Textures and Things that Tittillate.

I will not provide explanations to these pictures. All you need to understand is that things like this give my butterflies.

Snippets from Bali.

L-R Lindsey, Kim, me, Amy. Yes, it may seem my tummy houses a small baby. Don't worry though. It's just a cocktail and pastry baby! Love this photo and love this place.

Espresso Martini @ La Lucciola. Yummy!

Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak. Gorgeous place.

Some type of sangria with white wine, mango and lemon grass. I jokingly suggested eating all the mango because they are $2.99 a pop here in Brisbane at the moment. 

A 'Kookaburra' - best cocktail of the trip at Potato Head.

Cocoon Beach Club, Seminyak. 

 Along the coastline around the Jimbaran Bay/Uluwatu area.

Lindsey was blissfully happy to enjoy a monkey experience!

 All of these photos are taken at the Rock Bar. Definitely a must-do despite the long drive.

 Glenn and Amy - one of my best friends and her partner. They are so lovely. 

Lindsey - a sun goddess (haha!)

So, upon the ending of my 4th trip in Bali I shall make some recommendations. Some people think Bali is cheap, cheap, cheap. This is partly true - you get what you pay for. Pay $2 for a singlet from the market and that singlet will provide you with $2 worth of wear. Pay $39 for a singlet from a cute boutique and that singlet will provide you with $39 worth of wear. However, you do stumble across great bargains though - the dresses from the markets are usually a winner. 

Beach Clubs/Bars - for drinks, meeting friends, watching sunsets

Cocoon - southern end of Seminyak in Double Six

Ku De Ta - northern end of Seminyak near Jl. Petitenget

Potato Head - northern end of Seminyak near Jl. Petitenget

Rock Bar - in Uluwatu/Jimbaran Bay. About 1 hours drive to get there but totally worth it. Arrive around 4pm to secure your spot. 

Restaurants - for dinner, drinks go perfectly with the meals, just below Western prices

Mamasan - TO DIE FOR! I can still taste the dishes in my mouth today. Great for people who love chilli. Not so great for those that don't. Try the dumplings!

Potato Head - western style menu which can be a nice change to Bali food. Atmosphere is amazing.

The Junction - mixed menu. The girls will agree the Thai Seafood Curry a winner. Had my best Chicken Sate of the trip here. The decor is just gorgeous.

Ultimo - cheap, fast, good Italian food.

La Lucciola - one of the best eating experiences Bali has to offer. Great food, great view and great service. 

Laca Laca Cantina - cheap, yummy Mexican food in a beautifully decorated restaurant.

Pizza Club - for something easy when you can't put your finger on a craving. Cute little place run by Aussies and delicious pizza. 

Note: book ahead at Mamasan, Potato Head, Ku De ta, La Lucciola and similar kinds of place. Be sure to check out the restaurants along Jl. Petitenget.

Breakfasts/Coffee

Revolver - Gang 51 on Laksmana St - run by an ex professional surfer, Katie Allan - fantastic fresh and healthy breakfasts and FABULOUS coffee. This place oozes cool. Be sure to try the Granola.

Sea Circus - Jl. Kayu Aya - good breakfast and good coffee. Again, I had the granola. Give it a go, you will be impressed.

Note: while it is appealing that your accommodation may include buffet breakfast, I will now avoid this in the future. Mass produced food lacks quality and I always leave feeling terrible. Breakfast at Revolver or Sea Circus with a coffee, will set you back around $7.50AU. I think it is SO worth it.

Tailor

Janoko - in Poppies Lane II. Pricing is unbelievable and the service is fantastic. No need to negotiate pricing, it seems the price for tailored suits was the same across the board. Be sure to go and check on your garments a few days before leaving so they have enough time to alter them. I took some dresses to be altered that were too big and also had a dress copied. 

Shopping

I will avoid Kuta until the day I die. 

For ladies with feet smaller than size 10 - go to Matahari and Discovery.

Bags/Clutches - see above

Boutiques/Homewares - there are hundreds (literally) of cute boutiques, to suit men and women, all over the place. I particularly like Seminyak to shop for clothes. For homewares, Seminyak is also good. Just be aware that pricing can be much the same to Australia. However, you can be assured that not many people will have it!

That's all for now. If anyone wants some more info on Bali, please feel free to email me - brodie_lockhart@hotmail.com

17 (and 18) again.

Below is a photo of me wearing a particular pair of jeans. I had just turned 18 in this photo. For some reason, I kept these jeans. Little did I know that they would never fit again. Or so I kept thinking for the 4 years they have been hiding under my bed.

Fast forward 4 and a half years, a steady weight gain of over 10 kgs and corresponding weight loss of over 10 kgs, they fit! I absolutely shocked myself this morning when I tried them on. In February, I could not get them past my thighs. Say... in July, I could get them up towards my hips. Then, in September I could almost do them up. Two weeks ago, I did them up. Mind you, with a muffin top the size of your Grandma's chocolate cake. Today, this is what they look like:

Now please, before you sigh and think "oh, I wish she would shut up about 'it'...", do come back soon. It is simply that this weight loss, fitness and healthy eating has become such a big part of my life that I have to share. I promise I won't post about it for a while!

Hello, J!

I usually like to have a focus for each of my posts but so much has happened over the past few weeks that everything is a jumble. Here is a rundown:

1. Finished my final exams on Thursday.

2. Started my "holidays" on Friday - I have two whole weeks off work - I haven't even thought about how my roster will work over Summer.

3. I am off to Bali tomorrow for 9 days with some friends. 

4. J said he didn't want me to do the groceries as I will be away. I purchased 4 'man-size' beef noodle bowls. 

5. Going to a Cancer Council fundraiser on Friday 30th November - if you are interested see http://tutusandtiaras12wbt.wordpress.com/

6. CrossFit Geebung has a new webpage - if you are interested see http://www.crossfitgeebung.com.au/ - I am looking forward to the Christmas party in a few weeks!

7. J complained that I haven't made a post in a while - so this is why I am here basically.

OH. Have just remembered some things to share...

Food

This year was my 4th year in university. Each and every year, come exam time (which happens 4 times a year!) I would feast and feast again on lollies, chocolates and whatever else I could get my hands on. I would make excuses and be so lenient on myself - I would say "oh, it's exam time, it'll be fine". However, this time around, I made serious changes. I used my food planner from Kikki.K, did a nice and fresh grocery shop and prepared meals/snacks in advance (where possible). I even tried a few new recipes. 

There was a pinnacle turning point within these two weeks for me. I couldn't remember the last time I ate chocolate (yes of course, I have eaten some since then!). This is the point I realised, that if you focus on something with all of your might and believe in yourself, you can really do anything. It was the 'cleanest' week of eating, ever. I had never felt so alive, full of energy and happy - despite the stress of my last ever exams -  I was so excited by what the next day had in store. So food, I thank you for one of the most valuable learning experiences of my life.

Uni

A four year journey has ended. Gone. Done and dusted. Just like that. Back in 2008, I never imagined I would make it this far - there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I had a little tidy of the study yesterday to rid myself of the clutter and papers. I have stored the last set of textbooks and will hopefully sell them over the Summer. When I look back, it was quite a tumultuous journey (I never want to move house again. 5 times in 4 years is too much. The next time will be a brand new architecturally designed home - hey J??? - and I will start fresh).

'Holidays'

I plan to go to Bali, have my parents visit for my graduation, go to Darwin for Christmas, go to DIY heaven at House on a Hill, spend time in the yard, spend time with J, cook, clean, re-organise (yes, I am for real) and of course - work. I am really hoping to have a quick trip overseas in February (destination T.B.D). We will wait and see.