Oh, this?

I love to dress up in something gorgeous, but I don't want to spend mega-bucks on designer everything.  I save my big spending moments for classics, shoes (with the exception of finding a sale bargain!), and bags, and spend a little here and a little there on the high street to freshen up each season.

Spring and summer are well and truly here in the southern hemisphere (the season depending on how far north or south you are...) and so it's time to pick up a few well-made but well-priced bits and pieces to tide me through until March.  Here's my picks of what's out there now.

A wee bit of a splurge but a beautiful jacket for work: at David Lawrence

Two trends in one (neon and chains): at Diva

I love the patent and the colour combination in this sandal: at Ezibuy

A bright bag can dress up denim and white tees easily: at Just Jeans

These pants are ultra-trendy but a great alternative to wearing jeans every Saturday: at Max

A flirty dress for a picnic at the beach with a significant other: at Glassons

And last but not least, a great option for a summer BBQ (especially when it gets a bit chilly later on): at Jeanswest

I can't wait to bust out my summer favourites, and maybe one or two new friends from this list, and spend some time in the sun.  With sunblock, but of course!

Considering, Coveting, Committing

Sometimes you have to break it down into the things you need to think about, the things you want, and the things you're ready to sign up to.  Considering, Coveting, Committing - see?

Clockwise from top left: I loved these shoes at $180 so I had to commit to their funky summery style when I found the last pair in the store in my size for $30!!!; I'm thinking of making my own wreath this year and this paper leaf style is really pretty; I've been coveting AND considering these brushes for ages, and think I'll pull the trigger as my Christmas present to myself; I've more than committed to Haribo - it's true love; after I destroyed a (very old) lampshade by accident, it's time to buy a new one and this shiny number from Freedom is pushing my buttons; finally, I'm buying my books almost exclusively secondhand nowadays and I love it!

Sunday with Friends

What's the best way to spend a Sunday?  The title surely gives it away.

I started the day at a new brunch spot with my boyfriend, then ended the day enjoying delicious wine and snacks with friends (old and new) as we remotely celebrated Toast Martinborough.  All the good food, wine and company without the crowds of unruly strangers.  And, thanks to J's awesome ipod of goodness circa 2000, we had some of the best music in town.

Best light ever? My plans for next year's house just developed...

Surveying the summer options in the newest Fashion Quarterly

Our cafe used to be part of a church - apparently someone had a sweet sense of humour.

This little building calls to me every time I walk by.  I love the two old businesses side by side.

Getting our provisions in order for the afternoon.

I also did a little Christmas planning.  My little brother would love some of the Kikki K range, I'm sure.

This painted wall and bench have been here for years, but the butterfly is a new addition. I posed with it "resting" on my finger...

Wine and cheese and yum yum yum on J's decoupage coffee table.

I was a little tired this weekend after my exciting trip, so this was a great way to spend the day, especially since my boyfriend is away this week for work!

What You Got

I've left the resort and I am back in my happy little house.  Even the swankiest hotel can't compare to the comforts of home.

Was it hard to leave this?

Of course! But it's much easier when you're coming home to the first roses in bloom, and you can lie on the couch in the beautiful morning light, with a cup of your favorite coffee.

I picked just one for the house - the rest will stay on the plant and look beautiful for longer.

The morning light makes this chair look extra-inviting.

I rearranged the kitchen to get rid of some clutter (I filled out the calendar after this photo).

The quote reads : "The brief sum of life forbids us the hope of enduring long".  My interpretation: you might not have much time, so get on with it.

Getaway

I have the Best Employer Ever. I'm currently in a swanky hotel in a resort town, enjoying amazing food and having serious fun, as a reward for my performance this year.

I tried jet-boating today and had one of those surreal moments where you realise that you're doing something pretty cool - I'll look back on this trip with both pride (for being selected) and gratitude (for the great opportunity) for years.

The wind is blowing in the trees but the sunshine is warm and it is exceptionally peaceful.

I intentionally left my heavy workload behind, including my volunteer work, so I could use this chance to recuperate from what has been a pretty full on couple of months. I'll be straight back into the melee on Saturday but for now I'm enjoying impromptu naps and the chance to walk in the fresh air, quietly.

Long Summer

It's much hotter this far north, and the change in weather has me thinking (at long last) about my plans for summer.  It has been hard to get too enthusiastic in Capital City - even though we've been having some beautiful days, we've also been having more than a few cold ones.  This trip has been timely and reminded me it's only a few more weeks until we all hit the beach for the summer holiday.

From top left: gorgeous shimmery water under a blue sky; the pohutukawa came out early this year, promising a long hot summer; I'm gearing up for my annual Christmas get together; finally, some fresh berries are appearing in the shops!; long walks under evening skies; a girl can dream about gorgeous YSL sandals (www.ysl.com); a girl can also dream about a new bikini - this long top and low bottom would flatter my shape (www.asos.com); this year my Christmas treat is going to be macarons for all my friends - I hope!

Home

This weekend I took a road trip home with my little brother, to help celebrate my Nana's 90th birthday.  She's far too sprightly to seem 90, but calendars don't lie. 

There was the obligatory stop on the Desert Road to take photos of the mountains:

And then once we got home it was time for treats. Fresh arancini:

Beautiful magazines and a charming advent calendar:

And a few sweet glasses for 20 cents each, which I plan to fill with treats and hand out to girlfriends at Christmas:

Review: Pickle

I headed out with my boyfriend on a double date with our good friends tonight.  I wanted to try somewhere new so I voted for Pickle:

The interior is gorgeous, although very much of its time. I guess when you decorate a restaurant you go for a strong look though, and anticipate you'll redecorate as tastes change. The overhead lighting is preserving jars:

While the individual items weren't expensive, they were tiny.  We ordered four items to share as a starting point, and ended up ordering another three items (plus drinks).  Dinner was $17 each and we left feeling still a bit hungry (I'm about to have second dinner now...).

We agreed that Pickle is probably best for a pre-dinner drink and nibbles, or dessert.  They do have toasted marshmallow milkshakes, which I enjoy making at home, so that was exciting.  However, once again they were teensy tiny portions:

We'll probably move on to trying somewhere else, instead of making this a new favourite, and just head back here when we want a frisson of deliciousness after a meal.

Work It

I've been out of the city for the past couple of days, visiting another city for work. So I left this behind:

 ...and headed up to the Big Smoke, where I got to see this ghostly beauty on my walk back to the hotel in the evening.

Whenever I'm away for work I end up eating terrible food - I'm not that familiar with the area our other office is in and I don't usually have a lot of time to eat as I am usually there for a particular purpose and I'm trying to maximise my time.  It was nice to have breakfast in the hotel yesterday morning but it was even nicer to get back to a delicious healthy lunch today:

Those are early season strawberries.  I limited myself to three as I knew I would have some tonight in a salad...don't want to peak too soon!

Blooming Luverly

Lazy Saturday

It is that rarest of things - a weekend without any real plans.  

 I walked into the city to do a few errands...

 and picked up a few treasures while I was at it.

Finally a frame for this print (and a free mixing bowl too!), a great novel from Arty Bees, bits and bobs from the Salvation Army and a few cheap blooms to brighten up my living room.

Spring in the City