On the move

I've decided to get up and relocate from ol' blogger here. I've had a lot of fun on Wordpress recently so I think it's time for change. Mymindonscreen will still be the name of my new one, but i'll be blogging on a more regular basis and on things people actually find interesting. 

Check out my new space here! Be sure to move on with me and follow, comment and still check in when you're bored to see what life is treating me to.

Thanks a bunch for reading though, see you soon.
Liv x

Summer crafts

The last month or so, I seem to have been sitting on Pinterest for a reasonable amount of time each day, and although my time could be spent more wisely, it's sparked a new love and passion for DIY and crafts. I've always loved thinking of new things for my bedroom but most of it never actually eventuated.

When I'm in my new flat I really want to try and build a crate bookshelf. Not hard at all, but it's just finding the time and effort to buy or find the crates and the other bits and pieces I'll need. In the meantime, I've got some new crate storage at the end of my bed.. However I have just bought some more second hand furniture pieces so these crates need to be made into something else to make room for my new goodies!

I have also been scrapbooking a bit as well which is something I've been meaning to get around to in years. So hopefully my DIY furniture do ups and crafts will progress to gorgeous pieces in the near future.

Have also been making my own bunting for my bedroom but that post can wait. {Seriously so simple and gorgeous so look out for that one.}

Here's my Pinterest if you want to have a geeze. Yes I know the wedding board is the most popular, and no I am not getting married any time soon. It's just one of those things I love looking at and dreaming about.

Enjoy xx

A tourist in Sydney

Right, I've finally sat down to write a post about my short but very fun trip to Sydney last month. No excuse as to why I haven't done this earlier really, summer has just got away on me! I was so excited to head to Sydney as I'd only ever been to Brisbane/Gold Coast and this trip made me appreciate how gorgeous Australia really is. 

It was an eaaaarly morning when we flew out. Had to be at the airport at 4.30am (eeeek) which meant we were out of the house at 2.30am. Seriously crazy, but so worth it. 
Our first day in Sydney was long but one of the best. We arrived at 7.15am their time, so had all day to see the sights and get our bearings a wee bit. This was the day where we headed to Circular Quay and went to the Sydney Opera House, Government House and watched Legally Blonde the Musical. {Which was amazing! If you have the opportunity to see it somewhere in the world, you will laugh all night and want to get up and dance. Just go.}

Friday was spent at Big Day Out in the 45ºc heat! I have never been so hot in my life and to be out in that heat all day was crazy. Had the best time in the no noise room where you put on headphones and just dance. We were stoked to see bands including The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Killers {incredible!} Vampire Weekend, Avalanche City and lots more. 

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were spent doing more touristy things including the Taronga Zoo, Bondi Beach, China town, Darling Harbour, Harbour Bridge and shopping of course. We were lucky enough to get a table at a restaurant right on Darling Harbour on Saturday night so we sat and soaked up the atmosphere. I lost count of how many "brides to be" having their hens nights that night! We sat outside and at 9.30pm a massive display of fireworks started. This was nothing like I have ever seen before and somewhat made me realise that Australia just does everything so much bigger {dear I say better?} than New Zealand, but this place is home. 

Heading to Sydney was just what I needed and I'm so glad I made the decision to purchase those Big Day Out tickets at midnight one night. We definitely had a few laughs with the Aussies, one of whom started singing and dancing Gangnam Style when we purchased our train tickets. Sometimes you've just got to book these things and go. Life's way to short to be in Hamilton forever. 

Going a bit crazy on my DIY crafts at the moment {home made bunting infact} however I move house next week so once I'm in and sorted I'll be back on the blog. Till next time xx

Second hand store bargains

I'm back in the country and had an amazing few days in Sydney which you'll hear about in the next week or so. In the mean time I have some new bits and pieces in my bedroom. My favourite find has been an antique chair that I found in a second hand store in Te Aroha. My mum and I have always had a love of second hand shopping, and when I find old furniture to do up, I get so excited. 

Left: The chair they day I bought it. A bit old and nackered. Right: The chair after being rebuilt and recovered with a gorgeous duck egg blue. 

So I found this gorgeous old chair for a bargain of only $2 {in quite a terrible state, but it had character that needed a bit of help to come through.} The same day I found some fabric in my favourite colour and took it to the upholstery shop to get recovered and pretty much rebuilt. A month later I finally got it back, and although it may have cost a little bit more than $2 to get done, I'm so stoked with it as I see it as a chair that will move with me wherever I may be. 

Hooray for second hand shops, $2 vintage/antique finds and the very talented people who have the ability to bring something like this back to life. 

Australia bound!

Finally the week has come where one of my very best friends and I pack our bags and head across the ditch to Sydney, Australia. An overseas trip has been a long time coming for me, and although I feel blessed to have been out of New Zealand before, I'm so excited to do it again. Never ever have I ever travelled with just one friend {or every travelled without adults!} so I feel as though this is the first step in the real world. 

We've created a mini itinerary which at the moment includes Big Day Out, Legally Blonde the musical, a few markets and definitely the Sydney Opera House. If it's meant to be, we might even pop up to Palm Beach {where my favourite tv soap, Home and Away is filmed.}

But you'll have to wait and see what we really get up to in my posts once I'm home. I'm taking my Canon so will see what touristy photos we can capture. 

Can't wait to blog about our travels in the next few weeks. Liv ox

A New Year!

First of all, happy new year to all (or you small bunch) of readers out there. Hope you all had a magnificent new year wherever you were. I've been reading a few other blogs recently and most of them are posting about new years resolutions etc etc; However, I'm not so good at new years resolutions, so instead we'll call them goals I aim to achieve. Same thing? Probably. 

2012 was a good one for me, although I kind of just plodded along, lived a student life and didn't actually achieve a hell of a lot. I've been thinking about what this year will bring. Here's what I hope to achieve. 

-Be more creative and do more things I love. This pretty much means blogging, writing, and scrap booking. {Something which I haven't done the last six months}

-Get into DIY. I love houses and interior bits and pieces, so with the help of Pinterest I hope to do a few things for my bedroom or my flat which I'll be proud of and can keep forever. 

-Do something that is going to help me in my future. Now this ones a bit vague, but since I'm in my last year of study, I feel like I need to be creating a magazine or at least writing for one. We'll see how this goes!

-Maybe, finally do a half marathon. Eeeek. Every year I say I'll do one, but the excuses come out and it never gets done so surely this is the year. 

I've got a few plans for these goals up my sleeve so will keep you updated. In the meantime, here's a few bits from Instagram. 

1.That chair was $2 in a second hand shop {such a great buy!} so I'm getting it recovered for a bit more than $2 but I can't wait to have it in my room. 2.Christmas Day swims. 3.NZ Sun. 4. NZ Beach. 5. Lolly bangles. 6. The most perfect poached eggs (obviously not made by me.)

Happy new year people, may it be a good one.

Back soon oxo

Over and Out

Well 2012 is nearly complete and Christmas is literally at our doorsteps so this is it. This will be my last post for the year as I'll be popping home for a few days over Christmas then finally have 5 days off work for New Years. I'll be heading to the beach with family and friends to relax and unwind {if I haven't done enough of that already.} 

Might even go swimming as the sun sets...

 

 Or jump off rocks? Who knows, but I cannot wait!

For those of you who actually take the time to read my blog, {or scribbles} thanks a bunch. Hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I've loved writing it. Next year I'll write a list of things to blog about and will hit it off in January. Suggestions welcome. 

In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Years. Catch you lot in 2013! Kisses and hugs. Liv x

A Kiwi Christmas

I don't know if you're feeling the same way, but I don't think it feels like Christmas is literally one week away. One week?! Usually I'm so excited at this point and have wrapped up everyones presents and am now onto wrapping up everyone else's for them.. But this year, not so much. 

I am really unsure of why I feel like this, but nevertheless, Christmas is only seven days away and then before you know it, we'll be in 2013 starting a whole new year! 

A New Zealand Christmas is less about sleigh bells and snow, and more about sun, sand and barbecues in the backyard. Some may go to Church and others will be opening presents and eating all day long. For me, Christmas is just about spending time with friends and family, enjoying a pressie or two and relaxing! 

For those of you not from New Zealand, above is what we call the "New Zealand Christmas tree." It's a Pohutukawa Tree. But don't worry, we don't put a branch of Pohutukawa in our lounge, we're still the same as the rest of the world with out Christmas Tree and find a cute green one that smells delish. 

Wherever you are in the world and whatever you are doing, Merry Christmas. I hope you have a fantastic day. Enjoy x

Recipe: Chocolate Brownie

If you're at our family Christmas, you'll definitely eat the famous chocolate brownie. So scrumpscious 'cos it's not as rich as most chocolate brownie. Instead of only using cocoa, you melt the chocolate into it which I'll explain in the recipe. Hope you enjoy x

Chocolate Brownie

Ingredients

250gm Butter
125gm Chocolate Buttons
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Flour
4 Eggs
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup Cocoa
1 tsp Vanilla 

Melt the butter and chocolate buttons in a double boiler. {Fill a small saucepan with hot water and heat on the stove. Put a bowl on top of the water and place the butter/choccy buttons in there and melt away!}

Beat eggs lightly together then once the butter/chocolate is melted, take it off the stove and combine the egg with this. Make sure the bowl is off the stove or you'll end up with scrambled eggs!

In another bowl, add all your dry ingredients then mix all the dry and wet ingredients together and voila!

Pour into a baking tray that's lined with baking paper and cook on bake for 30-40minutes at 180 degrees. Serve with a bit of ice-cream of natural yogurt and it will be delish!

Good luck little bakers oxo

Happenings

I had the opportunity to photograph Casabella Lane's first ever market day last Saturday which was lots of fun. Got to hang with Santa and capture the sunny Hamilton day. I need to get a few more stories published so that's definitely something I aim to do these summer holidays. 

Thought it was the perfect opportunity to write one for the Waikato Independent so check it out here if you have a minute or two. 

p.s. Christmas is so soon. Less than three weeks away! I'm on a serious saving spree (of sorts?) so if you know any cheap or DIY christmas pressies for family, let me know. oxo

Sydney Bound!

Recently there's been a lot of talk of going on a holiday (maybe months) but nothing had yet eventuated. A while back I was planning a trip to Thailand with the boy but December/January doesn't fit in with his golf tournaments and yardy yardy yar. Even in this post I talked about dying to get away. Great news, I've finally sorted myself out and am off to Sydney for five days in January. 

Need a wooohoo. 

#Yolo got the better of me and I saw myself at midnight on Sunday booking tickets to Big Day Out in Sydney with a friend from school. I've only been to Brisbane/The Gold Coast so it'll be fun to venture around a new place and get out of old Hamilton for a few days! 

That's Big Day Out in Sydney - all those people (and on Bondi Beach as well) hollly moly. I'll be one of those people in just over a months time rocking to Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Killers!

Been to Sydney? Know of places we must visit? We're there for 5 days so suggestions of activities/tourist attractions welcome. Can't say I've ever been on a holiday just me and a friend - first time for everything. Let me know if you recommend places to stay/shop/eat/dance etc etc etc; 

Love oxo

Top 5: Online Stores

These days, online shopping is becoming a popular thing to do. It's convenient, sometimes cheaper, and means I can sit in bed and browse the internet. This weeks Top 5 are my top online stores at the moment. Although I haven't actually purchased anything from a few of them, I love being able to look at all the goodies I dream of having. Maybe you'd like to check these out next time you need a browse. Hope you enjoy xx

1. ASOS

ASOS is the UK's largest online fashion store and you will find anything and everything on ASOS. They have a huge range of men and women's fashion depending on what you like. They have the best sale items and I've bought a few bits and pieces off here recently. It's often a bit hit and miss with the sizing but if you had the patience, you could buy something off here, then take it to someone who will resize it for you! Best of all? Free shipping to New Zealand. What a deal!

2. Trade Me (Does this count?)

Ok so, it's an online auction site, but that still counts as shopping doesn't it? If your not from New Zealand, Trade Me is pretty much like Ebay or any of those sites where people sell their stuff. We've had to buy a few new bits and pieces for our flat and this has been the place to go. Two cream couches for $20. What a steal. 

3. Redcurrent

If you're a sucker for homewares and gifts, this website will keep you for hours. Redcurrent is a New Zealand store which has everything from gifts and home decor to clothing for babies! Although I haven't yet purchased anything from here, window shopping keeps me happy anyway!

4. Cotton On

Yes we have a Cotton On in Hamilton, but the one with the Typo bits and pieces isn't exactly on my doorstep, so this is the perfect place to window shop, then maybe go and purchase. This site is based in Australia so anything you do buy will cost an extra $20 postage, but sometime's it's worth it. 

5. Little Paper Lane

I recently found Little Paper Lane on Fat Mum Slims blog. If you live in Australia - you definitely have to check this out! The cutest store that sells invites, stationary, diaries, notebooks, the list goes on! It's times like these that I wish I could be older and getting married. One day. I'm not 100% sure how much shipping to New Zealand will cost, but when I decide I need/want something off here, I'll let you know! 

Those are a few of my favourite places to browse and sometimes shop, check them out oxo

Top 5: Things I Love

When in need of blog inspiration, I pop over to Fat Mum Slim's blog (Chantelle Ellem - Australian blogger who I've mentioned before) and see what she's been up to. She blogs a lot about food and recipes, and although I love food and cooking, because I'm on a student budget, I don't bake that often, and if there is baking in my flat, it's gone within a day. You may see a few recipes here and there (mums famous aioli which is here) but I'm going to start something called "Top 5." 

Once in a while, I'll do my top 5 on different things. Could be my top 5 movies, top 5 songs, top 5 shops, you get my drift. So todays "top 5" is things I love. Read on and you'll get a bit of an idea of what I love at the moment. 

One. Polka dots. 

How could you not? Anyone who knows me, knows I am obsessed with polka dots. Mainly red and white, but polka dots are polka dots. A lot of what I own is polka dots, including the cutlery in our flat, as well as half my wardrobe. I think I got the polka dot bug from my darling mother though, it's contagious. 

Two. #YOLO

Yes, I know it's overused and everyone is sick of it. But seriously, whoever came up with this saying had it all sorted. You do only live once, and although it shouldn't be an excuse to do anything silly, I think it's quite a relevant saying. Apologies to you if you don't. I may have even bought these wall letters the other day, but don't tell anyone. Yolo. 

Three. Typo

If you haven't heard of Typo, where have you been living? The perfect place for stationary, room decorations, calendars, the list goes on. Typo has finally made it to Hamilton's Cotton On store which I am so happy about, cos before this I would just get Typo things for pressies or I'd buy from Australia. So wooohoo Hamilton, wooohoo Typo. My lanterns, bunting and my yolo hashtag letters are all purchased from Typo, and it's not to spensy either which makes it so worthwhile. 

Four. Chuck Taylors

A must have for the wardrobe, Chucks are the perfect shoe to wear with anything, anywhere. I've had one pair of black chucks for the last year or so, but I decided I deserved new ones so these are my new babies. So comfy yet they don't look too bad either. 

Five. We Heart It. 

One of my favourite online photo sharing websites. Most of the photos I use are from we heart it. I find it easier and more simple than Tumblr and I can use tags to find photos. Whether you are looking for inspiration photos, Zac Efron photos {I have lots if you want them. What a babe.} or photos which make you want to go to the beach, you'll find it on we heart it. 

So that's my top 5 things I love right now. What are you enjoying? Summer? Holidays? Your camera? Asos? These things could be on my list next time. Til next time oxo

Life through Instagram

A person I follow on blogger just did a post called "life through instagram," and since I spend a lot of my time on that little photo application, I thought I'd do it too.

 

 

My first radio show ever / Inspirations off we heart it / A girl should be two things: Classy and fabulous / A note in my lunchbox from the best friend ever / Me and Luke dressed up for the Labour Day races /  Four of my favourite people in my double bed / Pretty fake nails / Editing my radio shows / Champagne for a party at the parents house. 

More instagram photos soon, in the meantime I'm trying to get an assignment finished and then I am free oxo

A pet peeve..

Hi all my little mymindonscreen readers {Is anyone actually reading?} Hope you're fab. 

Now, I think I'm quite a positive person, and people who make their lives so negative is something that I just don't understand. So when I meet people and I get the "the world revolves around me, I'm guna tell you all my first world problems" vibe, It kind of turns me off them a wee bit. 

Over the weekend, I saw someone I haven't seen in a few months and when I laughed about how rich I was going to be with my journalism career, {maybe not - but a girl can dream} this person made a interesting remark. This leads me to my "pet peeve" that is when people judge someone without any understanding of what they're doing or where they could one day go. Sometimes I think to myself, who are you to judge? What do you know about me? I could be the evening news anchor one day earning reasonable money, but you've already put me down. Why? I'm allowed to joke about myself but when someone else doesn't get the joke and add to it in all seriousness, I get a little confused. 

My boyfriend is in this situation way to often! He wants to play golf professionally one day and often when he tells people this, they laugh as if to say you wish boy. I hadn't really been in a situation where someone had laughed about what I'm studying so it did kind of knock me down a little bit. Annnnyway, main point of this blog {/small rant} is that even if people do laugh or comment on what you're doing, this should definitely not knock you down. Take it from Keri Hilson - "Keep rockin' and keep knockin!"

Take it as a "yo b!#*h you wait and see what I'll be doing in 10 years time, then I'll laugh at you." Brutal. Sorry. There's a lot of haters in this world but you just keep cranking it glen coco. 

Love to you all! Til next time oxo 

Need to get away?

Me too. I am seriously counting down the days until I finish tech for the year {10 days until I'm completely finished but 101 things to do in the meantime - blogging keeps me sane} and then before we know it, our New Zealand summer {that did exist once upon a time} will be here. Can I get a woooohoo!

Although it's all fine and dandy that I get three months off and pretty much get to do what I please... {I'm very grateful of this}... Sometimes I just wish I could literally book some tickets to some place hot where I could lie on the beach all day. I'm at a point where If someone gave me a few thousand dollars {anybody listening?} I'd book an overseas holiday right there and then.

In the six years that we've been together, me and the boy have never been overseas together so anywhere, like anywhere would be amazing. Australia, any of the Pacific Islands, Thailand or even Tahiti when I wish I was rich. Although my budget doesn't allow, I'm often very tempted to just book a flight somewhere, then at least I have to go. Wouldn't that be fun? Or does no one else get this feeling which is a bit like cabin fever?

Anyway money fairy, please be nice to me. If you are listening, drop me some money from your tree when you're looking over me. Even better, book me a holiday anywhere in the world! Would this be a good time to send the link of mymindonscreen to my parents and say I know exactly what I want for christmas? Seriously, just get me out of Hamilton. Lots of love, very poor student. Ex o ex o.

Summer's coming..

Which means i'm now in my last two weeks at tech - the few weeks when life is a little bit cray cray. One of my final assignments is to make a website {as I mentioned in my last post} So I've been a bit slack at blogging. 

I'm sorry I haven't blogged because..

1. I have school work to do, and making a website is by far the best assignment I've ever had to do therefore it's taking up a lot of my time. 
2. The Block Australia has started {Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday nights} and I already have my favourite couple. {Sophie & Dale if you watch it}
3. I spend a lot of my time singing to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack. 
4. Refer to above. 

If you haven't seen Pitch Perfect, you are missing out. I'm not a big movie fan as most of my friends will know so when I was busting to see this, it may have come as a surprise. The only movies I really enjoy are romantic comedy's or movies with singing/dancing in them, true to Dio girl form. Sitting in Pitch Perfect, us four girls were clapping and singing away {much to the embarrassment of the one boy who came with us, sorry Binney} Fat Amy is hilarious and it's just so much better than the normal dancing/singing movies 'cos it's a laugh as well. Even though I'm a poor student, I may have bought the soundtrack for $20 cos I enjoyed it so much. 

But seriously, stop reading this and go see Pitch Perfect. It's worth the $14. In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of my favourite bit in the movie. 

Not long now until I am finished at tech for a few months, summer will be here {I might finally get a tan} and all my bestest of friends will be home from university.  Hopefully I'll have some blog inspiration too, enjoy beautiful people oxo

In other news..

There is no other news, just a title to get you excited, hope you did. Saturday night and I'm home alone cranking some school work. Had a wee/major freak out last week because I realised how many assignments I have to do, in so little time. I don't have exams {thankfully} and I do sympathize with those who have to study for those yucky things. 

One of the assignments on my "to do" list is to make a webzine {an online magazine} so it's been my task to take photos for this website, which is based on Casabella Lane. For those of you who aren't from Hamilton, Casabella is a very cute side street with lots of cute boutique shops including Redcurrent which is my absolute favourite.  

Here's a few of my photos so far with improvements still to be made. 

Enjoy your weekend! Til next time oxo

When to say, he's mine?

When you were 12, 13, 14, your friends would ask boys out for you, true? After a few days when you were over it, you'd text them to tell them it's totes over babes, and that would be that. So when we're 19, 20, 21, how does one even get to the point where that guy you've been seeing for a while, is actually your boyfriend? Two friends of mine are both in this sitch, and everyone needs some advice. Since I did the "hey i've met you once or twice, wana go out?" text..(It kind of stuck and we've been together ever since - i know, don't judge) .. I'm not exactly the best person to give advice.

There's no rules on this kind of thing is there, which sucks. But what do you do? Is it the guys responsibility to take it for the team, spoil her and ask her to be his girlfriend? Or should it be a mutual decision where you both decide that you've been on a few dates, you may or may not have stayed over a few times so could it be more than a "thing?" Or, sadly, is it when you're official on Facebook? (So sad, but so 2012.)

Personally... (Even in my lack of experience) I say it should be a mutual decision whether or not you say you're "together." If you're too nervous to bring it up with them and ask where you stand and why you're spending so much time together, maybe it's not worth it? As long as you're happy and you're having fun, then it's up to you whether or not you even have a title. So what if they aren't your usual kind of guy, change is good, and you never know what could come out of something little.

Good luck girlfriends! 
You go glen coco xx

When you're having a freak out, blog.

I'm sitting here at the Wintec radio station having a wee mini, maybe larger freak out. My theory is when all else fails, blog. So at the moment I'm not failing, but In an hour I'm going to be a wee bit out of my comfort zone, which although I should - I don't often get out of. I'm doing a broadcasting class this semester, and to pass, we have to do four two hour shows on our student radio station. 

We've had to prepare all our own content, {mine includes the NZ music awards/words that have been added to the dictionary like amazeballs, the amazeballs bars I go to, and all this cutting for rhythm and vines stuff.} I have no one else to help me with the dock {is that what you call it?} and I'm just hoping I don't stuff it up. As long as I can hit the play button when I do stuff up and the music will keep playing, then this will be fine. 

Although it's not a huge radio station and there's not tooooo many listeners, this is still something I've never done before. I've never been on the radio on my own {apart from the time The Edge rang me 'cos I couldn't get tickets to Katy Perry! Does this count?} but on Chantelle Ellems blog today {that photo is hers} she wrote about public speaking and getting out of your comfort zone. 

So here goes. This best be fun. Love x