How to break free of Wardrobe Monotony!!

Ever notice when you’re shopping that you are drawn to similar clothes? “This top is sooo me,” you’ll think… and quite possibly you already have one that’s practically the same at home.

This is even more noticeable when shopping with friends. Everything they look at is familiar to them. It’s frustrating right? You want to say – “Don’t you already have that exact beige jacket - only slightly longer sleeves?”

But that’s their style, so you let them buy it.

Well, do yourselves a favour. Next time you go shopping bring a non-toxic friend who has fabulous style! You will need a friend who is bold enough to be honest about what looks good on you, but not bitchy enough to be the jealous type.

Then let them pick out a bunch of stuff – that THEY think would look great on you.

Items are not going to be anything you would have picked for yourself. You are going to look at them and think "mmmm... not really me."

But try them on anyway. And anything that says ‘well, hang on a sec, I kind of don’t mind this’ BUY IMMEDIATELY!

I did this twice with Chelsea while she was in NY, and now every time I wear these pieces I feel like a new woman. I’ve grown to absolutely love them.

Don’t worry, I still love my grey + denim uniform, but this has helped me break my pattern and look at other clothes that I may not have previously.

After all, a change in style is as good as a holiday if you ask me. Chelsea, are you for hire?*

*Turns out she is! And admits to doing it for all her friends. Contact Rachael at Snapdragons and Teapots for a holiday from your style!

Am I hot? Or did I just release an egg?

Did you know that when you ovulate (ladies!) your face changes to a more relaxed and open state? That means you subconsciously become more attractive… sexually speaking.

So the next time someone tells you “You look great! Did you change your hair?” Consider saying “Thanks! No I haven’t changed my hair… but perhaps I’m ovulating!”

Eeeeeew!

L.A. Highlights

Shared a hotel room with my new friend Bee and she found this note under her bed on our last day. It was weird – because we had both been drinking a lot of red bull.

***

There was nudity (male), throat singing and bbq wieners. Plus a bunch of skinny Norwegian actresses in bikinis, who kept showing me picture of them with Quentin Tarantino from the Screem Awards ceremony.

That’s what happens when you say 'yes' to a house pool-party with an old acquaintance. Despite how weird it was, the party was very quiet.

***

A cute boy I swapped details with on the first night, texted me flirty messages all weekend like: “you’re pretty cute” etc [which I found flattering, but rather primary school seeing as we hadn’t spoken. Weirdo!]

Then, back in Oz, with Sally!! We looked at his facebook – and WTF! Not only is he reading a bible in his profile pick, but HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND! Who has written loving posts – all over his wall. Fucking douchebag men! His real name is Brian Beer. A prime candidate for dontdatehimgirl.com

***

John Cleese, guest speaker at the Screenwriting Expo, imparted these words of wisdom, to the packed audience:

“Over all the years I’ve been alive and working, I’ve started to realize the truth and that is - Nobody really knows anything, about anything! And that’s all you really have to know.” ♥

You Know You're a Newyorker in Oz when...

I'D COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN THE FOLLOWING:

- How gorgeous and well put together the women are here.
- How quiet it is. Why aren’t people thinking out loud?
- J-walking is illegal?
- How good the shopping is (I’m sorry – it’s true!)
- How good proper coffee is (drip filter is standard in the US).
- How perfect the weather is (and how bored it makes me feel).
- How easily my mum can piss me off.
- How much I love girly sleepovers.
- How ocker everyone sounds.

L.A. - I'm a kid in a candy store!

I listen to a screenwriter podcasts interviews, with Jeff Goldsmith – almost every day.

Humble, passionate and without ego, he has the nerdy enthusiasm of the Steve Irwin, and the heart to back it up.


I hear his voice on trams, trains, when jogging, or just needing inspiration. He’s put his arm around all my screenwriting heroes, and now he has put his arm around me.

If I thought high-fiving him after stalking him on the first day of this screenwriting expo was a high-light, imagine how I felt after a 20 minute conversation, when he tweeted the photo above, to his followers.

I told him, “I hope you can interview ME one day!” And he said “I already am.”

Rad.

L.A. Nerd

About two years ago I was lying on my mother’s couch, a bowl of nacho’s and a box of tissues in front of me.

I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing. I was post-break-up sad. I missed having a partner, yet was rejoicing at being single at the same time.

I hated living with my mum, yet enjoyed the comfort of knowing someone who cared was around.

I had no idea of my next move. I wanted to get away. I wanted to start my life again doing something that was leading somewhere I actually wanted to be.

**

In an attempt to make myself feel better I was renting a romantic comedy movie every night. Listening to the DVD commentary of “Catch and Release,” I heard an interview by Kevin Smith with the lady below – writer / director, Susannah Grant.


She said she started screenwriting classes at 28. She said she had tried and failed in the past. She said she was feeling lost, before hand too. I related to her.

A little voice inside me said… "She started at my age! I can do this! I CAN DO THIS!" (or at least I want to do this, and as long as I try I won’t have any regrets.)

Susannah now has an oscar for writing Erin Brockovich and her other credits include: 28 Days, In Her Shoes, Charlotte’s Web and the Soloist. Wow.

This week at my latest nerd convention (LA Screen Writing Expo), I saw her speak. I shamefully waited around afterwards to thank her. I wanted to yell - “YOU’RE the reason why I’m here!!! – doing this!” But she didn’t get why people were treating her like a rock star, so I just mumbled something about 'DVD commentary - inspiring… what ever.’ And she graciously posed in a pic with me and my NY mate, Bee.


I will never wash my right shoulder again. I'm so happy.

Fears I Plan on Facing This Year:

- Karaoke! (eeek!)
- Changing subway carts, while train is moving. (Scary, only ever seen homeless people do it)
- Stop hiding behind my self consciousness.
- Stop apologizing. (That’s right. I’m no longer sorry. Fuck you all ☺)
- Going hungry occasionally. (What does that even feel like?)