2011 In Review: The Good, The Bad & The Slightly Fashionable

Hello there lovelies,

First of all, I'd like to say how glad I am that I have all of you awesome people along for the blogging ride with me. Your thoughts, comments, emails, and of course, your blogs make me smile every day. Back when I started this little blog, I didn't really think that anyone would actually want to read it, so it's pretty rad that you do. I may not some famous blogger getting invites to cool parties & free things (although I don't say no to presents) but I do get to have all of you as companions, and that's pretty damn cool. This is for all ya'll who've stuck with me through the whole miserable length of 2011 - a year in review of this humble blog.

In January I wrote about the Queensland flooding (and how my workplace went under water), went gaga for the style of Olivia Wilde, really wanted to steal this amazing coat and gave my two cents on fashion at the Golden Globes.

In February, I took style cues from The Hairy Bird, and wrote about Beating Body Image Issues. I made a tutorial for a bow-front t-shirt reconstruction, and went to see Wicked. I went to a costume party dressed as Mrs PacMan. I also got given my first film camera.

In March, I dug on the style of Emma Stone, and Glee character Mercedes Jones. I passed on some sage advice about adulthood, and briefly dwelled on what it means to be a feminist. I bought some amazing vintage cameras at a garage sale, and shot my first roll of black and white film.

During April I was stylistically inspired by Jet Girl, and fell head over heels for rompers. I waxed lyrical about weight & fitness, and I wrote a letter to my body. I loved the art of Juliette Crane, and I used lots more black & white film.

When May rolled around I was loving the style of Gossip Girl character Vanessa Abrams, and SG1 character Hathor (is it a telling thing that so many of my style icons are fictional?). I fell in love with The First Wives Club all over again, along with the adorable art of Gemma Correll. I also asked whether "fatness" really matters.

June was a sparse blogging month, since I was so ill. But, I still managed to write a letter to a girl I encountered in the fitting rooms at work, and about the magazines I love to read. I told an incredibly informative story about pants (there's a moral at the end!), and had a beautiful bracelet made for me by The Boyfriend. I also finally admitted my girl-crush on Emma Watson.

In July, I couldn't believe the year was half-over. It wasn't a good month for me - I wrote about my depression & our financial troubles, and then again about how we were enjoying getting back to basics. I also fell in love with Ramona Flowers, and wrote an angry letter to people who say "they're called skinny jeans for a reason".

August was a very transitional month for us. I tried to put into words the way that depression makes me feel, and we also found out that The Boyfriend had gotten a new job in Clermont. I adored the style of Luna Lovegood, tackled wearing shorts for the first time in a long time, crushed on Frances Bean Cobain and wore stars with stripes.

I spent September away from The Boyfriend, which was quite hard. I tried to focus my attention elsewhere, and drew style inspiration from the fabulous frocks on Gossip Girl, & from The Other Boleyn Girl. I also set myself my first style challenge (days 2, 3 & 4), even if it was meant to go for a week and I forgot to photograph after four days, and expanded my philosophy on shorts.

I was a slack blogger in October, thanks to a surprise trip to Clermont. Luckily, I still managed to write about how I felt after the colour challenge, snap a few crazy outfit shots & finally participate in Frock on a Friday.

I took a short break in November, and maintained blogger silence - despite finally moving to Clermont & turning 23.

In December, my blogging inspiration miraculously returned! I found style inspiration in Glee, the pages of Russh magazine, and from Florence Welch. I wrote about being bullied, and about adjusting to life changes. I wished everyone a Merry Christmas, in my own non-religious way.

Yet another big thanks to all of you out there who appreciate my little corner of the interwebz. I hope to be with you for many more years yet, my lovely blogging (and non-blogging) comrades.

Until next time, xo.

Hello there guys,

I know I've been gone a while. The Boyfriend & I made the move to Clermont safely, and we're settling in ok. I'll be back soon, but you might notice some changes happening around here. Don't worry, everything is under control. Well, mostly.

Until next time, xo.

BRB

Hey lovelies,



Good news! I have the next two weeks off of work! Bad news! I'm going to be away for a few days - The Boyfriend and I are heading down to visit his Nana in Woolongong. We fly down this afternoon, and I'll be without the Internet until sometime Wednesday. I may be scarce once I get back as well, since then we're straight into packing for The Boyfriend, and heading up to Clermont to get him settled in.



I hope you all have fun while I'm away!



Until next time, xo.

Blogging Update: Facebook!

Hello lovelies,

Just a quick note to say that The Secret Life now has a Facebook page! I'm getting up with the times now guys.

I'm going to try and make it so that Facebook fans get sneak peeks at content, but what else would you guys want from a fan page? Giveaways? Pictures of penguins? Elephants in tap shoes? Let me know, and I'll try to make it happen!

Until next time, xo.

Happy New Year & Administrative Issues

Photo by stephenk1977

Well hello there lovelies!

I'm currently on a little bit of a holiday in my semi-home town of Hervey Bay. However, I realised earlier today that I haven't shared all my plans for the coming year, and I have ever so many of them. I'm not usually much of one for making New Year's resolutions, but this year it feels like exactly the right time to try and make a fresh start. And what fresh start couldn't use some goals to give it a bit of focus?

My main goal for this year is just to say yes to as many opportunities as possible, and really put myself out there. I'm someone who often declines invitations, or accidentally allows interesting opportunities to pass by. But I figure that I've made so many really big change in the last little while, that "in for a penny, in for a pound." I plan to try pretty much anything that comes my way this year, and say yes to as many social invitations as I can. As a result, I hope to gain some new hobbies, and new friends.

Secondly, I want to put the work into making my business ideas feasible. I want to sew/design as much as possible, and learn as much about dressmaking/design as possible. I also want to learn more about business, finance, management, merchandising, fashion buying, and anything else that might be relevant. I'm going to take advantage of every opportunity I come across at work too, just so that I can keep learning.

Thirdly, I want to put more effort into being fit and healthy. I'm starting with reinstating my regular exercise plan, and choosing healthier meal options. But I want this to encompass all of me - I also want to spend more time taking care of my hair, my skin, and keep my mind working. I want to take up yoga and bellydancing on an official "class" type basis, and read a new book every few weeks. Generally, I want to take better care of me.

And lastly, I have a lot of changes in store for this little blog. These include new content, post scheduling, and possibly a change to Wordpress/my own website. I have big plans, so watch this space! I'd also like to do some study of web design, and photography. Learning is fun! Anyway, stick around guys, I'm hoping to start updating with new content more regularly as of tomorrow.

How's your first few days of 2010 been? Have you got any changes in mind for the year ahead?

Until next time, xo.

Christmas Pondering...

Hey there lovelies,

First of all, Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it. I don't celebrate Christmas in any religious sense (usually it ends up being another excuse for my family to get rip-roaringly drunk together), but I do have plenty of fond memories of Christmas day. Seeing all my extended family members, my brother & I dunking each other in the pool, playing boardgames with the little kids, and awkwardly sitting at the "grown-up" table. But more than anything else, as I've grown older Christmas day has ended up becoming a time when I reflect on the previous year, and all the things I have learned. And boy, have there been a lot of lessons this year.

If you've been around for awhile, you'll know that this year hasn't been the easiest year for me. I lost my job just before last Christmas, and it took six months to find another job (or, one that wasn't spending between 20 and 40 hours a week folding & delivering catalogs for about $100). Once again, I struggled with depression, lost interest in the things that make me happy, and began to question my future. I had two panic attacks, and saw a lovely psychologist. I've fought with good friends, had incredible trouble making new friends and felt like The Boyfriend was the only person in the world who cared about me. I spent many days in bed crying because I couldn't bring myself to get up. Then I got a new job, but The Boyfriend and I ended up working opposite hours, with me unable to sleep in the nights he was gone. I felt guilty, because I'd promised myself I wouldn't be depressed again, but it just seemed to happen. Then, last month The Boyfriend lost his job in some really fucked up circumstances, and just before my end of year exams, meaning we've barely had money to pay our bills, let alone buy Christmas presents (or any luxuries for that matter). I also weigh nine kilos more than I did this time last year.

But, the main thing is, I've learned. Sure, life kicks you in the shins, trips you when you aren't looking and then kicks the shit out of you while you're on the ground wondering what the hell just happened. But getting back up, well that's up to you. I've learned that I can't just keep laying on the ground, waiting for life or the universe to send me all the answers. By getting back up, I've chosen to move forward. By accepting that sometimes life sucks, I've realised that it doesn't always suck. I've learned that you really have to work for the best things in life. Job opportunities, good communication with your partner, happiness, self-acceptance - all these things take work, and no one else is going to give them to you. And just because these things sometimes escape you, that doesn't mean that you've failed. It just means that you get back up and keep damn trying. Usually when you work hard at something you are rewarded, and just because this doesn't always happen, that's no excuse to stop trying at all. We all have our own personal demons, but if we refuse to face them then we can never move forward. We just get stuck facing the same problems over and over again.

At the beginning of this year, I felt like my life was broken. I felt like there was no way all these problems could be mended. Emotionally, I hit rock bottom and I've been spending the rest of the year building myself back up. And don't get me wrong, I can see why people find it easier to just stay there. I've had to be honest with myself about many aspects of me that I don't really like. I've had to be ruthless with myself, and I've had to make really hard decisions that I couldn't run away from, or pass off onto someone else. But I am stronger, I am wiser, and I know myself better than before. I am in no way perfect - but I am improving. Sometimes, I fall apart and feel like I'm back where I started from, but every time I pick myself up it isn't as hard.

I'm not going to do what I usually do, and violently exclaim that next year better be nicer than this one. It's not that this year didn't suck big sweaty balls - it totally did. But, if it wasn't for this year I wouldn't have learnt a multitude of things about myself, and about life. The way I see it, the harder the lesson is to learn, the more valuable it must be. In the words of Thomas Edison:

Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they
were to success when they gave up.

What about you? Has this year been hard, or easy? And what have you learned along the way?

Again, Merry Christmas, and until next time, xo.

Things I love Thursday (Or maybe Friday..), In Honour of 100 posts!

Photo by rogvon

That's right, this is my 100th post, good readers! So here are 100 things I loved this week:

Sewing; free magazine headphones; helping a friend shop for a faux engagement ring; forcing my cat to give me a hug; being told I do the work of five people by my boss; my other boss finally remembering my name; customers who say "Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it"; customers who politely ask if they have enough time to try things on fifteen minutes before closing; cans of Pepsi Max in my fridge; reused denim wallets for $9; compliments; early morning cuddles.

That's 10!

Putting the alarm on for ten more minutes; being greeted by a crazy dog when I come home; constantly chasing my cats away from the iron (LOLworthy); cold water on a hot day; my sewing machine; wearing things I've made myself out of the house; getting lots of nice comments on said handmade things; finally plucking up the courage to wear my bowler hat shopping; paying bills & getting ahead; stealing kisses in the middle of the night.

Just hit 20!

Finding The Boyfriend reading the book I made him for our first Christmas; parties with friends, and without drama; cool fabric remnants for cheap; doing my Dressmaking coursework & making it pretty; free headphones with a magazine; collapsing on the couch after a hard days work; coffe made lovingly by The Boyfriend; vegemite & cheese on toast; actually having tailors chalk for once; coming home to find dinner in the oven.

Can I hear a hoorah for 30?

My comfy shoes that I bought for work & now wear everywhere; reading A Clockwork Orange, midnight swimming; being a cheap drunk; sneakily staring at The Boyfriend when he thinks I'm writing in this blog (sneaky!); smiling at random strangers & seeing them get unsettled by it; dresses at work with peacock-inspired patterns; having loads of crafty inspiration; watching a storm roll in over a beautiful lake; Jillian Michaels fitness DVD's.

That's 40 guys!

Seeing the pets sprawled in hilarious positions while they try to keep cool; Max California's 31 Skirts; random urges to rewatch all my episodes of House; seeing Leighton Meester on an episode of House (before she was Blair Warldorf); my friend having an interview for a job at an adult shop - she had to "sell" her interviewer a vibrator; going to work because it is airconditioned; putting my birthday card that was handmade by my friends right beside the TV; my favourite pair of jeans; carrying my Tim Minchin merch bag everywhere, reading magazine meant for teenagers.

50 things, who knew?

Finding out it's a small world after all; impromptu breakfast with a friend turning into impromptu shopping with a friend; a seam ripper that actually rips seams; all my animals staring at me from the bathroom foor while I change my earrings; butter tarts; getting all the washing folded; Gala Darling's style tips; realising just how much jewellry The Boyfriend has made me over the years; being able to say "over the years" when referring to my partner, good friends getting engaged.

Coming up on 60 there!

Reheated pizza for breakfast; Reheated garlic bread for dinner; Family Guy - Blue Harvest; Watching Idiocracy and worrying about the future of the human race; Subway that is totally worth the 15-minute wait in line; 4-hour firefight matches on Halo 3; going to bed early & actually getting enough sleep; meeting cool new people; having someone say exactly what you need to hear; Having a huge pile of books waiting to read.

70, I'm getting there guys!

The feel of just-washed hair; days where there is nothing to do except laze around with The Boyfriend; having amazing parents; when the pattern on your fabric lines up perfectly when you're done; discovering things in the back of your wardrobe to fall in love with; random telephone calls & long conversations; thinking up designs faster than you can sew them; having a sense of purpose; my work shirts coming up bright white after a bit of bleach; when you leave the fan on all night & then the morning is cold enough to curl up in a blanket.

Whew, 80!

Net-stalking people I think are cool; getting a new fitness plan organised; Nubby Twiglet's wardrobe; assorted bloggers' "what I wore" pictures; being in a generally good mood most of the time; having someone to hold me when the good mood fails; not spending money on clothes I don't need & that I can make myself; staring off into the distance & dreaming about the future; crossing my fingers that The Boyfriend gets the awesome job he wants; remembering my weight is just a number.

90, that's what I'm talking about!

Being loved - by my partner, my parents, my friends & the rest of my family; buying cute little notebooks to keep in my bag & record my design thoughts on; when my cats lay looking like mirror images of each other (yin/yang perhaps?); having curly hair; looking through old photographs; talking to my best friend; eating Macdonalds beside a lake at nighttime; being taken care of; being appreciated.

And what is the 100th thing I've loved this week? ALL OF YOU! All you people who read this blog, leave comments/love, and make this whole blogging thing extra fun!

Photo found at kind over matter

On an administrative note, as much as I've enjoyed Blogger, I'm considering switching over to Wordpress. Has anyone else out there done this, and would you say it was worth it? Any awesome/horror stories? Let me know (also, let me know what is making you happy)!

Until next time, xo.

Sharing The Love.

Hello there lovelies,

I may have taken a long time to catch up, but nearly a month ago now I was given an award! It was given to me by Julie from Julie's Jottings - she's pretty cool, and I'm sure you'll love reading her blog.


Now, according to the rules, I need to tell you seven things about myself, then nominate seven other awesome bloggers for this award (the only hard part will be not nominating the same people I did for my last award, as they're still just as cool). Alrighty, onto seven little-known facts about me:

1. I think Stephanie Meyer is actually a decent author. Not because of Twilight, which though amusing, was absolute literary trollop - I loved her science fiction book, The Host. Ok, maybe I'm just a sucker for science-fiction.
   
2. I'm far too much of a boy for my own good. I've only recently started wearing skirts again, and once you get into the habit of sitting like a guy it is so hard to start sitting in skirt-appropriate poses again!
   
3. I am obsessed with 80's My Little Pony. I still watch the movie/TV series from time to time, and may or may not be able to sing along to all the songs in them. I am going to get Mimic tattooed on me somewhere - she was always my favourite.
   
4. I am far too excited over the 2nd Soundwave announcement/revelation that Placebo is playing Soundwave. The last time they toured I missed their concert, as I was having a jaw operation three days before.
   
5. My latest fitness craze is Jillian Michaels DVD's. I love her. She is a slave driver, but in a good way. She kicks your ass, while telling you you CAN do it.
   
6. I often read three or four books at once. For instance, a few weeks ago I was half-way through The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, Ruby by Francesca Lia Block, an issue of Cosmopolitan (though that hardly counts as a book) and American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis (which, although I loved it, is the only book I have never finished reading - it gave me terrible nightmares).
   
7. I am a complete dork. Let this horrible, grainy photo stand as evidence. This is normal Tuesday night behaviour for me. Or any night for that matter.

Onwards, here's seven rad blogs for you to check out/to receive this award:

1. Shut Up Vita: This lady blogs about a bit of everything, and always keeps me entertained.
2. Insomniac Lolita: Particularly check out the new addition of TMI Thursday. It makes me laugh so hard.
3. {sprinkle} tiaras atop our pastel hair: This chicky is super-cute, and her blogs make me feel happy. Check out her "Inside Us All Is A Wild Thing" photo shoot, it's adorable.
4. Sea of Shoes: Because everyone needs inspiration from someone with a brilliantly awesome wardrobe.
5. Rabbit Write: One of my favourite blogs. This lady blogs about a range of topics from very interesting perspectives, and really makes you think about things.
6. Hot Piece of Sass: Because this chick is so damn badass, and she'll make you laugh your ass off.
7. Swashbuckling Through The Murky Waters of On-Line Dating: Her piratey adventures through the on-line dating process are at once enlightening, hilarious and disturbing. Blogging gold I tells' ya!
   

Until next time, xo.

P.S. No one need feel obligated to pass this award on - I just wanted to share the love.

Thought For The Day...

Hello there beautiful world,

I just wanted to share something with you. Most of you have probably seen by way of Gala Darling, but I didn't think there was any harm in putting it out into the blogosphere again.

The freak revolution is run by Pace and Kyeli, who are two very cool people. And both total freaks, just like the rest of us. They run a blog about a range of different topics, from paradigm shifts, to relationship problems, to multiple learning modalities, to magick. Their goal is to gain a million-strong readership, and if this helps even a little, then my work here is done. Their posts have given me so much to think about, and inspired me at a time when I need the inspiration most. Check out their blog if this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of.

And if not, just remember to be yourself, and take care of yourself. It's something I've been forgetting to do lately.

Until next time, xo.

What I Wore Today (Night) Volume 12

Hello hello,

Here's what I wore to a fancy dinner with my parents at the local RSL earlier tonight. I am now sleepy, and full of chicken. Also, we won $8 from Keno. Pretty nifty, am I right?

Outfit Rundown:

Shrug: One Teaspoon, gift from Mum (it was marked down to $9.95, go Mum!)

Singlet: Trade Secret (Living Doll), $6.95
Black cords: Kmart, $29.95

Belt: Jay Jays, 2 for $15

Boots: Target, $40
Bracelets: Gifted by The Boyfriend
"Help Me Paris" Necklace: Emily The Strange Keyring, recrafted by The Boyfriend

Also, a few days back I was given a blog award by Jamie from this is me; consequently. Thanks Jamie, I'm glad you like what I do! I've also decided it's high time that I pass this on.

So, without further ado, my One Lovely Blog awards go to:

Em from Lick My Cupcakes - because she is crazy (in a good way), has amazing (and insanely colourful) style, and is a twenty year old who eats cupcakes, wears tutus and likes glitter. Also, if you have an anonymous secret to share, go here. Em features them on her blog every week.

Corrine from Frock and Roll - because she is a lovely girl with a heart of gold, and lots of nice dresses to match. Her blog always leaves me feeling happier than before, and usually quite a bit more inspired.

Death Wears Diamond Jewellery -because her posts are so well-written, interesting and I can always really relate to, or find interest in the topics. Plus, she's learning to deal with her own issues in the same way I am, and it's good to know I'm not alone.

Gemma from Half Accidental - because she is a writer, she keeps me interested and she tends to inspire me. I look forward to seeing she has updated her blog, because I know there will be something there that I want to read.

Jennee from Cheap Therapy -because she seems like an amazing person, and this comes out when she lets herself write. She makes me feel like I'm experiencing things as she does, which is a talent. She's all around great.

I know I was supposed to pick 15 bloggers for this, but I figure that because these women are all so good, they count for 15 bloggers.

Until next time, xo.