:: Brisbane - A Guest Post ::

When you hear the word 'Australia', what do you think of? Kangaroos? Emus, maybe? Sydney Opera House? Me too. Australia has some very iconic animals and landmarks, which is part of what makes this island so special. Whenever I first mention I'm from Brisbane to my penpals, most of them admit to either not knowing about it at all, or knowing very little about it. I kind of like that about Brisbane, it's a bit of an untapped gem.

Brisbane has some amazing sights to see, and I talk about a few of them of at Lindsay Eyrn's blog. Lindsay is on her way home from Korea and is doing a feature on 'home' and she asked me to write about the place I call home! See my post here!

I want to thank you all for your patience while I recover from my recent illnesses. I still find it hard to get through a whole week of work, so things like blogging and writing to pen pals get pushed aside in favour of sleeping. I hope to have a lot of wonderful photos to share with you all soon!

:: A Toy Story Second Birthday ::

My nephew turned two at the end of September and my sister threw him the cutest Toy Story themed birthday. He loves Buzz and Woody, and by 'loves' I mean - 'is obsessed with'. The only time he doesn't want to watch Toy Story is when he decides he wants to watch Cars, which is his other favourite movie.

My sister doesn't want photos of my nephew online, but I can show you some of the super cute details. My favourite are the alien cupcakes - soooo cute!!

See what I mean? SO cute!!

The Buzz pinata was made by a family friend, isn't it amazing! They have also made us an Ariel pinata and a Nemo pinata.

I love themed parties! I'm turning 30 early next year and I'm planning on having a 1920s themed lawn party. I can't wait! What is your favourite theme for a party?

:: Finders Keepers Markets ::

There has been whispers of excitement about the upcoming Finders Keepers Markets. I have been a few times before and have had such a good time drooling over beautiful hand made clothes, vintage wares, beautiful jewellery, and my favourite - the gorgeous stationery (no surprises there!). I was thinking about the last Finders Keepers I went to with Gracie, and then the time before that with Gracie and her gorgeous friend Laura, and I realised I never showed you photos from either of the days. Worst. Blogger. Ever. Seriously ... ever. Worst.

To rectify this situation, here are some photos from the last Finders Keepers Markets in July!

If only I had a million dollars to buy everything! Are any of you going this year?

:: Scarlett ::

Back in 2010 my nephew was born on the 21st of September. Fast forward two years and my other younger sister gave birth to my niece on the 21st of September! The first two grandkids in our family share the same birthday, you really can't plan that. Her name is Scarlett and she is just divine. She is so teeny tiny (just over 6 pounds when she was born). I took these photos when she was 10 days old.

All headbands, bad the bright red one, were made by the gorgeous Alyssa from Red Bow Designs.

Being cute is tiring work.

:: The Day I Met Hanson ::

Back in late August, when I was in hospital with pancreatitis, I checked my email on my phone to find out I'd won a meet and greet with Hanson. It totally made my year. I told pretty much everyone who visited me - nurses included. The last Hanson tour in Australia was seven years ago, so I was super excited for this concert! They've been my favourite band for fifteen years now. If nothing else, I'm loyal, right?

The meet and greet happened before the concert and the boys were so lovely. I talked with Isaac for the majority of the time. We walked about how he really liked Brisbane because of the unique experiences he has had here - like holding a koala. Taylor then came over and took my CD out of my hand (I had 'Middle of Nowhere' with me to get signed) and asked what my name was, I was impressed he spelt it correctly (most people leave the 'e' off the end). I then went to say hi to Zac. We talked about how he held a giant snake that afternoon. All in all they are really nice guys - really down-to-earth and genuine (and tall!).

Meet and greet winners were allowed inside the venue before the rest of the concert goers, so I managed to score a front row spot in front of Taylor's piano. I really wish we were allowed to take big cameras to concerts, but every concert I've ever been to won't allow it. Instead I borrowed my Mum's point and shoot and it did a pretty good job!

Enough talking. Onto the pretty ...

Matt Wertz - the opening act. He was amazing!

Have you ever met your favourite band/celebrity? I met Hanson once before, back in 2004. It was purely good luck that I managed to get a meet and greet that time. My sister and I flew down to Sydney for the concert (they weren't performing in Brisbane) and while we were waiting in line a girl in front of us said, "Our friend just called us to say she was sick and couldn't come. Do you want her meet and greet pass?" Did we? Of course! I let my sister have it. And then, my friend came over to me and goes, "I pre-ordered ten meet and greet passes and the lady miscounted and accidentally gave me eleven, do you want one?!" Um, yes!

I'm in the green shirt on the right, and my sister is in the back between Zac and Taylor. And, coincidentally - the girl in the "I fancy the drummer" tank top won the spot of reporter for the meet and greet for this concert! Small world! So, thanks Hanson, for bringing us back in contact with each other!

:: A Life Update ::

Hey lovelies!

It feels like I haven't blogged properly all year and as a result, I've been staring at my computer screen trying to figure out where to start. As most of you know, back in May I had a bunch of tests done to try and figure out why my stomach was constantly sore, and then in August I had an operation to attempt to fix it. A few weeks later I was back in hospital with pancreatitis. I wish I could say that was the end of it, but since then I have been back in hospital twice, once with another bout of pancreatitis and then another operation (to remove my gall bladder and to take another look at my small intestine), plus a trip to the emergency to diagnose a DVT (basically a huge blood clot in the deep vein of my left leg). 

I came home yesterday, and I am so glad to be out of hospital. I'm hoping this is the last of it! It's sad when nurses, cleaners and even the ladies who take your blood walk into your room and go, "You're back?!" The good news is, I didn't miss the Hanson concert! The bad news is, I missed the Kelly Clarkson concert. But, really, the Hanson concert is FAR more important, right? ;) I had an amazing time at the concert and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Because I cannot help myself, I took lots of Instagram photos while I was in hospital and it would seem I now have some signature hospital poses. A 'thumbs up' when I'm in bed/just out of an operation, and a weird lip pucker when I first get into my gown. Don't ask, I don't even know.

Getting my blood clot checked. Originally it was only 2 inches long and not in my deep vein, so it wasn't a worry.

At the hospital after I found out my blood clot had grown and was now a DVT. This is my 'not impressed' face. I now have to inject myself with blood thinners twice a day until Christmas.

Pancreatitis: Round Two! At least I got to wear my favourite stripey gown.

This was taken on Wednesday. Please note my 'I'm wearing a hospital gown' face.

The morning after my surgery. I took one just after surgery, but decided no one needed to see it because I looked like death warmed up. Hot, amirite?

City views from my room!

A giant rubber ducky in the Brisbane River! Also, I am in love with the mustard and maroon house. It's historically listed and one of my favourite buildings in Brisbane.

I have the next three weeks off work, and I plan to spend it relaxing, watching TV (Gossip Girl and Dawsons Creek!), writing to my pen pals, and editing a bunch of photos to show you. My sister gave birth a little while ago and I can't wait to show you photos of my niece. She is adorable!!

Much love to you all.

:: Photography ::

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting the lovely Little Miss S. Little Miss S is turning one soon and her Mum wanted some photos to use for her birthday invitations. She was an absolute delight to be around, I fell in love with her cheeky smile and gorgeous long hair.

She's super cute, right?

It felt so good to be out and about again and not cooped up inside. I'm slowly recovering and slowly getting back into my old routine.