Lets get lyrical

It's Thursday night. So here are some super sweet lyrics for all the lovers out there.

Notes on turning 27 and not having a license.

Or, adulthood, you are doing it wrong.

Next month I turn 28, and in a reflective moment, I realize I have accomplished a lot in the last year. Most notable and perhaps shocking to all who know me, I finally got a drivers license.

Yep. Until 3 months ago, I couldn't drive. Most people hear that and think I am joking. But Im not, and I don't think it is that crazy. Is it?

In NZ you can start learning when you are 15. And at 15 Mum and Dad thought it was too early. I wasn't that bothered.
At 16 I had no interest in driving.

At 17 my grandmother bought me a road code and learners L signs. And I half arse read the book but forgot about it.

For the next few years I was at uni, and didn't have the money for a car or gas so it wasn't important to me.

I nearly didn't get an intern job at 22 cos of the license issue, so I started casually learning in a work truck. But that didn't really interest me.

In Perth we lived 400 m from work, and there was an excellent public transport system. So I didnt really feel the need.

Then we got the news of a transfer to the States, and the stupidity of putting off the license process started getting to me. So I started lessons. And then I got busy with the move and the weddings. So I think I did a total of 4 lessons.

Why was I putting it off you ask? Was it pure laziness? Fear? A rebel way of sticking it to the oil business? I don't know.  More than likely it was a combination of factors. That, and I remember my Dad teaching Mum how to drive our manual car. The therapy from that experince is still on going.

It's not that I didn't want a license. I hated that we didn't have such a basic level of independence. And I hated explaining it to people. And feeling embarassed. But the longer I put it off the more scared I became to try and get it. Look at the idiots on the road. It wasn't whether I could drive safe, cos what is stopping some idiot hitting me.

So instead of learning in Pukekohe, at 17, where there are NO traffic lights, and about 10 000 people, I ended up learning in a city with a total popultion of the whole of New Zealand, with high ways that can reach up to 14 lanes across. Oh, and they drive on the other side of the road.


I had three lessons with our driving instructor, who was like, a saint. I was so wound up when we did our first lesson.
Albert said to me "What is something you are really good at?"
Rob answered, "she is an amazing cook"
Albert said, "what do you like to cook?"
Rob said "she makes a great roast chicken"
and Albert said to me "The first time you cooked it, I bet it didn't turn out well but you practiced and now it is great. That is how you have to look at driving."

And I replied, "But chickens can't kill you". And burst into tears.

Fast forward to a few weeks later, when I sat and mysteriously passed my license test in August. I hopped out of the car and jumped up and down like a maniac. A completely liberating and exciting feeling swept over me.

"Shit. I can go and buy Maccas when I am hungover now".

Yep. I am an adult and I have a drivers license. Go me.
Taking care of business. 

Tigger. Our wee beast. He is a car that is large at home, but here he is tiny!

Excitement!

For the last wee while we have been planning our trip to Paris in November.. I have been collecting images on Pinterest. Oh Pinterest. You are awesome.

Today we booked a day trip to London and a day trip to Geneva. I am so excited! I can't wait to have some mementos for my European travel memory box!

I remember learning about the TGV in French in high school, now I get to actually take a ride on one.. The photos from Geneva all look so pretty, I can't wait to see the Lake.

And London was Rob's choice, he has always wanted to explore.

So we are pretty excited we poppets this evening. Hope y'all are having a nice night too!

Grand Canyon Trip

These are from our trip this weekend past to Las Vegas! Enjoy.

This is my second time using my new camera, I am loving it!

Lake Mead

An ancient Volcano above Lake Mead

Hoover Dam

Rocky landscape

Coming up to the Canyon

Sediment and drainage patterns

Hoover Dam and Colorado River

Three states in one photo. Nevada, Arizona and Utah.

The cliffs opposite our picnic spot

Looking upstream

Lake Mead and the edge of the Canyon in the background

Day dreaming

Roberto in the Canyon

Gotta love lichen

Happy little badgers in the Canyon

Lake Mead

Wait.... No Fall?

So I learned a sad thing yesterday.. 

As the blogging world goes crazy for Fall, with photos of golden leaves, pumpkins and cardigans, I am sitting here sweating in Houston. A friend told me that there isn't really Fall in Houston, just a kind of humid, cloudy month or two and then one day you notice it's cooler and then it's winter. 

Bugger.

So, I have taken this as a challenge to seek out Fall (or Autumn) as we call it in Kiwi land. I am on the look out for any sign and will be letting y'all know in a series affectionately named, "Fall, where are you?".

If any of you know places in Houston that I might find evidence of Fall, please let me know. It seems that in going to need all the help I can get. 

This is what I am looking for.. We shall see. Source.

 

Etsy Love - This weeks want list!

These are the things I have been wanting this week.. just in case anyone is buying!

Let me know what you think!

1) This is the sweetest little clutch.

Etsy Store: Dandyrions

2) These would look so good in our house!

Etsy Store: Dish Reincarnation

3) How cute are these for a nursery wall?!

Etsy store: Field and Flower

4)This dress is just astounding. I am in love.

Etsy Store: Vintage Frocks of Fancy

5) How pretty are these earrings? I love the soft color!

Etsy store: Liperla Handmade Glass

Brilliant Etsy Purchase

I love this Etsy store!

The Little Canoe

So many colors, hand painted flowers, creatures and people's. 

Lol, I love this!

Here is a super cute card I bought for my darling to say thanks for being a champ when my wisdom teeth were taken out.

The card for my main meow.

Check them out! 

Here are song of my favorite things! 

I just adore this beautiful wedding card!

I love Narwhals. And mugs. What a perfect combination.

I bought one of these cards too, so pretty!

Photos from the Little Canoe website. 

Throwback Thursday - Perth Friday mornings

I'm in class today thinking all about my mornings off I used to have in Perth...

A long walk through Kings Park. Wandering along the Swan River river in the sun listening to my music. Then a green tea in the shade.

Bliss..

Here are some of my favorite shots from those mornings.

My camera's name is Betty.

So, here is my pretty new camera. And my super fantastic camera purse. 

I have spent years considering buying a DSLR.

The things holding me back

• Size
• Weight
• Camera bag
• I feel like if you have one its kind of a target for getting mugged
• Makes you look like a tourist
• Scared of what the lenses mean
• Not sure how to use it

Here is how I see things currently

• I just got a super cute camera purse
• I can totally learn how to use it
• I can find out what the lenses mean
• And mostly, I want to take good photos. Clear photos. Wide angle shots. Portraits. Shots inside. Shots outside. At night. At dusk. On the road. In the park. 

I have spent months asking people about cameras they have used in the past, are using now, have heard about. After much umming, aahhhing, googling, I chose a Nikon. 

I got a bundle deal and that included the camera body, an 18-55 mm lens and a 55-200 mm lens. And they all fit perfectly into my bag with room for my wallet, keys, camera and a wee bag with make up. 

Here is a link to my super awesome new camera bag. I love it. The camera guys in the store couldn't believe it was a camera bag, I was positively beaming with excitement haha.

Etsy Picks - What I am coveting this week!

Here are my top picks of the week.. Have a look and let me know what you think!


1) Cherubs - this super cute crocheted cushion from Dunn With Love


 


2) Home Decor - I just adore these handmade felted rugs at Native Craft Nepal






3) I am in total lust with this dress from Bess Georgette
It is my new favorite vintage clothing store!

 



4) Accessories - I am buying a camera just so I can buy this strap from Leslie Studio









5) For the house - I absolutely love the ceramics at this store, they would be fantastic gifts. Check them out  here

Throwback Thursday - Engagement Party

Thinking about our super awesome engagement party today.. It was two and a half years ago now, but it was the best day and night! Surpassed only by our two awesome wedding days. We are so lucky!

Here are some shots that I am loving, what a good day and night.

I did some cute DIY crafting to make the glass bottles and serving plates for the party.

A long walk along the beach with two of my bridesmaids in the morning. A chat session and feast at the Fig. And then off to pick up our cupcakes, and lots of cooking and organising.

And then lots of laughing, drinking and happiness having. Plus, I freaking love my dress!

xo

Our yummo cupcakes. Scrabble tiles saying R + S.

Some of the yummy food. I took a bunch of old bottles and wrapped calico and ribbon around them.

I love these two cuties!

Some of the feast. Liz and I had been collecting vintage dishes for weeks. I used a hot glue gun and some old glasses to turn them into elevates serving dishes. They looked so cute! Check out the beautiful cookies that Liz made!

Uni Pals.

Us x

Lady love

Ladies.

Love this egg.

Uni gang.

T came all the way from Canberra for the party!

Beautiful Kel :)

I miss you Charlie x

Love with Trace