Ramblings.

I know, it's been so long since I posted on here last. I can now say that despite all of my (failed) attempts, regular blogging just isn't my thing.
I can't really say that 2016 has started with a bang. I went to the beach less over my summer holidays,  despite the fact that I live near a beach and usually love being in the water,  I've been to the gym less and am the least fit I have been in a while, I started honours full-time but dropped down to part-time because of major stuff-ups with my thesis topic, adding yet another year to my never-ending degree, I've worked a lot and saved some money, but I've also said no to a lot more things, and doubted myself more. I just feel like time is going too quickly and that I'm suddenly going to be old with nothing to show for my life. Quarter life crisis? Yep, sounds about right. All I want is to be out in the world, meeting new and different people, learning about things that aren't found in my textbooks, and discovering what it feels like to be truly carefree and happy.
Maybe postgraduate study stress is the cause of these thoughts, maybe it's the fact that I'm turning 23 in less than a week, maybe it's just boredom with routine.. and routine isn't something I do well, or maybe it's more deep than that and I need to go on some kind of journey of re-discovery.
Either way, someone buy me a one-way ticket to somewhere in Europe please? Or buy me a holiday flat in London? You'll make me happier than you could ever know.

xx

Early christmas

It's eight days away from Swedish Christmas (Julafton), and my Christmas shopping is completely finished! So now I can just look forward to spending time with my family, eating some of my favourite foods and seeing other people (hopefully) enjoying the presents I bought them. 

I have already opened some of my own presents from Immy and Sam (I was allowed to), and I couldn't be happier with what I got :)

Moreish hand cream, including argan oil, shea butter and papaya 

Ecoya coconut and elderflower candle

Clinique chubby stick in 'Super Strawberry' 

Rayban 'Erika' sunglasses

Luckily I will still have other presents to open on Julafton and I have been saving some money for the Boxing Day sales, which will be like a whole day of shopping for presents for myself ;)

I have also had a few days off from work recently, so I have met up with my friend Clare in Chatswood on Monday and with Alysha in Avalon yesterday. Alysha and I went to a cool organic cafe where I got the biggest chai latte I have ever seen and I bought some One Teaspoon shorts that I am super excited about. 

Today I picked up my parcel from Immy, went to the shops with my mum (where I tried on a dress that my mum bought for me for Christmas) and have just been relaxing before I get back in to work tomorrow. 

I might put on a Harry Potter movie and make some hot chocolate because a storm is coming in, so now is the perfect chance to get that cozy christmas feeling that I miss so much from Sweden. 

xx

Pizza lovin'

I mentioned pizza in my last post but here I am about to talk about pizza again. It is, after all, my favourite food.
I recently finished work for the day, Sam is on his way over for one or two nights and I just ordered some pizza and pasta from Crust (my all time fave pizza delivery place). Sam also promised that I could choose a christmas movie for us to watch on Netflix, so if this all isn't "fredagsmys" (Friday coziness would be the best translation I can think of for that), then I don't know what is.

Tomorrow morning Sam and I are going to go to my favourite cafe, Fika in Manly and I am hoping to finish off my christmas shopping before I have to work in the afternoon.
Next week I am only working three days and I have some plans throughout the week, so hopefully I will have some more time to blog then too. But for now, I am going to crack open a cider and watch some TV while I wait for Sam.

xx

Christmas feelings

My past few days have been spent working, seeing friends (I can now tick ordering, and attempting to eat, a 1 metre pizza off my bucket list), and spending time with Sam.
Summer has also finally arrived, but I am working for the next six days so my long awaited visits to the beach may have to wait. Summer arriving also means that December is here, and I can finally start watching christmas movies and playing christmas songs with no shame. I can now even proudly say that I am two people away from having my christmas shopping finished. New Year's resolutions haven't even started and I am already becoming more organised ;)
While I was getting some christmas presents online this morning I decided I would get some things for myself, so I am keenly awaiting a new bralette, eyeliner and Limecrime lipstick in the mail. The blender I was waiting on earlier arrived and I couldn't be happier! Homemade smoothies have never tasted so good.

I am waiting for a call at the moment so I might wrap some christmas presents in the meantime (can you tell that I'm in the christmas spirit?), then I am hoping to either go to the beach or visit Manly for a fika date with my mum. I am definitely trying to make the most of my last day off before a lot of working!

xx

IMATS

I have work for the next five days, so although I won't be making many posts on here in that time, it will be so nice to be kept busy and to be making some money.
On the weekend I spent both Saturday and Sunday in the city; Saturday was spent shopping and having an amazing lunch at a Chinese restaurant and Sunday was spent at IMATS. Although I had a limited budget at IMATS, I still got to learn about some new makeup brands, see a show on lashes and contouring, and picked up: Real Techniques makeup brushes (sculpting kit), three Modelrock lashes and lash glue, Makeupstore eyeshadow in 'Sun breeze', and a Mac lipstick in 'Velvet Teddy'.

Some other products I discovered at IMATS and am interested in buying in the future:
Sugarpill 'Kitten parade' eyeshadow, which I have heard can also be used as a highlighter.

 

Mac 'Prep +prime fix +. An interesting tip I heard about this was that you can spray it directly on to your beauty blender to help set foundation and concealer.

and Makeup Store liquid eyeliner. This one is waterproof and gives the most precise jet black line (I tested in on my hand at IMATS).
I was actually so excited to discover that Makeup store has a website for Australia and can be bought in Sydney. I was so in love with this brand when I was living in Sweden!
Let me know if any of you have tried these products, as I would love to hear some feedback before I purchase them all at their full retail price.

Otherwise, I have been spending my time working on, and having meetings for, my honours project. I am also now the proud owner of a food blender. I happened to find one discounted online and my dad said he would get it for me as an early christmas present, so I am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

For now though, I need to get myself some lunch and get ready for work.

xx

Speechless

Since I woke up yesterday morning to the news of the horrific events that have taken place in Paris, I have been feeling so much sadness for all the people that lost their lives, and for those who lost loved ones. My thoughts are with all the individuals who have suffered from these attacks. And the worst part is that this isn't just a one-off attack. It is so important to show support and stand united in times like this, and to not place the blame on any individuals other than the extremists behind these acts. A group of extremists do not represent the entire muslim population, and the refugees fleeing to other countries have been trying to escape from exactly these kinds of acts of terrorism for some time now.

Please show support to those affected and spread love and kindness, as that is exactly what the world needs in times like this.

xx

Completing goals

  

I said I wanted to do more things during the week, so that's exactly what I did.
Here is trip #1 by myself, which was the Spit Bridge to Manly walk. It took me two hours (it's a 10km walk) and I felt extremely tired but great afterwards. It was so nice being outside in the warm, sunny weather and exercising at the same time. My goals of getting fit and getting out more are both starting to happen, and I couldn't be happier!

Happy Tuesday everyone :)

xx