My 21st Birthday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QXDG4PSofA

I've always been the type of person to prefer being around important people instead of heaps of people so when it comes to celebrating my birthday it's pretty rare that I'm gonna be throwing a big party of some sort. This year was my 21st and being the opposite side of the world from my family I knew there was definitely not going to be even the smallest get together. Which in a way I'm pretty glad because it was spent around my favourite human and it was perfect. I decided a couple weeks in advance that I'd like for Jordan and I to have a little break away somewhere and we ended up booking a night in the Silver Fern Accommodation & Spa in Rotorua which if you're heading that way I highly recommend checking this place out because it was great. 

As soon as we arrived in Rotorua we had a few hours to kill before check in and Jordan's surprise so we ended up in town having a wander around the shops and the parks. As we were walking back to the car we both got stopped by this young girl on the street trying to ask for a donation for the book she was talking about called 'The Science of Self-Realization and I'm thrilled we had time to stop and chat because I am so excited to start reading it! Jordan surprised me with a helicopter ride over all Rotorua Lakes which was absolutely beautiful to see. The amount of different shades of colours you see from up there is crazy, I'm not sure how he hid it from me but he definitely surprised me. Once our feet were on the ground we then went for another walk around the lake front as not only was the view insanely beautiful there seemed to be heaps going on, Across from the docks there were markets and a small fair going on. Once we arrived back at were we where staying we decided we would go for a bike ride as they have bikes to use there. When we got back we chilled for a little while before going out for dinner to then finish the night back for a little walk along the lake front as the sun was setting and then relaxing in the spa bath as we clocked in for the night. :) 

Thank you Jordan for making my 21st super duper memorable. I love you heaps.

XOXO

The Willow Tree

As I was doing a little bit of Christmas shopping the other day I came across the cutest store and just had to snap a few photos for you all to see. It's called 'The Willow Tree' and its got the best gift ideas and home decor I've seen in quite a while. It's one half of a bookstore which is a bonus too if you're a bookworm like me. Even though most shops nowadays have a pretty similar style when it comes to this particular type of store but everything seemed a lot more worth the money in here and a better quality especially for the price you'd be paying. I mean if you are into the pastel/ rose gold colours and the more qwerky type objects scattered around your house this is the perfect place to go. If I wasn't planning on hopping to and from countries in the next couple years I would of purchased heeeeeaps of stuff. It varies from doormats to wall clocks to marson jars to notebooks to tote bags to ornaments... honestly whatever you need this will have it or something very similar with its own little twist to it.

^ I officially believe in love at first sight after seeing this rose gold lamp. Such a shame it's not very aeroplane friendly. :( :( :( 

http://www.thewillowtree.co.nz/ 

XOXO

South Island Adventure

Sometimes, when life is beginning to get the better of you and you feel like you're suffocating, its good to just take some time away. And thats exactly what Jordan and I did. Well, not exactly. We booked the tickets a few weeks ago as the plan was to go down to visit Jordan's older brother Richard, which we did. I guess it just all happened at the right time as time alone with Jordan (outside of sleeping next to him in bed) was very much needed. I still had yet to venture over to the South Island but I just haven't had time and the end of the year is slowly, but surely creeping up on us all. So being told I was going to the South Island (yes, told not asked. -although I would of still said yes!) I was kind of peeing my pants there and then just thinking about it. 

We flew out to Nelson on the Sunday and honestly it might of been the smallest plane I've ever flown on ever, and I started jetting off on holidays when I was 2 years old... Do the mathematics and that's a whole heap of take offs and landings. It was only a short but sweet 70 minutes, roughly to fly down and then another 1 minute to claim our baggage. As the airports, again are the smallest I've been in. I second thought about my career just being there, contemplating whether to become #1 drug smuggler starting out back and forth from the islands and just grow over time. There were no security related things at all. Moving on... Once we had got our luggage and hired a car we then had to find somewhere to stay for the night as we thought having a day/night in Nelson would be cool instead of heading straight for Richard's house. We ended up in this cute little motel which I'd recommend if I hadn't of forgot the name as it wasn't that far from the town centre but it was still very quiet and peaceful. We did try and find things to look at or do in Nelson but we ended up strolling through the streets window shopping to then having a well deserved glass of wine (beer for him) in a pub to admiring the towns church which ended up us straight back to the motel. Lying in a big comfortable bed, watching Pineapple Express, having some drinks and nibbling on snacks with my boy - how can you blame me for not wanting to be very adventurous on a Sunday Evening. 

The next day we had a slow drive to Collingwood. Stopping off wherever we wanted. For everybody who told me the South Island would blow you away compared to the North, I completely agree. *takes off non-existent hat* Wherever you turn your head to look it's so beautiful and picturesque it's as if we are buying postcards from a little shop down an alley to send home to Dad. The pictures on all of them postcards are literally around you. You are in that postcard. Understand? Capiche? The drive from Nelson to Collingwood itself is breathtaking. Looking around and realising how small you actually are compared to the world, as all you're looking at is thousands of miles of the tops of trees and mountains all in rows in the far background, with the very rare passing of other humans.

My favourite moment of the full trip was when we found ourselves stood staring up at the night sky mesmerised by a gazillion starts shimmering down at us. Honestly, it was magical. I've never seen so many in the sky at once. It's amazing how different the sky can be different places in the world yet still be the same sky for everybody. All the days afterwards consisted of going on adventures, taking touristy pictures and getting drunk whilst chilling and playing card games. Overall I'm so fortunate and thankful Jordan even wanted me to come with him and let me explore a small chunk of that Island with his family.

XOXO

Weekend break in the city

For a good few months I had kind off been nagging Jordan to take me to Kelly Tarlton's in Auckland as aquariums are my absolutely favourite place to be. I find them so peaceful and tranquil (unless it's school holidays of course). So after a very long and patient wait we decided to take the weekend off of work and head up to Auckland for a mini break. We set off early Saturday morning as I'm sure you can imagine what the traffic is like heading into the city, but as soon as we arrived we headed straight to the aquarium. The first exhibit you came across was the penguins which we both spent ages just watching as they are quite the comedians but the only creature I really do go to aquariums to see are the Jellyfish because they are hands down the most magical creatures ever to look at. The way they just glide in different directions so effortlessly is beautiful. Once I finally did manage to drag myself away from them we then went on the hunt for a place to grab some lunch. We ended up in a little Italian restaurant directly opposite the sea. After our stomach's were filled we then headed to Jordan's cousins house as this is where we were staying for the night. As we were in Auckland another must I wanted to do was go up the Sky Tower, especially at night because I could just imagine the view and I knew it was gonna be insane. The weather wasn't so great that day too so we opted for my decision and once the sun started setting we jumped back in the car and headed for the City.

 I haven't spent much time in the actual city since being in New Zealand which is pretty terrible but I prefer more of a relaxed scene like the countryside or the beach instead of the 'concrete jungle' type places, but nevertheless Auckland is still just as breathtaking. You just gotta find the right places. It was a short break but it was perfect.

XOXO