How To Host A Onesie Party

I love to host fancy dress parties but winter doesn't make it easy especially when the weather is against you. Previously I have had my guests rug up like Russian's or float about like Spacemen just to make sure they had enough clothes on. I like my guests having fun not huddled around gas heaters shivering.

This year I have come across a new and brilliant idea for a fancy dress night that is easy, fun and warm. Winter Onesie Land! I'm taking a relaxed approach and here are my special ingredients for a rad night:

The Onesie.
Choose your onesie wisely and make sure its warm. Silly is optional as there are so many styles available! I have a friend who hates dressing up and upon finding out the theme for my party this year went out and immediately bought one. What I have learnt from this is that everyone secretly loves a onesie and all they need is the excuse to buy one. This Tiger onesie from ASOS is extra rad.



Warmth.
Gas heaters are fabulous (and safe) but why not find something more outrageous. I've heard of fire pits that have been made out of washing machine drums.  For my party I'll be pulling out the braziers in the shed but I dream of one day having a fire pit in my back yard. The Fire Pit below is incredibly whimsical and would look wonderful during the day. I really just want it as it reminds me of Bambi.

Drinks.
Now if the weather is too wet to be outside toasting marshmallows around a warm fire then a warm drink for your guests is the next best thing. I like the idea of spiked hot chocolates or even a mulled wine but honestly I can't go past a Hot Toddy. I found a wonderful alternative for a Sweet Tea Hot Toddy on A Beautiful Mess.

I'm so excited I have already started to layer the fairy lights around. I'll have to hold off sprinkling the glitter and laying out the dance rug as I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a clear calm sky.

Yes it is all a bit silly and it is true I am officially hooked on onesies but they are brilliant for any winter party. Twenty-Onesie anyone?

Do you own a Onesie and are you brave enough to wear it out in public?

A New Look For Pineapple Dazzle

“If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.” - Gail Sheehy

Nothing makes a girl feel prettier than a simple quick change. A fresh hair-cut, new lipstick or pair of shoes can do wonders to a girls confidence. A blog doesn't get to be as introspective.  They should always at least try to look their best.

What do you think of Pineapple Dazzle's new look?

Etsy Love

Branching out from my normal posts I thought I'd try to share some of my favourite things found on one of my favourite sites, Etsy.  I'm an avid lover of all things handmade which means no suprises that I love this site. I find the quality of the products available are just second to none.You can literally find anything on this site. Here are some of my latest obsessions this month.

I fell in love with these Arya Earrings by LaurelHill instantly. They reminded me of a lovely pair that I bought whilst travelling in Prague. I lost one of the pair ages ago and have been dreaming of a suitable replacement ever since. These would be do quite nicely.



I cannot take my eyes off these Dinosaur leggings by eatmeclothing. It was really hard to just pick one favourite from this lady her designs are just so fricking cool!



These Washi Tape Bandaids by PrettyStrips are super adorable. As a Skater I find more bruises and grazes on my person than the average accident prone lady. I'd wear these dots and stripes like badges of honor.



Hope you liked some of my finds! xx

Dreaming of Coachella

I adore music festivals. It's not just about the day itself but all of the tingly nervous excitement and preparation for it. I will daydream over the line-up and create mixtapes. I organise a plan of attack to the minute & then on the day let spontaneous insouciance take over. My girlfriend is incredibly organised (and me by default) as she laminates sweat and water proof line-up cards for us. I like to add my own quirk to each festival so I begin my day setting myself a quest. I once travelled to a festival called Sunset Sounds in Brisbane. I noticed at that particular festival there was a high incidence of Wayfarer wearing hipsters. I challenged myself to get as many photos possible of me wearing said hipsters wayfarers with the hipster in the shot. That was a fun festival, and challenge.

Over the years as my means have increased my desire to travel further and visit festivals in other countries has grown. So far some of my dream festivals include:

Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Fujirock in Japan.
South by Southwest in Texas.
Primavera in Barcelona.
Burning Man in Nevada.
Reading & Leeds, in Reading & Leeds.
Glastonbury in Somerset, UK.
Coachella in California.

Sadly of the list, I've visited only one so far. I almost tagged Lollapalooza into my latest travels but my desire to be a Roller Derby girl at Rollercon has taken over and I miss out this year. Coachella has just rolled around again this year and seeing photos of this years festival is making my heart ache.









Gah, next time! I'll have to deal with my FOMO by shutting my eyes blissing out to the below mix of Coachella 2013.

I'm just going to have to find a cool downtown bar in New York this July to get my international live music fix this time around. Any suggestions?



images from Billboard

Feel Good Fridays

I don't know about you but I need a holiday already. Too many wonderful things have been filling my calendar which has made my 4 day work week incredibly tough. I'm planning on leaning back, kicking off my shoes and letting some good vibes wash over me. Enjoy the mix!

Pineapple Dazzle 2 from lanavsmith on 8tracks Radio.

A Personal Challenge

Over the last couple of years my tolerance to running has increased. I cannot say that I particularly enjoy the experience but I tolerate it for its health benefits. The concept of a Fun Run just didn't make any sense to me until now. Who knew that all you needed to make a run truly fun was colour?

Over the Australia Day long weekend I took part in the MS Colour Run. I really gravitated to the event as its focus was about having a good time for a good cause. Completely non competitive there were no time markers and much to my delight no die hard fitness junkies in spandex. The only requirement of you as a participant was to wear white.



We started the run in Darling Harbor among 5,000 other white clad crazies. The crowd was an eclectic bunch. Amongst the families and groups of friends I spotted a man in a wedding dress, coordinated neon accessorised fairies and another fellow who thought he'd brave the course in heels. I really didn't know what to expect when we were finally released at the starting line but everyone was very excited.



Running around the Harbor into a nearby park we came to the first colour station. Volunteers wearing masks & holding water bottles were squirting hot pink dust at runners as they flew by. At the first station they missed my white top entirely. I rectified this at the second station whilst 3 volunteers completely coated me in coloured dust. By the third station,  I was starting to look and feel like a Pro Hart creation. Running across the finishing line I was elated to have completed the run. The moment didn't last long as I was doused in a giant dust cloud of green and gold. Yes this is me, the dust cloud with feet.





I recommend if you want to take part to wear clothes and shoes you don't mind getting stained. Most of the colour will dust off but I noticed the pink and green dust did stain once it got wet. Explaining my strange coloured tan marks whilst on the beach later that day was a little awkward but to me they felt like a badge of honor.







Fear not Australians who are also obsessed with colour you haven't missed out on the fun. The Colour Run is coming to a capital city near you soon. Details here.

Thank you MS Colour Run for the fabulous day. If you would like to donate some money to MS Australia to help people affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) please do so here.

Feel good Fridays

Australia Day is fast upon us. I've devised a sure fire way that you will enjoy at least 33 minutes of the day. Play this mix. It will make you feel good.

Pineapple Dazzle from lanavsmith on 8tracks Radio.

Summer tunes

Summer time for me means riding my bike home at night, playing frisbee in the park, BBQ's at friends houses and turning the music up loud.

What does summer time mean for you? Happy Friday peeps! 

Summer Night 2 from gracekeem on 8tracks Radio.