We had the best family & food time on Christmas.
The weather was unexpectedly bad, it rained and stormed all day, but we had the coziest time indoors with the family. We started with a big Pancake and Champagne breakfast with loads of fresh fruit and ice cream unwrapping all the great Secret Santa Gifts.
If you have read our blog for a while you probably noticed before how much I love a good big long breakfast and going out for breakfasts.
All our presents were striped and for the beach, so we are properly set up for Summer!
Dave's parents got me a Christmas ornament made with my name on it, like everyone else in the family. I guess that means I am officially part of the family ;)
The only thing that was missing was my family, and I hope that in the future they will be able to come down to Sydney to celebrate with us.
We were watching old super8 videos from when Dave and his siblings were little on a big screen.
It was so magical and reminded me again how important it is to document life with photos and videos, because it's so much fun to look back. We played with little baby nephew Marcus, took pictures and in the afternoon we had Christmas BBQ with the probably worlds best homemade Passionfruit Cheesecake & Cannoli from Daves brother Adrian.
We played Scattegories until we were too tired to go back home and fell asleep on the couch.
Success!

All our presents were striped beach things, so we are properly set up for Summer!
Our boxing day we spent right there, next to our house on the little habour beach.
Swimming and relaxing with all our stripey gifts.

After all this Christmas made me realize that it really doesn't matter, what season or weather or food you are having on the day it's just about spending time with your loved ones and remembering the spirit. I am already looking forward to the next one, with much more decoration and Christmas cookies in our house. (more on our new house and the move very soon!)

I hope you all had a wonderful time, wherever you are in the world!
Happy New Year! We will be watching the fireworks, what are you up to?

These photos were taken on the last day we stayed with Dave's family, in their beautiful garden.
That day was filled with packing and organizing but we sneaked in some time for laps in the local pool and an hour of sunshine in the garden.
That's what makes Australia so special, the work/life balance.
Living the good life, and getting things done at the same time.
This is my idea of living the Liv life ;)

I wrapped up Christmas presents today and put them under the tree.
It's really around the corner now and I am looking forward to having everyone around and spent the day together with some lovely food, probably in my new vintage swimsuit!
Besides the gifts I ordered for others there was a special little surprise in the post today from the amazing Sydney based swimwear designers Sirens Swimwear, I had to put it on straight away.
And I already know, I will wear this one A LOT. Hooray for local designers!
The amazing Alex from the photographers collective Gentlemen Take Pictures happened to have a minute, got his camera out and snapped a few shots for me in the garden.
(We are all living together in the house right now, one wonderful big creative family Dave has!)
I can't wait to collaborate with them soon for some editorial makeup shoots.


When you are reading this we would have moved into our new place.
Happy Christmas everyone and catch you soon! (as soon as our internet will be connected)

Time has been flying by, we are preparing for our move into the new flat,
have both been working a lot and falling into bed very very tired afterwards.
I caught a cold somehow and feel my body needed some more rest to cope with all the changes.
We did squeeze in a few after work swims, which is the best thing ever.
It's not long to Christmas now, gifts needed to be bought and wrapped and wishlists needed to be written. We didn't really take the camera out this week, juggling tasks and trying to find a little routine, but I did snap some photos on my phone at least.
We probably won't have internet for two weeks in the new apartment, but at least that little break will
keep us focused on spending our time doing the place up nicely.
We are so excited to move in and are collecting ideas for our new home.
The highlight of my week was meeting the fluffy furball above randomly on the road.
His owner came up to me straight away, probably seeing the big smile on my face when I saw the dog asking me if I wanted to hold him!  I can't wait for us to get a dog. I have got puppy fever!

We had some great nights lately at a colourful wild little pop up vintage store in Surry Hills.
That's where we met up with the lovely Trishie, were discovering quite some talented Sydney
bands (playing live in front of the store) and finding some really fun vintage bargains.
We have been enjoying the warm summer nights, chatting along to just met friends and no longer strangers.
Thanks everyone, for being so inviting and so much fun to hang out with!

Did I say I wasn't quite in Christmas mood yet?
Srsly, how on earth could I not be with all this incredible colours around?
There are red trees blossoming everywhere, and I came across a giant Christmas tree in the center of the city too.
I am actually very excited about this Christmas in Summer, and I will
try and make my own and first ever Pavlova!
So if any of you have any tips or recipes how to get it right, feel free and drop them down in the comment box! I would love to hear your suggestions.
I am collecting ideas for a wonderful Summer Christmas and bells are already jingel-lingel-lingin' in my head.

Things that make us really happy right now:

The smell of Eucalyptus Trees
Fresh smoothies
Rock pools, I just love that word
Eating (Mexican) outdoors
That Ferries are part of public transport here
Great coffee with banana bread
The cold clear ocean water on the skin
Christmas decoration in palm trees
Cold drinks at our favourite bar: Arcadia Liquors in Redfern.
Mangoes
Warm summer nights
Receiving parcels from London: Dave got quite some awesome farewell gifts from his work sent here: Thanks so much!!!
Going for a swim after work
Collecting interior ideas for our new place
Taking a ferry anywhere
The smell of summer rain after a storm

We have done so much in so little time it feels like we have been here way longer than just four weeks. Summer is here! We had a heatwave over the weekend, and the nights are very nice and warm now. We took a ferry up to northern Sydney and had a swim at Shelly beach, the most beautiful little place. I am so grateful to call this city our home.
It's only two more weeks until we are moving into our new place, we can't wait and are constantly collecting ideas to make the new apartment homey.

The only challenge for me his how to get into Christmas mood!?
This will be my first Christmas in Summer, fun and weird at the same time.