Hey 2016. What's new?

Nothing much, what's new with you?!

Seriously though, it's a New Year and that is awesome. I really enjoyed 2015, it took me a while to get into the swing of it and I tried a few things that didn't work out (not least of which was a new shampoo - ewww), but I ended up with a great balance of people, work and creativity in my life. And you can't ask for more than that.

This time last year, I was quietly nervous about trying a new job/contracting role, and whilst it didn't suit my current life season, I'm so glad I did. If I hadn't, I'd still be doing the same thing, working full-time in retail, missing out on weekends and holidays with my husband, family and friends.

This time last year, I was spending a lot of time on Pinterest and Instagram trying to find the right 'look' for our home. I think we've started heading down the interior path that we both enjoy and are loving coming home to our house, which truly feels ours now.

This time last year, I was getting used to having a third 'person' in my relationship with BB, our new rescue pup Stevie. I talk about her all the time, and I'm constantly bombarding friends with Stevie photos via text message, and every time I share a photo of her on Instagram or Facebook, anyone who doesn't have pets says 'Oh, I've been thinking about adopting a pet sometime soon'! To those folks, I say Nike the Shizzle Outta It - just do it.

Adopting a pet is a great joy and a huge responsibility, so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. There are lots of things you need to consider to make sure you make the right choice for you, your family and your lifestyle. For example, if you travel a lot and/or work long hours away from home like BB and I were doing for a while, it's probably not the right time for you to adopt. If you're planning a major lifestyle change, such as moving or a new baby, put your pet adoption plans on hold until things settle down in your life. Are you prepared to pay for everything your pet needs for the next 10 to 15 years? Food, pet supplies, grooming, and veterinary bills – it can easily add up to thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the pet (although we have pet insurance, and I would highly recommend it). I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but all these are reasons people give animals to shelters in the first place. So think long and hard.

If you can adopt though... I promise it'll be the best decision you ever make. Head to the RSPCA website to find out where the next great pop-up-adoption day will be near you.


So what else is new in 2016? Well, so far, not that much. I'm pretty thrilled that one of my favourite trends from years gone by has cycled back around again, and off-the-shoulder frocks and tops are everywhere.

Today I head back to my 'proper' work, although let me tell you retail is as serious a job as any other. But education admin is what I really love, and I'm excited to push the envelope and try new things with my equally-adventurous boss this year at school.
I hope that whatever you did over the Summer holiday break was great for you, and that you'll stick around through 2016 for more fun.

The 9 best 2016 diaries to get your life in order

Inspired by the fresh start that the new year offers, I decided to go on the hunt for beautiful diaries and planners. Better late than never, right?

Paper planners are more my thing lately, and they're more difficult to ignore than a calendar tab on my browser that I can easily close - or scrawled post-it notes that my otherwise amazing boss leaves stuck all over my desk. (New Year resolution #1... to work on his organisational skills!)

I've collated a few of my 2016 diary favourites here, in all shapes and sizes and range from boudoir pink to eye-catching neon orange and seductive dark blooms. With one of these diaries, you need never miss an appointment again.

1. Mi Goals Bianca Cash Pink Hardcover Diary

Sassy and fun, with a little bit of glamour, this Mi Goals diary comes in navy too... but hello pretty pink with rose gold embellishments. I'm not normally a rose gold girl, but that's what a new year is for... to try a new you, and to like new things! (The cool kids at Mi Goals also have a killer range of diaries with sneaky little swear words on them... I'm a fan.)

2. Rifle Paper Co Birch Floral Planner

Draw attention to your big year ahead with this Rifle Paper diary. It will be an eye-catcher on anyone's desk, and you can even match your notebooks and phone cover to this decadent design from Paper Source.

3. Molli & Mimi Diary

You definitely don't need to spend a lot of money get an ontrend planner with clever features, this Molli & Mimi style from Target is just $10 but will keep you as on track as more expensive styles. And I'm a sucker for the nifty elastic band closure, too!

4. Inaluxe Diary (available from Biome Eco Stores)

I adore the bold designs of Inaluxe, and they've backed up the phenomenal success of their calendar last year with this week to a page diary. One for the modern art lovers.

5. J Burrows Neon Orange Diary (available from Officeworks)

Another super bold style, this neon orange PU cover is awesome for those of us who *may* occasionally spill coffee on their diaries and notebooks. Wipe clean? Yes please. It is a classic week to a view, with extra telephone and address pages so it's a one-stop shop. And neon orange. Did I mention that?

6. Jot It Down Diary

Another genius organisational diary, this limited edition beauty features a soft leather cover with gold press stud closure, inspirational quotes at the beginning of each month, monthly planner spreads, tear-out to do list pages and tear-out DIY business card pages. Literally everything you've every wanted in a diary! Blokes will love the sleek style of this one, too.

7. Australian Women’s Health Diary

Always a popular planner with Australian women (and an awesome gift for any mum), this hardcover diary is filled with valuable health information for women of all ages, and more importantly, funds from the sale of this diary supports the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia research programs to help provide a brighter future for women with breast cancer and their families.

8. Lorna Jane MNB Diary

Whatever your goals or intentions are for the New Year, making them happen will require a little bit of soul-searching and a whole lot of planning and the 2015 MNB Diary will help you do just that. I've used the 2014 and 2015 MNB diaries, and am thrilled to see that next year's version is in a classic navy cover, with lots of gorgeous watercolour illustrations inside.

9. Bliss Inventive Daily Dream Creator

My gorgeous gorgeous friend Nikki of Bliss Inventive has really upped the ante on her new Daily Dream Creator. If you need a 2016 diary that can handle your incredibly busy, incredibly creative life (and those lives around you), this is the planner for you. Definitely beautiful enough to leave out on the desk or kitchen table, and portable enough to take everywhere. It’s larger (both wider and taller) than A5 notebooks, but smaller than A4... Nikki planned this so it would fit in most handbags, genius eh?!


How do you like to tackle your new year resolutions? Any hot tips to sticking to them?

Also, I'd like to very briefly say thank you for stopping by my blog this year - thank you and I love you. It's sometimes crazy to me to think that there are people sitting on their couch, on public transport, at their desk or anywhere, reading the words I write. I'm not changing the world, but I'm hopefully making you smile and think good thoughts. Happy 2016, awesome folks.

Comfort and Style: New Year's Eve outfit 2016 - Boohoo Embellished Dress

We're less than a week away from 2016. Let that sink in for a minute or two.

This time around, I have no idea what I'm doing to ring in the New Year - I've had a few pretty good invitations, but I'm working until 5.30pm that day so don't want to travel to Brisbane or the Gold Coast. I will definitely enjoy a few drinks, but where and who with... yet to be decided. If you are having a rip-roaring party in the vicinity of my house (ideally walking distance), maybe I could come to yours, hehe? I'll bring the rosé.

New Year's Eve is nothing if not the night of sparkly, sequined dresses. NYE is the night I dress unashamedly like a fashion magpie. If it’s sparkly, shiny and/or covered in glitz, I’m wearing it. Because if you can’t sparkle like a Dancing with the Stars contestant on the first and last night of the year, when can you?

I've even taken my love of the NYE bling on camping trips - really. One year, we were on Fraser Island for NYE, and while everyone else was in swimmers, tank tops and shorts all day and night, I stepped it up with a black ruffly cotton frock and a giant Swarovski necklace so sparkly that I could signal ships with it. And of course, a glass or three of champagne.

Boohoo Plus Jemma Embellished Dress

This blinged-up embellished chiffon number from Boohoo is going to be the perfect frock for whatever I get up to this year - easily dressed up with nude heels and a muted gold leather clutch, or I could dial it down a little with flat sandals and a crossbody bag to enjoy a more casual night out at a friend's place.

Boohoo Plus Jemma Embellished Dress, Wittner Roco nude heel, Louenhide Mischa gold clutch, Shabby Sisters Gold Pearl Moon earrings, Essie Peach Side Babe polish

Boohoo Plus Jemma Embellished Dress, Wittner Calissa flats, Louenhide Macy coral crossbody bag, Dominique Portet Brut Rosé NV, Essie Cute as a Button polish

What are you doing to welcome 2016? Do you take the opportunity to wear sparkles on special nights like NYE?

Don't forget to sign up to get Katy Potaty via email to go into my December subscriber draw to win a Glasshouse Christmas Cheer candle!

I'm joining in with the Fresh Fashion Forum. Head over and see what all the fashionable folks are wearing these holidays!

Christmas 2015 - time to celebrate!

It's that time again. Time for booze at breakfast (mimosas if you're classy, beer if you're not), and lazing around eating way too much, and most importantly... feeling loved.

Contrary to popular belief and seasonal supermarket ads, Christmas doesn't need to be an enforced long lunch shared with every relative in the country. As someone who comes from a small family (there are four of us in total), I get that sometimes Christmas is a lovely quiet day. In fact, these are my favourite kind of Christmases. So if you're not hosting 18 people around a table with makeshift seating, or going to Great Aunt Edna's family reunion of 75 long-lost cousins, please know that I'm with you in spirit.

Enjoy a day doing what you love, whether that's with many folk or few. Take time to do something nice for others (leaving a few beers out for the garbage man is popular in my street), and take time out to be by yourself or with the very special ones - your partner, your mum, your kids, your pets.

I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas, and thank you for stopping by. I love having you here.



Now for a little festive fun that I hope you get the chance to enjoy over the Christmas weekend...

“The Late Late Show” host James Corden created a little Christmas treat by delivering a Christmas version of his carpool karaoke segment featuring artists Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, One Direction, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Reggie Watts, Jason Derulo and Iggy Azalea.

Re-read that, folks. Yep, I said Stevie Wonder, Carrie Underwood AND Justin Bieber. What more could the discerning Christmas carol viewer want?

The slew of talented singers belt out their version of “Joy to the World” while driving down the sunny streets of LA and it’s awesome. Iggy Azalea even offers up a free-style rap for the tune, but only makes it one line in before bursting out into laughter.

Enjoy, chuckle and sing!

Comfort and Style: Christmas Day outfit - Bella Lido kaftan

Who says you can't be cute and comfy on Christmas Day? Particularly in Australia, where most of us spend some time by a pool or beach, and it's often one of the hottest and muggiest days of the year!

My gorgeous Bella Lido kaftan will be a great Christmas Day outfit for me, the lightweight and super-breathable rayon voile will keep me cool and the coral and red palm print is pretty much my idea of tropical perfection.

I thought I'd style it a couple of ways, to share how easy it is to wear such a simple style that most women only imagine can be worn to and from the beach.

For a casual Christmas Day around the pool at home (or at my folks' place, so there's no cooking/cleanup required), this is great to throw over togs when we're in and out of the water all day long. Add a few chunky bracelets and a gigantic sunhat perfect for napping under, and I'm set. Don't forget flat sandals to show off your Summer pedi!

Bella Lido Ku Pu kaftan*, Finch tankini (awesome for a bugger bust!), Blue Bungalow wide brim hat, Bella Lido bracelets (old - similar here), Holster jelly sandals (old - similar here)

On the other hand, if we were headed out to a restaurant or more formal lunch affair at a relative's place, I'd add a low nude heel and matching clutch, and up the glamour with a little bling - a big ol' dangly Samantha Wills earring would do the trick nicely.

If we were going to a really nice place (I'd class this as somewhere they pull your chair out for you, and where you have a multitude of forks to choose from - I'm classy like that), I'd say wear a slip underneath the kaftan instead of swimwear and add some bright lipstick for a splash more colour. I mean, it's Christmas. Can you ever be too bright at Christmas? I don't think so, Joe.

Bella Lido Ku Pu kaftan*, Billini Perth sandals from The Iconic, Witchery hard-case clutch, Samantha Wills earrings (similar here) and bracelet (similar here)

Now I've already told you this, but if you're a local, you really need to pay attention - Claire of Bella Lido has opened her pop-up shop in Mooloolaba this season and the result is a Summer-lover's dream! Bella Lido is also stocked in lovely boutiques in QLD, NSW and WA, and the online store is full of beautiful styles.

What sort of Christmas day are you having this year - casual or fancy? Do you plan your outfit in advance?

Want to win a Glasshouse Candle? Sure you do, sign up to get Katy Potaty via email and go into my December subscriber draw to win a Glasshouse Christmas Cheer candle!

*gifted items

And of course, I'm joining in today with Kimba of Kimba Likes for Wardrobe Wednesday. Head over and see what all the fashionable folks are wearing for Christmas!