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t’s hard to believe we’re already in January of 2018! So much time has passed since I’ve done a monthly favourites segment (trying to be consistent should be one of my new year resolutions…), but I will try and make them as regular as I can! I wanted to do a recap of my favourite things throughout the year as opposed to a December Favourites, but I thought against it as I upload this monthly and you already get a yearly recap through my posts. In December, there were more places than products I fell in love with but I will try and keep them as balanced as possible so you all can try and explore everything I mention! Without further ado, here are my top favourites of last month.

Blue Mountains

I went to the Blue Mountains to celebrate the New Year as a way to get out of that city bustle. I’ve never been before, which is surprising seeing as though everyone in Sydney always goes to explore. The Blue Mountains is 1.5 hours away from the city but you can already see so much difference. Away from the chaotic rush, there is a calm serenity of the mountains that really capture you. I stayed there for 3 days and couldn’t get enough of the Queenstown esque vibes. I’ve always had a penchant for quiet towns with views of nature! There is so much to do and see in the Blue Mountains. We had great pizza at local eateries and found it such a good way to relax and unwind after a hectic work period! On the last day, we also went hiking at the Blue Mountains National Park and took the Wentworth fall trails. It was very hot and we were sweating but the views are definitely worth it in the end!

Luna Park

I’d always been such a big fan of amusement parks but my parents never took me when I was a kid (partly because they were scared themselves!) Last month, I took my boyfriend to Luna Park on his birthday, which is an amusement park down by the Harbour Bridge in our city! It’s a beautiful and historical park that is known for its wacky circus vibes and variety of rides! I’ll do admit that here in Sydney, we lack thrilling parks like Universal and Disney. Luna Park is the only one we have here except for the occasional Easter Show! But nevertheless, we had such an amazing time. If you get an unlimited pass, you can go on as many rides as you want and the lines are minimal. Everyone is there to have a great time and you can enjoy the best view of the harbor whilst laughing your head off on the rides.

The Calyx

The Calyx is a place that I just discovered in the Botanical Gardens. It’s a gorgeous café situated inside an architectural dream. White beams guard a precious pond in the middle, home to some of the most thriving seasonal flowers there are! Not only is the place great for catching up with friends or doing a quick photoshoot, but the food is also delicious. The menu is healthy and focuses on sourcing the freshest ingredients. I had the vermicelli salad which was soooo good especially in the summer when I wanted to eat something lighter. After you’re done eating there, make sure you check out the free indoor garden exhibition inside the building!

Pandora Jewellery

If you’ve been following me for a while now, you should know that I don’t change much of my jewellery except for earrings. But last month, I went crazy with Pandora’s new collection and haven’t stopped wearing it since! The pieces are minimal yet elegant, and look great dressed up or down. I love that you can match all the pieces together or just mix it up and throw on random things but still get that effortless look! Stacking rings used to be my favourite thing, and these new pieces from Pandora are dainty so they don’t look overcrowded even when you put one on each finger. Also my favourite of all time is their circular signature necklace, which I have worn EVERYDAY since the day I put it on. It complements everything and it honestly looks like it sparkles in broad daylight (it’s amazing, I’m in love).

CHRISTMAS!

Anddd lastly, how could I write a post about my December Favourites without mentioning that it was the most wonderful time of the year! I love Christmas so much, and it’s always had a special place in my heart. My family never celebrated Christmas, so growing up I never knew how it felt except for in movies. In movies, Christmas always felt so magical, with snow falling and everyone coming together with their loved ones. These past few years, it has certainly felt like a real Christmas to me. Although I don’t get snow in Sydney, my cousins and I always have our annual Christmas party where we get together to cook, play games and exchange Christmas presents! Coming from a big family (I have 12 cousins on each side!), we love to get together during these times of the year and be grateful for all we have. My boyfriend and I also have a tradition where we take Mia (my Pomeranian) out to see Christmas lights around Sydney and how beautifully decorated they are. This year we saw some that snow machines and blasted Christmas carols. It was truly such a memorable Christmas.

 

I hope to get posting regularly soon. I’ve yet to adjust to balancing a full time job as well as blogging consistently – but I should have more content up for you soon as well as more favourites. Thank you all for your support and love in this last year, I couldn’t have done it without each and every single one of you and can’t wait to share more favourites next month!! Xx