Princess Polly.

So, at work these two Aussie girls came in for fresh juices on the balcony overlooking the ocean.  They both had on the coolest sunnies I'd ever seen, so I just had to ask where they got them...

 

...and then I discovered the secret hiding place where all these girls are finding these cool things!  

Princess Polly

Cinema.

I love how a movie can take you far, far away from yourself. I think it’s the only time when I fully lose myself, forget who I am, forget my body, forget what I’m going to say next, forget what I think.  I just sit there and watch as the movie takes over my life.  Then, when the movie ends and the credits start to roll, I start to remember who I am.  I rebuild what I think, regain consciousness and feeling in my body.  Sometimes, I feel happy to be myself, sometimes I feel sad.  Sometimes, I feel like I want to be with somebody.   It’s funny how a movie can change you.  It’s like a reincarnation time machine that you submit yourself to for 2 hours. As you sit down, give over your mind to Hollywood, and let it show you what it wants to.  You have no control yet hope for a happy ending. But if not, that’s okay, you’re still you at the end of those two hours, and what was going to happen before the movie started is still going to happen because it only takes about 15 minutes to get your head back in real life.  With our more common than not ADD, technology, and over stimulation, you’ll forget all about it in an hour.  What’s more, you never have to claim guilt for killing that villain or sleeping with his son.  To any one that knows you, nothing happened and none of that matters because your still you after that little time travel to Hollywood land.

Sometimes I think I get too into movies and that, my friends, is why I don’t watch scary movies. I have the inability to separate myself from the characters.  Maybe that’s a good thing; it certainly makes me challenge my own views on things.

Just watched: City Island. Good movie with a happy ending! Makes me want to hug my family.

{photo via Nirrimi}

Hollywood Treasure.

The real question in life isn't 'what am I here to do or have?' It's 'who am I here to be?'

Embrace your unique self & be happy in your own skin.

You are more beautiful than you realize and more cherished than you know.  Yes, you.  And I wanted you to know that.

{Photos via Nirrimi}

That blue.

Welcome to my home in Cottesloe, Western Australia. Just a normal arvo [afternoon] before work.  I saw dolphins playing in the water from work yesterday.  

We Live Young.

I got lost. In this incredible talent of Nirrimi Hakanson.  I don't think I've ever seen a photographer more able to pull me in and take over my mind.  I just am in disbelief that this girl is 18.  Let the photos speak for themselves, there's nothing more I can say with my jaw stuck wide open.

Nirrimi Hakanson

We Live Young

Gin & Java.

Like I said before, I have 2 jobs, one of which I quit.  One is as a waitress on a beach cafe the other as a bartender at a beach bar.  Surprisingly, I am best as a bartender.  I almost never mess up, and I actually make good tips for a country that doesn't tip.  The waitressing, however, I am honestly terrible at.  There are some people who are good at waitressing and some who just aren't.  For some reason, it just doesn't work with my mind.  I am good at analyzing, organizing, planning, and creative-type things. So, why then did I quit the job I was good at?

Well, there is something I have learned in my life, and it is: surround yourself with good company.  The most amazing job in the world would be worthless if the people you work with are fake, negative, angry people.  Yet, if you could work in the worst job ever and be surrounded with great friends and positive attitudes, the quality of your live would vastly improve. Even, in my case, if you are terrible at your job and break a hundred glasses. So, in an effort to rid myself of the negative people in my life and surround myself with people who make me laugh, smile, and happy, I quit.

Now, here's some pretty eye candy for you that is in no way related Xx

Ten to Happy.

1. Skyping with Kapta Delta Delta Delta Delta (my besties).  Knowing that even when I am forced to return home to yucky Colorado, I will have them there with me and everything is fun when we’re together.  We’re like little kids with a cardboard box, we’ll turn it into a mansion.
2. Eat a Pink Lady.  Favorite fruit (of the moment).  I always hated eating apple skins because they made my mouth dry, but these ones are actually sweet on the outside! 
3. Go to the library? Yes. Shock. I said it.  My roomies literally had to drag me in there,but the libraries in OZ are so much cooler than back home!!! They have an incubator with baby duckies and chicks, a sonic chair (like an iPod for your body), balloons, a coffee shop, and Frankie magazine! I'm changed!
4. Sip a Dôme Cappuccino & catch up on the prettiest hats just in time for the Melbourne Cup in Marie Claire Australia.{via}
5. Umm... new. tim. tam. flavor. Honeycomb!  I snuck a cheeky slam in Dôme...sshhh.
6. Be inspired by words. (frankie mag)
7. Listen to The Kooks “Junk of the Heart” My new happy song. 
8. Get an adrenaline rush... i.e. the most extreme ride at the fair, even if does cost $20 to ride, it’s worth the thrill.
9. Listen to the answer to my prayer. “Being out of balance opens the door for the devil to rob people of the good life.  The devil tempts people to live in excess and extremes.  He pushes some to be workaholics and others to be lazy, whichever works to keep them unproductive. He drives some to seek wealth above God, and convinces others that poverty is godliness.  I believe that the only safe life is a balanced life. And a balanced life is obtained by keeping its priorities in line with God’s truth. Build your life on solid, safe ground by praying to God and listening to his plan for you” (Starting Your Day Right, Joyce Meyer)."
10. Watch some fireworks (my second favorite thing in this world… second to the ocean).

Paradise Lost.

{via something else by natalie wood}

Keeping my balance is a struggle sometimes.  Being happy is that place where everything is in balance: Mind, Body & Heart.  

I've reached what I have felt to be my happiest in Australia, twice.  First, was about 2 weeks into my trip in Sydney,  I made an insta-best-friend and was going on dates every day, sightseeing, running across the Harbour Bridge, going to festivals and games. I had felt completely happy with everything in my life. I was falling in love with Australia which I thought was all contained in Sydney.  I thought the rest of my life I would feel that way, perfectly lighthearted and joyful.  Yes, I was wrong about how easily that balance can be thrown.  Looking back on it, I don't even think that was true happiness; I think it was being disguised by uber-amazing distractions & attractions.

Then, I found my balance again in small hippy town that I bet you couldn't find on the map called Bellingen.  It was surrounded by rainforest, aboriginal-claimed healing rivers, & meadows.  I started eating gluten free and drinking tea all the time, went for hikes in the rainforest, lived outside with a net above my bed, kayaking under full moons, and floated down the rivers on inner-tubes.  I remember getting into a zen-like place of happiness, like a non-stop meditative state.  Then, I jumped out of an airplane and it all disappeared when I hit the ground.

It reminds me of Eat, Pray, Love, when she finds such an amazing happiness and balance in Rome and then she goes to India to 'meditate' and can't find peace.  It was like all her hard work had gone to waste, and here she was in the 'center of peace' and couldn't find it.  That's how I feel now that I am here in Perth.  In some ways it feels like I'm starting all over again, being on my own trying to discover what I love.  I am constantly working on keeping my life balanced between work, play, body & mind.  Right now I am very much un-balanced, placing too much importance on working too much and worrying.  I'll let you know how I get back in balance... I am determined to!

Casper & Pearl.

I am absolutely in love with this lacy floral "build a bridge" dress from Casper & Pearl, a South Australian designer.  I love that each piece is one of a kind and hand-made from vintage inspired fabric.  I would feel so happy to don this dress, but unfortunately I cannot fit into a xs.  Oh well, I guess one of you lucky ladies will be small enough to wear this beautiful creation.  For a whimsical frock handmade by 19 year old Aussie designer Stacey Hendrickson, fall head over heels on her website .  Her designs make me want to go frolicking in a peach orchard... georgia maybe? Xx

Rain drops on roses.