^ unknown.

10 Things that make me happy (tagged by Megan and Belen);

1. My supportive, gentle, cooking, cleaning, cheerful boyfriend. Every morning he greets me with hot chocolate and marmalade toast. He often wears an apron, likes riding his bike, getting his hair brushed and the bands Phish, Belle & Sebastian and Nine Inch Nails a lot. Every day I feel appreciated, loved, cared for and happy.

2. Friends, near and far.

3. Blogs and blogging; I never knew, prior to starting this blog, that it would introduce me to an amazing community of like-minded people. If you're reading this, it makes me happy that you're reading this.

4. Sending and receiving letters; Going to my letterbox every morning is my feel-good routine. Writing a letter (or three) a day is therapeutic and it feels good to have a full-time hobby that revolves around making things to give to other people.

5. Music; here are some of the happiest songs I could think of -

1. Huddle Formation by The Go! Team
2. Ce Matin La by Air
3. Fed and Watered by Josh Pyke
4. Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root
5. Ta Douleur by Camille
6. Funny Little Frog by Belle & Sebastian
7. Tout Doucement by Feist
8. If You Should Try To Kiss Her by Dressy Bessy
9. Big Jumps by Emiliana Torrini
10. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song by The Flaming Lips
11. We Just Won't Be Defeated by The Go! Team
12. Shoebox by Kate Miller-Heidke
13. You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates
14. Wrapped In Piano Strings by Radical Face
15. Electric Feel by MGMT
16. Better by Regina Spektor
17. Now, Now by St. Vincent
18. For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder
19. New Soul by Yael Naim
20. You And Me Song by The Wannadies
21. Before We Begin - Broadcast
- Download HERE.

6. Creativity; painting, collage, singing, writing, drawing, decorating, making.

7. My family;

^ Yesterday at our belated Christmas lunch.

8. Food; I'm not much of a comfort eater, but C makes me the most delicious food every day and it makes me very happy to eat these masterpieces.

9. Boxset TV, movies & books; I love getting wrapped up in fictional worlds and realities and being in another place for half an hour.

10. 95 Fern Street, Islington, 2296, NSW, Austalia. C and I have made a date that we're going to decide to think about making a decision about moving to Tasmania (A+ decision makers) and although I'm feel really positive about this move, I will really miss Newcastle, seeing friends and family and definitely the little home we made ourselves here. It's small and nothing flashy, but it's always had a good feeling about it.

I'm never good at the tagging part of this, but I'll pick a few - only do it if you feel like it; Rokia, Sophie, Carly, Sylvia, Milly, Charlotte Lucy, Stu, Faiza, Karli and Holly. If you haven't been tagged yet, feel free to participate :)

Also, I saw this on Still Live's lovely blog and I thought it was rather nice. I'm not sure of its original source;

HOW TO HAVE A LOVELY DAY:
1. Smile at strangers.
2. Slow down.
3. Say thank you.
4. Give lots of compliments.
5. Dress nicely.
6. Wear parfume.
7. Observe and listen.
8. Be charming.
9. Laugh.
10. Wish people a lovely day.

^ unknown (I'd love to know where this is from, it's so bizarre).

Last night Doug took me on our weekly evening trip to Kmart, this time because he said he needed to buy coathangers. Generally he compensates me for forcing me go places with him, by buying me small items of my choosing - yesterday he bought me a copy of Pretty In Pink for $8 and I bought a bike helmet. I am now going to ride around town on my kids bike with my dorky helmet, I can't wait :) We made our usual rounds of the store and partook in our ritual of trying on the lipsticks - Doug chose a subtle fluoro pink shade and then walked around the store a bit more. At first I didn't know why people were staring, but then it occurred to me that lipstick on men somehow doesn't seem to be socially acceptable. What a shame. Today C and I have been watching more Degrassi Junior High (hence the post title). Here are two letters I wrote today, still making envelopes out of tracing paper. Now we're off to watch the Jets game!;






^ this one is travelling across the world to Carly.

^ print by It Looks Good To Me.

Listening to: I Know It's Over by The Smiths

On Wednesday we had monsoon-like rain. C and I were at the top of our street at a pub watching a miserable Jets game and when we went to leave the streets were flooded and the rain was the heaviest I've ever seen. Australian Summers (or perhaps just Newcastle Summers) are often ridiculous; extreme hot spells, thunderstorms and big rains. We ran home, got in drenched and cold, and found Mesca, C's cat, curled up with my shoes;

^ Don't mind the mess.

We've had Crust pizza twice this week, toooo gooood;

^ Vegetarian Supreme; Grilled Eggplant, Marinated Artichokes, Baby Spinach, Roasted Capsicum, Mushrooms, Sundried Tomatoes & Bocconcini, topped with Homemade Pesto Aioli w/ added stuffed figs. Nom?

C and I went to Spotlight a few days ago and I bought a new set of clear rubber stamps;



^ The glasses stamp reminds me of Carly. My favourites are definitely the bicycle, 'celebrate' (though I'm not sure what occasions I'd need to use it) and the glasses though not so much the shopping themed ones, I was definitely not born to shop.

Yesterday C's friend Sylvia came over for scones and tea. It was my first time meeting her and she was an absolute delight. I tried out making cheese and Vegemite scrolls (If you live outside of Australia, have you tried Vegemite? What do you think? I can't remember ever not eating Vegemite but I have no idea how parents get their children to eat it). Cameron thought it would be funny to take a photo of me cooking (because it's such a rare occasion). I'm wearing C's apron and rolling out dough with a sauce bottle, ha;



I received this colourful postcard from Linsey yesterday;


This cute little envelope arrived today from Amy in Brisbane. I must say, it was one of the best smelling items of mail I've ever received - It smells like sweet perfume!;

^ City of Blackbirds.

Because the heat just won't let up and I am pining for Winter, I thought I would compile some pretty wintery wishy things to help me dream a little closer to Winter while I eat frozen yoghurt and try to pretend it's not thirty degrees at 1am. If I'm living in Tasmania by June, I'll definitely need to invest in some coats;


1. Modcloth The Heart Coat in Nancy 2. Topshop Short Hooded Gold Button Coat 3. Topshop Rose Detail Coat.


4. Topshop Tall Wool Hello Captain Coat 5. Topshop Spotty Jersey Blazer 6. Modcloth A Coat Above The Rest.


7. Forever 21 Bellette Military Jacket 8. Forever 21 Hooded Military Peplum Jacket 9. Forever 21 French Quarter Coat.


10. Modcloth Red Rover Coat 11. Modcloth Ruffle Around the Edges Coat 12. Modcloth The Lipstick Coat.

Hope it's cool wherever you are.
P.S. Hope you like the new header :)