Tagged: me

LOVE MELBOURNE

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Langridge Street, Collingwood


I have a bit of a confession to make...I am not in love Melbourne. Alex calls me ungrateful and she is right. I don't not like it but well, I don;t love it like I am supposed to. Maybe I have travelling fatigue as I have lived in so many different places and I am hopelessly in love with Cape Town and London and even Perth to an extent because it holds my two greatest loves being my family and an incredible coastline.


The truth is, I have never given Melbs a chance. I came here depressed and was depressed for the last two years. Yawn! I know! Another depressed creative right? I hate to be a cliche but not even I can escape being generalised. I enjoy it here and I have made some incredible friends and I don't even hate the weather so it's not that. I literally have not made the effort because there is no reason why I shouldn't love this incredible city. The rest of Australia adore it! It is like everyone's sweetheart. As far as music, art, food, fashion and architecture go, Melbourne is the one.


Lately, I have been watching a lot of Woody Allen flicks and I have been inspired by the weird little twerp. No, I don't want to move to New York...I'm not that predictable. What I do want to do though, is have a love affair with my city just like he does. So today, instead of using my car or getting the tram back from the city I decided to walk. There was method to my madness because I had a brownie for breakfast and I could do with the exercise.


Now that everyone has an iPhone and instagram everyone is also a photographer...including myself. And I will be using these tools to document this burgeoning love affair. I urge you to try and find the silver linings in your own city if you can't travel. Trust me, they're everywhere! You just have to pay attention.




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So much green in Carlton


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Gertrude Street, Fitzroy


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I sent one


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CBD


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I liked the colours


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So 90s


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Hole in the wall


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Waiting for sushi


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Why the long face?


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Number 10


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All hype, no substance


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Stairs and carpet in a doorway


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Splat!


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The grass is always greener


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Red brick wall


 

The obnoxious owl experience

Hello! As I type this I am suffering from the first hangover of 2013. I tried to lay off the booze for as long as I could but when you are having a great time with your buddies and things crop us I just figure life is too short to not throw caution to the wind from time to time. I'm not really suffering to be honest, I'm just a little tired and sluggish but I am happy and content, somewhat of a contradiction I know, but its the truth.  I have also been keeping up with my Domestic Owl project and baked cookies for Australia Day, chocolate loaf for a dinner party and cupcakes for a friends baby shower. This baking lark makes you a bit popular and also a little tubby. There always has to be some thing hey?

I have been going out a lot, even when I don't really feel like it because I am feeling as though I may be missing out on opportunities if I don't. Not really a fear of missing out all together but more because I am trying to suck the most out of day like I do when I get to the end of a tube of toothpaste. I just want my moneys worth I guess.

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Australia Day Cookies - Cookie cutters from MATCHBOX


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Me in the nature! Warrandyte in Victoria to be precise


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Goats Chevre from Meridian Dairy courtesy of the lovely Elesha 


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Peach Melba by the lovely Shantel


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Victoria Street - Lunar Festival


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Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the snake! sssssssssssssss


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Sugar Cane Juice - pretty delicious but tooth achingly sweet


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Salt and Pepper Shakers gifted to me by Evo Hair Products...thanks guys!


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Nigella's chocolate loaf cake. So dense and fudgy and delicious


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Mid week Jessie Ware gig


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Two fresh new pairs of VANS


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Roses from the top to the bottom


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Dabs Myla Show at Metro Gallery running till 9 February


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It's a real mini piney!


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Beautiful furniture in Shantel's home


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Beautiful eats in Shantel's home


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Melbourne roses


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Domestic Owl cupcakes for Jazzie's showering of the baby


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Pink/red hair? You decide

The Obnoxious Owl experience: Perth for Christmas

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Scarborough Beach


I went to Perth for the holidays because my parents, sisters and dogs live there and also, my family from Cape Town came over for an Australian holiday and I haven't seen them in years. I went from living alone to living with ten people and I loved every minute of it! Of course I fought with my mother, burnt my nose despite using sunscreen and ate too much but through all that I fell in love with the city that has a population of five. It was my first landing when I arrived in Aus and whilst it might not have as much to offer in the way of nightlife, restaurants and um, anything reasonably priced. It has a lifestyle that our Northern Hemisphere mates only dream of! Which is probably why they are all bloody there.

I am really happy in Melbourne but I am not against the idea of eventually ending up in a little cottage beside the sea in the most isolated city in the world. I have been a little depressed over the last two years, I won't lie. I have put it down to not enough sun and not being near the ocean enough. My grandad has been cursed with Parkinsons disease and while he is not very old he can hardly walk or talk as the disease is slowly ripping through him. My dad, brother-in-law and cousin carried him into the sea at sunset the night before I left and he swam with all of us, his family, for ages.

That night he had a spring in his step and a glow about him that none of us had seen in ages. The sea can do that to a person. When you are out there you feel so insignificant. Your problems seem to evaporate and seem petty as you struggle against the waves and battle to comprehend the sheer vastness of that body of water. You practically feel like you have been baptised when you eventually get out. It seems to wash away doubt and make you feel almost brand new.

Yes I'm a hippy now.

Here are my instagramz from my trip back to Western Australia. Instagram in my camera! I should think about getting an actual camera but really...I don't see much point. I have a little Mini Diana which I have been using as well. Either way, I have been capturing my moments.

Follow me on the gram: obnoxiousowl (obviously)

 

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My old street in Northbridge


 

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Windy day at Mullaloo


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The best house on the street in Carramar


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Palm trees in Mount Lawley


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Penny from Peggy Sue's Hair Salon


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My new do thanks to Peggy Sue


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Sunset at Mullaloo - look at those rays!


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My best friend and I at Summerdayz


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M.I.A at Summerdayz


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Tanning and reading at Scarborough


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Biscuit! She belongs to my sister


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Amplifier Bar! A Perth institution


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Pillows at Neon Pony on William Street in Northbridge

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Sandy feet! Towel by Pendleton


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Dancing up a storm


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One Piece by Pulp Kitchen Clothing


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Frangipanis in Mum's garden


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In Dad's hammock listening to Ella Fitzgerald


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A beautiful end to a beautiful day at Mullaloo

My beauty essentials: the summer edition



Owlies I love the ocean...like love it. Living in the middle of the city has its advantages but living near the sea ain't it. I also adore summer and all it's trimmings. The smell of coconut oil on the beach, people are happier than usual, white wine suddenly tastes fine and when you are bronzed you look thinner, fact! Before I get to the consumable beauty essentials lets talk the beach! My sisters laughed at me when I did this last week but I was laughing last when I had a complexion to rival the latest edition of Photoshop! When you go for a dip in the sea, take a little of wet sand between your hands and GENTLY massage your face and body with it. After rinsing off with saltwater before taking a cold shower then dousing yourself in a rich body lotion and a good nights kip you will look a hundred bucks!

But now onto the most important thing after Sangria this summer....sunscreen!

 

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This one by Neutrogena is without a doubt the best I have ever used and growing up in the Southern Hemisphere, I have used a few! These are the things I like about a sunscreen: Factor 30 TICK! Light and non-sticky on the skin TICK! Waterproof TICK! Comes in a mist for easy application and so that you don't need some chump to put it on for you TICK! Reasonably priced TICK! This guy has it all baby. And don't be put off by factor 30 because you will still tan you just won't burn. And I was very aware of burning this summer because I have recently become a red head and did not want to look like a lobster. Can you imagine?! However saying that...

 

 

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I do like me a bit of Reef Sun Tan Oil because summer just wouldn't be summer without something coconutty and I only use this on my legs because legs just don't tan do they? My rule is 30 from the waist up especially the face and 15 SPF from the waist down. This concoction served me well and I came out looking like this #nofilter

 

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Ok maybe some filter but no make-up! The hashtag should have been #startledexpression

 

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To keep that tan going use Palmers Natural Bronze body lotion. It gives you a nice golden glow instead of a Lisa Simpson glow, it smells nice and it dries fast! Definitely the best on the market...the supermarket that is. I think I may have mentioned this before? Oh who cares, I'm telling you again because its good OK?

 

 

G041259 Terracotta new light pourdre bronzante


 

 

More bronze shizz and it dun come cheap! This, my friends, is by the French house Guerlain and it is their Terrecotta Bronzer which has become a bit of a cult beauty product amongst those in the know. And I'm in the know. It cost $85 (!) but I bought it in October and have used it everyday and I still can't see the silver - if you know what I mean. It is worth every dang penny because it makes you look sensational.

 

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This is the first time I have bleached or dyed my hair ever! Ok, I have put a box colour on from time to time to hide the three errant greys but it washed out two days later.  This time actual bleach was applied. I am legit! Anyway, since I dyed my hair in the summer and am a water baby, a lot of it faded after all the chlorine and salt water. I highly recommend Fudge Paint Box as it literally does what it says on the can or in this case, tube. This in only one of my colours, there are four mixed to make this baby and I'm not giving you the recipe because I feel half of my appeal is maintaining an air of mystery. (I just can't remember)

 

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Still on hair, I snapped this picture in my bathroom of my fave Evo styling products.  The Mister Fantastic makes styling WAY more easier by allowing texture in freshly washed hair and the Love Touch makes your hurrr shiiiiiiine like a brand new penny! I absolutely love Evo products. They are quirky and quality and quick! The Queen of haircare! QQQQQQQ

 

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Lez talk nailz. I no longer sport acrylics! I know I know, but they had to come to an end eventually. Instead I rock a very short, blunt nail in vivid colours. This time I chose this Esse number in 'bikini so teeny' because I base nail varnish purchases 50% on the name and the other half on the colour. Also, it goes great with red, don't ya think?

 

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Enjoy your summer!


x

little red corvette

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I popped my hair cherry today...literally!  This is the first time I have ever dyed my hair and I gave Bee from Peggy Sue's Salon here in Perth free reign with the only guideline being that I wanted to go red.  As you can see, the girl hooked me up with a zesty cherry red.

If you ever manage to get an appointment at this salon when you are in Perth grab it with both hands because Bee is a hair wizard and she dyes your locks to the sounds of Fleetwood Mac.  I had such a great day.

It's crazy how one change, one day, one tiny experience can alter a bit of perspective. I'm feeling all inspired and fuzzy inside and looking forward to 2013 and returning to Melbourne.

 

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‘tings on my radar


Babes on Grill


Alicia Twohill has been killing it for quite some time now and then I tasted her Japanese inspired burgers at the Retro Markets in Melbourne 2 weeks ago and I can see why!  Yes, she is Melbourne based.  Hey buddy, I used to live in Perth! I KNOW how bloody annoying it is to hear 'Melbourne this' and 'Sydney that' when you live anywhere else but these two cities but hey, such is life.  Check out the Babes on Grill write up in Broadsheet this week.  Woop! I do love seeing girls on the hustle! Except prostitutes obviously.

 

Learning to roll a joint 


I can't front...I have no idea how to roll a joint.  This is mainly because I hardly ever buy my own weed.  I'm more of a 'I'll have a toke if it's going around at a gathering' kinda person.  I never actually keep any in the house. Until now!  Last Friday night I was having a very pensive and very self indulgent lone night in listening to er, Moby and decided to skin up. Well what a fucking disaster that was.  How I actually managed to get blazed from that piece of shit joint is beyond me.  I intend to learn though, it is my mission.  The only reason why I could even roll something that was sort of ok to spark up is because I searched youtube for a 'how to roll a joint' video and landed on this gem by Wiz Khalifa.



 

Vans 


Unoriginal, I know, but they look cute!  Especially with dresses and they are also reasonably priced.  Even more reasonably for me because I need to wear children's sized ones.



I went to the Vans party last week and was given these customised beauties.  Pretty fly huh?  I luz them.



Then I got sent these leopard ones! I have seen these all over the 'gram and I know every asshole has a pair but I don't care! Tammy (check) Leopard Print (check) Vans (check) - it's a no brainer really.



Ah. Then there are THESE.  Kenzo for Vans and I got them sent from Paris to my friend in Portugal who sent them to me in Melbourne and I tried them on and guess what?  They are too small. This is crazy because shoes are NEVER too small for me.  These are a Ladies size 6 and I need a 6.5 apparently. So guess what?  I am selling them. $100 and they are yours! Just hit me in the comments.  $100 - brand new - Size 6 - and they are sold out on Opening Ceremony where they are $125 so this, my Owlies, is a bargain.  Plus it is breaking my heart having to flog them so if you hate me a bit you get some added satisfaction.

 

Blueberries




 

These blue bastards are like $23 for a punnet during winter! I know I shouldn't be shopping in supermarkets and should be heading to the grocers and what not with my wicker basket on the weekend with the rest of this fucking city but in my life, convenience often trumps most things which, I will admit, has probably been my fate since I can remember.  Anyway! As I type this it is 22 degrees outside even though it is 10pm, I have mozzies biting me on the ass and all the windows are open i.e. summer is upon us which means the cost of blueberries go down! I have read in several places that they fight ageing so between eating kilos of these and my Oil of Olay I am gonna look 21 for the rest of my life.  Hoorah!

 

Cynthia Richards 


This song soothes the pain.

A little light reading for your Sunday night.



Love is a pretty selfish emotion when you think about it.  Romantic love anyway.  We only put it out there in the hope that it will be returned because as much as we all want 'to love' we all want to feel that love back.  Man, what an unfair burden to put on another human! That is why people get animals...for that no brainer, unconditional reciprocated affection.  You can count on the fact that at least once a day a living thing will be happy to see you.

I always thought owning a pet was a bit obnoxious (ha!) until the other day I picked up a puppy because I was hurting inside and it felt good.  It was similar to that immediate relief you get when you burn your finger on the oven and stick it under a cold, running tap.  Except you know you have to switch the tap off at some stage and walk away and the minute you do, the pain will be back.  It's the kind of pain you can live with, but you'd rather not.

Do you think it's why humans are conditioned to want children?  To create little, tiny versions of ourselves that we will love so unconditionally which in turn helps us to learn to love ourselves?  Maybe.

The Beatles said 'All You Need is Love' but does it matter where you find it?  The Bible tells us that we all have it within in the form of the Holy Spirit...I guess thats where it starts.  'Like attracts like' according to the laws of attraction.  Happy people who like themselves usually attract other happy people.  So if you love yourself then you will probably attract someone who will love you?  That sounds a little unfair to be honest.  Thats a bit like a millionaire winning the fucking lottery!  What about all of us who don't love ourselves that much and need validation in someone else's affection? Hey? What about that?!

This is why God made cheese. And red wine. And $10 dresses that fit like they were made just for you.  I love all those things.

 

My Homeland


Within my soul, within my mind,
There lies a place I cannot find.
Home of my heart. Land of my birth.
Smoke-coloured stone and flame-coloured earth.
Electric skies. Shivering heat.
Blood-red clay beneath my feet.


At night when finally alone,
I close my eyes - and I am home.
I kneel and touch the blood-warm sand
And feel the pulse beneath my hand
Of an ancient life too old to name,
In an ancient land too wild to tame.


How can I show you what I feel?
How can I make this essence real?
I search for words in dumb frustration
To try and form some explanation,
But how can heart and soul be caught
In one-dimensional written thought?


If love and longing are a “fire”
And Man “consumed” by his desire,
Then this love is no simple flame
That mortal thought can hold or tame.
As deep within the earth’s own core
The love of home burns evermore.


But what is home? I hear them say,
This never was yours anyway.
You have no birthright to this place,
Descendant from another race.
An immigrant? A pioneer?
You are no longer welcome here.


Whoever said that love made sense?
“I love” is an “imperfect” tense.
To love in vain has been Man’s fate
From history to present date.
I have no grounds for dispensation,
I know I have no home or Nation.


For just one moment in the night
I am complete, my soul takes flight.
For just one moment… then it’s gone
And I am once again undone.
Never complete. Never whole.
White skin and an African soul.


...
Copyright Michelle Frost ~ 2001

The Obnoxious Owl Experience

Wait hold up, I need to put on some hand cream..................thats better! God my skin is dry as Hell.  WHERE IS SUMMER!? Winter was cool and all but it played serious havoc with my skin.  I hate to be one of those moaning people going on and on and on about how much they miss summer like 2 weeks into winter but we've paid our dues so it's time for that sun to show us who is boss and restore my hide to it's lustrous, tanned, non-dry self!

 



 

About 2 weeks ago we did have a particularly good weekend and I decided to haul ass to Bunnings and get some of that Jasmine that smells so wonderful.  I also bought a yellow watering can that is pretty shit but it looks cool and thats what counts and yes that is a camo broom. It looks like I am spending money willy nilly but I assure you I am not!  Broom = $2 from Victoria Street, Watering Can = $5 and Jasmine + $10 for two pots....great courtyard = priceless.  I have put myself on a serious budget actually because I have decided to become a grown up and actually stay put for once and invest in furniture and maybe even a house....eek.  Just typing that made me bust out into hives.

 



 

I have taken this budget to new heights by purchasing a box of wine.  $14.00 for 4 litres yo!  And it doesn't taste like balsamic one little bit!  I am not going to sit here and pretend that I know my wine because I don't.  I just know what tastes good and what doesn't and this tastes just fine for 15 bones.  Plus how can you turn down the extremely sophisticated aesthetic of it perched on top of your fridge guarded by Posh Spice? I know, you can't.

 



 

This is my living room from the same weekend I copped the Jasmine.  Yeah I know I went on about how shit the weather is but this weekend was a complete fluke! Eurgh, I've spoken about the weather for like 10 minutes now, where the fuck do I think I am? England?!

 



 

This was me today changing my sheets and pretending it was warm outside. How good are clean sheets?  How boring is this post so far?  How good is that skirt?  I bought it in 2001 in Leicester, UK from the Indian markets and its still going strong!  Look at Elvis peeking over my shoulder...oh hai boo!

 



 

This is my little monochrome collage I started in my living room.   When I used to travel heaps I used to buy black and white postcards.  I bought the John Lennon one in New York in 2002, the lady putting on her stockings is from Paris, the man on top of the Empire State Building from New York obvs, the weird black and white line thingo from Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand only a few months ago and the bottom right is the bridge in Lisbon.  In the middle is a photograph of my nan and her dad on her wedding day. I love black and white.  I always dream of an all white errrthang house with lots of clean lines and a big white fluffy sofa and bed to match but then the little 'ol thing called my personality comes into play and bursts of colour make their way into everything.

 



 

Such as this outfit.  Wait! That is actually predominately black and white...oh well, you know what I mean.  The other day someone wrote about me on their blog and they called me 'visually bonkers' haha! Lord, I hope she was talking about my clothes and not my face.  I have worn these low black chucks to death but Converse is the little black dress of the shoe world.  Converse All Star till I die.

 



 

Look at this rose I saw two Sundays ago! It is so near perfection it doesn't even look real.  It looks like it should be on top of a wedding cake.  There is probably a tiny fairy sleeping inside it.  Ah, I was in such a joyous mood when I took this photo.  I think I have put all my emotional eggs in one persons basket lately.  When that person is nice to me I am on top of the world like the queen of the castle! But when that person is not so nice, I feel like a bird did a poo on my head and then I slipped on a banana peel and everything loses its shine and I feel so heavy, you know?  Do you guys get like that? It's not even the other persons fault that you care so much so there is nothing much you can do other than drink 4 litres of $14.99 wine and paint your toes neon pink.

 



 

Heres to the sun shining and not letting the buggers get us down! Have a good week Owlies...keep in touch x