Late Blooming: Podcasts.

I am incredibly late to the party. I just finished listening to 'Serial' yesterday. 

I binged on it all week. Could barely wait for my commute (I just said that?!) to tune in and hear more about Adnan Sayed. 

Have you listened to it? Or are you like me, a late bloomer?

It consumed me so much I've now started having Adnan dreams. 

I won't give away the story, but it's intense, it's sad, and it's a compelling story. Did he or didn't he?

***

Because I spend two hours on the train each day, I've been looking for ways to make the time fly. 

Rach from Mogantosh suggested Mortified. It's a series where people read their truly cringe-worthy teenage writings to a live audience. 

Let's pause here and think about our own teenage writings. 

Did that just make your stomach turn? Me too. 

So this is a recipe for real hilarity. My favourite? Episode 21: Mortified's Summer Camp Spectacular. 

I really, truly did sit on the train killing myself laughing. Laughing so much I had tears running down my face. Other passengers didn't know what to make of me as I very nearly rolled in the aisle laughing (the only thing stopping me? There's no way I would touch the train floor, not even if I was covered in Domestos). 

And I didn't care if they thought I was the train freak show. It was the funniest, belly-laugh-inducing podcast ever. 

***

Have you got any podcast recommendations for me?

Travel tips?

I'm packing my bags and heading to NYC later this week. And then San Fran.

I'm excited. 

And nervous.

Nervous and excited. 

I haven't travelled much internationally. Have you?

What are your best travel tips to get through a long haul flight?

What's your can't live without thing you have to pack? 

Or are you a packing ninja? What's your tip to maximise minimal clothing?

HELP ME!

I Disappeared:: Loving

Crumbs. It's been a long time since I posted. 

Sorry old chaps. 

I've been busy. I'm sure you have too. Here's four snaps that sum up my two weeks away from ye olde blogge.

Let's go clockwise from top left. 

1. I went to Perth. For less than 24 hours. That really, really hurt. I think I'm still recovering. But I did go to this awesome gallery space - and these paintings caught my eye. 

Venn Gallery, Perth 

2. Bread and Circus is one of my favourite places to eat. I've been there five times now and each time I eat something different. This is The Super Bowl. My goodness it was good. And after two full on weeks, I needed to recharge the goodness levels in my body. This helped. A lot. 

3. I got to sneak preview the new Spring Collection from Habbot. These yellow punched leather beauties have pretty much stolen my heart. I am in yellow lust. 

Dee lace ups from Habbot

4. I have now made this chocolate cake I spied over on Checks and Spots three times. In two weeks. That might not be a healthy obsession, but it is super simple. And delicious. 

Dead easy chocolate cake by Anneka Manning 

****************

What's been cooking in your kitchen? What have you been up to? 

Travelling? Tips On How To Nail Your Luggage Woes

Remember when I told you how crummy I am at packing? When we went away at Easter I packed so many woolly pieces, thoroughly convinced it was going to be chilly - and instead it wasn't. I ended up wearing a couple of t-shirts and jeans the entire time, and ignoring the warmer pieces. 

Told you I sucked.

Which is why I've asked three awesome women to share their Holy Grail of packing tips with us today.

Jennifer Loiselle - Australian born, UK based handmade accessories designer:

1. I’m a horrific over-packer (think 6 pairs of shoes for a one week holiday) so I’ve recently learnt to lay everything I intend to take and halve it. Definitely pack light – it also means you can fill up your suitcase with holiday purchases on the way back!

2. Ziplock bags – I’m obsessed with them. All make-up, shampoos, sunblock, goes into these and means that I avoid any messy accidents.

3. Travelling with my 5 year old daughter recently in China who became quite ill has made me realise that I need to bring any medication I can with me. She had a very high temperature and the language barrier made it difficult to communicate what we needed which meant a very expensive trip to an American clinic!

Jasmin Lethbridge - Hair Stylist from Desmond and Molly Jones: 

1. Only take your fave outfits that you know you look awesome in... I always create and pack outfits that I never wear normally and end up lugging them everywhere and suprise suprise they never get worn!! The same jeans can easily be worn 4/5 days in a row. 

2. Check the shoe situation. I always get caught out with wrong shoes i.e summer shoes and it'll rain..cold tootsies not good! 

3. Pack any creams/oils in a ziplock bag. Have had a science experiment happen in my toiletries bag before!

4. Get a medication box with all of the partitions to keep your jewels in.

Extra tip! If any beloved stuffed toys/blankets are coming along make sure first thing packed. No explanation needed!

Founder of toxin-free beauty e-tailer Nourished Life, Irene Falcone:

1. Get into layering with your favourite clothing staples – try Bamboo clothing, which is virtually wrinkle free and can be layered for extra warmth or warn along. The Bamboo is a great breathable fabric so perfect for all seasons.

2. Leave the bulky skin care products at home and pack the multipurpose basics! Think facial wipes, which generally come in an easy travel pack and can save you plenty of time (Wot Not do a great wipe that works as a cleanser, toner, exfoliated and eye makeup remover in 1). Also look at investing in an “Everything Balm” if you’re going somewhere cold - The Egyptian Magic is the perfect multipurpose balm which can be used for hydrating and protection for your entire body.

3. Pack the Coco-Lyte dried coconut sachets which you can add to water anywhere for an instant energy and hydration boost without having to carry around bottles of water.
  

Traveller's Blues: Bad Packing

It is well recognised, right around the world that I am a really, really bad packer. 

Like really bad. 

Not just 'Oh no I forgot my slip' bad. I am woeful

I either pack way too much, not the right things, or all of the above.

My case in point - our Christmas trip to Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. This resulted in me wearing my father-in-law's knitted jumpers all holidays.

I packed mine, and both the Doctor's and Tiny's suitcases on a 36 degree night in Sydney. And there was me - laying it all out - and any other temperature was completely unimaginable because that heat. My goodness. The heat was all I could think of. 

So skimpy, summery, barely anything there clothing it was. 

And then we landed in Melbourne. It was grey.  Cold. Raining. 

You can only imagine my delight. And the kids. 

We spent almost one and a half days hunting the shops looking for anything vaguely wintery - to no avail. 

This was high summer baby, there's not a track pant or fleecy jumper to be had.

Or take the time Matt and I went to London in November. I took 23kgs of luggage. But nothing could have prepared me for how grey and bleak London winter is. And so I wore seven layers every day to counter the chill. Why I didn't buy a coat over there, no one will know. But I will never forget stripping off almost all layers once I came inside - because apparently London does heating well too. 

Let's just say packing is certainly not my forte. Insert sad face here >                 <

Fast forward to now and I'm madly trying to pack for a couple of days home. I know it's going to be cold up there. I know it. And yet, my packing is totally random. I find something that feels a bit warm - and I toss it in. When I get to the other end, I'll pull all that stuff out - and once again wonder what happened to my brain - and no doubt everyone will wonder why I look so bizarro. Because nothing I pack actually makes sense.

Therefore I am going to take it upon myself to research packing methods. I am going to learn from the best, and then I am going to come back and share with everyone. The Secret Art of Packing.

Just Back From Melbourne

We're literally just back from three days in beautiful Melbourne. Fresh. Off. The. Plane. 

Actually - not fresh - Sydney - why so humid?!

I am so pooped - but so on the high that comes with travel. 

And damn fool. I do very much love that city. So much left unexplored, with verbal agreements that we'll be back soon to try more restaurants, check out the shops that always (inadvertently) get missed, and spend more time at the gallery. Good golly. Did I mention I love Melbourne? 

I'll be back later in the week to report on my Melbourne findings, plus - yes, I am late with Yo Mama! this week. And hey - btw - have you entered my LEGO Friends giveaway? If not, why not! Five ace packs to giveaway! 

It's a busy week - more gift guides to come, and lots of other good things brewing (ok so nothing's brewing except my herbal tea). But I'll be around. And I'd LOVE to hear from you. 

Yours in blogging and late posts, 
Lexi 

Part Two:: A Weekend Venture To The Capital:: The Human Brochure

We woke, breakfasted with Family Hugo and Elsa, and Family Pigeon Pair, and were on the bus in record time on Saturday morning. We were ready to nerd up at Questacon for a few hours.

First up the smalls checked in with the tastebud doctor who gave them some food dye to check how many taste buds they have. Funnily enough - both have few - so really there's no reason they can be fussy at dinner time - BUSTED.

If you've never been to Questacon before, it is great. I remember going there as a 12 year old, and having immensely good memories of it. Going back was ace. There are so many hands on exhibits, and it's seriously  subliminal learning (isn't that the best kind?!).

We high-fived and hugged astronauts, watched 10 volcanoes explode, I conned Matt into going down the vertical slide three times in the name of getting a good shot (which I never got), and we learnt about the invasion of Planet Fwah. It was good fun for both Matt and I, and the kids. 

After we'd exhausted ourselves at Questacon we meandered our way to The Lobby for an incredibly hearty meal. The kids played merrily outside after refuelling, ready for the next adventure. 

Then we were whisked back to the hotel to rest before our next outing. The National Zoo & Aquarium (which is btw - privately owned).

I had no idea that we were about to be offered an incredible opportunity to feed animals. The zoo itself offers a very intimate feeling - and we were about to get up close to some animals to feed them. The Doctor was busting to feed the tiger and the lion - and so he did. Tick - dream come true. Tiny opted for the giraffe (with the longest tongue I have ever seen - that quivered when it was close to the carrot Tiny held aloft) and a bear. Not just some little teeny bear, but a big bear. A really big bear. 

And then the kids held a corn snake. Ew. 

Following the zoo we headed off to Cockington Green. Have you ever been to Cockington Green? BOOM! You see what I did there?!

Cockington Green has been around since the 70s - and is - once again, family-owned. It's pretty darn rad in my book. Miniature this and miniature that. I remember being a 12 year old and thinking it was pretty swell. And being a 33 year old, well it was pretty darn swell too. 

There's even a miniature train you can ride on around the gardens. Super. Duper. Cute. 

And as if that wasn't enough rad in our day - we then went to the National Dinosaur Museum. I wish we'd been able to spend more time here. The man who showed us around was SO on the money - he really nailed it in terms of brevity and pitching it to his small audience - and yet - all the adults were completely spellbound by him too. 

This was something I noticed a lot on our trip to Canberra. The awesome people who showed us around were so passionate and into what they were talking to us about - they knew it by rote, and they just got it right. 


Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Honesty is the best policy! Our accommodation and itinerary was covered for the weekend. We liked it. We had fun. We wanted to share our trip to Canberra. 

Part One:: A Weekend Venture To The Capital:: The Human Brochure

Just in case you missed it, last weekend we went to Canberra as part of The Human Brochure. We were in the 500 selected out of 31,000 applicants to take part in this world first online experience - pretty darn exciting.

So us four humans left Sydney as soon as Matt finished teaching on Friday, and hit the road. It was such a pretty drive. You know when you've had a long week - there's nothing that gives you perspective quite like going on a road trip - straight out of the city and into the real world. It perfectly quenched my thirst for space - those green rolling hills, that unending blue sky. It got me dreaming. 

Before I knew it - and before the smalls could be too disgruntled and start chiming in with 'how much longer?' - we were meandering our way through the green, tree-lined streets of Canberra. 

Our first stop was to meet with the rest of The Human Brochure group that were at the Australian War Memorial. Unfortunately we were late, but we managed to spot some rabbits grazing on the lawns (see that top pic where Tiny expresses her excitement), and then made our way inside. 

Firstly - I was nervous. Mainly because this is what I was wearing, and when we walked in - there were many people dressed in military uniforms from different eras, and I was afraid I was going to be mistaken for someone in costume (it wouldn't be the first time for Canberra to do that to me*).

It was such a great evening, and I learnt so much. I am always interested in hearing about war-time efforts, it's so heartbreaking, and incredible what our men and women went through during this time. 

We're absolutely going to go back to the Australian War Memorial - they're hosting an open day on 6th April 2013 that I've heard is going to be a big one. 

And you might be thinking, might be interesting for you PMM, but what about the kids? Well they were definitely catered to. There were dress-ups, puppet shows and stories - all of which were perfectly pitched to their younger audience (and I found interesting too). Plus the exhibits are really interesting - you could spend a few hours there, easily. 

If you're in Canberra on 11th November, or can travel there easily - it would be worth taking a look at the AWM's Rememberance Day services. 

We then made our way to our accommodation for the weekend - the Clifton Suites on Northbourne. The kids always love staying in hotels (who doesn't? No housecleaning!), and the rooms were so spacious the Doctor and Tiny asked if we could live there (heck, our two bedroom apartment was bigger than our house). 

Finally, we wrangled the smalls in to bed and crashed for the night - preparing for the big weekend that lay ahead. 

* When I was in Year Six, we visited Canberra. Because I was the tallest out of the year, the waitress at the restaurant asked me at dinner time if I was sitting with the teacher's table. HA! She thought I was a teacher. And I was a lanky 12 year old. 

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Honesty is the best policy! Our accommodation and itinerary was covered for the weekend. We liked it. We had fun. We wanted to share our trip to Canberra. 

Day 28:: Frocktober - The Nation's Capital

I am so pooped after our fabulous and memorable weekend in Canberra as part of #humanbrochure - I'll report back later this week. So much to see and do. 

In the meantime, Frocktober is winding up in just three short days.

Can you sponsor me? Will you sponsor me? I'd love to make it to $3,000! SO CLOSE! All money goes to ovarian cancer research - currently there is no screening test. If you donate money, it means you can help fund more research.

Every 10 hours one Australian woman dies due to ovarian cancer. Wouldn't it be incredible to change that? 

YES! 

Please sponsor me!

Today's outfit:
- hat - I can't remember, but Michelle from Hugo & Elsa has the same one in black (much better colour, my white one is the filth)
- dress is vintage and on loan from my sister
- vintage scarf as belt
- shoes - Chucky's

Remember When You Voted For PMM To Be PM?

Well I'm heading to the capital of Australia to take up my role today. I was voted in, remember?

Oh. You want the truth?

You can't handle the truth.

Oh. You can. Oh alright then.

I'm one of 500 humans heading to Canberra to be part of the first ever #humanbrochure . I'm pretty excited too - and for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I get to meet the uber talented Michelle of Hugo & Elsa fame and the wonderful Christie from Pigeon Pair (who I had a chance meeting with in Melbourne back in August!).

Secondly, I haven't been to Canberra since I was 12 - it's 21 years since I was last there, so really, it's like I'm celebrating my 21st birthday all over again. Right?

Thirdly, we have a mega, mega fun itinerary ahead of us, jam-packed, super busy - and it looks fabulous.

I am truly looking forward to exploring our capital city.

So buckle up your seatbelts and get ready for our weekend away. Because you're coming too. Travel with me this weekend via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, FourSquare, and this blog. We're going to have a real hoot!

Are We Going Today?

We are going to the snow this weekend as guests of Toyota. It's only my second time. The smalls first time. Matt's champing at the bit to get in the car and hit the road. He's a mad keen snowboarder. Me? Clearly I am no pro. I don't even know what shoes to wear. I've been questioning everyone - I am not convinced my ballet flats and high heeled boots are going to cut it.

The kids are beside themselves excited. They've been asking to leave every single day. "Are we going yet?" has superseded "Are we there yet?"

We're having a lesson on Saturday morning - and I've let Matt know he can go off snowboarding while I do that. Particularly if it's a hot male instrutor called Sven.

Other than that - we are free agents for the weekend. Out of Sydney and into the snow. YEEEW!

Have you got any top tips for being in the snow? I have NO idea.Except for the fact: it is cold, white and wet.


Bianca Jagger image from Andy Warhol's Interview via here. Absolutely nothing to do with snow, but pretty, yes?!

Eye Am In Auckland

Eye am!

And this is my eye in Auckland!

It is disgusting. When I checked in, I am sure the guy looked at me part horrified, part disgusted. I hope tomorrow I wake up with out the junkie-eye.

As for Auckland - wow. This is a pretty city, and it reminds me of Melbourne. The houses - aye carumba. The houses. So beautiful.

And guess what?! Bananas are $1.49 per kilo. This is big news folks. I may have to eat my body weight in bananas.

Do you have any tips for my brief Auckland sojourn? Do tell!

NZ Love

I'm swooning over this Karen Walker frock. Oh me! Oh my! In fact, I am swooning over all of Karen Walker's frocks. And tops. And skirts. And everything.

If only my credit card weren't so full, and my bank balance so empty.

But hmmm. I'm heading to Auckland next week.. Can Karen come home with me?

Oh Man!

Thanks to my friend Deb who shared this clip on Facebook - and now I just have to listen to it because it puts me in such a sunny mood. It sounds like a big band. I like that. Yep. I really do.

I'm heading to Auckland in a couple of weeks - for work - if you've got the heads up on Auckland - let me know. Apparently I need a North Face jacket because it's so blinking freezing, and I'm not prepared!

In other ground breaking news, I've not had an alcoholic beverage pass my lips since July. This is my 17th day of no-alcohol. Go me! (And go Matt too, because we're doing it together).

Have you found any new music lately?

Speaking The Truth

Sometimes I'd really love to speak my mind.

Yesterday I sat on the train next to a guy who talked on his mobile at the top of his voice. From this conversation I extracted the following conversation:

• He was on his way to work
• His boss' name is Andrew
• His boss is overweight
• His boss is married
• His boss was attending his wife's grandfather's funeral that day, and would not be at work
• His boss had a four year old daughter
• His boss was definitely married (yep, kept reiterating that point)
• And heck, he didn't know what he was up to on Saturday and Sunday

I heard all of this despite my best efforts to not hear all of this. I cranked up Bon Iver but still the noisy commuter's voice permeated my music. While Bon Iver is not exactly Pantera, it was up loud. Truly.

Reminded me of Clive. There's always a Clive on the train. Yes?

The Old Patdown

I know I've mentioned before how I got the old pat down at an airport once. Apparently I look super suspicious. Super duper suspicious. Just a few weeks ago I flew from Sydney to Brisbane and vice-versa in one day. On the return leg, I went through the scanner easy enough. But then some young stallion security guy ushered me over so he could swab my handbag. The only thing contraband in my handbag these days is a whole lot of rubbish and random receipts.

Once he was done with frisking my handbag he ushered me away with his hand, and said, "See you later hon." Unfortunately I didn't see him later. From that comment I thought we must have been going on some secret date, but alas, he says that to all the ladies.

Fantasy Island Friday:: NYC? Yes Please!

Justin Timberlake might have brought sexy back, but I'm bringing Fantasy Island Friday back.

I'd like someone to give me tickets to jet over to NYC for a couple of weeks. Actually anywhere would be a good start. I need a trip away just for kicks. To discover a new place, enjoy a new space.

In lieu of tickets, I will of course accept alternate gifts. Including this coat from Opening Ceremony.

This bag - I'm loving the blue leather aren't I? Anthropologie.I'll take these heels - yes please! Opening Ceremony.

Tally ho! I'm ready to go!

Travel Tips?

My sister is about to jet off to the US for some serious fun and frivolity. Do you have any ace, just gotta know travel tips about San Francisco, Texas or NYC? If so, please share! Any secret holes in the walls that she must visit? Anywhere she's just got to check out? Anything she definitely just has to do?

image via

The Aftermath

The handkerchief has been gifted. The wedding is over. I was the last bridesmaid standing. All the others flew the coup. How did it happen? Perhaps my dancing scared them off. I am known to break out a bit of line-dancing and slap leather. Yeeeeehaaaw!

In any event it was a wonderful day. The ceremony so moving. I never cry at weddings, but several times had to fend off the tears. Never fear, I didn't let a tear roll - I didn't want to ruin my make-up.

And now here's the aftermath. The anti-climax if you will.

Though for me it's all about letting the good times roll.

My sister and her family have just moved back to Sydney. How totally and utterly exciting for us. This can only mean good things for me. Let the good times roll sister! Those who thrift together, stay together. Or haggle between one another for the best of the best at the markets, the op shops, oh such fun.

And me. Well I'm enjoying a little downtime. I didn't get a chance to get started on the next handkerchief, so thought I might do something today, as well as juggle some work and of course - be a mama. Then I'll post it over to my friend for when she arrives back in London...

For now, I'm still madly de-cluttering, filling my house with pink carnations (what in tarnation, it's a carnation!), setting up the raddest track alive courtesy of this very generous lady, and trying to move as little as possible because it's so impossibly hot-hot-hot.

PS - The winner of my giveaway is Taccolina. Hit me with your address and I'll promptly clutter your house for you!

This Is...

Just a few of my favourite travel photos - how could I choose just one??

There are a few reasons this trip was one of my favourite ever. It was my first (and only - so far) trip overseas. Matt and I were newly engaged, and we had the best secret ever. I was pregnant with Noah but had only told our immediate family. It was a great secret to share together, run away overseas with our happiest secret, all the while discovering London and Paris together. I was probably the happiest girl on the planet.


But how could I sum up my favourite travel pic with just one photo? I can't. Whenever we're travelling, it usually means a ten on the fun-o-meter.


The first one is me feeding squirrels in Kensington Gardens. I thought they were the cutest things I had ever seen. Unfortunately after I started feeding these two, I heard a strange noise - looked up and saw Matt quickly walking away from me. I was puzzled. Moments later, a whole blanket of pigeons descended around me. Yuck. Thanks for the warning Matt!


Beautiful painted doorways in Notting Hill..


Galleries Lafeyette at Christmas time (and pretty well the only blue sky we got to see during our trip).

And this one totally captures us at the time. Happy. The beginning of our big love. On an adventure.

I can't wait to go back overseas, this time with the little ones. It's not on the cards at the moment, but you have to dream big to get anywhere! Travel gypsy style for a couple of months through France, Spain and Italy.. Then onto NYC!

Thanks to Hila for this weeks fun theme! And thanks to Three Buttons too!