Happy Wednesday all! I started writing this on Tuesday, and I truly thought it was Monday, my bad… you’ll find out why in a sec haha.
A lesson I learnt…
I went away to Lorne to camp with some friends this week. What was supposed to be one night turned into three because I simply did not want to go home. I had the best time. So Tuesday was my Monday haha. But the reason this is a lesson is because I was so truly relaxed, it made me reevaluate my life in a BIG way. I need to take more time off, I need to actively seek out adventure, and I need to remember the beauty in simplicity. All of these things are hard for me to do. The feeling I have now is similar to ‘post concert depression’, I used to feel immensely sad after a concert because they were the most fun and enjoyable things I could ever imagine doing. The holiday has left me with plenty to think about that is for sure. If anyone has any advice on this I would love to hear it!
Content I enjoyed…
I haven’t consumed all that much content this week, but given the significance of the date I thought I would share this post about why January 26th is not the date to celebrate.
Book that appointment you’ve been putting off. For me, it was finally using my new referral to see a new psychologist. It’s a painful process but I need to do it for my future self. What’s a task that’s been hanging over your head for far too long?
Happy Monday, friends! Today I start working at my new job. I will be there full time until uni is back in late February. It is going to be a big change but I am trusting this week’s lesson and believing it!!
Read the first and second newsletter’s if you’ve missed them.
A lesson I learnt…
I struggled to decide on just one this week lol. Not a lesson per se, as I struggled to put anything into words, but a piece of advice: don’t put it down, put it back. This has been my number one New Year’s Resolution and honestly it’s pretty cool to see how it’s changing my life.
Content I enjoyed…
This piece about slow-burn romances was such a lovely read, and has made me excited to read Conversation Love which I bought recently.
I got back into running this week (using the Couch to 5K app) and I like to listen to podcasts when I run. I don’t really listen to them if I’m not on a walk or run. I loved having Culture Club back in my ears. I cannot believe the PR stunt we are seeing unfold between Kayne and his girlfriend… rich people do crazy things I guess lol.
I also listened to and loved Gretchen Rubin’s Happier episode on her 22 for 2022. I enjoy both this list-style making of ‘resolutions’ and the notion of leaving one blank to come back to throughout the year. I might actually post mine once it is complete. See Gretchen’s template here.
Something I recommend…
I finally got around to watching season 2 of Bump on Stan. I adored season 1 in 2021, so rewatched it before beginning the second season. It was just as delightful. You truly need to make time for it, especially if you’re into Aussie TV.
Did I nearly forget to write this post? Yes. But am I here now? Also yes.
I have had a lovely trip away to the beach, and plan on getting my life in order before I’m back to juggling all my jobs at once next week. And by in order I mean cleaning my room and watching Bump on Stan. That’s it lol!
I also got my booster shot! Melbourne friends, I went to the Royal Exhibition Building. It was such an efficient process, don’t be scared of the lines it moves so quick. They will give you the booster 3+ months since your last vaccination dose. Fabulous!
A lesson I learnt…
I wouldn’t say I have fully learnt it yet, but I am in the process of it. Nothing changes if nothing changes. I have been stuck in the vicious NY dialogue of ‘new year new me’ except lol my behaviours haven’t changed so why should I expect to feel / look different. I am committed to change but at the same it seems exceptionally scary when I have no one to blame but myself. If I don’t do the work, it is my fault, ya know.
Content I enjoyed…
I mentioned this list in last week’s newsletter, and today I present the list I made myself. It doesn’t have to have meaning for anyone but you, and it’s a really fun twist on resolutions.
Something I recommend…
I have been in SUCH A RUT when it comes to reading. I have had one book on my bedside table for the better part of a year and whilst I enjoy it in the snippets I do read, it’s not gripping me. So I went to two bookstores and bought a few new reads. Did I need them? No. But did the magic of the book stores reinstate the joy of reading within me? Absolutely. I smashed through one of the books in one day. It was an easy read, but exactly what I needed to feel the love of reading again. If you feel the same, you should consider a trip to bookstore just as a fun activity. You don’t have to leave with anything physically but maybe a little bit of inspiration will come home with you.
Off the back of the recent Black Friday sales, I have unsubscribed from SO MANY company emails. I spent a solid few hours of my life scrolling through my inbox, selecting ‘I am no longer interested’ and subsequently deleting the follow up emails from the brands, ‘you have been successfully unsubscribed… was it a mistake?’
NO I DON’T WANT TO BE MADE TO BELIEVE I NEED YOUR PRODUCT BECAUSE IT IS ON SALE!!!
Now, majority of the emails I get in my ‘promotions’ tab are ones I actually want to receive. And these are mostly newsletters. I am currently subscribed to
Eli Rallo’s – Salt and the City
Gyan Yankovic’s – She’ll Be Right
Shameless
Kirstie Taylor’s – Words with Kirstie.
The Broke Generation’s – Money Mondays.
I love the format of newsletters, they feel personally and like a fun bonus piece of content. I thought that the rebrand of ROLLY Mag would be content in the form of a newsletter. But I have put that idea on hold for now, because the 1) commitment and 2) I don’t feel like my newsletter has a place. Like what would I be adding to your life? I’m not sure… yet.
It is a goal of mine, but I don’t think it’s ready to be executed just now.
Instead, I am challenging myself to a newsletter style blog post, once a week every week for the summer of 2022. That’s 8 posts in 8 weeks after a 5 month hiatus! Can I do it? Who knows… especially considering I did mean to start this in December but legitimately forgot about it, yikes.
Nonetheless, let us get into it!! This will be the format of the newsletters.
A lesson I learnt…
Content I enjoyed…
Something I recommend…
——
A lesson I learnt… I feel like I learnt about the complexity of friendship at a very young age. And let me tell you, it hasn’t gotten any easier. I told my (then) psychologist that I feel constantly disappointed by my relationships and she suggested that maybe I am just ‘unlucky’. Yeah… that hurt a lot. Something I have been learning consistently throughout 2021 is I need to put myself first. I heard the quote ‘you have to disappoint others before you disappoint yourself’ and it goes against every fibre of my being but I am trying to put it into practise.
Content I enjoyed… I am just going to link here to the last Week Latte I posted (which was an accumulation of month’s worth of links). Enjoy! Week Latte x
Additionally, I want to show you this In / Out list by Queen Eli Rallo, I’m trying to make my own but need some suggestions!
Something I recommend… I had a girls night at Ho Chi Mama CBD followed by Moulin Rogue The Musical and it was so utterly fantastic. The pad Thai was *almost* better than my local (nothing has ever come so close) and the show was just fabulous. Visually alone, it was such a treat. You must experience both.
This post has been in my drafts forever, but I will kick off with a nice little reflection piece about heading into 2022. In 2022, take your time.
Now, the rest of this post is basically just a love letter to Refinery 29 Australia.
How hobbies have become the ultimate humblebrag: I am genuinely insecure about my lack of hobbies. Yes I like to bake and read and blog but i don’t do any of them consistently. So that doesn’t make them a hobby, surely?
I’ve been going on a lot of walks this lockdown, and am therefore listening to a lot of podcasts to entertain me on my mission for 10K steps. Here’s some of my fave listens of late.
After Work Drinks: This episode on ‘The Panic Years’ was such an insightful conversation. I am lucky to be a few years off from this but it definitely makes me feel more confident heading into this next stage of life.
Culture Club: Two Melbourne gals having a chat about life – I often find new entertainment recommendations through Jas and Maggie (recently, the book Small Joys of Real Life and the TV series Starstruck).
The Undecided Gen Z: I half heartedly watched The Bachelor this year, but this podcast version of The Bachelorette filled its place, and the some. So entertaining, but oh my gosh pulled on the heart strings!
Beauty IQ: Hannah + Jo + Katie Jane Hughes, need I say more? What a dream team. Basically the founding members of the Weleda Skin Food Love Club.
Covid cancelled my 21st but I’m secretly relieved– We have all missed out on a milestone during covid, and mine was my (and all my friend’s) 21st birthdays. I can’t say I was relieved not to be able to celebrate but relieved not to have to plan the party? Yes. A thoughtful piece nonetheless.
An incredible article about how fake tan reinforces problematic beauty standards. This is relatively new concept to me – I always thought it was an innocent practise. But the images of Ariana Grande shocked me.
I really want to try these lippies from the new Ulta3 collection after reading Emma’s review.
I have quite a few Tower28 goodies in my collection now but haven’t got around to sharing a review – Floating in Dreams has you covered if you’re curious about the lippies.
Jaz has made a beautiful series using the Glaminatrix You Beauty palette – I really need to try their shadows!
Being back at uni really kicked my butt and I think that sums it up. However, this month I did clock up my second in-person blogging event which was SO fun!
Listened to
You may know I have a little crush on Thanasi Kokkinakis (hehe) – which is why I started listening to his podcast interview on Ordineroli Speaking. It was fantastic to hear a platform that encourages vulnerability from sportspeople in regards to mental health and adversity.
Ate
I went to the Footscray Ice Cream Co and got the raffaello flavour and the kinder bueno. OH MY GOSH! Delicious.
I also tried Taco Bell for the first time and it was so fun, I just wish it was closer to me! Or maybe I don’t haha, I would buy it all the time.
Did
Not all that much apart from uni and work tbh. But I did have two noteworthy events at the end of the month…
Sundae Launch Party at the Osbourne Rooftop where I met @_curatedbyleah and @skincaresavvy (among others!) Such a good time!
Foresters and then Lantern Lounge for a 21st – cool vibes.
Read
Nothing, apart from uni readings and even then, barely. My inconsistency with reading is annoying me.
Watched
Lots of old vlogs from Zoe Sugg, on the back of her pregnancy announcement. Consider me obsessed.
I’ve had this sitting unpublished in drafts for the whole month of March and April lol but it’s finally here! I didn’t fill out the ‘ATE’ section and now I can’t remember so lol we miss out on that.
February started off strong, as I knew it was my last few weeks of ‘freedom’ before uni started back on the 22nd and I wanted to make the most of it. We had a little blip in there with the snap lockdown, but we are out the other-side!
Listened to
Instead of connecting to Spotify, my car connected to the music on my phone randomly. The stripped version of Perfect by 1D came on wow it reinvigorated me. Good times.
Did
I managed to get a fair bit of fun into the first half of the month before lockdown began. A few friends and I went to Trinket for their bottomless pizza and cocktails one Saturday afternoon. It was delicious and really good value for money.
They only do this for lunch sittings and it was so good. Trinket is a really luxe, Gatsby-vibe bar on Flinders Lane that is just as magical at night as it is during the daytime. Oh, and the bathroom is PINK! Epic. We got crepes from Harajuku Crepes at Melbourne Central afterwards. Delicious.
The food was very delicious and generous. However, we thought we would be able to pick any drink (as the website didn’t say otherwise) but it’s actually a set menu of four different cocktail jugs to choose from. This worked well for us but just something to keep in mind.
Daisy and I also caught up in the city to do some shopping and go to Byblos (on @strictlysal’s recommendation). It was a really fun way to try a lot of different items and everything was so tasty.
We definitely ordered too much food but who can blame us when there are so many tasty options?
My highlights were the watermelon Spritz (non-alcoholic) and the halloumi salad.
On the last day before Melbourne’s snap lockdown, I met my fellow West side blogger gals Doreethy and Azra as well as Wendy for the first time, and we went for dinner. we tried Madam West because the IG vibe was cool. They were super busy, and our food was a tad underwhelming but it was nice to try.
Not much happened for the rest of the month because of work and uni. But I did manage to visit a new local cafe for brunch which was a nice discovery!
I also got really sick one weekend which knocked me around quite a bit. I’m lucky it was sorted quickly but it reminded me that if you don’t choose to take rest days, your body will choose them for you. Because of that, my plans calmed right down for the last half of the month.
Read
Olive by Emma Gannon
I found it so hard to get into this book, despite the fact that I loved the concept. The characters were unlikeable and all sounded a bit selfish in my opinion… but I was talking to a friend who did enjoy it and she said it was kind of the point. It showed us that we are all so involved in our own lives that we can miss important things happening with our friends.
I trudged through because I wanted to finish the dang thing and I was disappointed. I would love to read more on this topic but in a more enjoyable book-universe.
I found this review that sums up my feelings pretty well too.
I thought the book would explore the concept of choosing to be child free in a more emotionally intelligent and sensitive way – instead it really did feel like Olive was researching and deceiving for the sake of her article. I was hoping she would get what she deserved (some accountability at the very least), but instead it was a neatly tied up ending.
I also wonder if I had too many expectations for the book. I was hoping to read it and feel a sense of decision or at least feel heard. Although Olive and share a lot of the same views, her overall nature was nothing I could relate to.
Watched
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 3
My friends and I have done a Galentine’s viewing of this series for the past two years, but this year it was done virtually thanks to lockdown.
I thought it was a nice way to end the series, but I’m sad it’s over. As always, the set design and wardrobe was heavenly. I was pleasantly surprised with the more grown-up plot in this movie too. Big fan.
However it’s funny that three years ago I was literally obsessed with Peter Kavinsky and now, I really don’t vibe him lol. Cute nonetheless.
Happy Friday! March was a very spendy month for me thanks to the Priceline, Sephora and various Afterpay sales. Lots of new makeup has been added to my collection so I took inspo for that when compiling the IG post… enjoy these pretty shots and links! x
Why I broke up with my fantasy self – I think this is such an important read, especially during a time of ‘romancing’ our everyday life is really taking off post/during-pandemic. (Which is a concept I generally love but can be misleading too.)
You may know I have a little crush on Thanasi Kokkinakis (hehe) – which is why I started listening to his podcast interview on Ordineroli Speaking. It was fantastic to hear a platform that encourages vulnerability from sportspeople in regards to mental health and adversity. (Ctrl C + ctrl V from my Monthly march post hehe)
It is bonkers to me that last year I did Couch to 5K… I could run 5K??? ME??? lol. Anyways, I would love to get back into running, and this post from Rachel was inspiring.
The past few years have certainly glamourised being a ‘boss babe’ and ‘the hustle’. I know it’s certainly ingrained in my thinking. It is SO hard for me to say no to work. I’ve got another 50+ years of work ahead of me. I know it’s not healthy. But work/business equates to success in my head. I loved Leigh’s article, and I want to learn from her and stop myself from getting burnt out. But a small part of me still thought ‘oh cool would her life at the magazine have been?!’ despite the fact it lead her being hospitalised. My stupid brain STILL glamourised that. Hustle culture is TOXIC!!! Any advice for a brainwashed Gen Z?
Funnily enough, shortly after writing this, look what popped up on my Pinterest. This is a mindset I can get on board with!
March marked a new season, and for the first time ever I paid attention to how the change of season would effect my makeup. Katie Jane Hughes talked to Elle about transitioning your makeup from summer to fall (autumn for us Aussies!) in 2019, a few tried-and-true KJH tips can be found here.
I also liked this info graph to remind me of subtle ways to tweak my makeup. I wish I could rock a matte, berry lip but it’s not happening haha. I do think I could play with some orange-y tones on the cheeks though!
Zoe and Alfie announced they are having a baby and it excites me beyond belief. The gals on the Culture Club Pod discuss it, as well as life expectations and parenting bloggers in general. Fun!
I saw this on Pinterest and the well-loved highlight from this palette makes me want to buy it agh lol.
Priceline had their half price cosmetics sale this month and whilst my haul was a bit lacklustre, I loved seeing what you all bought! Azra’s swatches make me want to collect all of these Revlon palettes ha!
ROLLY Mag 