Lessons Learned

Yep.  I'm doing it again.  If, through my clumsiness and lack of common sense amongst other things, I manage to provide valuable advice to someone (without them having to go through the learning process itself which is quite often painful, time consuming or embarassing) then my ramblings will have served a purpose.

So, without further ado...

1. Avoid facial exfoliant granules in the eye area at all costs.  Not only is this extremeley annoying and painful, the red eye aftermath can lead to numerous stares from strangers as they try and work out whether you are a) part zombie, b) suffering from pink eye or c) just really "hiiiiiiiiiiiiigh" (seen "Knocked Up?" then you get it.  If you haven't, you need to.)

2. Never get to the point where you get to thinking that you are "too cool" or "too rich" for the $2 shop.  There are bargains in there beyond your wildest dreams and piles of potential just waiting for you to pick them up and get creative.  I had boycotted them for a while believing them to be "full of crap".  Whilst the crap:cool ratio can quite often be in favour of the former, every now and then you stumble across something fresh and funky.  Just give it a go.  Go on.  Don't be judgmental.

3. When the strawberries in your garden are ripe, pick them immediately.  Stand at the window and watch them ripen if you have to because otherwise some scheming, sneaky little bird will swoop down and devour the loveliness for themselves, leaving you with nothing but remnants of juicy red sweetness and a broken heart.  (Two strawberries down....)

4. Just because you watch Project Runway does not mean you will be New Zealand's Next Top Seamstress.  You will need patience and practice and nimble fingers (of which I have none).  But I'm not giving up!

5. Listening to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will actually make you feel like a superstar.  Their sounds have been my theme music this week.  Whether I've been hanging out washing in my pyjamas or hitting the pavement in an attempt to finish christmas shopping (note: attempt) it has been my source of inspiration.  It's kinda hard not to strut while listening to them actually.  (I have just now thought that maybe people weren't staring at my red eye, but rather my strutting in time with music they couldn't hear...) I strongly recommend.

6. The joy and satisfaction of eating a salad made solely with the greenery in your garden is somewhat depleted if you notice a slug on your plate just as you've taken a forkful into your mouth.  Note: do not trust boyfriends to do the washing part of salad preparation.

7.  No matter how many hints you drop at your boyfriend that maybe he might like to go clean shaven for a change, he will not pick them up and he will not become beardless.  He will, however, if he is asked to be a unicycling clown in a christmas parade and wants to get his face painted.  Boys...

Lessons Learned

My mind has been working overtime lately.  Serious over time.  Working over time and not even getting paid for it.  What's that about?  As a result of this excessive contemplation, I have reached a new stage of enlightenment.  (Clearly not ACTUAL enlightenment, but I feel I have my feet on a higher rung of the ladder towards ACTUAL englightenment, so to speak).  I thought I would share with you some of the things I  learned this week.

1.  Don't bake cakes after 10 pm.  You will most probably be tired, sit down, have a cup of tea, read other peoples blog posts and forget about it.  The cake will turn out dry and you will just get mad.  Tiredness + bad cake   = unnecessary anger.  (Hypothetically, of course).

2. Do not underestimate the power of a matching set of underwear.  Fact: I did not own a matching set of undies until three nights ago.  I always felt it was too expensive and whenever I toyed with the idea of branching out, the old "who sees my underwear anyway?" argument always came back to haunt me.  But I did it.  And they are awesome and I feel wonderful.  Go buy some.

3.  If you have a pair of shoes with holes in, fix them or bin them.  Because if you don't, you will go to put them on and then sigh in exasperation that no, the shoe fixing fairy did not magically come and visit you since last time you put them on and yes, they do, in fact, still have a hole in them.  You will get mad that you didn't deal with this problem earlier, but still wear them, entertaining the idea that maybe the hole isn't all that bad, and then you will get sore feet and get even madder.  Sort. It. Out.  (Again, this is hypothetical).

4.  If you need to go to the doctor, GO.  If you are anything like me, and have been putting off a visit to the medical experts because you are too a) tight b) scared c) lazy or d) all of the above, then bite the bullet and just go.  Trust me.  You will feel SO good afterwards.

5.  It is actually possible to fall in love with an item of clothing.  I shouldn't have gone in there, I knew it would change me.  Emporium is a new vintage store in the centre of Christchurch and lordy I am in love with a dress that they have (actually, if I am to be totally honest, there are three dresses.  And one pair of boots.  And maybe a necklace also.  But that's it.  Truly.)  This dress in particular was calling out to me from the rack, virtually radiating with awesomeness that I picked it up and just stared at it longingly.  That is, until the shop assistant came over and said "are you ok?" but not in the "are you ok?" tone meaning "can I help you with anything?" but more the "are you ok?" which was actually inquiring into the status of my mental wellbeing.  I had to stammer, red faced "ah, yeah, your shop is awesome" and then back away slowly.  Dammit.  I'm going to have to go back in disguise now.

6. Decluttering is extremely therapeutic.  I did not realise exactly how therapeutic until this week.  I feel so much better and excited about the organisation of my work space and wardrobe.  (And the prospect of making new stuff and adding new outfits.  Which hopefully will not result in REcluttering).

7. Walking is the shiz.  Don't get me wrong, I've always been a fan of the waewae express.  But I rediscovered the simple joy of the solitary stroll this week, seeing as my bike is currently out of action (needing new tyres).  Walking in the sunshine, alone with my thoughts, has been a valuable meditative exercise.

I am feeling a bit better about everything this week.  Long may it continue.

Happy Saturday everyone.

xo