The Basics of Home Décor

Since moving into a bigger house away from the central area of Brisbane, I finally got a big room with plenty of space to put things and decorate with.

But since I don't really plan to live here for that much longer, I decided to decorate my room with some basic things I don't mind leaving behind, or things I can easily take with me where I live next.

I think books really make a room or living space homey. It adds character, age and of course, reading materials!

An enclosed cabinet keeps the dust away, so cleaning those unread books isn't a problem.

Another item that makes brings a room/living space to life is living things!

Matching cups and canisters for all my lady things. I also made the cardboard chest from cardboard gift boxes!

Courtesy of my lovely Julia who brought me this treasure from New York!

Bookshelves and art for dat extra oomph. (Bookshelves, mostly to put all my crap on.)

Pillows and cushions - mostly because I have a need for a layer of pillows between the headboard and my actual pillow...

An extra sheet incase of guests/using it as the actual blanket in Brisbane summer!

I'm quite fussy with bedsheets, I like higher thread count of course, but definitely, definitely 100% cotton.
Also a bonus if the pattern is pretty and matches the rest of the space.
The one I have is from Target - it's a summery, industrial design.

A rug, for activities on the ground. i.e. throwing all my stuff on the floor!

Getting Spoiled

I just celebrated my 21st birthday, and got to see all my best friends during the month which I don't always get to do. I think getting to hang out with all my closest friends was honestly the best present ever! (Super cheesy...bring out the vomit bucket!)

My best friends always surprise me with the awesomest things, leaving me standing there in shock holding my gift and not knowing how to react... Hence why I wanted to make this post so I can remember the things I got for my 21st and how I felt about them!

From my best friend Lauren whom I have been friends with for more than half my life:

A Marc Jacobs wallet! She's too kind, I was so speechless when I got it because I would never get anything like this for myself! I was also in desperate need of a new wallet, so this is super fantastic :)

From Alex who just came back from a trip to Singapore and Hong Kong:

A very cute panda zip-up case and some of the most delicious smelling hand sanitisers! People really know I like them antibacterial things!

From my bae Angela:

My second ever Pandora charm for my leather bracelet - a 21. Perfect little charm for a 21st gift! I was never that into Pandora until I realised the sentimentality of getting charms for different occasions, it's a pretty interesting concept despite being a piece of jewellery.

More from Angela, she spoiled me with so many things that I like and use everyday!

So excited to use these brushes, they feel so soft and dreamy...

 This, smells amazing. It smells fresh, fruity and vibrant, and I absolutely LOVE pear!!! Which I actually find hard to come by, anything pear flavoured and scented.

A reed diffuser with a musky and floral scent - she knows what I like!

From Thomas who also brought me treasures from his trip to Singapore and Hong Kong:

Mega dark chocolate, mmmmm!

Tea from TWG Tea! I don't really know much about this brand, but after having a taste, I can see why it's famous.

I tested out the iced chai tea - I actually had it hot, without milk and with one teaspoon of raw sugar.

It tasted so good, more of a fruitier and spicier flavour than regular chai teas which I sometimes find to be a bit sickening - after a few sips I don't want anymore. But I couldn't get enough of this...

And the teabags are sooo pretty! One of them makes an entire pot, so at least 4 cups of tea.

Despite not being that big on celebrating birthdays and making it less of a big deal, I had a pretty good time this year. I went to two of my friends' birthday party to wish them a happy birthday and saw lots of old friends, as well as going out with some of my closest friends for the night for lots of fun and being silly in karaoke!

Hopefully this year will be good, and better than last year! I feel as though my birthday plays a huge factor in how the rest of the year will be like, being so early in the year that if I have a bad start, I usually dread the coming few months. Positivity is key!

January Purchases

Since the Christmas season, I went to Melbourne and shopped around Brisbane with my bestie Lauren who came to visit!

Not having much to spend I didn't go all out or anything but did grab a few awesome pieces :)

Melbourne obviously has stores that Brisbane don't, such as H&M, Zara, Cos, Glue, and random markets and stalls that I wouldn't come across usually.

H&M was just too crazy, I refused to try anything on and have a thorough look around. I bought a tshirt for $3, because I was in desperate need of a new shirt to wear during my Melbourne trip.

H&M - $3

Glue Store isn't really that common in Brisbane, and there are none near the city or shopping centres that I go to. Usually they have sporty, basic and regular dressy things but when I saw these shorts... Oh my gosh! It looks super vintage, it's comfortable, and I don't think I'd be able to come across something like this again.

Glue - $37.50

Not having much to spend and then walking into Zara isn't the best idea, but I had a look around anyway and grabbed this basic (pleated?) skater skirt. I'm always after the perfect black flare skirt because the ones I have are either velvet, denim, or too big/too small. These are a bit on the longer side, but they're super comfortable and fit around the waist!

Zara - $30

I came across this vintage/handmade open store/market style place in Melbourne central, where they had a heap of jewellery, vintage/second-hand shoes, vintage shorts and jeans, and everything vintage a girl could wish for! I got this cropped button-up because I really liked the collar and the thin stripes, as well as it being monochrome.

Melbourne vintage store - $20

At the same vintage place, I got these wicked destroyed jeans for a bargain, and to my surprise it actually fits around the waist/hips/bum. I have a tough time finding "boyfriend" jeans that give off a loose-fit vibe but actually stay on. These ones are quite tight around the bum/waist area so it fit's like regular jeans, but it's moderately loose around the legs so it looks mega casual and boyish.

Melbourne vintage store - $30

The back is pretty standard, one downside was the missing leather patch at the back. I still think it's authentic Levi's since every other tag looks legit and intact, and I don't think anyone will even notice since my top will probably cover the top bit anyway.

While shopping in Brisbane David Jones, I had a look around in MNG (Mango, a Barcelona brand) and I found it strange how the stuff was so different to the actual MNG store I saw in Melbourne. There was more casual/young clothing, business clothing and even a better deal, 40% off all full priced items! Although I have a serious denim addiction, I had to get these because I have no jeans that come similar to these, and also the design, which is a loose-fit and cropped in a slight boyfriend jeans style. They are a lot more fitted than any of my boyfriend/mom jeans and they are super comfortable!

MNG - $48

I have been after a cute little spaghetti strap crop top for ages, I always find that the sides come far too much into the shirt (so you can see the sides of your bra), the length is too short, or the back is too open/not designed to be worn with a bra. Despite never really going into stores like this one, I found the perfect crop singlet that looks more unique than the ones I've seen so far, for only $8. Yay!

Chicabooti - $8

Melbourne IV

On my last day of Melbourne, I went to the Queen Victoria Markets, Melbourne Central and the museum before heading back to Brisbane. Thanks to trams, it's almost free to travel around the city and get from one place to another in a matter of minutes.

Top: Henleys / Jeans: Topshop Joni Jeans / Shoes: Dr. Martens

This is one of my favourite shirts! It's 100% cotton, a good length and sleeveless, perfect for summer!

Near the entrance of the Queen Victoria Markets.

The main area of the markets. To be honest, there wasn't that much stuff to look at unless you were an international tourist.

This looked somewhat special, so I got a few to take home since I'm not a huge fan of doughnuts.

Each one was $1.10 or something.... I had no idea it'd be that cheap.

The food court had so many Sicilian Doughnuts... I wonder why?

Chicken Cacciatore :)

The front.

Heading back towards city centre!

Also, how Victorian does this look?! Compared to Brisbane and Sydney, Melbourne seems to have more of it's
historical essence intact.

I came across this "museum" in R.M. Williams in Melbourne Central!

You can't actually go up to the tower :(

A peek into the central area.

Royal Exhibition Building. Inspired by the Florence Cathedral?

Carlton Gardens.

If you're a student from anywhere in the world, it's free entry! Only adults pay to get in.

Live cockroaches in a cockroach house... Ergh.

The famous Sam.

Selfie in front of the Royal Exhibition Building!

Despite crappy weather, my flight was pretty smooth, with barely anyone on board.

Flying off into the sunset!

So that comes to the end of my first ever trip to Melbourne! I was so sad to come back home, since I'm not a huge fan of Brisbane... Especially the weather....

Despite being by myself, I still had fun and enjoyed going to places whenever I felt like it. Of course it would be just as fun or more going with friends, especially when going out to eat or to enjoy nightlife (not that Melbourne was huge on nightlife).

'Twas pretty awesome just enjoying a few days to myself with no agenda, commitments or stress!