Future Conversations with the Monkey Monkey

I was thinking this morning about being a teenager and a young adult and all the 'life experiences' I had through this time....possibly brought on by Mrs Woog's posts and blog about alcoholic beverages of choice in your teens.....sub zeros, Bombora and Wipeout all got a mention and got me all nostalgic for my 'escapades' as a 15-18 year old.

But it also got me thinking about all the other things I did when I was a little bit younger: things I was glad I had done, things that may not have been fun at the time but taught me something, gave me some understanding for a different life or a different world, or just plain taught me the things I should avoid at all costs in the future.

And THAT got me thinking about the type of advice I might give my own kids one day.....in particular, one little boy who is currently rolling around in my tummy weighing about 600grams....

So, in no particular order, these are a few things I would suggest/encourage the 'Monkey Monkey' (as he is affectionately known) to do at some point....well, maybe some of them I might not suggest or encourage but just hope he gets the experience without me having to know about it.....

* Live in a Share House. There are so many good things about this and a few bad things but you learn a lot about yourself and about living with others that you dont nessecarily learn when you live at home. And you can make some amazing friends if you choose to live with people you havent met before.

* Work in Customer Service. Retail, Hospitality, Call Centres, these can be Hell to work in, but working in them can give you an appreciation of why store clerks are so moody sometimes, and also of when you know someone is doing everything they can to help you but just.cant. AND you can then rule it out as a career choice (if of course, you want to rule it out!)

* Experience a Relationship Breakup. Relationship breakups are hell and they suck and can be really horrible, but again you learn a lot about yourself and often about the person you are breaking up with. That might mean you realise you are meant to be together, or maybe not. Usually not. And you can learn how strong you really are and also how many people care about you and are there when you can't get yourself up on your own.

* Get so drunk that you never, EVER want to drink again. For some people that might mean having 4 West Coast Coolers, dancing on a table and showing your knickers to strangers, for others that might mean drinking so much you end up in hospital with liver damage. Hopefully it doesnt come to that. Either way, its about learning your limits.

* Go on an overseas holiday WITHOUT your family. Our little monkey will have ample chance to travel overseas with us, since half his family live in the UK! But travelling with friends or a partner is a totally different experience. And travelling in general is definitely going to be encouraged in our house!

When I posed this question on facebook, travel came up a few times (including via student exchange, something I wish I had done myself!) but a few more general comments came up as well.

My gorgeous friend Candice at Measuring Out My Life With Coffee Spoons made the comment:

"I always come back to advice about making decisions that are right for you rather than what other people says is right for you. And about making your own mistakes."

I think this sums up a huge part of what I want for my little monkey. To make his own mistakes and not to regret them, to learn from them and move on. And for him to take any opportunities that he wants to take and to do so with gusto.

What experiences would you want your kids to go through, to shape the people they become? What experiences that you had as a teen and young adult do you think shaped you as a person? And is there anything you wish you'd done that you chose not to or never got the chance to do?

(Mine is going to Japan to teach English - I had the opportunity but my boyfriend at the time didn't get accepted so I didnt go without him. But even with that I can't regret it as I may not have moved to Sydney and met the Englishman later on.......)

Signature Outfit - Winter

Yesterday, I read this post by Mrs Woog. Her innate sense of style inspired me to share my own Signature outfit.

My outfit is a winter outfit only, although parts of it can be worn in the transitional seasons also. It is a fairly new outfit (2010-2012) but this is because previously, I did not have an outfit for the occaision of "not leaving the house today/now I'm home". And THIS is because previously, I simply wore my pyjamas during these periods of time - Satin pjs are the most comfortable piece of clothing on the planet as far as I am concerned!

Ongoing requests that I not put my pj's on as soon as I get home from my Englishman have created a gap in my wardrobe which I have filled over the past 2 winters, and this is the result:

FIRST - THE UNDERLAYER.

I like my clothes to match so imagine my delight when I came across this wonderful ensemble! Wildcats indeed. It had been quite a few years since I owned a tracksuit (don't ask me why, I really don't understand it myself) and this was the perfect pair to re-introduce myself to the wonders of fleece and hoods.
This was purchased about 2 years ago while living in our previous unit - top floor with lots of windows and air con that would trip the circuit, requiring a phone call to Energy Australia to get into the room downstairs and flick a switch. Hence, the need for warmth, comfort and something that doesnt quite look like pyjamas.
When its really cold, I add a singlet a la Supre or a grey 'Cheetahs' tshirt to this outfit, which fits with the underlayer theme of 'slightly feminine sounding animals as mascots for ficticious sporting teams'.

NEXT - FOOT UNDERLAYER
In keeping again with the feline theme, these little beauties were shipped back from the UK in my last visit to the 'Motherland' (thankyou, TopShop). In fact, they were replacements for the previous pack of 3 bought a few years prior which are still in rotation but looking a bit sad.
Really, how can you resist thick, warm socks with Hello Kitty all over them? The colours aren't a great match for the tracksuit (Blue, Brown or Blue-and-white) but hey, you can't have everything, right?

FINALLY - THE OUTERLAYER and FOOTWEAR

These are only a recent purchase and one that I am thoroughly pleased with. I believe I have many, many years of comfort ahead of me!
This particular set may still be available at your local shop that starts with a big 'K' and includes pyjamas (tshirt and long pants) which don't feature here because frankly, my tracksuit from the shop with the bit red spot is MUCH better.
As I mentioned before, I like my clothes to match. And while my Underlayer doesnt match the Outerlayer, I'm still very happy. Purple being my favourite colour, I'm even more pleased!
Did you notice this dressing gown, like the underlayer, also has a hood? Double warmth for the head if I need to duck outside for some reason. The minky softness of this layer is its biggest drawcard, and the slipper/bedsocks even have grip on the base!
It is also important to note that a dressing gown is adjustable in size, and as I am currently looking like this:

 and still 3 months to go! Adjustability is important.

I will lament the day my Wildcats Hoodie no longer stretches over my bulbous stomach - not quite sure how I will replace this important piece without throwing the balance of the outfit off altogether.....

What is your signature outfit? Blog about it and link to me (or Mrs Woog) or just comment and let me know!