30 March 2011

Tonight as I was walking home from work I walked past a florists I always admire. Flowers by Emily has done something extra special. In preparation for Easter two gorgeous little bunnies have a pretty sweet set up in the front window.

The florists have gone all out with real grass and a wheelbarrow full of chocolate. So sweet to watch the bunnies eating the grass and just enjoying life.

I am sure that as with Christmas Easter is another time when people buy cute animals as gifts only to find the reality of a pet something very different. Therefore I must give a shout out to some charities that we can donate too this Easter such as the RSPCA, WWF-Australia, WSPA, Animal Welfare League, or the Cat Protection Society just to name a few.

Not sure who to donate too check out places like GoFundraise and Everyday Hero who have loads of charities campaigns all there for you to search through.

Image via

29 March 2011

Even though when I left work I was absolutely not in the mood we went out for dinner with Richards dad Reinhard and sister Astrid.

We just went to the local pub and had a few drinks, some stimulating conversation and a few laughs. I'm glad I went as I do feel better having gone out and talking about things other than work and the other stresses in my life.

I am grateful for the opportunity to go out with my partners family. A good sign that after all this time we can go out just the 4 of us and have a good time.

28 March 2011

It's my Grandma's birthday. She is an incredible woman, the matriarch of the family and your friend.

27 March 2011

This weekend I discovered a new show Warehouse 13

For me, I feel its sort of an updated MacGyver but with women as a key factor. There is plenty of science and tech but its more about the people who encounter the science/tech than about them at all. They just push the story.

If you like Eureka or the Stargate franchise and I think this is in the same ball park.

I have enjoyed spending the weekend watching other people deal with their problems rather than facing reality. Not necessarily the most mature option but sometimes a girl just has to forget.

24 March 2011

Today I am grateful for the life and work of Elizabeth Taylor.

For me as a child, and still to this day, when I think of the most beautiful woman in the world I think of Elizabeth Taylor. As a tall, dorky teenager to see her on screen I wasn't jealous. I wished only that I looked that way.

On screen she was mesmerizing. Not just her beauty but the performances themselves. As a child I desperately wanted to be an actress and Elizabeth Taylor was an icon. For the record my favourite Liz Taylor film has to be A Place in the Sun (1951)

You also have to give her credit for her amazing charity work. Much like Princess Diana she was able to leverage her fame to ensure a good cause was heard.

Elizabeth Taylor you were amazing and should I ever be lucky enough to have a daughter I will show her movies to her too and hopefully you will spark her imagination as well. May you rest in peace.

Image via

23 March 2011

Tonight I am grateful that I don't have kids to put to sleep tonight. Night roadwork that is just insanely loud right at bed time. Its better now for my bed time but still, I am a grown up.

Sleep well everyone!

22 March 2011

I regularly give money to charity but I have to say this is the most special thank you for your donation email I have ever received. When I eventually get my wall of frames, I think this will be included.

20 March 2011

I finally saw Black Swan and I really do understand why it is winning so many awards. It is a beautiful film. I read a review that describe the camera as another member of the ballet company and its true. The camera is right there as one of the dancers, dragging you through long rehearsals and showing you the intensity of being on stage.

The film inspired me to want to go and see live performances. Whether with Opera Australia, Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Theatre Company who currently has Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton as Artistic Directors, Sydney Symphony and so many more.

As I was exploring I discovered two things that I think would just be amazing for Richard and I:
Sir Terry Pratchett in conversation at the Opera House Richard and I both love his books, would just be too good to pass up!

Distant Worlds music from Final Fantasy we have before attended a concert at the Sydney Opera House to hear game music live. They really put an incredible amount of effort into game scores and to hear it live somewhere like the Opera House is just too cool.

image via

19 March 2011

Working in the charity sector I hear everyday about the hard work that goes into raising money for charities. Sometimes you also hear good stories about trends such as brides and grooms requesting their guests make donations to charity rather than getting "stuff". It's a lovely trend which has just gone to the next level.


With just over a month until the wedding of HRH Prince William to Miss Catherine (Kate) Middleton I was thrilled to see them doing it too.

To donate go to royalweddingcharityfund.org, I have

18 March 2011

Pizza on its way and just headed to the kitchen to open a bottle of red.

As a kid Friday night pizza was a beloved tradition. We would have a pizza and surprises (Mum would get us all a chocolate bar, I usually got a Crunchie) whilst watching Burkes Backyard.

The grown up version of a childhood tradition MMD

16 March 2011

Yes, this is the sort of day I have had. Imagevia

15 March 2011

With things seeming to be getting worse in Japan I am grateful that my family and friends are safe. Simple!

14 March 2011

It's been one of those days. Saw this on Etsy under their suggestions when you log in. Buy the poster here

13 March 2011

I have the worst hayfever today so I have to give a shout out to Panadol for helping me to not waste a gorgeous autumn day.

11 March 2011

Waiting for my bus today - a bus that never runs on time - and this teen boy just bursts out with the chorus of Lets go to the Mall by Robin Sparkles from How I Met Your Mother!

That song always makes me laugh. Not just because I love the show but because it reminds me of all the time I have spent watching the show with Richard.

Watch the music video on YouTube

10 March 2011

Friend getting the all clear on test results is definitely something to be grateful for.

9 March 2011

I don't get to see my siblings as much as I would like to but I hope over the next year (with birthday's and weddings) that we will get to see a lot more of us.

In order from left to right is baby sister Katherine, me, middle sister Ellen and brother Beau. Photo was taken at the Newcastle foreshore the first time my family met Richard.

8 March 2011

Sometimes all you need is a happy song... like my happy song Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles



Image source

7 March 2011

I just love that feeling when you sit down in a comfy chair, in your pajamas's and know you only have a few chapters left to read of a really good book.

Today I was lucky enough to come home to that. Just finished reading Terry Pratchett's Unseen Academicals. Really good book with some great moments and some great quotes. I haven't read many Pratchett books, and my favourite remains Thief of Time, but I do enjoy his work as a diversion from reality. The world is so well thought out.

One note, often the covers are horrible. Now that is just my opinion but some of them look inappropriate for ladies. As they did with Harry Potter there are different versions of the covers so keep an eye out for the more adult covers

For more on Terry Pratchett visit his website

5 March 2011

I couldn't have said it better myself!

4 March 2011

I love weekends. Even if all I plan to do is laundry (I'm about a month behind which is embarrassing, but hey we did have the washing machine die in the middle there).

Looking forward to waking up to sunshine, my man and my cat for the next 2 days with no work.

3 March 2011

Caught up with some of the old FIA team. We were having a farewell dinner for Prabhleen who finishes with FIA next week. From left to right Hiroshi (ok so not a girl or even an FIA staff member but he did go to Conference 2010), Teniwa, me, Letchimi, Lauren, Prabhleen and Hadas! So good to catch up with these women who I have been through so much with.

As we walked to get a train/cab home we stopped at the Chatswood Markets and found this amazing little stall that sold Danish Pancakes. I had never heard of them but they were so amazing as soon as I got home I had to find a recipe.


I am noticing a trend - so often when I discover awesome things there is a connection to Denmark. Makes me think I should head on over and discover the country for myself.

Sorry, internet had a spasm so not sure where the image came from.

2 March 2011

Now that Conference is done it is time to focus on me and some of the things that I have been putting on the back burner. The big thing being my health.

How wonderful is it to have time for me.