HAPPY HUMP DAY.

It is grey, wet and pretty darned miserable here today, so when I saw this, I couldn't help but share :)

I'm sure you have all seen a few of the funny little letterpress cards created by Sapling Press floating around, but if you haven't, you can find this one here.

Also, if you need a a pick-me-up, definitely check out dearblankpleaseblank.com (the inspiration behind the cards). I have the app on my iphone and it never fails to make me laugh :)

Happy Hump Day x

DON'T HOLD BACK.

I was having a browse through some of my fave blogs this morning, and came across this post by the gorgeous Francesca at Opinion Slave.

She shared this link to an article written by a palliative care nurse, where she talks about the most common things her patients would have done differently, if they had their time again.

I loved the article (thanks so much Francesca!), and wanted to share it with you as well. It moves me to be able to learn from those who are looking back.

(I put together this picture for me to print out and put on my wall; feel free to do the same if you like. Just click on the picture for a larger version) xx

TIMES LIKE THESE.

How was your weekend, loves? I was a teeny bit worried that it was going to be rainy (like last week, sad face) but luckily for us, it was mostly nice and sunny :) We are trying to squeeze the most out of the warm weather while it's still around, so on Saturday we road tripped it to the beach for the day. Later on for dinner, we were feeling kinda lazy, so we went out for takeaway. At the verrrry last minute, I remembered it was earth hour that night! We ended up having a candle-lit dinner at home with takeaway-- we're pretty romantic, right? ;)

On Sunday afternoon, we went along to the Foo Fighters charity concert at the riverstage-- they were AMAZING! It was a really, really nice night out-- outdoors, the night sky, awesome live music and my love :) Afterwards, we spontaneously stopped in at the Pancake Manor (it's an old church that has been converted into a restaurant and it's open 24 hours, woohoo!). Waffles with chocolate sauce and icecream-- mmmm so goooood. It got crazy busy just after we got there, so I'm pretty sure everyone at the concert had the same idea as us.

Hope your Monday has just flown on by xx

PHOTOBOOTH FRIDAY: ROUND TWO.

Happy photobooth Friday! Just me this time-- Ok, so I'll admit it... I kinda forgot about taking more photos during the week. Whoops.

So what are you up to this weekend, kids? We don't have too much planned yet, except for Sunday night-- on a whim, we bought tickets to the Foo Fighters charity concert held here to aid flood victims. How generous is that of them? It's outdoors at the riverstage and the weather has been super duper warm and clear the last few days (winter? what's that?) so hopefully it sticks around for the weekend :)

Here is a cute little quote I found today (here) and wanted to share... although I'm not too sure about the "eating more chocolate" part, I'm pretty sure I eat enough as it is! Happy, happy weekend xx

DEAR DIARY.

Ever since I was a kid, I've had a thing for diaries-- in fact, I remember getting a a pink plastic one, complete with a lock and key, for Christmas when I was about 8 or 9. I think there's just something nice about writing down memories to keep for later. Although-- I was also quite a consistent journal-keeper during my late teenage years, and I'm p-r-e-t-t-y sure I don't want to read back through those again!

These days, it's kinda hard to find time to write pages and pages in a diary very often, so I was excited to discover this memory book. It's meant to just write down a couple of lines each day, and lasts for five years.

I have just ordered one from here (free worldwide shipping, hurray!) and I can't wait to get started :)

image source: urban outfitters.

AINT NO SUNSHINE.

As I mentioned on Friday, Patrick and I were lucky enough to spend the weekend away at the coast. Unluckily for us, it rained. All. Weekend. Long.

BUT-- despite putting a dampener on our plan to spend the days frolicking in the sunshine and ruining my hairstyle (my bad... honestly, who even bothers 'doing' their hair when it's pouring cats and dogs outside?)-- it was still so nice to have a mini break. I l-o-v-e that holiday feeling :)

Oh, and we did manage to ride some rollercoasters (yay!) and find a new favourite restaurant (it's called JFX, and if you love Japanese food: DO IT. The staff were so warm and friendly and made a huge impression on us).

PS. How was your weekend?

xx

PHOTOBOOTH FRIDAY: ROUND ONE.

I've decided to play Photobooth Friday (have a looksie Amanda's post about it), and share a couple of Photobooth photos from my week.

Kinda had a hectic one this week (phew! it's over!), so there's just one photo today-- it's me and Totoro. How cute is he?

PS. What are you up to this weekend? Patrick and I are very lucky to be spending a long weekend away at the coast, and I can't wait to do some relaxin'. We think we might also use our VIP passes and spend a day at Movieworld, so long as the rain holds off! Fingers crossed, I lo-o-o-ve theme parks :)

PPS. Does anyone else always extremely over-pack, even when you're only going away for one weekend? Gotta be prepared for ANY situation right? ;)

Happy weekend xxx

LATELY.

LOVING:
selflessness and kindness (even when it's not easy); iced green tea cafe au lait and steaming hot chicken karage ramen, on a spontaneous date night with my love; easter yummies (yep, a little early... but do I mind? nope!); sunshine outside when it's forecast to rain; an awesome sale right when I'm looking for a new handbag (yay!); BBQ's with friends.

LOOK AT THE STARS.

Of course, the topic of conversation since Friday never strays very far from Japan, and the continuing earthquakes and fear of tsunami. I follow Novita from very purple person on twitter and she shared this link of Japanese tweets (translated into english) earlier today. Very heartwarming :) -- and definitely worth a read (this is one of them, above).

It has completely amazed me the last few days how dignified and calm the Japanese seem through all of this x

LOVE & PRAYERS.

I'm sure by now, you've all heard about the earthquake and tsunami which occurred in Japan yesterday. It is beyond devastating and breaks my heart. We had dinner over at our friends place last night, and couldn't turn off the news, the images were so mind-blowing-- but now, I almost don't want to know what's going on because it makes me so sad. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it and felt so disturbed. Honestly, there is just something not quite right with the world right now.

We are all thinking of you, Japan xx

sources: our camera.

I'M DREAMING OF.

What are you up to this weekend? We actually don't have any definite plans, so I'm really looking forward to having one of those "wake up when you want to" weekends. You know, the kinda morning where you just get up when you get up-- not at a certain (early- ugh) time cos you have to be somewhere or do something. The thought of it makes this Friday afternoon bearable :)

Hope your weekend is happy xx

PS. These beautiful and dreamy prints are available here--
sixthandmain, your photos are amazing.

TAKENAKA.

I have mentioned it plenty of times before, but just incase you didn't already know: I pretty much love most things Japanese. Yep, give me some yummy Japanese cuisine and Totoro and I'm a happy girl.

So the other day, when I came across the portfolio of Takenaka, a Japanese designer & illustrator in Osaka, I nearly died. Not only is it anime style (those huge eyes - so pretty!), but I am in love with the moodiness in every illustration.

I loved just about every single piece in her portfolio, but here are just a few of my very favourites:

LATELY.

LOVING:
a new favourite hairdresser (yay!) and newly trimmed hair; theme parks and Max Brenner with lovely new friends; sleepy afternoons and lazy movie nights with home-made fondue; going out on a school night for a yummy dinner with my love; coconut icecream that tastes like summer.