Layered in love and full of anticipation – this week has been a goodie. I keep telling everyone who will listen how magnificent life is at the moment and how many awesome things are on the horizon. Do you feel the same? I hope so!
This is what I’m attributing my happiness to this week:
1. Op Shop Finds
Ostentatious op shoppery, look what we have here! My inner magpie spotted these shiny silver goodies from a mile away last week and I marched glided delicately towards them to claim them before anyone else could dare to inspect them, and discovered that, yes, they are perfect. I’m going to put flowers in them and use them as decorations for my hens party and our wedding, like the below. Cute, no?
I also picked up this china planter/ pot that has some bad ass gold lion heads on each side. Retro radness. Excuse the sad looking succulent!
2. Pizza Overload
After detoxing my little heart out over the last three weeks, I’d love to tell you that I ate organic produce all weekend and that only the finest of ingredients touched my lips… but that would be a damn lie.
Instead, I ate pizza. Twice. At the same restaurant. On consecutive days. It was worth a repeat visit, believe me.
On Saturday night, we had an awesome get together with friends and checked out a new restaurant called Justin Lane that is literally a three minute walk from home (love that!) and I may or may not have indulged in a few delicious mojitos as well. Yum. Then on Sunday, one of my bridesmaids Jess was up from Melbourne so we had a girly lunch at the same place, where we all drooled over the amazing pizzas (er, not literally) and had a rollicking good time. I love being around beautiful, funny, inspiring people, and if I don’t see my friends every weekend I definitely start to wilt a little. The love of a good friend and the laughter shared when you’re in each others’ company truly is essential for the soul.
3. Beautiful emails
Dear everyone, you are amazing. Ridiculously so. I’ve said it before and I’ll scream it from the rooftops again (and again) – I’m so blessed to have readers like you all.
These past few weeks have been particularly love-filled and I’ve received a bunch of emails that have made me so happy. To me, getting an email from a reader who likes what In Spaces Between is all about is like receiving the coolest handwritten note you could even imagine in the letterbox. I’m so grateful that you’d take the time out of your (no doubt) crazy day to send those special words through the interweb to make the day of an ol’ girl like me.
The apex of awesomeness? You’re there.
4. Soul-affirming wisdom
I’ve felt really soulful this week. Contemplative, deep, really connected with my core. It’s a good place to be.
Speaking of soulful, how good is this from the Daily Om:
“Since human timetables quite often do not correspond with universal timetables, it’s common for people to feel that life is progressing too slowly or too quickly. We draft carefully composed plans only to find that they fall into place when we least expect. Or, conversely, we are thrust into roles we believe we are not prepared for and wonder how we will survive the demands imposed upon us by unfamiliar circumstances.
The universe puts nothing in your path that you are incapable of handling, so you can rest assured that you are ready to grow into your new situation. You may feel compelled to judge your personal success using your age, your professional position, your level of education, or the accomplishments of your peers as a yardstick. Yet we all enjoy the major milestones in our lives at the appropriate time—some realize their dreams as youngsters while others flourish only in old age. If you take pride in your many accomplishments and make the most of every circumstance in which you find yourself, your time will come.”
Did anyone need to hear that? Captain Rushy McRush Through Everything to Get to the Next Thing (ahem, me) did.
5. Mixing things up
In my lifetime, I think I’ve walked/ run/ ridden my bike along the Burleigh Heads walking track at least a zillion times, so on Sunday we jumped in the car and headed south to Kirra and walked from there around Greenmount/ Snapper Rocks to Duranbah. It was so nice to wander somewhere different and given that it was a glorious day, I snapped a few shots on my phone to document the occasion.
6. (More) New Sunnies
I spoke about my new Mink Pink sunglasses last week and I love them so much I decided to buy the leopard print version as well. New favourites! What do you think?
7. Food
1. I made these Veggie Quinoa Croquettes last night and let me tell you, they are seriously DI-VINE. Like, insanely good. Try them!
2. I succumbed and made the Oreo cupcakes over the weekend and despite being excited to try them after drooling over the recipe while I was on the detox, they were actually way too sweet and I gave them all away to my family (well, bar one two, which were rather delightful!)
3. Dried pineapple. Wow, wow, WOW.
8. Inky Co. Goodies
Late addition: look what arrived in the mail for me this morning. Hooray! Thanks so much to Chloe from Inky Co. who sent me this lovely gift in the mail, what a nice surprise.
I have to admit I was feeling quite envious of Ali, the winner of the Inky Co. gift hamper yesterday because the prize looked so damn good but I can tell you that in real life, these products are truly beautiful. The attention to detail in the branding is impeccable and the paper stock is just right. Add them to your Christmas list!
9. Beautifying
I’m after some new beauty product recommendations!
I’ve been using my current skin products since May this year after I went beserk in Sephora in NYC, and my stash has now depleted so it’s time to switch things up I think. Of course, I’ll always stay faithful to my staples (Rosehip Oil, I’m talkin’ to you!) but I’m all for some glimmering newness in my beauty cupboard.
Gorgeous Aussie company Sodashi, who make divine-smelling chemical-free products, kindly sent me a few lovely potions to test out so I’ll let you know in a few weeks how they go but I also want your expert advice. What’s your favourite night cream? I like my night cream to be nice and thick (but it has to sink into my pores, hate the feeling of sticky residue!) so I’m hoping to find something along the lines of the one I’m currently using. Anyone use anything awesome at the moment that they’d give a 5-star rating?
Also, what foundations are you all loving? I’ve been using a mix of M.A.C, Maybelline and L’oreal but a change is as good as a holiday, so they say. I love product recommendations and I don’t care if it’s cheap as chips or a bit on the pricier side. My 29th birthday is coming up (pass the wrinkle cream, dahhhling!) so I’ll be adding any that you think I MUST. HAVE to my wishlist.
+ That’s me petals, and what about you? Load up on love, it’s time to tell us what’s bringing you joy! x
Images: 1. fabulouskblog.com 2. Green Wedding Shoes 3. Tiny White Daisies 4. Pinterest 5. Behance
Making me happy this week are the wake up butterfly kisses I receive from my kids each morning & that my good friends, Rob & Megs will be welcoming their bundle of joy sometime today :)
So much love :)
P.S
seeing a little snippet in yesterday’s Bulletin about a young couple deeply in love, also made me happy
So happy to see make-up made the cut. Ever since I’ve started reading The Clean Diet I have been wanting to go au naturel with beauty products. It kind of just dawned on me that all those chemicals are slowly seeping into your skin and bloodstream. Ewww! Can’t wait to see what you find on your hunt. x
Awesome Kell, so exciting that their lil babe will be arriving very soon! And haha, you saw us in the paper hey? Funny stuff. x
Claire, I’ll keep everyone posted for sure – I’m feeling exactly the same! x
Oh, and what’s making me happy? Sun-filled days, watching my dear friend’s belly wriggle as her baby kicks away inside, snuggles with our god daughter, long-distance phone calls and pondering what the future holds x
Amazing list! Especially the last one… x
I’m feeling really positive and expectant of lots of great things on the horizon too at the moment! I bumped into a girlfriend at the park with our boys on Monday who I haven’t seen for a few weeks and I felt like I had some amazing news to tell her. But I didn’t. I realised later that evening when I was speaking to my husband that it’s just this really positive place I’m in at the moment that made be feel like I had achieved/received something fab! It’s all about the power of ‘acting as if’!
Vari x
I loooove Sodashi. It’s my new skincare obsession. MV Organics have some amazing skincare prodz, too, all free of the nasty stuff. As for cosmetics, have a look at Ere Perez. The Natural Almond Oil mascara is really nice. Inika have some gorgeous products (I like their Lip Whips). You can find them in a lot of Myer stores. xx
Making me happy today (and every day actually) is finding and trying out new recipes!!! i just love tasting amazing new things and discovering new healthy recipes that are as tasty if not more than something baaaad. The veg quinoa croquettes are going to get a run tonight – thanks miss Rach, keep em coming too! xxx
Vari: I love what you say about acting “as if” – it really does work! So nice to hear how positive/ happy you’ve been feeling. xx
Linda: oh wow, awesome suggestions! I’m loving the Sodashi stuff too, and I love feeling like I’m “feeding” my skin something really natural instead of layering on creams that are full of toxins. Going to do a bit of Googling on your suggestions now, thank you! xx
Liz: I’ll keep ’em coming for sure – you’re going to LOVE the croquettes. xx
Your such a positive person Rachel. A breathe of fresh air. I will have to try the keenwah (my way of spelling it) croquettes. They look morish.
Thanks so much Karla, I’m loving your site too — coming from a super healthy & positive woman like you, your lovely words mean a lot!
The croquettes are so delicious, I just had the ones that I was meant to save for lunch for breakfast instead, couldn’t wait. I added chilli to the recipe too, it gave it a nice little kick. Let me know if you make them! xx
kirra looks amazing!! paradise!looks like you’ve had an awesome week, who needs detox when theres pizza to be eaten??!!
xx
Good morning to all you beautiful people! I’m back with a vengenance this week : ) I couldn’t wait for Wednesday to roll around this week as I’m on a major love infused high!
Despite some personal set-backs (ahem!…) it is with much gratitude to the lovely posts that rock my socks off here on In Spaces Between that I’ve found myself bouncing back much more quickly than expected. And in particular having this post to focus on has really dusted off the cobwebs.
*One of the big things making me happy this week are my Gurl Friends – couldn’t be more happy to have these inspirational ladies in my life, nothing like a few belly aching laughs to make you feel a zillion times better!
*Connecting with old friends – I very randomly met a few old friends from university out over the weekend (6 years since I’d seen them!) and again there’s nothing like a bit of reminising to just make you feel all nostalgic and happy. It’s really made me want to send little cards to friends that I should have kept in better contact with over the years; it’s top of my to-do list today!
*Vintage, Vintage, Vintage – I hit up a vintage fashion show (with cocktails) last night and it was AMAZING! I am head over heels in love with 50’s/60’s glamour right now (I seriously suggest a Googling of Marc Jacobs new collection for LV!). I just need a steady hand now and the perfect eye flick make up will be mine!
* I’m feeling a bit soulful this past week too. Re-connecting, re-evaluating, and re-discovering. Throughly enjoying my journal writings again.
Wishing you all a beautiful week- thanks for the great post Rach!
Much love, Jennifer
Such a FABULOUS post. I found the quote particularly poignant for me at the moment. I’ve just started using Napoleon liquid mineral make up and I LOVE it (although apparently only some skin types seem to like it). Thanks again for the inspiring post!
Ahhh I am SO jealous of that tea set – gorgeous!!! I couldn’t be happier to have just stumbled across your blog and have bookmarked it as a new favorite read!!!
– Lindsay
Found a 6am run buddy–no more pressing snooze! No better way to wake up in the morning than a run along the beach in a full moon and a run back to a gorgeous sunrise over St Kilda with a friend–making it a joyful habit!
Also re: makeup: Smashbox Primer is GOLD. Don’t even need foundation–or at least, need MUCH less–with a bit of that on! Miracle worker (and you can get it with SPF)!
Thanks Katherine, so glad you liked it and thanks for the rec for the Napolean foundation xx
Lindsay: Hi, welcome! Thanks so much for your comment! I know, it was a lucky find… I haven’t been thrifting much lately but when I have I’ve seemed to strike gold (or silver, haha) which is awesome xx
Christine: Go you! That’s so good… and perfect time of year to be getting up early for a run, makes you feel so good for the day doesn’t it? I love exercising with my training buddy a few times a week now, def keeps me motivated.
And ooh, I love an enthusiastic recommendation so I’m going to have to check this primer out. Can you buy Smashbox in Aus? Have only ever bought their products in Sephora when I’ve been in the U.S xx
So sorry Ashley and Jenn, forgot to respond to your comments.
Ashley: the southern Gold Coast is stunning, and I second your thoughts on the pizza! xx
Jenn: Oooh I’m SO HAPPY to hear that everything is going so well, being around amazing people makes the world of difference. It’s awesome to hear you’ve been catching up with your girlies for quality time. Nothing better.
And siiiiigh, the new LV collection is DI-VINE. Big hugs to you and thanks for your fab comment as always xx