Goodbye 2013..
No one comes here any more, but I feel bad if I don't keep this tradition. Below, the belated New Year's meme.
- What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Commissioned and handed over a tenancy for my first real-life project, where someone pays my real-life money because apparently I'm a expert at something I've never done before.
I took out a bank check, spent the most money I ever have in one transaction and bought a car.
Let someone else do my nails. These beauties were by I Scream Nails, who were at the annual Lady Petrova Christmas party.
Started getting fit!!! Wow, it actually happened!! - Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year's resolution was to get fit. For the first time in my life, I might have actually stuck to a resolution. This year I'll be aiming for much the same. My boyfriend is trying to get "ripped," so I've jokingly said that this year I want to get ripped too. - Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of Ken's cousins had a baby girl. - Did anyone close to you die?
Nope, no one. - What countries did you visit?
I didn't leave Australia in 2013 :(:( I did go on one holiday to Sydney, but apart from that, it was a very quiet year. On the plus side, I can afford a house now. - What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2013?
"I'd really like the motivation to complete my report so I can finally graduate from university," is what I said last year. I am embarrassed to admit that this still applies. I copied that sentence from last year's meme. - What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
20th December. Last day of work for the year, first holiday in a year. - What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting the motivation to get off my ass and start doing something about my health. I've been putting it off for so long, mostly because I know that muscle gain = weight gain, which is perfectly OKAY and healthy, but you know, the eating disorder looms its head every now and then. I started off doing five crunches and sit-ups a day, with a couple of star-jumps in there. To make it even more pathetic, I had to take five minute rests between EACH push-up because I had almost no muscle mass. I now work out five days a week and alternate between HIIT, weights and cardio. My biggest achievement had been to work myself up to 30 burpees. I'm hoping that 2014 will see my first pull-up. I feel like this is proof that you don't need a personal trainer, or a gym, or even sports clothing to get started. - What was your biggest failure?
I didn't take my own advise, career-wise. - Did you suffer illness or injury?
My right knee has become pretty dodgy. So no more lunges for me. - What was the best thing you bought?
My car!! And all the lingerie I accumulated this year, and the following:
I just realised I bought all of these things from Lady Petrova..
Miista heels. These have a clear, plastic heel with a cool galaxy print on the body of the shoe. Every time I wear these, people will stare. I have had waitresses crawl under the table to get a good look at them.
Alex and Alex heels, exclusive to Lady Petrova. Finally a cute shoe I can walk in for hours.
Lady Petrova dress. This is even more stunning than in the photo. The dress is completely backless, with the sleeves forming a butterfly at the back.
Lady Petrova dress. This dress is from Petrova's Sister's of the Crown collection, which was inspired by Alexandra of Denmark and her sister, Maria Feodorovna. My absolutely favourite from the collection because of its old-school charm; just look at the shawl/fringe detail!
- Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Ken, for dealing with my weekly break downs. For the last three months of my project, I was working 16 hour days and basically lived in the office. When I wasn't trying to sort shit out, I was on the phone crying to Ken. - Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My bosses, because I deserve a pay rise. - Where did most of your money go?
Well, the government basically punished me for saving money and taxed me more. Then there was the car, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that my wardrobe expanded this year. - What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Buying my first car! Realising that Katharine was in Melbourne and finally meeting her for the first time! - What song will always remind you of 2013?
Fairly sure that Get Lucky by Daft Punk was the song of the year, in terms of how many times I heard it on the radio. Also Riptide by Vance Joy was the greatest lyrical masterpiece I heard this year. - Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Stronger
c) richer or poorer? Richer, but probably not for long.. - What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working efficiently. - What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about my life. - How will you be spending NYE?.
Ken and I had a late dinner at Red Spice Road then met up with some of his friends at their city apartment. We ended up getting 180 degress views of the fireworks. - Did you fall in love in 2012?
Still in love. - How many one-night stands?
None. - What was your favourite TV programme?
Supernatural and Hawaii Five-O. Can't say I watched a lot of TV, probably because Ken built me a computer and I spent all my free time playing games..so sad.. - Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, I dislike the same people as I did last year. - What was the best book you read?
I don't even think I read a book :( - What was your greatest musical discovery?
None. I honestly had no time to find and download new stuff. - What did you want and get?
I think I wanted more routine in my life, in regards to living with Ken, and I did end up getting that. Also I wanted my rabbit to become a free-range indoor pet, and now she's like a cat. Also she's currently sleeping under my chair. - What did you want and not get?
I kind of wanted to have become a home owner by the end of 2013. - What was your favourite film of this year?
The Star Trek sequel was really stunning. Plus all that eye candy. Also, the second Hunger Games movie was so much better than I thought it would be. Props to Jennifer Lawrence for managing to give life into a character that is so introverted and reclusive in the books. - What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 on the 24th and wallowed in how old I was getting. Who knows that sort of depression I'll fall into when I turn 25 in a couple of weeks time. For my 24th birthday, Ken took my to one of my favourite Japanese restaurants. Their food is what I imagine my mum would cook, if she could cook Japanese food. - What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a pay rise! - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Grown up Lady Petrova. Although no Lady Petrova lady ever grows up. - What kept you sane?
Ken and my pet rabbit. - Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Chris Pine, because he was so beautiful in Star Trek. - What political issue stirred you the most?
The new government's complete disregard for climate change. - Who did you miss?
I missed New York. - Who was the best new person you met?
Katharine!!! After being friends for almost 10 years, we finally met in real life. Our first meeting was actually really romantic; it should inspire a book. With Flinders Station and St Paul's Cathedral as the backdrop, we saw each other on opposite sides of the road. Then had to wait painstakingly for the traffic lights to change as a tram crossed between us.
Here we are at Alice Nivens Cafe (which, by the way, everyone should check out).
Also, all the new Lady Petrova ladies I met this year. We all dress the same, but come from such different backgrounds. It's a good slap in the face to realise that me and my job and the industry I work in are not the only things that happen in this world.
There's actually a lot more ladies than this, but I thought this photo, by Brenda, basically sums up what our parties are like.
- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Be a go-getter.