Life's Blood

I am a true believer in donating blood. I know a lot of people would rather give money than have a vampire nurse steal blood from them but let's face it... Blood is far more precious than money.

I thought I might give a rundown of my recent experience for anyone a little wary of the process.

I waited for 15 minutes with a juice box to keep my fluids up, and then I was interviewed to make sure it was safe for me to give blood. This was the scariest part... And not because they pricked my finger to check my iron levels, but because they weighed me and I was shocked to discover I was 7kgs heaver than my usual 50kgs!!! After that, I was hanging to give blood, hoping the loss would leave me at only 56kgs!!!

Then I sat on a lovely recliner where the nurse wrapped a blanket around me (coz I'm a sook and it was chilly) and ran me through the procedure:
1. A band is placed around your bicep (like when they check your blood pressure) to make your vein more accessible.
2. An alcohol swab cleaned your inner elbow.
3. A small needle is inserted and you feel a tiny prick.
4. You have a little kip, wriggling your fingers and toes to speed up the process.

Voila... 6 minutes and 17 seconds later I was done!

Basically I got a juice box, had a nap, ate a lollie and got a sticker... Batman has it all wrong, this is the best way to save lives!!!

Home Run

My running partner is my iPhone! I have some fun apps that record my speed and distance, I have a gps in case I lose my way... Which has embarrassingly happened too many times to count. And more importantly I have music.

Studies have come out to prove what all of us have known all along... Music can pull you through a workout. Rocky had a theme song propelling him up those stairs and Olivia Newton John had it to 'get physical'. The fact is that music can elevate your mood and distract you so that your workout seems easier. 

The Top 5 most common songs on my running playlist are:

1.) Boom Boom - Outhere Brothers
2.) Till the World Ends - Britney Spears
3.) You Used to Hold Me - Calvin Harris
4.) My Favourite Game - The Cardigans
5.) Te Amo - Rihanna

So... What is currently on your playlist?

Skinny Dip

I pulled this this wonderful Micro-Dermabrasion kit from a Nutrimetics party lucky dip last month for half it's usual price of $80.95. I thought I was saving money, but you ladies all know how freebies usually turn out - I am now addicted and almost willing to spend the $80.95 for a replacement kit when this one runs out.

A lot of women go through the pain and expense of Acid Peels in salons. But this exfoliant gets the same results for just 2 minutes of scrubbing in the shower, once a week.

As you can see, the exfoliant itself is still a smooth, gentle paste for the face. Since using Micro-Dermabrasion, my skin has been smooth and clear. I get even better results than when I am at the Beach with the sand and sea salt being a natural exfoliator. i wonder what other treats Nutrimetics has available?

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EDITTED to add: After using this moisturiser a bit more, I have noticed how red and angry it makes my skin for an hour or so after use. A red, hot reash creeps across wherever I have spread it. Turns out this moisturiser has too much SPF in it for me as I am madly allergic. (it does say clearly 'SPF 25' on the front of the bottle... I just don't know my limits with moisturisers and makeup) I've only ever been able to use Ell McPhearson's Invisible Zinc when spending hours in the sun. But moisturisers and foundations have never been a problem until now.

Anyway I will continue to use the scrub, but have gifted the moisturiser to a friend of mine who is already addicted to Nutrimetics Micro-dermabrasion.

Relay for Life is an intense overnight event that remembers loved ones lost to cancer, celebrates survivors, and gives us a chance to fight back against the disease that takes so much.

The idea is to get a team of 10 to 15 people together, and be sponsored to always have someone walking or running… and it our case, cartwheeling and being piggybacked around an oval or track for 24 hours straight.

http://www.relayforlife.org.au/#

We started at 10:00am and had a long 24 hours getting scorched by the beating sun, soaked by a surprise torrential downpour and then cozying up under a lowered marquee to rest for dinner and snacks before starting all over again. A lot was achieved in such a short amount of time… 2 of our friends walked for 6 hours straight, only stopping to grab fruit and sandwiches to eat on the track. One ran a marathon of laps, 42km at a steady 12km an hour pace and there was a different Cross fit exercise every hour for people to dominate. But the biggest accomplishment was raising $42,000 for the Cancer Council!

The day wasn’t just about exercise and fitness. There was a jumping castle for the kiddies and a RedCross blood donor tent. 80% of donated blood ends up going to help treat cancer patients. Please remember, if you can’t afford to donate money, there is something more precious that everyone has in deep supply and that is your blood. If you are healthy and not squeamish of needles, please donate.

Hotel Realm

For those of you travelling to Canberra, I highly recommend Hotel Realm.

They have everything at your fingertips. Fine dining, gym, day spa, bar, and the staff go the extra mile.

The boyfriend and I were lucky enough to have a couples massage at Mudd Spa on Valentines Day. Lucky for me, they have complimentary hairspray, moisturiser and deoderant in their changerooms. Because our 1 hour head to toe massage was followed by a bottle of champagne at Ostani Bar, and then fine dining at Konoba restaurant... and I was completely un-prepared! As you get with surprises!

After our massage of bliss in a candlelit room, the massuese handed us each a pretty red rose which tickled me pink! Once we were settled in with complimentary bread and dip at Konoba restaurant, the maitre de placed another red rose on the table for the 'lovely couple'.

"I'm not usually a fan of beetroot, but couldn't go past this entre. The goats cheese finger and beetroot were an ideal combination of strong and subtle flavours."

Beetroot & eschallot tarte, crispy goat cheese finger, banyuls dressing
17.50

Braised lamb shoulder, roasted rack, gremolata, ratatouille, cooking jus
33.00
"I love ratatouille, and have never had it presented in such a way. All of the vegetables were diced into perfect cubes, making it so easy to get a bit of everything on the fork. The lamb was cooked to perfection and fell off the bone."

I cannot fault their attention to detail and thank them for helping make our night special.

We walked away talking about the possibility of having our wedding ceremony there... which is precisely what a girl wants her boyfriend to be inspired to bring up on Valentine's Day before he has even popped the big question!

Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I love seeing all the ladies that get flowers in the office on Valentine's Day! I don't really know the background of how St Valentine's day became so romantic/consumerist but I love it all the same.

I was lucky enough to wake up to some heart-magnets on my fridge this morning! They are from Kikki.K, my boyfriend knows me very well. I had also sourced Kikki.K for his Valentine's surprise which is a jigsaw card in the shape of a heart. They have a few others, a cute little car and a duck. I think they are just adorable. Adds a little more anticipation to see what you have written as you have to put it all together.

Last night a girl with a heavy French accent came to our door selling art. I had heard a few years ago to beware of door-to-door pedallers as it's a scam. But I had just mastered making my boyfriend's delicious salad dressing, and had a nice glass of wine so was in the mood to humour her.

I was quite surprised that most of the paintings were very beautiful and she was only trying to sell them for about $100 each. After falling in love with this one called 'Carnivale' I called the boyfriend over to inspect it. His family owned an art gallery in Canberra where his father sold a lot of his own work, usually for thousands, not just a measely hundred. So when the boyfriend was equally impressed and gave me his wallet to get whatever pleased me the most, I felt confident that I wasn't being scammed.

...And if I am, who cares?! It's genuine art, not a print, and it looks gorgeous in my opinion. That's all that matters right?

Taste The Rainbow

February Weightloss Tip: Use Superglue as lipgloss!

I pride myself on my healthy lifestyle. I am lucky enough to adore fruit and veggies and I am actually enjoying training 6 days a week to run the 14k Sydney City to Surf in an hour.
...But my newest passion and hobby has been baking... and when it looks this good, the only way to stay thin, is to superglue my mouth shut!!!

Inspired by Omnomicon's rainbow cake recipe http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake

All Over Red Rover

If I were an animal... I would be a German Shepherd.

I know this for a fact, because there is a German Shepherd down the street from our house and her name is Amber. So it would seem that my brother was right all those times he's called me a 'female dog'
I like to think that my nose isn't nearly as big as hers, and I'm certainly not as hairy! but I guess I can see a bit of a resemblence.

Whenever I take my Huskies jogging past, Amber barks and barks. This racket is often followed by her owner yelling through the window "Stop Amber!!!" and "Back off Amber" and I'm not going to lie... for the first couple of months, I thought he was yelling at ME!

I wonder what type of animal everyone else would be?

My Footsteps

Remember ~ to travel often: Getting lost is the best way to find yourself...

Longer Locks

When I was 14 I cut off my waist-length hair to a short bob... and of course, now 9 years later, just like my mother warned me - I am trying to grow it back!


Fact is, my hair will never be that healthy again. It hadn't been dyed and bleached and straightened to breaking point! It's a catch 22, the whole reason I want long hair, is so that I can have it curled and hairsprayed into fancy up-dos... but you can't have long hair if you neglect it.


Here are a few things I've learnt that encourage your hair to shine and grow...

Scalp Massages:
That's right ladies, if you're boyfriend wants you to have long hair - you have the perfect excuse to either drop a bit of extra money on that salon without him complaining OR my favourite... have him doting over you once a week and giving you the massage himself!!


Trim dead hair:
I know you're attached to the length but if you really have split ends, they will just break and travel further up and make your hair look thin and unhealthy.


Codliver Oil:
A lot of people will recommend silica tablets etc. But I would suggest trying something like Codliver Oil tablets first. It is cheaper and should do the job as well as make your skin and nails healthier. It has high levels of Omega-3 and Vitamins D & A.

Leave the 'Drag', Be a Queen.

I think it's always important to get away for a girls weekend occasionally.

I went to Sydney for Mardi Gras and Rihanna and had a blast. I absolutely missed my man, especially when it came to bedtime and I realised that snuggling into an oversized top with his cologne on it, isn't the same as being wrapped in his warm, strong arms.

But, there was glitter everywhere, silly song blaring and lots of champagne.

The wait is over Rihanna

The 'Other Woman'

To me, she looks short and fat... and like all 'other women' stealing your man away, she is very dirty and rough. But still, my boyfriend can't resist spending hours with her every night, shirtless and sweaty.

I am of course, talking about the house my boyfriend is building for us!

Right now she is looking a bit like Lindsay lohan. Half-naked and a little run-down but with amazing potential! She is high-maintenance, causing my boyfriend to change things constantly to suit her position on the block. But she is also fun and exciting so I can't fight her allure... lucky for me she isn't greedy and I can join in a little.

I brought my boyfriend a picnic dinner for a break and ended up trying to help him put in fixed windows and pack the walls with itchy insulation. But... our favourite song came on the radio and I pulled him into a bit of dancing. I figure he may be there, looking after me by building us a beautiful house. But I'm there, looking after him with distractions and breaks so he doesn't burn himself out!

Sharing is caring. Y

Brand Spanking New

4 days down and I am loving 2011!!!

There is something so exciting about the way new things shine... and the new year isn't any different!!!

It is sparkling with unfilled promises. Goals and resolutions to better life are flooding through everyone. It is time to take a breath and start over if you have to... or take what you already love to the next level.

"Everyone has a risk muscle... you keep it in shape by trying new things" Y Roger Von Oech

Bare Necessity

Coming into Summer for Australia... It's time a few of you hotties out there relaxed a bit. Dare to bare your belly!!!

Rihanna has a banging body, but she proved that you don't need washboard abs to sport a crop top! If you're not feeling confident about revealing it all, a crop top paired with high-waist skirts show just a hint of cheeky skin and still hide those nice, soft pillowy bits!

And remember, there's a time and place for everything! It was great to see a bit of tanned skin at Canberra's Foreshore Music Festival this year!

Slip on a Kiss...

...and fall in love!




You don't have to close your eyes to take this risky leap. Jump into a relationship with your eyes wide open. Know what you're getting yourself into! But if you don't let go of your doubts and fears, you'll never get to fully appreciate this beautiful feeling of love. If you turn your heart into a weapon, the only person you end up hurting is yourself.

There's no way to know if they will catch you, unless you let yourself fall... and if they don't;

'Alis volat propiis' ~She flies with her own wings~ Y

Blinky Ink

Why do women constantly feel the need to validate ourselves? Every decision we make has a reason. Lately, I’ve even heard too many girls defending their choice in partners, saying “He treats me well” “He’s got his head screwed on straight” “He’s so good in bed”. If you like the guy, it shouldn’t matter why. Boast, because you just can’t stop thinking and talking about him… Not because you want to convince everyone he’s a good catch.

And ladies, please stop excusing your tattoos! I know I’m generalising, but you don’t see too many men justifying the tribal tats winding around their biceps! They got it because it was a good experience and they think it looks good.

Let’s face it; tattoos are about personalising your body. Your parents made it, but you can change it by working out, colouring your hair, getting surgery… and getting body art.

If there’s a bit of meaning behind that intricate maze of flowers trailing down your back, then good for you. But don’t demean yourself by making one up, because you refuse to admit that it’s just a tramp stamp you thought looked good.

I am so mainstream; I have the most typical tattoo... A tribal, dragon spread out on my lower back. No, I wasn’t born in the year of the dragon. No, I don’t come from some exotic tribe of American Indians and No, it’s not my family crest… but DAMN it looks good!

Things are common for a reason… The masses love it! Maybe it’s time we embrace that? Y

Little Miss Piggy

Who decided that piggy tails were only for sweet little kiddies, or mutton-dressed-up-as-lamb? And why the hell did we let them get away with it for so long?!

The mere fact that most men go wild for piggy tails, should make us limit the hairstyle to women in the prime of sexulity not children and grannies! Piggy tails can look rocker-wild, bohemian-chic and yes... sweet, innocent and flirty... don't be afraid of them.

...Embrace your Little Miss Piggy Y

Shopping Intimacies

Looking over a shiny glass counter at the David Jones’ check-out, I sometimes feel just as transparent.

These women that serve me month-in and month-out probably know even more about me than my Beautician! With every item they tuck neatly into those crisp paper bags, they learn something more. Lancôme moisturiser for sensitive skin? Goldwell Hair Volumiser? 5-Inch peep-toe stilhettos… that’s right ladies I’m not really this leggy, and yeah, it sometimes takes a bit of scrubbing and rubbing to make my skin have this healthy glow!

Then, as if they haven’t already summed up your life in a couple of paper bags… the till pops open and they ask “Cash, Cheque or Credit?”. Anyone that has ever held their breath waiting for ‘approved’ to flash over the eftpos machine, should know what I’m talking about when I say that even my Mother doesn’t know what my financial situation is… But Lidia at David Jones now has a clue!

“The quickest way to get to know a woman, is to go shopping with her” Y Marcelene Cox

…Good thing I didn’t buy any KY

xxx

Sip of Turquoise

There's no denying it... Turquoise is the best colour ever.

Any of the colours named for a precious gem are bound to be that little bit punchy. They are bold, cheeky and a little bit wild... just like the first crush you ever had. He might not have been your favourite guy in town, but something about him caught your eye and sent you reeling and fumbling blindly for more.

I dare you to find someone Turquoise does not look good on.

xxx

Rising

My age isn’t the only number increasing as I get older… Each year, the limit on my credit card is getting bigger, to match the price tags on my shopping list as they climb higher!

Gone are the plastic beads that hung around the neck of a scrawny 12 year old. Now at 22, it takes a lot more to make me feel like a Princess.

“Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness, simply didn’t know where to go shopping” Y Bo Derek