16/30 - Your Celebrity Crush

This is a really tough one for me because I don't really have one. When I see Angelina Jolie or Her lovely Husband Brad Pitt of course they are cute. So is Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Ashley Greene, Robert Pattinson etc etc. But I don't really crush on anyone.

15/30 - Something You Don't Leave The House Without

My iPhone

My life is on that phone. It's so sad but I would be completely lost without one!

I have the 32gb 3Gs in Black but I am looking forward to upgrading to the 4.

14/30 - A TV Show You Are Currently Addicted To

I ♥ TV!
Lots.

It's sad. I know but it's how I wind down. I work really really hard and I love to fall into bed flick on the TV and catch up on my emails, msn chat with my Mum, blog, facebook, twitter or whatever while catching up on my favorite TV programs.

I record EVERYTHING! I bought a Beyonwiz back when no one knew what a PVR was. (I also ♥ gadgets) and honestly have not regretted it for one minute. There is nothing better than setting up all the shows I like to watch and then being able to watch them when I want to..... OK have the time to, but I get to fast forward all the ads, pause and rewind everything. It's awesome.

Writing it out I probably watch way too much TV.

Currently on my to watch list (And I am sure I would have forgotten stuff)

MONDAY:~       
Covert Affairs

TUESDAY:~     
Four Weddings
Packed to The Rafters
Parenthood
Keeping Up With the Kardashians

WEDNESDAY:~
City Homicide
House
Lie To Me

THURSDAY:~
Recruits
Cops LAC
Rush
Burn Notice

FRIDAY:~
Better Homes and Gardens

SATURDAY:~
Home and Away Catch Ups
The Great Australian Doorstep

89 Days to Christmas!

I know not long huh! It makes me think about all the things I had planned for this year. What have I done? What haven't I done? And most importantly what can I do now?

I spotted this number plate on the way to work and immediately thought of Tina and Nicky who are Christmas obsessed 24/7 All year round.

If you are freaking out about being ready for Christmas maybe put together a check list and start now?
I think Tina actually has a whole file!

Me I'm having a cruisy one this year. At home with MR DP, MIL and hopefully my family will come up if they don't live here already.

13/30 - Your Favorite Musician and Why?

WAY TOO HARD!!!!!!

Can we say band?

Metallica have had my heart since my early teenage years. I think I was introduced to them through their black album on a holiday to Queensland. I remember the girl who introduced me to it copied it onto a cassette tape for me to listen to and I drove everyone nuts!

My favorite song has long been Nothing Else Matters.

I have always wanted to see them in concert but I have missed them every time. For no other reason than an immense fear of crowds. Last year Loz took me to see Pink (Has to be next on my fav list) and when I survived that all I was looking for was Metallica tour dates so you can imagine my excitement when they announced they were touring Australia this year. And my disappointment when I found out it clashed with something else I cannot alter or get out of.

Devastated about cuts it.

12/30 - A Photo of The Town you Live in

Aerial View from airviewonline.com.au Looking towards the Beach

So for some form of privacy or another I am not going to list the exact name of the town I live in but Oh boy do I love where I live. I am lucky enough to live on the gorgeous Northern beaches. And while I'm not by the beach as this aerial shot shows we are not far away. The thing I love about this area is that we are about 20 - 25 mins from the city (Traffic excluded of course) 5 - 10 mins from some of the most amazing beaches and towns like Manly, waterways are absolutely everywhere and we are amongst some amazing bushland which would make it seem like we were a million miles from anywhere.

I'm so lucky.

11/30 - What's in Your Make Up Bag?

I'm a girl who's just as comfortable in make up as I am without it. I love it when I do go to the effort but half the time it's just too much trouble. And generally that's when I end up in photographs, and surprisingly all of a sudden I don't feel so comfortable without it.

My day to day make up bag is pretty basic.


*Sheercover base / primer which was my first introduction to primer and has almost run out. I'll be investigating a MAC primer when it does because primer is awesome!
*Sheercover Duo Concealer.
*Garnier Caffeine Anti Dark Circles Eye Roll On (BRILLIANT!)
*Sheercover Mineral Foundation Powder
*2 x Eyelash Curlers, 1 normal and 1 Modelco heated curler
*Eddie Funkhauser Blush
*Maybelline Stiletto Lash Mascara
*Maybelline Natural trio Eye shadows
*No Name something or other eyeshadow palette (awesome value lots of colours!)
*Inglot 6 x eyeshadow palette
*Amy Jean Precision Liquid Eyeliner
*Amy Jean Brush Roll
*Maybelline eyeliner
*Various brushes

10/20 - A Photo Of Your Favorite Restaurant

Zushi is located on Victoria Street in Darlinghurst and 5 years after they first opened their doors in October 2005 they are about to open their 2nd store on Crown Street in Surry Hills. The food is the most amazing japanese cuisine I have ever eaten and I recommend it to everyone!

As you can see above Jase (MR DP) did some photographic work for them awhile back. And someone had to help them eat all the platters (ME!)

http://www.zushi.com.au/

http://www.motorsportfotos.com/

9/30 - A Photo of the Last Item you Purchased

A few days ago my car looked like this.

But today it got a lift!  

My suspension needed replacing and since I have wanted to add a few modifications to my beloved 4WD and a suspension lift makes Off Roading a much better option. This made perfect sense.

8/20 - A Song to Match Your Mood

Today is not the day to be sharing my mood but hey thats what my meme is telling me I'm up to today. I've been a bit of a negative nelly today. So Bother probably suits my day. The words don't really match up but I can't think of a song that does really. Things will improve it's just a match for a crappy day.

Wikipedia Link for Bother - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bother_(song)

Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds

Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest
I wish I had a reason;
my flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying

You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds

[Solo: Corey]

Wish I'd died instead of lived
A zombie hides my face
Shell forgotten
with its memories
Diaries left
with cryptic entries

And you don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds

You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on:
I'll never live down my deceit


The Ultimate Wedding Planning Party - Photo Wrap

Location - Opera Points Marquee



Peeptoe Shoes were one of the vendors - I ♥ Peeptoes!
I'm definitely getting married in them




Yummy Mini Gelato - Perfect on a hot spring day





Letter Bird Lane had a great selection of invites

I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and had my
make up done with the Bobbi Brown make up artist

One of the gorgeous dresses we got to see on the day



A gorgeous table setting



As close as we've gotten to trying on BM dresses



This one is terribly cute!




Group Shot



Loz posing with her Goodie Bag



Jadey posing with her Goodie Bag



So honestly as a photographer you would think I'd supply half decent shots for my blog right? WRONG! I hardly ever have the SLR camera with me when a photo op presents itself because it's just too big. And the iPhone just doesn't quite cut it.

I really need to invest in a new ixus. Anyone at Canon want to sponsor me one?

7/20 - Your Dream Wedding

Is in the planning process right now.

I have been completely hopeless at organising it which is very weird for me. I thought it would all be done and over so quickly knowing my organising OCD and the fact that I've been planning my wedding since I could walk and talk.

OK so in my second post I made reference to the Ultimate Wedding Planning Party and on day 1 you got a photo of me outside with my goodie bag. So what can I tell you?

It didn't help. I haven't sealed a single vendor since then . Although I am now in conversation with one vendor re photography who I am kicking myself I didn't even speak to on the day.

So what does our wedding day look like so far?

Get ready for lots of pics.



The Lookout where we will be married.



West Head, Ku-Ring-Gai National Park, NSW

The Reception venue (And wet weather back up plan)



MV The Blue Room - Sydney Harbour

 The Celebrant




My Dad - A Family Tradition
My Parents were married by his Dad
My Grandparents married by my Great Grandparents

 The MC

The lovely lady in the middle is Candid Bandit
I'm so freaking excited because I know she is going to make
my day so much more special.

The Dress

Sorry guys - some things just have to stay a surprise!

Yup - see! UNORGANISED. This is seriously all I have done.

6/20 - a Photo of an Animal you would like to Keep as a Pet

I would have a zoo if I could! I ♥ animals of all kinds. Seriously I would love to have a couple more Rottweilers and start showing and breeding, a ragdoll cat, a macaw, and other large parrots. As a kid I had netherland dwarf rabbits and I would adore having a couple of dwarf lops - esp if they were albino with pink ears and cute markings. A marine fish tank but I'm so scared I would kill them all. And then on the never could have but would so love to list is some big cats like the gracious black jaguar I have pictured here and a chimp, monkey or ape of some description.

As I type Mr DP leans over my shoulder with a slight hint of panic and says "No. Delete! You can't have a menagerie" But I think I can slowly win him over. (Dammit he read that)

5/20 - A Photo of Yourself 2 Years Ago

Here is me 2 years ago. It was October 4th 2008 and I was at a friends wedding. I'm the one in the middle with the terrible regrowth. I remember being so proud that I fit into that dress. I had at one stage gotten so big that it didn't fit me. I shudder now just to look at it.

Ok I couldn't post up a photo from 2 years ago without posting one from yesterday.

This is me yesterday (on the right) Really wishing I had done hair and make up but I hadn't packed for photo opportunities. I packed for a weekend beside a race track so all in all I look quite dressy haha. The two girls with me areTully and Candid Bandit who were both able to catch up with me as I flew through town on Monday for lunch.

Sorry for the dodgy watermarks but I need to find someone to design a proper one for me and after seeing others weightloss photos being stolen for ads etc I wanted to somehow protect my image. 

4/20 - Your Favorite Photograph of Your Best Friend

Lauren on her wedding Day

We were just about to head out the door and she had just finished getting ready when I called to her and got this random pic. It's my fav of her on the day and I've even got it in a frame.

3/20 - Your Idea of the Perfect First Date

Is it sad that it has been so long that I don't remember having a first date?

Mr DP and I have been together for almost forever. And we were mates and lived together long before we became partners. This means that I don't actually recall our first date! I'm horrified at this being a die hard romantic of course, but the lines are so blurred.

I remember the first movie was Ice Age. I remember him picking me up from the airport the night we first met. Even down to what he was wearing. And the panic and butterflies I had wondering if he'd really be there. But that first date - Nope :(

So what is the perfect first date?

I have no idea! But I did hear a good tip once.

I have always admired chivalry and always always the man should take the lead. But it can be tricky on both sides. So what if you were to come up with 3 ideas.

Guys can get away with Jeans and a nice shirt almost anywhere. So here are your 3 plans.

1) Something active - bowling, pool etc
2) Partying / Clubbing
3) Nice dinner, drinks and maybe a movie

Don't tell your date how to dress but when she gets in the car go to the appropriate place. Jeans and a t shirt = bowling. Short dress and bling  = party / clubbing and a nice dress or more formal outfit to dinner.

This means no one is embarrassed about being ill prepared and you always have a plan.

I think that's smart!

2/30 - A Photo of Something You Ate Today

Jadey's Lemon Pepper Salmon

Ingredients:~
Atlantic Salmon Fillet of Preferred size (150 - 200g is generally good per person)
Mayonnaise 97% Fat Free - 1 Tablespoon per serve
Lemon Juice - 1 Dessert spoon per serve
Lemon Pepper Seasoning - 1/4 teaspoon per serve

Method:~

1. Pre heat fan forced oven to 180°C
2. In a small bowl mix mayonnaise, lemon juice and lemon pepper together
3. Place Salmon Fillet skin side down on a Baking tray lined with a Tupperware Baking Sheet
4. Using a Tupperware basting brush thoroughly coat all visible sides of salmon fillet with lemon pepper mixture
5. Place in oven for 12 - 15 minutes until salmon flakes with touch of a fork - It should still be pink
6. Serve with your preferred accompaniment's and enjoy!

I honestly am guessing at amounts here because I do it all by sight. But I'll be 100% honest when I say no restaurant has ever made salmon as good as mine. I adore this recipe.

If you cook it please come back and let me know what you think. There was only this bite left when I remembered to take a piccy and it's all gone now :p

Big bonus points in the fact that this is a SUPER healthy, diet friendly meal choice     :-)

Day 1 / 30

A Photo Of Yourself and a Description Of How Your Day Was.



The Deluded Princess visits the Ultimate Wedding Planning Party at the Sydney Opera House Marquee.

So as you can see here I am in all my uniformed glory posing in front of some tiny barely known bridge. I'm sure you've never heard of it. Sydney Harbor bridge or some such place. 

I was just coming out of the Ultimate Wedding Planning Party and the bag is front of me is full of goodies!

The day was a bit weird. My poor boss isn't well but I'd won these tickets and damned if I wasn't going to take advantage of the opportunity to finally get all my planning together, because there is nothing like leaving things to the last minute.  So I raced out here with my bestie to get some planning done. That was a big FAIL.

Ahh well all the best laid plans and all that.

TDP

xox

A Helpful Kickstart

My girlfriend Tina is a bit of a pro blogger. Through my own, and others ups and downs in the blogging world Tina has built her blog and gone from strength to strength with it. I think she even manages to make money from blogging so if there is someone to try and emulate she's a great choice.

A couple of days ago Tina started doing a 30 Day Meme. Which is awesome! It gives you something different to post up everyday for 30 days. I'll try and put them up in 30 consecutive days but I can already tell you that ain't going to happen. SOooooo I'll post up the next day as quickly as possible and maybe even play catchup sometimes.

So here's what's ahead.

The 30 Day Meme
Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.
Day 4 – Your favourite photograph of your best friend.
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.
Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.
Day 10 – A photo of our favourite place to eat.
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.
Day 13 – Your favourite musician and why?
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?
Day 28 – Your favourite movie.
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days


Since I'm in bed already and in no kind of photographic condition - day one is yet to come - Lets call this post a Preview. Some days I might even pull out the proper camera! Wow, That's commitment.

9/11

We will never forget. 9/11 is no longer a date but a phrase. A phrase that sends shivers through anyone old enough to remember and understand what happened that day. Which is most of us.

I remember it like it was yesterday. And still I find myself with tears as I remember the events that unfolded that night that claimed the lives of 2996 people. I say night because here in Australia it was night when everything was unfolding. In fact the first plane hit the World Trade Centre at the exact time of this post.

American Airlines Flight 11 hit the Northern Tower of The World Trade Centre at 8:46am  New York time. 10:46pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Surely you remember where you were?

I was out at the time, I'd been out with friends for a cruise around town. I was a bit of a night owl as I wasn't working full time and got in pretty late and flicked on the TV. There was this really bad movie playing about a plane that had flown into some building. So I went to change the channel, but it was playing there too - and I thought my TV was broken or I'd seriously failed at using the remote control. Then I noticed I recognised the news broadcaster, and that this was not a movie. This was live and this was real.

I remember jumping onto mIRC chat and setting up my heater I was glued to the TV. How could anyone hit the World Trade Centre? Maybe a pilot got disorientated or out of control? No one could understand what was going on and then there were the witnesses saying it was a passenger airliner.

I remember as more and more footage came to light and then the second plane United Airlines 175 then hit the south tower at 9:03am NY Time 11:03am AusES Time.

That was when it became clear to the world that this was not an accident.

At 9:37am (11:37pm) American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon, then United Airline Flight 93 went down in Pennsylvania at 10:03am (12:03am) after the passengers on board fought with their hi jackers stopping it from reaching it's planned destination.

9 years ago today names I had never heard before became household chatter like Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. 9 years ago today the world lost it's innocence. That night as I sat in front of the television in complete disbelief I still cannot believe the things I saw. I saw the planes hit the buildings, I saw the smoke clouds, I saw people jumping from the roof of the towers. Jumping like this man did from 110 stories up!

I didn't sleep that night. And tonight I remember, I pray for the victims & their families.

And I give thanks to our troops. Young men and women who should have never seen war out fighting a war on terror.

Where were you?

Below I have included this video with the song Overcome by Live, It was released just after 9/11 as a tribute with the news clips in the background and now whenever I hear it I can only think of what happened that day.

Come one Come All!

Finally something that has been in the works for oh, so, long, has come together today. For years I have been trying to declutter. YEARS! Then just prior to our engagement party in February when I had done so well in decluttering and making everything neat and tidy, I came home to find my house FULL of the stuff. Not just in a "wow that really does pile up quick" kind of way but literally in a "follow the path mind your step and how far can we stack this before it falls over" kind of way.

I came home and my wonderful fiance and my mother-in-law had decided to clean out the garage and open all the boxes that they hadn't touched since moving into the house 10 years ago. And my entire ground floor was covered in boxes of glasses and plastics and figurines and other useless junk. Then it made it's way all the way into the house all over the bench tops, tables, couches and floor. Just everywhere. Truly I wish I had taken a photo at the time because words can do no justice. And I went to my room and I cried.

I was assured we would have a garage sale though and this was going to be temporary.

Now it didn't quite happen as soon as I would have liked but finally this morning the garage doors opened, the signs had been out and people started arriving to purchase our junk.

Woohoo!

Looking at this photo I think we needed lots more colour out front. Balloons surely would have doubled our profits! No?

I have no idea how well we did or didn't do but I suspect a large tip run soon. I'm not savvy enough to figure out how to actually make money from selling things on eBay. I think last time I tried I paid more in postage than I made. But thankfully tonight there is less "stuff" and more $$.

The Celebrity Trainer

We've all seen it! The headlines scream "Secrets of Celebrity Trainers - Top 10 tips to get Angelina's sexy body" Or "Madonna's abs in 10 days"

Type "Celebrity Workout" into Google and you get 2,370,000 results. "Celebrity Trainer" even more at 3,210,000 results.

It's obvious that we follow what celebrities do and obviously we are all interested in why Madonna still has a body better than most 21 year olds I know and how do we look like Jessica Alba, Halle Berry or Angelina Jolie? And if we follow the program can we really get great abs all in just 8 days? Or lose 10lbs of fat in 10 days? But why?

I'm guilty of it. When I pick up a magazine I am taking far more notice of what the women look like than I do the guys. It's more of a "wow she looks hot I would love to have an arse, arms, legs, tummy, tits, etc etc etc like that" and I want to know what "she" does to get it.

Sure celebrities work hard for their bodies. Well OK some of them do. Others are lucky enough to have it all as gifted genetics.Most have some sort of genetic assistance, but they also have strong motivation. Like being in the public eye constantly. They have access to Nannies, Chefs and they aren't working the normal hours you and I do. No!!! Training is part of their workday and while catering trucks are hard to resist wardrobe will definitely let you know when your fitted sass and bides no longer zip.

Is it really the trainer? Is it the training? Is it food? Genetics? Or Cosmetic Surgery?

Who knows but the magic will live on and nothing is going to stop us buying the magazines or trying the latest diets. (Dukan anyone?)

Either way I'll still be looking at the magazines and watching TV to find out the very latest looks from Kim Kardashian and when Gunnar Peterson speaks you can be sure I want to know what tips he has for me.

But I promise to remain realistic and I know that I won't be swanning around Manly beach in my bikini this summer. Maybe one day though :P And with the possibilities that open up with Celebrity Trainers like Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation program which makes access to high calibre trainers a reality, Maybe that bikini is within the reach of all of us?

Wedding Planning

Those of you that know me know that I am happily engaged to marry the man of my dreams next year. It was a long wait for me (He took his sweet time) But eventually he proposed in front of a heap of our friends at his 40th birthday which was in Feb 09.

I have always been wedding mad and planned my big day since I was a child. Although thankfully my taste in dresses and style has changed over the years.

I remember saying to my friends at the time that if I was one of those crazy brides who isn’t 100% organised and stress free then shoot me because I have HEAPS of time to organise this. Plus I’ve helped with so many other weddings, considered becoming a wedding planner for quite sometime and this is my ULTIMATE thing people! I had been waiting so long for him to pop the question, how could I not have this in the bag?

Fast forward 18 months (Ok it’s a bit longer) and I’m FAR from organised. There have been grand plans and I’ve done lots of research. Hell I have dragged my poor MOH to more bridal events than anything but when it comes to locking stuff in I have a few issues.

The first one is making a decision. Any decision! Honestly. What happens if I book someone and then someone better comes along and I’ve already paid the deposit and have buyer’s remorse.

The second is money! It’s really hard to book anything when you don’t have any. We don’t have our parents we can turn to for the cash and I started making plans with a much higher budget than I have now as the GFC hit us both quite hard in the hip pockets and the income stream I had planned on using for the wedding is now nonexistent.

So since my countdown is now at 5 months and 26 days it is well past time that I came up with a plan and started booking and finalising things. And I don’t have much time.

I wonder how people organised wedding prior to the internet? To help me along I have been using The Knot quite a bit. It has a to do list so I don’t forget anything, weekly newsletters reminders and articles and how to’s, plus links to some great suppliers. But the thing I love best about The Knot right now? They have competitions!

Yesterday The Knot posted that they had tickets to give away to The 2010 Ultimate Wedding Planning Party which is being held at the Opera House next Wednesday. I’ve been watching information about this event pop up everywhere and I was desperate to go but couldn’t afford to splash the money for the tickets so when the opportunity came up to enter the competition I sent off my email as quickly as possible. Of course I never expected to win which is why when I got an email saying “Congratulations, you have won a double pass to the lunchtime session of the 2010 Ultimate Wedding Planning Party!” I was understandably over the moon.

Then I panicked. a) Will my boss let me have a long lunch?
b) Will my MOH be able to have a long lunch ?

Luckily it looks like I’m blessed on every count. My MOH is such a patient and supportive soul. (Thanks gorgeous)

I’m so excited to be attending the event next Wednesday. I’ll let you know how I go!

Thanks The Knot and The Ultimate Wedding Planning Party. You guys may have saved my wedding if not at the least my sanity.

Tdp
xox

Welcome

Hi and Welcome to my new blog. I am Jadey and I am the Deluded Princess.

I'm a 29 year old Sydney Suburbanite, born and raised in Melbourne but happy to call this home. I have way too many hobbies, way too much work and not enough time for anything. I'm getting married in March and I am trying to be a domestic Goddess. I've always considered myself a princess but I definitely don't have the champagne budget. I'm a girlly girl into beauty and shopping and a tom boy who drools over muscle cars and four wheel driving.

I haven't got my template etc sorted out yet and although I have a topic list the length of at least one of my arms I haven't even begun to sort out my first real post.

Over here you will find out a whole lot about nothing most likely. I plan to use this as a general outlet for my life. There will be reviews and recipes and other domestic geekiness as well as stories, quotes and photos. Tales of wedding planning, career development under my many hats (That's a blog post in itself - I'll put it on the list) and my continuous and persistent journey to my goal weight (Although I'll try and keep my weight loss blog more for this) plus a whole lot more.

There will be boring times as there is in anyones life but hopefully more often than not I'll be interesting and readable. I'm hoping to update at a minimum of at least once a week but please be understanding if there's a bit of a gap between posts. Sometimes I'm just too busy living life to blog about it and other times I just wont have anything to blog about.

But make sure to leave me heaps of comments. I love the love.

xox