fresh ideas, fruitful results

If you know me, you’ll know I’m all about fresh food and produce. If it were allowed, I’d send my daughters to school with a mini fridge. Since that’s not an option, I’ve turned to clever solutions to keep things crisp and cool, like the omielifeinc ice pack, made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic with non-toxic gel, paired with reusable metal ice cubes. Together, they do an excellent job keeping the girls’ fruit fresh all day.

After what felt like an endless search, I’ve finally found the perfect lunch boxes. The Blue Water Bento Splash range by ecolunchbox ticks every box: leakproof, space-saving, and made from non-toxic stainless steel with secure silicone lids. Stylish, sustainable, and parent-approved. And while we’re on the topic of lunch essentials, I’ve always found those little soy sauce fish bottles a bit suss. No expiry date, just lurking indefinitely. Since I’m all about freshness, I can’t bring myself to trust them. Instead, I fill my own little dispensers as needed. Much better peace of mind.

elegator

I hadn’t set foot in the Hermès boutique since my birthday last year, when I picked up the Birkin. At the time, it felt like the perfect finale, the kind of high note you walk away on. I’d dabbled in other designer labels, convinced that I was done with the Hermès game. The waitlists, the whispered negotiations, the endless anticipation no longer held the same charm. 

I’d seen alligator bags in-store, displayed in the vitrines. Beautiful, yes, but they never made my heart skip a beat. Then, out of nowhere, the itch came. No idea why, no rhyme or reason, just a sudden, sharp pull back in. 

I reconnected with my sales associate, and after a bit of small talk and a few medium purchases, she made a big offer: the elegant Kelly II Retourne 25. Alligator. Exotic. Rare. Everything I hadn’t known I wanted until I did. 

It felt serendipitous, this impulsive acquisition, neatly tied to both my birth month and master’s graduation, making it a special gift to myself. 

🍊 Kelly II Retourne 25 Alligator Mississipiensis Y1 Vanille

tiers of time

The first time I saw a three-tiered dessert stand was at my best friend’s Bridal Shower in 2007, the same year that I started dating my husband. It was arranged with cute cupcakes and pastries, and I remember thinking how pretty and elegant it looked. But at that stage of my life, it never occurred to me to buy one since I had no reason to.

Six anniversaries later, when Amelia was a newborn, the dessert stand popped back into my mind. Perhaps it was the sleep-deprived haze of early motherhood or the longing for something beautiful in the midst of chaos, but I suddenly felt drawn to it. I started searching through online marketplaces like Gumtree and eBay, slowly piecing together a collection, not just of ceramic dessert stands, but of cake stands, plates, ornate tea pots, sugar & milk jugs. Each item felt like a little treasure, waiting for the right time to be used.

But life got busy, and when we moved houses, they were packed away into storage and forgotten. Seasons changed, and the collection remained untouched, tucked into boxes, waiting for an occasion I wasn’t even sure would come.

Who would have thought that the opportunity would finally arrive at Amelia’s 12th birthday party? She had chosen a pastel theme, and as I unwrapped each piece, I realised just how perfect they were. The soft hues, intricate patterns, and timeless charm made everything feel so special, almost as if they had been waiting all these years for this exact celebration. It was a full-circle moment, something I had unknowingly been preparing for since the very beginning. 

the game

Playing the Hermès game is like searching for a unicorn in a blizzard of dollar bills: exciting, expensive, and perhaps mythical! The key to maintaining my sanity in this luxe labyrinth hinges on the trusting relationship I've built with my Sales Associate. Dealing with my SA can sometimes feel like I'm on a seesaw, constantly balancing between not seeming too desperate and the overwhelming desire to plead for my wish list items. I invest both heart and wallet, all the while wondering if she actually likes me or if I'm just another commission to her.

I'm curious about where I stand on her list of clients but try to keep my composure. Yet, this interaction isn't a straightforward exchange. No specific amount of spending guarantees that coveted offer; it’s not a conditional transaction where more money equals more certainty. I’ve learned that my purchasing decisions must come from a place of genuine love for the items, not as tactical moves to secure a quota bag.

The essence of this pursuit centers on enjoying the journey itself, without fixating on the potential rewards. Adopting this mindset has not only made my experience more authentic but has also helped me manage expectations and lessen the sting of any disappointments.

I remember the thrill of acquiring my first bag, akin to the gleeful euphoria when my high school crush finally reciprocated my feelings. Each visit to the boutique and every conversation with my SA brought me closer to that point. The sensation of walking into the store, knowing I was about to receive what I had been waiting for, was truly special.

After receiving the Mini Kelly in October, I casually (but strategically) dropped hints a few months later about desiring another quota bag. My SA made no promises, but on my birthday, she surprised me with a stunning Birkin. Perhaps I am her favourite after all! The situation was both serious and silly. It felt strange that something as materialistic and superficial as this could bring me so much joy. The excitement was so intense, it chased away my hunger and sleep, similar to the jittery anticipation before a first date. It was a moment filled with anticipation, where every flutter of butterflies in my stomach matched the rustle of tissue paper unveiling the pinnacle of artistry.

secret pursenality

During my callous youth, I took pleasure in winning people over, stealing hearts and running off without ever saying sorry. Nonetheless, I’m now aware that those mind games were manipulative and mean. This realisation led me to find a healthier avenue to fulfil my need for affirmation and approval from certain people.

I understand the importance of seeking validation from within myself rather than relying on others. However, that’s a topic for deeper introspection, considering how this unexpected confession is already quite awkward to share, especially since no one asked.

I’ve channeled this twisted inclination into the retail world, where the goal of the game is to acquire highly coveted items without toying with anyone’s feelings. I find amusement in this new pursuit, all the while relishing the excitement that comes with the chase.

After some fine jewellery purchases, I was presented with the elusive Mini Kelly handbag. No emotional casualties resulted from this acquisition, but my poor bank account certainly took a hit!

the purse-suit of happiness

Why am I often drawn to things that are out of my reach? Is it the chase that thrills me more than the actual capture? It’s interesting how I always romanticise about what can’t be easily attained.

The chase infuses my mundane life with a sense of excitement and possibility. It’s the “what if” game that keeps me alert and engaged, anxious yet electrified. This very impulse can turn any pursuit into an exhilarating experience, much like being infatuated with someone, with its emotional highs, lows and unexpected developments.

Perhaps I’m sounding a little obsessed with my handbag, but don’t worry about me. I understand that pouring my energy into people who value and return my affections is a healthier way to live. Love is a perpetual energy with living things. I’ve got no fetish for my leather bag.

No matter how gorgeous she looks.

the pink coat

My sister and I embarked on a mission to acquire the illustrious Pink Coat from Portmans. She fell head over heels for it after spotting it in a magazine. When she finally saw it in person, she dragged me along to witness the glory. I paid the coat a visit with LN on Monday, and let's just say my first impression was less "wow" and more "meh." The fabric felt off, and the style was a bit, well, odd.

I relayed my lukewarm feelings to my sister, thinking that would be the end of our Pink Coat adventure. But no, she persuaded me to give it another chance at Westfields in Liverpool. So, I agreed, because every coat deserves a fair trial, right? Even so, I still found it underwhelming and decided to get a second opinion from Mum. Mum, being the pragmatic woman she is, suggested we could find something similar at the markets for a fraction of the price and thought we were bonkers for wanting such an expensive piece of clothing.

My sister, ever the fashion lawyer, argued that the coat only looked weird on the hanger and would transform into a masterpiece when worn. To prove her point, she modeled it, and lo and behold, it looked stunning on her. Panic set in - what if it looks good on her but makes me look like a pink marshmallow? Alas, my sister's enthusiasm was infectious, and I got swept up in the coat craze.

Update

Post-work, my sister and I ventured to the Parramatta branch, praying they had the elusive Pink Coat in size 6. No luck. Frustration was building as we were tired of the relentless coat chase. We wandered into Sheike, and there, like a beacon of hope, was another Pink Coat. This one was cashmere and a much lovelier shade of baby pink than the Portmans version.

So, naturally, I bought it. Just like that.

And now I'm fabulously broke!