Magical Mary

Love them. Adore them. Smitten with then. The Danish Royal Family, that is.

Especially 'our Mary'.

Ten years of marriage and look at them now. Those children are beyond gorgeous. And I love that they're part Aussie!

I'm a Marketing girl. I have brown hair. I'm practically Mary, let's be honest. So why are the boys I speak to in pubs total jerks and not Danish Princes?! What is your secret Mary? 

Did you see their other anniversary portraits? Stunning.

I want what she's having!

Putting the fun in run

We did it! 

Bree and I conquered our first 8km run in the 2014 Mother's Day Classic on Sunday.

I am so proud of our efforts - I ran the whole way without stopping and even mastered the Anderson Street Hill. I think I even overtook someone at some stage! That NEVER happens!

It was an early start on Sunday and I was sick with nerves, but Bree and I got into our zone, talked about random things (like my date on Friday night) and cranked up the beats (Florence and the Machine was a fave as well as Daft Punk. And Zac Brown Band for a bit of country!).

I am not a natural born runner. I don't have a natural technique and I look like such an unco, but Bree fired me up a few weeks ago and made me believe that I could do it. She is so determined and inspiring and I'm glad I've got her to give me the kick up the bum when I need it. Luckily, we run at the same pace and it's so nice to have that constant to your right. Makes the hour fly and full of fun.

We smashed it in less than an hour (it's not about the time, people, it's about the achievement) and are looking forward to our next fun run.

Who would've thought!?

Lemon

TGIF friends!

It's been a good week, and it's going to be a great weekend.

Taking inspiration from one of my favourite TV characters Lemon Breeland and am going to reeeelax this weekend. I might get a manicure and sleep in and watch some catch up TV. I might even do some blogging - shock horror!

On the more active side, I'm also taking part in the Field of Women on the MCG on Saturday, and running the Mother's Day Classic with the fabulous and inspirational Bree. That girl can run. And I kind of 'joggle'. So it's going to be interesting. I've never run 8km in my life #whatwasithinkingsigningup?

Luckily I have my new iPhone arm band so I can look the part on Sunday. And I have some hot pink shorts I might pull out. Or not. Let's not scare the other runners. Stick with black Kate. Black is safe, black is slimming. Hot pink earrings will be enough.

I have also just received the gorgeous Adore book (the birthday celebrations continue!) from my friend Kelly and it's sensational, can't wait to flick through the colour on the weekend. Looking forward to the launch party on Thursday! Then we're all signed up for the Adore Shopping Tour next weekend, can't wait!

Wish me luck on my run!

May I have this one week

It's May! Hoorah for one of my favourite months of the year.

 I love it for a number of reasons:

- My Mum's maiden name is May
- May is my niece's middle name (Ruby May, isn't it the sweetest?!)
- My birthday is in May
- Dad's birthday is in May
- There are some gorgeous autumn days in May
- It reminds me of New York

- It's Mother's Day and I can disguise something I really want as a present for Mum! (Case and point with the Windsor High Tea Voucher for two I suggested Dad buy her for her recent birthday. It's in Melbourne so I guess she'll have to take me!)

Is that enough?

It's been a whole year since my 30th birthday celebrations with my parentals in New York. How time flies.

The pic above is of me and Mum on the High Line on my birthday (this coming Saturday, people!). Look at us rocking the pink lippy (that one's for you, Tina!). Take. Me. Back.

I love birthdays. I know lots of people who shy away from them, but as Janet on the Real Housewives of Melbourne put it: "Birthdays are great, if you're not having them any more, it means you're dead"

Mensa candidate, that one.

Anyway, I'm indulging in a typically Kate birthday festivus this week. A friend told me I was OTT and expecting too much from my friends, but people, it's a choose your own adventure. Join in as much as you want, or just stay out of my way if you're not in the mood.

In a time of missing airplanes, tropical cyclones and rugby players becoming paralysed, I think a little happiness is allowed. I don't have Valentine's Day, anniversaries, baby's cuddles or simple things like a kiss when I get home from work, so I'm going to cash in on my birthday. 

It kicked off on Sunday with a great top of the table win by Port Power. Then I saw Sam and Kochie at Southbank on my Monday morning walk. I made chocolate hot cross bun bread and butter pudding for my housemates on Tuesday night (recipe to come, stay tuned). Then my work birthday morning tea was yesterday. Today is very low key, best sort out something to do. Tomorrow night is birthday drinks with friends and then Saturday is a cracker. My housemate is taking me out for breakfast, then dear Flavs is taking me out for a pedi and lunch. Perfection. Dinner is at a Moroccan restaurant with my nearest and dearest in Melbourne.

So readers (all three of you), please let me have my week of indulgence and self-importance. It's nearly over. You can breathe a sigh of relief.

Love from your spoilt friend xx

Wombat stew

 

Ob. Sessed.

 

Love these kids.

 

And I'm also loving Sunrise's Sophie Hull. Isn't she gorgeous? She's following the Royals around for Channel 7 and has so much style and spunk herself. And am I the only one that thinks she looks a little like the Duchess? I think she's great. Love me some 'real' TV personalities - she and Sam Armytage rock my news world*.

 

 

*Cue the haters. I know Sunrise is no ABC 24 hour news, but I like it. It's entertaining and light hearted and I still know more about current affairs than everyone in my office each morning. And while I'm at it, I also watch The Project. So there.

 

Imaginings

I can't believe I missed it.

Two days ago, on Monday 14 April 2014, I celebrated one year of living in Melbourne. That's 365 days since I turned my world upside down, grabbed life by the balls and took a massive leap of faith.

I decided to live the life I'd imagined.

And I haven't looked back.

Well, I have. Lots of times. There have been tears, sleepless nights, periods of self doubt.

But I've made it through and lived to tell the tale. And I'm proud that I've stuck it out, I didn't run home when the going got tough (even though I'm sure Mum and Dad wanted me to!). I dug my heels in and persevered. I was self-aware enough to know when I was out of my depth but I refused to play the victim and took control of my own happiness.

And it's been so liberating. I am SO happy, so grateful for the opportunities and the love and support of my Melbourne family. I feel young and full of hope and there's a bounce in my step. 

I have no idea what the next year holds. Hopefully some love as that part of my life still eludes me. But it doesn't hold me back, it doesn't define me. It's just something that could only make my already pretty fabulous life even more wonderful.

Cheers to me and my one year in Melbourne anniversary #ifidosaysomyself

Did you hear?

 

Did you hear?

 

 How am I the last person to find out?

 

Kate Spade is coming to Australia.

 

Hello Sandra Sully with the late news.

 

I'm beyond excited, ecstatic, I'm lost for words.

 

She's opening her doors tomorrow . . . in Melbourne. Yes, Melbourne. Where I live!

 

After much anticipation, Emporium is throwing open its doors and welcoming a bucketload of international designers to our shores. Uniqlo, Zoo York and Brooks Brothers are just some of the big names to be settling into my 'hood.

 

So much fashionable fun to be had in Melbs of late. I haven't even been to H&M yet, and am still in 'tourist' mode whenever I walk through Zara's doors. But Kate Spade? My mecca, my safe haven, my happy place. Only 15 mins away from my office and home. Too much. I'm giddy.

 

Such good timing with my birthday only two weeks away. Friends and family, you know what to do.

 

xx