Outfit #93 - Blue 31

Outfit details:
Dress: no label (from Jeannie, from an op shop).  Singlet: Jeanswest.  Shoes: Target.  Earrings and pendant: from Jeannie.

Today was forecast to be 31.  I'm also in a super-busy time of year, so ironing is not on my list of Things To Do.  Maxi dress to the rescue.  This was its first outing, and I was a little unsure once I'd put it on... but I was told by several people (yes, most of them 9 and 10-yr-old girls) that it is a very pretty dress.  And, although 31 is up there on my list of Least Favourite Numbers, I did appreciate that we were forecast for 31 on my 93rd outfit...

These shoes are a little hard, and this was the first time in ages that I've worn them.  I packed a stack of Band aids... I used nearly all of them...

Possibly the most versatile earrings ever.  They go with everything. 

Today's photo:

No rehearsal today, the ensemble had their last performance last week.  At morning tea, nearly all of them (plus a couple of extras) rushed to my room with these flowers, a card, and a big group hug.  Followed by some dancing and more individual hugs.  Made my day :)

The Shingle Inn

Last night, I had a really deep - and helpful - conversation about this blog (among other things).  Unfortunately, today's New Thing was a new coffee place.  Not very deep.  I hadn't had a new coffee for ages though (excluding trips to Melbourne) and life is rather hectic right now.

I had a few things to do in the city, but by the time I arrived (after a hair appointment) I was in the unfocused-I-need-coffee-now stage.  The Shingle Inn in the Myer centre was the first suitable option, and I was very impressed with my self-restraint in not indulging in a sugar-fat something. 

The service was good - staff with brains, a coffee that was quick enough but not at the expense of quality.  The coffee was reasonable - not amazing but better than the surrounding options. 

Today's photo:

In between the hair appointment and city stuff, I did something I've been meaning to do for ages (as in, a few years) - I took photos of the trees around the Wesley Hospital.  I was a bit late in the season for the money shot of jacarandas, but found these trees along a small street leading to Coronation Drive.  The overall effect of the trees was stunning but not great for photographing thanks to the cars.  I like the little curled-up buds though.

Outfit #76 - Hot Spring Sleepyhead

Outfit details:

Skirt: Jay Jays (op shop).  Singlet: Hot Options.  Shirt: Mischief (from Jeannie).  Shoes: Target.  Pendant: from Jeannie.  Earrings: made by me.

Today was rather warm.  Forecast for 28 (which always feels worse at this time of year), I didn't want anything that was restrictive or synthetic.  This worked... kinda.  When I tried on this outfit last night, I thought it looked rather spring-like.  It was not at all restrictive (maybe borderline for work standards though); not at all synthetic (it felt beautiful and soft and cool).  However, the modesty leggings, while necessary, caused the skirt to ride up the front a lot (apologies to anyone who witnessed this!).

I was also super sleepy.  Thankfully I ended up with a super-early finish, and had a nap through some next door jackhammering.  Fun.

Today's photo:

Purple flowers drifting through the breeze by the fence in the lunchtime sun.

Getting My Flanders On

Ned Flanders, that is.  You know the scene when the Simpsons arrive at the Flanders' beach house for a Fourth of July holiday, and find post-it notes everywhere with explanations and instructions?  I haven't gone that far - yet.  But my parents often stay, and they have different ideas about logic from me.  I hope I don't have to go to stage 2.

Stage 1 arose from my mum's last visit.  I know she knows which remote works for each device, but when really tired...  I meant to get this done by their next visit, but time just slipped away (and they arrived early for emergency dental work).  And, admittedly, I usually flounder when I'm at other people's places and faced with technology. 

The other issue is with Standby Mode.  I hate it.  And why you would press a button on a remote then get up to turn it off on the set, then when you want to turn it on you have to turn it on at the set and then press a button on the remote - really, what?!  So my policy is to use the switch on the set only.  Now I hope it is clear. 

Today's photo:

These flowers have been brightening my view on an almost-daily basis.  They live near the railway bridge, outside a mega apartment block.

Flowers of the World

3 in a row!  New coffee places Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Just quietly drinking my way around Brisbane...

Today I had coffee with Jeannie for the first time in ages.  Both of us have had crazy terms and had hardly had a chance to breathe, let alone catch up.  But today (holidays! woohoo!) we met up at South Bank.  Our first choice was super busy, so we wandered down to Flowers of the World (Little Stanley St, not too far from the Suncorp Piazza).

This is one of those arty organic wholesome places.  I loved it.  For starters, the flower vibe was not so great that I was fighting sneezes.  It was a little heavy on the affirmations in the form of booklets and cards etc, but there was enough other goodness to ward off any vomit vibes.  We chose upstairs - check out some of the artwork:

Sofas and crocheted chairs and recycled settings.  Eco products.  All organic produce - so I didn't feel overly guilty about my indulgences.

Unfortunately the service was a little slow.  It took a while to order, and while it was busy (ie lots of people around) there didn't seem to be a rush in the service department, nor was there an apology for the wait in taking our orders.  Coffee took a while, and the cake was so much later that I'd actually gone to the register (for another really long wait) to see if it had been forgotten.  Good thing we had bonus gingernuts on the side.  By the time the orange and almond cake actually arrived I was so hungry I practically inhaled it (or maybe it's just that it was amazingly delicious).

I was glad we opted for inside and upstairs.  It was not only much quieter, but so much warmer.  I really want a return trip so I can try a much healthier treat of a Gaia ball - the chocolate variety of course.  Good thing it's now holidays.