I sometimes do reviews for NZGirl

So I sometimes do reviews for the website NZgirl. They send me stuff and I try it out and I do a review. Here's my latest one: http://www.nzgirl.co.nz/nzg-reader-reviews/influencer-review-banana-boat-ultra-clear-spray-spf50-4/

Another Hot Day

Today was yet another hot day. Luckily (?) I was inside the air conditioned store where I work. Work was slow, probably because everyone was at the beach or something

Now to decide what to have for dinner. Andrew and I have been wanting to have some cooler meals - ones we don't have to cook. Not sure though, since we don't have a barbecue.
Am open to suggestions.






Linking up with:

First Blogger Challenge

Whilst browsing various blogs, I came across this challenge that should be interesting. Should be interesting.
Basically, topics will be sent out to you and you write about them twice a month. Quote from AnotherGirlyBlog "The topic ideas are there to give you new ideas and encourage you to write about things you wouldn't normally write about."

I think this sounds like fun and it might get me blogging more regularly. I enjoy blogging and want to make the most of it. I read so many other blogs that I feel I should contribute some more.

My Surprise :D

So the other day, Andrew and I were talking about various expenses we have coming up. We decided that any big purchases (including the phone I was hoping to get for Christmas) would have to wait until after we've paid for our flights for our holiday next year.

Then on Wednesday, I got a phone call from Andrew saying he has a surprise for me. Of course, me being me, I immediately get all excited and childlike asking him what it is etc. He wouldn't tell me saying "you'll find out when I get home". So I wait patiently (as I can).
When he got home, I run over and give him a hug saying "so what's my present!?" (I know, so mature...)
He then proceeds to take everything out of his bag except my present (obviously enjoying every minute of my impatience).
The last thing he takes out is a brand new Samsung Galaxy s3 mini :D :D :D :D

So there's a very happy Rosey here, trying to figure out a new toy (I'm using my laptop for this though. Finding writing a bit cumbersome on my new toy so far).

I got a blue one like this :D

Sick day

So I called in sick to work today. Feeling nauseas, slight fever and general blahness.

I don't like calling in sick, but I knew I wouldn't be able to be on my feet for 8+ hours feeling like I was.

I feel a lot better now than I did this morning. I slept for the entire morning after calling work at 9am.
Now I'm spending time looking at blogs.

Christmas This Year

Christmas this year is going to be different. It will be the first time in my life I haven't spent it with my parents and sisters. All because I work in retail and they refuse to give any time off over the Holiday period.

So I've been thinking of what I can do to make our first Christmas of just Andrew and me special.

1. Get a better Christmas tree. We have a tiny little one at the moment and I'd like one that's around 6ft that I can decorate properly.
2. Do something nice and special for Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every Christmas I've always had a roast meal. This year I'd like to do something different as a roast in the middle of summer in New Zealand is sweltering.
3. Bake Christmas treats. There are many little Christmas treats that make Christmas special to me. I'll just have to make them myself this year. I'll also probably buy a few things that I don't feel confident making myself such as Christmas mince pies, brandy snaps and Christmas pudding.
4. Decorate the house properly. In the past, I haven't gone as all out as we've always been travelling somewhere else.
5. Maybe we could head to the beach for a picnic lunch or dinner or something

So many ideas floating around my head. I want to make it special for us but it's just going to be so different for both of us not being around family.

Linking up with

Rugby

While spending the day at work, I wasn't able to avoid the news that the All Blacks had won the game against South Africa. But I wanted to see how!

Luckily, hubby recorded the game for me and he didn't even watch it until now.

I don't know what it is, but I love watching a good game of rugby. The intensity. The passion. (The guys - no! I'm a married woman - only one guy for me).

I think the fact that I live in New Zealand, probably the most rugby mad nation in the world helps me to like rugby. That and the fact that it was the time Dad and I were able to have some bonding time when I was young. No-one else in my family was interested really. It was just Dad and me eating chips and me nicking some of his beer while he was yelling at the ref. Fantastic.

Now, me and the hubby watch it and have our own beer and chips while commenting (we don't generally yell at the ref. Just cheer on good rugby :) )

Linking up with:

BBQ

As I write this smells are wafting over the fence from our neighbours. Delicious smells of a barbeque. Why must they have their BBQ set up so close to the fence?I'm sitting here absolutely craving a nice steak done on the BBQ.

But I can't have one. We don't have a barbeque. We seriously must be one of the few NZ households that don't. And I miss it.

Now that we're coming into summer, I want one. On those warm summer evenings I want a barbequed steak and a nice salad. OM NOM.

I want to be like this kiwi dude below (except without DAD on the apron - I'll never be a dad :P )

Yours sincerely,

A Kiwi without a barbeque

My happy place

I have a new thing that makes me happy and it's what I call my 'Candle Sanctuary'.

It's not much, it's just a collection of tea light candles on the coffee table.

Yes, there is a marble in the top of the red candle holder (I'm weird like that).

The plate is for potential cookies or cupcakes (when I get around to baking).

Life is Precious

My beautiful cousin had a brain hemorrhage on Friday. She's only 32 and has a 1 year old son. It was near fatal. She had emergency surgery on Friday night and is now stable but critical. I'm just thankful she's still alive. 
I'm not generally religious at all, but on Friday I prayed for the first time in years. Not to any deity in particular but to any that would listen.

LIFE IS PRECIOUS PEOPLE!

You need to live every moment to the full. Do what makes you happy. My cousin and her immediate family have a long road ahead of them now. 

Give everyone you love a big hug next time you see them.

My Birthday

I had a wonderful birthday this year. I took Monday off work and we traveled down to Hawkes Bay to spend it with some of the fam-bams. Had an amazing dinner of roast lamb, kumara, potatoes, yams, pumpkin and some beans. Fantabulously yummy! And then apple pie for dessert and some of my Mum's homemade birthday cake. So that was Sunday night.

On my actual birthday AJ and I went shopping and got some awesome new clothes. So nice to have a husband who likes to go shopping with me. He's seriously amazing. Now I'm really overdue to go through my wardrobe and get rid of things. On the bright side, I went through my teenage clothes left at my parents place (it only took my 6 years). Most of it is to be donated.

So yah, awesome birthday and miss HB already.

My birthday present

So AJ decided that since we're going away for my birthday that I needed an 'at home birthday'.

So we celebrated it on Sunday. HE GOT ME A SEWING MACHINE!!!! Awesomest husband ever. 
So far, I've tested out all the different stitches and have been finding some ideas of what to make online. I think one of my first things to try and make will be a maxi skirt or something. 

Can't wait to start creating. Watch out Spotlight!

Employment

I finally have a job!

Had my first day at Manukau Farmers today and it was quite fun.
Four weeks of training and then I'm at the new Pukekohe store (which, btw, is going to look fantastic once it's open!).
The store manager for the Pukekohe store came in today and gave me a huge hug to welcome me to the team! Everyone is so nice and get along so well. Fantastic understanding customers too. If you're honest with them and say that you're just learning they're amazingly patient. 

I'm exhausted now, but at least I have a job that I can see myself enjoying. 

Bring on tomorrow!