You’ve seen this photo very recently.  Sorry, I love it so much I’m reusing it today.

to then packing all the necessities for an extended long weekend getaway (those are mini takeaway containers full of Haribo Goldbears aka Preschooler SSG’s latest food obsession by the way)

before finally making it to the airport for our flight. 

It’s been a week that’s definitely kept me on my toes and grateful for the energy and comfort food factor that only a cheese and tomato toastie can provide.

There was more of the unusual at the airport.  After having given up buying any of the fashion glossies three years ago, I caved and bought Vogue USA.  $13 worth of Vogue USA to be precise and it was worth every cent to have been able to read the Michelle Obama edition on the very same day that President Obama was delivering his final press conference.  Those half priced Merryteasers went down a treat as I gazed at the photos of impossibly perfect glamazons, read about Michelle and wondered why it is that I already miss the Obamas as much as I do.

Anna Wintour, I apologize for knowing only about what you wear and how you look and not what you write because  your editor’s letter for this issue was so beautifully written.  Primarily about Michelle Obama, Wintour’s introduction to the issue and a tribute to the First Lady was intelligent, considered and managed to bring together all of Obama’s achievements as well as her fashion while also giving some insight into how the editorial came into being.  I have to admit that the editor’s letter is something I rarely read in Vogue.  I have learned my lesson, Ms Wintour.  I will always read your letter whenever I purchase your Vogue.

There is this tree in Perth that’s a short walk from my mum and dad’s.  I make a point of running past it each time I’m home.  I’ve seen it grow over the years and weather the different seasons as it does so.  It always manages to look more solid, stately and healthy with each passing year.  The tree often gets me thinking about life.  Possibly because I’m usually gasping for breath by the time I’ve finished my run while also being a bit anxious as to whether the pace that Mapmyrun tells me I ran is as good as what I’m hoping it was.  But also because looking at that tree clears my mind of whatever it is that I’m obsessing over or planning.

I look at that tree and reflect on how I felt the first time I properly looked at it.  When I seemingly had so many unsolvable problems to deal with, challenges to face, things to let go of and emotions to feel.  Over the years, God and my fellow humans have looked so kindly upon me.  Like this tree of mine, I’ve managed to keep growing and while life is more complicated (or branched if we were to continue developing that tree analogy), that complexity has also added to its beauty and purpose.

That was a bit deep to be thinking about whilst on holiday…

It wasn’t all scenic views over the water and glossy canines on the grass on my first run back in Perth.  Someone stuck a Rent A Fence around the final curve of my run.  Hmph….

The other thing that I do that is less profound (but more cringe worthy to make up for it) is to compare Perth to Sydney.  It begins when I hit the airport and marvel at the quiet and the calm.  It continues when I hit the road and calmly reassure mum that because ‘I drive in Sydney’ any concern that she has about the Perth peak hour (insert adopted Sydneysider eye roll emoji here!!) and traffic diversions around the airport are unnecessary and that of course we won’t get lost as I drive us home.  We didn’t get lost but I did misread a few road signs. 

And then I pace with determination to a local café for takeaway pastries and coffees after one of those tree hugging runs.  Where I find myself to be the only patron standing up and pacing the café in my activewear as I scroll intently on my iPhone.  Everyone else is, of course, fully dressed for the day ahead and sitting reading the paper. Even if they are waiting for takeaway coffee.

Serves me right for being so restless and So Sydney that early in the morning.  I lost 50% of Preschooler SSG’s babycino marshmallows as I walked home with our drinks in a cup holder and our breakfast bagged up.  Something none of the locals seem to do unless it’s the weekend or they need to find something for their house guests from the Eastern States to do so that they don’t get withdrawals from the the super early starts people seem to ‘love’ over there.

East Coast versus West Coast living jokes aside, Preschooler SSG was very happy with the size of his babycino (it was made in a ‘regular’ sized coffee cup) and his chocolate croissant. 

One more bit of this week’s unusualness to share with you in this post and then I’ll be off.  I unearthed a stash of new make up while I was packing for this trip. 

Quick thoughts (from left to right):

• Sephora’s Colorful Shadow and Liner in Secret Boudoir ($18 AUD Sephora AU online, multiple shades available): great as base shade over the whole eyelid.  Pencils on smoothly and easy to then blend in with a flat eyeshadow brush.  I found it lightened and brightened the look of my MAC and Urban Decay shadows without any creasing.  Definite repurchase.
• The Body Shop Skinny Felt Eyeliner in Black ( $19.95 AUD black only): as per the name, very thin point that was easy to work with.  Line produced was a rich black with minimal gloss or shimmer.  Stayed put all day at work.  Great product but I love my Maybelline iCurvy liquid eyeliner more.  Was from my TBS Advent Calendar.  Happy to have received  but won’t be buying.
• The Body Shop Crayon Kohl in Black ($15.95 AUD 5 shades available): nah, I’ll pass, thanks.  While the pencil was soft and easy to work with, I didn’t like the non committal black I ended up with.  It was so non committal it smudged at around 8.30am.  Hadn’t even finished my mug of Moccona in the office let alone gone out there and done any proper work for the day.  Another item from my TBS Advent Calendar.  I’m sticking to my dollars Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On eye pencils or the Sephora version over this.

1. Are you guilty of comparing your home town against the one that you may have relocated to?  Every time you head home….
2. Do you read the editor’s letter in fashion magazines?  Now that I think of it, it is rather rude to not acknowledge the person whose vision powered what you now hold in your hands.  Or have uploaded to your device.  eBook versions of magazines.  Can’t do it…   Topic for another day.
3. Do you have a box full of back up / impulse purchased / gifted make up in your wardrobe?  Do you intend to make inroads into that stash anytime soon?