The Year in Review and The Year in Preview

There’s a lot of reflection that seems to happen between Christmas and New Years and this year is no different. 2010 was a whirlwind for me, leaving my home in Phoenix and moving 8,000 miles away to Sydney, a place I had never been. Talk about a leap of faith. But it was time for a change and this felt like a good one. So, as 2010 comes to a close I’m taking this time to reflect on the year that was -- one that I’m grateful for and the year that will be -- one that I am hopeful for.

I am lucky to be here, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but I find myself missing many things about home. What is “home?” What makes it such? Family, friends, familiar places, history, all of it. And for now, I have very few of those things here. But did all those things magically come to be quickly and all at once back “home?” No. They didn’t. Time will bring me all those things in my new home, and for that I am truly excited.

I find myself in a place of wondering at this point in my life. What have I accomplished? Where do I want to go? And honestly, the answer to both questions is “I don’t know?” But that’s part of life, right? Figuring that out.

So, with 2011 just around the corner (7 hours away, as I write this) I am so very hopeful, eager and excited for what is to come.  New opportunities, new friends, new lessons learned, new adventures and new newness. 

Twenty Eleven - here's to new.

{Images via vi.sualize}

Thank You

Even though they don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia, that doesn't stop me from wanting to reflect on the things I am thankful for:

• Walks through the city with my love
• My family whom I miss terribly, especially this week
• My friends who make me laugh from 8,000 miles away
• New opportunities with each day
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• The beach
• Facebook (yes, I know)
• Vegemite on toast
• Our new dining room table, on which we'll celebrate our first Aussie style Thanksgiving
• Region free DVD players
• And most of all, I'm thankful for the opportunity to follow my dreams, everchanging and random as they are

Pure Unadulterated Happiness

Memories of a time when life was simple, weekends consisted of hanging out at the mall and sleepovers, and tapes could still be played in cars.  All these things came flooding back when I saw this, and it made me smile...a lot.

So, to the person/people who organized this boy band extravaganza and the boys themselves, thank you for making my day, week and month.  My memories will forever be grateful.

The Good One

Image via How to Change Your Life

We all have that one friend. The one that always knows what to say, the one that we go to when we need advice, or help, or a ride to the airport. She's the reliable one, the strong one, the GOOD one.

I recently had a conversation with this one friend. I was talking to her about work and life and that place in our day-to-day that we sometimes go when we are feeling a little lost and unhappy. And as usual, she told me exactly what I needed to hear at that very moment. And that was, "you need to read Linchpin by Seth Godin."

If you're not familiar with Seth's work, you should be. Regardless of what you do for a living and where you are in your life, Seth's books will speak to you. He is AMAZING. Now, in normal conversation, I have been known to throw that word around haphazardly, but this time, no other word could describe this man. For the full scoop, click here.

This book will change your life. Again, NOT exaggerating. It will rewire everything you've ever thought about work and what you think you should be doing.

I'm not a book reviewer, or a publisher or an expert on those types of things. But I do know that this book has helped a bajillion people, myself and my good friend included. So if you're feeling a little lost and unsure of the next steps in any facet of your life, please read this book. You may not be at that place yet, but one day you will be.

Just do it, seriously. It will help you. I bet our friendship on it.

Freedom of Speech

I've been battling a sore throat, a fever and all around feeling crappy for the last few days, and its made me miss a few things.  I missed the first full weekend of amazing weather in Sydney, Yoga Aid on Sunday (108 sun salutations for charity), the lululemon Bondi Junction Grand Opening Party, and a few days of work.

It's been pretty shitty, needless to say.  But the thing I miss the most is my voice.  Granted, I can talk, but it hurts.  So I try to save my words for important things and just let the rest fall by the wayside.

It's amazing how not being able to talk makes you think about all the things you want to say when you can and how quickly we take something like this for granted. 

So the next time you use your words for hate, anger or petty needless remarks, remember that your voice can easily be taken away...you should probably use it for better things.

Wrong in all the right ways

I'm currently obsessed with this song, its message and the video. Loved P!nk back in her gangsta days and have continued to be amazed by her voice, her talent, her six-pack abs and her HOT bike racing hubby.

So enjoy...I know I will.

...and

Wow, it's been way too long since I've posted. It might have been the move to Australia, but I'm here now and here to stay.

I've been inspired by many things as of late and I want to share them with you. Lots and lots of exciting things to come.

I've missed you.

And The Oscar Goes To...

Image via Just Jared

Maggie Gyllenhaal...for Best Dressed, in Dries Van Noten.

Big poofy gowns with ruffles, so boring and safe! I adore Maggie's choice for the Oscars last night, taking a chance with a blue and black floral print in a column shape.

Maggie, like my other indie fashion love Chloe Sevigny, takes big risks not only on the red carpet, but everywhere else and last night, it paid off. Keeping her accessories simple with Fred Leighton drop earrings and a chunky jeweled bracelets, she pulls of the whole she-bang. Wish we could see the shoes though, I bet they are to die for.

Nice work Maggie, I can't wait to see what you wear next.

Switching It Up

Image via vi.sualize

I'm very fortunate to have been asked to be in a Pilates workout DVD for my Pilates instructor Virginia Nicholas, owner of Moving Breath Pilates. After I agreed to take this on, my mind immediately went to the following places: 1. I need to start training and 2. What am I going to wear (of course!)?

I'm come from the school of "No pain, no gain" and "If you don't sweat it's not a workout" so I continued along this path as I attempted to "train" to be ready for this DVD, which is filming in 2 weeks btw...up until last Monday when I was scheduled to meet with Virginia to get some practice time in for the DVD. The day before, I was feeling particularly crappy and felt like I needed a good ass kicking, so I did Insanity. For those of you who have never heard of this workout, the name really says it all. Lots of plyometrics, lots of jumping and lots of squats. Just what you need to get your heart rate up and burn some calories.

Fast forward to the next day, I was a little tight and a little sore. Virginia picked up on this immediately and basically told me I need to stop doing the insane types of workouts and get my ass ready for this DVD.

I'm not the kind of person that was first in line when athletic talents were handed out. I have to work, really hard sometimes, to be able to do some things that come very naturally to others. Some exercises in Pilates, those of the jello hamstring variety do not come easily to me, and doing Insanity didn't help me that fateful day Virginia put me in my place. Of course I wanted to be ready for this DVD, I was just going about it the wrong way. duh.

So here I am, trying to figure out how to be as ready as possible, getting those hammies in Gumby shape for this DVD, without kicking my own ass working out everyday. What's a girl to do??? Looks like my once-to-twice a week workout of yoga and/or Pilates will be my go-to workouts for the next 2 weeks. Doesn't sound so bad right? I don't think so either.

After beating myself up (so to speak) on a daily basis doing P90X and Insanity, this yoga/Pilates/stretchy time hybrid will be a nice change.

Wish me luck! And now, what to wear...lululemon, of course!

Milano on my Mind

Not sure why I love this picture so much. Maybe it's the contrast between the amazingly blue sky, the timeless Italian architecture and the lush, green ivy. Makes me want to throw on a sundress, some ballet flats and wander the gardens all afternoon.

Image via The Sartorialist

It's just rain, people!

Image from Zara Jay

People here in Phoenix go bat-shit crazy when it rains for more than a day. The last I had heard, there were major flight delays at Sky Harbor Airport and while I understand there are safety issues with landing a plane on a wet and windy runway, this is a normal day for most people in lots of other places.

So get out there with your yellow Hunter boots & your matching brolly and enjoy this nice little break from the sun. And remember this day when summer rolls around and it's 120°. Happy Puddle Jumping!

Oh how I ♥ Chloe

Chloe Sevigny has always been one of the people that I LOVE to see on the red carpet. She always does her own thing in that indy-cute-superduperawesome kind of way and the 2010 Golden Globes were no exception. She wore this wondefully ruffled Valentino number that was absolutely gorgeous. While her pose and blue steel need a little work, I adore her and her fashion choices.

Image from Just Jared

Bringin' It!

So, I'm sure many of you have heard of P90X, and if we speak regularly or you're my friend on facebook you know that I'm obsessed with this damn thing. I will talk to anyone about the program at great lengths. Anyhoo, Mr. P90X himself, Tony Horton will be in town this weekend for a Fit Camp that I'm lucky enough to attend. In preparation, I've been trying to do as many P90X workouts that I can...we'll see if it helps. Pretty sure I won't be able to walk/drive/lift my arms after the camp is over.

Wish me luck, post-camp posts to follow and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to help myself from tweeting throughout the seminars, but I think I'll get in trouble if I tweet during the workouts. Bring it!

I bit the bullet

Yes, I know, everyone has a blog...and I had been thinking about starting my own for SO long. And now, here it is. Oh, Happy Day!