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December 21, 2012

hanoi - the old quarter


The old quarter is a maze of markets and narrow streets. We've gotten lost a thousand times and always seem to find our way back again. I love it here.  Off to Sapa tomorrow...

December 18, 2012

good morning vietnam


We made it.


Singapore was hot and humid but we made the most of our 24hrs and did a whirlwind tour of the city before finally landing in wonderfully chaotic Hanoi.  It's like nothing I've ever seen before - the sights, sounds and endless movement are intimidating at first but now we feel like locals.  I cross the street without looking and the buzzing motorbikes barely make us flinch. We've enjoyed street food and bai hoi and endless wandering around the old quarter...

December 15, 2012

bon voyage: vietnam


It's been a crazy week of holiday planning, plotting and even a job promotion thrown in at the last minute for good measure (yeah!). We're off to Vietnam for three weeks of holiday goodness and I'll be checking in now and then but to see all our travel adventures please make sure to follow me on Instagram.  

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Christmas & New Year - see you in 2013. x

December 14, 2012

blogshop sydney - part 2


Yes, it was that good.  

And yes, I've got more blogshop sydney photos to share. Last ones, promise...

December 8, 2012

blogshop sydney

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blogshop-sydney

Blogshop Sydney was everything I'd imagined and more.  

Picture an amazing studio, lots of shiny, happy people, good food, glitter, confetti and some kick-ass balloons and the scene was set for a successful day one.  What more could you want?

Flyn and I arrived early, helped set up the room and finally got a chance to meet the lovely and down to earth, Bri & Angela. At times it seemed surreal that I was actually standing there in the middle of Blogshop, walking around the classroom, helping people with Photoshop. Considering my less than stellar knowledge of Photoshop this was a huge 'step out of my comfort zone' move but I really enjoyed it and picked up a few tips (including the urge to finally sit down again and learn this program once and for all).  My feet are sore and my Instagram feed is full but I can't wait for tomorrow as we tackle day 2...





December 6, 2012

travel essentials: the art of letting go


I'm a planner.

I like details. I like knowing what's going to happen, what to expect, what to look forward to. My trips have always been planned out, in advance, in every detail. I researched hotels, read reviews, mapped out driving routes, requested costs, poured over Lonely Planet guides. It was a tedious, stressful, exciting process - I felt in control.  Well...those days are over. I'm entering the world of flying stand by and learning the art of letting go.

Having a partner that works for an airline allows us the unbelievable benefit of flying on the cheap. It's the perk of all perks except when you decide to fly at Christmas with every other airline staff member in the world. Flying stand by is a funny thing - you never really know if you're going to get on the plane so planning (in the detail I'm used to) goes out the window.  

So as you can imagine not knowing when we're leaving for our holiday trip to Vietnam goes against every fiber in my body screaming out at me to plan, plan, plan. My need for scheduling and to read TripAdvisor is calmed down only by repeating my new mantra, "think of the savings, think of the savings."  

So I'm letting it all go - the planning, the questions, the schedules, it's all gone. I'm taking a deep breath and heading into this vacation with a zen like approach and the attitude of a well traveled adventurer. I'm throwing my stuff into a backpack and heading off. We'll be trekking around, just the two of us, with no plans, no schedules, no obligations. I actually think it might just be some kind of wonderful. 

p.s - for those of you who know me, notice I haven't packed any black, shocking I know.

December 4, 2012

wiping the slate clean


The days are long but the years are short.

I love this quote, a perfect reminder that life moves far too quickly so soak in as much of your days as possible. Heading into our last few weeks of 2012, I've been plotting and planning, writing lists, then writing longer lists, reading, thinking, dreaming, doing. Somewhere in between I've squeezed in Christmas shopping, present wrapping, Vietnam planning and recipe reading. My days have been full indeed.

But, as the new year approaches, I'm ready for a clean slate.  

It isn't because I want to say goodbye to 2012, but rather I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.  I'm ready to write the next chapter, to turn the page and see what's in store. There's an energy in the air, a feeling of change, of good things about to happen. Can you feel it?

December 2, 2012

lorraine


Happy 60th to my beautiful mom, may you be spoiled today and always. Thank for being such an incredible role model, for having such an immense and selfless heart, for knowing exactly what to say and for having the patience to put up with three, often hard to handle, girls. You have set the motherhood bar high and have left big shoes to fill. You have our gratitude and our love. Have a wonderful birthday. xx
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