Where to start?

I don’t even know where to start with this post. The shopping trip on Saturday? The movie on Sunday? What about the circus from Saturday night? Or perhaps the magnificent restaurant we ate at before the circus? So many exciting things to tell you about!! Perhaps, as my business brain suggests, chronologically is best and so we will start with Saturday morning and a fabulous shopping trip.

After an awesome win by the mighty Hawks in the AFL on Friday night, Saturday morning was already full of cheer when I arrived at the Very Special Kids Winter Fashion Frenzy Sale around 8.30am. There were already about 20 people in the queue so I took off my jacket (yes, I was cold however I have learnt from previous trips to this sale that’s its very hard to shop when wearing layers. Also, take a satchel bag so you have two hands!) and headed to join the line. At 5 to 9 we were chomping at the bit (and the queue had stretched to over 100 people) and they let us in, about 50 people to start.

I headed directly to the accessories room, again having learnt that often this is the last place people look and this was my chance to be first in, best dressed (literally). As suspected I was first and I got first pick of the belts, hats, shoes, bags and jewellery. 5 belts, vintage earrings, and 2 necklaces later, I re-emerged to hit the rest of the rooms. I picked up a top, 3 dresses, a blazer, a jacket, 2 cardigans and a waistcoat – labels such as H & M, Jacqui E, Portmans, Top Shop and Wrangler. With rooms full of women with arms full of clothes, trying on was not an option and I quickly paid and got out of there. Bargain shopping might be my thing but crowds definitely are not.

Back in the car with Miss J, we went to the Bassike sale in South Yarra, a treasure trove of men’s and women’s basics and a haven for Miss J. She scored big at this one while I purchased some Capri pants. We were both quite satisfied with our morning’s achievements and went to celebrate with breakfast at Kazbar on Chapel Street. I don’t recommend you go there though, below average food and terrible service. Enough said.

But onto better Chapel Street food experiences – Basque Tapas and Wine up the Windsor end. We dined here Saturday night and enjoyed amazing paella, calamari, octopus, potatoes and scallops, accompanied by Sangria to die for. The atmosphere was warm and the music exotic and fun, a perfect prelude to a night at the circus – the National Institute of Circus Arts Student Showcase.

There are no elephants or tigers here, no weird smells or big tops, just amazing young performers learning their craft and showing off in all ways you could possibly imagine. It took my breath away – they dangled from the ceiling, jumped off high platforms, twirled and contorted and displayed amazing physical strength. The current show, on til June 26 and entitled We All Fall Down, gives each of the students a chance to show the audience their unique abilities while us mere mortals in the audience gaze in wonder – often at a loss of where to look as there is so much action on stage. And just when you think this bunch can’t possibly be any more talented, most of them also play an instrument or sing. I suddenly hate my boring desk job and am quite inspired to give one of their short courses a go, though not sure how keen I am on all the lycra!

Finally Sunday and I took my family to the movies to see Shrek 3D – Forever After. The Shrek series is my Dads favourite and it was a great opportunity for us all to go out and do something fun together. The film is as expected – a sequel and not as good as the original – but its message is pretty clear and will not be lost on adults and older children. I can’t say the whole 3D experience moved me enough to want to rush out and buy a new tele though; the whole thing seemed a bit of a waste for the extra $6 a ticket.

Back at home and we perused childhood photos and home videos from family trips gone by. The arrival of my first neic-phew is now less than 5 weeks away and we are all getting very excited! The nursery is done and the hospital bags packed – very soon Aunty Sarah will be able to go and buy junior his or her first shoes (and enough clothes to last til the little tyke is two!) While looking through old albums though, I did uncover these gems of me as a toddler. I was clearly going to be vain from such a young age – I can’t believe no one saw it coming.