It's time to face the fear and stop procrastinating

Since the new year began I've been sitting working on a blog post that just doesn't want to finish. It's been a massive block that doesn't seem to want to go away. 10 days. This year has already been going on for 10 days and I've posted nothing. I've felt guilty, I've felt lost, I've just been stuck.

Tonight I sat down to my computer and thought about what I've been doing for the first 10 days of the year and it's come down to one thing - I've immersed myself in music and have been reading like crazy. I've hidden myself from really figuring out what's been going on in my head.

I've been listening to music, I've been going to live gigs. It's really easy to get lost in the sounds and feelings. It's easy to pick up a book and read about somebody else's story.

I've been listening to Beyoncé, The Lumineers, Justin Timberlake, Jack's Mannequin, Solange, Vampire Weekend and Arctic Monkeys. Nothing new, just those sounds that are comfortable.

I feel l like I've been afraid for this year to start, hiding away in the familiar. There are so many challenges and changes that I am facing already this year that when the calendar turned to 2014 it really hit me, 2013, the year that I had so much fun and had so much success was OVER. I'm excited to face the new challenges that 2014 brings, but there is the fear of failing, the fear that it's not going to live up to last year.

I read this post from Gala and since then I've decided that I'm facing those fears head on. Seriously you guys, this is my mantra for 2014



The questions I've asked myself to help work around the fears and get excited by my goals are

1. What do you want to do?
2. How can you do it?
3. What will it look like when you do it?
4. What obstacles could you face and how can you overcome them?

I'll share the 5 goals I have for 2014 (it's the post I've been stuck on for 10 days) in a separate post. I'm almost finished working through the obstacles on each of my goals. I almost feel ready for 2014 - I don't want to waste anymore days.

Have you been struggling this year? What are you doing to get past that block and get yourself back on track?

 - Brooke

The Gratitude List: 2013 you've been so good

I can barely begin to imagine that 2013 is almost over. This year has been so good to me. I've been on so many adventures and I feel so grateful for all of the experiences I've had this year. I have had massive, mind blowing highs and I've spent more time smiling and succeeding that I thought was possible.

I think it's easy to get caught up in the end of year madness but it's great to sit down and think about the things that you are grateful for from this year. Send out a THANK YOU to the universe and make the decision that next year is going to amazing.

2013 was especially good to me so I've decided to put together my final gratitude list for 2013 with the things I've been grateful for throughout the year.

1. The live music I've seen and the amazing artists I've witnessed



It's easy to be grateful when my list of artists I've seen looks like this

Maximo Park / The Hives / The Killers / Childish Gambino / Big Day Out Festival (multiple bands) / Bloc Party / British India / The Kooks / Kristin Chenoweth / Idina Menzel / Jay Z / Justin Timberlake / Beyoncé / Bastille / William Beckett / Foals / The Basics / Franz Ferdinand / Muse / Alicia Keys

2. Travelling the world



This year I've been lucky enough to travel to

London / Dubai / Cancun / New York / Toronto / Anaheim (Disneyland) / Los Angeles / Bali / Gold Coast

A lot of my travel adventures have been through work and I've visited some absolutely stunning places with the best people. I loved every trip I've been on and I know they wouldn't have been as great had it not been the people I travelled with.

3. My family



But seriously, if your nieces and nephews were this cute you'd be grateful too.

4. My Black Milk collection



I've spent this year in lycra as my Black Milk collection has grown to ridiculous proportions. I love that I can wear something crazy and ridiculous and feel so comfortable and happy. I am grateful for the confidence their clothing gives me.

5. A little bit of everything else.



It has been so hard trying to reduce the things I'm grateful for into 5 points. I have had so many great experiences this year. There have been ups and downs but this post is about finding the things that have made me smile this year. I have shared this year with so many great friends and family and I am happy to look back at 2013 and think this was a lucky, fun filled, adventurous year for me.

Have you taken a look at your 2013 yet? Share your links below if you've posted about it - I'd love to see what's been making you smile this year

Bring on 2014 and another outstanding year.

 - Brooke

How I got my groove back at The Blogcademy

Photo by Corey Sleap! www.coreysleapphoto.com/

I keep having to pinch myself to believe that the two days I spent with blogging royalty actually happened. The two days were totally surreal and inspiring and I've walked away with so many new ideas and a newfound focus and determination to make something of this little space on the internet. I digress - let me start at the beginning

What is the Blogcademy? 

The Blogcademy is a two-day workshop run by Gala Darling (www.galadarling.com), Kat Williams (www.rocknrollbride.com) and Shauna Haider (www.nubbytwiglet.com) that is designed to help aspiring bloggers gain the insight and direction needed to take their blogs to the next level. It's the ultimate insiders guide to blogging from three very successful, talented and amazing women.

Photo by Corey Sleap! www.coreysleapphoto.com/

Why did I go? 

I love blogging (something I can proudly say, and something I would have felt weird saying a few years ago). I began blogging on my myspace page (back when it was still a thing) and moved to this URL in 2008. I love that it gives me the freedom to write about things I am passionate about and love - I've just never really been super dedicated to this space. I've posted sporadically and have been one of those bloggers who is always apologising for my absence. I want to change this and I needed the direction and the "how to" which I believed I could gain by attending this course.

What did I learn? 

These headmistresses know their shit. I learnt so much in two days that my head is still spinning. I'm a processor so I'm going to have to give the information some time to sink in BUT there were a few key things that stood out from the rest.

  1.  You must have a plan and goals for your blog - here I am, a 30 year old professional woman who creates business plans for work every year and I didn't think that this was something that would be important for my blog. I work in a very goal oriented business with budgets and plans for everything I do, so I'm surprised I have never looked at my blog in the same way.

  2.  Consistency is key - for EVERYTHING you do. This is something that sounds so simple but is probably the hardest thing to maintain. I have been guilty many times of neglecting this space and I had a great conversation with Gala about this. I just need to see this space as something I should be proud of and give it the attention and love it deserves and that means applying the work ethic I have in my job to this blog. It's going to be hard work but I'm ready to get it done.

  3.  "Don't be that guy" - This was a common saying throughout the two days. I think this saying applies to everything that I want to achieve in my life and on my blog. I try to be a positive person and make sure the things I put out into the world are worthwhile. I now have this written on my desk at work as a little reminder. It's simple, yet effective. 

  4.  Build yourself a blogging support network - these ladies are serious BFF's. Their relationship was built online and solidified in person. The great thing about this course was that there was a room full of talented, diverse and AMAZING women that were all in the room because we wanted to learn more about blogging. We've got a fabulous forum and have a Facebook group that is alive with questions, help, suggestions and support. My Instagram follows went up very quickly and I'm back on twitter (with tweetdeck downloaded on my laptop). I'm excited to have people to chat blogging with and I know I need to make the effort to keep in touch with all these awesome women.

  5.  I CAN TAKE A DECENT SELFIE - My many selflies that I have shared on Instagram helped me WIN the best Instagram selfie award (the photo above on the right was the winner)!!! I scored some super cute tea towels. I'm not sure if I showed exactly how excited I was at winning this (I was a bundle of excited butterflies on the inside) - I take a lot of pride in my photos and to be recognised by three super bloggers is an AMAZING feeling. I'm going to own that win for a very LONG time. 

Photo by Corey Sleap! www.coreysleapphoto.com/

Was it worth it? 

HELL YES!!! There are so many other things that I have learnt but I don't want to divulge all the secrets. The biggest thing I gained from this course is to trust and believe in myself and my blog. I was a little shocked and amazed when Gala told me that she had seen me "pop up" online over the years. I guess I've never really taken the time to realise just how far my online presence has reached. I've reached more than just family and friends and that's really exciting to me. 

I have so much to share and so much to offer and so many ideas swirling in my head. I have my sparkly magical blogging ears (from Crown & Glory) that when I put them on empower me to be the best blogger I can be. All of this - the inspiration, focus and excitement - is all because of the Blogcademy. 

Photo by Corey Sleap! www.coreysleapphoto.com/

A massive thanks to the headmistress for the time and love that they put into the two days. It was surreal and unreal to meet you all and this was an experience that I won't ever forget. An even bigger thanks to the lovely ladies I met over the two days - you guys are radical, inspirational and so lovely.

If you're thinking about going to the Blogcademy my advice is to JUST DO IT. Don't let the fear hold you back from something so special. Everything that you've read about the course is true, everything you hope to get out of the course you will as long as you're open to listen and learn. I was nervous, worried and scared when I first arrived but when I first walked into the venue I was greeted with a smile and "love your hair colour" from Kat and that eased the nerves (a little). The space you enter becomes very comfortable very quickly and it's a place of positivity and encouragement.

I feel like I'm a part of a very special group now, I'm glad I was brave and hit that "Register Now" button. I can already feel that this has changed my life for the better.

 - Brooke

I'm BATMAN

Am I the only person looking at this lineup and almost dying from absolute happiness? I could care less about the RHCP but as I read the rest of the lineup on Sunday night I literally squealed and almost threw my laptop across the lounge room as I jumped in my seat.

THE KILLERS ARE COMING BACK TO AUSTRALIA!!!!!! 

*/brain explodes*

February 21st 2010 was the last time they were here. I was at their last show of their Day & Age tour in Melbourne (read about that here) and I have missed them terribly ever since.

Mr Flowers did not tour his solo music here in Australia so we have had to read reviews and be extremely jealous of all the shows and tours that we have not experienced in the past 3+ years. 

I CAN'T WAIT!!! I will be buying my tickets on Thursday morning (my b'day) and am going to try and convince (it won't take much) my sister that we need to attend more than 1 show. We will probably aim for the Adelaide BDO as it will limit the possibility for clashing sideshows.

The best thing about this line up is that there is plenty of other bands that I'm excited to see (either again or for the first time). Vampire Weekend, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Foals, Crystal Castles, CHILDISH GAMBINO (Troy Barnes aka Donald Glover will be in MY city!) and Alabama Shakes. SO much talent. This is my favourite BDO lineup that I have seen in YEARS.

What a great start to my birthday week :) 

On Thursday I have the day off work for my b'day and while I've been feeling under the weather this week with a head cold I am determined to have a fun day. I have tickets to see The Dark Knight Rises in Gold Class (hello recliner chairs) with my sister and then we'll go shopping and have some lunch and then it's dinner time with the family. 

I have already re-watched the last two Batman movies (Christian Bale versions) in preparation for the next installment. It's going to be INTENSE. Batman is my favourite super hero (I've asked my Mum for a Batman b'day cake this year - I hope she delivers).

I'M THE BATMAN

 - Brooke

Hottest 100 = a happy list

January is a time for reflection - in Australia to some people it's also the time to reflect on the music we've been listening to and vote in the Triple J Hottest 100. The Hottest 100 is broadcast on Australia Day (January 26th) and this year I'm planning on having friends around for a BBQ (in a true Australian way). 

I always struggle to try and get my list down to just 10 songs (YEAH 10 SONGS) and this year was no different. I had to cut out some songs from some of my favourite bands and I know I could just use another email account and vote for them but I feel like that defeats the point of voting. 

Here's the 10 songs I voted for (in alphabetical order):

1. Architecture in Helsinki - Contact High
2. Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down Cause I've Moved Your Chair
3. Cage The Elephant - Shake Me Down
4. The Grates - Turn Me On
5. The Horrors - Still Life
6. Kaiser Chiefs - Little Shocks
7. Kasabian - Velociraptor
8. The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness
9. The Vaccines - If You Wanna
10. The Vasco Era - Rock And Roll Is The Only Thing That Makes Me Feel Good

To make it easier for you to check out these amazing songs for yourself I created a playlist for your listening pleasure.

These songs make me smile. They are a lot more upbeat that some of the other songs I'd normally pick but after going through the list on offer I realised last year was a time for songs that made me want to dance around like crazy. I think that's a good thing.

Happy listening

 - Brooke

2011 was...

The year I dyed my hair purple:

The year I saw many many amazing bands:

CLICK TO KEEP READING....

Christmas is...

A FANTASTIC new Christmas song by the Killers (accompanied by an even more FANTASTIC new film clip).

I love everything about this clip - it feels like perfection (smiles, robots/aliens, cowboys & Mr Flowers) and it makes me want to dance around with it blasting through every room of the house. 

You can download this song now from iTunes, with proceeds from every sale benefiting RED - which is only a bonus for buying amazing music.

Here I was thinking I'd be solely listening to the She & Him Christmas album.

 - Brooke

A little trip down memory lane

Today I re-organised my bedroom. 

My mum managed to get some bedside tables and a dresser for free from her work and since I had a day off it seemed a perfect chance to fill the drawers and make these new pieces of furniture feel more me.

As I was cleaning out the drawers of my old bedside table I stumbled upon a collection of mine that has been growing for years now - ticket stubs from gigs and concerts I've been to. I found tickets from as early as 2004, tickets from shows I'd forgotten about and tickets from shows that were so amazing I can still remember crazy details about them. I also found a bunch of old set-lists that I've been fortunate to collect from some of these shows too.

After the pain of organising my bedroom this was a nice little trip down memory lane. My instagram feed was taking a beating today because as soon as I found something that was fun I took a photo and posted it.

This is why I've been collecting these ticket stubs all these years - so that I have something tangible to remind myself years down the track how I lived through my 20's.

Smiles & love

 - Brooke

Scenes from Splendour in the Grass

Music festivals make me happy. I'm not going to pretend to be one of those people who go to experience the atmosphere or to go hang out with my friends for a weekend (though its a fun part of it). I'm not there to spend hundreds of dollars drinking alcohol in the bars or to sit around in one of the "experimental art" areas. 

I'm there for the music - to see and experience the bands and songs that I listen to day to day in my life. I will gladly forgo food and water to stand around for hours in the front of a crowd so that I can see and feel without distraction while some of my most favourite bands in the world perform in front of me. 

Splendour in the Grass gave me the ability to finally see Kanye West live, I got to go back to being 15 by seeing Jebediah, I got to dance to Architecture in Helsinki and The Vaccines and Kele, I had Jarvis Cocker blind me with a flashlight and camera, I got to see the Kaiser Chiefs again (LOVE) and I got to see some of Coldplays new songs performed live before so many other people in the world. 

It was an exhausting weekend but I would do it all again.

Smiles

 - Brooke

Excited? YES!

When I heard that Zooey Deschanel's new pilot was picked up by FOX in the USA I was excited. It sounded like a cute premise - neurotic girl who's just been dumped moves in with 3 boys and drama ensues. Yeah it's a simple story that has been done to death but after seeing the preview below I think this will work (mainly due to the cuteness that is Zooey).

Adding to the funnies is Max Greenfield (the super cute Deputy Leo for all those Veronica Mars fans) as one of the boys. It's nice to see him in something again.

I guess this will lessen the chance that Zooey will bring her super sweet band She & Him to Australia anytime soon.

Hugs

 - Brooke

ZOMBIES and Scott Pilgrim

Edgar Wright *swoon* posted this video of Shawn of the Dead made in Scott Pilgrim style and condensed into 60 seconds. It's brilliant - if you haven't seen Shaun of the Dead then I'd suggest you watch that before watching this video (there's mega spoilers).

How awesome right?!?! Some people are so creative and brilliant. 

I'm thinking I need to create a "look at the amazing Youtube videos I found this week" style post because I keep finding all these videos that I want to share and I keep creating all these random posts and never using them. 

Happy happy love

 - Brooke

Shanalogic.com Happy Shopper

The lovely Shana from Shanalogic.com is having a happy shopper contest on her facebook page. The deadline was just extended to Monday 20th of December at midnight.

Above is my entry. It has 8 items that I have either purchased for myself or been given at birthdays or Christmas - can you spot them all? It was fun to play around a bit more with my instax camera. I think I'm finally getting the hang of the right kind of lighting for the different settings.

I swear my family must LOVE Shana for her store - it makes buying gifts for me super easy. I have a feeling this year will be no different and come December 25th I will be unwrapping a beautiful item from her shop.

Head over to her facebook page and enter - or just say hi, she really is amazing :)

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

P.S This is in no way a sponsored post - I love seeing what her happy shoppers come up with in these contests and want more people to enter it!

Christmas Wishlist 2010

That's right, it's that time of year again.

I've spent the past few days looking over things on the internet that I'd love to recieve this Christmas - my sister asked me what I wanted so hopefully this can help her decide what to get me :)

Christmas Wishlist by baaarooke featuring a mod dress

I want:

• Magical Unicorn Necklace from Shanalogic.com
• a pretty black lacy dress
• cute slip on shoes with mega bow (I heart these Irregular Choice shoes)
• floral vintage style handbag
• <3 heart ring from Shanalogic.com
• 15" Macbook Pro
• Black glitter Toms slip on shoes

And to show you my nerd side I would also love:

Nerd Christmas Wishlist by baaarooke featuring scarves

• Friday Night Lights Dillon Panthers State Champs t-shirt
• The Office Season 6 dvd
• A new vinyl / record player
• Troy & Abed in the morning mug
• Gryffindor scarf

That pretty much covers my Christmas wish list for this year. I've also seen a bunch of stuff on etsy that I love but I accidently bought the one thing I've been looking at over and over agian (even though it's a bit impractical with Summer starting).

Since I already bought myself the best early Christmas present ever (going to the USA to see Something Corporate) I'm a pretty content person right now - BUT these items would all help push that contentment to 150%

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

Travel Stories: Dear Jack Benefit Show, Nov 18 2010

I'm back from my So Cal week long adventure. It was over in a flash but it was filled with moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life. One of those moments happened on the evening of the 18th of November in Los Angeles California.

By now you all know the main reason for my quick trip to the USA - the Dear Jack benefit concert. This was to be the first time I'd get to see Something Corporate live after listening to their music for over 6 years.

The day before I flew to the USA I posted on twitter the following message:

"Tomorrow I'm getting on a plane from Melbourne Australia to attend the first Annual @dearjackhq Benefit Concert. I'm excited. V excited!"

I received a few back and forth tweets/direct messages from the @dearjackhq (Official Dear Jack Foundation twitter) asking me if I'd be contactable while I was in the USA - turns out they wanted to make sure I met Andrew McMahon (lead singer from Jack's Mannequin & Something Corporate) at the show.

I spent the day of the show in LA on a city tour then shopping at Sephora before eagerly arriving at the El Ray Theatre on Wilshire Blvd at about 7.15pm.

I always find walking into an unfamiliar venue to be both exciting and daunting – you don’t know where you’re going but there a chance you’ll walk into your new favourite venue. The El Ray Theatre was just that – chandeliers and a plush red curtain covering the stage.

I managed to meet up with Steve from the Dear Jack Foundation (after confusion and a cryptic txt message) and organised to meet him after the show was finished so we could meet up with Andrew.

My heart was already in a flutter as Matt Nathanson took the stage. Under normal circumstances I would have really loved his set as he was engaging, funny and his music was quite charming – or maybe I’m remembering it wrong, I don't think so though. I can remember smiling and laughing and singing along to an acoustic rendition of “Highway to Hell”.

The curtains closed again and the crowd thickened. It got a little squishier but was much more tolerable than the squish factor at gigs at home. Excited nervous energy was the flavour of the day as we waited impatiently for those curtains to pull back again. When they did we were greeted with the glorious sounds of Jack’s Mannequin.

The setlist went a little like this:

• The Mixed Tape
• Spinning
• Lullaby
• The Resolution
• I’m Ready
• Bruised
• Holiday From Real
• Swim
• Dark Blue
• MFEO/You Can Breathe

I spent a lot of the time turning to Skye saying “this is my favourite song” because that’s how I feel about most Jack’s Mannequin songs. I think I sang along with a massive grin on my face throughout the set as they went from one song to the next. My heart almost broke in two when the opening chords of “Lullaby” began and again when “MFEO/You Can Breathe” began.

When the curtains closed again it felt like no time had passed. It was about time for the main event – Something Corporate.

I wasn’t really properly prepared for them to open with "Hurricane" but as the curtains opened and the music started my whole world froze. I couldn’t move, I could barely breathe – all I could do was watch and sing. Every note, every beat I felt and lived. It didn’t take long for my brain to snap back into gear and for my heart to slow down a bit. I sang and danced and smiled and almost cried (but I didn’t) as song after song was belted out onstage and through the speakers.

The band looked at home onstage – so happy to be there together after all these years. It was enjoyable to watch and their happiness would have been infectious to anyone not already in a state of overwhelming happiness (like I was).

I think the greatest moment of the evening came about when the band walked off stage before the encore. Usually the crowd will chant either the band’s name or “encore” but this night it was different – they chanted for “Konstantine”. Thankfully Andrew returned to the stage solo and began before the rest of the band joined him to play the song properly. I’ll be honest my eyes teared up and there were parts of the song that I could not sing or I was going to cry – this was by far one of the most amazing gig moments of my life. There is something about that song that drags me in every time and to finally be seeing it live was something I never expected to experience.

Something Corporate disappeared and the rest of Jack’s Mannequin joined Andrew onstage to close the night with "La La Lie" – halfway through the song Something Corporate returned and the two bands shared instruments, microphones and the stage to finish the song in a big fun sing along. The show finished with smiles and happiness which was absolutely perfect.

Setlist went like this:

• Hurricane
• I Want to Save You
• Me and the Moon
• Watch the Sky
• Fall
• Cavanaugh Park
• Space
• The Astronaut
• Punk Rock Princess
• I Woke Up in a Car

ENCORE

• Konstantine
• Jack’s Mannequin - La La Lie ft. Something Corporate

We met up with Steve after the show and he took us upstairs to the “VIP” area where Andrew was hanging out with friends and family. Steve grabbed him and we ended up chatting to him about our holiday and what we had planned for the rest of our trip. He thanked us for making the trip and mentioned how much he loves Australia and how they’re talking about possibly doing an acoustic tour soon (to which I said “please don’t tell me things like that if it’s not going to happen – that’s not fair”).

I’ve been seriously struggling with my words for this blog post. It was such an amazing night of music that I don’t think the words that I have written do it any justice. I usually pride myself on the fact that I can just write about things quickly and without much fuss, but this time I think it meant too much and it’s still so fresh – I can’t find the proper words just yet.

I flew thousands of miles from Melbourne Australia to Los Angeles California to be at this show and it was worth every moment of those 14+ hours on a plane there and 14+ hours on a plane home to be at. I feel so lucky to have been a part of the night and to have finally seen Something Corporate live.

I want to thank Steve from the Dear Jack Foundation for being such an awesome person and looking after me and Skye and for making sure we met Andrew after the show. It was a little piece of unexpected kindness that meant the world to me. You’re the best Steve – I know you must have been super busy on the night and to take the time out to organise that for us was amazing!

Also thanks to Andrew for taking the time to stop hanging out with his family and friends and for having a chat and for being so lovely to us after the show. It’s always a pleasure to see your band(s) live and I’ll continue to travel great distances if I have to to see you again. To quote Eddie from Empire Records – your “music is the glue of the world. It’s what holds it all together.” If you do manage to make it to Australia for the possible acoustic tour you were talking about – I’ll be at every show.

It was the absolute perfect first day in LA - the very next morning we were up early to catch a bus across to Anaheim for 2 days in Disneyland. I'll share pictures (I have tons) and stories next.

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

P.S I know my pics are not the best from this show - you try taking photos when your hands won't stop shaking from excitement.

Travel Stories: California Dreamin'

Yep that’s right, I’m off to the USA tomorrow night for my 4th trip to that beautiful country.

This time around I’m not travelling with my sister. I’m joined on this adventure by Skye. Skye & I became friends from when she worked at my store. She now works in a different branch at a different location but we’ve remained friends via the usual networks. It’s always exciting to travel with someone new – especially someone who has never travelled to a destination that you love dearly.

This trip all came about from the fact that Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate are playing a Dear Jack benefit concert in LA together on Thursday night and I though I’d like to attend. I posted about the show a little while ago and stated that I’d managed to get tickets but it looked like I’d be going by myself because my usual “go to” travel partners were all busy or didn’t have the cash.

I received a text from Skye the following day asking if I had anyone to go with and we spoke about it and I told her what I was thinking of doing and she asked if she could come. I was stoked! She managed to convince her husband that it wouldn’t cost too much since it was only a week so it was settled – she was coming along to the USA with me!

The best part about organising a trip with a fellow travel agent is that there’s no “umm”-ing and “ahh”-ing. They know how much things cost and know how to get the best out of accommodation and flight deals. We managed to get a great deal with V Australia on the flights and a super cheap internal flight from LAX to Las Vegas and all the accommodation was sorted almost straight away. I think I was the one who spent the most time looking at different hotels and finding out different options and prices for our first hotel – Skye was easy, anything I suggested was met with “that sounds great”.

So what are out plans?

 

We’re headed to LA for 2 nights and we’re staying at the Magic Castle Hotel – I’ve read some amazing reviews of this place so I’ll share my thoughts when I get home. Since we arrive into LAX at about 4pm on Wednesday we don’t have too much time that day so we’ll probably just have the usual after flight showers and head out for some dinner before mega sleep time. We’re booked in to do a 4 hour city tour (so Skye can see the “sights”) the following day before shopping (hopefully I’ll get to go to the Tarina Tarantino boutique) around LA for a while and then going to the Dear Jack Benefit show that night.

Friday morning we’re on an early bus to Anaheim for 2 nights where we’ll run around Disneyland like little kids in a candy store. We’ve booked to see Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt1 on Saturday morning in Downtown Disney (I couldn’t help it – I’m going crazy thinking I’m not getting to see it on opening day but that's what happens when travelling).

After that we’re off to Las Vegas for 2 nights of sequins, sparkles, shopping, neon lights and a fly over of the Grand Canyon.

I’ve done Vegas before – YEARS ago on my first America adventure with a bunch of Summer Camp friends so it’ll be nice to get to go back out there with a new perspective.

I’m very excited – we’re jamming so much into 7 days but it’ll all be worth it. It’s our whirlwind Californian & Vegas Adventure. I’ll post pictures and stories when I’m home. I’m taking the Fujifilm Instax Mini and my SLR and am going to try and spend some time taking some special snaps and playing around a bit more with my new lens. I’m only taking one lens so we’ll see how we go.

I’m sure I’m going to need a holiday from my holiday when I return. I’m just happy that I get to say that I’m getting to see Something Corporate in 2 days time after about 7 years of listening to them (plus the fact that Jack’s Mannequin is included in the same evening makes it super special).

Until next week my lovelies...

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

** Click on all images to see originals - none of the photos in this post are mine. Credit goes to those they belong to, click to see more from each person **