Dance like no one's watching

A few weeks ago I felt a bit overwhelmed with everything so decided to dance like a fool in front of the stereo at home to get rid of some built up steam.

Shapeshifter

I’ve been meaning to tell you about my brilliant night out when I saw Shapeshifter live at The Powerstation. Shapeshifter are my current favourite band, I never tire of their music, so seeing them live on stage was enough to cause as much excitement as a 4 year old seeing The Wiggles Live in Concert…..yep, I could’a peed my pants.

Speaking of kids, the concert was – as the kids say these days – MEAN! And I’m talking awesome, cool, wicked – phat even. The Powerstation has recently been refurbished and as we stood upstairs centre stage it almost felt as if they were Shifting Shapes directly to us. I danced like a prime fool but loved every minute of it.

We then headed into town for a few drinks and further dancing.

Namely Chapel and Whiskey Bar on Ponsonby Road, a favourite haunt for girls nights out.

My beautiful friend was busy chatting up a fella so I chose to dance with his mate mostly because I felt sorry for him as he was getting down with his bad self all on his own. Just platonic like, you understand – I’m a nice girl I am

A great night followed by the mantatory 3am crap-but-brilliant-tasting-cos-bit pissed-burger-and chips from the open all night chippy. Solid gold

Hope all’s good in your hood
Auckland Girl

Living Alone

I have been living on my own for almost 6 months now, and it sure has its benefits……you can walk around butt naked, let the dishes pile up on the bench for days, invite whomever you want over whenever you want and you can leave the toilet door open if you want to…..yep life is pretty sweet.

But it has its moments too.

I have developed a fear of choking on peanuts.

There’ll be no one around to save me in time and I’ll have to try and perform the heimlich manoeuvre on myself over a chair or something.

Imagine if it doesn’t work? I’ll be found dead, body on an angle, upper body and ribcage hanging over the head of a chair, worried look on face, eyes popping out…what will the paramedics think? It’ll be just my luck that I go out that way.

And when you get sick living on your own is another small battle to overcome. I suck at being sick. I adopt the whole ‘woe is me’ phase, and adore being fussed over. Being ‘in isolation’ while home alone damn near kills me as there is no one here to feel sorry for me (see what I mean). I loonngg for someone to call for a friendly chat or to drop by with flowers and Lemsip. And I normally end up cursing the day I said – ‘Hells Bells! I love living alone!’

But nothing lasts forever and I know one day I’ll chose to ‘flat’ with a significant other like a bf or Latin Lover. Right now I’m making the most of my single days, the impromptu parties and dancing like a fool in front of the stereo.

I’ll just have to continue to be extra careful when eating peanuts.

Take it easy
Auckland Girl

The Hens Do

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Hens Do. Well, actually it was specifically not a Hens Night. By this I mean the Bride to Be declared that there was to be none of this pink veil, bartender kissing, bunny ears bollocks. No Sir. It was to be a classy girls night out – in fact ‘Christmas Drinks with close friends’ if anything – which was one hundred percent fine with me.

We kicked off with a few glasses of champagne and chardonnay at the Onehunga bungalow then did the people carrier thing into Town. We had dinner at La Zeppa, a favourite hangout of ours which we are all quite smitten with.

It was a great choice; the tapas went down well as did the copious bottles of wine.  I’m the first to admit that I’m a bit of a light weight and I fell over twice in the space of 2 hours, but I wasn’t about to let that ruin me. After we fought over the bill we then decided on nearby Shanghai Lil’s for a few more drinks. I’m pretty sure I haven’t been to Shanghai Lil’s before but there was something familiar about the place. Comforting old skool hip sums it up. Maybe it reminded me of UK/Europe, who knows, but I liked it, I liked it a lot because it’s different and it’s quirky.

We then felt a dance was in order so decided to walk – yes walk – up Franklin Road to Ponsonby. It was very cool to see Franklin Road lit up for Christmas. It’s a long walk and my feet (stomping in 5 inch heels) were pleading mercy, but I still found it mesmerising (yes, I know, it was probably the wine). Had a bit of a boogie at Chapel Bar which is always fun, then headed to Whiskey Bar for a well deserved sit down and some posing for the camera. To top off the night we headed home via McDonald’s for some 3am lining of the stomach, as you do (and regretted the next morning). One of the best nights out in ages with laughter, dancing and vino. I can’t wait for the wedding!

I’ve recently returned from a road trip to New Plymouth to visit my 94 year old Nana. Good weather and lots of cuddles, which is always tops in my books.

I’ve heard a rumour that it’s Christmas tomorrow. Admittedly am feeling a little, I dunno… bah humbug? but I’m sure that a combination of the arrival of my brother from Australia, presents and the gathering of friends and family will definitely perk me up. Bring on the pav!

Merry Chrimbo everyone
Auckland Girl

The Silly Season

Holy Haka, it’s busy at this time of year aye?

Christmas parties, seasonal catch-up drinks, hangovers, wedding invites, bbqs, summer festivals …crumbs it’s choice.

I’ve had the pleasure of some great dinners out and about Auckland recently including De Fontein, Goode Brothers, Fig & Olive and Mutiara. It’s nice to press pause, relax and spend some quality time with close friends and special people during this silly season and the busy lead up to Christmas.

We had our work Christmas Party last week. The theme was 80s Irish Beach Rave. Yes, I know. But I love a good costume party and fully got into the swing of things with my 1980s bling. It’s always amusing seeing people from work in clothes other than what you’re used to seeing 9 to 5 (which sounds a bit dodgy, but I don’t intend it to be).

I saw Pearl Jam a couple of weeks ago. Talk about impressive. Sell out crowd, massive long set, and not one but three encores. Rock N Roll. The tribute to Chris Knox was pretty awesome too.

I can’t actually believe this but I accidentally broke not one but two mirrors last week within the space of two days. Talk about paranoid. I now wonder if I will spend the next 7-14 years avoiding bad luck like that movie ‘Final Destination’. I’m trying to remain positive.

Have a great week and remember to wear your best smile
Auckland Girl

Girls night out

Blimey Charlie, Saturday’s Girls Night Out has well and truly thrown me. I feel as though I’ve been pulled through shrubbery backwards and left by the side of the road weeping quietly into my gumboots. I need to harden up.

But boy it sure was fun (I actually had trouble looking myself  in the eye the following day). We started off with a few vinos and homemade gluten free pizza at the Mt Eden flat then headed into Ponsonby Road. It was a busy night and we popped into (with what seemed like half of Auckland) Ponsonby Social Club, The Longroom and Whiskey bar for a few more vinos and a couple of gins. After getting a bit fed up with queues and shouting at each other for hours, we decided to call in on a bar we hadn’t been to before and tried Lolabar on for size.

Disco balls, pole dancing, neon lighting, and retro white seating welcomed us brightly at the door, as well as 70s video clips belting out from large plasma screens above the bar. Kinda cool in an old skool way, and despite being much more sedate than the busier bars we’d previously visited, we weren’t really feeling it (something to do with the overdose of disco tunes perhaps?)  Never mind though, the cocktails were pretty damn good and we busted some mean pole dancing moves. Good times.

The highlight of the evening? A very drunk TVNZ personality who hassled me for ‘taking my time’ in the loo and bashed on the door like a mad woman because she was busting. Hilarious.

Laters
Auckland Girl

The red shoes

By hokey Auckland, I’m looking forward to the weekend!

Despite the fact that it’s only Wednesday, it’s been a long week (and the weather has been nothing but boring rain) so I’m looking forward to fun times with good company.

Heading to Ponsonby Road for a few drinks and a bite to eat tomorrow, and I’ll be donning the red shoes on Saturday for a solid Girls Night Out. Destination yet known at this stage but we’ll probably kick off at the Mt Eden flat and aim for the direction of town. Whoot!

Until next time, here’s to sunnier weather eh – and may I just add here’s to remembering on Armistice Day.

Auckland Girl

Getting down

Wowza. Choice night.

My friends and I had a merry time at The Ponsonby. What used to be the old Post Office is now set up as a Belgian bistro and stands proudly on the corner of St Mary’s Road. Quite a bit of the original decor has remained and comes complete with high ceilings and a charming 1920s feel.

Discovered that The Ponsonby hosts fortnightly ‘dueling pianos’ which happened to fall on the night we were there. Two blokes play ‘piano classics’ and try their hand at a bit of comedy between the ivories. The courtyard with open fire was a popular spot despite the cold, but it’s possible that this was the escape area away from the pianists. Love The Ponsonby for its tasty European-inspired food. Delicious mussels and frittes.

The 4 of us including 1 sober driver then decided to visit one of our Ponsonby favourites, Chapel Bar. It was heaving but had a happy vibe. The DJ was playing good mixes and so had a bit of a shy boogie with the girls and a few others. I couldn’t help but notice about 4 Michael Jackson hits over the course of the evening, and wondered if people visiting the Chapel would have normally cheered and danced along, pre his earlier death…I guess you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

Blame it on the boogie?
Auckland Girl