Assessment Revelation

Top of the morning to you!

And if it isn't morning where you are, then top of the day to you. I hope everyone has had a lovely week so far and that the rest of their week carries on to be just as pleasant. As I have reminded you, I'm going to have to be a lot more flexible with my updates because this school work (even after two days!) has already got me a little worked up. You should be able to expect at least 1 blog post every week but you cannot hold it against me if I don't. Surely you can cut a student some slack - I mean, we've mostly all been there, right?

Also as previously mentioned, I'm still trying to get back all the images that I lost from my memory card. I had so much content from there - stuff to share with you guys and even personal photos. I would be so sad if I couldn't retrieve all of it, although even retrieving some would be a short lived relief. My memory card is still not been accepted by my camera, and my Mac is not recognising it (I like to store all my images, music and media stuff on my Mac) so it's still a work in progress.

In addition, the major post I have been slowly trying to complete is still a work in progress. I'm so excited to share it with you - also because I just love to focus of it. If you guys like fashion personalities, you're going to LOVE it! Keep in mind, as my first (kind of) major project I've been working on, I don't want to give your hopes a boost only to disappoint you. Of course I want you to look forward to it, I just don't want you to be disappointed by the end of it.

As you all know, mainly because you worked through it with me, I had some pretty major assessments towards the end of last month. They took a lot of effort and they were just, honestly, exhausting. I think this might be due to the competition and stress I forced onto myself. Although, in the long run, maybe some stress would be the motivation necessary to put in the best work and effort that I could potentially ever put in. I had to keep constantly reminding myself that these tests were virtually a 'trial run', and that even if I were to get disappointed by the outcome, they barely counted towards anything. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately as well, it was good for me not to raise my hopes up for great marks.

In my some of my subjects, I did mediocre in. In saying this, I did put in an effort, but this effort could have been improved and my outcome could have been much better. I know I could've achieved better if I really committed myself. These include Maths, Biology and Extension English (although for Extension, we haven't been given our results back, I just have a gut feeling). There were some results that were just disappointing, which was really exhausting to actually realise because I had put time in, I just hadn't put time in efficiently (such an important tool to learn!) and I hadn't done as well as my peers. These include Legal Studies and Modern History (where we were learning the American Civil War - something I found interesting so I have no excuse). As Humanities are quite possibly my favourite subjects to learn about and do exams about, the fact that my lowest grades were in these subjects is such a major blow! I love learning about both these subjects, I just didn't put the time in, and even as no excuse, I screwed over in the actual physical exam. Of course, I'm seeing it as 'the only way is up' and trying to improve, but it was such a major draw back to realise that I wasn't seeing what I had hoped for. My English mark hasn't been handed back yet and I don't know what to make of it (as there was a hand in and physical written examination so it's hard judgement) but my Food Technology (no, it's not just eating - there's a lot of dense content to cover) mark was the only one I was actually happy with. This revelation saddened me a little.

I'm not a naturally competitive person, but a few of my close friends are. They set up challenges with each other to motivate themselves to do well and aim to beat one another (not physically, of course, just in terms of test marks). This wouldn't work for me. I would probably eventually get too stressed out about the competition; focus more on trying (and probably failing) to win, rather than absorbing my material to regurgitate when needed in the test; and get even more disappointed when I come last at even that. I have surrounded myself with very intelligent people so not getting the desired mark not only disappoints me, but it makes me feel like I am not really... meeting the standard of my friends wither. I'm obviously not blaming my friends, I get an overwhelming sense of pride when they get an outstanding mark in an exam, and I get happy when they're happy with their exams but it's always like I'm going to falling one step short. I'm trying to catch up though.

I think that's my motivation. To prove to myself that I am enough. Being not enough literally tears me apart and my conscious efforts to impress people would probably not be considered healthy. However, this is what motivates me always to try harder, and push that little bit extra to get there. I'm going to try to push that little bit extra to get there for me now. I want to be able to say, you know what, I was worth that. I can do it.

Much love,

Duchess

Crazy Weather + Memory Card Malfunctions

Good day to you!

Unless you happen to be living in New South Wales, in which you case you will understand my immediate un-good day. Autumn is well upon us now but this weather, albeit cold and rainy, is unlike anything I remember experiencing while living in Australia! I actually wrote something about it on another of my social medias, which I will attach here:

"Also, it was a really weird experience to have my parents encourage me to stay at home rather than go to school today. Due to the absolutely ridiculous weather that Sydney is experiencing at the moment, my dad considered it stupid for me to catch at train at 6.30 for school. I decided I would not go for my first lesson but instead just catch the next train up (in an hour) but then the trains got cancelled because there was a BOAT on the tracks... Enjoying the terrifying sound of rain and winds shaking my house, accompanied by the sound of trees falling and gates being thrown open and closed. I feel like I’m living a good life compared to the poor people who had to go to uni (my brother ha) and go to work (my dad, who I felt slightly more empathy for). For those of you who went to school, I admire your commitment but question why you wouldn’t have extended your holidays by just one day. Everyone, please be safe. I’m very lucky to be at home, but for those who aren’t, please take care."

[Please ignore the change in font, I don't know what happened.]

The weather in New South Wales is destructive and dangerous. I also noted that #SydneyStorm was trending #1 worldwide on Twitter, so chances are the damage that it has done has been duly noted by many of you that are active on any other social medias. It directly affected me by stopping me from going to school, which extended my holidays, but whenever my family or friends left their house it would make me feel worried for them. The weather has said to be parallel to that of a category 1 hurricane, but that is not something we have experienced regularly at all in this part of the world. 

I am sitting on my couch writing this (while watching The Avengers) and wondering how my father's drive to work was, and how my brother is managing getting from one of his lectures to another in this torrential downpour. In addition to this, I know I'll be made to wonder even further when they make their journey back home. The fact that 2 people have already been lost to drowning does nothing to help calm my nerves, and I cannot wait for everyone to be safely back in their homes. Despite the warnings from the news and other means of communication, people are still insisting on taking unnecessary risks. This makes me feel worried for them, but also empathetic for their family and their friends - I can only imagine the stress that this would put on them. For this reason alone, I beg for people to please be safe and bring yourself back to your family. Unnecessary risks are avoidable, and what harm that could be potentially caused does not have to happen. Attached are photos from the storm. 

#1

#2

#3

#1, 2, 3 | Photo source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-storms-thousands-without-power-as-rain-continues-to-lash-nsw/story-fnl2dlu7-1227312880811 

For a real life look into why I didn't go to school today, check out this video from Instagram (and from mega babe Bambi Northwood-Blythe - one of the most interesting models out there, in my opinions. Those brows though.).

Please clear up soon - I miss the sun!

However, another topic that needs addressing because it will be affecting the blog posts I make is that my memory card is not being cooperative. At least, I think it's a malfunction of my memory card. Judging by the message that comes up ('Unrecognisable Memory Card'), I would acknowledge it as a problem with the memory card. This problem is disabling me from taking any photos as the photos cannot be saved on anything. However, the memory cards that I have do not have the memory I need to take the photos I want. For now, you'll have to bear with me as I make more chatty posts, I hope you understand, and thank you. 

Bear with me, and all the writing that is to come in the near future. You guys rock. 

Much love,

Duchess

Fury: Women Write About Sex, Violence and Power

Photo Credit: http://www.booktopia.com.au/fury-samantha-trenoweth/prod9781742709550.html

How are you doing? 

Sorry for not posting as regularly as I did a couple of weeks ago. In the middle of getting ready for school (stressing and all), I seemed to have lost a little bit of motivation for my blog. I have a number of saved posts, but I only post them when I feel like it's right or if I have no time at all - even if that does mean I write a really small post. You will have to excuse my tardiness as I head back into my school term. I can tell you now that my blog posts will not be as frequent, and definitely not be as in depth and long as some of the ones I created these holidays. 

A book I have been losing myself in is Fury: Women Write About Sex, Power and Violence. I just want to start by saying that this is not a fiction book and it can be very descriptive and really exposes violence as I had never seen it before. I would not recommend this for people under the age of 12 just because the themes are very mature and the fact that some of the stories were set in the city I had grown up in shook me up. 

The book explores violence and other things in a very detailed, realistic point of view. It provides statistics, it gives real information, and what I found most important was that it didn't mess around with you. It gave you cold, hard facts and statistics, but painted them in more creative ways. There are stories of violence, but there are also essays analysing it and perspectives that make you really think. I don't think I've ever been made to realise just how disturbing this world really is, especially for young women who are living in submission and it is okay for some of the stuff they are put through to occur. 

For this simple reason alone, I congratulate it. For being able to make a girl who has done her research into the topic already, get even more repulsed is something I give it credit for. The fact that so many incidents happen in my city makes me furious, and the fact that some young ladies are being raped and genitally mutilated and it passes under the radar, in other countries, makes me so angry. You can understand why this book makes me shake my head and whisper curses as I turn pages - this book doesn't just explore these true to life stories, but it also relates it back to the person reading it. 

If you want some more education on the topic, or just want to get really angry - I would definitely recommend this to you. I was gifted this book for my birthday by my brother, because he understand how deeply I feel about this topic and I can't thank him enough. As I head back into school, I definitely have learnt a few things over these holidays - but this will probably stick with me the most. 

Much love,

Duchess

PS. I am in the progress of writing a blog post, but it's about one of my favourite people ever so I really don't want to mess it up. If I'm absent (for longer than usual), blame it on the fact that I am working on something bigger. Thanks, you guys.

Bucketlist #2

Just adding to my growing bucketlist. As time progresses, I aim to cross of the ones I do achieve. Let's see what I've done by the end of the year!

11. Swim with sharks

12. Go on exchange in university

13. Learn another language

14. Go to a beach club / attend a beach party (preferably in Florida)

15. Learn some astronomy

16. Move out!

17. Go on a road trip

18. Travel to all seven continents (optional: Antarctica)

19. Give blood

20. Protest or take part in a campaign for something I feel strongly about: anti-Trump protest in Melbourne, LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras Sydney

If you haven't seen my previous list and you want to check it out, Bucketlist #1 can be found here. I hope you have a lovely day. If you're tucked up into bed or just finishing your day, I hope tomorrow treats you well.

This is a difficult question to ask, but does anyone know how I could help people see my blog while still remaining anonymous? I love writing on it, and would love to share it with people, but I'm having trouble showing it to anyone. Any advice would be appreciated. Tell me what you have planned on your bucketlist.

Much love,

Duchess

My Facial Skincare Routine

Heeeey!

So I used to have really bad skin problems that I'm actually still working on. Rather than breaking out frequently, when I do breakout it leaves bad scarring. It's a bit of a problem because some spots usually fade, but the larger more prominent ones seem to be permanent (or have been there for more than a couple of months). While I have tried lots to stop the problem, the only way I can think to solve my problem is to prevent any further breakouts. I have a strict skincare routine, which by the end you will find out is heavily Clinique influenced, that I stick to to prevent unnecessary scarring.

Steps: 

1. I use the Clinique rinse-off foaming cleaner first and this really wakes me up. It comes out as a textured gel that spreads really easily off your face and lathers mildly before it can easily be washed off. I then follow this with the Clinique liquid facial soap (mild) which is Step 1 of the 3-step skin care procedure by Clinique. This facial soap lathers less but really cleans your skin, and I can feel it cleansing my pores. I only use the latter soap twice daily (once again at night to clear my skin if I have used light makeup - if I use heavier makeup, I would remove it with an actual makeup remover), and any other product once.

Note: In between step 1 and 2, I like to leave at least a 15 minute gap to allow my skin to readjust to the oil loss and I just find that throughout the day, my skin becomes less oily if I include this 15 minute break.

2. After my 15 minute break, I use the Clinique clarifying lotion, in the number 2, which is Step 2 of the 3-step skin care procedure by Clinique. The number 2 is effective with dry combination skin (i.e. my T-zone produces a lot more oil than my cheek and chin areas). Do not let the title deceive you, this definitely works as more of a toner then a lotion, and it helps to balance out the pH levels in the skin. It also opens up the pores which really helps when I want to use something further on my skin after this. I apply this with a cotton ball or a makeup pad (I find the makeup pad works more efficiently) and predominantly dab around my T-zone area. It is important that you do not swipe or rub it into your skin as this will only irritate your skin or make it burn. Also remember to cover the oiliest parts of your face last as you do not want to spread the oil around your face but rather remove any excess oil.

3. As Clinique is a brand usually recommended for older users, I wanted to go for a moisturiser that worked in not repairing skin, but just making sure it wasn't dry. The Clinique dramatically different moisturising gel was recommended for me and it worked perfectly, and is step 3 in the 3-step skin care procedure by Clinique. It applies evenly, smoothly and very lightly over the face which provides a nice moisture barrier for the skin. It makes sure that my skin does not dry out and keeps it soft and supple and bouncy. My theory is; if your skin doesn't bounce, it is not moisturised and is not healthy. 

Note: The following product is probably the most important thing in my skin care routine! If there is one thing I can recommend for anyone seeking to look after their skin better it would be to use a good sun screen. It will protect your skin and, especially if you're younger, keep it healthier for longer. Your skin (and yourself) will love you for it in the long run, and you'll have less to worry about.

4. I know - the thing you've been dreading most, sunscreen/sunblock. I promise though, in the long run, buying a good quality sunscreen is probably the best thing you can do when concerned with protecting your skin. Aside from the obvious good qualities, it can also be used as a base coat or primer for your makeup and I promise - by doing your research, you can purchase a non-oily sunscreen (yes, they do exist). I use the Clinique Super City Block, which is an oil-free daily face protector with SPF 30+. The picture above is of the old tube I used, but Clinique, in its latest City Block range has increase the SPF to 30+, which is the one I am currently using. I love this stuff! You don't have to worry about it matching your skin tone because it blends with your skin and applies as a sheer, weightless layer. It protects your skin, and applies well so it's not even a chore to put on. I swear by it, and even though I swore I looked like a ghost when I first applied it, I know it was just me doing my own head in. Although the packaging says to use generously, I would first apply a little sparingly just to ensure you don't manage to cake your face with it and realise your mistakes (I come from experience). Use it right, and it will do you good. 

5. Although not strictly speaking a skin care product - for younger people, I would recommend this as a lighter alternative to foundation. When you are young, your skin does not need to be covered with foundations and concealers, so I merely recommend that a BB cream is used as an alternative. I use the Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream in the shade medium-deep. It blend easily, and allows your skin the ability to breathe much more than a foundation or concealer would. Covering your pores, and not removing makeup properly, can result in breakouts due to the pores being filled with any oily residue. The use of a lighter, easy to remove BB Cream will make it a quick and simple task to remove. 

I hope this helped anyone. Any products you swear by in looking after and protecting your skin? 

Also, to the lovely lady I spoke to at the food markets a couple of days ago. That blog post should be going up soon, I'm having a little trouble uploading the pictures. Thank you for being so nice.

Much love,

Duchess

March Favourites 2015

Hello hello.

As I have mentioned before, my absolute favourite month in the year is March (not only because it was when I was born). In Australia, March is Summer going into Autumn, and this ensures that at the very beginning we get the best of the end of the sun and the beginning of the cold. Also previously mentioned, I am not too fond of the rain and my fondness of the cold is also limited but the crispness of the morning and the warmth that comes when the day progresses is absolutely lovely. It can't get any better!

So to celebrate my favourite month, I thought I would collect some of my favourite things and share them with you. Some of these might have been mentioned in my birthday post, but only a couple maximum. Enjoy!

My family had invited guests over, and as I was being myself, I managed to break the nozzle right off the soap pump (I don't really know what you call it) so my mum drove herself nuts trying to find something that could be used as a replacement for our guests, who were arriving in no less than two and a half hours. My dad, being the lifesaver he is, dropped off my mother and me to the shopping centre on the way to the airport. My mum and I promptly went a little insane in the nice smelling section of David Jones and returned with much more than we needed. I am an avid lover of things that will make any part of my body smell nice, so when I got a hold of anything that appealed to me, I held on to it in hopes that my mum was feeling generous enough to support my loving-of-all-things-nice-smelling. Below I have attached a photo of, and given a brief description, of my top 3 body and hand soaps.
On the very left, I picked up the David Jones branded Aloe Vera Body Wash that claims to sooth and hydrate with the help of white tea and cucumber. Sooth and hydrate it does! I picked it up at first because I wanted to ask my mum whether she could smell anything (because I couldn't) and she could, so that slightly disappointed me. However, after I spent quite a while sniffing the nozzle I picked up the most subtle, crisp scent. I bought it because I hadn't ever owned a scent so pure (for lack of better word) before and I was genuinely very excited to use it. If the smell of grass just after it rained mixed with tea was a scent put into a liquid body wash, this would be it. I love it so much, and it makes me feel so especially clean.
In the middle, we have The Aromatherapy Co. Lavender and Wild Chamomile Hand and Body Wash. As you may or may not be able to tell, I have yet to open this one but how good does it sound?! I know from experience that I have a tendency to open way to many bottle at once, and never actually get around to finishing them before they start to smell a bit funky so I have to resist any temptations I have. The fact that it's a hand and body wash really intrigues me, there is a fine line between the perfect hand wash and the perfect body wash and I hope they cross into that uncharted territory.
On the right, another David Jones branded wash, this time for your hand though. This was what we offered our guests as a replacement for the broken nozzle, because we couldn't find any nice permanent fixtures, so we got a temporary replacement instead. As I am keen to both almonds and vanilla a like, this almond and vanilla hand soap instantly appealed to me. The packaging is simple, which I love, and the smell is again subtle but warm and smells like candles with a certain nutty crunchiness to them (who would've thought?)

One of my darling friends got me and it is this Strawberry scented kit from The Body Shop. Firstly can we talk about the cutesy packaging?! So cute. Although it may not look like it, I have used three out of the four products here, and the loofah still remain untouched (I love loofahs too). The shower gel (very left), body polish (middle) and the body butter (bottom right) have all served me well and have made me smell like fairies and berries. This is not a scent I would have usually approached, but I still love to try something out every once in a while. The three products I have used are super and cute and very nice smelling - I would just like to give an additional round of applause to the body polish, you make me feel happy and very satisfied with my shower.

As for foodie favourites, my mum recently purchased this chocolates in the lead up to Easter, but I am begging to make them a permanent fixture in our pantry. These. Chocolates. That's all I have to say. I am a fan of cocoa as it is, and I am a fan of dark chocolate and these chocolate combine the sweetness of milk and the bitterness of dark perfectly into one bunny shaped chocolate blob of delish. I could eat these all day long, and not feel an ounce of guilt because they are too good. They are by Fardoulis Chocolates, a company I had never heard of prior to this chance encounter, of pure bliss. Would recommend for anyone with a massive choco tooth, you will be happily satisfied and just... happy.

This jacket had its first ever appearance in my birthday blog post where I already declared my love for it. Just like to reiterate, that this is the cosiest, comfiest jacket I have ever received. Massive love to everything and anything that has touched it, it's absolute magic. 

Although my reading has gone down, I still love a good book and 11.22.69 brought the goods. Stephen King has never really appealed to me, mainly because I get terrified very easily, and this book does take a long while to read but it is so, so interesting. The way it's told and the way the story unfolds - don't worry, I don't give away spoilers - is absolutely captivating. Anyone looking for a longer, denser read? This one's for you.

My last favourite is this journal from Kikki K. The design is so pretty and carries its way through all the pages. There are quotes and little fill in pages and it's all together just so inviting to write on. The mountains and the little fox character is just too perfect and the little elastic sign it came with that reads 'escape to the mountains' just completes the whole set up. I use it for ideas and thoughts (as it suggests I do) but also as a little daily travel log to document my days, especially in the break. Love it!

I hope you enjoyed! What have you been loving in March? 

Much love,

Duchess

Assessments Done + Birthdays!

Guys!

I'm so pleased to finally be able to say with no hesitation that my assessments are done with! My last one was today, and it was the last day of term and I got out of class and breathed a big sigh of relief. Now to celebrate with the holidays - oh break, I have missed you. I'm so ready for the sleep ins and the lazy days, not to mention the long showers and the late nights without the zombie mornings. No more 5.00 starts for me for the next two weeks - but I will have to eventually fall back into routine.

It's currently Autumn over here (Fall for you Americans), so the rain is beginning to kick in. Not much to worry about yet, but I'm dreading winter, when the rain comes down in unforgiving buckets. I hate rain, especially when I'm stuck at school. Everybody turns quiet, the day get stickier and ickier and it just begins to feel a little lonely. Not to mention, walking home in the rain with squelching socks and without that jumper you forgot at home is possibly the worst feeling ever! But enough about rain, I can worry about that when it comes.

My birthday this year was a bit of a milestone. I gained a lot more independence and quite a few more responsibilities! But this year it was celebrated quietly - just with a few of my closest friends and my family. As it was stuck in the middle of my exam week, I couldn't properly host a 'birthday sleepover' (a sort of ritual my friends and I share every year for my birthday) so I had to make do with a sleepover a few weeks before the exams hit. It was still fun though - I enjoy spending time alone with my closest friends.

What a birthday they hosted for me too! It wasn't big or flashy, but it was close and intimate and just right. I wanted to share what they gave to me. I'm not trying to show off, and I am ever so grateful for the time they put into choosing these presents. If you don't want to continue reading, you don't have to. Just once more, I am not trying to show off.

My parents gave me a lot to love this year. I can't express how much I love them, even when we do disagree. They spoiled me rotten and I love everything I received!

This first dress is from a brand called Lulu and Rose. It's such an elegant dress and is just a simple chiffon black with a silk underlay and a rolled collar (not like turtle neck roll, but a really flowy roll). I just love this dress! It's very easy to wear with just about anything and I can already put together multiple outfits that I could wear this with. I needed a little black dress (essential) to add to my closet and this is such a simple, elegant, chic addition. Love it!

Not entirely sure if this one counts, but I am going to add it to the presents my brother got for me. He had hidden it at the back of his closet after he bought it when he was 16 (he still fits it) claiming it was a mistake and that he couldn't believe he spent money on it when we went to America. However, he dug it out to gift me and told me to reclaim it. It's so comfy, soft, warm and durable and with skinnies and boots - I just enjoy wearing it. 

When I opened the next one my jaw hit the ground. I've been wanting a jacket/coat thing like this for absolutely ever, and this was probably the nicest one I've seen. On the inside, it's the softest fleece-y material, and the outside is just canvas material, but the fleece carries up onto the hoot where it is met with this faux fur. It's absolutely incredible! The buttons are a rusted gold, with the Mink Pink (brand it's from) logo on them and I love the two sets of drawstrings as it gives it shape when it needs to have some.

This bag is too cute! By Steve Madden, it just fits together with almost everything. The nude compliments as a neutral to almost every colour and I usually accessorise with gold anyway, so the gold fits very well. I don't know how my mum guessed I was going through an SG phase, but as this doubles as a clutch - she hit the nail on the head.

My gorgeous friends come next. They came me such a memorable low key celebration, I loved the privacy of it. Nothing schmick, but just right. 

This jumper is so cute and cosy and can be found at Ice retailers. It's a lovely dark red, plum colour and would really nice again with black jeans and some boots or some ballet flats. As I'm heading into Autumn and Winter, I'm delving deeper into my love for darker colours. Fluffy jumpers and skinnies are probably going to be my default for the colder months. Oh, and lots and lots of layering. 

This next present looks even better in real life. My close friend had recollected me saying multiple times that I had wanted a large rucksack/handbag kind of things that I could just throw everything into and run. She collected information on what kind of 'trimmings' (?) I would like and went shopping with her mum for the prefect one. Cannot thank them both enough for finding me an absolutely gorgeous bag from Ruby & Kit that does and fits everything I want it too. I took it out for dinner the night I was gifted it and one of my family friends loved the size and look of it so much (she saw I could even fit my laptop in there!) that she declared we had to go buy one for her own daughter. It's everything I need in a bag and I still love the simplicity. 

The next present I was given to me by my darling friend and she had put together multiple things because the one thing she had wanted to give me had been not in the correct size. On the left of the below picture is such a gorgeous card, I showed my mum and she started smiling so hard because that's exactly what my pup used to look like when he was still a baby (he still is, just a larger baby). She also gave me lots of chocolates in that cutesy jar with the black ribbon and this absolutely beautiful gem stone. It reflects the most stunning colours when held in the light. On top of all this she gave me a $25 voucher for one of our absolute favourite store which we both adore. Each individual gift was divine and put together I could hardly control my emotions (later blamed in on my raging hormones).

My next present was given to me by my dear Guppie (there's a story behind that one) who made this book into something completely different. In fear of getting caught out and someone who doesn't know what's in it to find what's in it, I will not reveal too much information. Just the book is not what it seems to be and its contents are not to be disclosed.

So as not to be forgotten, one of my friends also gave me these (along with the red jumper). These statement rings are both elegant and a little bad ass, but absolutely gorgeous. The gold fits, and I've been wanting to get something like these for only a little while - it was like she read my mind!

Not listening to my refusal, even more friends are giving me presents. Thank you all so much (if you do see this) - I love you all and I really do appreciate the thought that went into these presents. Again, this is not me trying to show off and I would thank you if you would respect that. I'll be seeing you more often now I have more time. It was lovely to catch up - tell me what you have on your wish list for your birthday/Christmas.

Much love,

Duchess