10 things to do this weekend

1. If you're in Sydney, get thee to your nearest two dollar shop to stock up on candles and have yourself a candle-lit party (or romantic evening for two) during Earth Hour on Saturday night. We can all do our bit for global warming by turning off the lights for one hour - but I say, why not keep them off all night? It's more fun than a blackout!

2. Stock up on cute undies at Kmart - did someone say 20% off? I'm so there!

3. Take advantage of Fernwood's four-week trial package for $99 which ends this Saturday. Not only is this gym strictly girls-only, they provide free breakfast!

4. If you're in Sydney, head out to Supre's factory outlet in Marrickville to stock up on cheap workout gear for above said exercise. Hey, looking good is half the motivation to exercise!

5. Do something active and fun - go ten pin bowling, play lawn bowls, go ice skating or have a game of golf or tennis.

6. Channel Nigella or Jamie, and whip up a gourmet brunch or delicious cake. Visit your local farmers market (if you've got one nearby) for yummy fresh produce, and head to a park for a picnic (don't forget the wine)!

7. Watch the return of Rove on Sunday night 8:30pm on Channel 10. New co-hosts of the show Dave Hughes and Hamish and Andy = big laughs to come. Carrie Bickmore (who used to read the hilarious news bulletin) will now fill the part of female lead co-host due to Corrine's departure from the show. Afterwards, watch your boyfriend's eyes light up at the premiere of The Pussycat Dolls present: Search for the next Doll)

8. Buy energy saving light bulbs for your house or apartment. You can save money and the environment!

9. Go somewhere you've never been before. Jump in the car and drive to a new suburb, or jump on a bus or train to somewhere new. Try to get lost if you can - it makes it all the more fun!

10. Do something just for you. Read a book, get crafty, do a yoga class, go for a morning swim, rent your favourite DVD... whatever tickles your fancy!

Have fun! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

I ♥ NYLON

I am a relatively new reader of Nylon magazine but I am kicking myself for not discovering it earlier! It has definitely topped my list of favourite mags - beautiful design, a great read and cool cover chicks. You can bag yourself a trial digital subscription for free at www.nylonmag.com and check out the last three issues online - which is great considering most newsagents here are way behind on the on sale date since it has to travel over from the States. And you flick through it just like a real magazine! Ah, the joys of technology.

The April issue celebrates their 8th birthday (I am loving the cover) and chats about Aussie label Insight, includes a cutesy beauty feature inspired by comic girls (it's also their beauty issue), and stories about Aussie actress Rose Byrne, funny girl Amy Poehler (soon to be seen in the hilarous film Blades of Glory with Will Ferrell and Jon Heder - in cinemas in June) and cover girl Christina Aguilera.

I thoroughly recommend you take a look and if you like what you see, you can also purchase a one-year digital subscription for just US$1.99. Bargain! Although I'll probably still buy it from the newsagent when it finally arrives... I'm a bit of a nerd like that.

Notes on Glossy Paper

PS. If you're stuck for what to order next time you're at a bar, my new favoutire drink is Absolut Apeach with apple juice and fresh lime - this refreshing combination definitely hits the spot. Mmmm peach vodka... : )

What inspires you?

Have you ever stopped to think about what inspires you? What motivates you? What do you really love? Is it your favourite song lyrics? A special quote? A certain someone? A beautiful book or magazine? Or shopping?

We all find inspiration and beauty in different things. For me, it's using cute stationery, discovering new magazines, reading a great article, beautiful photography and meaningful song lyrics. I am also inspired by the people in my life - each one teaches me something new.

I believe we all need creative influence in our lives, even if you're not the stereotypical "creative" type. You don't have to be good at art to be creative (trust me - I can't draw to save myself)! You might secretly be a great singer, be able to write beautiful poetry (or at least stuff that rhymes), have an eye for interior decorating, or simply have a way with words. Everyone is good at something creative, even if you haven't tapped into your skill just yet.

Inspiration boards are great for getting the creative juices flowing. Grab yourself a corkboard to display in your house, or at your work desk, and cover it with things you love - photos, movie posters, pretty fabric or paper, quotes and pics of your style icons.

Then, whenever you're having a flat moment, gaze up at your board and be inspired. Look, you've made a work orf art without even realising it! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

PS. I'm loving these gorgeous heart gift tags from Kikki K!

Generation multitask

Have you ever wondered if we're all too wired? As I sat in the dentist waiting room yesterday afternoon (eek) I flicked through a copy of Time magazine from early 2006 and read an interesting story that focussed on our ADD use of technology and what all this techno-multitasking is doing to our brains. We may be able to type while we listen to the radio and simultaneously click over to read our emails, but are we really giving all those tasks our full focus?

The story included a study being conducted in the US that followed a family of four to see what technology they were using and how they interacted with each other. The household had two computers, so both teen children were glued to the screens flicking from MSN, to googling for their homework, updating their MySpace page and listening to music on iTunes. Their average "screen time" per day was 6 1/2 hours. They barely acknowledged their dad when he arrived home late from work and ate dinner alone in the kitchen. Then again, he was checking emails on his blackberry while watching the news on TV. And the daughter was quoted as saying she often kept one earpiece of her iPod in her ear while talking to friends. Can you say rude?

It's all about what you get used to. Sure, listening to music while working or studying can help you concentrate. And driving while listening to music, or walking while holding a converstaion is easy peasy! But you'll often notice you can't make a decision about changing the direction of your walk, without stopping everything for a moment. We can travel along on cruise control for most of the time but when we need to make new decisions or a new element pops into our brain, it takes a second to readjust.

The most important thing to remember is that we need to give our brains time to rest from the "noise" we've become accustomed to everyday. Turn off the computer, switch off your phone. Read a book, go for a walk (without music), or catch up with friends (without distractions). Sure these gadgets make our lives run quickly and smoothly, but it can be so liberating to step away from it all. Remember, it was only 50 years ago that there was no such thing as TV! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

Next time you're in...

Surfers Paradise
Stay at Q1 Resort and Spa. It's definitely worth taking the trip up to the observatory on levels 77 and 78 (especially if you're staying in a one bedroom apartment as these occupy the lower levels) - you can see the entire Gold Coast! The interiors of the apartments are uber modern and the spa baths are extra deep - perfect for a long bubble bath soak.

Noosa
Treat yourself to the tranquil surroundings and relaxing treatments at Ikatan Spa and Balinese Gardens. You'll feel like you've stepped into a piece of Bali paradise! The massages are amazing and the Tropical Sugar Glow (an exfoliation of organic coconut oil and sugar) will leave you feeling buffed and brand new. And if you're with your partner, the double rooms are perfect for beautifying together.

Brisbane
Book a table at Garuva Restaurant and Bar in Fortitude Valley. The candle-lit ambience and low private tables surrounded by chiffon curtains make for a perfect date spot. The food is a fusion of asian dishes and meals come in large entree sizes so it's a good idea to order a few to share. Their cushion-filled cocktail bar is perfect for pre or post-dinner drinks and the cocktails are all priced between $9 and $12.

Mackay
Take a drive out to Finch Hatton Gorge in Eungella National Park. You'll arrive at a picnic spot and can choose from two bushwalks to reach the freshwater rock pools and waterfalls - perfect for a refreshing dip in the hot North Queensland summer.

Sydney
Take a drive down the south coast to Minnamurra 'Mystiks' beach, just near Kiama. I've been here twice with my boyfriend and we've had the beach to ourselves both times. It's a perfect strip of sand with no buildings in sight! Definitely worth a drive out of Sydney for the day. It's also a popular surfing spot.

Where's your favourite spot? I'd love to hear from you... : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

Rehab for everyone

Let's go to rehab now, everybody's learning how, come on go to rehab with me!

Jesse Metcalfe is the latest in a long line of celebs packing his bags for the peaceful and cleansing shores of rehab. His vice? Alcohol issues. Apparently young Jesse's been dipping his fingers into the party scene a bit too much lately and is desperate to clean up his act (excuse the pun).

Trainwreck Britney Spears just got out of rehab after a nice month of hopefully wearing panties and unable to place her children in danger on her lap in the front seat.

Lindsay Lohan, Keith Urban, Robbie Williams... they're all part of the rehab crew too. I wonder if they give each other knowing nods as they pass each other on the street?

Amy Winehouse even turned her stint in rehab into a hit song - and perhaps a new anthem for Hollywood.

For some celebs, those with serious addictions (Pete Doherty are you reading this?), rehab is a positive step to getting rid of the demons and bringing their head out of the clouds and back to reality, or as close to reality as their over inflated egos can manage. But for others, is rehab perhaps just a tinsy bit of overindulgence? Instead of doing a week of detox after a big boozy weekend, they're packing their bags and calling in some R'n'R time with their managers.

Perhaps it's because in "famous" land where the celebs live, they don't have the support network many of us are lucky to have. They might not have a tight-knit family to hang out with when they need some chill time and they're most probably lacking in "real" friends who they can really trust and tell their problems to... they don't want it ending up on the cover of every gossip mag around the world. Rehab, although a very public way of admitting you have a problem, is no doubt, viewed as a positive step for celebs and even the vulture-like gossip press give them kudos for giving it a go.

So stick in there Jesse. If Britney can do it, anyone can : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

Your google twin

I read a funny blog on smh.com.au this morning about finding your google twin. Now come on, we've all googled ourselves at one time or another (or was that just me?), hoping to find some of our achievements posted for all the world to see. And while I did find a couple of my stories, my mentions were well overshadowed by another Celeste Mitchell - a magazine editor from the US. Coincidence much?

"Celeste Mitchell has been a women's magazine editor and writer for 15 years. A former deputy editor of Cosmopolitan and senior features editor at Family Circle, Celeste is currently a freelance writer in both New York and Los Angeles. Her work has been published in a variety of national magazines including Fitness, Shape, Woman's Day, Teen, and Walking, as well as in newspapers nationwide. She has been a guest speaker on journalism at New York University, The New School, and University of Oregon, as well as a panelist at American Society of Journalists and Authors conferences."

I have to say it's both weird and comforting that there's someone out there with not only the same name as me, but in the same profession and ultimately, someone I can look up to career wise. But then again, maybe the "other" Celeste Mitchell should watch out... because this Celeste Mitchell is just getting started : )

Who's your google twin? I'd love to hear about them.

Notes on Glossy Paper

Catching the bug

I caught the travel bug the first time I flew overseas. I was 10 years old and headed to Japan on a special program through my primary school that would see me living with two different Japanese families over a two week period - without my parents! I had been on a plane before but this was way more exciting! Traveling into a completely different culture was amazing and I had a fantastic time... actually I don't think I called my parents once (much to their disappointment)!

Next saw me traveling to Bali with three of my closest girlfriends at the ripe age of 18 for 10 days of fun in the sun, and lots and lots of bargaining at the local markets. This was definitely one of my most favourite holidays, especially when I look back at photos of us dancing happily away in Sari Bar - just one year before the tragic Bali bombings. I'm not sure I will ever go back to Bali.

But the BIG trip was what really got me addicted to travel - my big adventure to the UK two years ago. Traveling firstly to Fiji for three days and then Vancouver for the same amount of time were both huge highlights (I guess it helped that my travel partner and I had free accommodation at both destinations and were treated like princesses - ah the perks of travel writing)! Not to mention the fact we got to stay at The Ritz for our first two nights in London - free of charge.

Nothing beats the freedom of having no plans, and being able to head off to whatever destination you desire. And roughing it can be fun! We travelled to Amsterdam for Easter and then to Crete a couple of months later for a much-needed sun injection. And the fact that our trip was cut short due to running out funds, has made me more motviated than ever to get back over there and see all the places I dream of seeing - and my first stop has to be New York! The big apple = absolute dream destination for me.

Travel opens your eyes and your mind to so many amazing sights and experiences - memories you'll cherish forever. So it's no wonder that we spend the majority of our working lives saving our pennies to take holidays all over the world. My motto is to do it while you can - you never know what life has in store for you. Set a goal and go for it, because you can always make money, but you might not get to see everything you want to, before it's too late : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

An open letter to Grey's Anatomy

Dear Grey's Anatomy

I am not a regular viewer of your show and have no problems with your storylines (from what I can tell from the two episodes I have seen), and you are obviously very popular with the majority of the women around the country, but can someone tell me why, oh why, you chose to ruin two perfectly good songs for me?

When I first heard Chasing Cars from Snow Patrol, I couldn't get enough! 'What a beautiful song' I thought to myself, adding it to my favourites playlist on my iPod. However, now that I am subjected to the voice-over version (with snippets of dialogue from your little show), the acoustic version and the live version (which is actually painful to listen to), I have to say enough is enough!

Then came along The Fray's How to Save a Life... again, good song. I have the album too. But come on, did you really need another soppy song to state your case? I know your show revolves around doctors, yes I get that they are saving lives, very clever assocation. Well done. But when I have to listen to that whiney acoustic version over and over again (what happened to the no repeat work day radio ethic?) I am about ready to put an end to the lives of all involved in producing this drama!

So please Grey's Anatomy, please don't take another popular song and buddy it up with your show! Maybe next time you can get McDreamy to release a song and watch all the fans drool over the filmclip (great opportunity to subject us to more footage from past shows no matter how hideous the song actually is). I hope you like my suggestion.

Yours sincerely

Notes on Glossy Paper

Budget wardobe renovations

I've had a few I-have-nothing-to-wear-and-everything-looks-shit-on-me mornings in the past couple of weeks. This has resulted in me getting to work later than I would like, feeling totally unhappy with my final choice and cursing myself for not settling with the first thing I put on. Of course, all signs point to a major wardrobe update, of which I am in dire need.

But being a budget-conscious girl like me, I've learnt to make myself look but not touch, the items of which I can't afford. This is not to say that I can't still have a hot wardrobe! Currently, items on my fit-in-the-budget wish list include:

These essential ankle boots for winter - just $49.95 from Payless Shoes. Did you know that by logging on to their website and becomming a member, you can net yourself a $5 discount off your next purchase? Every little bit helps!

These relaxed-fit boyfriend jeans from Target - only $49.99.


Another Target bargain - this cute wool coat for $69.99.


Also, Supre are doing a fantastic rip-off of Alice McCall's high-waisted tuxedo skirt for $40!


And I love this cute little jacket from Bardot - $69.95.



If you've bagged yourself a bargain lately, or know of a great deal, I'd love to hear about it! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

More designer goods (sure to cause mayhem)

As you will have already know from reading Notes on Glossy Paper, Kate Moss's collection for Topshop will land in stores in May. But even though Topshop has ever so kindly opened up it's virtual doors for us mere Aussies to shop in their store, the collection probably won't be available online.

Miss Moss appears on the cover of April's UK Vogue wearing one of her designer pieces, a black mini dress (worth a measly 55 pounds - and surely the cheapest item to ever grace the cover). And while she may not have ever worked in a design room, Kate insists she had a huge amount of input into the special line. "I kind of got bits from my closet," she says in the accompanying interview. "It's great. I can say I want this boot with that heel. There are things I want that I can't find. Like anyone."

If you find yourself in London town, or one of the other 300 Topshop stores in Britain, you'll be able to snap up a modelesque bargain from 10 pounds ($A25) up to the more unrealistic 200 pounds ($A495). So it seems you don't need to be Kate Moss to be a style queen, you just have to buy her clothes : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

The great Aussie dream

I have a couple of friends who got into the property market at just the right time. While I was just starting in my first full time job, they were buying blocks of lands or investment units. If only I could have afforded to do the same thing. In the past five years house prices have exploded and a report on news.com.au this morning tells us "couples need to earn a colossal combined income of up to $145,000 just to keep up with the mortgage payments on an average-priced Australian home, according to new research." That's HUGE!

So after saving what could be, up to $50,000 for a deposit on a home (especially in Sydney), the repayments are still cripppling. What's to happen if the woman wants to have kids? How can one person afford the replayments?

The value on properties has shot up sky high. My parent's home, purchased in 2001 for $170,000 could now sell for over $400,000. Wow, that's a huge profit you say! But how on earth could they afford to buy something newer for the same price?

With the insane amount of interest rate rises in the past year, more and more Aussies are feeling the strain. Combine that with the increase in petrol prices (more than double since 1999), and other living expenses and it's no wonder so many people rent.

They say now is the time to get into the property market, and if the next five years is going to be a replica of the past five years then I say if you can do it, do it now. I am probably not the best person to come to for financial advice, but changes I have made to my life to help me save towards this goal are: setting up a regular savings plan with ING Direct, getting rid of my credit card, making extra repayments on my personal loan, and saving money on entertainment. Sure, it's not much fun sometimes, and I'd love to go out and splurge on some new clothes, but I bet the feeling of sitting in your own aparment must be pretty sweet : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

McCartney Madness

I am now so glad I decided against going to Target today to purchase one of Stella McCartney's pieces. Stories are flooding in about enormous queues, squabbles for places in said queues, shopping trolley's full of stock (that is so going up on eBay) and one woman declaring she spent $2000! I expected it would be like that at the Bondi store, but who knew the extent to which Stella mania had spread.

No doubt, we'll see her range fully stocked on eBay by this afternoon.

Notes on Glossy Paper

Remakes, remixes and revivals

If CDs are to today's teens what cassettes are to us, and records are to our parents (read: old news) then what will be next? Will MP3s and downloading be old hat to our kids? You bet! It's amazing how fast technology has evolved in society... remember TV only came into our lives just over 50 years ago! Our grandparents have seen the most change - and probably don't understand half of the technology we use in our everyday lives now. The technology we can't live without.

I can't imagine working before email existed. Especially in the media - imagine how time consuming designing a magazine would have been before modern computer programs simplified things. And most teens today have never sent a letter, or called their friend's home phone. Email and mobiles are the main streams of communication and the text generation probably couldn't live without it!

Then again, we spend an awful amount of time revisiting old trends and bringing things back! Vintage, retro, 80s... they've all been huge buzz words over the past few years. Teens are embracing vinyl and buying old record players off eBay at extraordinarily inflated prices. Calculator watches are cool again, and 80s fashion just seems to keep poking it's fluro head in. Fashion has always been about drawing inspiration from the past, but what have we got that's from the "now"?

Smocks, high-waisted skirts/pants/shorts, mod dresses and boyfriend jeans are all huge trends for Autumn... but our mother's are shaking their heads in disbelief that we want to wear what they were wearing in the 60s and 70s (while we're shaking our heads, wishing they'd kept some of their original pieces so we could be the envy of everyone in the playground).

Music is another prime example of re-using, sampling and remixing of old trends. There are SO many bands and singers around today, but no one really huge. There's no Beatles, no Madonna or Michael Jackson, no Rolling Stones... no iconic group that can define our generation. But there's plenty of dance tracks saturating the market with remixes of the likes of Leo Sayer, Pink Floyd and Guns N' Roses.

When you find yourself reminiscing at 24 like I often do, you've got to wonder what the world is going to look like when you're 60. Will the trends just keep repeating themselves, or could the next decade give us a major change that will be no doubt, bought back somewhere around 2030. If not, at least we can hang on to all our clothes now and be sure we'll get good use out of them again in the future. Now if they'd only make tham as good quality as they did in the 60s...

Notes on Glossy Paper

I ♥ Gwen!!

I've never really been a celeb-obsessed person, but Gwen Stefani is one person I've always admired. For her style, her music, her individuality, her personality and just her all-round coolness. So I must confess I am majorly excited about the fact that she is touring Oz in July! The news from her website...

Australian Tour
News » Posted: 3/8/2007
We are pleased to announce Gwen Stefani's first ever tour of Australia this July/August. Gym Class Heroes will open all the dates. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 23 at 9:00 AM from www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849.

07/28/07 Brisbane - Brisbane Entertainment Center
07/30/07 Sydney - Acer Arena
08/02/07 Melbourne - Rod Laver Arena
08/05/07 Adelaide - Adelaide Entertainment Center
08/07/07 Perth - Burswood Dome

I will definitely be finding a way to interview her - even though I might actually get a tad starstruck this time! And I can't wait to see her show : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

Where is the love?

Last night as I was trying to reverse park in the city I stalled it. This would not normally be a problem but the car needs a new battery and we haven't had a chance to get it yet, so I knew I was screwed! (The same thing happened a week ago). I tried and tried to start it again... and nothing. I was sticking half way out in a lane on Liverpool Street - right where traffic comes down off Oxford St - so I started stressing big time! Plus it was pouring with rain and I had to call my wonderful boyfriend to come and help me. He had to run all the way from our place and push me out of the park and forward so I could pull over to get someone to jump start us.

Not one person stopped to see if I needed help (my hazards were on), I was beeped four times and then when a nice cabbie (very rare in the city) was trying to manoeuvre his car to be in front of Ben's car, he was also beeped and abused. Even though all he was trying to do was help me! When I spoke to my friend who I was going to meet, she asked if anyone had stopped to help me. I replied: "Are you serious? This is Sydney".

Discussing this with my colleagues this morning, we got to talking about all the similar experiences we'd had in Sydney. Our sub editor's mother broke down once back in the 80s, when she was 8 months pregnant, but did anyone stop to help her? No. They beeped at her instead! And a friend of hers had a girl pick a fight with her at the train station, and no one tried to break it up. Business men on the platform actually walked away from the situation.

I recently read a letter in daily newspaper Mx, about a woman who was elbowed in her pregnant stomach as she walked through a train station in the city. As she doubled over in pain and cried out, she saw the woman who had elbowed her, continuing on her busy way. And no one else helped her out. I myself, have slipped over on the road near work before, cutting my foot, and people just walked around me.

Sydney is not a place where people smile at each other and say hi in the street (if you do say hi to someone they'll usually look at you like you're some kind of knife-wielding psycho). Everyone is too busy and concerned about their own lives... and are happy to stand back and let other people do the helping. It's not that everyone is horribly nasty, it's just that it's not the done thing. Many shop assistants are rude, or too busy to serve you. Cab drivers are a nightmare. And train and parking inspectors are just assholes.

But when you do make eye contact with someone and get your smile reciprocated, it really makes a difference to your mood. It takes more muscles in your face to frown than smile, so why not give someone a smile today? And if they give you a filthy look back, be glad that you're in a happier place than them.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

Plans are the blueprints to our lives

I'm a huge lists girl - I have "to do" lists, shopping lists, wish lists... the list goes on (sorry, that was bad I know). During a fashion college class last night we went through the steps to build a successful business plan. They say, the best business plans are those that provide a framework for where you want to be now, where you want to be in five years time, and then in ten years time. That way, as the business matures, you can refer back to your original plan to gauge how the business is running (hopefully it's doing better than you ever expected)!

As a naive teenager, I laid out a plan for myself that included the exact age I wanted to be in my dream job, earning a particular salary, married, having kids and the rest. But as I've grown I've realised that the whole point of plans is to give us direction, but they are most certainly going to change. I haven't quite reached my dream job yet, and I only just reached the salary I expected to have for myself when I was 21... and who knows about kids! But that's ok, because the updated plan looks way better than I could have imagined when I was 16.

Plans give us purpose in life. They provide us with something to work for - whether it's planning a holiday or saving for a house deposit. And I can't live without them! Anyone who knows me well will know how utterly obsessed I am with my diary, and with planning and recording events in my life. I'm not sure I could ever be one of those free spirits, wandering the globe, not knowing where my next meal was coming from. I like structure and purpose, and the sense of achievment I get when I cross something off one of my lists.

I read a story once about "cosmic shopping lists" that said we should think of what we want and "put it out" to the universe (kind of like when you make a wish before blowing the candles on a birthday cake out). It recommended writing a list of things you'd like to happen in the future, in present tense, to help your dreams come true. So my cosmic shopping list / business plan would read something along the lines of:

*Ben and I have bought an amazing house near the beach on the Gold Coast and love living there
*I have paid off all my debts and have saved enough to go on my dream overseas holiday
*I have started and run my own successful fashion/lifestyle magazine
*I have an amazing group of friends, a healthy family, and am very happy with my life

Fingers crossed!

What's your cosmic shopping list? Try writing one and stick in a photo album, or somewhere else safe, so you can come back to it in five years time. Hopefully your wishes will have come true! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper

Mondayitis, fat days and other emotional lows

If there's anything that can dampen my mood, it's rain (and possibly, money). I know we're supposed to be happy when it rains - "it's good for the farmers" and all that, but I am a major Vitamin D girl. I can't live without it! In fact living in London for five months gave me a major case of Vitamin D deficiency which took many trips to the beach to cure. So when you combine a rainy day, with feeling fat and being poor it adds up to one "not happy Jan" girl.

Don't worry, I'm not about to launch into a sad post about how crap I feel today, instead I felt inspired to write about the little things in our head that can make or break our happiness on some days. Why is that some days a work assignment can be a breeze and on other days we want to smash someone's head in with said work that needs to be done? It all comes down to our frame of mind. I've written many stories about positive thinking but we all know that sometimes we just don't want to be positive dammit!

Some days you just want to lie on the couch and be miserable. You want to stuff your face with chocolate and cry over sad movies (like The Notebook). It gives us an emotional release, and it's only natural since we can't be expected to be "up" all the time. Maybe that's part of why it does rain. I know some people who are happiest when it's rainy and gloomy outside - for them it's their relaxing, happy time. Whereas people like me, use the rainy days to mope. (Of course I am not suggesting that there is a real scientific reason for rain that is linked to our emotions, but for the sake of this post, I'm drawing my own conclusion).

So if you're having a crap day today (like my morning was), then I hope this post brings you a little sunshine. Remember it's only rain, and the negative thoughts you might be having only seem a thousand times worse right now because you really wish you were at home in your PJs, or on holidays in the Bahamas. And for those not in Sydney and not experiencing this weather, you can stop gloating now : )

"For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness." Anonymous

Notes on Glossy Paper

A little about me

You've probably all received one of those chain emails where you have to write things about yourself, like four places you've lived, four movies you could watch over and over again... or the ones with random questions like: Kids? - Kids what? What is that supposed to be asking exactly? So in the grand tradition of telling others about ourselves, here are 10 things you probably didn't know about me:

1. I lost my licence when I was 17 for speeding
It was the first time I had ever been pulled over and I was doing 133km in a 100km zone. Policeman: "So that's $180 and four points." Me: "Does that mean I've lost my licence?" Policeman: "Yep!" Me: Burst into tears. Apparently I'm pretty good at writing affidavits and got off in court.

2. I used to be a huge hypochondriac
I even asked my granddad to make me some crutches so I could pretend to have a sprained ankle. Weird kid.

3. I once lived in a hostel for two weeks because I was homeless
I had just moved back to Sydney and had nowhere to stay so I lived in a dorm with a German girl and two Asian girls for two weeks in Manly.

4. I've got my boat licence
Except I wouldn't have a clue of the rules anymore. On a recent trip to Airlie Beach we considered hiring a boat but I couldn't remember which side we should pass other boats on.

5. I went skydiving for my 16th birthday
And I'm not sure if I'd have the guts to do it again.

6. I've moved house 23 times
Seriously. From Karalee, to Middlemount, to Caloundra, to Mackay, to Caloundra, to Brisbane, to Sydney, to London, and back to Sydney. The longest time I've ever spent in one house was six years.

7. My middle name is Nicole
And I was going to be called Brooke, but my dad chose the name Celeste.

8. My favourite lunch meat is salami
Just in case you were wondering.

9. I planned to open a dance school
In fact, most people that know me from school, know me for dancing and were surprised I chose journalism.

10. I never competed in one high school sports carnival
I had far better things to do on those days! Like shopping with mum : )

Now that I've bored you with my life, feel free to leave a comment with something I don't know about you.

Notes on Glossy Paper

Gold and old

I was devastated when Chik magazine folded last year. Not only was it an awesome mag (even though it was aimed at teens, I still found most of it relevant to my life), it was based on the Gold Coast and selfishly, I always hoped to work for them one day. Their "zeitgeist" section up the front of the mag was always good for a laugh and I especially loved their "Gold and old" lists. So today I thought I'd go through my current gold and old list...

GOLD Scones with jam and cream (we just had some for one of the girl's birthdays in here)
OLD Weird weather - what happened to summer?
GOLD An Inconvenient Truth - I finally watched this last night and I urge everyone to do the same. It's scary but we can all make a difference. And it also explains above said weather.
GOLD Getting your nails done - mine are currently bright orange!
OLD People with BO on the train... it's 8 o'clock in the morning people! Don't you shower? Or use deodorant?
GOLD My pretty new iMac computer at work.
OLD Choosing what to have for breakfast - cereal is so overrated.
GOLD The fact that there's only two days til the weekend!
OLD That stupid "Rehab" song currently playing on the radio.
GOLD The YouTube version of the same song with the sequence of Britney footage (search for Britney rehab if you haven't seen it).
OLD Gossip magazines - how much do these people make up!?
GOLD Holidays - I wish I was going on one again already.
OLD Waiting for pay day to come around again - how I wish you would visit more than once a month!
GOLD Ugly Betty - I finally saw the first two episodes and it's so cute, it'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
OLD Guy Sebastian - I'm sick of hearing about your elevator love!
GOLD Ikea - so many pretty things, I could stay in there for days.
OLD Assembling Ikea furniture - that stuff could cause marriage break ups!
GOLD Laybys - I haven't had one since I was 16 and paying off a pair of Billabong cords from Brother's Neilsen, but now that I'm credit free, I just laybyed the cutest outfit from Sportsgirl.
OLD Realising I spent the money for my phone credit on laybying the above outfit.

Hope you have a GOLD day! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper