Where did February go? Someone call the police

Erm, excuse me but did anybody see February at all? Did that month even exist this year? I swear I never saw it??

It's safe to say that February was a blur of kids activities, late-night drinking and dinner's out with little spare time in-between because I can honestly say that was the fastest month to go by to date. Not that I am complaining as such, because it means its closer to my Asia Adventure but also because March 1st was when Future Music Festival hit Brisbane's RNA show grounds with a corker of a line-up (Exl. Pharrell Williams & 2-chainz!) 

Having been to a few festivals in my time - This was going to be the BEST I was sure of it before I had even arrived and I was disappointed. Obviously the fantastic sunny/hot weather made the day even more enjoyable than the rain I am use to in the UK, but also because I went with a group of girls from around the world I had met along my travels. With an abundance of acts to chose from - I already had my hit list with me - Martin Garrix, Naughty Boy, Tinie Tempah, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Rudimental, Eric Prydz & Deadmau5 to name a few I actually remember seeing before I was too drunk to care what was happening! 

For me, Macklemore blew the crowd away and it was such a great set - the only downside on the day was that most of the acts ran into each other on others stages, but that happens at most festivals. So here I share with you the small selection of photos I managed to take before becoming non-sober & partying it up like an animal...

Enjoy March because who know's - That could disappear before you're very own eyes too!

XOXO

Is going home after life on the road as scary as it seems?

Since I began travelling I have always had this little voice in the back of my mind saying that going home is the worst idea and to stay travelling for as long as possible but with most things in life there is an expiry date - Is there with travelling?

I have seen some amazing sights around the world and there are many more on my bucket list, I just wish there was enough money in my back pocket to fund all of these wonderful things. Having fount jobs along the way pretty easily I have had the chance to pack up & move on when the time felt right however in my latest venture of becoming an Au Pair I have spent a lot more time here than expected. This as well as the fact that I have some savings at the end intend to travel Asia and after that... well, who know's?! 

For most the idea of going home is frightening to say the least and some also see this as a sign of failure within their own personal mindset, for me - well I don't want to go home however with most of my friends now having children as well as my family, and other factors going home is looking to be quite a reality after my Asia stint where I can then re-save before hopefully hitting the open road again. 

What am I scared of you ask? That nothing has changed and unfortunately in most cases this might be correct. I also think I am scared of missing out, the all important phrase F.O.M.O (Fear of missing out) springs to mind! I don't want to miss my sister in law having her baby and me becoming an aunt, I don't want to miss my best friend's wedding and I certainly don't want to miss out on all the girly chit chat. 

When I put all of that together it seems quite a nice thought of going home but then again I left for a reason right?...

XOXO

The long & short of it

Since having my hair cut super short on August 20th last year, I have had my ups and downs on how I feel about it. Like most people I suffer 95% of the time with bad hair days with the humidity as well as the lack of energy to make an effort with it - however getting it cut short was a step in the right direction! It meant less time in the bathroom and more time just getting about my day to day life, until I decided to start the painful journey of growing it back out to have long & healthy hair again. 

Well its now January 17th 2014 - Roughly 5 months since getting the chop and its slowly growing and I am just about able to put it into a ponytail with bits failing back out. So to celebrate my hair growing I thought I shared a picture of my progress & I WILL NOT CUT my hair until it is at least past my shoulders! 

So here is to Friday's - May yours be relaxing & more eventful than mine?! 

Happy Friday All...

XOXO

Food Watch! Eat Street Markets, Northshore Hamilton

So Saturday 11th a group of friends and I decided that it was overdue to visit the newest (well maybe not so new now!) eating & outdoor experience in Brisbane down at Northshore Hamilton. It has old shipping containers that have been gutted and re-modelled to make way for express eating outlets in a market style, including clothing stalls, fresh fruit & veg and onto artwork & vintage pieces. 

It's open Friday and Saturday's between 4pm - 10pm and would highly recommend going around 5-6pm as it gets pretty busy especially if you want to get a seat for the live music that is on or to eat at a table rather than your lap! 

The first thing that took my eye when we got there was the way it was brightly coloured and lit with fairy lights and had a sort of carnival fell to it. As soon as you get out of your car, the aromas of fresh food being cooked fills the street & you have this urge to try as much as possible.

With the weather as it has been, we opted for Cloudy Cider at the Rib Bar which is in the far right corner as you come in through the front & a great place for the live music as its slightly raised from the ground & at $8.00 not breaking the bank so to speak! 

Moving on from alcoholic beverages we then opted for a walk around where I settled on The Three Sisters Greek Food which was divine for a started of Grilled Haloumi (2slices) for $5.00 and the main I chose came from non other than Jake & Elle's stall "Chitty Banh Banh" from MKR and I decided on a Chilli Caramel Pork with salad priced at $9.50!!!! See below - its the dish furthest to the back!

After eating what seemed a mountain of food, I went back for more cloudy cider's to wet the whistle and keep us all on our way to a fantastic evening filled of fresh food, live music & summery alcoholic beverages as well as laughter. Out of 5, I rate Eat Street Markets 5/5... 

XOXO

Happy New Year!!!....

Welcome 2014... What you saying?

Well another year done and dusted and I can hand on heart say that mine was definitely one to remember. It was the year I embarked on travelling Australia and meeting with friends old and new across the globe, it was the year I finally started ticking off things from my bucket list & it was also the year I become content and super happy with everything in my life right now! 

If there was one moment that would sum up my year it would be when I completed my skydive! From start to finish that day was insane, I felt free, I felt invincible, I felt AWESOME! I would do it all again in a heartbeat but... there are still new challenges and places to see and visit in 2014 and I am excited to be travelling over to Asia in August, starting with Singapore! A new chapter for me to explore and learn all about. 

So guys - What are your new year's resolutions? .. Stop drinking (yeah right?)? Quit smoking? Get fit? Start saving?.. Well I don't normal make them because let's be fair who actually sticks with them? Not me. But this year I hope to not buy a single magazine and instead save the $12-20 each week I would spend on trashy mags and put into my savings for future travels!.. I wonder how long it will take before I crack, so far so good - day 2 and going strong!

So seeing as I have 7 months left in Australia I would like to think of things I haven't yet done & get those into action in the coming months, but I seem to be struggling... I would most definitely like to swim with dolphins if this can come true, that would be great however I can't think of anything I haven't already done that doesn't cost the earth because we all know that Australia is crazy expensive.

If you think of anything, hit me up I would love to hear. Until then enjoy the beginning of the year with happiness and time of reflection before creating some more kick-ass memories.

XOXO

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!!

Can you believe that 2013 is nearly over and Christmas is finally out of the way? In other news its only 362 until the next... YIKES! 

Well here is wishing to a fabulous 2014 and praying for an even better year than 2013 if that is possible! I have done so much this year that I never thought possible, from moving one from Sydney to Mission Beach and back to Brisbane, seeing old friends & meeting new, skydiving over the Gold Coast & reef to becoming a Nanny & actually enjoying it (well most days!) I really couldn't have asked for a better year and I am sure there is much more to add to what has happened this year but really don't have the time to go through them all. 

2013 is ending on a high as I have booked my travel to leave Australia in August 2014 and moving onto Asia, starting with Singapore - So any tips, places to visit, sleep, eat - feel free to hit me up! But by far, the highlight of 2013 was doing my Skydive - I have never been so excited & scared at the same time as well as feeling the almighty rush of jumping from a perfectly good plane!... 

This christmas has been spent up the Sunshine Coast at Caloundra and I can honestly say that it has been relaxing and hot. This is the first christmas where I have spent it in above 10 degrees temperature in my life, hitting 35 degrees christmas day was a little strange but fabulous all the same. 

Being away from home means that there really is no spare space for me to carry belongings back to the UK on my travels, therefore this year has been great because I have been given money, clothing & beauty products which fit with my lifestyle right now. The new year will mean cut backs and looking to buy some new luggage ready for when I leave in August, my OCD is already in planning mode with 7months to go but I don't go over-board, just the necessities like flights, a sturdy suitcase or backpack, travel bits & pieces and of course money! 

So with NYE fast approaching - enjoy the last few days of 2013 and make the most of them! Wishing you all the best for 2014 whatever it may bring for you. 

XOXO 

Skydiving... Not for the faint hearted

Yesterday 9th December 2013 I completed my first skydive from 12,000 ft and loved it! I had been brought my skydive for my birthday in August and hadn't got around to jumping although to be honest I was happy to wait awhile until the weather picked up for the Australian summertime. 

It is something that I have always wanted to do & sat highly on my bucket list of things in life to do, so when a friend told me she also had a voucher for the same place, it made complete sense to do the jump together - you know for moral support and what not!

It all felt so surreal getting into a harness and going through safety checks before heading to the airport, with the tiny plane, with no door might I add to begin our climb into the air and jump... from a perfectly good plane!! Mixed emotions ran through my body from - what the hell am I doing to this is going to be insane, but nothing prepares you for the rush of adrenaline whilst you hang out of a plane 12,000 ft in the air before jumping out. 

Once in the air, I felt so alive & loving life to the absolute max - from being scared of how high we were to thinking hell yeah I'm doing this!! I am so happy I finally did it & it has made 2013 the best year of my life to date as well as everything else I have done this year - its been a cracker for sure.

And on that note, I leave you with a few photos from the day :)

XOXO