Monday is a public holiday for most of Australia. Not a lot planned but who can help but be happy today.

The Princess Bride and Monopoly combined makes one heck of a childhood memory.

I want this printer!  See what you print as you print, very cool!

Cool zombie map! 

Another couples thoughts on relationships

Zombies and engagement photo shoots, very cool

Is the Duchess of Cambridge going to appear on the cover of Vogue? Why not, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark did (twice in Australia and Germany) and looked amazing!!!

Its further education time in Australia. Year 12 students have finished for the year as they prepare to sit their HSC in a few short weeks. That means that applying for entry into uni’s for 2012 are well underway (in Australia you apply for uni before sitting your final exams, is that how everyone does it?)

I’ve been hankering for a while to get back to study so I have put my hat in the ring for some post-graduate studies through UAC. I’m also looking into other online options. I think working full time its too hard to study on-campus though I will miss the opportunity to make new friends and just the sharing of ideas but I am really keen to see how eLearning can work (especially as that’s one area that I would be interested in heading).

I still intend to participate in random professional development training that I see in management skills, technology and writing but to get my teeth back into education is something pretty special and I am so fortunate to be in a position to do so.

The photo was taken by my parents I believe when they came to visit and see me on my old stomping ground UNSW

In a random aside loving just how empty my bus is during school holidays. No kids being loud or taking up seats with bags bigger than they are (I really don’t remember that from when I was young). They will be back soon but its a nice interlude.

Carrying on from last weeks pillow I found a store  that sells these really cool map pillows. One even had Australia so I had to include it here.

vintage map, pillow AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND map cushion, organic cotton cushion cover, pillow, cover, 16 inch, 41cm

The quote comes from an interview with Julianne Moore that appeared in The Age last weekend.  Its such a positive attitude to have regarding aging and I feel it at 30. Yes my twenties are over and I have some great tales to tell but I will never be 30 again! Enjoy this moment, this moment, because it won’t come again.

Julianne Moore truly is my favourite actress. The first movie I saw her in was nine months and everything I have seen her in has impressed me.

Next week my new boss starts so other than getting my hair done and birthday drinks for a friend very little is planned for this weekend. How about you?

I subscribe to a lot of travel email bulletins but loved this Rough Guide piece on Cities which aren’t the capitals – but should be. St Petersburg would be amazing!

For brides out there, including my sister, I found this cool name change kit

The To My Wife Tumblr always makes me smile

I’m always a fan of the Crown Prince Couple of Denmark. When they were in Australia all those years ago I saw them at the Opera House. She is tiny and so, so pretty and he seems like the nicest guy.

Still trying to pysch myself up to get a tattoo. I have wanted one for ages and have been looking for inspiration – thanks Pinterest for helping me pull my ideas together.

Wow Dame Helen Mirren!

Saw this over at Sometimes Sweet and thought I’d continue the thread

A. Age: 30

B. Bed size:  queen that needs replacing

C. Chore that you hate: all chores but my least favourite has to be cleaning the bathroom

D. Dogs: Romeo a maltese terrier that I got for my sweet 16. Romy lives with my parents so don’t see him much but he is still my dog and remembers me when I go home

E. Essential start to your day: most days when I leave for work Richard is still in bed so its essential to get a kiss goodbye and the promise to “catch him on the flip side”. The few days where we haven’t said that to each other my days been off!

F. Favorite color: red – its such a fun, confident colour and I always feel good in it

G. Gold or Silver: I tend to buy silver so others do as well though my fancier jewelry is gold

H. Height: 6’2″

I. Instruments you play: I learned the piano as a kid but have lost most of it

J. Job title: conference and events manager

K. Kids:  not yet, one day

L. Live: Sydney Australia

M. Mother’s name:  Julie

N. Nicknames: Alycat, Ally, Ral

O. Overnight hospital stays: not since I was little

P. Pet peeves: it all boils down to people not considering the impact they have on those around on them

Q. Quote from a movie:  The Princess Bride “when he was saying as you wish he really meant I love you”

R. Right or left handed: Right handed.

S. Siblings: I’m the eldest of 4 – two sisters Ellen and Katherine and one bro, Beau

U. Underwear: goes under my clothes

V. Vegetable you hate: I love veg its fruit that I am fussier about

W. What makes you run late: the cat trying to come to work with me, ok he usually does this on the days I am just barely out the time on time and then I run late

X. X-Rays you’ve had: when I had pneumonia as a kid

Y. Yummy food that you make: I’m not much of a cook though I do make a great Anzac biscuit

Z. Zoo animal: I love giraffes

At the wedding we attended on Saturday (which was beautiful) the brides father did a reading during the ceremony of Dr Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! It’s a wonderful tale with something for grown ups too and so, so perfect for two people starting a life together. Oh the places we will go indeed!

Although I love the idea of cushions I never buy them because it doesn’t take long before they all end up in a heap on the floor. I could see these however in a kids bedroom, perhaps in the chair where we read stories. Wow, you can tell I don’t have kids.

Sukan / Color Birds Linen Pillow Cover – 14×14

Richard and I are off to a wedding this weekend in the Hunter Valley wine country. Richard has known the bride for a very long time so should be a great chance to celebrate love. Fingers crossed you have a great weekend planned.

After losing my temper with one internet provider, this week I moved to Google Chrome.

As an adult I have learned to appreciate superheroes as role models. So to see a Tumblr showing that superheroes are for girls too is hard to resist.

Speaking of Tumblr, I really like Ms. Muse’s tumblr and I like the idea of it being a place to store inspiration for her blog English Muse

The Glow is a really lovely representation of motherhood, beautiful yet still real.

After a month off I went back to Pilates on Wednesday, I hate going so long between sessions but so glad to be back.

Discovered Hello Giggles! Quickly becoming a daily read.

Always on the look out for good kids books but this one made me laugh so hard. David Bowie’s Space Oddity as a kids book, awesome!

Happy Birthday to Prince Henry (Harry) of Wales! One of the worlds most eligible bachelors at 27 no doubt he is having a great birthday.

One month til my sister Katherine becomes Mrs Powers (yes, awesome name) at Tulloch Wines. Running errands and applying for leave as the day approaches but so very excited for them.