Valentines Day

I just LOVE valentines day. Once a year we get to publicly show our love for the people who mean the most to us. Today we celebrated by:

Heart attacking the entire lawn

 

Delivering cupcakes to their work

 

Tuks giving me a beautiful pair of  Swarovski studs

And ending the day with a romantic stroll before dinner

I hope it was a Happy Valentines day for you too xxx

TRY-athlon

I know.  Who posts these kinds of pictures of themselves!?

 This was me, on Saturday, during my triathlon transitioning from the Swim to cycle.. look at the concentration! 

The last time I did a triathlon was over 3 years ago, pre-marriage when I was fit and healthy. This time it was really hard. Mainly because I hate running. Or maybe it's  because I can't run like I used to. I plod. And yet.. I did it. And I loved it. And it has taught me that I can in fact do things  that are really hard.

The results were posted yesterday and I placed 2nd in the swim, 11th in the cycle and .... 40th in the run. Not too bad considering I walked half of it. I finished the triathlon in 50 minutes and the fastest time was 42 minutes so, overall I placed 21st and am stoked. There are plenty more triathlons coming up this year and if you are keen to do one let me know because heck, if I can do one ANYONE CAN. Anyone. on. earth. For real.


 NOTHING you’ve experienced can prepare you for how good you’ll feel when you cross that finish line. ( even if you come 40th like me!) xx

Completed summer project

Last  year I was browsing Dutch by design ( they have some awesome stuff) and saw a really cool frame clock. I didn't have the $200 to buy one, and at the start of this year I still didn't have $200 to buy one so I decided to make one. The original clock had all white frames, but the wall in our living room is already white so I decided to mix it up.
So what do you think of my summer project?

Nude tights

Today I was going to upload a picture of my completed summer project. But I think I might leave you in suspense for one more day. 

Instead I have chosen to share this:

 

Why?

Because it's so stinkin hillarious that's why.

Why a brown person would wear flesh toned tights is beyond me. Perhaps her brown flesh colored tights are in the wash?

My first road bike

When I lived in Hawaii I had a sweet blue Cruiser named Edgar who got me to wherever I needed to be.  I loved the times we shared together going to the beach, to Food land to buy my Ben n Jerry's or for late night Chevron runs.

 I decided it was time  to recreate that magic here in New Zealand. Lucky for me my triathlete friend makes bikes for a living and could build me a super cool bike. The complete opposite of Edgar this bike is made for racing.

I really don't know a whole lot about my bike. I guess I should. But I am still learning everything I need to know. I will get there. Mr Triathlete keeps telling me about the seat, frame and gears. I just smile and say OK- I really have no idea.

I have been on a few rides to the airport since I have had my bike but today was perhaps my most favorite ride because.. I rode my bike to school! Below is a picture of me on the way to school feeling great to have the wind in my face and happy to be able to glide more quickly than I can run/plod.

 

I heart travelling

This week I flew to Nelson to visit my Nanny and Grandpa. I forgot how much I really love flying, and being in airports. Here are some of my reasons why:

1. When I travel, I am the most organized version of myself. All of my needs are packed away in little compartments of my suitcase, and my passport and travel documents are easily accessible. This makes me feel competent. 

2. Some of my earliest travel experiences took place in airports and on airplanes before I was 2 years old.That early fascination with flying has made air travel something that is generally stress-free, interesting and fun for me.

3.  The information boards with the flight numbers of arrivals and departures. It get so excited thinking about how those numbers represent a different path with a different ending, like a real choose-your-own adventure.

4 . The very satisfying feeling of being in an airport with nothing to do but wait, browse through books, people-watch and eat.

 5. The feeling you get when the plane accelerates and goes super fast in preparation for take off. 

6. The view from the plane that gives  a totally different perspective of the earth that we live on.

7. Airplane food. Cringe if you will, but seriously I do. The little packets of food all served hot. Who can't like that!

8. Arriving at my destination knowing I can escape reality for a few days. 




So there you have it. Just some of the reasons I love to fly. Next stop- U.S.A

The Value of a Dollar

If you have ever sampled the sugary sensation of a Macaron you will know what heaven tastes like.
The outer shell is slightly crisp, the middle is cakey and the creamy center is smooth and cool. There is no doubt that quality ingredients go into making these, but how much would you pay for one?

The Macarons at our local cake store retail for $3.50 each. Seriously. And yes, Tuks and I have been suckered in to paying that price for these little bundles of joy on more than one occasion. Why, you ask, would I ever spend so much on a tiny sweet? Because they're worth it.

Last year Jonathan Blaustein created a photographic projected " The Value of a Dollar" which documents numerous food items brought for a dollar:

 A double cheese burger from McDonald's

Twelve organic blueberries 

Shrimp flavored ramen noodles

Organic Basmati rice 

The Value Of A Dollar project really is food for thought. I think that we should all be o.k with spending a little more on our food. There is a lot of truth in the saying " You are what you eat." And in the case of cheap food, " You get what you pay for". Even if I were down to my last dollar I would buy those 12 blueberries over the ramen noodles.

I always buy good quality organic muesli.

I buy good quality ( but slightly more expensive) face creams and cleansers.

I spend $3.50 on one Macaron, even though I could get a snickers and coke for less.

I don't mind spending more for good quality food.

I used to think that being frugal was about spending as little as possible- but that is just being cheap. I now think that being frugal is being wise with your purchases and spending money carefully to receive the most value.
 
What are your thoughts?