Sometimes you just have to...

Giving Thanks...

It's been 2 years now since I first participated in a series of beautiful Thanksgiving traditions with a very special family I know in Boston. That day, I learnt a lot about one of America's most cherished national holidays and all the fun and food that goes with it.

Firstly, there was my unknown knowledge that Turkey's have the ability to make you tired and lethargic. Apparently they contain an essential amino acid which creates a sleep inducing effect. Who knew? Certainly not me, since Christmas day in my family consists of a Lamb or Beef roast!

[ image sourced from Sweet Paul]

Secondly, I realised just how many different types of pie recipes exist, as I sampled my way through hundreds of delicious home-baked goods at 'Pie Breakfast'- and yes, I can confirm it's just as amazing as it sounds! Furthermore, I left the US slightly appalled that Australia hadn't quite embraced the pie revolution like our North American friends. In my opinion, we're missing out big time!

[On of the many tables overflowing with homemade pies]

Thirdly, I learnt just how special it can be to sit around a large, dining room table and share the things you are most thankful for amongst the people you love. Unless prompted by an occasion like Thanksgiving, I have no doubt that it's a question many people fail to consider, but when doing so, it has the ability to clearly establish our priorities in life.

So in the spirit of Thanksgiving and in an attempt to make everyone reading reflect on their own lives, here is a list of all the things I have been truly thankful for in 2011...

1. A stable income which has allowed me to achieve big things in the new year; 
2. A group of amazing, loyal and like-minded friends- 3 of whom I am thrilled to have join me on my next overseas adventure;
3. My health;
4. My parents, who are the most decent people I know;
5. The friendship I have with my 2 beautiful sisters;
6. The various avenues in my life which allow me to express my creativity through art and writing;
7. All the fabulous movie makers and actors who have entertained me on one too many lonely nights;
8. And right now...I'm thankful it's Friday afternoon and tomorrow is the weekend!

Movie Review: Midnight In Paris

Midnight In Paris was a delight to watch and has the true essence of a classic Woody Allen creation. The opening sequence resembles a collection of fine Paris postcards set to a soothing jazz score, capturing the most beautiful and unique elements of a city which Allen is clearly in love with. This theme follows the same tone as his previous films, (Annie Hall and Manhattan- New York, Match Point- London and Vicky Christina Barcelona- Barcelona), as Paris becomes a character within itself.

The film jumps between present day and 1920's Paris, as Gil (Owen Wilson) a successful Hollywood screenwriter and his superficial fiance, Inez (Rachel McAdams) holiday in Europe along with her overbearing parents. While Gil desires to become a novelist, drawing inspiration from the city he one day hopes to call home, Inez mocks his love of a Parisian life as corny and naive, preferring to settle in Malibu, California.

The thing I've come to appreciate about Woody Allen's characters is that they are all flawed in some way, which makes them completely relatable. However, on so many levels I found the casting for this film odd and unappealing. Wilson, with his crooked nose and nasally voice is far too 'American' for the character Gil and fails to portray the swagger, charm and sophistication needed to transcend time and slide into the 1920's era he so desperately admires. Inez is a shallow character with very little depth and fails to showcase the talent McAdams has proven in so many other roles. In saying all that, without a doubt the highlight is the exquisite performance and sheer elegance of French actress Marion Cotillard, who flawlessly portrays Adriana, Pablo Picasso's muse and mistress. Along with a ballsy Kathy Bates as publisher and artistic advisor Gertrude Stein, the whimsy and romance of Paris in the 1920's in my eyes saves this film from the dull storyline set in present day.

If you've fail to be impressed with Woody Allen's other films, then this is probably one you'll want to catch on DVD. However, if you're a fan then it's definitely a must see on the big screen.

With The Click Of A Button...

Flicking through GRAZIA magazine this morning, I saw a bag I liked. Actually, let me rephrase- I saw a bag I loved and I wanted it...sooner rather than later, was preferable!

Thanks to a little thing called The Internet and an addiction called Online Shopping, within 15 minutes my new bag had been sought out, purchased and was on its way from Europe to Australia.

Everyday the receptionist at work signs for and holds in storage countless personal items purchased online and delivered to the office. "Large package from the UK has arrived and ready for collection" she frequently emails me and without even having to walk out the door, I get that feeling which comes from receiving a highly desired and anticipated item.

Online shopping has reinvented the way I and most competent Internet users now consume goods and spend our hard earned money. From the vanity in my parents en suite to the documentary my dad shows his students, my family have certainly embraced the world of online shopping.

For me, it's not just the infinite selection of products available, or the ability to purchase products from brands not offered locally, but at the end of the day it comes down to the dollar- dollars I'm saving by buying online compared to in a retail store.

While travelling in the US and UK, I was utterly shocked to discover the incredible price difference between MAC makeup products sold overseas compared to within Australia. I had only wished at the time that my bank balance and luggage weight limit had allowed me to stock up on products for myself and my sisters. However, upon my return to Australia and after a little ebay research, I soon discovered that I could have my foundation and wear it too! In the past year alone, my sisters and I have saved hundreds of dollars on MAC and hundreds more on other online purchases. To me, spending money unnecessarily is just silly, so if you have 2 weeks up your sleeve before you actually require the items you've ordered, then the cash you've saved is absolutely worth the wait.

To those of you looking to sell or buy online, my advice is simple. Do your research! Know the regular retail price of the items and shop around on various sites to see what's on offer. Invest time in reading purchaser reviews and remember, if a price seems too good to be true, it generally is. Online shopping is a magical world full of once unattainable and now easily accessible items that will have you receive countless "ohhh...where did you buy that?" comments. So with that being said, happy shopping!

I've Got A Crush...

...on big, beautiful clutches
...and accessories in abundance
...especially when worn together

Pack Your Bags...

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

In life, we all have great years, good years, bad years and for many of us, the kind of years that resemble a set of Fisher-Price building blocks. Week by week, we slowly build ourselves up emotionally and financially until our goals and dreams are well within reach. It's at that point when we usually have our 'great years', but like all things in life, getting to that point takes time, planning and patience.

I can safely say however, that finally, after building my tower of blocks up higher and higher over the past year and a half, I'm ready to step back into the big, open world and experience some more overseas adventures.

Last weekend, one of my best friends and I bit the bullet and booked a highly anticipated overseas trip to the most beautiful parts of Egypt, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Paris and everything in between. Those areas of North Africa and Mediterranean Europe are places that neither of us had previously ventured, so armed with our shinny new Lonely Planet books and a vague image of relaxing in the Sahara Desert (Sex and the City style, of course) the next few months of planning are sure to be full of excitement...and dwindling bank accounts.

After 10 weeks of travel when my friend and I part ways in Paris, I've decided it would be the right time to revisit a former love of my life...NYC. As written here, there are so many things that I didn't get a chance to do and see since spending time in the Big Apple during 2009/10, so I'm jumping at the opportunity to revisit during the warmer months, when the city will surely transform and take on a new vibe.

After booking our flights that day, my friend and I went out for lunch to celebrate the beginning of a new journey together. It's a good 6 months before we finally board that plane, but in all honesty, it's just nice to have a date to look forward to and when people ask, to be able to say "we're going here, here and here on..."

Album Of The Month...

She’s the undisputed Queen of RnB and in my eyes, her latest album, 4 doesn’t disappoint.

However, I’m no music expert, I just know what I like when I hear it, so if you're interested to know what the guru’s think, check out the links below...

Track List:

1. 1+1
2. I Care
3. I Miss You
4. Best Thing I Never Had
5. Party feat. André 3000
6. Rather Die Young
7. Start Over
8. Love on Top

 

        [ ...my favourite song on the album ]

9. Countdown

10. End of Time
11. I Was Here
12. Run the World (Girls)

Read reviews from those who know best:
Slant Magazine
The Guardian UK
Rolling Stone