The PERFECT Home

In my mind... my IDEAL home is close enough for me to dip my toes in the ocean, see white sand from my back porch, with my family and friends close by, designed for entertaining...and covered in Palmetto trees, yet has a tinge of a 'Boho' feel to it (to cater to my love for surfing), everyday I wake up saying "It feels good to be alive, thank you Lord for this home"... and most importantly- filled with my style!...simple elegance.

Complements of Southern Living inspirations... Nestle into my fantasy world friends...Welcome to my dream home....



A wrap around white Verandah, teak wood, and perfect gardening for "go green" accent!



A coastal and classic dining area- filled with a table for MANY to entertain

A bright kitchen with plenty of storage space, hardwood flooring, marble countertops, and always a bowl of fresh fruit handy for a healthy snack!

A nautical, open floor plan for a lounge room, with a fireplace to cozy up in winter, and LOTS of windows...

A king size master BR- crisp, with sufficient area  and relaxing hues to unwind.....

Cozy and monogrammed (hello I'm a Southern girl) guest BRs

A classic vintage-y and functional bathroom, with natural light, fit for a queen!

Finished with a back porch with an epic view over the ocean, plenty of seating, and chase lounges for catching some rays.

 Thanks for reading!



Pawleys Island Meets Thialand

Mixing with cultures all over the world! I feel like this is the story of my life- it really is a small world after all. How beautiful is this backyard!

Photo Credit: Southern Living

"The Pose"

I am excited to go to the USA for...

A Murrells Inlet summer.... 4th of July (go AMERICUH!)...The smell of the inlet, beach, and river... seafood... family... Myrtle Beach memories... a lazy day in the hot sand of the Pointe... boating and skiing... beach music... sun dresses... the Garden City Chapel... catching up with old friends, and enjoying life!

Bring it on! I'm going home!

My best friend Betsy, is someone I am looking forward to seeing the most. She has been there for me through the years, and our friendship has ceased to die or fall short even though we've been apart for a year and a half. She has supported me through thick and thin, been a shoulder to cry on, someone to fall over laughing with, and make more memories together than anyone I know.

Aunt Jodie's Dock 2010

Christmas 2010

Summer 2009

TORY Awards 2008

New Orleans 2007

BFF4L!!

Can't wait to see ya Bets! Love you SHRUBSIE!

S.A.L.T. Life!

***DISCLAIMER: READING THIS WILL INDUCE A NASTY TRAVEL BUG!!

"When you nourish your body with pure energy, you transform from the inside out." -Bill Phillips

My good friend Naomi, has started a surf fitness retreat in Bali, Indonesia. Her retreat is called SALT, and retreat members experience all inclusive of:
* 7 days accom in luxury villa
* All organic, nutritionally balanced meals, juices & mocktails
* Airport pickup & all transport
* Daily surf coaching
* Daily yoga
* Daily meditation
* Chose of fitness activities (pilates, water fitness etc)
* Boat trip - surf + snorkel
* bike tour thru rice paddies
* Organic spa products gift pack
* Salt surf rash vest to keep
* 6 hours day spa treatments
* Salt Journal
* Best of Bali cultural tour, dinner & dancing under the stars
* Balinese cooking lessons avail
* Many more goodies!

For those of you girls that love pampering yourself and love to get lost in a sense of adventure, this is the perfect holiday package for you!

Her media launch is including not only Marie Claire, but Madison, Vogue, and well-known pro female surfers from around the world.

Photo credit: SALT

Photo Credit: SALT

Photo Credit: SALT

I was blessed to be a part of Naomi's marketing campaign a few months back. After being asked to partake in a surfing photoshoot that has been postponsed, I have also been asking to be a model for a New Year New You calander as well!

 

Come join me at SALT's luxury yoga, surf, and spa retreat in 2011! GET YOUR RIGS WET IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON EARTH.



Naomi (right) with Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Records



Red and Yellow, Black and White

I am reminded by this video with sweet lyrics about how Jesus loves each and every one of us, from all around the world!

My siblings, being Chinese, have taught me first hand, that no matter your background- EVERYONE can worship Jesus! How sweet it is to have a mixed-culture family, and see Abbie and Andrew's lives SAVED (literally) from China's communist and non-Christian nation.

Abbie serving a leper colony in China

I live in Australia, where the Indigenous population is quite prevalent. Living amongst Aboriginals and being able to serve them in Churchfreo each Sunday and in our community. Pictured below are some of our special friends that attend church each Sunday. How sweet it is to all worship the same God. The ONE TRUE GOD!

Sam



Churchfreo Gathering

 Praise the One who bore my debt and raised His life up from the dead!

ASIAN INVASION!

 My family is 1/3 Asian. From reading about all of my Mom, Abbie, and Andrew's experiences that they have had in China thus far, my heart just smiles thinking about them in their home country more than a decade after their adoption.

I had my own little Asian encounter recently. I had to go to the Chinese Embassy in the city to apply for my Chinese Visa to be able to travel there at the end of the month! When I walked in our conversation went a little bit like this:

Chinese lady: "Whaaa do youu wannnn today?"
Me: "I am here to turn in my VISA application!"
Chinese lady: "Okay you wan BEEESA? Hab a sit over der."
..... long pause filled with Chinese conversations happening around me (and the conversations sound more like loud, monotoned gibberish.)
Chinese lady: "Okay you com back on Monday. Tank you!"
Me: "Smile. Nod. Leave."

The supermarkets are also filled with many Asian workers. My favorite check-out lady at Woolworths (many of you may recognize the name of the old Woolstores,) has given me a rewards card (similar to a Sams Card.) Everytime I checkout at my grocery store at the end of the street, my little lady says, "Do you hab Wooly card!?"

I love that nearly every day, in every environment (be it school or in the community,) I am reminded of my sweet siblings, their home country, and precious culture! Stay tuned to hear about my Chinese experience in less than 3 weeks.

Thanks for reading!

Just STRETCH it out...

Has anyone heard of Bikram? It's my latest exercise CRAZE.

Bikram Yoga originated in India and involved a 90 minute intense yoga session in a "hot room" of 105 degrees. It consists of 26 poses and two breathing exercises. Bikram claims (and I agree) that his system stimulates and restores health to every muscle, joint, and organ of the body. Bikram's Yoga claims to increase circulation to all organs in the body, and claims this helps in the prevention of heart disease and organ failure.

I like it because I always leave feeling of having such a deep stretch (and I feel like I never lost my dance flexibility!) and you sweat so much to the point where you don't even bother wiping your brow anymore, you just feel the impurities leaving your body- how can you not love the feeling of a 90 minute detox!? Because of the volume change and influx of fresh blood, it is said that infection, bacteria, and toxins can be released through this process.

Benefits of Bikram:
1. Weight loss- You can burn between 500-1000 calories per session!
2. Increased sports performance- you become so much more flexible, thus preventing injury!

In a room heated to over 100 degrees F, it is not uncommon to feel wary about your safety. If you do not hydrate, you WILL become dizzy and nauseus during the class. That is why it is SO important to KILL the water until you go to class! Hydrate, my friends!

Also, ANYONE can do it. There are advanced yoga-ers that demonstrate in the front of the room, but every time I go, there are always new people. With the individual poses, they are all self motivated and have "beginner" positions as well. Whatever you are uncomfortable with, there is NO PRESSURE. You are always more than welcome to have a rest on your mat if you find it too difficult!

Check it out here: http://www.bikramyoga.com/

There are studios in the following locations near you:
Georgia- Savannah and Atlanta
Alabama- Birmingham
North Carolina- Raleigh, Greensboro, and Ashville
South Carolina- Charleston

Western Australia- Perth Metro (http://www.perthbikramyoga.com.au/) : where I go! :)
Sydney- Bondi Junction

China- Beijing

Europe- Germany: Frankfurt, Hamberg, and Berlin

I encourage everyone to try it! GO BIKRAM!

Looks like a Flower but she Stings like a BEE!

On Saturday night we celebrated Ben's brother in law, Jono's 30th birthday. We had a big bash with about 60 people, and because Jono is a twin, the fancy dress theme was Famous Duos! The last time I went to a famous duo party was my first ever Freshman year sorority function (Zlam!) and my friend Wilson and I went as K-Fed and Britney. There was a K-Fed and Britney duo last night as well, except she was really pregnant! Classic! 

Amber and I, Freshman year roommate, 2007!


 Side note... Amber just got married two weeks ago, congratulations!!


Wilson (K-Fed) and I (Britney Spears), 2007...Where has that flat stomach gone?!

Side note 2: Wilson's family are close friends of the Linkstons in Ashville. When I first moved to Australia, we made that connection. Small world!... And Wilson is now engaged... Congrats!

It has been my lifelong dream to dress up as a bee- so when I heard about this fancy dress party... I knew I had to indeed be a bee. So what is a Bee's duo?? A flower- duh! Unbeknowingst to Ben, he was going to be the flower half of my brillant idea. He was a good sport- but his only condition was that he would be a sundlower. Done and done.

We had an awesome time, catching up with new and old friends! Enjoy the photos:

Barbie and Ken

Clark Kent and Superman- 2 in 1!

The birthday twins! Burt and Ernie

A sheep and a Kiwi

The queen bee and her sunflower!

In conclusion, in honor of flower and bees, let us not forget the inspiration of it all-

Thanks for reading!

Fascinating Similarities

Do you think I could pass as a Royal?

This past week my friend Shannon and I went "Op-Shopping" (that's second hand shopping for all of the Americans,) and ended up getting lost in some silly little trinkets. I got quite tickled trying on the fascinators!!

Headpiece that looks like a spider... Check.

Princess Beautrice with her eye-catching fascinator

VB... looking "fascinating" as usual.

Breakfast of Champions

I think going out to breakfast is my favorite meal to "go out" for. What a great way to start your day, with a nutritious breakfast! My favorite Australian breakfast item is museli, and I would like to share the recipe with you!

Museli with Rhubarb and Berries from X-Wray Cafe!



Museli from Aubergines Cafe, South Fremantle



Berrylicious Bircher Museli:

Ingredients

• 1 cup organic rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened (no added sugar) apple juice
• 1 red apple, do not peel
• 4 tbs natural yoghurt
• 1 cup mixed fresh berries, to serve
• Honey, to serve

1. Place the oats and apple juice in a large jar or container with a lid. Put the lid on and seal tightly. Shake until well combined. Place in the fridge and leave for 1 hour or overnight until all the juice has been absorbed and the mixture is a bit gloopy.
2. The next day, add the grated apple and yoghurt to the oat mixture.
3. Divide the muesli among serving bowls. Top with berries and drizzle with honey. Now dig in!