After four months of silence... She speaks!

Dearest followers, I am in fact still alive and kicking despite my four month silence on the www. 
There simply isn't an explanation for my unplanned sabbatical other than I simply got "too busy." Yes, yes, I know that sounds pathetic, and quite frankly, it is, but in my defense, a whole lot of 'life' happened to me all once during my absence and before I knew it grown-up things like priorities and relationships sneakily crept their way above blogging on my list of daily activities. Ironically, time management was even a little skill I attempted honing in, but evidently that was a flop. 

Anyway, over a series of posts, starting from now, I'll shoot some breeze and catch Diary of a Daydreamer up with the happenings of my life from then until now. It's actually a little bit humorous as to the fact that most bloggers would give their front teeth for a backlog of interesting content to write about, but here I sit, almost a bit deterred at having to recap on too many monumentous (is that a word?) occurrences. I mean, the list goes from a 2 week long road trip along the Californian coast with best friends, to graduating my second year, to meeting the man of my dreams, to a fourteen day trip to England, to sipping coffees in Portland to moving back to South Africa, and everything in-between. I wasn't overreacting at the "whole lot of life happening to me all at once" bit, can you see?

And also, although my thoughts have not been colliding with the pages of my blog for a while, this little piece of personal cyberspace has been on my mind a fair bit. As one who always likes to shift, change and improve, in my own daydreams I've been brainstorming what the next phase looks like for my blog. I am actually 95% sure that I am going to be closing the final chapter of Diary of a Daydreamer very soon, only to open up a new book, I mean blog, and start afresh. I shall explain why and how and when in a later post, but I thought I'd maybe ask my followers for some thoughts on the idea? I think it's time for a change, as I feel my life has grown and evolved above and beyond what this little blog is capable of keeping up with. I'm thinking: name change, design and logo change, content alteration, the works. Good idea, yay or nay? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

With Love,
Jessica

When I spent three months roaming around Australia in twenty ten, I made a number of insightful discoveries. I learnt that Australia is South Africa's cheeky and more trendy cousin, that you really can get away with calling stranger 'mate,' that Aussies are in fact coffee snobs, and that the country is a hub of creative brilliance. One of my most loved discoveries made in my three-month trip, was surprisingly not Max Brenner's white chocolate chai's, but actually Triple J radio.
Every year during the 'Australia Day' weekend, this alternative radio station launches their Hottest 100, a poll of the most loved songs amongst its listeners. This countdown of trending tunes has become an annual Aussie tradition and is usually accompanied by a barbie and an obligatory beverage.
I am yet to actually experience an Australia Day in all it's summer warmth and barbecuing glory, but it's one the bucket list and should be ticked off in the not too distant future. Until then, I'll just be experiencing the good vibes via Triple J. 

I've been listening to the Hottest 100 of 2012 all week on Spotify and it's one heck of a playlist.
My favorite song at the moment is 'Feel The Love' by Rudimental, but you can check out the full playlist on Triple J's website by clicking here

I beg your pardon?

This year means prioritizing more time to expand and explore my graphic design skills, even if it means taking a whole hour just to chose the perfect font. Here's a project I worked on tonight; typography meets quirky quotes. 

It seems that I took an unintentional blogging sabbatical, but alas, I'm back and reading to make 2013 my blog's best year yet. 

The irony here is that I've probably had more blogpost-worthy material in these past two months than I've ever had, but I guess my busyness has been inversely proportional to the spare time I've had in which to document all my adventures, finding, memories, thoughts and photographic memorabilia. 

From the time I wrote my last post until now, I spent my second Christmas in the USA and also my second Christmas away from home, family and festive season traditions. It was a divine Christmas nonetheless and I was spoiled rotten as I sat under the tree and unwrapped an iPad send overseas by my parents. Not to mention all the Australian delights that were brought here with my friends Emma and Rachel who flew over to spend Christmas with me. These included the Frankie Magazine journal that has been on my wishlist since before Channing Tatum had abs, and then of course the 50th Edition of Frankie Magazine complete with a hand stitched cover. Of course no Australian present would be complete without an abundance of tim-tams and a tub of Lucas Papaw ointment. Let's just say I felt like a kid on Christmas. 

Another of my adventures included a 2 week long road trip down the Californian coastline with my Aussie girlfriends. We hired a car, set our cruise control and with our Starbucks in hand and blaring chick-tunes, we drove down the 101, thriving on being young, single and having nothing but the open road ahead of us. We visited Santa Barbara, Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, San Clemente and San Diego. It was the road trip to top off all road trips, and I practically got writers cramp from checking so many items off my bucket list. 

The girls and I waved goodbye to 2012 whilst sipping red wine and watching the sun set into the Laguna Beach ocean, and welcomed in 2013 with a seafood dinner in the Newport harbor. I feel even more madly in love with OC, and I will tell my children's children of our great road trip and the adventures of the Sisterhood of the traveling Vans. 

In other news, I started the second semester of my second year and now I face decisions of what lies next for me. To be in California for third year or to return to South African shores is the prominent question on my mind. I must say, it does feel great to still be only twenty years old and know that whilst I have so much under my belt, the world hasn't stopped being my Oyster, but instead the adventures that lie ahead are sure to outnumber those that lie behind. 

I also found myself a handsome Australian bloke who I now call boyfriend, and he has ensured that my 2013 has gotten off to a sterling start. 

Despite being busier than I've ever been and having to put on my big girl pants and get serious about time management, this little blog of mine is so close to my heart, and although it has somewhat slipped to the bottom of my task pile, I want to ensure that this year really is my blog's finest hour. 

I have so many plans, ideas and creative imaginings regarding this little piece of cyberspace, so stay tuned for a great year here at Diary of a Daydreamer.

Love to all my faithful followers,

Jessica 

Let it Snow

Yesterday I became an enchanted little girl again as unanticipated snowflakes began to fall out of the Redding sky. Up here in Northern California snow is not uncommon on all the mountains, but it seldom snows in the city of Redding in which I live. As little white crystals began to float down from the heavens yesterday, I could not reign in my excitement and had to run outside and dance and twirl in the winter wonderland. The snow melted seconds after landing on earth, but it was magical nonetheless, and this southern-hemisphere born girl couldn't get enough of it. 
I've always dreamt of a white Christmas, and as a little girl, at Christmas time my mind would wander to faraway lands covered in white. Now that's proper Christmas. 
I'm still praying for a white Christmas this year, and after yesterday's little white gifts from heaven, it seems almost possible.

Frankie Gets Craftier

Innovation is the name of the game with Frankie Magazine, and I am loving their latest gift to the world, a darling little 'Gift Paper Book.' In the words of the creatives at Frankie:

need to pretty up some pressies or just introduce more papery goodness into your life? the frankie gift paper book contains 10 sheets of unique ‘50s-inspired designs printed on high-quality perforated paper ready for you to rip, fold, stick, craft and tape to your heart’s content. beautifully bound in a special protective cover, it’s a must for vintage lovers, paper aficionados and givers of awesome presents.

I don't know about you, but I am adding this one to my christmas wish list! (click here to buy)

{all images frankie.com.au}

Ramblings

Cabin fever is no urban myth. My weekend can testify to that fact quite auspiciously. The cause: my diligent over-achiever tendencies met with three lengthly assignments and a stormy weather from hell's armpit. The result: Not seeing the light of day for prolonged periods of time and cabin fever in it's purest form.
Now that the weekend is over and I've annihilated those assignments, I am ready for an intravenous shot of fun and all things light-hearted and whimsical. This afternoon as I slammed that final book shut in victory, I had to reward myself with inhaling some fresh country air, so I slipped into my combat boots, put on my fingerless gloves and my room-mates military jacket (I've demanded she leave this to me in her will), and took a lonesome stroll to my local Trader Joe's store for no reason other than to have thai curry samples and a tot of gingerbread coffee. There is such thing as a free lunch, apparently. 

It has come to my attention however that all work and no play makes Jess a dull girl and so this week, so help me God, I will have fun, whether it be in the form of a Settler's of Catan showdown, an O.C marathon, or a latte sipped across from a witty friend. 

Oh, December...

December crept up so quietly that I didn't even hear a floorboard creek. A little frightening that the year's end is upon us, but after all the joy's it brought with it, celebration is the order of the day. Here's all the things I'm loving this December...

Homeland yearning. Trudging through snow. Chopping down Christmas trees. Warm apple cider. Top Deck sent from home. December decorating. Lights. Cranberry & Brie. Storms and gloomy skies. Countdown until overseas friends arrive at my doorstep. The season of gifts. Ribbons on parcels. Buttoned up blouses. Faux fur. Drowning in infinity scarves. Card games and coffee. Frank Sinatra's festive voice. The sound of rain on windows. Leopard-print pants. California road trip. Hunter boots and skipping through puddles. My umbrella investment. Imagining impossible things. The whistle of the wind through the windows. Singing do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-si-do along with Julie Andrews. Empty benches in the park. The contrast of red on white. Piles of lifeless leaves only to be seen again in the spring. Rewatching the O.C, because I never need an excuse to dose up on Seth Cohen. Staying enchanted. Believing again. Hair-cuts. Plaid pajamas. The close of the finest year thus far. Etta James. Traditions. Huncal peppermint mochas. The sound of a best friend's laugh. The beauty in the Christmas carol's lyrics. Innovation, just because. Learning the lost art of hand-lettering. Doodles and sketchpads. When the sun and moon share the same sky. Glitter and glamor. Unwinding. Fireplace mornings. Seeing miracles with these two eyes. The choice, that is love. Jude Law in the Holiday, need I say more? Movie marathons and re-watching the classics. Shadows cast on brick walls. An unexpected doorbell ring. The resurfacing of friends' embarrassing teenage youtube clips. Embers. Saying little prayers for you. Pretending it's a previous era. Dreaming of a white Christmas. Tinseled trees that touch the ceiling. The way dads' eyes sparkle as they look at their little girls. Confetti. An OC new year's. High-cheek bones. Family portraits, done right. Burning logs. Assortments of home-made pies. Running through long grass at sunset. Doing small things in a great way. The dreamers, the crazy ones. Seeing friends who I haven't seen in years. Exploring California's coastline. The smell of the ocean's spray. Dinner parties and breakfast dates. Pine cones and walnuts. Antique sofas. A good book and the fetal position. Being merry and jolly and whatnot. Celebrating the birth of the one most important to me.