Tough few days.

The past few days have been tricky for me for a wholeeeeeee slew of reasons. My stress levels are peaking for no real tangible reason & it’s making life difficult!

I have, however, taken this as an opportunity to really assess myself and figure out what areas of my life need improving, how I can operate optimally & make sure I know what the best options are to make me feel happy & stress free.

Basically, I’m a broken record:

Yoga 3 x a week.

Listen to meditation & relaxation tracks, I found these Meditation Oasis Podcasts that are free & look good, going to listen to some Tonight.

Continue my regime of healthy eating (why Today I had: porridge with frozen berries & orange juice for breakfast, baked beans on toast & pineapple, carrot sticks & celery sticks for brunch, cauliflower, brocolli, rice, hummus & crackers for lunch, chocolate cake (my one naughty vice), more hummus and crackers, pineapple & cauliflower on the way home, atomic tomato chips (oh, 2nd bad thing!), carrots, kidney beans, mashed potato, parsnip, peas & pumpkin for dinner with ‘breakfast’ juice) Ok I didn’t realise how well I actually ate Today! As well as some green tea & lots of water and a pot of ‘Sleep Tight’ tea by T2.

Um, spend time with friends. Get enough sleep. Don’t eat chocolate!

Hopefully, stress levels will decrease & life will get back to normal again soon, not that I’ve ever considered my life ‘normal’ to begin with, but at least less exhausting.

I’d like to lighten the mood of this post with this picture:

NINJA TURTLES NAIL POLISH. Mind blowing, You too can be this cool!

I’m going to snooze now hopefully as work prevails @ 5am Tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

x

Best op shopping tips!

Cute!

So I thought it would be a nice little resource to have a list of some pages linking to the best op shopping tips & thrifting / vintage tips that can be found on the webs!

These all get my seal of approval and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

First up we, of course, have my own previous article on Op shopping tips!!

A great article written by an eBayer who sells vintage clothing is How to Op Shop Like a Pro

The Bargain Queen has a fab little article that is stocked full of hints “Insider Shopping tips @ Op/Thrift stores

This is a fantastic quote which rings so, so, SO true for me!

If you think it’s a ‘maybe’, it’s a ‘no’!

HEED THAT ADVICE!

Top ten tips for thrifting is really great, one tip from there which I’d stress is “Be willing to leave empty handed, so important… it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.

Painfully Hip advocates flirting with op shop workers in her article! Check it out: “Top secret thrifting tips you may or may not already know, plus one I’m sure you don’t”. Cute:)

Samarees Top Ten Thrifting Tips

And last but not least, here’s a fantastic forum discussion on Thrifting Tips & Etiquette!!!

Love love xx

Like Lust Love – Lush Products, Palmers Lip Balm, Tigi Masterpiece!

Like Lust Love – Lush Products, Palmers Lip Balm, Tigi Masterpiece!

Listening to “The Grates – Teeth Lost Hearts Won” & Justin Timberlake “Lovestoned” (I’m not very cool )

I always used to play The Grates first album at the cd store I used to work at, but one day my manager said to me “what you don’t realise is that 99% of people find that band absolutely excruciating to listen to” and then I wasn’t allowed to anymore!

Fuck it, I like them!

So right now I’m going to chat a little about some things that I’ve been wanting and adoring the past little while!

∫ LUSH LUSH LUSH Products!

Happy Pill – at the moment, I feel very sad, so I feel like I need one of these They smell great and if you carefully cut it in half you can use it twice!

The Comforter Bubble Bar – this is one of my all time favourite lush products! It smells like sweet blackberries and turns the water lovely purple-pink. I can get about 3-4 uses out of one cos they are usually BIG!!! “wrap you up in a fluffy pink blanket of blackberry” – yes pls.

Dreamtime Bath Melt – basically I’m shooting for anything relaxing & mood boosting at the moment, you’ve probably noticed! This bath melt leaves your skin moisturised, smells fantastic and makes me feel cozy just thinking about it.

Floating Island – I don’t think I have used this one before, but from the description I really want to “This is the Saturday morning bath of choice for those who have worked a long, hard week building roads, websites, contact lists, walls or reputations.”

Le sigh!

∫ Palmers Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter – nommmmmmm! This is the greatest stuff EVER! How do they make it smell so good when it’s just a shiny clear gloss?! I want to eat my lips when I put this on, it also makes them a tiny bit tingly and cool. It feels nice, I don’t know how good it is for the lips though but I kind of don’t care!

Too bad the image on the website is the worst quality ever but what can you do!

*droooool*

Do yourself a favour and pick this up!

∫ And finally, the last product I’d been lusting over for a while is this… dn dn dn…

Tigi Bed Head Masterpiece Massive Shine Hairspray!

Now, I haven’t used hairspray much in my life, I am just hopeless when it comes to hair and makeup and things, but I’m still learning and trying! Howevahhhhh, I think this one is fantastic?!

It smells like yummy, sherbet candy & seems to have a medium hold without making it feel like I’m wearing a helmet! Delicious! The only thing I feel weird about is the shape of the can, I don’t know why… but it seems a little … sexual? somehow? Maybe it’s just me, eeeep!

Now that is all I think, I’m downloading the first episode of ‘Big Love’ because I’ve decided that’s the next show I am going to get into.

Goodnight x

Hairdresser review! Please check it out!

I’ve updated my other blog with a little review which you can find if you clickedy click below!

* Hair at the Zoo Review (I like to rhyme, it’s fun)

Today I’m spending time with some friends, eating tasty burgers, going to see a band tonight (I am going to take some outfit photos! Whee!) & whipping up a smoothie. So life is good, and the weather is delicious. I feel pretty blissful, but I miss my boyfriend so much. He is way too far away. ;(

Hair treats, yoga, sarah mcneil & some bits & pieces.

“Bearkat” by Sarah McNeil

Just a quick update for now, I finally have some days off and so Today I am going to go to my third (THIRD! read it and WEEP!) yoga class this week, which, I anticipate, is going to make me feel super awesome and energised, I’m very proud of myself because I’ve never been three times in one week and I want to start doing that as a standard routine.

I can already feel the difference in my body from just going twice, so I’m excited to see how three treats me!

After that, I am going to the hairdressers to get a treatment, trim & blowdry. Yay! I’m also excited about that because I treat my hair quite terribly or something so it’s usually a bit average. Mostly I just don’t know how to use a blowdryer by myself (how embarassing) so it just gets pretty frizzy. Split ends are also a problem from GHD abuse.

YEAH SO!

Sarah McNeils art is my favourite!! Check out her blog, which is now in my sidebar under ‘Inspiration’. I have a little print out from Frankie magazine.

YESSSS!

Today I also made this smoothie:

1 x medium banana
1/2 x cup of frozen mango pieces
1/2 x cup of frozen raspberries
1 x handful of baby spinach
1 x cup of apple juice
1 x cup of water
1/2 x tbsp of flax oil (I can’t take the full tbsp!)

WHIRRRRRRRL! Yum. So fantastic. Makes me feel so good about life, haha. I know that’s cheesy, but I do feel so ‘alive’ after having the smoothies for breakfast. I also ate a naughty slice of leftover home-made vegan pizza.

I’m running late so I’m out. Later I’m going to work on the POSTAL PARTY treats & chat about my hairdresser experience.

xox

Blueberry Quest: Mini Fail :( + Life update.

Sorry, I forgot to drink blue berry juice every night before I fell to sleep and then my skin whipped itself into a hormonal frenzy and implanted some friendly red spots on my face. Totally awesome. NO!

Working 6 days in a row is a thing that is tricky, soon I will have a couple of days off and I am going to try and find a tailor in Perth to alter second hand clothing that I would really love to fit me properly.

Today I came across something that is very odd to me. An ex psychiatric nurse who writes a political opinion blog wrote a little snippit about me, on his site:

“The first photo is from from Kittentails. It’s a Washington state blogger. Can you find the Ostrich? I can relax while reading her blog because it’s like a low key journey through an alternate universe. And I don’t mean that her universe is at all weird. She just has different priorities and concerns from those I have become accustomed to.” – fishwrangler.blogspot.com

fish wrangler, I am not from Washington! I am from Western Australia, which is also WA. I would like to be from Washington though because that is very close to Portland, OR. and I would like to go there now and see some puppies & eat vegan soft serve icecream.

I don’t know if being referred to as having a “low key, alternative universe” is a flattering thing, but I’m going to go with it anyway.

Last night I made a deliciouso pizza existing of: pasta sauce, sesame seeds, pineapple, kalamata olives, fresh mushroom, capsicum, tomato & more sesame seeds. Yum! I wanted hummus & avocado on it too but we had run out.

The postal party is still going wonderfully, with over 15 people having emailed me now! I’m so happy! I’m going to be a busy bee on my days off

For now though, I’m going to retire because electric blankets + yoga classes = sleepiest girls.

Good night! xo

Whilst writing this post I listened to:

The Magnetic Fields – I think I need a new heart
Death Cab for Cutie – Little fury bugs
Shwayze – Buzzin (lol)

My new website: Wellness WA!

Hi everyone!

I’m very, very excited to announce my new website: Wellness WA!!!

As you can see, it is definitely a work in progress, much like kittentails is. I will be posting most of the articles that end up on Wellness over here too, but it will be a good concise resource of reviews, information and fun, regarding the wellbeing and beauty services that are available in Perth.

So please do check it out if you are interested!

And if you have any questions, opinions or ideas about it don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll be more than happy to answer them!

There’s lots of changes going to be happening around these parts, I’m really excited because I’m going to be working with some great people to make it happen so stay tuned…

And don’t forget to check out my new site!

Click me! Click me! Click me!

xox

Review: Hot Stone Therapy Massage @ Beauty Cove Day Spa, South Perth.

Long time followers (who are you!?!) may know my affinity for the Beauty Cove Day Spa, new friends may not, but the fact remains that it is one of the loveliest places South of the River to go when a little, or even big, pick-me-up is required. I lost my day spa virginity there (awww) and have been going back for more ever since!

Here’s the excerpt from their website

HOT STONE THERAPY MASSAGE

An experience, not to be missed, we place cooled and heated stones on key parts of the body and massage specific points to bring balance to the mind, body and spirit.

30mins – $65

60mins – $100

90mins – $150

I’d booked with my favourite massage therapist, Kate, for a 90 minute massage, $150 is pretty steep, but I hadn’t treated myself for a long, long time so I decided to go for it.

I do find it can be a bit awkward when you’re getting next to naked with someone multiple times in a row (uhh), it’s easier for me to get treatments from different people each time (sounds super sketchy!)… but Kate is fantastic so I deal with it for the benefit of my relaxation & wellbeing!

This massage focuses on the back, but also incorporates the legs, feet, arms and shoulders. I was disappointed because the rocks weren’t placed in a line down my spine as you often see in pictures and I was looking forward to it, however the rocks did feel amazing & they were never too hot. Just lovely, warm, melting into my muscles, taking me away to desert islands where nothing matters, swoon.

Throughout the massage relaxing, but also uplifting, music played as the rocks were used to whisk away tension from my body.

The hour and a half went so quickly that I thought I must have fallen asleep, I hadn’t, it was just so blissful that time slipped away!

I got to treat myself with a little after dinner mint type chocolate afterwards as well as a tall glass of water with lemon which is really good for flushing out toxins after the massage, and Kate recommended some other styles of massage she thought I might like. I forked over the cash and left feeling very light – wallet included – and happy.

Post-massage is always the most amazing part of the experience for me, just the profound sense of wellbeing. Colours seem brighter, thoughts seem much clearer, it honestly feels like being a child again, when you had no cares or worries. It’s definitely one of my favourite feelings!

So to re-cap:

Pros:

* Beauty Cove Day Spa atmosphere is good.

* Hot rocks massage in general, fantastic.

* Great therapist.

* Mint + lemon water afterwards.

Cons

* Wanted the rocks along the spine, which didn’t happen.

* Expensive.

Alright so I’ve inspired myself… I’m going to get a massage on my day off, maybe just a regular one this time but I’ll let you know how it goes!

If anyone wants to love me up, buy me presents or get on my good side for life, then you know what to do

xo

The Postal (Service) Party!

I’d just like to thank everyone who has e-mailed me to sign up for the postal party! Now while it may look like I am a loner with no friends (!!!) as there are no comments on the post, it seems that a lot of you are uncomfortable with posting your address details on the internet, which I do not blame you!, but would still love to take part so have been e-mailing through.

I’m not sure how we can get around this at this stage but if anyone stumbles across this at any point in time, then please do shoot an e-mail through as well, the more the merrier! And I’ve had a great response, so I’m quite pleased! You’ll all be receiving cards / postcards / treats soon!!!

I received another exciting e-mail Today… whenever it seems like I’m confused about what direction my life is heading in or feeling restless, something good usually happens to spark me up again and put me back on track, so yay!

I made another fantastic smoothie today:

1 x cup of apple juice
1 x cup of water
1 x large banana
1/2 x bag of baby spinach
1/2 x cup of frozen raspberries
1/4 x cup of frozen blueberries
1 x tablespoon of flax (my most helpful enemy)
2 x teaspoons of almond meal
sprinkling of chia seeds

Whizzed up, and while it may not taste as good as smoothies without the flax (sigh!), I know that flax will be working hard for me during the day, nourishing my skin, plumping up brain cells, making my hair shiny, making my heart happy… and countless other things. So I have to drink & bear it!

That’s all for now, I have to go exchange my time for currency (the real world, oh no!)

Love love! xo

Postal Party!

Air Mail! <3

Hi lovelies! I’ve recently become re-enamoured with the idea of giving and receiving things in the post, I think it was ever since I received my uggies in a huge box, reminded me how exciting it is to receive actual parcels, letters & postcards, as opposed to electronic, easily deletable kilobytes.

So, after a mega-spree of cute envelopes, blank postcards (in which I am going to create my own little artistic collages!) & cute pens, I’ve decided to throw a “postal party” on le blog!

Basically, what it involves, if you would like to participate (& please do!) is you leaving your postal address below for me, and anyone else who’d like to, send you a letter, postcard, parcel, toast etc. And increase the amount of mailbox joy in all of our lives!

I will guarantee that anyone that leaves an address will receive something from me asap! And you never know who else might send you something!

There’s no necessity that you have to send someone something by leaving your details, but it would be lovely if you did!

I’ll start, send to:

Annette Kristen
PO Box 673
Willetton
WA. 6955

Now, if you are reading this! Click comment & leave your details so I can whip something up and create more work for the post office man! xox

***Edited to add*** If you don’t feel so comfortable doing that, you may e-mail me if you would like a postcard/letter @ annettekristen@westnet.com.au as I have been receiving quite a few e-mails with addresses in them, just another option! x