I Heart YouTube

You know when you're in the work's kitchen, waiting for the kettle, and you say something random to your colleague like how you could do with a loooooooong break??!! 

For me, I never expected to actually get it. When I thought of the aforementioned imagined lovely long break, I imagined Bora Bora or the Hong Kong - not surgery, bed rest, surgery and more bed rest. 

B-O-R-I-N-G.

Now nine times out of ten, my nose will be in a book. I love books (or Kindles) and I love reading. Love it! But for a million different reasons, books have not been able to captivate me (as much) or help pass the time as I expected.

Thankfully the monotony has been broken up with YouTube. What a bloody marvellous invention. I hadn't realised before what a gem I had at my fingertips. 

Pre-long-boring-unexpected-and-unwelcome-break, my YouTube visitation was to solely hear (and see) latest single from Singer X or Band Y. The end. 

Then I discovered TEDTalks and my relationship with YouTube expanded substantially. (TEDTalks - another bloody brilliant invention!)

My first round of bed rest, I hunkered down, tuned into TED and ..... Couldn't last the distance. Whhaaaatttttt?!!!!! What my brain / soul / body needed was (a) lots of laughs and/or (b) light entertainment. Thus entered the period of:

1/. Jimmy Fallon

2/. Celebrities Read Mean Tweets (OMG! Totes adorbs!)

and for me, most surprising (c) Make-up/Beauty/Skincare videos

What?! You heard me. Make-up videos. My make-up "routine" (God, I use that word loosely) consisted of mascara (if I remembered). Well, not quite but not far off.

But what caused me to fall in love with these videos and the folks behind them was their authentic vulnerability. These gals are *PASSIONATE* about make-up, skincare and beauty tips which is infectious. Their passion is such that they often appear on camera sans make-up (dark circles, spots etc exposed). So, you might say, but I am not sure I would be brave enough to do it myself to 1 or to a million subscribers and then face the wrath of a mean comment. 

What starts out as make-up, often segues into life beliefs, favourite TV shows, weather, love, life in another country/city and the formation of another wonderfully different human being who, through a little camera, is letting you into their life.

Brené Brown (who I love) often talks about vulnerability and how to live your best life, you need to give in and embrace your vulnerability and these YouTubers remind me of that. Who would have thunk I'd come away with such a great lesson as well as a great lipstick recommendation??!

Since my first bed rest, James Corden's Carpool Karaoke has also made my list of YouTube videos I *must* watch. I'd love to know what YouTube channels you love and are subscribed to.

January Favourites 2016

Christmas is over and all of a sudden the dark nights (with twinkly lights) start to look gloomy rather than romantic and festive; making January usually a TOUGH month. And let's not even discuss how long it feels until Pay Day finally arrives!!

But not even January is alllllll bad and this month, I had quite a few favourite things that kept me smiling all month long.

The first being the Kate Spade Glitter Cat iPhone Case received as a surprise gift from Kate Spade. O to the M to the G. I have coveted this forrrrrrever and it is EVEN BETTER in person than I could have hoped. I - freaking - love - this!

Surgery recovery has meant bed rest which has meant a loooooooot of TV and DVDs. Low and behold I stumbled upon Season Two of a fantastic Italian drama called The Young Montalbano. It is brilliant and resembles an Italian version of "Endeavour" (another show I love). It follows the life of newly appointed Police Chief, Salvo Montalbano (brilliantly played by Michele Riondino!!!) in the fictional town of Vigàta in Sicily, Italy. The stories are brilliant - unusual crimes with lots of twists and turns which aren't overly complicated interspersed with light-hearted, everyday comic moments. I love it. So much so that I ordered Season One on DVD immediately! 

There are studies on the therapeutic "powers" of essential oils and I can't help but agree. There are some scents that immediately help me relax.  My absolute, all-time favourite essential oil is from Neal's Yard called Women's Balance: Relaxing. I can't pinpoint what specifically it is about this scent but one thing I know with absolute certainty is that is ALWAYS chills me out. Always. And it has featured a lot this month thanks to my newly bought Aglaia Aroma Diffuser (now also a favourite!) This dynamic little machine, with a stylish glass cover, produces a fine mist (either constantly or on-and-off every 30 seconds) for 3 hours or until the water well runs dry. I also love how it turns itself off. There is also a light function with either constantly changing lights, selecting one specific colour or no light at all.  I personally like the constant fine mist and no light and have it on my bedside table to mist away while I read or sleep. LOVE IT!

 

 

I have two lip balm favourites and it was a case of duelling banjos for the top spot which finally went to the Bite Me Agave Lip Mask (only available in Sephora Canada). It is AMAZING. It has a thick consistency and I usually pop it on at night before bed and my lips are still moisturised and fabulous in the morning. The bonus is that it's not, I think, overly sticky or thick. Perfect for winter and this is the first year ever, I've not had cracked lips thanks to this little beauty. I saw online there are tinted versions too.... I so need to go to Canada to get them all!!

 

The next lip balm is by Clarins and it is the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in the colour (?) Honey. This is more a lip gloss that actually soothes and heals your lips (as oppposed to just making them look pretty) and I loooooooooooooooooove the applicator. It is MASSIVE and so soft. I keep putting it on because I love that freaking thing so much! These balms are so different but both are fabulous. I really love them (and have ordered the Raspberry tinted version of the Clarins to try too!)

Hands down - the BEST eye make up remover (in the world!) is by YSL and it is called Top Secrets Eye Make-Up Remover Bi-Phase.   This is the stuff of legends. It is made up of two components so it needs to be shaken up before use but there is NOOOOOOO oily residue or stinging red eyes afterwards -- and this stuff removes EVERYTHING.  If allllll that wasn't enough, it seems to be a never-ending bottle and it lasts forever. When I do run out, this is a definite re-purchase. I love it.

I thought nothing would ever, ever, ever replace Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle as my all-time favourite perfume -- then I discovered Black Opium by YSL. I've said it before but O to the M to the G. It is stunning. I am rubbish at describing scents but my best attempt is that it is a slightly masculine scent but not too heavy and completing alluring. I love it. I think some folk might think it's a winter-only scent but I can't imagine not wearing it so will see how I feel / how it stands up when Spring arrives. Love it and I love the bottle too!

Last but not least are my Joules Floral Sunnies. I love that they are bright without being BRIGHT. The tinted lenses are clear and not too dark (or light) and it is like carrying a bit of Spring-fever with you wherever you go. I am a big fan of sunglasses in winter. I know it is contentious but I grew up in Australia and that bright winter sun not only gets in your eyes but all that squinting leads to even more fine lines - no thank you sir!

 

Adios Sickness, Hello Good Health!

My brother swears by the restorative power of Lemon and Honey but previously I have loved my coffee a little too much.

Reading this article from Elephant Journal, I am inspired to give it a try. From tomorrow, my day starts with a warm honey lemon water drink!

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/02/i-drank-warm-honey-lemon-water-every-morning-for-a-year-heres-what-happened/

 

Photo a Day: Day 4 - Hope

So day 4 asks for a symbol of Hope. My first thought was to capture a picture of Great Britain, Land of *Hope* and Glory but then I spotted my daffs. A symbol for the fight against Cancer as well as a bright sign that Spring is on the way.

 

My Not So Secret Crush

is of course Richard Armitage ever since "look back...look back at me" in North and South but the loving went up a notch or five when he sang in The Hobbit. He sings! *Thud*

In true geek style, I have downloaded it to my iPhone as a ringtone. Don't judge...

 

Photo a Day: February - Day Two

Ok so I *meant* to start the February Photo-a-Day Challenge yesterday with much gusto and gay abandon. Then I forgot.

But I'm backkkkk and it's only Day Two. Today's theme? Pattern.

 

I love this challenge.

 

Photo A Day

February's list has been posted .... Are you up for the challenge?

 

A Sign of the Times

This sign is proudly by some roadworks in my little, sleepy village.

A sign of the times perhaps?

 

Nine Months Later....

So here I am, sitting comfortably, about to launch myself back into the Blog-o-sphere nine months after I left it so abruptly. We didn’t have a falling out. Nor did my computer go on the fritz (although I still twitch remembering the two weeks I was iPhone-less); life just took over.

And now I’m back.

So what did fill those nine months?

I returned to full health, albeit seven months after my surgery and five months after my last blog post. And it feels good.  

“When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.”

 Herophilus

That being said I write today full of cold and not feeling so rosy but I’ll take common ailments over serious health complaints any day!

Another biggie was leaving the College and starting a new role at the University. The role and job offer came out of the blue and have become a major example of my philosophy that everything happens in perfect timing. I know it’s positively uncool to love your job but as I have never been one to follow trends, I am out and proud about my job love! The environment is nurturing and tranquil; the role interesting and dynamic; my colleagues are friendly and respectful and my boss is wonderfully encouraging and extremely easy to work for. If these weren’t enough in itself, I have wanted to work at the University for close to ten years so to finally be here and find it’s as wonderful as I had hoped ... well it’s a win-win-win for me.

A new year and a new opportunity to try new things and challenge myself. First cab off the rank? Yoga, baby!

 

For the girl who was unceremoniously dumped from ballet and physical culture (aged 5!) no one is more shocked that I am, as my teacher has called me, a yoga superstar! Don’t get me wrong, I am unable to turn myself into a human pretzel but I am loving the classes, trying something new and also improving each week.

Life is all about balance and the improvements in my life have been met with equal measures of difficulty. A large part of last year was learning the news that my brother was terminally ill and moving forward with this. I have grown a lot as a person since his diagnosis and believe we are all in a better place now than when we first learned the news. Call me Pollyanna but I have a strong positive belief we can overcome this and a brighter, better future awaits my brother.

Finally, I will leave you with this thought....

April Photo a Day Challenge - Day Three.... "Mail"

Day 3 and today's theme is "Mail" so I thought I would take a snap of my letter-inspired money box which j'adore!!

April Photo a Day Challenge - Day Two.... "Colour"

Day Two and I thought this "colourful" shot of the back of my Kindle was perfect for colour....

April Photo a Day Challenge - Day One.... "Your Reflection"

A new month and a new photo-a-day challenge. Having just started back at work after gall-bladder-gate, I have been exhausted and didn't think I was up for another challenge but then I thought ... when has THAT ever stopped me before!

So here's Day 1's "Your Reflection" photo....
April? Photo-a-Day? BRING IT ON!!!

March Photo a Day Challenge - Day Thirty-One.... "Where You Relax"

Day 31.... I can't believe I've made it to the end of my first Photo-a-Day Challenge! Yeah me!
Today's theme is "Where You Relax" and for me that's only one place (which does that every time). My home. J'adore.

March Photo a Day Challenge - Day Thirty.... "Toy"

Day 30's "Toy" was a no brainer... Introducing "Tubby", the teddy I was given the day I was born...

March Photo a Day Challenge - Day Twenty-Nine.... "Feet"

Day 29 ... Feet
Rather than my own feet, I went with the bottom cup of my stack-of-cups Geisha pattern featuring feet.....

March Photo a Day Challenge - Day Twenty-Eight.... "Trash"

Day 28's "Trash" theme had me visit my local tip for a snap. I like the way this one came out (and I love how clean my local tip is ....)

March Photo a Day Challenge - Day Twenty-Seven.... "Your Name"

Today's theme is "name" and after several different shots, I decided to simply snap the name off my birth certificate ... the piece of paper that actually made my name official. Where it all started.

Liisa (heart) Washing Machine

A few weeks ago my washing machine died (sniff) and I was told it was cheaper to buy a new one than repair it (from a reputable source) so I went and got this lovely Hotpoint. I looooove it. (I had some teething problems plumbing it in and then forgot to take out the transit bolts but have fixed the damage THAT did! LOL!)