Here’s the thing about young, handsome Argentinian lifeguards on beaches... they’re very convincing. VERY. CONVINCING. Maybe it's was his accent, my broken Español, or the casual way in which his eyes lit up when I said "Is that hard to do?" that I decided to go out on a limb yesterday. Literally. (NOTE: my decision may …
Happy Yule, Y’all!
It's exactly 5:51am on Christmas morning & we're all up & amping to rock into the day. Kenny Chesney's Xmas album is playing in the background. The birds are singing along. Presents are begging to be opened underneath the tree & Santa's left us a cookie or three to munch on. Here's wishing you & …
Top Three EASIEST Cocktails for Summer
Sundays, they really are the best days. Aren't they? Whether you rest up, work out, or follow your adventuresome spirit wherever it takes you - there's magic in the restfulness of a day dedicated to play. At our house, Sunday are usually for long walks, deep talks, beach wanderings - and cocktail practice! Yesterday we …
Welcoming Disappointment
Being an adult (a happy one) is a many faceted thing. Happiness being an individual construct, we all get there on our own time, taking our own roads, and learning different lessons along the way that help us distill the good-stuff into such a potent potion that all we're left with is appreciation.One of the …
Changing How I View Change
The only constant in life, is change. But, let's face it, knowing that change is inevitable doesn't make facing it particularly comfortable or easy. In fact, as a card carrying creature of habit myself, I'll be straight up with you: change makes me shake in my proverbial (and literal) boots more often than not. As …
Find and Embrace Your Happy Places
The daily grind. The everyday-hustle. The day-to-day repetition of everyday life. Whatever you call it, most of us spend a lot of our time adhering to a routine. You know how it goes: Wake up. Shower. Dress. Make lunches. Drop the little ones off. Sprint to the bus. Grab a coffee on the run. At …
First World Problems
Today I woke up in a big, comfortable California King bed next to my husband. I was warm. Safe. Rested. Content. Hubby snored softly while our 5-year-old slept soundly down the hall. Because I got up before the dawn, I flipped on the lights so I could brush my teeth in the light with clean …
Summer so far – in photos
Summer is a magical time. I grew up in a land of perennial summer and sunshine. So, when then weather turns from grey, cold and wet to sunny and warm here in Auckland I become my full self. Happy! Dancing! Swimming! Singing! Snoozing in the sun. I'm not sure if it's the Vitamin D coursing through my …
The Art of Living in the Moment
Living in the moment is an art. Seriously, it is. It’s not quite Jackson Pollack. It’s not Picasso or Matisse. It’s not your 5yr old’s fridge hanging creations. No, it’s an art that’s wholly individual to all of us. After learning of the passing of Natalie Murphy – the young Auckland mum who fought aggressive …
Soul of Summer
Back to the start. I’ll start this by stating the obvious: I am a child of the sun. Dark, cold and foreboding Winters do nothing for my mental or physical well being other than to strengthen my resolve to be somewhere hot. Somewhere with the sunlight shining down on my face. My ancestors come from …