Frock & Roll - www.frockandrollonline.com ! ♥

A Thought For The Day... ♥ ''Waking Up This Morning, I Smile...''

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:02:08 -0400

Kia ora (psst, non-New Zealand folk: ‘Kia ora” literally means ”be well/healthy” in Maori, or ”hi! Welcome! How do you do?” ) from Blenheim, New Zealand!

How have you BEEN? Reeling at the realisation that we’re halfway through May? Me TOO. (I mean, heavens! Before you know it, we’ll all be discussing Christmas presents and New Years’ resolutions again! The MADNESS!)

I don’t know about you, but 2013 has been one heck of a (rough) rollercoaster ride of a year for this muppet. Oh silly, naive (eternally optimistic?!) Corrine - why did you ever expect that moving to an itty-bitty town for a gentleman you hardly knew was going to be bump-free?

HOWEVER! Every day is a fresh opportunity. A new, interesting challenge. A lesson-laden gift. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, ”waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me, and I vow to live fully in each moment…”

Beauty at its best. Crystal-clear turquoise water in Picton, New Zealand.

Enormous hills, gorgeous rivers and peace and quiet (do YOU spy a soul in this photograph? Nope!). Welcome to Blenheim!

♥

Life will rarely let us rest before it hurls a few twists and tricky turns again, but honestly, would we want it to?! What would we natter to our girlfriends/partner/cat about? What would we LEARN? Happiest of all happy Monday’s to you. It may not be a perfect one, but guaranteed, each moment of it is contributing towards your beautiful, whimsical, fabulous journey.

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Postcards From Nepal! ♥

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 05:55:54 -0500

Namaste! (Fun fact: did you know that in both Nepal and India, ”namaste” is roughly equivalent to “greetings” or “good day”’? You do now! Thanks, Wikipedia!)

Now, of all the unusual situations I imagined myself wriggling into at some point during my lifetime (did I tell you about the Emirates Customer Service Manager who asked me - in Dubai, of all places! - if he could add me on Facebook, before giving me a demonstration of ”how to operate lifts”? Eeesh!), writing to you from an internet cafe in Kathmandu, Nepal was certainly not one of them. And yet… HERE I AM!

I’ve been skulking around this beautiful country for almost a month now, volunteering at an orphanage, celebrating Tihar (”Festival Of The Lights”) time, contracting food poisoning (oops! THAT hadn’t been on the to-do list) and, illness aside, loving (almost!) every. single. SECOND of this wacky adventure. Nepal is quite possibly the most fascinating place that I’ve ever been, just because it’s so… unusual!

To say that Nepal is an eye-opening experience would be an understatement and a HALF. I mean, what a complete contrast this country is! On one hand you have the breathtaking, most incredible scenery of the Himalayas as you fly into Kathmandu (may I point out that those white things in the background of the above photograph? NOT clouds! They’re also mountains!), but then as soon as you reach the city centre, you’re exposed to the poorest of poor lifestyles.

Downtown Thamel…

One of my best friends (hi, Shreeram!) is Nepalese, and every time I’d catch him littering in Sydney, ooh-WEE would I scold him for it! Having visited his birthplace, I can now understand the habit… sadly, everyone litters in Nepal. Garbage bins don’t seem to exist!

Hanging out with the children at the Disabled Rehabilitation Centre (the orphanage that I’ve been volunteering at). These kids are GORGEOUS.

During Tihar time, offerings like these can be found at the front door of every Nepali home. Why? Because in their culture, it’s believed that if they’re created, Laxmi, the God of wealth, will bestow their families with riches. Here’s hoping!

Participating in the festivities with Shreeram’s family…

I shared a room (and sickness… UGH!) with Kirsty MacLennan (psst! For more a little more Nepal action, read her excellent blog!) for two weeks, and she was LOVELY.

♥

PHEW! If you’ve made it this far, you deserve an absolute medal! How ARE you? How was your weekend? (And can you b-e-l-i-e-v-e that we’re almost slipping into December already?! Richard asked me ”how I’d like to spend our first Christmas together” the other day, and I almost had a heart-attack. 2012, where have you GONE?!)

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Greetings From Scotland! ♥

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 11:07:49 -0400

Oh hey, stranger! How on earth ARE you?!

I know, I know… WHAT A TERRIBLE FRIEND I’VE BEEN. I mean, it’s been eons since we’ve spoken, hasn’t it?! Yikes!

Now, it’s not as though I haven’t thought of you every single day (because I have!), but when I farewelled my lovely little laptop a few weeks ago (apparently liquids and technology don’t mix. Who knew?!), communication became immensely difficult, and secondly… I’ve been TRAVELLING! Yes!

After hopping around New Zealand, London and Ireland for the past (nearly!) two months, I’m currently plonked down in Oban, Scotland, and w-o-w… WHAT an adventure it’s been.

What’s that? ”Stop banging on about your holiday and SHOW ME SOME PICTURES INSTEAD, CORRINE”? Alrighty. Anything for you!

First stop? London!

Samuel Johnson once said ”when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford”, and after spending several days in this spectacular city, I couldn’t agree more. (Big Ben! The Tower Bridge! St. Paul’s Cathedral! CAMDEN TOWN! What’s not to absolutely adore?!)

Ordering the calzone OF MY DREAMS at London’s Borough Market. Oh. My. Goodness. The DELICIOUSNESS!

Flying into Dublin, Ireland!

It’s true: Ireland really IS as picture-esque as it’s rumoured to be.

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Ireland!

I volunteered at Macgabhainns Backpacker Hostel in Kilkenny, Ireland (a review of that experience is a-coming!) in exchange for free accommodation and a food allowance for three weeks, and couldn’t BELIEVE how charming this wee town was. (Did you see that gorgeous greenery?! And how about that magnificent castle?!)

Today’s location: Oban, Scotland!

And finally, while I’d never imagine that you’d be sitting there thinking ”hmmm… I wonder how Corrine and Richard are doing?” (you’re busy! You’ve got OODLES of things to ruminate about!), sweetly enough, I HAVE received a few e-mails and questions about this very gentleman (crazy, huh? You’re too kind!), so allow me to a) warn you to grab a bucket in advance (you might start to feel a bit nauseous!); and b) provide an update.

UGH. I couldn’t be any more in love with this beautiful man! Sure, being countries apart has not always been a breeze (I distinctly remember calling Richard every second day when I first arrived in London, wailing ”I can’t do this long-distance relationship business. WE can’t do this long-distance relationship business! I’m not having you putting your life on hold and waiting for me. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!” Lucky guy, right? No!), but… he has been incredible. (And thankfully, infinitely more mature, patient and rational than I am!)

♥

ANYWAY. Enough about me. How have you been?! I’ve missed you enormously!

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Richard ♥

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:12:30 -0400

“Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.”

CONFESSION: There are few expressions that I (used to!) loathe more than the above one. ”I mean, what does that even mean?!” I would wonder each time I heard it. ”“Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans”? What kind of nonsense is THAT? Life isn’t something that just happens. You create plans, and THEN life happens! Silly quote.”

But then when I found myself meeting the most special of gentlemen during the most horrific of circumstances, I fiiinally came to appreciate the beauty of the saying. ”Yes!” I thought triumphantly. ”You can’t plan everything, and you don’t know what’s around the corner!” Or, as Carl Sandburg so wisely once uttered, ”nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me.”

In my (late) grandmother’s living room. This was a couple of days before she passed away, and cripes, I was BEYOND sad that day.

Two weeks’ ago today I flew to New Zealand to say goodbye to my incredible grandmother, Shelagh. The trip was totally impromptu (my father: ”Corrine, don’t be ridiculous. You’re about to be gallivanting across the globe, YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BE MAKING LAST-MINUTE TRIPS LIKE THIS.” Me: ”Are you flipping kidding me?! WHAT is money in comparison to someone’s life? I’M COMING OVER TOMORROW!”), and honestly? It split my heart into a trillion pieces. Why even attempt to sound courageous? I sobbed! I howled! I cried continuously for DAYS, so my father, equally devastated, decided to whisk us away to the local pub one afternoon for a cheer-up beverage or two.

Father/daughter drinks at The Redwood Tavern.

And it was there that I met RICHARD. Entering the bar, my father (hi, Dad!) turned to me, pointed to him and hissed ”you see that young guy over there at the pool table? Yeah. GREAT guy. Really down-to-earth, with an excellent head on his shoulders, but he’s an infuriatingly good pool player!” I nodded, barely listening. I was too upset. But as Richard walked towards us, challenging my father to a game of pool and making general chit-chat, I found myself s-s-slowly being drawn to him. He was hilarious! (And there I was thinking that I’d never laugh again!) He was C-U-T-E! He was polite, he was charming and three hours later, as everyone prepared to leave, I found myself accepting his invitation to join him for a drink at his home. (I know… what?! I couldn’t believe it either, but if there’s one thing that I learned from my time in Blenheim, it’s to SEIZE THE MOMENT. Each day we have is a glorious gift, so why the heck was I going to waste it by going home and sleeping?! Nuh-uh. I wasn’t!)

We clicked. Oh, did we click! After a terrific evening together, Richard searched for me on Facebook the next day, asking if he could take me to dinner. I agreed, and we proceeded to have ANOTHER extraordinary night. Slipping his arms around me post-meal (is that too much?! I’m sorry!), he whispered in my ear, ”I’m SO glad that you agreed to meet me before you went home to Sydney. I couldn’t stop telling all the guys at work today that I’d met the most amazing girl, but that I was so worried I wouldn’t see you again.” I flew home to Sydney the next day, and assumed that everything would die down. (It’s only human nature, right? He lives in New Zealand! I live in Australia! What could possibly happen?!)

But he called me THAT SAME DAY, asking me to join him on his birthday holiday the following week to Australia’s Gold Coast. ”Please?” He insisted. ”I’ll even pay for your flight here!” I refused to take any money from him, but booked my tickets, thinking ”well, I took a gamble by agreeing to have a drink with him in the first place… so why not take another?!”

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

- Unknown

As entirely mental as it sounds (and don’t worry, I 110% realise how crazy it all seems!), by day two, we’d already dropped the ”l” bomb. (That’s the ”I love you” bomb, in case you’re unsure!) And yes, even WE would burst out laughing at how rapidly/stupidly everything was progressing, but… it all felt so right. Perfect.

Getting ready to ride THE FLUME at Sea World. What a cheeky face!

Posing in front of giant mirrors at Dracula’s.

Yes, his text speak - especially as a copywriter! - drives me absolutely insane, but with messages as adorable as those, how could I even CONSIDER complaining?! He is the sweetest!

It couldn’t have happened at a more awkward time. Next Saturday, I’m boarding a plane for London (!), with no chance to return (I’m going to be traipsing through Ireland, Scotland, Nepal and India!) to Australia or New Zealand until at LEAST early December. How could I expect a guy as wonderful as Richard to wait? To put his life on hold? I couldn’t! I told him to enjoy himself, and that I’d contact him again when I got home, but all he could respond with was ”I’ll be here waiting for you. What we have together can only happen once, and I’m not going to pass up that chance… no WAY. I want you, and ONLY you. You are my one and only, Corrine. You’re my WORLD.”

♥

Do you have any tips for managing long-distance love?! Argh! I’m so scared!

xoxo

P.S. In case you’re wondering… yes, my last boyfriend, Tom, and I did break up. I decided not to write about it when it happened for VARIOUS reasons, but… not to worry. It’s all good! (Sheesh, we even still live together, for goodness sake!)

Leave A Comment

Just A Wee (Travel!) Update ♥

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:18:23 -0400

What’s this? A teeny-tiny update, instead of an actual, proper, serious (oh, who am I kidding?! They’re never serious!) blog post? Yes! And before you cry ”CORRINE you useless blogger, what are you doing?” (pft, as if you’d ever say that. You’re far too lovely!), HEAR ME OUT! You see, while I’d plaaanned to natter away about psychics today (ooh!), truth be told, I can really only think about one thing…

Mushrooms.

NO!

Travelling!

A snapshot of my little sister and I, who I cannot WAIT to see in a few weeks’ time! (And what can I say about her that I haven’t banged on about before?! The girl is my best friend. My evil twin. My LIFE!)

That’s right. TRAVELLING!Last night I booked my flights to visit some fairly far-out destinations, so can you blame this doofus for being unable to concentrate?! I’m scared. I’m excited! A c-r-a-z-y adventure is about to begin, and I’m finding it difficult to think about anything else!

So. Where am I headed to?

NEW ZEALAND: August 23-August 31

LONDON: September 2-7

IRELAND: September 7-29

SCOTLAND: September 29-October 29

NEPAL: October 30-November 18

INDIA: November 18-December 1

And then? Who knows! (Can you hear that?! That’s the sound of my teeth chattering and my legs wobbling, because I’m so nervous!) I have a British passport and a thirst for fun and the unknown (and no planned return date to Sydney!), so I have NO idea where I’ll end up. (Iceland? Mexico?!)

Now, I want to smuggle you along in my suitcase (ugh, could you imagine? We’d have such a blast!), but since you can apparently get into trouble for doing so (I know. Kill-joys, huh?), I’m going to be documenting (here!), Facebook-ing and Instagram-ing the bejesus out of everything, instead. HOORAY!

♥

Golly. I can’t believe this is happening! (Oh, and P.S.! If you happen to be in any of these countries during the above dates and would like to meet-up with a silly blogger, E-MAIL ME! There’s plenty of things that I’m not - organised, skilled at housework, a chimpanzee - but I do promise that I’m nice, and I’d love to hang out with you!)

xoxo

Leave A Comment

What The Frock?! : A Day In Palm Beach, Sydney ♥

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:39:02 -0400

Well hel-lo!

While this week’s been filled with all SORTS of tedious tasks (completing three years’ worth of tax returns… ugh! Cleaning the apartment… double ugh! Managing to accidentally fall up a set of stairs… ugh, ugh, UGH!), today was perfectly magical, because I spent the afternoon in Sydney’s Palm Beach, glorious Palm Beach! (Have you been there before? If you’re ever in town, it comes totally recommended!)

And what an afternoon it was. Can you see that sunshine?! You’d never guess that it was Winter here in Australia from peeking at these photographs, would you? I mean, I was shuffling about the sand sleeveless!

The remarkable Palm Beach. (Psst, Home & Away fans! Did you know that this is actually where the series is filmed? It is!)

Interesting… uh… artwork?! (Although I think mine - as pictured below - is a teensy bit nicer!)

It was already the most gorgeous day, but then what should we spy, just to make the time a little more special? DOLPHINS!

(Or are they sharks? No. They’re definitely dolphins!)

What I’m Wearing:

x ‘CORRINE’ nameplate necklace
x Sportsgirl scarf and earrings
x Boots from Shoe Connection, New Zealand
x Red, pink and black ruffle dress (I picked this up for $6 on Monday, and happier I could not be! After all, who doesn’t love a bargain?! Oh wait, I KNOW…)

No offense tiny Palm Beach cafe` (your staff were charming!), but YOU do not quite clearly love a bargain. Can you believe that these sandwiches cost $19.40 each? The madness! (But, as my beautiful company said, ”hey… when in Rome, do as the Romans do. And when in Palm Beach… eat stale, over-priced snacks!”)

(Always in my possession: CAFFEINE!)

♥

How was YOUR day? (And how insanely stunning is that water?!) However you spent it, I hope it was a magnificent one!

xoxo

Leave A Comment

They're NEW! (Well, Sooort Of.) They're FUN! They Don't Cost The Moon & The Sun! ♥

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 10:52:43 -0400

”Say, Corrine,” you may be thinking (or not - it is 11.00 PM on a Thursday evening after all, and I’m 110% positive that you’ve got better things to be ruminating over than THIS silly sasquatch!), ”it’s been a while since we’ve had a good babble about beauty. Tell me… what’s new? What’s FUN? What’s new AND fun and doesn’t cost the moon and the sun?”

And while my instinctive answer would be to shriek ”Cadbury’s ‘Marvellous Creations’! Have you tried them? They’re phenomenal!” (honestly, I defy you to try the ‘Peanut Toffee Cookie’ flavour and not become hopelessly addicted!), I’d sound like a bit of clown, because, well, they’re chocolate, and not related to beauty AT ALL.

But! Cocoa-craziness aside, a few pleasant products have squeezed their way onto the shelves lately, and dun-dun-dun-da! Here they a-a-are!

Lanolips’ ‘Rose Balm Intense For Very Dry Hands & Nails’ Balm

When this tiny tube was offered as a gift-with-purchase from a magazine earlier in the year, Fooly McFool over here stupidly thought ”pft! It’s free. It’s probably useless.” (Am I the only who makes these ridiculous assumptions?! Sheesh. I don’t know what I ever received to become so untrusting, but I am cy-ni-cal!) WELL. Pardon my skepticalness, lovely Lanolips, because truthfully, my mitts have never felt softer since coming into contact with you. (Seriously, next time we meet, FEEL MY HANDS! It’s currently Winter here in Australia, but I still don’t have lizard-esque paws!)

Simple’s ‘Kind To Eyes’ Eye Make-up Corrector Pen

An eye make-up corrector pen that easily removes eye make-up mistakes and waterproof mascara? (Yep, that’s right! No need to swab at your face with a make-up wipe or wet piece of toilet paper if you accidentally funk up your liquid eyeliner anymore. Not that either of us do this, though, of course. *cough*) EYE like it! (I also quite clearly enjoy incredibly lame puns. Whee!)

Fudge’s ‘Iced Coconut Cocktail’ Urban Hair Spray

*whispers* I have a secret to share, and it’s not that I can’t ride a bicycle or stand the scent of number one-selling hairspray, Cedel. Oh, wait. Yes it is! I absolutely CAN’T ride a bicycle, and look, Cedel, it’s nothing personal, but honestly: have you smelled yourself?! Phoo-ey! I’m not someone to be unkind, but highly recommended or not, you have a TERRIBLE odour, so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when Fudge’s ‘Iced Coconut Cocktail’ hair spray strutted its way into my shopping basket. It’s long-lasting! It adds a delightful sheen to your hair! It costs less than $6 a bottle! It shares the same fragrance as a decadent dessert! If there’s a more fabulous spritz for your tresses on the market, I’ll happily gobble my dressing gown.

♥

Maybelline’s ‘Baby Lips’? (Love them!) Pomegranate-infused body wash? (Fancy!) What’s currently tickling your cosmetic fancy?

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Thank Frock It's Friday! (Uh... Monday!) ♥

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:15:04 -0400

If you’re clicking here for the first time, WELCOME! Every Friday (well, today it’s Monday. Oops!) we celebrate the fact that - ding, ding! - it’s Friday, and our favourite things (an exquisite new bronze-hued nail polish? Empty muesli bar wrappers?! Okay, it’s probably not the latter…) from the week that was. Here’s what I’m currently loving!

x Wacky Winter-Bug Blitzing Recipes - When you’re sickly, you’ll try almost ANYTHING to feel all splendid again, won’t you? From gargling salt water to remedy a sore throat (ewww!) to popping a pill to abolish a headache (ugh), if it promises to restore us back to health, we’ll typically toy with it, so when a gentleman recommended swigging a tea consisting of fresh ginger, turmeric powder and cumin seeds, I was apprehensive, but curious…

Boiling up a brew of goodness (vileness?!) that’s SWORN to get rid of any pesky colds and flus: turmeric powder, ginger and cumin seeds! (Tremble, tremble!)

Showcasing my enjoyment of the aforementioned “get well soon” tea. (I kid! Honest-to-goodness, it wasn’t THAT bad…)

… and would you believe it?! By day four (after wailing dramatically on my first day of being ill ”quick, somebody plan my funeral: I have THE PLAGUE!”), I was feeling 110% better! Magic!

x Attending A Beer Tasting At The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst - Because sniffles or no sniffles, when a lovely lass conducting (paid! SCORE!) market research invites you to an evening of lager swilling at a venue you’ve never traipsed through before, you’re hardly going to refuse, are you? Heavens, no!

x Afternoons In Auburn - Spent laughing hysterically, swigging cider in the sunshine and inhaling out-of-this-WORLD home-cooked Nepalese cuisine. (Pictured above? Potato, mushroom and jackfruit - yes, jackfruit! Have you ever heard of this peculiar delicacy? I certainly hadn’t before yesterday! - curry. Pictured below? Rice pudding infused with cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. DROOL!)

Sydney city. (Who loves Sydney? I love Sydney!)

x Other Little Things - Boys who sport bow-ties (doesn’t my friend Chris look completely adorable in his?); Empire Of The Sun’s We Are The People (it and my iPod’s ‘previous/rewind’ button have TOTALLY been best buddies this week); nabbing a delightful wee plum frock for $39 (and on a side-note, isn’t plum such a glorious colour to wear during the colder weather?! I love it!); c-u-t-e-n-e-s-s (”I told him that I love you, Corrine!”); giggling on the train; bold, brave and brilliant posts (this is fantastic); and Sydney, Sydney, Sydney. I swear, I will never tire of this extraordinary city!

♥

Happy, happy Friday! (Uh, MONDAY!) How was your week?

xoxo

Leave A Comment

What The Frock?! : A Day In Watsons Bay, Sydney ♥

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:12:55 -0400

Now, I’m not a particularly fussy kind of gal, but when it comes to outings, I generally have one rule: new, new, NEW! I always want to explore somewhere that I haven’t set foot before (a little Turkish community on the opposite side of town? The CIRCUS?!), guzzle something completely foreign to my lips (mango lassi, anyone?) and I’ll rarely gobble at the same restaurant twice. (Manly Italian, you’re an exception, because you are s-c-r-u-m-p-t-i-o-u-s!)

So when one of my favourite people and I were planning an adventure together, I thought ”hmmm… what can we do? Sure, bowling’s more fun than an ice-cream covered in multi-coloured sprinkles, and we COULD see a movie, but… what have neither of us ever done? What’s different?”

Enter a day trip to Sydney’s WATSONS BAY!

The view of Sydney’s CBD from Watsons Bay. Squint and you can just see The Harbour Bridge on the right!

After catching the ferry (Watsons Bay is approximately a fifteen minute journey away from Circular Quay), we began our hunt for some local treasure. First stop? THE GAP. (No, not the clothing store. Teehee!)

The Gap is one of Australia’s most well-known locations. Yes, because it’s devastatingly gorgeous (just look at that ocean, would you? JEEZ!), but also because it’s just plain devastating - it’s actually notorious for being the city’s suicide spot (the area’s dotted with ”hold onto hope” notices), and tragically, many murders have also been committed there.

We strolled around, visited Australia’s oldest lighthouse, lamented our ability to venture INSIDE Australia’s oldest lighthouse (haven’t you ever dreamed of moseying around a lighthouse?! Ugh! I have!) and generally ooh-ed and aah-ed at what is truly a stunning suburb.

What I’m Wearing:

x Wanted’s ‘Prague’ combat boots (perfect for climbing over enormous rocks in!)
x Nasty Gal’s ’Clever Minx’ coat
x ’Ignite’ zipper dress
x ‘S’-pattern stockings (which were utterly destroyed - hole central! - by the aforementioned enormous rocks by the end of the afternoon. Oh, WELL.)

Delectable fish and chips from Doyles. (Which were absolutely heavenly, but since when was seafood traditionally accompanied by plum sauce?!)

Things I can officially tick off the (entirely non-existent!) ‘Activities I’m Yet To Complete’ list: ‘visit a NUDIST BEACH’!

♥

As we caught the bus home (hot tip: the last ferry departs Watson’s Bay at 3.50PM, so don’t buy a ‘return’ ticket like this fool unless you can make it back to the wharf in time!), we were weary, but so stupidly content. Can I recommend jumping on public transport and selecting a random stop to traipse through this week? You’ll have the BEST time!

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Choices ♥

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:24:57 -0400

To paraphrase the delightful Scooby Doo when he’s terrified… ”ruh-roh”! Somebody’s sporting their RANT pants today, and she-esh are they fitting celestially!

We all make choices, don’t we? Some super-duper (like deciding to whack fake bacon, tomatoes, dijon mustard and provolone cheese on bread… yum-o!), some not so first-rate (pizza for breakfast? Hmmm. Delectable, yes, but probably not the healthiest choice!) and some which are just plain ATROCIOUS. (Neon-yellow nail polish, I’m looking at you!)

But at the end of the day, they’re our choices, aren’t they? And if we’re not satisfied with them, we can change them to whatever we please!

I was nattering away today (ooh… poetry!) with someone about an unpleasant situation that they’re in, and truthfully? The conversation was breaking my HEART. This person is blindingly creative, caring and beautiful, inside and out… so why, I wondered (aloud), were they allowing what was happening to continue? For nearly TWO years?

“Whatever you choose, you might as well enjoy it. Because it’s your choice.”

- Dr. Shad Helmstetter, from his book Choices

Again, we all do questionable deeds (trust me, I’m no different!), and this is 110% not about judging anyone (Paulo Coelho once said “we can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It’s one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it’s another to think that yours is the only path”, and Iwholeheartedly agree!), but next time we’re grappling with a reality that we’re less-than-pleased with, why don’t we conjure up this image…

WAIT! That’s not it…

This?

♥

xoxo

Leave A Comment

A Thought For The Day... ''Why Fit IN When You Were Born To Stand OUT?'' ♥

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 02:16:26 -0400

And 29 OTHER marvellous morsels from the legendary Dr. Seuss! (Because who said your appreciation for Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and Green Eggs And Ham had to cease after your eighth birthday?! Pft. Not this monkey! Oh, and how superb is ”today was good. Today was FUN. Tomorrow is another one!”? New. favourite. motto!)

♥

xoxo

Leave A Comment

What The Frock?! : 27/05/12 ♥

Sun, 27 May 2012 11:42:08 -0400

At what point is something deliciously spontaneous or just downright… daft?!

As a dork who’s aware of ”stranger danger” yet preaches (and firmly believes!) ”life is short. Break some RULES! Be d-a-r-i-n-g!”, it can be wildly difficult to distinguish between the two.

Last Tuesday, a friendly-seeming gentleman asked me if I’d like to grab a beverage with him some time. Was he charming? Yes! Were his manners impeccable? You BET! But as the words ”so, I’m actually new to this area of Sydney. Whereabouts do you usually hang out? Would you like to go out for a drink?” tumbled from his mouth, my mind started hissing ”you don’t know him! This is only the second time that you’ve ever spoken to him! What is this madness?! Abort the conversation. Abort, abort, ABORT!”

”Um,”’ I lamely mumbled, frantically searching my brain for a non-offensive excuse, ”I actually work weekends. Yeeeah. Oh, I’ve got to go now. BYE!”

What I’m Wearing:

x Wanted’s ‘Prague’ combat boots
x ’CORRINE’ silver handmade nameplate necklace
x Nasty Gal’s ‘Clever Minx’ coat (purchased on sale for $34. Ooh la la!)
x Backless black dress (guess what?! This actually used to belong to blogging/styling virtuoso, Hayley Hughes. I received it from her at a clothing swap party last year!)

”He was kind of CUTE!” The woman next to me exclaimed, nodded approvingly. I smiled, giggled and anxiously slinked away, frantically babbling to my best friend the next day (Caroline, I love you!):

”But he was NICE! I’m always saying that you should try new things, right? And be bold? WHAT IF HE WAS TRYING TO DO THAT?! What if he thought ”okay, I’m going to take a risk and ask this girl out”, and I just ruined that? Oh my goodness, I feel like a jerk. WHAT IF HE NEVER ASKS ANYONE OUT EVER AGAIN?! Maybe I should have gone. Why didn’t I go?! Jeez. How can you identify the axe-wielding maniacs from the people who are genuinely trying to do something positive these days? @#&^!” (Phew. I’m sure there’s a queue of people just piling up to be buddies with me now… NOT!)

♥

As the stupendous Seal warbles in Crazy,”we’re never gonna survive… unless we get a little… CRAZY! No, we’re never gonna survive… unless we are a little… cccrazy!”, but what’s the difference between ‘good’ crazy and, as my beloved Christopher says, ”not just your average ”on the path to Crazy Town” kind of crazy, but ”I’m not just on the path to Crazy Town, I’m driving the freaking BUS!” ” crazy? Would YOU have sipped vodkas with him?

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Everybody's Got Their Something ♥

Wed, 23 May 2012 03:22:36 -0400

As Nikka Costa once crooned, EVERYBODY’S got their something. Nutty phobias? We all harbour them! Bizarre quirks, kinks and tales? Heck, they’re practically what make us UNIQUE!

One of my all-time favourite websites is Post Secret, an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard, because a) it gives people relief that they’re so, so not alone in their thoughts; and b) it’s a sensational reminder of how beautifully flawed (and occasionally… a teensy messed up) us humans can be. Here’s an interesting pick of the bunch!

HA!

Confession: I absolutely, totally and COMPLETELY do this, too. Well, I don’t miss them, but I frequently find myself gazing at strangers and thinking ”are they happy? What do they do? What makes them tick? I hope they’re happy!”

Sometimes, Post Secret’s just downright HEARTBREAKING…

(YES! I do this all. the. time. You can imagine how much people love *cough* shopping with me!)

Passive aggression. Yikes!

You see? There’s that whole ”heartbreaking” element again…

Now, I’m probably the LEAST judgemental muppet that you’ll ever encounter, but wow. To me, this is a splendid example of the slightly crazy… (I mean, who would willingly make someone feel that way?!)

You’re not!

♥

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Thank Frock It's Friday! ♥

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:21:14 -0400

If you’re clicking here for the first time, WELCOME! Every Friday we celebrate the fact that - ding, ding! - it’s Friday, and our favourite things (strawberry-flavoured pancakes? Wet towels?! Okay, it’s probably not the latter…) from the week that was. Here’s what I’m currently loving!

x Thinking”Ooh, I’ll Go To Oporto’s And Order A Vegetarian Burger!” After My Trial At The KB Hotel On Thursday Night - Then deciding ”no… I’ll be adventurous and sample a strange dish at the little Chinese joint on the corner.” (The Chinese was average - and I accidentally ordered a meal containing pork! - but if you don’t go, you’ll never know, right? Live on the edge a little. Take a different route!)

”Mapo Tofu” near Sydney’s Central train station. (Vegetarians, take note: ”mapo” must mean ”PORK”!)

x Partially Ticking Off One Of The Goals On My ‘Life List’ - Uh HUH! As I mentioned here last year, can I confess something to you? I FREQUENTLY dream of spending twelve months taking different jobs (waitressing? Teaching? Assisting in a circus?!) and writing about the experiences. Frequently, I tell you! (Because truly, wouldn’t you prefer to discover what a particular profession is like, rather than wonder? I certainly would!)

Well-ity well. Guess what?! I can partially scribble this goal off the almighty life list, because in addition to my copywriting hi-jinks, I’m now officially a casual bartender at The Garden Brasserie/Treehouse Cocktail Bar. A-h! I am LAMELY elated about this. The venue is sublime (think baroque wallpaper, fairy lights, bird cages as decorations and fancy-schmancy velvet lounges!), the staff are LOVELY (and the owner is 29. 29! Crazy/inspiring, hey?!) and I’m nerdily excited to learn a new trick or two. If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, come and say hi! Allow me to whip you up a drink!

x Other Little Things - Slurping on vodkas and laughing like a hyena with Chris at The Clock Hotel; ”my moral compass alarm bells are ringing!” ”Yeah, well… PRESS THE ‘SNOOZE’ BUTTON!”; meandering through the spectacular streets of Surry Hills (what. a. suburb);Tool, Tool, Tool (as in, the excellent band, and definitely not a hammer!); text messages from my sister (awww!); whisking The Mother away for lunch (we gobbled wedges and pasta and swilled wine. Good times!); and eagerly anticipating my British passport!

Suggestion For The Week Ahead

x Remember this little pearler:

♥

Happiest of all HAPPY FRIDAYS to you! How was your week?And do you ever consider experimenting with your career? The magnificent Melissa of Suger Coat It wrote about this very topic the other day (”’sometimes I think about the jobs a person can have. Could have. If they trained or studied enough. I think about the jobs that appeal to me. That are, in some ways, suited to me. Do you ever do that? Daydream about the possibilities out there? I do. And I made a short list. Jobs that I think I might like to do sometime in the next 60 years.

Photographer
Interior Designer
Travel Agent
Social Media Manager
Event Coordinator
Writer
Ikea Customer Service {They get a discount, right?}
Baker or Pastry Chef.”

, and I can wholeheartedly relate!

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Style Icons: 'Revenge's' Ashley Davenport/Ashley Madekwe ♥

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:20:41 -0400

Goodness I love Revenge. Have you seen it? Are you similarly smitten?!

It’s so clever!

But we’re not here to natter about Victoria Grayson’s infamous ice-cold one-liners (Lydia: ”I came to apologize.” Victoria: ”For sleeping with my husband, or for blackmailing us? I’m just not quite sure which apology I should be aiming my forgiveness at.” OUCH!) or Jack Porter’s adorable charm. Nooo.

Rather, can we take a moment to celebrate the astounding style that belongs to Victoria’s personal assistant, Ashley Davenport? It’s such a visual TREAT!

Take, for example, this bewitching sunshine-yellow/grey marle number. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I go to wear something grey, I’ll instinctively try to match it to another grey item. Bor-ing! CLEARLY this where I’ve been steering wrong.

And again: a charming coral top worn with a mushroom-hued skirt? Well I’d never!

It’s all in the details, isn’t it? You see, Ashley could have whacked on any old pair of gloves, but no… instead, she picks this glorious TARTAN pair! (And doesn’t the red from the tartan pattern work back beautifully with her red coat? Oh, Ashley. You GENIUS!)

Why wear a black slip under your favourite cocktail dress when you can don a marvellous red slip?

Or you could just bypass black all-together and slink into a delectable gold ensemble…

Who says that corporate attire needs to be boring? Not Ashley! Instead, she’ll just pop on a big, bright belt and strut straight back to business.

Or THIS. This. Ugh! The creativity of it almost hurts my BRAIN! (But in all honesty, there’s a superb reason why Ashley always looks so outrageously fabulous. Did you know that her character was specifically created for Ashley Madekwe, a real-life fashion blogger?! It was!)

♥

Ringer’s Bridget Kelly?

Law & Order’s Olivia Benson?

Seinfeld’s George Costanza?!

Which TV character’s sartorial sense are you currently swooning over?

xoxo

Leave A Comment

A Reminder: Magic Does Happen ♥

Tue, 15 May 2012 01:07:14 -0400

So there I was, just completing an obviously important task skulking around the apartment, bopping along to The Bee Gees, when I peered out my window and spotted something UNBELIEVABLE.

Was it weeds? Yes! (But come ooon. That’s hardly surprising, now, is it?! There is a garden out there, after all!)

Was it PIZZA?! No. (But cripes, that really would be shocking, wouldn’t it?! And delicious. Shocking and delicious!)

It was $20! $20!

It’d literally blown into my backyard, and I couldn’t BELIEVE it. I mean… what?! Since when do $20 notes just fall from the sky and land on the ground like that?! I’m still struggling to comprehend it, but one thing that I do know is…

Magic does happen. Honestly. Sometimes, we’ve just got to have a peek around for it!

‘♥

xoxo

P.S. This is absolutely my ”huh? THERE’S $20 OUTSIDE?!” face:

Leave A Comment

The Nitwit's Guide To Sock Buns: How To Do A Sock Bun/DIY Sock Buns ♥

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:15:34 -0400

Much like my non-existent flair for housework (me: ”I want to do something new today! Something DIFFERENT!” Tom: ”Hmmm, here’s a wild idea… CLEAN THE APARTMENT!”), I’m utterly useless when it comes to experimenting with excellent hairstyles.

Creating ultra-chic chignons? PLEASE! Twirling my tresses into elegant, elaborate braids? Well jeez, I’d love to be able to, but truthfully, I wouldn’t know where to start.

So when I heard about the almighty current hair craze that is the ”sock bun” (no joke, I’ve seen it mentioned at least three times on Twitter this week!), I decided to give it a whirl, and devise some so-simple-even-an-enormous-nitwit-like-myself-could-pull-it-off instructions along the way.

And here they are!

Kim Kardishian rocking ”the sock bun” (and some magnificent earrings and make-up!).

What You’ll Need:

x A pair of scissors (snip, snip!)
x A hair-tie/elastic
x Any old sock (if you’ve got one lurking around with a hole in the toes, PERFECT. Grab it! You’ll be cutting the bottom part off anyway.)

Step One

Remove the toe area of the sock with your trusty scissors and discard it, then roll the remaining length of fabric into a ‘donut’ (mmmm… donuts!) shape (as pictured above).

Now! Whip your hair upside down and gather it together, pulling it into a high ponytail (the higher the pony tail, the higher your bun placement), and secure it with an elastic/hair-tie.

Step Two

Place the sock donut at the end of your ponytail and pull your locks through the hole in the centre. Slowly roll the sock (along with your hair) down the shaft of your ponytail, starting from the ends of the hair, until you reach the base of your ponytail.

As you roll, continue tucking and spreading the hair under and around the donut/sock bun form (to avoid being able to actually SPOT your sock!). Note: this hairstyle is one that’s easiest to master with straight hair, but if you’re a curly-haired lass like myself, no problem. Just tidy up any loose strands with some bobby pins and a spritz of hairspray, and you’re set!

TA-DAH! One giant nitwit, and a sock bun! (Excuse the fluffy bathrobe I’m sporting. It’s positively arctic here in Sydney this afternoon!)

♥

What do we think of the ”sock bun”? Is this a hairstyle that you’d try?

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Have You Ever Wondered What It's Like To Complete A... Résumé Bomb?! ♥

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:07:46 -0400

It’s a scenario as enjoyable as imagining a world without chocolate (ugh, could you picture it?! ARGH!), but in all earnestness, take a moment to ponder this:

What would you do if you were unemployed? Despite constantly, actively searching for work? For a lengthy amount of time?

My dear friend Chris has been in this exact position for six (yes… six) months, and crikey, it’s NOT from a lack of trying. Résumé coaches? He’s hired them! Tirelessly applying for numerous roles in multiple industries? Oh believe me, he has been, and is! (A text message from Chris earlier in the year: ”so, I literallyapplied for 50 jobs yesterday. I’m going to smash this!”)

It’s been a frustrating time (and can you blame him?! Chris is intelligent, educated and one of the bubbliest, funniest people I know. Jeez, if I could afford to hire him, I would!), but on Tuesday, he cooked up a new game plan:

OPERATION RÉSUMÉ BOMB!

The idea? That we take to the streets of Sydney and ”bomb” businesses with our résumés, Samantha Jones-post-break-up-with-Richard style! (Do you remember this glorious scene in Sex & The City?! HA!)

Chris preparing for ‘Operation Résumé Bomb’. Staple, staple! (The running joke of the day? ”Angry creditors frothing at the mouth? Oh, well. HAVE A RÉSUMÉ! Removalists evicting furniture? Meh. HAVE A RÉSUMÉ! Building about to be pulled down? HAVE A RÉSUMÉ! Fined for littering paper around the CBD? HAVE. A. RÉSUMÉ!”)

We STORMED the retail and hospitality sectors, and guess what?! By the end of the afternoon, Chris had landed not one, but two interviews (high-five!), and I nabbed a bartending trial at The KB Hotel. (No, really! I completed it last night, pouring beers and serving the locals and EVERYTHING!)

The verdict? Never give up!

In the words of the wonderful Chris, ”don’t ”try”; succeed. ”TRYING” indicates that there’s a chance of failure, but not if you decide that failure is NON-NEGOTIABLE.”

♥

Have YOU ever completed a résumé bomb? Would you ever complete a résumé bomb? (And isn’t Chris insanely brave/brilliant for devising the idea in the first place?! Corporate head honchos, just LOOK at that initiative!)

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Thank Frock It's Friday! (Alright... MONDAY!) ♥

Sun, 06 May 2012 22:26:20 -0400

If you’re clicking here for the first time, WELCOME! Every Friday (well, today it’s Monday. Oops!) we celebrate the fact that - ding, ding! - it’s Friday, and our favourite things (scented candles? Vacuum cleaners?! Okay, it’s probably not the latter…) from the week that was. Here’s what I’m currently loving!

x Preparing To Move… To LONDON! - Squeal! Tremble! Squeal, tremble, squeal-tremble!

Now, I wish I had an exciting/remotely interesting reason as to why I’m moving to London to share with you. I mean, wouldn’t it be neat-o if I could exclaim that I was heading overseas to join a mysterious CULT? (Actually… probably not!) Or because I’d been offered to have high tea with the QUEEN?! Potentially, but the reality is far less entertaining!

I’m 24. I’ve been uttering ”I want to - no, HAVE TO - move to London one day!” since I was 21. I figured that if I didn’t do it now, then honestly… when would I? I do not want to be an 80 year-old with regrets! (Heck, I don’t even want to be a 25 year-old with regrets!) So with that, I made the decision to take the plunge, and I’m booking my one-way ticket ANY DAY NOW!

Will I be miserable and permanently cold and lonely? Maaaybe. Will it be impossible to find any kind of employment? Perhaps. But who cares?! I’d rather have an adventure than die wondering! (And besides, if it’s THAT awful, I’ll just take myself somewhere else. Scotland? Russia? China?! Anything’s possible!)

x Wriggling Outside Of My Comfort Zone - And leaving the house in an emerald-green mini-dress. (When did I become so gosh darn conservative? Around the time I started saying ”gosh darn”?! I have no flipping idea, but I was literally terrified to venture out in that ensemble! WHAT A GRANDMOTHER!) And leaping up when ”we’ll never be younger than we are now. Let’s get on that dancefloor and BOOTY GRIND!” is hurled at me. And signing up for beginner hip-hop dance classes. (Oh… my… goodness!)

x Other Little Things - Eagerly awaiting my first order from Nasty Gal (I bought this… and THESE!); big, silly smooches; The Pussycat Dolls (I know… HUH?! But my ears can’t stop listening to I Hate This Part or Bottle Pop!); drinks, winks and hi-jinks a-plenty at The Ivy; plotting shenanigans (what crazy new things can I try this week? Suggestions are extremely welcome!); picture messages (stuff traditional text messages. I’m obsessed with communicating through nonsensical photographs!); back-to-back episodes of An Idiot Abroad (fitting, as I plan on being one very, very soon!); and finally, SENSATIONAL lifestyle advice from my (equally sensational!) friend, Priyanka:

”You know, I’ve just started working full-time for the first time, and sometimes? Sometimes, I feel a little bit mopey about that. A bit bored. A bit BLAH. Life starts to seem slightly depressing, but you know what? I just CRANK Sexy & I Know It before I leave the house and dance around my bedroom like an idiot, singing ”GIRL, LOOK AT THAT BODY!” to myself in the mirror, and I think ”d-a-m-n… I am FINE… and I’m going to have a great day!”

Suggestion For The Week Ahead

x Follow Priyanka’s lead (really… isn’t she awesome?!) and bust a move first thing in the morning to an insanely upbeat tune. GO ON. I dare you!

♥

xoxo

Leave A Comment

What The Frock?! : 30/04/12 ♥

Tue, 01 May 2012 01:16:14 -0400

I’m not going to whinge about the construction that’s taking place at my apartment building. DAILY. From 7.00AM. For the next three months. No, no I’m not…

Oh-my-goodness-the-noise-is-positively-KILLING-this-night-owl-and-cripes, do-you-have-any-idea-how-brutal-it-is-being-woken-up-by-a-JACKHAMMER-every-single-morning?! I-mean, and-I-thought-the-sound-of-my-alarm-was-a-horrendous-noise! U-g-h!

Instead, I’m going to make like a monkey and leap all over the tradesmen’s scaffolding all afternoon… wheeeeee!

What I’m Wearing:

x Sportsgirl dress and belt (I nabbed this on ‘clearance’ for $30 last month, and I adore it! It’s pink! It’s FROTHY! I feel like some kind of demented ballerina in it! L-o-v-e!)
x SES crocheted cardigan
x Spendless Shoes heels (hey, big spender!)
x Second-hand cuff (guess what?! This actually used to belong to blogging/styling virtuoso, Hayley Hughes. I received it from her at a clothing swap party last year!)
x ’CORRINE’ silver handmade nameplate necklace, a sweet gift from my silly (yet loveable) friend, Jessy (after returning from a recent holiday to his hometown of Punjab, India, I couldn’t belieeeve it when Jessy presented me with this necklace! A close-up is surely needed. I wear it every day!)

Me: ‘‘Wait, what do monkeys do, anyway? OH! They make those ”ooh, ooh, AH, AH” sounds! AND EAT BANANAS! Look! Do I look like I’m eating a banana?!”
Tom: ”No… but you look like an idiot!”

♥

How are you spending YOUR day? Whatever you’re up to, I hope it’s a fun-filled one!

xoxo

Leave A Comment

Frock & Roll - www.frockandrollonline.com ! ♥

A Thought For The Day... ♥ ''Waking Up This Morning, I Smile...''

Postcards From Nepal! ♥

Greetings From Scotland! ♥

Richard ♥

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

- Unknown

Just A Wee (Travel!) Update ♥

NEW ZEALAND: August 23-August 31

LONDON: September 2-7

IRELAND: September 7-29

SCOTLAND: September 29-October 29

NEPAL: October 30-November 18

INDIA: November 18-December 1

What The Frock?! : A Day In Palm Beach, Sydney ♥

What I’m Wearing:

They're NEW! (Well, Sooort Of.) They're FUN! They *Don't* Cost The Moon & The Sun! ♥

Lanolips’ ‘Rose Balm Intense For Very Dry Hands & Nails’ Balm

Simple’s ‘Kind To Eyes’ Eye Make-up Corrector Pen

Fudge’s ‘Iced Coconut Cocktail’ Urban Hair Spray

Thank Frock It's Friday! (Uh... Monday!) ♥

What The Frock?! : A Day In Watsons Bay, Sydney ♥

What I’m Wearing:

♥

Choices ♥

“Whatever you choose, you might as well enjoy it. Because it’s your choice.”

A Thought For The Day... ''Why Fit IN When You Were Born To Stand OUT?'' ♥

What The Frock?! : 27/05/12 ♥

What I’m Wearing:

Everybody's Got Their Something ♥

Thank Frock It's Friday! ♥

Suggestion For The Week Ahead

Style Icons: 'Revenge's' Ashley Davenport/Ashley Madekwe ♥

A Reminder: Magic Does Happen ♥

The Nitwit's Guide To Sock Buns: How To Do A Sock Bun/DIY Sock Buns ♥

What You’ll Need:

Step One

Step Two

Have You Ever Wondered What It's Like To Complete A... Résumé Bomb?! ♥

OPERATION RÉSUMÉ BOMB!

Thank Frock It's Friday! (Alright... MONDAY!) ♥

Suggestion For The Week Ahead

What The Frock?! : 30/04/12 ♥

They're NEW! (Well, Sooort Of.) They're FUN! They Don't Cost The Moon & The Sun! ♥