Falling for Fitz

We all know I'm a sucker for good eats and all of Melbourne delivers in that department, but Fitzroy (a suburb just outside the skyscrapers of the city) brings a little more spunky flavor with it. It's basically the hipster capitol of Melbourne and...I'm not complaining.Lunch at Grace's with my Aussie babes, Bree & Ellen.

Melb is spilling over with the cutest op-shops around. 

Fitzroy in its colors, grunge & glory.

I've had moments where I wonder what the devil I'm doing across the globe in "Straya", but then I think of all the beauty found in the people I've met and the confusion seems to dissipate a little. 

Great Ocean Road

Life is straight up bizarre (in the best way). For example, I met the two lovelies on the right (Chloe and Charlotte) on the internet and a few days later we were adventuring together. Maddie girl (the beaut on the left) and I connected through church. One of the best benefits of traveling would have to be al the amazing humans I meet. There's something about getting out of my element that causes me to reach out in ways I normally never would.  

Aireys Inlet-Split point light house. B.E.A.utiful if you ask me.

Crappy picture, but ey check out that Koala! Spotted this little bean and two others getting their chill on way up in the trees. 

Kangas! If you look closely you can count out 8. Spotting a kanga was on my Aussie bucket list and not only did I see this field of them, but I had 3 run directly in front of my car as we made our way down the Great Ocean Road. They are massive!

I get it. I'm usually pretty skeptical when people hype things up, but YOU GUYS. The Great Apostles are totally and completely drop dead gorgeous. No joke. We woke up at the frigid crack of dawn to see these beauties as the sun rose and I don't regret one minute of lost sleep. As I watched massive salt water rolls swell so effortlessly, crash down and gently kiss the grainy sand I felt a wave (pun intended) of gratitude for this giant playground God gave me and you. I couldn't help but feel like my face flashed through his mind when he created it all and knew I would love it. It's slow moments like this when I know he is so very aware of little old me (and you).

I'm only mildly obsessed with chips...and ice cream. Bless my heart. 

Destination: Great Ocean Road, Victoria 

The official start to the Great Ocean Road is about 90 minutes from Melbourne. 

Happenings: Driving...OH MY LANTA that's beautiful. Let's pull over immediately and take a million pictures that won't possibly do it justice. Camping, snacking, good looking surfer spotting, etc. 

Must sees/ dos: Torquay is the official start of the GOR and it was...alright, but Bells Beach takes the cake between the two. With larger than life waves at the bottom of a slightly secluded drop-off, I'm declaring it home of the surfer scene. 

Lorne is also a mandatory pit stop for a few reasons. Food is never a priority for me, (wink wink) but I was really digging the fish and chips + ice cream combo I downed right there on beach. Besides the food, there is an awesome waterfall (pictured above), some quaint boutiques and a pretty picturesque pier to get your beachy feels in. Also, not to be forgotten are the uniquely Aussie animals (pictured above) spotted in Lorne.

Split Point Light House provides a pretty great view while you stretch your legs if you ask me, but in all honesty The Great Apostles steal the show. The proof is in the pictures.

Food: Salty Dog Fish and Chippery, Mexican Republic and almond butter/banana sandwiches courtesy of yours truly. 

P.S. A mention of gratitude to my travel mates Maddie, Chloe and Charlotte. You are the real mvp's for letting me take 92,149,649 photos and being great road trip conversationalists. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Yogamona

I've always loved getting my sweat on and exploring new ways to push my physical limits. For me, overcoming physical barriers is such a mentally cleansing act. It's a way for me to overcome my biggest critic, myself. No, I don't consider myself an authority on exercise, but I do make a conscious effort to get up and get physical as much as possible. I came across a quote a while ago that really gets me and explains what I mean when I say exercise (in any form) is a "mentally cleansing act".

“Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired... You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going.” -George S. Patton

That being said, it's usually never easy for me to overcome my body and be excited to roll out of bed or put down the donut for a workout. One thing that makes it just a tid bit easier is finding cute/comfortable clothes to workout in. Let's be honest, there have been a few times where rocking a new pair of workout leggings are the only motivation I can muster to get going and get sweaty. Big thanks to Yogamona for helping me out in this department. These leggings are literally the most comfortable thing I own and they meet all my needs on my yoga pant agenda. They are the perfect thickness, they sit high on my hips (so you don't have to worry about giving everyone at the gym a peep show) and they stretch to fit my long legs. I also love the tank for it's softness and flattering cut (which also covers my bum). Have a great day doing your thing. And while you're doing your thing, head on over to Yogamona  and check out these threads for yourself!

Threads: Yogamona

Yoga pants: Dharma Bums in Black Paisley 

Tank: Be Love Shirt Tail Tank  

Photography: Carly Chartres