Saving whilst spending - the new black

I am a busy bee at the moment with work being utterly crazy, Europe plans and savings well under way but most excitedly my business is taking two major steps forward. I have just contracted a major marketing company to start assisting me with that aspect of the business and am also about to have some meetings with advertisers to sell marketing space on the site – exciting/nerve wracking all at the same time. In light of my new steps forward though, it means I have to be extra careful with my spending at the moment which was terrible news for the Anna who loves online shopping a little too much. In light of needing to tighten the purse strings to pay for aforementioned new business projects I have been doing some bargain hunting online and thought I’d share with you some recent purchases I got for a steal! Because after all, a girl can’t give up everything she enjoys in life right? (I'll share the links & prices of everything at the bottom of the post!)

[ COTTON VEST: Purchased this as I crushed hard my fur vest in Winter and thought why not translate that to a Spring trend with a cute cotton vest in warmer months? ]

[ FLORAL TOP: So I am excited for Springs trends of bright colours / staple whites / bold patterns - but I couldn't go past this cute floral top that I want to pair with chunky accessories and my own pair of denim shorts for Spring ]

[ SLEEVELESS SHIRT: I'm crushing the sheerness of some tops at the moment and this one was no exception - plus I wanted to add some navy to my wardrobe ]

[ BOYFRIEND SHIRT - because we all know I loved bf shirts this passed Winter. I first wrote about them  here, and so when I saw this gorgeous mint green one I couldn't resist. Pairing this with a pair of denim mini's some statement necklaces and bangles & a cute not at the front ]

[ MAXI DRESS - Because it was Erin Louise and it was on sale .. do I need to say anything else? ]

[ DETAILED DRESS: I am expanding my work wear wardrobe to include much more dresses - this will have to have a shirt underneath but I loved it at first site. It came today and it's even better in real life! ]

[ BLACK HEELS - My new staple heel for running the halls in parliament ]

1. Erin Louises, Luv Lou label - $40

2. Azaria - Lexy Top - $39

3. Cotton On - sleeveless top - $20

4. Beginning Boutique - Boyfriend shirt - $45

5. Erin Louise label - Lavender Maxi Dress - $20 (on sale from $110)

6. Beginning Boutique - Ladakh Serpintine Dress - $50

7. Runway Boutique - Lorane Black - $51.95

Crazy little thing called Love

I was so excited & honoured on the weekend to be attending my girlfriends engagement party. Dee & I met in high school and she is the first girl from my school friends to be getting married so I felt it just made it all the more special to be sharing her & Aj (her lovely fiance's) night. I wore my Bec & Bridge dress that I first posted about here & Dee was in a gorgeous Wayne Cooper dress. The party was incredible and I adored sharing their special night with them. They had this great idea where by guests had to write on a piece of paper their own advice for when her & Aj got married and so Mr M & I went with both some serious and silly advice (of course!). I also loved the word cut outs of their names & the photographer went around snapping the guests holding the words (as seen in my top photo!) Here are just a few snaps of the night, & the beautiful newly engaged couple!! Congratulations Dee & Aj, may you both have a long, adventurous and fulfilled life together xxx

[ Such a cute idea ]

[ Dee & Aj xx]



[ The incredible cake ]

[ Dee & I - iphone quality photo sorry ]

[ Mr M & I - token couple shot before we left ]

[ The speech xo ]

A beautiful soul - it's hard to say goodbye

[ He was & always will be my hero ]

I haven't posted in a number of days so this post is to explain why, to apologise but also I suppose share some of my pain. I thought about writing this post all day and kept thinking no, it wouldn't be right. But then I got to thinking, we share everything happy and exciting but hold back things that are hurtful and sad when in fact sometimes sharing hurtful and sad things can make it feel a little better - you don't have to carry the burden all by yourself anymore.

I was heartbroken Friday afternoon when I received a call to race to the hospital to say goodbye to my Pop. It was sudden and un expected. I got there when he was still lucid and was able to spend some precious hours with him saying goodbye, telling him I loved him and saying what an amazing male role model he'd been in my life. He passed away Saturday morning.

My gorgeous Nana had only passed away less than 2 years ago also very suddenly and unexpectedly so this was a huge blow to me and the whole family. Pop was the rock of our family, who gave SO much to all of us always, and never expected anything back. He gave the best advice of anyone I know and had the most incredible bear hugs that would make you feel like you were safe. He loved the West Coast Eagles and was never shy to give me 'heaps' for supporting Freo Dockers. He was and will forever be remembered as a gentleman in the truest form, and a man of great gratitude & gentleness. He taught our family the importance of love and respect and for that I'll be eternally grateful. He lived a full life that was full of love but it doesn't stop the heartbreak of loosing him and the fact I'll miss him forever.

So there it is, I wanted to share what an amazing, incredible and inspiring man my Pop was and not just keep his legacy to myself.

If your lucky to still have your grandparents, hug them a little tighter next time you see them and listen to their advice a little closer, they're lifes greatest treasures & they will leave a huge gap in your life when they're gone.

Say hello to Nana for me Pop xxxxx

Hit List

[ West End Deli - Leederville ]

I'm a list making machine at the moment and no aspect of my life has been left alone. I have lists of countries I want to visit next year, a list of things I need for my office - although I got lots off that list today, a list of "To Do" at work, a list for my business, a list for ... I think you get the idea. One list that I am currently most excited with or I should say motivated about is the one that is hanging on my fridge with names of new bars around Perth that I haven't yet been too. I LOVE my city, I really do, and I thought in light of getting to know it a little better, and being able to do reviews on places to write up for my business why not discover places not yet visited. Cue, my hit list of Perth Pubs to visit. Mr M and I have agreed, that every Friday night after work we will visit one new place on the list for a few wines. The rule is it's got to be somewhere we've never been (easy when I've got that list!) and the bonus? Well we have some quality time to de brief each other on the week that has been and discuss the weekend yet to come. Win / Win. Here are just a few places on the 'hit list'.

[ Box Deli - Perth ]

[ Brown Fox - West Perth ]

[ Cantina 663 - Mt Lawley ]

[ Tonic Bar - Perth ]

This old love

What a day. I mean really, what a day - do you ever have those days where you wonder how you got through them and struggle to keep your attitude of glass half full? That was my day today. I have a job that I love with a capital L but it can be hectic sometimes (as all of our jobs can be). Amongst all the chaos today though I had something that has never happened in my life before - I met for the first time a person who was 100 years old. We get lots of requests at my office for 50th & 60th wedding anniversary's and for 100th birthdays but never have I met the 100 year old person who we organise the certificates for. She was beautiful, sweet, and had an aura about her that can't be explained in words. As with all couples that are celebrating incredible milestones with marriage or age, I always ask the same question....

what's your secret to love & age?

Today's post I want to share with you some of that beautiful real life advice I've been blessed to receive from them over the years.

• Don't ever let there be a boss in a relationship, be equal - but occasionally let the other person win the fights.
• Never go to bed mad at one another.
• Ensure that you don't just love one another, you have to like one another. You can love your partner or family, but you have to respect and like them as a person too (I adored this piece of advice).
• Make sure you laugh together & at one another every single day. If you haven't laughed at one another during the day, stand in front of the mirror naked together at the end of the night (this was told to me by a gorgeous couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary).
• Just get on with life. It's as simple as that. Roll with the punches, it's going to throw you things you don't like but just keep going (real advice from a 100 year old)
• Always, always enjoy what you do.

I can't begin to explain the gratitude I have for others willing to share with me their real life advice on life and love so I hope these simple tips do as much for you as they have for me. Do you have some tips you've been given from elders? I'd love to hear it!!

xo

Picture inspiration was from here, here, here, here & here

DIY: Vitamin C Facemask

I stumbled across this amazing facemask on one of my favourite blogs Delighted Momma (she has ANOTHER one up today which is on my to do list for this week, hello DIY seaweed mask!) I don't fancy myself as a pro DIY on basically anything, but when I saw this I thought I just had to try it. It was so easy and the benefits seemed pretty great to me.

I am a cleanse my face twice a day, moisturise, and drink 2 litres of water a day kind of girl so do like to try (operative word - try) to take good care of my skin. It's been playing up of late but with some Zinc tablets and Lindsay's great tips it's getting back on track. So here is me passing on her fantastic mask that you really should all try!

I've tried this mask and it's now a weekly routine and I saw benefits even after the first one I did - your skin feels so soft! So where do you get vitamin C powder from? Just go in to your local health food shop & ask!

MAKING THE MASK:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of vitamin C with 1/2 tablespoon filtered water. If your skin is dry you can substitute water for 100 % pure aloe vera gel.

• Apply to face and leave on for about 10-15 min. Avoid directly under the eyes.
• Remove with a soft warm wash cloth.

You'll love the results you'll get with this mask!

p.s and JUST because realistically we're not always dressed up pretty with make up on in the real world I thought I'd post this picture that shows me, relaxing on the couch (watching 60 minutes most likely) in what this post discussed - a face mask! (with my serious "DON'T MAKE ME SMILE" face on)
p.p.s This isn't the Vitamin C face mask (this is a mud one, the vitamin C one almost looks transparent on, but drys semi white)

What's on my Monday's mind

[ Source]
• Adventures.
• Big, long, possibly scary, definitely exciting, adventures.
• I keep thinking about distant and far away lands and strange cultures - much to my imaginations delight.
• Should I be this excited with a year out to Mr M & I's European & U.S adventure? Maybe....Maybe not. Who cares I say!
• They say travel is a great relationship tester, so I'm looking forward to that test - HA
• Speaking of tests though, I feel assembling furniture is in fact much more of a great relationship tester than travelling to amazing places.
• They don't tell you in all the magazines that trying to put together a king size bed with your significant other can test a relationship.
• Yeah... I've been there.
• That should be a pre requisite before marriage actually. Furniture assembling.
• If you say you've never fought with your better other half when putting together furniture I'd call you a liar pretty damn saintly (read amazing)
• Wait where was I?
• Adventures...yes. Adventures.
• We're up to 19 countries on our list so far of where to go. That excites me. Along with us almost booking the convertible car we'll be driving when we do the Los Angeles to Las Vegas drive (hello head scarf and over sized sunglasses).
• I'm so excited and it's not that eeeeeeeeeeeee kind of excitement either.
• It's more of that "shit why won't you let me sleep mind" kind of excitement.
• Probably not normal this far out ....
• Definitely me though

HAPPY MONDAY pretty things xxx


p.s I had the whole family over for dinner last night (have I mentioned I have 3 brothers & 1 sister? big family) Alas. It meant my sister brought along her new little one Delilah who's just turned 6 weeks old. Just when I think I can't fall in any more love with my niece - I DO! Here is her and I last night relaxing on the couch.

Friday Funnies

Admittedly I am not a huge you tube'er so I feel I have some credibility when it comes to finding something on there that I find beyond hilarious. In honour of it being Friday (the weekends here YAY) I thought I'd share two videos that make me laugh without fail every time I watch them - Sassy gay friend & funny talking animals. I think together they make the perfect inappropriate viewing. So happy Friday everyone, enjoy the videos and I hope you have an amazing weekend xx

The boyfriend shirt

[ Equipment - Signature Shirt - Peacoat from Zara Bryson Shop - $245 ]

Typically I'm not one to dress in anything that might make me feel like I'm heading to work if I'm not headed to work, or something without a lot of shape, but that has all changed recently with my new love of 'the boyfriend shirt'. I have started to crave the warm sun after our cold Winter that can only mean beach swims and cute dress weather is on it's way.

[ Milka Shirt from Cotton On - $34.95 ]

The boyfriend shirt is going to be my perfect staple as we move from cooler to warmer weather and can be worn a variety of ways which makes it, in my eyes, a suitable and practical staple for building the perfect wardrobe. You'll find me dressing it up with a blazer and tucked in to jeans, or a cute leather jacket, & dressing it down with some denim shorts and tying it at the waist (don't forget the right shoes & accessories). The two pics show that you can still dress on trend if you have a smaller budget - The blue shirt is $245, whilst the white is $34.95 - you pay for quality of course but either could be rocked with the right confidence.

Major Fashion Crush

A sad fact about 'me' is that in my lifetime I've been to 8 funerals, and 1 wedding (it would make a TERRIBLE song wouldn't it?) All this is about to change however and I am literally (...literally!!!) bursting at the seams with excitement. There is either something in the water, or a love movement happening (I may have missed the memo) but between now and next March I have 4 weddings all of close girlfriends. Did I mention I'm excited? This news I felt tied in well with today's post I wanted to write on my other current Australian designer crush - Bec & Bridge. Their stuff is to die for and I am particularly loving their new Spring / Summer 2011-2012 collection (aptly named Violet Haze) all of which I think would make gorgeous, nay, perfect outfits for my upcoming weddings I get to play guest at. So allow me to share some of my favourite pieces from their collection - an indulgence if you will. P.s I ended up having a love affair with the shoes that are featured in all the shots too but am yet to locate them? SO lovely readers, if any one identifies them and where I could get them - hook a girl up!

[ Allegra Silver Cami & Chrysler maxi skirt - I want them both! ]

[ Because, I mean, why NOT go in a signature LBD? This is the Veruschka wrap dress ] 

[ Allegra knot maxi dress - simple elegance with a little sass ]

[ Sure I would NEVER, repeat NEVER wear white to a wedding, but it doesn't stop me from crushing this dress hard, and I think I'm going to purchase it for an upcoming baby shower that is in the Spring ]

[ THE (capitals intended) Luca Dress. I have already purchased this dress for my gf's upcoming engagement party - it was love at first sight ]

Fashion finds

I love nothing more than supporting Australian designers, more specifically - local girls fresh on the scene making their mark in the fashion world. Whilst visiting one of my favourite NSW designers - Erin Louise's page the other day, I saw she was supporting a new face on the scene - Kellie Anne King. I visited her page where she was showing off her new collection called WeBeatsMe and it was love at first sight. Her pieces were so chic, so boho and SO Summer. I loved her staple white pieces for a Summer wardrobe and her statement Maxi's that are bang on trend with bright colour blocking. I consider myself so lucky to live in beautiful Perth with its amazing beaches and hot Summers so naturally I just had to purchase some of her pieces for our upcoming Summer and below are some piccys that are a  feature of her work and my buys! (NOTE: Not only is she the designer of the clothes, all the pics are her modelling them as well - superwoman!)

[ High waisted white shorts I can't wait to wear to a balmy Sunday session ]

[ The maxi that will fast become my Summer favourite for casual evenings ]

[ White dress perfect for date nights and drinking cold cidar in the sun ]

I limited myself to 3 items but am already eyeing off 2 more gorgeous pieces I will no doubt end up buying soon! They are:

[ I absolutely love love this Maxi ]

[ I really can't go past bright contrasting colours for Summer & this cute mini is no exception ]

What's on my Monday's mind

[Source]

• Time.
• We're in August already and that officially freaks me out.
• Where has 8 months gone?
• I remember when I was little and Christmas felt like it was 20 years away each year.
• Now I feel when we're in January, I blink, and it's July and Myer are already putting up Christmas tree's.
• When I was younger days felt like they'd never end and from getting up till bed time the world was my playground.
• I loved riding my bike with my brothers and climbing trees till Mum eventually called us inside as it was getting dark.
• Now a days my 8am-5pm in the office feels like it flys by and night time is no slower.
• I remember Summer holidays felt like they'd never end - and I was fine with that.
• Where has time gone?
• Is it simply as we get older time feels like it's going faster as we're just too busy to slow down and enjoy the small things?
• Or is time really speeding up?
• I think it's just perception of time going faster.
• I really do need to slow down sometimes.
• And enjoy moments more often.
• I have 4 months of this year left and I'm going to make sure that my seconds, minutes, hours, days and months count.

Girl Crush

I know for a fact almost all girls have a crush on another girl - I think if you stood there and said you didn't I would call you a liar. It's not something that most men would think a girl crush would be though. To me, the 'crush' can be as simple as admiring another woman who inspires you, who's fashion you always love, and who can almost do no wrong in your eyes. My girl crush? Miranda Kerr, and yes, she can do no wrong in my eyes. Not only was she the first Australian girl to become a Victoria's Secret Angel she is a super model, a super business woman, and is now a super mum. She just rocked the runway in the David Jones Spring / Summer 2011 launch (where whites, patterns & red and orange lips were what's hot) and my crush only deepened - she gave birth to her baby boy Flynn in January 2011 and is still looking incredible.

Your turn - Who's YOUR girl crush?