Fresh Start : New goals

2011 is in full swing. Back to work and steadily moving closer to February. Before we hit middle of the month, I thought I'd share my new year's resolutions.

I don't usually make them however last year I set myself a goal career wise and nailed it. I'm a little inspired by that success to set more goals this year; some are fun, some are health related and others are simply things that interest me and keep me inspired, happy and stress-free.

Twenty-eleven to-do list:

1. Exercise 2-3 times a week. I'm a slacker so this may be a little hard but I'm hoping my awesome Xmas present from Mr Bug, my new bike Peggy (see pic) will help make this easier.
2. Participate in Meatless Mondays (environmental reason as well as trying to curb my gluttony)
3. Dust off the tap shoes and enroll in another tap course with Miss Jane.
4. Learn how to kick a hula hoop from my knees to my hips with another round of hula hooping classes. Very hard and causes bruising but I will master it *shakes fist*
5. Fly through the air with the greatest of ease and sign up for a trapeze/aerial course (there must be carnies in my bloodline - only explanation).
6. Read 6 books this year. I would love for this to be 12 a year but I must be realistic that torrents take up my reading time :P
7.  I am generally crap at cooking Asian cuisine and I want this sorted. While I will never be a Poh, I'd love to master some Malaysian dishes or kick-arse Indian curries.
8. Save some $$$. If I can learn to exercise more, I can learn how to save. Never too late to learn.
9. I want to buy 1 piece of art this year. Not stressed if I don't but I would like to beautify my home and support a local artist in the process.
10. Work wise; I want to achieve at least 1 campaign or professional achievement that I can be proud of.
11. Travel somewhere. That itch needs to be scratched again.
12. Cut back on parking fines. Unfortunately there is limited parking at my work and I've been stung with 5 parking fines in 6 weeks. I don't need to explain why this must change.
13. Blog more.

Lucky 13. Let's hope it's my lucky number :)

Chat soon
Maryann xx

Final day Frocktober

It's done! It's over! I've made it to the end of Frocktober wearing dresses and skirts every single day. Yay!! I don't have the final tally but I'm pretty certain, I've raised over $500 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Thank you to all who supported me this last month.

Today's outfit is a bit of a schamozzle to end on. I headed down to the Peninsula to spend some quality time with Mr Bug and grabbed this dress without realising how much colder the weather was going to be. And didn't bring a jacket either *facepalm*

So I'm ending with a green wrap dress, brown slip dress and brown boots. Basically I look like a lacy tree ... a girly camouflage perhaps :P

If you would like to make a donation for my efforts and help find an early detection test, pretty please do so. You can make donations via PayPal using my rego #680068. Visit www.frocktober.org, go to the 'donate' page and include my registration number (680068) in the message section. If paying via direct debit, enter my registration number (680068) in the 'reference' field from your internet banking service. Frocktober bank details are listed below:

Account name: Frocktober Inc
BSB: 633000
Account number: 134323187

Thanks again for your support and I will update with total tally as soon as I know.

Cheers
Maryann xx

The Social Network

 

I don't normally review films but this one has got me thinking. I enjoyed the Social Network - the snappy dialogue, the structure of the storytelling, the performances. All were pretty impressive. But did it live up to the hype and 5-star reviews? Um .. well no. It was good but it wasn't brilliant!

While I am spending far too much time thinking about the film, it is more other people's reaction that has got me rattled. Is everyone just Fincher/Sorkin fanboys/girls and loving it because it's expected? What's going on? Someone please explain it to me...

Some of Sorkin's creative liberties bugged me - where is Zuckerberg's long term girlfriend? Guess you can't have a misogynist villain if he's in a long term relationship with an intelligent woman. Starting to believe people's criticisms of Sorkin not being able to write female characters. I just don't buy Zuckerberg as an arsehole or even wanna-be arsehole as the film suggests. 

Also where was the emotion? I didn't think the relationship between Zuckerberg and Eduardo was explored enough to set up the emotional betrayal. When Eduardo states in a meeting they were best friends (his only friend), my reaction was really? Oh I thought he was the investor buddy rather than BFFs.

To me this film was a good look into the world of business; the importance of sound contacts, absolute need to review contracts and seek alternative counsel. It also demonstrated the importance of serendipity coupled with smarts and hard work. Whether you're an entrepreneur, actor or even just a regular Joe Schmo, sometimes being at the right place at the right time, is just as important as the hard work and intelligence it takes to get there.


I confess I'm now a bit of a Zuckerberg fangirl. I watched this fascinating interview with him at Startup School. You should check it out, especially when he talks about adapting Facebook to the cultural and legal needs of each country and how he's going about getting Facebook into China. To be honest I found this more interesting and eye opening than the film.

Watch live video from Startup School on Justin.tv

On a side note, I checked out Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook profile and got a real kick to find out we share a mutual friend. So I guess the failings of the film is that I find the real Zuckerberg more captivating.

Chat later when I post my final Frocktober outfit.

Cheers
Maryann xx

Penultimate Frocktober

Second last day of Frocktober and we've had constant rain today. All day!! I had a lovely lunch with my friend Irena who showed support for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation by frocking up too! I wish I got a pic of the two of us in our dresses. *facepalm*

Instead I took a pic with my favourite puppy Bea. Awwww!. After lunch I braved the wet roads and downpour to spend some quality time with Mr Bug on the Peninsula. I'm always greeted by the warmest reception by this naughty dog so I had to snap her giving me cuddles.

Today's outfit is a summer dress and op shop find cardigan to deal with the warmer weather. The boots were essential to deal with the puddles.

Tomorrow is the last day of Frocktober. So get your donations in please :)

You can make donations via PayPal using my rego #680068. Visit www.frocktober.org, go to the 'donate' page and include my registration number (680068) in the message section. If paying via direct debit, enter my registration number (680068) in the 'reference' field from your internet banking service. Frocktober bank details are listed below:

Account name: Frocktober Inc
BSB: 633000
Account number: 134323187

Look forward to tomorrow.

Cheers
Maryann xx

Halloween Frocktober

I've resurrected Miss Dead USA for a Halloween fancy dress at work. I really wanted to wear this dress at some point this month so I'm super excited.

My work is running a competition. The costume with the most Likes/Comments wins a prize. Please head over to The Online Circle's Facebook and vote for me. I promise to thank you in my acceptance speech.

Happy frockin' Halloween

Cheers
Maryann

Desperate measures Frocktober

Thankfully October is nearly over otherwise I would have to start wearing cocktail dresses, evening gowns and even whip out those bridesmaid dresses I've been forced to wear. Not exactly the best work attire. Today's outfit reflects this predicament - not exactly the best work wear unless I was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A girl can dream.

Pic by @KimberleyL

This dress is a Bettiana Liano frock I purchased this year. To be honest I was super surprised to fit in it. Guess those hula hooping classes paid off.

Anyway it didn't occur to be how flashy this dress was until I met @KimberleyL in Richmond for lunch today. I was all sparkly and WAY overdressed for a bowl of pho.

Tomorrow is the last work day for Frocktober and I'm a little excited that work is having fancy dress for Halloween. I will be resurrecting my Miss Dead USA Beauty Queen outfit. Can't wait to share that pic with you.

Thanks again for the late donations coming in. I really appreciate it. You still have a chance to donate, got to http://frocktober.org/donate/ and use my registration number 680068.

Cheers
Maryann xx

Last Hump Day for Frocktober

It seems I have a subconscious love affair with the detective look (or perv flasher) since I have yet another trench coat look. This is a Dizingof dress from a few year back. It's so beautifully made, lined and always confuses people. I have been asked by too many people if I want to take my coat off and hang it up. I usually love their mortified looks when I tell them it's a dress and they feel terrible for thinking otherwise. Ahhh simple pleasures or small things amuse small minds. You decide :P

Having this outfit pictured in a park, really does make me look like a flasher. My over-sized wayfayers help with my disguise while my silver heels make for easy running in case I need to make a hasty getaway.

Heels made for running ;)

A few more days left to donate so please help a lady in a frock out. If you don't want to use PayPal, you can make an electronic transfer directly to Frocktober. The details are below:

Account name: Frocktober Inc
BSB: 633000
Account number: 134323187
Reference field: 680068 (my id)

Thanks again for you help.
Maryann xx