The Louboutin catchup post

I think at some point I wanted to document my Louboutin purchases but I just couldn't keep up.  In fact, I don't think I've blogged about a Louboutin purchase for 8 months?  Don't fret, if you follow me on Instagram you'll know I've kept up with the Louboutin buying ;)

Multi Rasta Greissimo

Matrinana 100 black kid

Poseidon Lavender

Leopard Maggie 140

Decollete Red Eel

Declic 120 black kid

Batignolles 100 nude patent

Batignolles 100 black kid

Metal Nodo 150 sling - ah may zing!!

Lady Claude Marine Metal Patent

Bianca 120 black patent

Greissimo black and white

Flo 120 black patent

Col Zippe kid leather booties

Sculptures by the Sea 2013

I was disappointed by Sculptures by the Sea this year.  There seemed to be fewer sculptures than in previous years, fewer interesting sculptures and some recycled sculptures from last year (and not recycled in an artsy way but more in the "lets plonk the same piece of glass in the ground so it looks identical to last year" kinda way).  Maybe I'm just cranky about it because I was sick and it was hot and crowded, and it took us longer to commute to Bondi and home than it took to actually see the Sculptures.

Anyway, there are still some pretty cool sculptures..... (and here are the sculptures from last year)

Western Australia vs Tasmania - anyone?

Tom and I are thinking about a small domestic trip next Easter (maybe this is a travel hangover from South America??)

I wanted to go to Uluru but Tom has seen it already so not really keen to go again.  He suggested Margaret River/Perth or Tasmania.  To be honest I don't know much about either so I'm hoping you can give me some advice.  We'd like a reasonably relaxing holiday - not too packed but not just sitting around doing nothing for 5 days.

Has anyone been to either and can make me a recommendation?

Thanks in advance :)

Oh PS is anyone NOT sick at the moment?  I've been sniffling/coughing/congested since last Tuesday.  Not fun.

Cuzco, Peru

First things first.  Peruvian babies are ADORABLE.  I want to adopt one.  Look!

Ok now that I've gotten that out of my system....

Cuzco (also spelt Cusco) is an amazing city.  The main square (Plaza de Armas) is spectacular - old cathedrals, stone archways, cobblestone pavements, tiny balconies.

We bumped into this adorable old lady who was more than happy to pose with us (for a few Soles in her pocket).  How cute is the fluffy little lamb!!!!!!!!!

The currency is the Peruvian Nuevo Sole and we exchanged for around 2.7 : AUD1 quite easily around the Plaza - just look for a sign for Cambio/Money Exchange.

The actual Plaza de Armas itself would only take a day to navigate as it's not too big but I highly recommend taking a day trip out of Cuzco..... rural Peru is my next post!

Price Discrimination?

I read an article in the Sydney Morning Herald a few years ago.  It basically said some online retailers were trying to charge different amounts for the same item depending on where you live.  The theory was the suburb you live in dictates how much money you earn which in turn dictates how much you should pay for goods.  (On a side note, if they are going to discriminate against where people live, can we talk about discriminating against size??  My size 5 feet and size I-J fingers require much less leather/gold than bigger sizes yet I pay the same price.  I'm not saying we should start discriminating based on the size of an item but isn't discriminating against a consumer's postal code the same theory??).  Anyway I found it absurd at the time and thought nothing of it again.  Until today.

I was browsing the Louboutin sale on the Outnet on my phone last night (don't bother - not worth it).  Then today I thought I'd have another look just in case they added more stock (wishful thinking, right?).  I saw a pair of flats for £217 which I could swear I had seen for £250 the night before.  Clearly I've lost my mind and the lack of sleep is getting to me.  Then tonight upon coming home to an empty apartment and wanting some retail therapy after an obscene day I decided to have ANOTHER look at the Outnet (obsessive!).  Aaaand guess what - they were suddenly £250 again!

Not believing my eyes, I sent my sister the URL for the flats and asked her what price they were.  £217 she says.  Send me a screenshot I tell her.  So here you go, my sister can buy these flats for £217 but I have to pay £250 for them.

Have you experienced this before?  Have I been paying more for months?  Years??!

My Argentina Football experience

This night was crazy and scary at the same time.

Carlos (my cousin's fiance)'s family organised for about 2 dozen Aussies to attend an Argentine Football match (soccer for those of you playing at home).  We know how passionate South Americans are about their football but being there at a game was another experience altogether.

After a 30 minute bus trip into a slum-y area we trepidly disembarked.  Looking around, it was the only time in the entire 4 week trip I felt scared.  We were ushered in the VIP entrance and upon swiping our ticket through the machine, we were patted down by armed police.  As we walked up the stairs to our seats we heard this tremendous shouting/chanting.  Peering out across the road I saw the source of the noise: about 500 people jumping, beating drums and chanting.  I asked Carlos' cousin what was going on and she replied, "That's the opposition.  They're banned from the stadium so they congregate across the road to show their support."

Say what now?  Opposition fans are not allowed into the stadium??  Cray cray.

Sure enough, we got to our seats (we actually had seats, unlike the rest of the stadium - more on that later) and the half the stadium was packed whereas the other half of the stadium was empty.  It's a really odd feeling to watch any sporting match with only one team's fans.

So back to the seats - in the VIP area we had those generic plastic seats.  However the rest of the stadium was just bare concrete.  Apparently they had to remove the seats to prevent fans from ripping them up and throwing them on the pitch.

Riot squad police had to escort the Referees on and off the pitch.  There were about 20 police officers patrolling the VIP area alone.  There was a female Police Officer stationed in the VIP womens toilets.  I shudder to think what it was like at the non-VIP areas of the arena.

What about the game itself?  Well I can't really comment, I was too busy trying not to freeze to death.  It was 4°C but with wind chill factor it felt much colder and I was only wearing tights (silly me).  I literally thought I was going to die I was so cold.

Tom tells me the game drew 0-0.  The Pope would have been disappointed - his team was the team we were supporting.  Oh another thing - Argentineans are super proud of Pope Francis being elected.  They've even started religious tours around Buenos Aires, taking tourists to where the Pope grew up, and all the Cathedrals etc.

Exercise, or lack thereof

So I don't exercise.  At all.  Yes feel free to judge me, I judge myself.

My problem is that I just have no motivation to exercise.  I have no inner desire to exercise.  On the rare occasion that I do exercise I don't seem to get this elusive rush of adrenalin that everyone talks about.  What is wrong with me??!

Recently I have been under so much pressure at work that it's affecting me physically.  I come home with the worst lower back ever, I'm getting headaches daily, I'm not sleeping well at all (tossing and turning until 2.30am most nights).  I think some exercise would do me a lot of good at the moment.

I'm hoping someone can give me advice on how to ease into exercise, tips for activities that are easy/convenient to do (ie so I can't make excuses).  I can't run (well I physically am able to move my feet but I'm anatomically challenged as a runner and it just isn't pleasant for me) and I'm not very good at ball sports.

Advice anyone?  Please!