a new year to do better

via Abby Try Again

As another year pasts a time to reflect on things I want to do better:

:: Plan more short day trips with love ones

:: Enjoy simple things :: like lying on the grass

:: Look after myself :: go to the darn dentist, exercise, get health care

:: Don't be so hard on the guy :: you're not the easiest person to live with

:: Re-connect friends who I still think about but should make time for

:: See, eat, smell, walk in this beautiful city I'm blessed to live in

:: Learn guitar :: I've always wanted to but now should because my beloved has spoilt me with an acoustic for Christmas

:: Be productive :: I love you blogworld but you kill me with hours of procrastination

:: Set the date to become Mr & Mrs :: plan a honeymoon!

my lovely ladies

image via Once Wed

Apologies, for the lack of posts.

It's been a frantic week of milestone birthday celebrations for the beautiful ladies in my life: my big sister turned 30 on Wednesday & Mum turned 50 on Friday.

Festivities consisted of a sunny afternoon bbq with the extended family, and ghoulish halloween celebrations...

For the long weekend I went away with my sister and her friends to Apollo Bay for 3 nights. The rickety weatherboard house we stay in was situated on a 3 acre garden; it was like something out of a Jane Austin novel. The garden and additional guest house backed onto a river. Next door were a paddock of cows and a short 3 minute walk was the beach... Cute.

snap: a surprise

image via le love

Friday night I got home tired, a wee too eager to get comfortable and just veg out on the couch.

So when JD tries to convince me to compete with Archie (yes, the dog) in a treasure hunt, I was rather miffed (yes, what a bitch). I was tired, cold and didn't feel like trawling around the house.

So Archie wins. JD had bought a fancy pants SLR camera, hid it under our bed and placed a dog biscuit near it so Arch would lead me to it. As it turns out JD had this planned for some time. His credible sweet thoughtfulness swelled the cockles of my cold heart (yes, being the bitch, that I am) and I gushed over my new toy for the rest of the night.

As I recall, I failed year 9 photography, so be patient it may be a while that I present anything decent.

vietnam: hoi an

One of the many distressed buildings in Hoi An, Vietnam.

It was this time last year JD and I packed our bags, crisp passports and made our first overseas trip. It was an amazing experience for us both. I met some family for the first time and imaged a life which could have been..

I loved Hoi An for it's beautiful architecture and enjoyed the slower pace in comparison to the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh, which JD loved. I felt dainty riding bicycles around and watched the dreamy lanterns float down the canal at night.

Sapa and it's people were beautiful. Breathtaking views - literately breathless, whilst trekking up mountains and weaving around rice paddies. JD and I were crowned the king and queen of Sapa momentarily for the day.

At the end of our trip in Ha Noi, to much surprise JD proposed; spontaneous, simple, sweet and heartfelt.

nine years

image via Anna Szczekutowicz via Le Love

Dear J,

Happy Anniversary!

I love you for making my packed lunches for work

I love that you break out in little spontaneous dancing jigs

I love that you hide chocolate bars in my bag

I love your silly made up words

Thank you for your love and the beautiful life we have together.

You are my sunshine.

Love, C

xx

Cuteness

Here's a sweet card we got from a friend for our engagement.

If you're blind like me, click on image to enlarge

P.S New white blinds look awesome!

Little butter ball

I walked into the room and found Arch curled up like this today.

Occasionally we find him on his back, snoring with all fours splayed. JD calls this the car crash position - terrible I know, but very funny if you ever saw it.

This dog has better bed linen than we do.

I got this vintage eiderdown from Ebay but it was too small and too ratty to use anywhere else, so it was relegated to Archie.

This is Archie

This is a polaroid I took of him lazying around on the balcony one a sunny afternoon.

JD bought him for me as a surprise birthday present 2 years ago.

The birthday card read; "Spot, Fido, Benji.. Whatever you decide its a boy!"

And JD hands me a gift bag with a white dog soft toy.

We live in a 2 bedroom flat with a small balcony and as there were no prior discussions if we wanted or if we could have a pet, I sighed with relief thinking he was just messing with me.

But then this tiny white adorable puppy stumbles through, barely able to find his feet he was just like his little fluffy toy counterpart. A BIG surprise.

He's a funny, sweet, playful little guy. Feisty at times, I think he has a case of small dog syndrome, but I now can't imagine life without him.

love love love...

Here's a sneaky peak!

Well, what a fabulous day & night it turned out to be!! I'm still buzzing!!