Procrastinating

Firstly may I say thank you to everyones lovely comments concerning my upcoming trip to New York. I appreciate the excitement you feel for me and it is lovely to be able to share this news with you. Now the most pressing thing on my mind, of course, is packing. I have my wardrobe and shoes mostly sorted but am in a dilemma about whether to pack boots. Would this be overkill for October? I am taking super comfortable Merrill walking shoes, a low heeled mary jane for dining out and am also debating whether to pack a pair of sandals. Will it be warm enough for sandals during fall in NY?? I stalk the weather reports and read trip advisers for recommendations but am getting mixed signals about what the weather can do during October. I have decided to take my light wool coat just in case. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I'm trying to stick to my usual three pairs of shoes limit. While I sat this morning in my pretty room deliberating world peace and which shoes to take I snapped some instagram photos and wasted time playing with filters because isn't this just the best thing to do when procrastinating? And writing blog posts when I should be actioning all sorts of jobs and errands!! Annie xx

Am I the only one having trouble with the new blogger interface layout? My draft is written with appropriate spacing then preview and published post is bunched together plus I can only enable the large size photo and I prefer the extra-large option plus the photo is no longer displayed in the draft, only codes? :-(

Counting the Days until....!!!!!

Oh yeah we are leaving for New York in less than two weeks!! I am excited about this trip for many reasons...I have never been to the east coast of America, NY has been on my list of must see cities and it is Mr red roses and my 30th wedding anniversary. I know, that achievement is a miracle in itself! We have our plans all mapped out and it will be thoroughly wonderful and I dare say I will be hootin and hollerin just like the sailor boys (from one of my favourite musicals by the way). Photos will be taken with gay abandon which I shall be Instagraming like nobodies business. Free wi-fi in the hotel and hot spots will be utilized I assure you. Lots of action is happening at the house before we fly away so the remainder of this year makes for hectic times. Fun Fun Fun! *Apologies for the scrunched up post, the clip may have altered something or this new fangled blogger interface might be playing tricks on me? Annie xx

Pinch me Now

This past week I have been dreaming of a black and white/neutral travelling palette. Last obstacle I wish to experience before heading out the hotel door for a days sight seeing, fun and games is the dilemma of being left with a riff raff of miss matched apparel and bellowing I have nothing to wear!
So..I am gathering a few pieces in my mental check list and allowing myself to feel excited about a special holiday on the near horizon. Alas I can only tease and not divulge the destination because this decision is still in the 'omg pinch me now we are actually planning to do this' phase and there's countless dots to join before I scream my news over the Internet.

A go anywhere jacket, black ballet slippers, black backpack and tiny purse for the bare essentials while partaking of the glorious sights. And because I stick purely to a neutral theme I swish up an outfit with a scarf such as this pretty Italian leopard print.

So once again our luggage will be hauled out and put into service. Believe me I am bursting to share...
all in good time.

A big thank you to the team at The Decorating Forum for featuring my blog this week...it's been fun.

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

 Hong Kong

Hong Kong is on my mind because we are planning on returning later this year and I am excited.

Honkers is one of my very favourite places and it was my first choice to revisit when Mr red roses and I discussed destinations.

The food

The shopping

The scenery

The buildings

The people 

The food.....

What's not to love about Hong Kong!

Next time I aim to pack minimal clothes (yeah right) so I can pack a empty suitcase inside a bigger suitcase.
The Countdown has begun!

 Annie xx                                                   

Shellac and A Few Bits and Bobs

Lo and behold I have experienced the new revolution in nail varnish.

Shellac.

Am I impressed? You bet!

But...I'm now having an internal debate about the health implications concerning the use of a UV lamp which is used to dry and cure the shellac. A quick google search informs one about the health implications of these rays. I did read a tip which was to slather sunscreen on one's hands before application. Next month I'm visiting my Dermatologist and I shall ask for advice because there's a mass of differing opinions being expressed.

 I do adhere to safe practices where sun protection is concerned and no doubt will be somewhat swayed by my health professional. 

I would like to have shellac applied before a special occasion or travelling because it really is brilliant. This pretty pink was applied nine days ago and it's still as good as new other than the colour slightly moving due to nail growth. Two weeks seems to be the length of an application before removal.

Are you a shellac devotee and what's your opinion?

Here's a few snippets from my thrilling life of late...
Whipped up a big beautiful slab of chocolate cake. My mother taught me a baking trick...extend baking paper up higher than the sides of a cake tin to produce a level cake and prevent burning the edges.

Purchased a new frock. This was a no-brainer because I like the designer and it was On Sale.
The fashion Gods dangled the carrot and I did bite.

By now you know my abhorrence to packing for a trip but is unpacking even worse? To enthuse myself in the task of finally putting away freshly laundered apparel from my recent jaunt I figured new hangers would do the trick. My favourite hangers are the faux velvet variety. Great for their non-slip properties. Nabbed these pink beauties from BigW.
My wardrobe is grateful.

Recently rediscovered a love affair with music from the band Supertramp, their sound brings back wonderful memories of life in the 70's and turned up to a decent level this music puts a spring in my step.

A gift of pretty red roses and I'm ready to enjoy the weekend. Our autumn weather is magical..just perfect actually.

I shall leave you with a clip from youtube featuring Roger Hodgson the singer from Supertramp performing my favourite song (there are few original clips in existence apparently since the group disbanded).
The lyrics never fail to move me.



Annie xx

Travel Preparations

Introducing my suitcase.

I hauled it down today to start throwing a few items in so I don't feel tempted to wear them before we depart on our latest adventure. The week before we travel I rush around like a woman possessed washing and ironing so I have plenty of options when I pack the day before departure.

Anyway, my suitcase is my pal. Bought only two years ago but it's survived a good few kilometres in those years and has the battle scars to prove it. The day she curls up her roller wheels I will rush out and buy an identical style. See the extendable zips..never commence the trip with the suitcase full or you're in big trouble girls ie. no space for carting home some shopping. Plus it's far less stressful to pack light.

This wool coat is fab because it's lightweight, toasty warm and portable. Probably the best all round coat I had the good sense to buy. The first leg of our trip will be in a major city with coolish temps while the last stretch will be spent in another major city with warmer temps. Yep one of those shebangs requiring flexible options and ever so frustrating to pack for. Layering will be the focus no doubt.

Along with washing everything that stands still I need to alter some trousers for Mr redroses and of course they've been staring at me for weeks but now there is a sense of urgency to haul out my mother's old Singer sewing machine and get those babies hemmed and pressed.

                                
This old girl has outlasted two newer sewing machines. They don't make em like they used to!

                                     
 Hmmm do you think the boarding kennel will tuck her in like this each night? I swear she put her own head on the cushion.


All this activity tires out my darling pooch and she will be less than impressed once she spies the suitcase.
How do animals sense they are not invited on their masters travels?

Annie xx