This and That

I have officially finished my mental health placement. It was extremely interesting and rewarding and I was sad to leave, though I am still uncertain as to whether I could do it as a specialty. I am also thoroughly exhausted, more emotionally than physically. But no rest for the wicked. I have a monstrous amount of exam study to do as well as organising everything for Italy (only 2 and a half weeks away!).

Here are a few things I've been up to lately..

Trying to learn some Italian. I can say "One white wine please" and "I don't like meat" so I'm pretty much set.

Buying up old and not-as-old movies.

Same goes for books. I've only read The Book Thief so far, I sobbed.

Alice xx

Opportune Return

Today Autumn went out with a bang, calling out 'you'll miss me when I'm gone' as it flounced out the door. The air was crisp and cool, but there wasn't a cloud to be seen and the sun enjoyed a last outing before Winter takes over. 

autumn waves goodbye

After my second last day of placement ended I picked up some shoes I was having repaired and snuck into the op shop for the first time in about three weeks. The op shop gods had apparently missed me and rewarded my return with some goodies.

old shoes, new heels. ready to walk another day.

little golden books

grown up book

pretty scarf

blouse and a little-too-small dress one of my sisters will love

Alice xx

Hijacked

Reece finds himself hilarious and decided to jump in on my outfit shot. That boy shouldn't be allowed around cameras.

I think facebook stalks me too well sometimes. It regularly advertises the online Australian store Lucy In The Sky on my sidebar. My sister is named Lucy so I was curious and had a peek. Good call facebook, I'm a little in love. The clothes are gorgeous and affordable, but get snapped up quickly. This dress was on sale for $20 with free express postage (ah, yes please!). There's a belt as well, though I have to add a notch to it.

dress: lucy in the sky, blazer: op shop, scarf: target, necklace: modcloth

Alice xx

My Bad

So between working full time hours for placement (with no pay, it's a great system), working at my day job on the weekend, organising everything for Italy (3 weeks and 2 days, eep!), procrastinating studying for exams (I'll get there eventually) and trying to spend quality time with Reece blogging has taken a bit of a backseat. I have managed to throw together an few eye pleasing outfits, it's either been to dark or rainy to photograph them.

frankie poster

So consider this a 'bad blogger' apology. I hope to get back in to the swing of things, a good dose of sleep should help. Meanwhile, I do manage to get some tid bits up on instagram if you want to have a peek.

Alice xx 

Jacket Joy

I was in love with this jacket when I bought it two years ago but haven't worn it in ages. I don't know why. It's awesome. As are these tights. They're super thick and I have them in two other colours. I'll have to ask mum where she found them, and by another fifty pairs. 

dress: luvalot, jacket: bauhaus, necklace: ModCloth, 

tights: my mum, shoes: asos

Oh, and how could I not buy this necklace from ModCloth? Seriously. 

 

Alice xx

BIG NEWS!

So, that exciting news I mentioned. I wanted to wait until everything was confirmed, but I booked my flights today. The week after my exams are finished I will be heading to Florence, Italy for a month to study! The course counts for a unit I would otherwise undertake next semester. 

A photo I took of the statue of Perseus ad Medusa (I prefer it over Michael's David)

Unfortunately I will once again be travelling sans Reece but we are planning to take an overseas trip together early next year. I will miss him horribly, though with the likes of Skype it shouldn't be too much to bear.

Me infront of the Florence skyline in 2010

I am extremely excited. When I travelled Europe in 2010 it was not stop country hopping. I can't wait to settle in and experience a city and culture for a month. The course involves community outreach so I'll be able to gain a unique perspective. I plan to blog whenever I can so I can share the experience in real time.

Yay!

Alice xx

Well Hello

So here I am at the other end of my first week of mental health placement. It's a strange arm of the health care industry. So much important work is done, but it's still so stigmatised. My experience so far has been confronting and eye opening but ultimately rewarding and I'm looking forward to the remaining two weeks.

Here are the only photos I managed to snap during the week. It has been quite rainy in my defence, I have been making an effort to dress and look presentable when I can between shifts. This is my go to combination in winter when I won't be leaving the house or have to get changed for work (or placement) in a few hours anyway. Jeans or tights and a knit an I'm set.

jumper: op shop, jeans: asos

Some exciting news to come. I've always wanted to say that. I never have exciting news.

Alice xx

Head Space

Today I began my three weeks of mental health placement for my nursing degree. It's not a part of my life I can freely share here for obvious reasons surrounding confidentiality. Even with depersonalising clients, I still wouldn't feel comfortable doing so. I can tell you it is going to be very mentally and emotionally draining for me. And I have to study for exams at the same time. So I apologise in advance if there is a thinning of posts and perhaps some less imaginative content around here. I will be back with a vengeance when I hit holidays.

Alice xx

Fashionopolis

If you follow me on twitter you'd be aware that yesterday (Saturday) I attended the inaugural fashion blogger event of Australia, Fashionopolis. It was both daunting and exciting, as some one who is typically more on the introverted side, to enter a room full of amazingly dressed women (and a few men) and try to network. Not having business cards made was one of my biggest regrets. I had nothing to fear though as everyone was incredibly open and friendly and I made many new connections and friends. I was able to meet and chat to some bloggers I've always admired including Phoebe from Lady Melbourne (who pioneered the event), Fashion Hayley and Mary Anne from Esme and the Laneway.

The whole event was incredibly well run. The venue and settings were gorgeous and the talks and fashion panel were interesting and informative. It was impossible not to come away feeling excited and inspired. 

My other regret was not taking enough photos, but theres always next year.

Alice xx

Hanging Rock

Here are some last photos from our weekend away. I'm buried under a mountain of study at the moment so I don't really have much new content. 

I brought my tripod along so we managed to snag a few cute couple shots. The smoochy one is my desktop now, I love it. We also stopped at Hanging Rock on the way home, it's breathtakingly beautiful though I did nearly die on the walk up. I've read the book and I could picture young girls in edwardian dress running around having picnics and jumping off cliffs. 

dress: asos, coat: dangerfield, beret: eBay, shoes: op shop, bag: op shop

spot the person

changed into my rivers shoes for walking

Alice xx

Tree Change

Whilst scouting out a breakfast spot over the weekend, Reece and I found this beautiful cluster of trees surrounded by changing leaves. Reece was happy to play photographer in a little shoot. 

I can't stress how beautiful an area it is, it's one of the (many) great things about Australia. You travel a few hours and you're in a different world, though you haven't left the state.

dress: asos, tights: asos, shoes: rivers, coat: dangerfield, beret: eBay, bag: op shop

Alice xx

Travel Bag (and giveaway winner)

Before we headed off on the Friday, I asked Reece to snap some photos of me with my travel bag. I picked it up at a local op shop for about $5 a year or so ago and I find it great for short one or two night trips. Plus the awesomeness of the mustardy colour is a little overwhelming.

And the winner of the giveaway is Jess from Stuck In A Zoo. Email me with your postal address and I'll send them to you!

Alice xx

And Back Again

Happy Monday! We had an amazing and relaxing weekend away. I won't bore you with a blow by blow account, though we did enjoy some amazing food, beautiful scenery and of course, each others company. Here are some happy snaps, I also got some great outfit photos which I'll share tomorrow along with the winner of the giveaway! Warning: photo heavy.

Alice xx

P.S. Welcome to the new followers I discovered when I opened my laptop yesterday! I hope you like what you find.