Highlights from The White Rabbit

I felt the nerves kick in as I parked my car. Of course I parked my car at the top of Mt Everest's cousin knowing that I would inevitably have to haul myself back up it afterwards. Call it blogger brain maybe?

In a fluster, I arrived at our venue stylishly early and found my seat ready for my second ever blogger meet up, run by the ladies at #BrunchClub. Here are my highlights for the event..

1 // The Company. Sitting next to the lovely Genie from Bunny Eats Design who was such a pleasure to converse with. We got talking about an assortment of topics; babies, bangs, blog guilt and the fact that we both went to the same primary school! If you're a hardcore foodie, you definitely need to hurry over to her blog. I can't promise you won't suffer from severe drooling though.. ;)

2 // The New Faces. Meeting the wonderful Corinne from Frock and Roll who was kind enough to let me ogle her adorable and super brand new 6 month old baby Charlie. We talked about many things from blog goals and anxiety to aussie bloggers and baby daddys. I've never met a group of people that I've felt so comfortable with so quickly, that we can start conversations about random topics. I love it!



3 // The Venue. I'm a huge black and white decor fan and the cafe reminded me of our family farmhouse we used to visit in the summers when I was little. Simple, homely, yet urban.

4 // The Coffee. You know it's gonna be a good day when your flatwhite arrives with a heart sitting in a crescent moon. You just know it!

5 // The Baby. I was one of the lucky ones who got to sit next to this bundle of cuteness. Meet Charlie. Daughter of Corinne. Well behaved, full of sweet gummy smiles and a little flirt when it comes to pirates. Be warned, if you get the chance to sit next to her, you'll be inclined to forget about everything you were meant to be doing and play with her for the entire event!

5 // The Food. Even though my first attempt at eating my scrambled farm eggs on rye sourdough with dry cured house bacon resulted in half of my sourdough shooting off my plate and onto the floor next to the pirates. These were the best damn scrambled eggs I've ever had.

6 // The Hidden Bar. Which took me to a fantasy of silver moustached gentlemen sipping brandy with one hand and inhaling a cigar in the other. This and the fact that the room was made from recycled materials.

7 // The Announcement. And of course the exciting new announcement Madi and Laura made regarding the direction of #BrunchClub. Find out more here.


Have you been to a #BrunchClub meet up yet? What have been some of your highlights from the events?

xo Elise

#Wanderlust

I've always had the heart of an explorer. 

When I was little, every school holidays we would swim at Lake Tarawera - a majestic lake, with a mysterious story of it's own. My cousins and I used to dive off the jetty's, swim along the bays and dive deep down into the dark depths where there was only you and the lake weed - and maybe a trout or two.

But there was one place only the daring could get to. A hidden cove with a waterfall and a sheltered sandbar lay almost untouched. The only thing was you had to venture deep into the forest that ran the outline of the lake. The only way to get to it was to trek upstream through the creek. It was tricky, and most gave up because it looked dangerous, but when you reached the cove it was worth the scratches from the thorn bushes and bugs knotted in your hair.

Unfortunately today the forest has taken back it's hidden treasure, the entire creek leading out from the waterfall is overgrown with thorns. But that little explorer, that little treasure hunter still lives in me.

Here's proof! My favourite book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. My favourite games are Uncharted and Tomb Raider. My childhood hero growing up was Carmen Sandiego. Movies? Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, National Treasure and The Goonies. Tell me I wasn't mean't to be a treasure hunter!

Genie from Bunny Eats Design evoked out of me a deep and dormant desire by creating this #Wanderlust tag amongst the Brunch Clubbers. I knew I had to participate.

Where was your first plane to?

New Caledonia. I mean I was only 3 months old - so I remember squat. If that doesn't count, then it was Fiji when I was four. Where I got bitten by a baby shark, swam the coral reef with the All Blacks, wandered the hotel alone, used my "I'm lost" cuteness skills on the pool barman for free fizzy drinks and returned back to NZ a shade darker than night.

Where have you traveled to that you would love to visit again?

The entirety that is Italy. I swear to god you let me loose in that country, you'll never see me again. Other than that, I'm very much drawn to countries and cities with thousands of years of ancient history like Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico & China.

You’re leaving tomorrow, money is no object, where are you going?

Ziplining through Costa Rica, Glamping in Tanzania, Hiking to Machu Piccu, Riding a camel through the Sahara Desert. I'm going to the places myths and legends were written about. Places with history and unsolved mysteries. And, I also really want to go to this water park in China.

Preferred method of travel; planes, trains or car?

I should say planes for the convenience, but I crap myself every time there's turbulence or I have to flush the toilet, and having long spider legs they tend to dislike being forces into a small confined space for several hours. So my first choice is the train. You see so much more that most don't ever see. Leg space isn't an issue when you're in a booth. You can face the people you travel with and have a conversation. And you get to marvel at the scenery longer. I like that a lot.

Favourite travel website?

When I need in-depth information with clear advice and opinions, I go to my Aussie friends at yTravelBlog. For bookings, I love Expedia. I had such an unfortunate turn of events happen last time I booked through them, but they moved heaven and earth for me and turned my smile right back around, so I am a die-hard fan now. And for guilty pleasure? The Londoner.

Where would you travel to just eat the food?

Easiest question of all. Two countries. Italy and Thailand. Expose me to either one of these cuisines and I become a gluttonous pig. The fresh simplicity of Italian food - pasta, pizza, prosciutto, and the spicy flavours of Thai - I cannot resist. *drool*

Is there a place you would never go again?

LA. It sucked soooooo bad when I was there. I was so unimpressed by it's dirty averageness. I don't know whether I just met the wrong people, took the wrong tour, explored the wrong streets. It just seemed like some big ass concrete block. I mean, I'm a big fan of second chances - especially if they're deserved - so if you believe you can change my opinion, give me your best tips for the next time I go!

Can you recite your passport number from memory if asked?

Yes-ish. Which reminds me, I'm pretty sure I have to renew my passport this year. Yikes!

Do you prefer the Window, Aisle, or Middle seat?

Window always - except for when my bladder is about to burst because I've been needing to go to the bathroom for the last hour but the stranger next to me is asleep. That's never fun.

How do you pass the time on the air plane?

My ritual is: Movie first, then some inspirational "high-on-life" music. If the flights a long one, I'll touch on some light reading, usually my Mothers self-published book, Make Love With Travel, for great tips and to feel like she's actually there with me - yes that is me on the cover. And then maybe a nap, because sleepy panda.

What about you? Is there an explorer in you? Where would you go if time or money wasn't an issue? Tell me in the comments below!

xo Elise

P.S - These stunning bloggers are the #BlogBrunchers who also participated in the #Wanderlust tag, pleae go visit them! Bunny Eats Design, The Life and Times, Sarah Sees The World, This is Meagan Kerr, Move Love Eat, Becca Jane Lee, Dani Pohlod, xoxBubbles, Love from Jess xo

25 Ways To Kick Bloggers Block In The Ass

At some point we all get a little burnt out from our blogs. Sometimes it's because we've gone too hard without taking a break, sometimes it's because we've run out of ideas and sometimes it's because we love blogging so much we don't want to stop!

I have been all three. And that's okay! It's not about what happens, it's about how you re-collect yourself afterwards! If you've found yourself experiencing bloggers block and are wanting to keep up the blogging momentum, use these 25 tips to jolt your creativity!

25 WAYS TO KICK BLOGGERS BLOCK IN THE ASS

1. Write a how-to post.
2. Write a letter to your younger self.
3. Re-write and improve upon one of your most popular posts.
4. Take stock & add your pictures.
5. Share something that scares you.
6. Write a letter to your future child(ren).
7. Start vlogging instead.
8. Create a new regular column or feature.
9. Create a character and write a story around them.
10. Start your bucket list.
11. Write about something you're insanely passionate about.
12. Set a timer for 10 minutes and just start writing!
13. Write a post about someone you idolise.
14. Make a list of your favourite blog posts.
15. Write about an upcoming event you're excited for.
16. Write a top 10 list of your favourite beauty products, dresses, bloggers etc.
17. Share a secret about yourself.
18. Interview a blogger you admire.
19. Just write 75 words.
20. Ask your best friends and family for ideas.
21. Write about what you were like as a child/teenager.
22. Tell a fiction story, fairytale etc.
23. Write about your favourite memory.
24. Tell us what you’re grateful for.
25. Never ever give up!

Are you going through bloggers block right now? How are you planning to kick it's ass?

xo Elise

2015 Goals & Plans

Doesn't 2015 feel like it's gonna be a year that puts out? Damn, it does! I hope you spent your New Years with people you adore - because you know what they say - what happens on NYE dictates how the rest of your year will go. No BS.

Now even if we promised we wouldn't buy into the resolution thing that comes along with the dawn of a new year, we still find ourselves quietly planning things we'd like to do. I'd like to share my non-resolution goals & plans with you. That cool? Awesome!

Blogging + Business

Get my butt back into blogging: I've felt so out of touch with blogging over the last 2-3 years. It's like being a uni student - you know what to do & how to do it, but you still procrastinate anyway. 2015 is the year I get back on it. Where's the proof you say? Just wrapped up my day of blog + business planning for the year. BOOM!

Stick to a post schedule: Friends, you gotta help me with this one. I aim to post 3x per week. Not too stressful to begin with and not too pitiful that everyone will condemn my widdle blog forever. You have full permission to kick my ass if I don't do it okay?

Collaborate more: The key is in collaboration, but moreso I just want to meet and hang with more like-minded bloggers and create some really awesome stuff together!

Build a community: This has been something I've been the most excited about. Getting to know you! It'll take time, but I swear I'm a keeper. I'll have your back in 'who did it' situations, make you chicken soup when you're sick - okay not make, but it's the gesture that counts! - and i'll patiently give you feedback from work via email on the thousands of online shopping items you want to purchase.

Increase number of email subscribers: 1000 is the goal baby!

Launch secret projects: One is set to launch this month! ;)

Life

Move to a bigger home: Scott and I are in a position where we're able to afford more space, and where we are right now we've outgrown. I'm thinking somewhere near the sea...

Get rid of anything I don't want or need: This is more about how much crap I've accumulated over the years. Crap I don't need, and some I don't even want, it's all excess, and no person needs to have this much. I'd much rather it go to a person who does need it and accumulate experiences & memories instead.

Become debt free: I don't have a lot of debt, but what I do have has been like a thorn in my side terrorising me in my deepest sleep for the past year. So I'm bringing it out into the light and tackling it bit by bit. I'll have it paid off within the year no sweat.

Buy only what I LOVE: This is going to be quite difficult. We all know a good deal when we see it, but for me I love bargain hunting. So when I see a great deal, I usually get it! But the thing is, I might not even need, like or want the item. Here begins the practise of making purchases only for what stands out to me and makes me go, "HOLY SHIITAKE MUSHROOM! I LOVE THAT!"

Build strong relationships with family & friends: This is the goal I'm most excited about. I'll tell you more later.

Visit to America with Scott: It's been Scott's dream since he was knee high to a grasshopper to visit the Americas. 2015 is the year we make that a reality for him. Bring on the Americation!

Philanthropy: I really want to start giving back. To begin with through regular donations, but eventually I'd really like to give my time. Volunteer at a chidren's hospital, raise a seeing eye dog for the Blind Foundation or help out at a soup kitchen over Christmas. *warm fuzzies*

Eat, eat, eat: Weird right? Shouldn't it be eat less? NO! I'm sick of eating sub-par meals that have no joie de vivre! I miss having an appetite for deliciousness, for gourmet, for pungent, for FLAVOUR. I want to eat real food instead of sticking to some kind of obnoxious meal plan that ensures I'll be healthy but miserable foreverrrr.


What are some of your goals? Are they the usual get fit, fall in love and make lots of money?  Or are they different, unusual, aligned to what you're really wanting? Tell me in the comments below!


xo Elise


Image from Sugar & Cloth

How to Survive Your First Bloggers Meet Up

Heart racing.
Temperature rising.
Palms sweating.
Convoluted thoughts about bolting.
"It could be a trap! A group massacre - like that couple on craigslist!"
Double slap to the face *Home Alone after-shave-scene style*
Self pep-talk.
Inhale.

At some point as a blogger you will need to slip on your big girl heels and walk the talk - meaning - step out of your virtual world and into the world of friendly, sociable réseautage (networking). It's not as intimidating as it sounds, as the result you get is making connections with other babes (& dudes) who are fanatical about the same weird things online as you are!

Needless to say, it can be gnaw-every-nail kinda nerve-wracking - especially when you think of the walk-in moment. I have actual panic attacks imagining the walk in. The close second is suddenly finding yourself alone, with no one to talk to pretending to look busy. Ugh, #girlproblems.

Image by Katerina Darling

Like for instance let's use today as an example. I attended my very first bloggers meet up (or as I should say #brunchclub) for a festive feast at Chuffed Coffee.

Created by Madi, Lizzy & Laura - who are three of the loveliest girls I've met - the brunch is an informal monthly meet up for bloggers to make new friends, drink coffee, chow down and swap blog tips & tricks.

As I entered the cafe - which instantly made me feel at home with it's country/panama feel to it - all three girls gave me a warm greeting without hesitation. I found a spot, nestled in and struck up a conversation with Kelsi who is the author of Katerina Darling.

As more and more people poured in, we found our place settings and began with a glass of champagne - naturally. The Christmas feast that followed was beyond words. The flavours, the freshness, the savoury & sweetness. As you can tell I'm not a food critic. But, if you want real wholesome food that most cafes don't serve anymore, you need to eat at Chuffed - like last month. I'm talking borderline better-than-Christmas-Day kind of food.

Image from Brunch Club

For those who are still trying to jump that hurdle of showing up to your first blogger event by yourself, here's 5 survival tips to make it easier on your sweet little cotton softs.

Get smart & rock in early: This is actually strategic action at it's finest. If you're early, you're usually one of the first there, which means you have ample opportunity to meet most people before it gets busy, secure a sitting post and start a conversation. If you show up fashionably late, it can be quite overwhelming walking in to a busy room full of people already partaking in deep conversation.

Snap yourself silly: You're at a bloggers event - probably the only place you have 100% clearance to whip out your phone, camera, ipad or laptop (kidding) and take snaps for a blog post you'll no doubt write about later *wink wink*. Try updating your social media in real time - it's a great distraction for when you're feeling a little awkward & don't know what to do with yourself.

Muster that courage, grrrl. Mingle! How else are you gonna meet other like-minded bloggers? Compliment those whose blogs you read often, find out about others you've just met. Learn about someones life, goals & wishes, crack jokes, find common ground - maybe someone else has a french bakery obsession. Be interested and you will be interesting.

Be a questions kid: Forget everything they taught you in school. Genuine unrelenting questions is how that courage gets channeled into action. When you're mingling, it's natural to talk shop and ask questions, but when you get stuck use these simple ice breakers. What's your blog about? How long have you been blogging? What made you want to start? What are your blog goals? Do you plan to monetize? What blogs do you read? You'll learn a lot about someone, but also start to form a slowly-but-surely friendship.

Also, wear something you wont sweat your butt off in. Just sayin..

Image from Brunch Club

At the end of the day, you've gotta push yourself out of your comfort zone. Yes, the initial anxiousness you feel beforehand could very well be worse than a first date - this is where you have permission to down a shot of your favourite spirit for a little liquid courage - but, it really is worth your while. You'll meet some amazing people with fresh, new and inspiring ideas like the ladies I met, and then you'll wonder why you even had a panic attack in the first place.

Exhale.

I wore this maxi, denim jacket & fedora (because Indiana Jones will always be cool).

xo Elise