The Byron Bay Big Bang Theory

Joining The Chosen One and The MockingJ in beautiful Byron was always going result in a quality weekend with my dear, gorgeous friends. A weekend peppered with burst of laughter, solid banter, a fun girls night out, a few sound moves on the dance floor and of course, delicious bubbles. 

From a relaxed afternoon chilling at a nearby cafe to an even more relaxed evening chilling out in the apartment, the three of us were completely present in the moment, enjoying every opportunity of being together.  With no topic off limits, our free flowing conversation, complete with some big bang theories, answers, opinions, hypotheticals, stories and of course bubbles, was done to perfection...a true and memorable girls catch up. 

Our entertaining yet somewhat perplexing night out provided us with another opportunity to share and discuss further big bang theories, answers, opinions, hypotheticals and stories. Though this time we exchanged bubbles for brunch; very civilised and reminded me how fabulous chocolate milkshakes are! 

With our souls and appetites nourished, we then satisfied our inquiring minds with quality time in the bookshop next door.  A solid amount of time (and dollars), was spent exploring and sourcing our next great reads.

Sadly our magical, memorable girls weekend came to an end all too quickly.  We said our farewells knowing our tummies, minds and souls were replenished, our next catch up is just around the corner and we are blessed to have such wonderful friendships; one of life's endearing free gifts. Thank you The Chosen One and The MockingJ.

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

The gift of magical memories

Firstly there's the creation of magical memories. Those times in our lives where it's as if the world has stopped; that moment in time captured, living with us for however long we choose. 

Secondly there's the reliving of magical memories thanks to thoughts, feelings, written words, music, smells, places, conversations, images, photos, even foods or traditions. It's these things which evoke our consciousness, enabling us to return to those magical memories. Those moments in time which touched us so. 

Having such magical memories is a blessing, especially during the festive season, birthdays and anniversaries, because as festive and fun these times mostly are, they can also be times of sadness due to the absence of loves ones. 

Irrespective of the time of year, when you miss a loved one's presence, either that mild feeling or until it hurts, it's a beautiful opportunity to bask in those magical memories of the moments in time you have shared with them to date yet be also be present in the moment, creating new magical memories. 

Magical memories are a gift; unwrap them as needed, return to that moment in time, smile, laugh, dance, reflect and maybe even shed a tear of joy. Magical memories are yours to keep, a gift which keeps giving and the best bit...they cost nothing. 

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

Fabulous festive fun with family and friends

With the new year underway, today seems perfect to reflect on the fabulous festive fun over the past couple of weeks. 

The "unofficial" start of the festive season was a special dinner with CM, Darling G and her gorgeous family. Thank you Darling G for being such a beautiful shining star and dear friend. This evening cemented true friendships and opened the door for future quality catch ups with "the girls".  Part two was a yummy brekkie Friday morning followed by a really enjoyable work Christmas Party and a mixed emotions farewell to those leaving for their next chapters of life.     

The smell of Christmas was in the air during a lovely catch up with my dear friends over a yummy dinner - thanks JR. Thank you the ever gorgeous CiC, JR, Master F and Miss P for opening your home and hearts for dinner, complete with your stunning real Christmas tree. 

It's called the "silly season" with good reason. The Friday before Christmas was full of festive fun. Drinks with my friends from work followed by drinks with my friends from TRC - dear friends, delicious pizzas, dazzling beyond dazzling dance moves...did I mention drinks? Thank you gorgeous peeps especially CHun for a seriously good dance floor workout...Taylor Swift's "Shake it off" will never be the same.  While the night was late and oh so hot, thankfully not too late or difficult the following morning.  

With the countdown to Christmas almost complete and work a distance memory for a few days, more festive fun with friends. Finally a long overdue yet hilarious dinner with Darling Dutts at our "regular". The long awaited "coffee" catch up with Gorgeous Boy.  Thank you the gorgeous M squares, AP and wee Rubes for sharing your afternoon over a festive fizz and one of your famous platters. As always you welcome me with open arms as if I were family.  Your gorgeous, thoughtful christmas gift melts my heart every time I read it and your beautiful words about being "a bucket filler". That moment will always stay with me.   

Hello Christmas Eve! What better time to venture into the city to enjoy more quality catch ups with dear friends and suss out the wares pre Boxing Day sales...next year the credit card stays at home!  Twas the night before Christmas when the world's best mumma bear and I spent quality time together reflecting with carols and sharing a moment of peace and celebration.   

Following this special time was our very low key but exceptionally personal, meaningful, family Christmas.  The world's best mumma bear really does know how to prepare an amazing festive feast...not that it's all about the food; the alcohol was also pretty fabulous!  Thank you my wonderful parents for your unconditional love each and every day. To the Bum Gumer and RaRa it was so good to hear your voices, technology really is a blessing when there's a whole world between us all.  Thank you family and friends for the gorgeous festive well wishes leading into and throughout the day.  

Further family festive fun was had post Christmas with the world's best mumma and papa bear venturing to my wee den for some brunch, cricket, Christmas cake and of course more laughs and magical memory creation.  

Last but not least, farewell and ciao ciao to 2014 and hello and welcome 2015. A rather low key but fun and hilarious evening thanks to CHun, MM and JP. The constant stream of one-liners was outstanding. I don't think there was a moment where one or all of us wasn't laughing out loud?! Key takeaways - who stole our bottle of wine from a garden hedge...seriously? And way to go big guy! LOL! 

The end of a year and the start of a new year is a time for family and friends, a time for thankfulness, a time for down time, a time for over indulgence, a time for being, a time for no alarm clocks, a time for laughter, a time for sleep ins, a time for sietas, a time for giving, a time for spending the hard earned pennies in the sales, a time for some backyard cricket, a time for embracing the ice cold or heater hot weather, a time for some exercise, a time for some serious moves on the dance floor, a time for gratitude, a time for magical memory creation, a time for bubbles, a time for telling someone you love them, a time for remembering those who have touched our lives, a time for reflection, a time for letting go of that which doesn't serve you anymore and a time for celebrating those little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good. 

May 2015 bring you much peace, joy, love and laughter. 

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good