2-0-1-1.

I'm going to join the end of year chorus and say, "can you believe another year has passed?!" 2011 wasn't a stellar year in any book (personally and globally speaking), but that's not to say that nothing happened! There were events that put my life in perspective, and emotionally challenges that made me more self-aware. Yes folks, I'm practicing for my career as a self-help authoress. 

As for New Year's Resolutions - aren't they always the same every year? I always strive to be a "better person", but my psychology lecturer always said that breaking your goal into smaller, more achievable goals are more likely to be achieved. So here goes:

- Don't impulse buy every time I enter a shopping centre.

- Keep an accurate diary so that I stop double booking things!

- Laugh more.

- Lose another 3-5 kgs.

- Take shorter to wake up/get ready every morning.

- Push myself out of my comfort zone more (okay that's really abstract, but I really want to do this - let's move overseas!)

- Catch up with friends more often!

- Blog blog blog.

Here's to a bigger, better, brighter 2012!

xx.

Lust-Haves: Boxing Gloves.

Yes, you are seeing TWO posts from me on one day. Please don't go into an asphyxiated shock. 

Retailers have had a quieter than normal Christmas trading this year, but all hopes have been funneled into the Boxing Day/New Year's sales. In 'celebration' of this, I am foregoing my usual lust-haves list and giving you a small list of all the sales going on! I spent a lot of my Christmas shopping time buying things for myself, so for punishment, I am watching the rest of you shop. 

Kit 

ASOS

Up to 50% off clothing, shoes & accessories!

American Apparel

Tilkah

BOXING DAY ONLY: 20% off storewide!!

My Wardrobe

Witchery

Up to 50% off

Gap

EXTRA 20% off sale items until 27th Dec (enter code: GAPSALE)

Lust.

Merry holiday!

I hope you are all rested comfortably, with several food babies after the Christmas/holiday festivities. I know I am! 

Hosting a faboosh Christmas dinner with a few of my closest girl friends was definitely one of the best days I had in 2011. We cooked a mean turkey with a pancetta, sage and onion stuffing (recipe here), gorged ourselves with smoked salmon and avocado, had a delicious mango cheesecake for dessert, and kept thirstiness at bay with fruit punch. 

I hope you all had a great day and got spoilt!

Handmade bows!

(from L-R): Miss N, Miss S, yours truly, Miss A.

Images courtesy of Food is our Religion

Lust-Haves: Table Manners.

Around this time every year, I always say "This year has flown by so quickly!" and promptly stress about Christmas presents, trying (valiantly) to still achieve my "new" year's resolution by the deadline, and oh yeah, think about the copious amounts of food I will consume in the next week or two. 

This year I am hosting a little luncheon/early dinner for my closest and dearest, and the idealistic part of me is brainstorming different table setting and centrepiece options. Now I know that I don't have the time/budget to achieve anything great, but let's dream a little dream with me.

Image via Crowning Celebrations

Image via Vogue Living

Image via A Chi Chi Affair

Image via the pretty blog

Image via Max Wanger

Conclusion: my life goal is now officially to become a more vintage, hipster version of Martha Stewart (without the jail part of the narrative). 

Lust.

Lust-Haves: Frockaholic.

When the lovely Miss Adeline asked if I wanted to go to the Sydney Blogger's Christmas Drinks last Thursday with her, I really had no reason to say no. The chance to meet other fantastic bloggers? Tick. A too cool for school venue? Tick. Lust-worthy door prizes up for grabs? Tick tick tick. 

Some of the attendees: Kimmi, Myself, Adeline, Jaime

The food was scrumptious, the company was great, and I even won a $100 voucher from FROCAHOLICS.COM! 

Me with the lovely event organisers: Jamie and Steph

Images courtesy of Lipstick and Cake

So yes, dear readers, I have a legitimate reason to go online shopping. What should I pick?

L-R: Maurie and Eve Lace Mesh Elsa Maxi Dress

LIFEwithBIRD Requiem Print In-Between Dress

Dion Lee Forest Construction Dress

Willow Natural Box Layer Shirt

Sambag Stone Woven Tina Ballet Flats 

LIFEwithBIRD Raven Armadillo Heel

C & M Swim by Camilla and Marc Multi Ipenema One Piece

Lilya Petite Fleur Natalia Dress

Lust. Help! I don't know what to choose...

Ombre-riffic.

I'll tell you a little known fact about me. Until a few weeks ago, I had never dyed my hair. No teenage rebellion induced streaks, no 'Asian as a blonde' attempts, no subtle highlights, na-da. It's not that I've never wanted to dye my hair, but I am very protective about my hair. Plus, with my hair being so dark, I'm always wary of how wrong it could possibly turn out. 

This year's hot hair trend has given me license to take the plunge and (somewhat) change my natural hair colour. I am, of course, referring to the Ombre hair trend - two-toned hair - ala Rachel Bilson, Alexa Chung and other cool cats. 

Images via easycurls.com and Fresh Look Hairstyles

Ombre hair was the perfect chance for me to take my hair on a "test drive" and see how a different colour would look on me:

If it looked good = smiley face!

If it looked not so good = hello scissors (or if you love your hair, hello hairdresser). 

For my Ombre-riffic hair, I followed the steps in this tutorial from A Pair & A Spare (love this blog!). 

MATERIALS: L'Oreal Perfect Blond Highlighting Kit & mascara wands

BEFORE: me and my sexy Daiso haircut apron

AFTER: Ombre!
(apologies for the awkward half face, my eyes were especially tired looking that day.)

I think I could have blended the contrasting colours better, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out! I do think that it looks better with wavy/curled hair, though. Here's to many nights of sleeping with a tight bun (curse you, stubbornly straight hair!)