Happy

Today, I want to share an idea that has had a big impact on my happiness and quality of life. I've seen this concept mentioned by others many times in the context of exercise or time management or work/life balance, and it is probably not new to you, but it's value has only become apparent to me since I started implementing it. Here it is: You need to schedule the things that are important to you into your life, just like you do with work. Exercise: put it in your diary. Time with the family: put it in your diary. Friendships: yep, write it down. I have started doing this and it has made me so happy. I now have dinner with my kids and their partners once a month. I meet my BFF every fortnight. I catch up with my Uni girlfriends monthly. All those relationships are important to me, but it was not until I started scheduling time for them that they got the space in my life that truly reflected their value.

                                                            Coat:Veronika Maine
                                                            T-shirt:Sportscraft
                                                            Jeans: Jag
                                                            Boots: Wittner
This week, I went out for dinner at Bourbon Street with my Uni posse. I have always wanted to visit New Orleans so it was fun to have a little taste of it and try things like beignets, which I had only ever  read about, especially since there was also a live jazz band playing. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the temperature: it was cold and windy and I realised that I needed to move "winter coat" to the top of my shopping list.

This is what I ended up with. I had originally been keen to get a colourful coat, but the shape of this is so beautiful that I decided I would go with black and use a scarf to add colour. I have realised that scarf collars and wide lapels are the perfect shape over a flat chest. They provide volume and warmth as well as some visual interest, and they prevent the rest of the coat from looking too straight. I have seen this in moto-style leather jackets too,  and although that look is a bit too casual and hard-edge for my style, I do admire the look on others. I also like the way that the asymmetrical closure allows the coat to be zipped right up to my chin. That will come in very handy in August, when the cold winds really bite.

The other coat I contemplated was an A-line swing-style coat. That also worked well on a straight body, but in the the end the wide lapels, extra length and multiple styling options of this coat won me over. I am having a dinner date with my husband tonight, so I am looking forward to being toasty warm as I enjoy spending time with him.
Do you have any life hacks that have made you much happier?

Happy by Pharrell Williams

Kryptonite

A few years ago, I watched a film that I enjoyed immensely and that I still recall with affection. It garnered a lot of attention at the time of it's release, as it is very violent and the script had a 7 year old girl dropping the c-bomb, which made people very upset. However, when I think of the film I think not of the language but of the concept of being a superhero in your own life. Of trying, when you are almost certainly going to fail. Of taking action, when what you do is unlikely to change anything. Of letting your heart rule your head. What I loved about Kickass was its idealism. I was reminded of this today when I heard a radio story about Comicon  and the cosplay subculture. Maybe the opportunity to become the superhero on the outside that you already are on the inside, goes some way towards explaining the increasing popularity of these events. And some way towards explaining why fashion and dressing up has the capacity to bring us so much pleasure.

                                                            Shirt: Uniqlo
                                                            Pants: Cue
                                                            Cape: Cue
                                                            Boots: Wittner
These are some items I bought in my pre-winter shop last week. I especially love the cape. Because, everyone knows that only super heroes have capes. This cape also happens to be quite practical, though. The lack of full sleeves allows it to be worn over both short and long sleeved tops and gives me a great option for the many times in Brisbane when it is slightly cool in the mornings and evenings, but warm during the day. I also love the coverage it provides across the chest as it gives me the opportunity to wear my long-sleeved T-shirt knits underneath without looking too boyish. And it provides a simple way to add an element of dressiness to an otherwise casual outfit.

The pants and boots are also new. I had toyed with the idea of buying flares or boot cuts, but the combination of a run of wet weather, and the realisation that most of my favourite tops have some degree of volume that works better with a fitted bottom, resulted in me buying these skinny pants instead. They have a cool, crushed velvet texture and a high waist that will work well with my loose crop tops, and they are thick enough to be quite warm. I have already worn my cape once this week and I am looking forward to using it more in the months to come. In the meantime, I need to look into developing a superpower, choosing a name for my alter ego and finding a nemesis.


Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down