Costume Parties

I LOVE THEM.

Yep, Im that person who squeals excitedly when someone mentions a themed party.

In fact sometimes, I get a bit TOO into it.

Last year Mum had a K themed 60th Birthday party. I went as Gene Simmons, but flat out refused to take off my makeup at the end of the night. After really getting into the swing of the character, I wouldnt let it go! Billasaurus had to literally drag me into the shower kicking and screaming (screaming rock anthems and flicking my long tongue simultaneously) to get the makeup from my face. Only minutes earlier I had asked Billasaurus if he fancied getting it on with Gene Simmons, whilst I posed on the bed provocatively.

Billasaurus is the most patient man Ive ever met but even that was too far for him.



KISStastic! (Please ignore my teeth, I got black face paint stuck in my braces. Yup.)




My hilarious sister Chelle and her husband Ben



My Dad went as a kitchen drawer



Billasaurus Rex and myself



As always, shit got kind of messy towards the end of the night

 It's almost my birthday, and I'm thinking themes for my 25th. Let's take a trip down memory lane costume party wise...





Being a gremlin at Soundwave....



Bizarrely green tinged pirate wench...




Queen of Hearts on NYE... (also the Queen of Drunk Eyes)



Imagine my embarassment when I arrived to the S party and found two other Sailor Moons, who had purchased beautiful costumes from the Internet. I had just sewed some random shit on to a bonds singlet and painted over my eyelids. Oh the shame. And inconvenient having to close your eyes all night in photos, lol.



Witch costume...funnily enough this one matched my personality the most, lol.

...Wow. And that's only in the past 12 months!

Any suggestions for a theme for my 25th? Something a little bit 'out there'?

Remember Babs?

You know, you met her in this post?

Well, she's back.

In my efforts to think about the ultimate place to hide Babs last time, I promptly forgot about the whole ordeal. (Which is quite typical for me, I must say.)

Going to Japan and thinking about buying my sister Chelle a doozy of a souvenir triggered a creepy little memory.

Stay tuned for odd Babs- where will she pop up next?

7 Days

.. I will have arrived in Tokyo, no doubt suffering from extreme culture shock!

Like I mentioned in this post, I have been quite stressed with uni and whatnot lately.

It hit me like a lighting bolt- how can I possible be stressed when soon I will be visiting Disneyland?!

I went to a winery the other week. It was lovely, but nothing especially post worthy. However I went to the bathroom (stay with me here) and look who I saw out the window?

This little guy (im assuming from his colourful feathers that he is indeed a he) flitted next to the window back and forth, quite happy for me to take photos.

Look what I found when on the hunt for boardgames- Sylvanian Families!

Man, I had forgotten about those. I used to be so envious of my cousins giant Sylvanian treehouse and collection. They come in meerkats now?!

When is too old for Sylvanian families I wonder. Or do I just claim to be collecting toys for future children? Actually, thats probably even creepier than buying for myself.

I purchased my first Inglot pallette. The excuse was that it is perfect for travelling and more secure than my MAC palettes. Who wants to dick around with bubble wrap the whole time im on my trip?

I was initially sceptical that they would be as good as my MAC shadows, but im impressed. They are so soft and buttery!

On Monday (!) night Billasaurus Rex kept me up all night.

...not in that way.

He asked me to come to his house- I told him I would come over, but I would have to finish my homework at his.

I get there- he is atrociously drunk. He was an absolute menace.

When I finally got around to commencing my homework, turns out his computer doesnt even have MS Word.

I had to set the alarm to 5am, so I would have time to go home and finish the assignment, get ready for uni, and hand it in at 9.

Less than impressed.

I'm lucky that I get to read the paper and get paid for it.

When I finally arrived to work, my blearly eyes looked at the above headline and read it as 'Our Ice-Cream Wave'

I smiled and was happy that we had a positive news story on the cover for once. I imagined a giant wave of Neopolitan ice cream waving its way through my city.

Der.

Doesnt that just show my naivety too?

Sorry for the boring post today folks, i'm feeling flat getting everything organised to go away!

12 Days

In 12 days time I will be landing in Tokyo. Eeep!

The weather in Tokyo has been...not so great. I've had to go out and buy some comfy boots and a winter coat, just in case.
I've got all of my accommodation sorted, my JR Rail Pass so I am free to roam around Japan whilst I'm there, my tickets to Disneyland, and have spent what feels like a billion dollars on all those things you buy new before you travel. Because of course, I am desperately going to NEED that Country Road scarf I have never even thought about wearing in my daily life. But now its a necessity!

Look at that face! Isn't it killing you with cuteness?!

Theres that cute face all grown up!
My eldest neice Jamieson turned 18 on the weekend. I'm feeling really quite old thinking about it- and i'm only 6 years older myself. I also love in this photo my little nephew Jhye in the corner, who is clearly thinking, 'CAAAAKKKKEEEE!!!'

Billasaurus Rex and I had a party fail on the weekend.

Our aim was large: to go to 3 parties in the one night. This was made harder by the fact BR had been up since 5 working, and had to do the same on Sunday, the next day.

We started off strong with my nieces 18th birthday dinner. He kept tapping his iPhone suggesting we really should head off to the next party. I kept putting him off, and stalling. I reassured him that no engagement party would be getting quiet so early.

Finally he said at 9...we REALLY need to go so I finally wound up my goodbyes. (I'm one of those painful people that take forever to leave a party.)

By the time we arrived at the party it was 9.15, and I shit you not, they were packing up.

Nothing feels quite so awkward as rocking up to a party, present in tow, whilst they are folding down tables and packing their gifts into the car.

Woops.

But seriously- 9pm?! Who has an engagement party that goes from 7-9pm?!

Have you been to an awkward party? Please, tell me all about it in the comments and make me feel better!
 I promise not to laugh at your misfortune (too hard!)

Cupcake Therapy

My name is Cindy, and I'm a stress-baker.

Last night I baked these cupcakes- Red Velvet cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Chilli Chocolate. Holy capital letters, Batman.

Why on earth did I think I could take on full time study, whilst working 38 hours, doing volunteer work, hiring 3 new staff members, have a social life, be able to keep coffee dates, plan 2 overseas trips, see my family and be the worlds best girlfriend all at the same time?!

I'm feeling stressed just typing that, lol. Do you have any tips?

As well as the afore mentioned cupcakes, I also baked 24 choc chunk cookies.

I turned my back on the kitchen, and painted my nails. When I returned only 10 mins later, I found an empty bench, and Billasaurus Rex looking pained.

"Babe... I don't feel so good....."

He had eaten 11 cupcakes (lucky I sampled one beforehands!) and 24 cookies!

He didn't feel well?! No shit, really?!

Lol.

Solo Saturday Night

I spent last night alone. Before you put on that song ALL BY MYSEEEELLLLLLFFFF and fish me out some Kleenex, this was my choice.

There were contributing factors-

1) My work in its infinite wisdom underpaid me. By roughly 15 hours. That's one hell of a paycut. When I asked about it, they apologised and said they would add the withheld pay until my next pay. Thanks?

2) Billasaurus Rex has been taking part in a challenge with his friends for a Alcohol Free Month. He is a typical tradie, who before the challenge enjoyed a beer every night before he knocked off. Not so for the last month! This month has covered not only Australia Day, but also his best mates 30th Birthday. Today is the day it ends, and he is having a night with the boys.

TIMELINE OF MY SOLO SATURDAY NIGHT

7.00pm- Yeah! A night by myself! I'm so self sufficient, such a strong independent woman. I don't need no man!

7.01pm- Wonder what Billasaurus is doing? Might send a text.

7.05pm- My mind is racing with the plethora of activities I can get up to tonight! I could learn to sew! I could repaint my chest of drawers! I could get around to that giant pile of clothes to go on ebay! I am a super efficient task machine!

7.06pm- Well I cant do any of this on an empty stomach. I'm going to the supermarket.

7.15pm- I can make myself something actually nice, rather than just exist on hommus and crackers. Gather wild aborio rice, organic chicken, a variety of mushrooms, cream, parmesan and a nice bottle of white wine.

7.30- Cannot be fucked. Dump shopping basket, and collect hommus and crackers. Feel slight shame. Rent movie- Jane Eyre. Feeling very cultured and sophisticated.

7.45- At home. Assess bedroom/workspace. Will not do. Not enough room for activities. Must clean room and then get straight on to activities!

7.50- 8pm- Tidy this, dust that

8.01- Oh! I could rearrange my nailpolishes.

8.04- Now time to paint! It only makes sense to do so before I pack it all away.

8.10- I know im supposed to be doing something with my cuticles, but what exactly?

8.11- This looks like shit. Remove.

8.17- Repaint.

8.30- OK! Back into the room cleaning! Fiddle around with scarves and whatnot.

9- Lets put Jane Eyre on whilst I work. Absorbing culture!

9.05- Jane Eyre never finds its way into the DVD player. Put Clueless in, its sitting besides the player anyway. Is not the first time I have watched it this week.

9.15- I wonder what my friends are doing? I'm such a loser. I'm at home on a Saturday night! I'm the worst 24 year old in the world, wah wah. I have no friends!

9.20- Remember I was invited to go to the pub with friends, but I declined.

9.21- Resume cleanup so I can BEGIN ACTIVITIES!

9.25- Come across some wooden pegs and some magnets. Lightbulb! I could create some fancy decorated pegs for my magnetic board, to organise my calendar, photos, important uni dates etc!

9.30- Create giant mess on unmade bed of wooden pegs, PVA glue, acrylic paint, silver glitter, magnet off cuts, and silver wire

10.30- Proudly place pegs on magnetic board. Glance at TV- Cher is showing her super organised wardrobe

11.30- Clueless over. Back to cleaning, so I can do activities.

11.35- Dump all drawers on bed, for ease of reorganising. Almost time for activites!

12- Look at bed. Realise its messier than it was before I started my cleaning mission.

12.01- Sadly realise there will be no activities. Pick some PVA glue off my sheets.

12.05- Abandon ship. Close door firmly, and sleep in spare room.

Tiny Tidbits

Thank you for your lovely feedback on the story of how Billasaurus Rex and I met. It's really cool to hear from others that our initial awkwardness is in hindsight a bit of a giggle.

We kept it pretty low key on V-Day. Billasaurus called me in the morning when I was at work and started just chatting as per normal. I thought he had forgotten V-Day- just like last year. He asked me what was going on at the back of my building at work. Our building is undergoing renos at the moment so I thought nothing of popping out the back.

And there Billasaurus was, grinning like a madman, holding these-

Two of my obnoxious male team members were outside having a cigarette, going OOOOOOHHHH and SOMEONES SUCKING UP!! Not only do they heckle every moment at work, now they are beginning on my relationship.

BR had such a happy, proud smile on his face when he was holding those flowers. He even rang me at work later on to find out if he was still the best boyfriend in the office, or had someone else gotten flowers too? Lol. I overheard him later telling my family about the flowers, then his family, then my friends.

'Twas very cute. Does anyone elses partner get so happy with themselves when they do a lovely boyfriend gesture?

That night BR asked me to pick any restaurant to go to for dinner. I decided on Mexican takeaway and Sons of Anarchy episodes- I dont think I have ever seen him so relieved. Dude likes a good night on the couch.

He loved his pressie (the iBottle Opener) and as we speak is showing it off to his man-friends over a beer (or two.)

I found these little treasures at my chemist on sale. I didnt even know they stocked these? I think they may have just been to a CCO or a warehouse sale. OPI was $12 and the lipglaze was $10.

There was a small selection of OPI- probably five shades in total. There was only one choice in the Stila Lip Glaze, but this one is perfect. I love peach coloured makeup, suits my pale colouring.

The colours are

OPI on Collins Ave and
Suzi & The Lifeguard

Stila Lipglaze in Peach

I bought this little dress from Pumpkin Patch for my beautiful little niece Ella. She's 3 weeks old and still in her tiny little 0000's- some of which still are too big!

Happy Weekend! x

How We Met- Happy Love Day

Happy Love Day!

In honour of the this annual love fest, I thought I would share the story of how Billasaurus Rex stole my heart- how we first met.

It's Ok- he didnt actually steal my heart

'Tis a long sprawling tale, of true love overcoming all obstacles. Not really.

The scene: It's 2001.

-Big Brother in all its scandalous glory premieres on Australian TV.
- John Howard is PM
- Moulin Rouge is released
- and finally, and most importantly: Britney and Justin (no last name needed people) rock up to the VMAS in these little treasures

I know.

I was 14, and heavily into butterfly clips, glitter gel, blue eyeliner stolen from my sister, and large, basketball sized hoop earrings. Yes, altogether. Dont be a hater.

Whilst you contemplate how cool I was (and continue to be, thankyou very much) I feel I must paint the whole picture. I was a Scout (- 6,000,000,000 cool points), had not yet discovered eyebrow tweezing despite my monobrow sprouting out of my head and practically screaming at me to address it, I had prominent buck teeth, and I literally had not yet packed away my doll house and Barbie collection.

My best friend however had developed a little more rapidly. She was the same age as I, but was blonde and curvy in all the places I did not yet know I needed to be. She lived next door to our local skate park, and the skater boys had given her the nickname TNA (Tits N Ass.) She wore that name like a tarty badge.

I was SO JEALOUS. When would the skater boys objectify me, dammit?!

Whilst my friend went on dates every weekend to drink Southern Comfort stolen from her dads liquor cabinet with boys, I stayed at home and drew pictures of unicorns.

Whilst my friend bleached her hair and was so sophisticated she "got layers" in her hair, I brushed over my thick unruly curls, not brushing it properly and developing thick dreadlocks underneath.

Seriously, I was surely only a week away from this

One weekend my friend ran up to me excitedly and said she had showed some friend of her latest boyfriend's my picture- and he thought I was cute!

My brain exploded. Whaa???? Someone thought I was cute?! A BOY thought I was cute?

Nevertheless, I wasnt going to argue.

"He wants to go on a date with you! We'll make it a double date!"

I had a date! I had a date? A date!

And then the terror creeped in. I had a date.

In preparation, my girlfriend stayed over the night before. She put my hair in a million rags so it would look full and sexy and kinda like it had been permed.

We watched a movie to help get me in a fun light hearted mood-

Source: imdb.com

If it was meant to prevent me from sleeping and keep me up all night, it was working.

During the movie, whilst pinning my rags torturously tight to my head, my friend slips in the fact that this boy wasnt just any boy- he was an OLDER boy. He was 17!

I lied awake all night, half terrorised from IT, and half freaking the fuck out over this date. An OLDER BOY?

He would be sophisticated! (Heh. If only I knew then what I know now about 17yo boys.) He would be a Year 10! He would be...the perfect bragging story to take back to my other school friends on Monday! (If I every survived this date)

We were seeing Evolution at our local cinema. I stole my sisters JOOP! perfume, and wore every butterfly clip I had ever owned in my hair.

It's worth mentioning at this stage that those well-intendd rag curls had not quite gone to plan. It looked like I had teased my hair to its limits, then placed the butterfly clips on the top like a delicate, ridiculous nest.

We met the boys and my friend and her bf made out whilst this guy Billasaurus Rex and I stood there awkwardly. I stared at my feet whilst I shuffled them.

Finally the awkwardness of conversation had ended and we went into the cinema. I was relieved that I didnt have to chat for a while, and that the awkwardness was over for atleast the duration of the movie.

OH, HOW WRONG I WAS.

During the credits, this Billasaurus chap and I made a little chit-chat. He was funny! He didnt seem that suave for a 17yo...but what did I know? Maybe he was a sex fiend.

He told me that he had left high school and was working full-time. WOW. HE WAS SO SOPHISTICATED. I made a mental note not to tell him about all the unicorn pictures I had drawn. And definitely dont mention you still on occasion play with your Barbies.

The movie started, and was very funny.

There were some mildy cringe-worthy moments, like when our hands touched trying to access the salty gold that is popcorn. I snatched my hand away as soon as his brushed mine, thinking that I was annoying to him when he was trying to get to the popcorn. I thought of my brothers- they REALLY didnt like it if anything got in the way of their food.

AND THEN, IT HAPPENED.


He tapped me on the shoulder. My whole body blushed, and Im sure I was heating up the whole room with my blushing.

He leaned in like he was going to kiss me. KISS ME? I hadnt prepared for this! Holy shit!

He went left- I went to the left too. He went right- I awkwardly did too. For atleast 5 seconds we were bobbing our heads to either side, frantically just wishing for the other one to figure it out so it wasnt so freaking awkward. I would have looked like a deer in the headlights!

Finally, he commits to one side that he will lean in and kiss me on. He comes closer.....

I close my eyes....

...closer again....

THUD.

HE HEADBUTTED ME IN THE FACE?

I gave him a look of pure confusion, that conveyed all the What-The-Fuckery that was going on in my head.

He couldn't meet my eye, and shrank in his chair.

As soon as the movie was over, we didnt hang about. We both begged our respective friends to leave straight after the credits rolled, and did not say a word to each other after.

And not another word was said between us for another 10 years, when one day at a bar I was approached by a friendly, handsome man who said to me, 'Hey- didn't I headbutt you once?'


x

Valentines for the Practical Man



Source: Red Bubble

What to get for the manly man on Valentines Day?

Coathangers? Jumper cables? A torch? A David Bowie DVD when he isnt particularly a fan?

(All of the above I have actually received as VD presents at some stage.)

I came across this little gem randomly when online today- the iBottleopener.

Source: iBottleopener

Billasaurus Rex has just upgraded to an iPhone, after having a dinosaur (heh!) of an old nokia forever.

I bought this as a start on his VD pressie- something small and not flashy, but hopefully he will still appreciate it!

Basically the back slides out to be a bottle opener, without the bottle actually being in contact with your iPhone. BR loves a good gadget, and this of course aligns with his love affair with beer.

Billasaurus is what most people would desribe as a "manly man". He loves camping, hiking, kayaking, beer drinking, playing pool and spending time with the boys.

How we ever managed to bump into each other is a miracle, because thats so not me. Lol!

He is also quite blunt- I will never forget the WTF look on his face when I bought him Diesel cologne for our first Christmas. He smiled at me half-heartedly and placed it on his shelf.

It has been in that same exact spot for over 12 months now!

Hopefully I dont fail as spectacularly this year.

Etsy is a treasure trove of funny little cards:

Source: Etsy (sweetperversion)

Source: Etsy (JulieAnnArt)

Source: Etsy (JulieAnnArt)

What will you be buying your significant other/friend/self this Valentines Day?

Tageriffic

Tag! You're It

I was tagged by two lovely other bloggers, Cazzamataz of A Sweeter Kind of Vinegar and Klara of Click Your Heels. Thanks girls, my first tag thingy-whosy-whatsit. Lets hope I dont let anyone down with my overwhelmingly mundane life! :)

Firstly here are the rules...

1.You must post the rules.

2.Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3.Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4.Tag eleven people and link them on your post

5.Let them know you've tagged them!

11 fun facts...

Fun Fact 1:

 I come from a ridiculous, large, crazy, loud, insane family. Seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Think of my family as that, with less John Corbett (which is a shame, really), not being Greek, and more lunacy. I am one of seven (!) children, and all but two of us have children of their own. Some sisters, like K, are really holding their end up of the bargain with 4 kids of her own! Wowzers. Christmas is interesting, we all talk over each other and fight for available chairs, but I wouldnt have it any other way.

Fun Fact 2:

I am severely uncoordinated. So much so, that my Mum was called up to the school at the end of Grade Prep to discuss my progress. Mrs Thomson said It was dire, and I could possibly have to stay behing in Grade Prep. Mum was very worried and slightly panicky, and asked the teacher how I could possibly be behind.

'But I taught her to read before she even started school! How is it possible to fall that far behind?! Is it her maths skills?'

Mrs Thomson told my mother that no, academically I was coping well, but in PE I was failing miserably. I could not catch a ball to save my life, when I attempted to run I tripped over my own feet or quite often just the air, and when the rest of the class did somersaults, I simply tumbled over.

Needless to say I was not held behind, I think my teacher had a touch of the hysterics. I progressed well academically however am famous within my group of family and friends (also work and uni!) for lacking coordination.

To this day my family will pour drinks for every other family member (even the young ones) in glass goblets, but pour me a drink in a plastic tumbler. Ergh.

Fun Fact 3:

Im allergic to strawberries.

Fun Fact 4:

Billasaurus Rex and I actually met ten years prior to dating. At the time I wrote in my diary that it was 'The single most awkward and embarassing moment of my life so far.'

Fun Fact 5:

I am a proud owner of a four year old wiggly, snorty, frumply, stubborn, adorable and poorly-trained Pug.

His name is Pokey. (After my favourite Golden Book as a child, the Poky Little Puppy.) We have been through some pretty tough times together, I dont know how I ever lived without him!

Fun Fact 6:

I have had a blog before- in fact my blog was instrumental in helping me lose 20kgs.

Fun Fact 7:

My best friend and I have a very vulgar nickname that we call each other. It’s highly offensive- so naturally I adore it. In fact, we had necklaces made up bearing our rude nicknames.

Fun Fact 8:

I am very fascinated in all things Japanese. Hello Kitty, crazy game shows, tea ceremonies, geisha and maiko, the fashion, temples, war history…I love it all. I can’t wait for my trip in April!

Fun Fact 9:

My dad looks just like Santa . At Christmas time every year without fail he is asked to be Santa at an office party, or some kid tells him what they want for Christmas when out shopping. It cracks me up every time and he is such a good natured, kind man he usually just plays along.

Fun Fact 10:

I have quite a makeup collection. When I had my wisdom teeth removed and was completely out of it on the pain medication they had given me, my sister came into my room to see how I was feeling.

In my drug addled state I went through my entire makeup collection (drawers and drawers at the time) and held her hostage, explaining what each and every item was and how it was used.

I don’t remember this at all, but apparently I kept repeating the words ‘crease’, ‘stipple’, ‘pop’ and ‘dewy’.  She had to wait until I fell asleep so she could leave!

Fun Fact 11:

My boss at work is very outrageous- and I have loved him dearly since I first met him. The very first thing he ever said to me was, ‘Well Cindy- there is no ‘I’ in team, but there is on the end of my dick.’

So wrong. So inappropriate. So reportable to HR. So my new best friend for his absurdity.

Onto my questions from Klara at Click Your Heels...

1. What diary are you using in 2012?

 This year I am using a boring black Kikki K leather day to a page thingy. I have always used diaries rather haphazardly- I am really endeavouring to use my diary to get organised! So far, I’m going pretty well.

2. Have you travelled overseas before? Where?

Yes- When I was 14 I went to New Zealand with some friends, and I went to Fiji in 2008 for my 21^st Birthday and whilst we were over there my sister got married too. 

In 2012 I will be going on two overseas trips- in April I am travelling by myself to Japan for two and a half weeks, and in June I am going with my niece and two sisters to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand on a cruise.  I’m very lucky!

3. What is your family heritage?

My Mum’s maiden name is Hepburn- we are very Scottish. Im pretty bog standard English/Scottish Australian.

4. What is your favourite place to eat out?

Hmmm…well in Geelong I would say Empire Grill, because I’m a big fan of their roast duckling, wagyu beef, peanut butter pave…you can clearly tell I love it!

5. What handbag are you currently using?

A cheap one from Sportsgirl- it has a million little pockets and flaps to hide things in. I’m not a designer bag kind of person.

6. What is your favourite alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink? 

 I’m quite partial to a Long Island Ice Tea, and last night I tried a new drink which tastes like magic and unicorns! Lol.

Non –alcoholic I would probably say green tea, Nestea, and Diet Coke.

 7. What type of exercise or hobby do you do?

Oh god- exercise is the bane of my existence. I like going for a walk though.

I have a million hobbies, usually taken up and dropped quickly. These have included- polymer clay, jewellery making, painting, creating felt food, sewing, collage, photography, journaling, boxing, makeup, board games etc. Can you tell I have a short attention span?

8. What is your favourite lipstick or lip gloss?

I love MAC Shy Girl lippie, it’s a peachy coloured one. Unfortunately I left it in my jeans pocket yesterday when I put my jeans in the dryer….no more lippie, no more jeans, and now I need to scrub my dryer.

9. What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

This sounds tame, but I left a secure and well-paying career that I am very good at to go to university as a mature aged student and study Primary School Teaching. It doesn’t sound like a big deal- but it was a big decision and has impacted my life dramatically.

The most daring and definitely the bravest thing I have ever done was leave a physically and emotionally abusive relationship almost two years ago. It took every fibre of my being to get the strength to realise I just did not deserve that anymore, or at all. I swallowed my pride, moved back in with my parents, and have not looked back.

10. How long have you been a blogger? What made you start?

Ive blogged inconsistently since 2008-the first was a weight loss blog which worked for me at the time. This time I just wanted a place to get my thoughts out there, but be interactive at the same time. I still keep a private journal but wanted the social aspect a blog can provide.

11. Are you a MAC or a PC person?

PC- Only because I have no freaking idea how to use a MAC.

My questions for those I have tagged: (And of course anyone who else that wants to take part in the comments!)

1. Have you ever been in love? If so, how many times?

2. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would you have?

3. Favourite book?

4. Your life is being made into a movie- who is playing you?

5. In the afore mentioned movie, who plays the love interest?

6. Favourite band?

7. My tip to Cindy on how to be organised is...

8. Favourite website?

9. You're home alone. What do you do?

10. When I grow up I want to be.....

11. What would you like future generations to remember you for?

 Lastly here are my TAGS...

Bec at The Secret Lives of Op Shops

Tully at You Would Be Pretty If...

Mez at Domestic Divinity

Jennifer at Polka Dot Pearls

Ling at Pork Chop's Nest

Miss Directions

Miss R at My Favourite Colour is Green

Queen V at The Etail Queen


Aelie at The Autumn Castle

Kiki at Kiki Chaos

Worst Souvenir Ever

My fantastic sister Chelle, her husband and two very lucky children have just returned from one whole month in Vanuatu.

(Thats my niece Sian and nephew Finn exploring)

They ate, relaxed by the beach...and by all accounts not much more than that went on. Yes, I am jealous.

Chelle and I have a game going where when one of us goes on a holiday, we bring back the absolute tackiest and most hideous souvenir we can find.

What makes this game even more delightful for me, is that my sister has impeccable taste. Really. Her house is so beautifully themed in black, white and silver all the time. If her children have ever made a mess in their lives, i've never seen it. Even her bedroom (which in my house is a quick-throw-the-clean-clothes in-and-hope-they-know-their-own-way-to-the-wardrobe-themselves situation) is flawless.

The idea of a wonderfully tacky, gaudy souvenir existing in her Modern Housekeeping haven tickles me to bits.

In 2008 I went to Fiji (WORST.HOLIDAY.EVER. No really- it was my 21st and I spent the whole time fighting with my ex and pretty much broke up with him the second plane landed, baha.)

I purchased these little delights for Chelle to proudly showcase-

(Coincidentally I found a pic of the exact same dolls at this fantastic website, Crap Souvenirs.)

Yes. Coconut dolls. They also double as ash-trays- their little creepy mouths pop open, munching butts. (Cigarette butts, that is.)

Everytime I went to Chelles house I asked where she had these little gems were, acting all offended if they werent on prominent display (which of course, they never were.)

When my sisters shed went up in flames, I like to think that in my sisters mind, the only silver lining was that these little coconut people were destroyed.

I thought I had won this game.

OH NO.

Look at this treasure that came all the way from Vanuatu for me-

You should have SEEN the smirk on my sisters face.

I have named her Babs. Im not sure why, she just seems like a Babs to me.

What I didnt expect was for Billasaurus Rex to have such an extreme reaction to it. He is a very mellow, easy going, chilled out kind of guy, but as soon as he saw Babs he FREAKED THE FUCK OUT.

He cant even articulate why- I think its something to do with the evil grin she is giving.

And so- because I like to push boundaries and find out just how good natured Billasaurus Rex really is- I am being a menace with Babs.

The first day I put it in front of his keyboard, knowing he would get home from work, flop down in front of the computer, and Babs would be glaring straight at him from behind that evil one eye.

I thought that would be the end of it. I would even go so far as to say I was smug when I came home. The first thing I did was check the mail-

Oh, its on like Donkey Kong.

Billasaurus Rex is currently playing pool with his friends. What am I doing? Plotting like a maniac my next move, giddily wandering around rooms thinking of the best possible spot for Babs to pop up and freak him out next.

Some contenders?

Babs waiting to pounce from BR's favourite breakfast meal like a satanic cereal box toy.

Relaxing by his favourite drinks when he will come home and reach for one...

Subtly hiding near the frozen goods? (Yes, my freezer is atrociously organised.)

Or, how about greeting him when he gets up in the middle of the night to go pee, still groggy from his slumber?

(My Mum does love a wooden toilet seat and sponged powder blue bathroom decor.)

So, whats your vote?

Do you have any suggestions for placed to hide Babs and horrify Billasaurus Rex?