Lola's Dream Dates: Part 3

The final installment of Lola's Dream Dates is upon us.

These are beginning to get a little more seasonal, as some things are just perfect for Summer in Oz (apologies to those reading overseas...are there many?)

So without further adieu, leave the computer open for your lover so they can check out where they should take you for your next Dream Date:

- When the nights become just that little bit hotter, pack a blanket and picnic basket and head to the moonlight cinema.

In Australia's capital cities over summer, the Moonlight Cinema takes part and allows us to get outside and enjoy some entertainment in the open. I went this year for my Valentine's Day and, for all those prospective lovers out there, I would love to go again this year. Maybe an early Valentine's Day though as Breakfast at Tiffany's is on on the 10th of Feb! It was so nice to see lots of couples hanging out, curling up and eating delicious goodies they packed to share with each other.

- Pre-Christmas Celebrations

This idea is taken in part from my high school boyfriend who surprised me with a Christmas light watching adventure when we were in Year 12. I love Christmas and sometimes it is hard to work out when to celebrate with your loved one if you won't be seeing them on Christmas Day. Put up the tree together, eat rum balls on the deck and trade presents. Top the night off with making out under misteltoe while listening to Hanson's Snowed In. (Trust me, it is better than it sounds..)

- Spontaneous Adventure Date.

Then there are those nights when you have your shower, go to bed and lie there, wanting to do something more. Call up your sweetheart and quickly put on whatever is closest to you. All that matters is that you're with them. It doesn't matter that you have work tomorrow - as long as you're together you will be happy, even if your eyes feel sawdusty the next day.

Let him take you to his favourite place, surprise him with target practice and some eggs. (Obviously, I could never throw an egg to deliberately vandalise something. Well, not unless they were deviled.)

Cuddle up to each other in a park, with the clouds all grey overhead and be happy you're together.

A Small Secret

You know how every week (lately, and usually late) I post about all those things that I'm grateful for?

Well, those things are true but there has been something niggling at my list writing lately. I think that blogging allows us all to present certain aspects of our personalities and lives. Obviously this is both a good thing and a bad thing. On my blog I try to be generally honest as Lola, as a baby blog, was here to aide me in 2010 on my search for something...

I do also subscribe to the Laws of Attraction (putting out what you hope to get - which is generally what I try to do with Lola), which means I often put out into the blog, things I hope to manifest. But in the name of full disclosure, I think it is time to be a little more honest.

So basically, I am not happy right now.

I have this sense of anxiety and a general feeling of 'being wired,' as a colleague and lovely friend put it to me today. This feeling of restlessness is just killing me at the moment. Or it felt like it when I was sitting on the floor of the hot shower at 12:30am hoping it would be the thing that would lull me to sleep. Alas, it wasn't as I was still totally awake and 1:30pm and up at 5:30am. I also feel that as a result of this general exhaustion, I'm pushing away everything that is really important to me because I'm worried I'll just ruin it anyway.

The first sign of this was feeling like I've been a cranky teacher this past month and for me, that's a real shock. I'm usually super happy to be at work and recently it has felt like a real chore. I enjoy it mostly while I'm there but lately "I'm just not that into" it.

I think it is best described as a feeling of being a little displaced or my mum would probably say I feel "a bit off". I'm hoping this feeling dissipates as I complete report cards, move house, properly begin holidays and spend some time with my family and friends.

This weekend, in an attempt to reinvigorate myself, I'm going to date Lola. No, this does not mean putting any of my special Lola dates into action but I'm going to do things I really, really love. At the moment my ideas circle around a movie, Saturday morning Zumba, breakfast at my favourite place, baking and buying new face cleanser. I know, what can I say, my needs are diverse.

And mostly food related.

Things I Love Thursday on Friday

I'm making this list on a day I really am thankful for; the last day of the school term! While we teachers will be back for 3 days next week doing reporting, today is the last day we see the boys before they venture off to their X-Boxes for the next 6-8 weeks playing Black Ops. Awesome.

image via weheartit

• It is the last day of Term!

• I have felt really appreciated by some of my students. I've been given some lovely gifts from boys and their parents to say thank you and it really makes me realise, on those days when waking up to come in to school is difficult, that I'm doing an important job

• I'm not sure if I am thankful for it but I am definitely enjoying being on twitter. You can find me here

• My family. Talking to my mum and sisters about Christmas is super exciting. We're not often in the same place for long so I'm excited that a month from now we'll all be hanging out together

• On that note, my very clever sister
  

• A beautiful Christmas delivery from Sarah yesterday. She picked up my new Mimco bag. After much uncertainty, I went with the classic Mimco style.
  

This is actually my "Secret" Santa gift from my sister so I am under strict instructions not to use it between now and Christmas. Sigh. So this lovely bag is currently packed up in my cupboard.

• Oh and just seeing my beautiful friend, Sarah and her truly awesome baby belly. I can't wait to meet her little girl!
  

• Chris Cheney's cover of Distant Sun. It has been my anthem for the week. I love it when a song really comes along and finds you and this really did this week. My favourite bit: I don't pretend to know what you want, but I offer love. Bianca made an awesome playlist with this in it, you should get it here.

• I'm really thankful for how healthy and fit I feel at the moment. Since beginning our Healthy Lifestyle Challenge in Term 2 this year, I've mostly kept up good habits and have managed to get to my 'goal' weight. I think Zumba is partly to thank..

• Planning day trips with friends and anticipating the relief that comes with the start of the holidays. It has been a big year.

I guess if I was celebrating Thanksgiving (which, really, sounds like one of the better American holidays - I'm looking at you, Halloween..) I would be thankful for a job that I enjoy and that makes me feel a sense of personal fulfillment while still being challenging, a family that is there whenever I need them, good friends and all those other people in my life who make all the little moments better just by being there.

So,

Lola's Dream Dates: Part 2

Welcome back to Lola's Dream Dates. It is Sunday night and I am at home watching Offspring and am about to indulge in some Sara Lee Cookies and Cream ice cream. If I had my choice, I would much rather be doing one of the following. How about you?

- When the blue skies become too irresistible, jump into your togs for a day trip to the coast.

In my book, fish and chips and ice cream make an excellent late lunch. Have a siesta under a shady spot before heading home with sand caked to your feet and enjoy how lovely and salty you both are.

- So the boy does not get overwhelmed by the soppiness of all these girl chosen dates, compromise with a fun, man-appropriate date. Putt Putt is always a winner for a fun and the novelty night/day date.

Be wary of the competitive streak - yours and his.

- Or for something extra sweet, get dressed up and head out for dinner to the place you had your first date. I would be an absolute sucker for this.

Share dessert pizza on the street before walking down the street with your arms around each other like one of those frustratingly happy couples.

Sigh.

Have you ever had a particularly soppy date or moment? Willing to share?

Go here for Part 1 of Lola's Dream Date and stay tuned for the final, Part 3.

Things I Love Thursday (On Saturday!)

Yep, it really does. Image via weheartit

• Thursday night Zumba

• Sneaky, Thursday night, post-Zumba drinks. Going out on a school night was surprisingly easy.

• Black Forrest Cadbury chocolate

• Making my first Roast Pork. It is in the oven as we speak and smells AMAZING.

• Friday night Harry Potter date. It was fantastic but kind of scary. The filmmaking was just awesome - everything looked just beautiful. This time last year, almost to the day, I was finishing the very last Harry Potter book. Since the books came out, I had flat out refused to read the series because I thought, "Pff, as if ANYONE would want to read about a wizard." Losers. Turns out, I was so so wrong. I had to eat my words and I urge anyone anti-HP to give it a go.

• The most amazing gift from a Year 12 boy and his parents. I was presented with a beautiful Tiffany & Co. bag and this is what was inside:

(please excuse my pre-gym face)

• It is a silk neck scarf/tie but I'm thinking it will be a great headband or wrist decorator. I'm even thinking of tying it in a bow and putting a pin on the back to attach to a black dress. Pretty!

• A delicious mid week dinner of macadamia crusted chicken and these amazing sweet potatoes.

• I am so thankful for the rain that held off yesterday. We have a rather spectacular graduation celebration at the school where I teach. It involves A LOT of work. It was a beautiful, busy, hot overcast day. But an absolute success.

• Not (really) crying at graduation. I'm a bit hopeless and had a bit of a teary last year. This year I only got a little choked up when a boy said, "I'll really miss you, Miss. Thank you for all your help." Aw.

• A text from my dad that said, "No worries, I got your back."

What was your graduation day like? Have you received any compliments lately that make your heart all melty? More importantly, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HARRY POTTER!?

This comes from Z and Brodo.

Best read half-heartedly while watching the news.

What are you wearing now?
The most comfortable shorts known to man - stretchy, no-good-for-anything-else-than-being-at-home Everlasts and a pretty nautical top. Mismatched all the way.

What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading?
Some really bad drafts and so far, quite good, Never Let Me Go.

Do you nap a lot?
More now than ever. The first week of term usually sees me nap from about 4pm-6pm. I napped today for about an hour and a half. I try not to because I feel like they're the best sleeps and waking up from them is a little like being ripped from the womb.

What’s your current obsession/addiction?
Side parted hair, pulled behind my left ear in a little bun; chocolate Breaka always.

Which item from your closet are you wearing most lately?
Numerous nautical tops, Witchery silver embellished shoes even though they kill my poor bunion (yes, ew)

What's for dinner?
Caesar salad and lamb cutlets were on the plan but I mistakingly had some sandwiches a little while ago so now I'm not hungry. Boo.

What was the last thing you bought?
Jam, butter, bread, Cos lettuce, chocolate raspberry bullets and lamb cutlets.

What are you listening to right now?
Flashback on Channel 7 news.

What time do you usually get up?
5:50am. Very specific.

What is your most challenging goal right now?
Cash. Not having enough. Moving. Balancing work life/social life.

Say something to the person who tagged you:
She didn't tag me but, hey sister, you're funny. Most of the time.

If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be?
Somewhere with a green front yard and comfortable, sunny lounge room.

Favourite vacation spot?
Bundy because it is home.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Maybe my black work dress. It just feels classic and pretty. I love wearing it.

Favourite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is overflowing with a zillion others.
The Witchery ones I mentioned before.

What is your favourite item of jewellery?
Big, cubic zirconia studs that Helen bought me for maybe my 18th.

Name one thing that you cannot live without?
Milo. Peanut butter.

What was the last movie that you saw?
Fully - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. 10 minutes of 27 Dresses. Don't judge me.

What's your favourite movie (You can only name one title, it doesn't have to be your ultimate favourite but just the first one that pops into your head)?
10 Things I Hate About You.

What is your favourite weather, and why?
At the moment, sunny Spring days that don't make you bust a sweat. Killer blue skies.

Lola's Dream Dates: Part 1

On Friday night, Blake, Kate and I enjoyed our dinner at Mecca Bah about 30 centimetres away from a couple we guessed were on their second date.

The conversation seemed awkward, the plates were too big to share on a little table and the atmosphere made getting to know each other difficult.

It got me thinking, if Lola got to plan and execute perfect dates, these would definitely be on the agenda:

- Buy tickets to Harry Potter. Avoid big cinema locations and hit the Dendy instead.

Who said movie night can't be a little bit fancy? Extra points if you wear your Gryffindor shoes and sport an Owl clutch.

- Sunday morning picnics are absolutely my choice of dates.

Take advantage of the beautiful weather with croissants and ham and bottles of orange juice. Lay back, read the paper and enjoy playing footsies in the park.

- Late night date night. Maybe he finished work late or you had to get to 7:30 Zumba, so dinner got put off.

Meet up later for 10 0'clock tacos on the floor while watching really bad TV and talking about your day.

Stay tuned for the Part 2 and 3.*

Do you have any special Dream Dates you want covered or you'd like to share with me? What has been your most special date so far?

*Honesty Disclaimer: Polyvore is being a right prick and not publishing any of my outfits ergo the need for 'parts'.

Things I Love Thursday (On Saturday!)

• Flowers! The top bunch I bought after a yucky day last week and the ones below were a surprise from one of my departing Year 12s

• My Harry Potter marathon. I'm writing this while watching Order of the Phoenix. I would love to be as well spoken as Hermione.

• That there are only 10 more school days. This year has flown by at a frightful speed but I'm really quite over this term!

• Being given a 2 boxes of chocolates, a bottle of shampoo and a $50 Myer voucher from various departing kids. Makes everything that little bit sweeter.

• Eating that chocolate for breakfast

• Zumba. It is so nice to feel so good about yourself in a room full of equally uncoordinated women

• Dark brown hair and red red lips

• Cocktails and delicious food at Meccah Bah to end the week

How was your week? What made it good?

Things I Love Thursday

This Thursday was one of those exhausting ones where it is tough to find anything to be thankful for. I got home from the gym, utterly exhuasted after a tough week and just couldn't think of anything to write. Then yesterday, I was sent home sick from work. After not feeling like myself for a good week, I'm ready to snap out of the blues with a dose of goodness.

Now it is Saturday afternoon and today is one of my favourite kind of Saturday's; perfect, perfect weather.

This is what I just love:

• My 'single man' lunch and dinner of potato wedges, sour cream and sweet chilli sauce

• late night phone calls

• Mid morning champagne

• That Blake got in from America this morning!

• Plans to make my famous cob loaf tonight

• That there is someone who makes me feel like this:

• Ben's 30th birthday celebration tonight

• That I have marked one draft so far today, hey, I'll take whatever progress I can at this point!

• New underwear and pretty dresses

• Having only 3 more weeks of school to go. They'll be HUGE weeks, but still!

• That my dad is coming to visit tomorrow!

• Talking to my sisters. It is so helpful to talk to people who know you SO well

How are you? Did anything make you super happy? Did you have a 'funky' week as well?