Testing Silvers

If there's one thing that makes me a skeptic shopper it's buying jewellery. Especially when it comes to summer and I'm at the beach 98% of the weekend I don't really want to spend the remaining 2% of my time taking off various necklaces/bangles/earrings/rings when I could be eating instead.

So whenever I get new jewellery it has to pass my underwater test. A no brainer really, it basically involves me wearing a piece like it's a part of my body for a week. That means in the shower and at the beach and to bed. 24/7.

The past two weeks I've been lucky enough to be testing silvers for The Peach Box. And this bangle has been attached to my left wrist for a good couple of weeks and shows no signs that it's going to corrode/turn green/stain my hands. In fact I don't think it's even scratched.

If you want proof you can follow me on Instagram, PM me and I will send you a real time snap of the bangle on my wrist. Do it here and now before I take it off. ;-)

x
Vienna

Every Time Nostalgia

We drove up the coast last weekend to visit Michael's mum who was waiting with surprise Christmas presents. She definitely had the surprise element down pat considering its mid-September and we've only just brushed the snow off our beanies (literally). So with that being a highlight of the day we were also blessed with a beautiful day, so much so that it felt stupidly good to be back in the warmth as the weather picks up for Spring. 

The 1.5 hour drive was familiar in every sense. The entrance onto the Pacific Motorway (M1), the music playing via the AUX and the all too familiar tingle of sun across our bare limbs as the traffic gradually thinned out and the high rises that we've grown accustomed to gave away to lower lying lots. 

Seed Heritage Top, Zara Shorts, ASOS Boots, QUAY Sunnies

We spent pretty much our entire summer '14 up on the Central Coast so the closer we got the more we couldn't help but reminisce with "Remember when" sentences. This particular spot is Soldiers, one of the beaches we frequented over the summer. Just south of Norah Head Lighthouse the headlands are always a good spot to watch surfers and picnic on the grass. The stretch of beach is never overly congested with people which is always a welcomed change of pace from Sydney's beaches. Especially down the south end, tucked away from the headlands there is always a quiet spot that is perfect for yoga.  

I miss those days when we would jog down the beach and do sun salutations towards the blue horizon with only the sound of waves filling our ears. And I think I tend to get sad/nostalgic when I realise those moments have already passed and to try and relive them would only ever beget dissatisfaction. Surely I'm not the only one who feels this way? 

So I'm blessed that my other half is the yin to my yang on this one. He seems to be content/nostalgic, happy to wade in the memories and connect the events as ones that has lead us to where we are now. 

And I think that's a much better way to look at it. So every time nostalgia comes around I think I'll remind myself how lucky I am to have them. 

x

Vienna

An Abundance Of Summer.

Mink Pink Top, Seed Pants, Midas Shoes, Lack of Color Hat, Vintage Bag, Sportsgirl Necklace

Photos by Michael

There are things in life I've learnt that cannot be controlled. The changing of the seasons for one, try as I might I could not make the summer stay. At first I grieved to think that I was losing something that to me was once so precious and all consuming. And I was desperate to recapture it before it slip from my grasp forever. Because the thought of losing the warmth and its touch on my skin was unbearable agony. But slowly and surely it drifted away and because I had been so intent on holding on to the waning sun I wasn't even remotely prepared for the winter. The winter seemed to last for an eternity and the knowledge that spring was eventually bound to reappear became my mantra.

I woke up one day emerging from hibernation into the full throve of spring. Elated, I felt full of life once again. But the experience had left me with a profound wariness. I knew that spring was bound to be followed by a repeat of the seasons. Was there a perpetual cycle in play here that I could not escape? Was I stuck in some weird reality loop bound to repeat endlessly over and over? 

Well I still haven't figured out the secrets of the universe yet but I know this: the only constant all along was me. The seasons may change but as long as I don't lose myself I can't lose myself. Common sense perhaps but sometimes I think we all need a reminder. 

x

I don' t know what to make of it

CITY BEACH Top, SABA Jeans, WINDSOR SMITH Sandals, CALVIN KLEIN Bra, PIGEONHOLE Bracelet, QUAY Sunnies

Photos by Michael

It all kind of goes by in a flash before you realise that you've been holding your breath for the entire time. Then you realise that it doesn't really matter and you should've learnt to live in the moment. 

I hate knowing that all things come to an end but I've slowly taught myself to soak in the present, filling my memory banks with as much sunshine and laughter as it can possibly contain. 

This past summer I spent most of my days up in the Central Coast learning to be a child again. In doing so I discovered my best friend was also the one who holds my hand when we cross the road, who never fails to make me laugh again when I cry in sappy movies and cooks me banana pancakes in the morning. It's also fairly convenient that he lives in the Central Coast so the last couple of months I've been exploring the area as a half tourist half local. 

This particular hang is Norah Head (1.5hr from Sydney) where we would spend the days walking along the beach watching surfers catch waves, then pick our way through the rocks to sit at the edge of the cliffs overlooking the vast blue sea imagining how different our lives could've been and how it will all play out. 

x

Hazy Summer Days

CITY BEACH Top, SABA Jeans, WINDSOR SMITH Sandals, CALVIN KLEIN Bra, QUAY Sunnies

Photos by Michael

In five days we mark the start of Autumn and I'm left wondering how Summer always manages to fly by in a blink of an eye. I never seem to have collected enough sand in my hair or at the bottom of my bags or in absolutely every crevice of my phone. 

Already I'm eyeing the weather forecasts to make sure the predicted thunderstorms don't hit during the shoot I've booked for tomorrow and it feels like I've wasted three months frolicking in the sunshine and burying my toes in the sand.

I lie, I regret nothing.

Honestly this summer has been one of the best I've had in a long time (as indicated by actual teeth in photos) and I have so many photos of road trips, beach days, the surf and cafe adventures to go through...

Summer I miss you! 

x