilda's eye opening article after the events in Kalgoorlie last week.

I've also started this book to educate myself on the history of violence against Aboriginals in Australia. Pretty heavy, but necessary reading.

On a lighter note, I've nearly finished Drew Barrymore's book, which is an easy read filled with tales of her upbringing and career. It's oddly paced because the stories aren't in chronological order but she has lived an intriguing life!

I've finished watching Stranger Things and loved it. So many 80s references, so much suspense!

Yeah, I don't understand the obsession with Barb either.

Three words: Gilmore Girls Revival! This is the first page of the four part series, due out in November! I just wish Hanbel was in Perth to watch it with me.

Hula hooping is one of my Classpass picks and is so much fun! At first I had to use a thick, kiddy hoop but now I've moved onto a normal sized one. Look at me, being an adult with my hula hoop in one hand and responsibilities (aka bills) in the other! 

This obvious grammar rule that you've never realised you've always done. Wow, go you grammar nerd!

I cooked this easy meal last week and it was delicious.

Watch this show if you have 20 minutes spare. It's basically the FAQs that you were too afraid to ask of minorities and marginalised Australians and it's super interesting.

Finally, check out this Grease theory. It actually makes sense too! Oh, young love.

Have a fun weekend!

xx Luce

Teleisha and Cam's wedding, ten years in the making

What better way to kick off my 2016 blogging (yes, three months in, I know, I know) than to write about the beautiful wedding day of one of the kindest, most loved up couples I know. Teleish and Cam have been together for yonks and planned it well, getting hitched on their ten year anniversary a couple of weekends ago. I was lucky enough to be privy to all the ins and outs, being in the crazy bridal party, and I felt so honoured to see the whole day unfold.

Teleisha was the calmest bride ever, in all the history of weddings and bridezillas, and only shat her lacy pants in the minutes leading up to seeing Cam for the first time. After that she was back to being a chill penguin, just sipping on wine and enjoying the breathtakingly beautiful day.

Their wedding was held at House of Cards winery in Yallingup and it was the ideal setting for a laid back, rustic style wedding...with great wine. After an emotional ceremony, the night was a blur of delicious food eaten under the stars, hilarious speeches, too many rosé slushies, a flurry of dance moves and so much love. In other words, pretty damn perfect.

Here are a few pics we managed to take and also a couple of stunning professional shots that have emerged since, taken by the ever talented Bianca Kate (special mention to Rae, who was assisting Bianca and who I bonded with over our mutual 'Sweaty Betty' statuses).

The supermodels, Cam and Teleisha, via Bianca Kate

Sharing the love: Jimmy Fallon does 'Bitch Better Have My Money'

I've always been a sucker for the classic rework of a rap/RNB song into a slow ballad or classical number. I find it hysterical to sing a swear word heavy Eminem song in the style of Coldplay, partly because I have a terrible voice but mostly because it sounds so wrong that it's right. When I saw this awesome barbershop quartet version of Rihanna's song 'Bitch Better Have My Money' by none other than my man Jimmy Fallon, I was overjoyed.

I have the biggest crush on Jimmy - BIGGEST. I constantly stalk his Youtube channel for new uploads and I am never disappointed with his personal, dorky interview style and ridiculous celebrity games. I have also loved Joseph Gordon-Levitt ever since his little forlorn face appeared in Ten Things I Hate about You, and my love was cemented when I watched him in the emotional and hilarious 50/50, so this video is what my dreams are made of (seriously).

Now that I've talked it up crazy amounts, here it is. Enjoy!

First month post ACL surgery

I feel like I've progressed so little yet so much since I had my knee reconstruction and was fitted with a brand new ACL one month ago. Since I'm going back to work on Monday, it seems like the perfect time to list what I've learnt and how one might expect to progress after having their bones drilled into, a tendon cut from their hammy and inserted into their knee, held together with small screws and the hopes of a girl dreaming to play netball again (dramatic, I know).

Highlight Reel

I've been trying to squeeze in a lot of socialisation before surgery and sloth rehab time begins so life has been a little crazy lately. Here are some photos that capture a few of my favourite moments from the last couple of weeks. 

Long weekend in Busselton 

Beer pong, beanies, slizzard bitches and boulderdash. 

A birthday, an injury and a relay

It has been just over a week since my birthday and what a topsy turvy week it has been! I woke up on the morning of my 24th with an injured knee and some beautiful birthday messages rolling in. In the days since, I have had high moments, none involving painkillers, I promise, and some low ones, specifically when I was told I had ruptured my ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and would need a knee reconstruction. 

My birthday was still great as I spent most of the day lying on the couch with an ice pack on my knee and lovely friends bringing me coffee, food, beautiful cards and hard drives filled with hilarious shows (watch The IT Crowd - don't ask questions, just do it). 

Snapchat from Teleisha and one of her boiz!

How to cope with anxiety

The twist and turns of life are mostly breathtaking and sometimes cruel. You may think you are on the road to having it all figured out when out of nowhere, you're blindsided by something you thought was in your control.

This year, my resolution was to be more mindful - to live in the moment and take each day anew. I started out okay but the last few months have proven to be the most challenging of my life and I have been feeling more anxious than ever. Anxiety is basically the opposite of mindfulness and rears it's ugly head in the form of constant over thinking, stressing and worrying over the daily grind to every possible future outcome. It's exhausting, but at the same time it's manageable. In the hope that this can be a comfort to other people going through similar problems, or even just having a bad day, I've listed a few things below that help me remain mindful and reduce my anxiety.

Just what the doctor ordered

I had the most relaxing Easter long weekend. I switched off my phone, which was damn hard in itself, and headed up to my parents place in Carnamah, a teeny tiny town three and a half hours out of Perth. My alleged 'smart' phone doesn't have service there so I used the time to regroup and just be with some of the craziest, best people I know.

Pickles...

I seem to find myself in them quite often when I would prefer to be eating them, to be honest. I am a sufferer of the diseases known as Premature Familiarity and Foot in Mouth, as well as Overt Friendliness Syndrome. Today, I am going to share this with you in the hope that you can find a cure that doesn't involve me snarling at everyone I meet or shutting up. 

Friday Fancies #2

I was sick last weekend so I spent the majority of my time in between naps watching TV, reading blog posts and feeling sorry for myself. Here's a few things that took my fancy and kept me going. 

Before the flu struck me down, we went to The Standard for dinner. You should definitely try the pork croquettes, chicken grill and lamb belly for some seriously scrumptious food. The sweet and sour eggplant was probably the favourite though. 

Love Notes

Every so often I feel a rush of gratitude wash over me. It's a feeling that comes with the knowledge that the people around me and the love I am surrounded with is unique. Not everyone is lucky enough to spend time with such beautiful people once a year, let alone on a daily basis. I am damn lucky. #blessed #thankful #littleprayerhands and all that jazz.

BUT in saying that it’s so ridiculously easy to forget this on the bad days. The days everyone has, unless you’re a robot of some kind and if you are, perhaps get yourself checked out because it’s not normal to be reading blogs as a bot. Anyway, you know the ones I’m talking about, right? When you feel flat and all you want to do is go home, crash on the couch and not speak to a single soul (I really will feel silly if it’s just me). On occasion there’s a reason for these stormy days and on those more worrisome days, there’s not.

If you try to walk in my shoes, you'll end up in a bookstore

I have an obsession with books. Enthralling content, interesting titles, pretty covers - the pull is undeniable. The problem is, I already have books scattered around the house and a whole shelf full of books begging to be read, yet I continue to buy more. It must be the ridiculous combination of a good read and the thrill of a bargain that entices me.

The Hummus Club, Perth: Interview

So you were asking about the most delicious falafels going around? Oh, yes I do know where you can find them - The Hummus Club!

I'm baaaack!

Hi, my name is Lucy and it has been a month since my last post...

Yes, I have been on hiatus - and I use that word lightly because obviously I've just been a slack blogger/couldn't work out how to use my phone to post/had no wifi at home STILL/was out of range. But hey, I've been having a great time on my break so don't hate me please (Brooke, Mazz, Anh!) because I am back for another year of more disciplined blogging, I promise.

Here are my top five highlights from the break.

The Pear'fect Pantry, Wembley

Living in this new area, I’ve been keen to find the local haunts and after a little digging, I discovered that The Pear'fect Pantry was in fact a cafe, and according to Urbanspoon, a popular one at that. So, I decided to go for a stroll and meet Caitlin, Ebony, Amy and her gorgeous kidlets for a midweek brunch.

New Abode

It's been over two weeks and I think I'm officially used to living with Steve (aka The Boyf) in our little home.

TPFF WA Designer Installation: Fashun, Freebies and Subtle Stalking

Anyone who knows Mazz and I know that we're pretty simply gals. What we lack in fashion/beauty/general life skills, we make up for in enthusiasm and we are easily impressed by people more skilled than us. Keeping that in mind, when I scored some VIP tickets to the WA Designer Installation at the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival last night, she was obviously the perfect date. 

My cute, blurry date

Ballin' for PMH

Saturday night saw us rocking up to the Esplanade Hotel in Freo for the 2014 Paediatric Oncology Gold Ball.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the ball was held in honour of the 14,500 plus children worldwide who are diagnosed with cancer every single month. All proceeds from the ball are going to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation for paediatric oncology research, as well as to local families who have children with cancer.

Sweet Dreams are Made of Cheese

I adore cheese. It is a wondrous thing filled with dreams and deliciousness. So when my housemate discovered a boutique cheese shop had opened up locally, a cheese and wine night was imminent. She asked me if I could pretty please go check out Little Cheese Shop in Bayswater to pick up the fromage and while it was a hard decision, I finally agreed!

#StopThinkRespect

Anyone who knows me is well aware I cannot tolerate racism or any type of discrimination. I see this as general human decency but I know many people think I'm over the top or too politically correct when I pull them up on small comments they make. Unfortunately for them, I have reached the point that I no longer care if I come across uptight. Racism is never okay. Ever. 

Racism is defined as "the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races." It seems that many Australians either don't know or don't care that many of their comments and actions are subtly racist. Personally, I have witnessed this time and time again, from whispers on the train to outwardly racist jokes being told at a party.

The new campaign by Beyond Blue is incredibly thought provoking in the way it shows the casual racism Indigenous Australians face everyday.

Below is also a behind the scenes video with real life experiences of the actors depicted above.

This touched me because these are actions I regularly witness in such casual settings that at times it's so easy to gloss over and I'm ashamed to say that there are many times when I have just let it go. Hopefully this moves you as much as it did me and reminds you that when it comes down to it, everyone is an individual and should be treated as such. 

xx Luce