I should not be on the computer...

I should be madly finishing off the packing and organising for tomorrow's market, but I couldn't resist the desire to share these wise ,wise words of Julia Child.

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What are you passionate about?
Happy Saturday,
xx Lauren

My Reading Pile

One of the things I have missed the most this year is reading. In between my committment to the gym, actually having to do uni work (and the mountain of reading that accompanied it), work, Green Dandelion and sleeping I've had to put down my books for awhile. Thankfully uni is winding up for the year and I've been able to embrace my love of reading again.

Tuscan Rose, was a fabulous book. It took me a little while to get through it (couple of weeks) but I enjoyed every page. Set in Italy, and mostly during World War Two, it was interesting to learn what life was like under Mussolini, but still have a fictional emotional story too.

I have been wanting to read The Help for weeks, after reading good reports of both the book and movie but made myself wait until I had more time on my hands (and finished Tuscan Rose). I loved it! and read it in a couple of days, "In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women--mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends--view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't" via here

Bridesmaids was a el-cheapo book I picked up earlier in the week whilst in Port Lincoln. It was ok, a nice bit of holiday reading fluff. I managed to read the entire book in a day- so its nothing too brain draining and some good giggles.

I began reading Marieke Hardy's book You'll be sorry when I'm dead on the plane flight back to Adelaide on wednesday morning. Dad picked it up whilst I was home and commented that it sounded like a good book...my reply was that he wasn't allowed to steal it yet! Only a few chapters in and so far protitutes, cancer and football have all been discussed. I'm loving the real-ness of it- I found a fantastic, positive review here.

I am really excited to be reading again,
What are you reading at the moment?
xx Lauren

Titanium - David Guetta featuring Sia

With lots of sewing to be finished before market on Sunday, music is important to keep the momentum going. I will sadly admit that the TV is generally left on Music Max, mostly because to me the songs are mostly easy to listen to...my big admission for the day that my taste in music can be rather dodgy at times :)  
Any who, I love this-

"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall

I am titaniun"

   

Whats playing at your house this week?

xx Lauren

10 Random Things I Really Must Tell You

Tatum did it, she copied Chantelle, who took the tag from Rachel, so I decided that I too am going to share some random facts that you probably don't need or want to know!

1. I wish that I had finished my first uni degree
I studied a Bachelor of Arts (Communication, Media and Culture) but dropped out after two years and feeling like all I learnt was how to write a resume. 6 years later the field is so much bigger and so many job opportunities in Social Media, I think I would've been very happy in that field.

2. I have size 13 feet
HUGE! seriously huge and I really don't like them at all, and its all because of my big toe (handed down to me from Dad) you could cut the top off of it and I would have lovely size 10 feet I'm sure.

3. I am the worst person with money ever
I want to really learn how to manage money better- I am completely useless!

4. I am stupidly shy
Most social situations I get incredibly nervous. I hate being with people I do not know, it is so out of my comfort zone and I keep pretty quite.

5. I change my mind about what 'career' I want every 5 minutes
Teacher, Shoe Maker, Journalist, Business Woman, Artist, Fashion Designer...I change my mind and dream up new jobs every other day. I wish I could settle on one and follow it through.

6. I love op-shops
I started going to op-shops with my friend Jane back in High School, at the time I didn't really know what I was looking for and would wander around and sometime buy a scarf or piece of random jewellery. A decade later I love hunting in the op-shops for all sorts of things, scanning through the racks of clothes, searching through the linen, pulling out books and madly searching for Pyrex to add to my minuscule collection. The best day is when I find a cheap vintage suitcase to add to my growing pile.

7. I am tall
Like very tall, 185cm or 6 foot 1 inch to be exact. I am at useful getting things off the top shelf at the supermarket and getting in your way at concerts. At least once a week someone will say to me "Wow, you're really tall!"

8. I went to see the accountant this morning
First time ever- I have always just given it to Dad to do. But apparently I am getting older (I am paying for my own private health now too) and its something you have to do. Getting older and having more responsibility sucks sometimes. Its also a very small world...the accountant was a guy I went to school with in year 2!

9. I swear too much
I noticed recently that in the last 6 or so months I have began to swear far to much, dropping the f-bomb reguarly. I actually don't like it, I like the think that I am a lady :P

10. I still have issues with my short hair
I curse the day the stupid guy at work commented on my short hair and lesbians. I love having short hair (even though it is way more work that long hair) and feel really confident with it, but the thought crosses my mind regularly that I hope it doesn't scare guys away. sigh...I need to get over this one and not really care what other people think I know...

There you have it, 10 random facts about me,
Now its your turn to tell me something about you!


Happy Tuesday,
xx Lauren

Going Home

This weekend I am in Port Lincoln to attend the wedding of a gorgeous girl I went to school with. I don't get to go home very often anymore, in fact calling it home seems kind of weird especially as Mum and Dad have moved 5 houses up the street and after 8 years Adelaide is definitely my 'home'.

I miss seeing this view everyday

I am looking forward to a relaxing couple of days, visiting garage sales, catching up with friends, reading my book, fresh country air and stressing out over the sewing I want to/need too finish before next weekends market (Ok, I'm not looking forward to the stressing bit- or the visit to the accountant I am making on Tuesday, but they are an integral part of the weekend! lol!)

What are you up to this weekend?
xx Lauren

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

I first heard Foster The People's Pumped Up Kicks on an episode of Fox8's Slide and I liked it. Last week when I was procrastinating I thought I would do a bit of research and discovered what I thought was a light-hearted song isn't quite so, apparently it is based on a troubled and delusional youth with homicidal thoughts...dark, sad stuff.

"All the other kids with the pumped up kicks 

you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.  

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks 

you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet."  

xx Lauren

***dance dance dance***

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Two reasons I love this quote- my Nana (Dad's Mum) always told stories about dancing on tables, especially at Greek weddings in Darwin and my Vanaema (Mum's Mum) whilst doesn't anymore, used to love drinking Champagne and I will always associate champagne with loooong lunches with her and Aunty Bette.

Tonight I am going out dancing with my friend Mikaela and little sister Jess. Which brings forth all my conflicted feelings about dancing in public...I will happily and do dance at home, at the gym, at the supermarket, at work, on stage...but put me on a dance floor and I become very self-concious. Preoccupied about how silly I must look or if I'm taking up too much space on the dance floor. Ridiculous I know. Its been a while since I last went out, and I haven't had a very good track record of being a lady the last couple of times...who knew that losing weight and drinking results in some very different behaviour! haha! Regardless I am looking forward to spending some time with two of my most favourite people and having a good night.

How do you feel about dancing? Do you dance or sit on the sidelines?
Happy Friday lovely people,
xx Lauren

P.S Vanaema is the Estonian version of Grandmother, its literal translation is 'Old Mum'. Strangely we call my grandmother Vanaema, even though she is Australian and my Grandfather who came to Australia after the second world war we call Poppy. I have no idea why.

Its Friday...again...really?!

It seems the week has disappeared on me without even blinking an eye...seriously how does that happen? No blog post for a week. Ultimately it was probably best that I stayed far away, otherwise I may have published a tirade of grumpy, emotional, bitchy, tired posts because that pretty much sums up me this week.

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Four days work free are ahead and I am so looking forward to them. Lots of seeing friends, hopefully some tiny baby cuddles, exercising, dancing, sewing and soul repairing planned over the next couple of days.

What are you planning this weekend??
xx Lauren

The things that annoy me greatly

Or in other words, totally shits me to tears...

*People who don't use their indicator on roundabouts
*Actually, people who don't use indicators
*People who walk really slow and I can't get around them at the shops
*The weird guy at work with inappropriate comments
*People who have NO manners
*Huey's cooking
*Bad coffee
*When the dog does her excited wee when I come home
*Text messages that end in ...
*People who complain about shoes...try having my GIANT feet and having to pay $300 for every pair of shoes
*My clothes line that decapitates me every. single. time.
*Facebook status updates that are a pure cry for attention
*Those horrible stick people family stickers on cars
*That I can't get those amazingly formed blog posts out of my brain and onto the computer when I'm at work/gym/driving/bed/supermarket/mid-something important
*The neighbours HUGE avocado tree
*My car and its shitty motor problems

And that will do for today.
What annoys you??

xx Lauren

Friday Pinterest Finds

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Happy happy Friday,
xx Lauren

Simple Minds Don't You (Forget About Me)

The Breakfast Club was made the year before I was born, so I probably didn't watch it until it was a good decade old but many years later it is still one of my absolute favourite movies.
Don't You (Forget about Me) was playing today at work, and it immediately jumped out at me for two reasons- one awesome song from awesome movie (duh) and two the lyrics seem kind of fitting this week!

"Tell me your troubles and doubts 
Giving me everything inside and out and 
Love's strange so real in the dark 
Think of the tender things that we were working on"

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I love 80's movies!
So tell me, whats your favourite 80's movies, better yet- what's your favourite 80's song?

xx Lauren

Discombobbulated

"dazed and confused. stupified, dumbified, lost, lost sense of direction, dizzy, etc..." urbandictionary.com

Out of sorts.

I think that probably the best way to describe how I'm feeling at the moment. Its frustrating the hell out of me, because I have no reason to be feeling like this...everything is annoying me, I'm feeling all cross because messages I sent out to multiple people over the weekend went unanswered- which makes me wonder if I've done something wrong. I feel all alone, when in reality I'm surrounded by people, and I don't really want to talk to any of them anyway. I feel grumpy, happy and tired all at the same time. I feel like having one big pity party and telling the world to bugger off for a while. AND I feel like screaming really loud and having a cry and stamping my feet like a child.

Seriously I need to get over it, especially when I know I have a very blessed life.

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OK, whingey post over with.

Just needed to get those words ot of my head rather than them swimming round in circles.

xx Lauren

Get With The Program- An ordinary weigh-in

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I was disappointed with my weight loss this week.
100 grams.
That was it.
I have no one to blame but myself and for that reason I need do a serious assessment of what I'm eating, actually I don't even need to do an assessment, what I need to do is FOLLOW the eating plan I have be given...not hard at all in reality.
There is a great article by Mia Freedman today all about Michelle Bridges and the motivation myth, its definitely worth a read. It is the reason why I have no issue with exercising anymore- because I have made it apart of my day. I don't need or rely on motivation to get me to the gym, it is just something that I have to do everyday, it is who I now am. A big bonus is that for the most part really enjoying exercise and how good it makes me feel.

Anyway this week I:
Monday-  60 mins Cardio (1196 calories)
Tuesday- Boxing (1618 calories) /Pump (1032 calories)
Wednesday- Boxing (1313 calories)
Thursday- Personal Training + 20 min cardio (1350 calories)
Friday- Rest
Saturday- Personal Training/ 90 mins Cardio (2192 calories)
Sunday- 70 mins Cardio (1626 calories)
I'm very happy with the calories I burnt this week, my personal training on Thursday completely wiped me out (in a good way) and set some new levels/goals to work towards.

This weeks training plan is pretty similar:
Monday- Cardio
Tuesday- Boxing/Cardio
Wednesday- Boxing
Thursday- Personal Training
Friday- Rest
Saturday Personal Training/Cardio
Sunday- Climb Mt Lofty
I'm keen to climb Mt Lofty again and see if it is any easier than my last attempt- I'm thinking that it will still be a killer!

I made the Carrot and Zucchini bars this week. I don't think I will bother making them again- they were OK, but nothing amazing. I think the addition of some cream cheese icing would make them delicious, but that would blow the calories out hugely :(

Carrot & Zucchini Bars
Makes 24 bars
Calories 139 calories/serve

2 Eggs
3/4 c Brown Sugar
1/2 c Canola
1/4 C honey
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 C Carrot, grated
1 C Zucchini, grated
1/2 C Walnuts, roughly chopped
1 1/2 C plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp bi-carb soda

Pre-Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line a baking tray 13"x 9"x 2"
Whisk eggs, sugar, oil, honey and vanilla until sugar is melted.
Stir through the carrot, zucchini and walnuts.
In a different bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, ginger and bi-carb and then slowly add to the wet mixture.
Pour into the baking tray and cook for 25 mins.
Cool and then slice into 24 bars.

If you want to try them with some cream-cheese icing a good recipe can be found here.

Here's to a healthy and happy week!
xx Lauren

52 Weeks of Mail

I love going to my letter box.
Its a part of my routine when I get home from work each day to open the door and let the dog out. Give her a pat and then walk to the letter box to check for mail. Sadly 90% of my mail is either bills or for the people who used to live here.
This week I came across a cool project set up by Etsy to send a card or letter to someone every week for a year, to keep intouch with friends and family through a more traditional form of communication.

"Throughout 52 Weeks of Mail, we are asking everyone to commit to sending just ONE card or letter each week. You can send more than one, of course! 52 Weeks of Mail BEGINS on October 9th, 2011, and ends on October 7th, 2012" {credit}

I am an avid collector of cards and love writing notes so this seems perfect, and it gives me the perfect excuse to buy stationary.

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 So if you would like a random letter from me at some point in the next 12 months, send me an email with your address so I can share the letter box love!
Also you can like the 52 Weeks of Mail facebook page and play along too...I know I would love some non-bills mail :)


xx Lauren

Today

Outside my window...crazy, crazy weather...blue skies & sun shining then the next second windy as and raining hard

I am thinking...that I will have to take the washing to the laundromat to dry and that I will be having a very quiet Saturday night...book, cup of tea and the couch- I am a party animal!

I am thankful for...my parents- they are so awesome <3

I am wearing...jeans, long sleeved black top, coral cardi, converse sneakers and soft grey scarf

I am going to... take Jess to the airport this afternoon

I am currently reading... Tuscan Rose by Belinda Alexandra

I am hoping... that Blue Bird market goes well tomorrow for Green Dandelion

On my mind... how I need to clean up what I'm eating

From the kitchen... Soda Water...I'm becoming addicted

Around the house... the footy is on, the washing machine is going and the dishes are washed
One of my favorite things... Boxing, I think its now my favourite way to exercise

A few plans for the rest of the week... gym, sorting out some stuff to take to the op shop, work and working on my uni assignments.

One photo to share..

This was my view as I took the dog for a walk this week. I love living at the beach and witnessing gorgeous sunsets all the time. 

What are you up to this weekend??

Who do you want to win the AFL grand final? I'm cheering on Geelong!

Happy Saturday,

xx Lauren