Leaping into life.

Image from Pinterest

This whole year I have been to-ing and fro-ing with myself to make a life change. I wrote a little bit about it here after watching a video on YouTube. I have gone back and forth about whether I will like said change, whether I will miss my family, whether I am ready, whether I am worthy, what if I fail? When I get lost in a day dream thinking of myself working in my dream job, living in my dream home, I get so excited; like I have to pursue my dream or perish. Momentarily after, whilst still on a high,  anxiety and fear start to sweep in and pull the daydream from right underneath me. The fear of failure and self-doubt seep into my conscious and I revert quickly away from my fantasy and leave it untouched until I forget the feeling. Through encouragement of my family, friends and future 30-year-old self who doesn't want to look back on life and wonder 'what if?' I have decided to take the leap to chase my dream: to move to Sydney and work for a fashion or lifestyle/travel/food/interior publication, otherwise known as one of the hardest industries to crack. It's my dream and it has been since I was 12 years old and read an interview with the then Dolly magazine Editor Bronwyn Mccahon and thought 'that's exactly what I want to do'. I still do want to do that to this day and I need to honour this inkling I have had for such a long time now. 

To chase my dream I am moving 1000km away from my family, friends and boyfriend without a job to a new city that I have spent less than 7 days in at a time. I am lucky to have a lovely friend who has found me a room in her home and begged me to take this giant leap of faith. If you ask me today if I am excited for change I would say "Absolutely!". If you had of asked me two days ago then tears would have started streaming down my face from stress, anxiety and fear from the self-sabotaging doubt. I have been bit of a yo-yo of late because this whole experience is uncomfortable and I don't know what will happen. The planned and organised side of me is freaking out and the free spirit buried deep down in me is thrilled to be on the verge of something new and exciting. In five weeks time my life will be nothing like it has been for the last 22 years. It will be completely different. Instead of being overcome with worry and self-doubt it's time to be brave and throw myself at life, embrace what it has to offer and see where it takes me... I can't wait to share this new journey with you.

Ice Cream Sunday.

Jumpsuit: River Island

Ring: Numero 3

Shoes: Sportsgirl (old)

Sometimes there is nothing better than getting a little dressed up and heading out for something fun, like ice cream. This particular ice-creamery isn't like any other ice-creamry though. This is special gelato, hand crafted perfection from a little Italian man who has a degree in making this specific dessert hanging on the side wall of his store. Everything is made from the finest ingredients sans crappy additives, preservatives and the like. In case you're wondering this place I speak of is called My Gelato.

Nursing the overhead of a late night the night before, all it took was one mouthful of the creamy chocolate brownie gelato to bring me back to life. By the time I made my way down to the hazelnut praline, Nutella and white chocolate concoction I was floating on a sugar-charged bed of clouds in my favourite weekend jumpsuit.

DIY: Jar succulents.

I make no secret of my love for Pinterest. It's inspiration, ideas and everything in between keep me coming back almost everyday. Recently my friend Megan re-pinned and told me about the cute mason jar succulent DIY she had made. It wasn't until today when I was out shopping for another project that I found this jar in a two-dollar shop and remembered the aforementioned DIY. I headed to Bunnings to pick up a succulent (as well as that cool pink cactus) and some pebbles before making my way home to put it all together. First put a hand-full of pebbles into the bottom of your jar, add some wet soil on top of the pebbles and then your succulent in its soil on top. If you keep the soil wet then it will stop it from falling down into the pebbles. Give your succulent a spritz of water every now and then using a spray bottle. And that's all! Cheap, easy and effective way of adding some greenery to your bedroom, living room or kitchen!

In The Kitchen: Apple, Mint & Rhubarb Pie

Lately when doing my Saturday Farmer's Market shop I have been picking up these gorgeous bunches of rhubarb and fresh mint. Not putting two and two together I would use them separately; the rhubarb on my granola and the mint in salad and smoothies. I got to thinking of what I could make if I used them together and just like that the Apple, Mint & Rhubarb Pie was born! I tried to keep everything as simple and as easy as possible - using pre-made shortcrust pastry is definitely the biggest time saver here. All you really need to do is chop everything up, combine, cover and bake. It really is as easy as pie! 

It tastes just as good, if not better than I had imagined in my head. Serve warm (or cold if you like) with some thick custard and a green tea for the perfect spring after-dinner treat!

> Click here to download the full recipe

Orange sky.

Top: Zara (similar)

Shorts: Zara (similar)

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Bea's Jewels

I can never pass up a trip to Zara when in Sydney. Heaven help me when I eventually move there! This shirt and pair of orange shorts were from my most recent trip and I have been relying on them both together as an outfit and as separates ever since I got home. Both pieces have been playing key roles in bridging the gap between spring and summer - shorts are perfect for weekend picnicking and the shirt works wonders during the working week.

On another note, how hard is it to focus on driving when there are all of these amazing flowers in bloom everywhere?!