Difficult Goodbyes. Christmas Shopping.

How are we?  It's less than 2 days until Christmas and if you're still at work like me, I hope you're doing what you can to make these last hours a little more bearable.  For me, this has involved lots of snacks and gift drops along the way.  Things are winding down for us and it has been nice to see people actually have time to relax and laugh over viral Christmas videos over a cup of tea (that's being drunk hot rather than luke warm).

I didn't have it in me to stay on for a We Met on the Internet manicure.....

Home from work and after surviving the chaos of the local shopping centre, I'm kicking back with a glass of bubbles.  It seemed to take twice as long as usual to do everything, including getting a pedicure.  The nail spa was packed already at 5pm and it was acrylics to the left of me and spa pedis to the right of me.  I somehow managed to leave with a 9 toe pedicure.  Which was my fault for flinging a foot to quickly and cutting a toe on a stray heel blade.  Not to worry, it's an easy toe to self pedicure.  I will be able to Lincoln Park After Dark it on my own in a couple of days.

You'll never guess where Christmas shopping has been kinder to my blood pressure.  The CBD.  That's right.  The CBD.

Photo courtesy of Mr SSG.

It's even more pleasant getting there.  No car park rage or eye strain trying to find the flashing green light above a parking space.  Just tinsel and orderly commuters.

All you need are a comfy pair of flat loafers on your feet and you're ready to start pounding the quiet and uncluttered footpaths in search of the quarry for your gift list.

Yes, the game's up.  I was out at the shops last night.  Supposedly doing Christmas shopping for other people.  I was in the CBD which I think was the most sane place to be shopping in the whole of Sydney.  The only queue was the one outside Haigh's.  I made quick work of the gift list and rewarded myself with a little wander through the shops and modest crowds.

My hair's nearly long enough to be held back with a pair of reindeer ears but I had to leave them behind because my hands were full and I had no time to be fiddling around with antler placement.

I took a trip down memory lane and tried to be like Kate (Moss) with a spritz of Obsession for men.

Image courtesy of http://www.geniusbeauty.com/

The fragrance is 26 years old - already!  I will say this for the Kate Moss / Christy Turlington era of Calvin Klein ad campaigns, the images have a timeless quality to them.

I didn't stay a window shopper for long though.  Practically every store front was already plastered with SALE banners - 30 to 40% discounts and before Christmas too.

Walk past cut price Ralph Lauren?  I think not.  I found this pink shirt dress to wear on Christmas Day.  I think it will work perfectly for the bush Christmas we've got planned.  Work with me on this one, this is the SSG take on bush Christmas we're talking about.  It will all be fine.  Trust me.

Speaking of me and clunky segues.  I had a difficult goodbye to make this evening.

Goodbye, old black go to belt.  You will be missed.

This is my well loved and worn black leather belt from GAP.  I bought it in New York City close to 4 years ago and I've worn is at least twice a week ever since.  Unfortunately, it's starting to show its age.  The leather has softened nicely to sit just so in waist bands but the leather has faded in patches and the buckle is nicked in places.  I'm too emotionally attached.  The number of long days at work we've had together.  It's always been the belt I reach for, groggy in the morning after a long night and little sleep afterward.  It goes with all my pants and tops, winter or summer.  I haven't been able to put it in the bin yet, I'm not ready to let go.  It's curled up in a forlorn coil on the bottom shelf of my wardrobe.  Just in case.

Subtly different to my old go to black belt.  I wonder how long it will take me to get used to it.

Finding a replacement 'go to' black leather belt was a bigger challenge than I had anticipated.  As practical as they are, they just don't seem to be 'fashion' enough for the high street.  There were skinny belts, broad waist belts, corset belts and if the belt happened to be black, further inspection revealed that they had a whole heap of punched out bits going on in the belt bits. 

I'm feeling a lot less of the festive season frazzle now that I've had a bit of a sit down and a glass of champagne.  Thanks for sticking around.  Last day of work for a while tomorrow.  And wouldn't you know it, I still have a few last minute gifts to buy afterward.  I'm coming home first for a bit of a lie down and a beverage, I think.