ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR

Sunday was Australia day. From 2006-2008 I lived in Sydney and therefore always get a little nostalgic when that day comes around every year. It was definitely 2 of my most favourite years, everything about Australia is completely perfect for me and my personality. Being right next to the beach, a music, art and fashion culture to die for and a general laid back attitude to life, what else could paradise be made up of.

LITTLE GEMS

Here are a few of my recent bargains of which I have been buzzing off. It really is crazy how cheap things will be reduced to, I definitely recommend ALWAYS waiting, there's nothing more infuriating than buying something full price then seeing it 75% off a matter of months later.

These stunning oversized shift dresses are from ASOS. I picked them up for the bargain price of £10.50 each. I originally ordered them both because I couldn't decide which colour to keep. And obviously kept them both in the end. (Apologies for the creases, I haven't ironed them since they arrived!)

I fell in love with this Minkpink jumper the moment I saw the amazing Cara Delevigne wearing the matching tracksuit. It was originally around £60, but I picked it up in the sale for £25 then add my staff discount which brought it down to under £20. 

This Minkpink dress was £60, dropped to £20 in the sale, which meant it was £15 with my discount.

This handy little vintage leather bum bag was reduced to £5 at work (£3.75 with D/C) it will be perfect for festival season and travelling.

MONDAY MONDAY

Today I wore what could possibly have been the most comfiest outfit in the world.

Jumper // H&M Paris

Skirt // Topshop

Bag // Urban Outfitters £24 from £90

Trainers // Nike Air Max 1

HIPANEMA

These Hipanema bracelets were originally £80, they have been reduced to £20 in the sale at work. Currently we are running a buy one get one free offer on all housewares and jewellery, so I picked up 2 for £20! 

Over the moon.

WEDDING: INVITES

Whilst in Paris, we had the realisation that our wedding is really not that far away! So very very excited! Luckily we have (I have) been pretty organised and sorted quite a few things already. Things we have already checked off the list: church, reception, dress, bridesmaid dresses, Tom's suit, usher's suits, car, photographer, flowers, guestbook and invites. We've planned the whole day to be very laid back, we both want it to be a reflection on us and our relationship, rather than about the day. Hence it being very small and intimate with the reception in my back garden. I managed to find my beautiful designer dress for £100, from Oxfam. Which has obviously made me incredibly happy! (But that will not be revealed until the day!)

 I plan on putting bits and pieces about the preparation for our marriage and the wedding day on here! 

PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA

For the past week myself and Tom have been residing in the most beautiful city in the world. We ate a lot, drank a lot and walked a lot. I have been to Paris a few times before, but Tom has never been, meaning I got to show him all my favourite places. There's nothing quite like going for the first time. 

Here is a tour of our little piece of Paris, and a few places you should not miss!

Our beautiful apartment for the week. 

The Louvre

Notre Dame

Disneyland

Monmarte

The Effiel Tower, where you can see the many failed attempts of a 'couple plus effiel tower in the background selfie' unfortunately the sun was too bright for Tom to keep his eyes open...

Versailles

Musee d'Orsay

Pont des Arts

General wanderings

To conclude. In the wise words of Audrey Hepburn "Paris is always a good idea"

TWO THOUSAND AND FOURTEEN

I'm not a massive fan of new year's resolutions. I think they're a nice idea, in theory. But I have never really seen anyone actually stick to them. Because of this I have never really set myself any, as  I would rather just set myself goals or targets throughout the year when I feel like it. None of this 'new year, new you' BS. 

BUT.

Saying all that, I'm going to set some this year. So here they are.

1. Stop buying coffee and tea on the way into work.

2. Stop crying when I listen to 'story of my life' by 1D, or any other song of a similar calibre.

3. Enjoy every second of the preparation for our marriage and wedding day.

4. Blog more regularly.

5. Text my nan more.

6. Email my American grandparents more.

7. Always call my mum when I've had a few drinks and sing to her.

8. Be an amazing wife (post August 23rd) 

9. Save more money.

10. Go to a country I haven't been to.

11. Find a church I love going to.

12. Always throw the empty toilet roll tubes into the bin.

13. Reply to every facebook message I get.

14. Reply to every text message I get. 

15. Continue to nag Tom as much as possible. (This does not contradict number 8, he just doesn't know what's good for him) 

16. Watch all top 10 films on IMDB.

These are pretty lame.

 That's why I never normally bother. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TWO THOUSAND AND THIRTEEN

This time last year I remember looking back at 2012 and thinking it really had been the best year of my life. And yet again I'm sat thinking the same thing about 2013. Here are some of the joys last year had for me.

I saw a beautiful friend become a mummy

Moved back down south from Sheffield for a job promotion

Met some very lovely people

Found somewhere in the UK I can buy Fiji water from

Went to a lot of weddings

Tom graduated from med school, and is now a qualified doctor

Turned 25

Got a massive promotion into the role I had been hoping for, about 2 years before I had expected

Went to Sardinia

Went to Budapest

Where my best friend asked me to spend the rest of my life with him

.... And of course I obliged

2014, you have a lot to live up to....