Hey there Wordsmith Laners, and welcome to another week of writing pain and gain here at Wordsmith Lane. Today I am indulging in a day off considering the forecasted Sydney weather (which didn’t turn out as hot as it was meant to be), and even though I am supposed to be doing uni work, I figure I’d get my wordsmith weekly pen going, especially considering I have been a very negligent blogger of late (more on that tomorrow — eek!). So without further ado, let’s check out what’s worth noting this week…

1. Sydney is in the midst of a supposed heatwave, which means sun, surf and sydney-summer style. I am personally not complaining, as I always look like a dag in winter and summer gives me the opportunity to rustle my fashion feathers a little bit. Today, I am wearing a floral playsuit that I bought online from topshop, silver witchery sandals that I am all-round obssessed with, and a fashion-forward fluro pink watch. The watch is my point of pride today, considering I paid a mere $20 for it, and then saw an identical one by ToyWatch in Shop Til You Drop for $345 or so. Bloody Brilliant.

2. Christmas Gift Guides have hit the glossies, and no one is more excited than I. My fave gift guides so far have been in Shop Til You Drop, madison and InStyle, and right now, I have my eye on a number of homewares more than anything else. Admittedly, half the time that I actually dog-ear pages in the gift guides of the glossies, it’s because I am lusting after something that I want, which is slightly off-putting considering I am supposed to be browsing for others. Though truth be told, I only ever gift a few people – my three siblings, my fiance, my aunt, and my God-Daughter. I used to try and gift mum and dad, but mum always returns the present and gives me a giftvoucher for the money. Apparently, I am at an age where I should be indulging my fancies instead of hers (though considering she was raised in virtual poverty for much of her life, she has never been much of a person indulged, and I’d rather be gifted with her selflessness — far more fitted to the season, me thinks).

3. Underdog writers such as ourselves might found solace in Sam Savage’s latest book, The Cry of the Sloth. Chronicling the writer’s life through the character Andrew Whittaker, who edits a small literary magazine, The Cry of the Sloth makes us little writers feel a teeny bit better for surviving on cheap wine, baked beans and maggi noodles (his staples are fried spam and vodka). Plus, it deals with the crushing moments that befall us all, writing or not writing, when we least expect them — un-cared for tenants, ex-wives wanting money, and the constant pursuit of hangers-on we don’t exactly have time for. A good read for when we’re feeling  like we’re slightly flailing, especially when we’re wondering if Andrew Whittaker’s set-up of a literary festival can save him…or plunge him further into a frustrated writers’ abyss.

3. I need a fairy godmother to help transform the pumpkin dresses I have been seeing of late into something a little more glamorous and right up my fashion-alley. You see, my parents have decided to throw a little dinner to celebrate my engagement. Although I am of the belief that engagements are personal and are supposed to be intimate, I am the first child in the family to be married and they’re a tad bit keen to share as much of the journey as possible. Unfortunately, this gives me more grief than pleasure at this stage – A), I can’t find a cocktail dress worth wearing that costs less than $400 (I have a wedding to save for!); B), I am a little concerned with the way that my loud, large Lebanese family will fare with James’ small, reserved Anglo one, and C) the guest list is already causing tension that I just do not have the time and effort to deal with in my post-hospitalisation state. Either way, this is one soiree that needs the perfect amount of style, smarts and savoir-faire if we are to call it a success.

5. Pretty things make every girl’s blue days seem a little brighter. In the weeks since I have come out of hospital, I have found solace in the smallest things. Today, it’s all about a smiley Reese Witherspoon on a festive InStye cover, and a pretty pink cupcake filled with cream. Coupled with the gorgeous teapot I’ve just bought from T2, it’s gonna make for a very relaxing afternoon.

       

Tags: Instyle, pretty teapot, shop til you drop, T2, topshop