Bizarre Bidding

I am always one for a little craziness, but I was left speechless this week when my brother outdid me on a random adventure!

As advised in previous posts my brother and his wife are selling up everything they own in Australia to travel the world. As an Ashton, naturally my brother had to make sure the lead up to the travel was just as fun as the traveling itself - hence the start of his blog Sell Everything And Travel.

Now when I think "sell everything" the things that come to mind are the large items, house, furniture, assets, electronics etc. but my brother is a little bit more exact in his terminology, selling everything right down to a clothes peg.

What started out as a joke between friends became a phenomenon amongst the followers of Sell Everything And Travel.

A Random Green Peg by eBay seller saashton

A run of the mill, stock standard, green clothes peg!

Initially hoping for a laugh I monitored the bids on eBay as they came in, AU$5.00 to AU$24.50 continuing strong to AU$32.00 but I would have never in my days expected to see a single green peg to sell for AU$56.00!!!

Lets just say the experiment created more shock than laughter, I was suddenly wishing I owned clothes pegs...

I can not wait to see what is next up for auction in the adventure to Sell Everything And Travel.

As much as I love and support my family, I will have to get cracking for the year of 2013 as I can not let my brother outdo me in the adventure department.  Sibling rivalry is a great motivator :)

Image from eBay.com.au

Music Monday - Sammy's Music School Opens

For many years music has been my release.  The words of a song can say everything you can't.

In my world of business singing is a wonderful stress relief and just some all in all fun.  I began singing lessons in Australia at my high school and I won't lie, I was not the most pitch perfect when I began but with dedication and people who believe in you anything is possible.

I was lucky enough to go to high school with some very talented musicians and as always it is a great triumph when you see people succeed.  Sammy Owen, a talented musician based in Melbourne, Australia, has recently opened his own music school.  I am completely behind this guy and wish him all the success in the world.  Sammy sees talent before it has formed, and is one of the most supportive and patient people I have come across in the music industry.

Sam has been rocking the stage with his band, Sammy Owen Blues Band, and continuing to refine his skills over the last 10 years since high school. Sammy's Music School is located in the outer eastern suburb of Kilsyth in Victoria, Australia.  It offers classes in piano, guitar, singing, drums, base guitar, violin, clarinet, saxophone, flute and trumpet.  The school also offers rehearsal space for bands to develop their skills or just rock out in a Jam Session.

I encourage anyone out there who is located near or accessible to Kilsyth Victoria to take a look at the site www.sammysmusicschool.com.au and let the inner musician in you have some fun with lessons.  No matter how young or old you are never too late to start.

Sammy's Music School can also be followed through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sammys-Music-School/112734562239706

Contact details for Sammy's Music School:

T: +61 (3) 9723 3344

E: sammysmusicschool@gmail.com

A: 20 Collins Place Kilsyth Vic, Australia

Photo taken from Sammy's Music School Facebook Page

Fitness Friday - 10,000 reps

Hello happy readers, I am back for another exciting year ahead.

Yesterday my brother set out a challenge through his blog Sell Everything and Travel.

February is 10,000 rep month.  The concept is to perform 10,000 reps of fitness exercises over the month of February.  As the month is only 28 days long that equates to just over 350 reps per day.

As with all great accomplishments there needs to be preparation.  I have started by setting a training schedule for myself consisting of the following:

100 x sit-ups

50 x push-ups

50 x triceps dips

100 x squats

100 x lunges

100 x leg raises

Total reps per day - 500.

Clearly this is more than the required of 350 per day, but as my regular readers will know my life is not always structured, so I figure why not put the extra in when you have time then you can have freedom when life's unexpected challenges come your way.

So I encourage anyone out there to get on board and set the challenge of 10,000 reps for February.  I will be posting about my progress on my twitter feed and will always link it with #feb10000repmonth and ask you to do the same.  Together we can all make a difference in our own lives and support others with the same motivation.

To start the motivational run I have compiled the following inspirational quotes on fitness:

Mad for Madhu

My life is go go go a times and there is nothing better than a great pair of boots that you can wear all day long with comfort.

During the last season of Fashion Days Nuremberg I was introduced to the Madhu Boot.  I had to admit, it was the comfiest shoe I had ever worn down the runway.  The models and entertainers at the event were taken by the all wool boot that came in an array of colours.

Arriving in the post last week, all the way from Germany, was my very own pair of pink Madhu boots;  I could not wipe the smile off my face.  Living in London and always having to rug up in the cold I am so happy to add these boots to my wardrobe.  They will be a go to pair during the winter months as I run from meetings, to castings, to the office and anywhere the day takes me, even the airport and the countless flights I find myself on.

A big thank you to the team at Fashion Days Nuremberg and Madhu Designs - my feet are in love.

I heart quotes and Madhu offers a little extra on their designs

Madhu Designs

Comfort for the next flight - Madhu designs

Reminiscing Rhodes

The last 4 days for me have been spent discovering paradise in the Greek Island of Rhodes.  Landing late on Tuesday evening with a friend we were reunited with a fellow traveller and 3 girls made their way to the town center. Thankfully our taxi driver was a pro tetris player as he managed to maneuver our 4 large luggage pieces into the small boot of his taxi.

Checking into the Rhodes Plaza Hotel we were exhausted from a day of traveling, we ordered room service and a bottle of Rosé and spent the night in gossiping and giggling.

Day one on the Island and the weather was not what we expected.  With clouds ruining our plans to get a tan we decided a day of shopping would be a better fit.  To begin the day we indulged in a salon visit.  Not having booked and appointment we entered the Sotiris Vasilas Hair Art Studio and asked if they could fit 3 girls in for styling.  The team accommodated us and was absolutely fantastic.  3 hours later left the salon feeling fresh and with a new lease on life…nothing beats a salon day when you have spent the previous day travelling. Confident in curls we made our way to the shops. 

Little did we know that most local stores are closed on a Wednesday to we had to stick to the mainstream stores. Hitting H&M, Tally Weijl and Sephora, we took a break and had frappes at Grand Caffe that was, in my opinion, by far the best café we went to on our trip.  Rejuvenated we made our way across the street to Zara where we had 10 minutes until closing, needless to say we still made a good dent in the wallet.  Loaded up with countless bags we made our way back to the hotel to get ready for an evening out.

A couple of hours later and a number of outfit changes we were ready to hit the town.  In our travels during the day we had passed a cocktail bar/café that was near the hotel, Mauro, we made our way there to begin our evening. 

Two martinis and a cheese platter later we asked the locals where there was a club that played Greek music and would be open on a Wednesday night.  The collaborative answer was a club in the old town called Soho. Finishing the last sip of our martini’s we made our way via taxi to the old town and to the club Soho, one thing the locals forgot to mention was the club did not get busy until midnight and it was 10:30pm when we entered.

Never to be brought down by and empty room my friends and I found a table and began to dance the night way. As advised by midnight the crowd started to arrive and by 3am our heels were sore and it was bedtime.

Waking at 11am we had to check out of our hotel as we were changing locations to the old town.  A rush to pack we called a taxi, however this time the driver was not a tetris master, loaded up in all areas of the car, bags under us and on top of us, literally,we were taken to the Avalon Boutique Hotel.  Set in the center of Old Town, we had not anticipated that in low season everything would be closed.  The stores were deserted with their rollerdoors down; the city was a shadow of life as we wandered around.  We stumbled across a quaint little café in the square; selling traditional Greek food, gyros, we had to stop.  Indulging in gyros and desserts we enjoyed sitting back in the sunshine and soaking up some rays in the old town.

Making our way back to the hotel we took a wrong turn (or two) and got a little lost, but on our adventure we came across some of the most picturesque views of the old town.  This day was definitely about the journey and not the destination.

Still exhausted form the night before we made a collective decision that this evening would be relaxing and we had the hotel call a spa for us to book massages and pedicures.  Indulging in relaxation we entered a state of bliss before heading out for dinner.  Dining at George & Marias, in the new town, we were served delightful home cooked meals including falafels, souvlaki and tzatziki that were all delicious.

After an amazing few days with friends in Greece it was time for me to get back to reality, jealous that my friends would be remaining in Rhodes for 2 more days.  Making my way to Rhodes airport I boarded a flight to Athens and from Athens made my way home to London.

Definitely a trip that will remain in my memory forever, countless laughs and endless smiles.

Old Town Square where we stopped for Gyros

Pure bliss as we cruised around Rhodes

Pretty as a picture - Rhodes Old Town, Greece

All curly after my visit Sotiris Vasilas Hair Art Studio

I found my Romeo in Rhodes

Hyper in Hyde Park

It's not every day you get to let your hair down and be a kid again.

Today I had the pleasure of attending Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, London. An annual event of fun, frost and festivities to mark the Christmas season.

As my friends and I made our way through the crowd we were saddened that the ice rink had been sold out, however we did not let this soil out plans. We grabbed our ride tokens and made a bee line to the Wilde Maus, a roller-coaster with some punch. Locked in we take off at at turn one we know this is going to be scary. Holding on and screaming with every jolt...I felt like I was 7 again!

As we made our way around the park, the air was filled with the happiness and spirit of Christmas, a singing santa at the entrance, the carols around the park, roasted turkey and candy canes at every corner.

Five wild rides later, some crepes, hot chocolate and a million giggles the sun had gone down and with a chill in the air that even muddled wine could not shake it was time to weave our way back through Hyde Park and back to the comfort of our hotel in South Kensington.

A day to remember, memories that will last a lifetime.

Happy Holidays to all my friends near and far!

Entrance to Winter Wonderland

Mulled Wine

Wilde Mause - best ride of the day!

Wilde Maus, the first dip...

Some of the best ride tokens I have seen.

It ain't Christmas without the Turkey!!!

Meeting a Miss

The world of pageants and beauty queens is one that I have only seen from backstage until my recent trip to Germany.

I was invited to attend the MissIntercontinental 2012 crowning in Aachen, Germany on November 23, 2012.

A relaxing flight from London Heathrow to Dusseldorf I met friends at the airport who had just flown in fromIstanbul.  Together the three of us made our way from Dusseldorf airport to the Art Hotel Superior in Aachen.  One hour drive from Dusseldorf…thankfully the beautiful Madelina (Miss Lebanon 2011 in the Miss Intercontinental pageant) and I got chatting away and the time flew by.

As always when I get together with friends there was a need for shopping…the day of the event we went into the maintown.  From shoes to jackets to jewellery and even a cheeky ice-cream we did it all. We even managed to make a salon appointment for 6:15pm to have our hair to be styled for the event.

The day was getting on and we were hungry from all the shopping.  Another friend had landed in Germany that morning and met us in town for a spot of sushi before the show.   Before we knew it 5pm had snuck up on us, it was time to get back to the hotel and begin getting ready.

Hailing a cab in Aachen turned out to be a bigger challenge than thought, the restaurant called a cab for us and we were officially running late.  It was 5:45pm when we made it back to the room, our intention…to shower, get dressed, apply make-up and get in a cab by 6:15 to get to the salon (yes we were going to be late!).

Nothing like a challenge an hour before an event…6:45pm and we had missed our salon appointment, I set up the bathroom in my hotel suite and began styling myself before Miss Lebanon 2011 came bouncing in and needing help with her hair. 7:20pm and we were ready…talk about a rush, we had 40 minutes to get to the venue, find our seats and enjoy the show.

7:55pm we land on the red carpet leading up the entranceway at the Eurogress Aachen. Snapped by photographers we made our way to the table set for the Fashion Days crew and not a second later the light dimmed and the show began.

Streamed via live Satellight the 41^st Miss Intercontinental Pageant was filled with talented, articulate girls but only one could take the crown…A big CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Venezuela, Daniela Chalbaud, 21 years of age.  She received the crown “Spirit of Holy Water” from last years winner Jessica Hartman of USA.

Check out the full results and top 15 atthe official results page of Miss Intercontinental.

Miss Intercontinental 2012 - Daniela Chalbaud, Venezuela

Tickets in to - VIP of course :)

The top 5 - LtoR Thailand, England, Venezuela, Porto Rico
and South Africa (image courtesy of Missosology)