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Here are five ideas for things to do over the September holidays in and around Brisbane, ranging from free to $100. There are plenty of things to do.

~ A little crafty and wanting to delve into the world of Steampunk?

1. Steampunk Scrap Jewellery

Create your own wearable steampunk art and stun the brass goggles off your mates. 12 – 17 years.

Dates / Times

Redcliffe Library, 26 September 2012, 11.00am – 12.30pm

Deception Bay Library, 26 September 2012, 2.00pm – 3.30pm

Caboolture Library, 27 September 2012, 10.00am – 11.30am

Strathpine Library, 27 September 2012, 2.00pm – 3.30pm

Cost Free/ Bookings for this event are required.

Contact Your local library to book libraries@moretonbay.qld.gov.au

~ Wanna learn about special effects make up? Head to Marsden Library (and others in the Logan Shire)

2. Zombie Apocalypse – blending in

Who says Zombies don’t care about the way they look!!

Participants are introduced to a variety of products including fake blood, pus, theatre wax and gelskin which will be used to create the Zombie look. Bring your camera!

Age Group(s): Young Adults

Date: 4/10/2012

Start Time: 4:30 PM

End Time: 5:30 PM

Where:Marsden Library 35 Chambers Flat Road Marsden 4132

Location: Meeting Room 1

Registration Ends: 4/10/2012 at 4:00 PM

Contact: jo beazley

Contact Number: 0411 421087

Presenter: Cathy Booth

For More Information: http://loganlibraries.org/events_calendar

~ For the history buff…

3. Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb

See my blog for a write up https://www.burnbright.com.au/by-the-bel-whoa-mummy/

When – until October 21st

Where – Queensland Museum, South Bank

For more information – http://www.mummy.qm.qld.gov.au/

~ Looking to maybe pick the brains of a well-known Aussie author, or maybe buy a Christmas gift or two, (nothing like a signed book to make someone very happy)…

4. Meet Di Morrissey

Join one of Australia’s most successful and popular authors for an exclusive evening conversation.

Di Morrissey will discuss her new book, The Golden Land, a story built upon classic themes in a modern Australian dimension. It powerfully brings together tragedy and trauma on public and personal scales.

With over 20 years in publishing and already 20 books to her name, Di will share her experiences in writing and research.

Books will be available for purchase on the night from Dymocks Brisbane.

WHEN Friday, October 26, 2012, 5:30 – 8pm

VENUE Brisbane Square Library

VENUE ADDRESS 266 George St, Brisbane

BOOKINGS Required. Please phone (07) 3403 8888 to reserve your place.

COST Free.

~ For the flexible and fit, here’s a great workshop being taught by a friend of mine…

5. TUMBLING

(Adults 15+)  Learn how to tumble with the first ever Australian male to compete a triple back somersault in competition at 19!

Taught by Mark McLauchlan, a State and National Champion and member of the Australian Trampoline and Tumbling team. Mark has workedinternationally with Cirque Du Soleil, his specialties including tumbling, trampoline, hoop diving, bungee and Russian bar.

Who Adults (15+)

When Thursday 27th September 6:00 – 9:00pm

Where Circa Studio, Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts 420 Brunswick Street (Level 3)

Cost $100

Bookings – info@circa.org.au | 3852 3110

Website – http://www.circa.org.au/training-center/about/special-programs

If none of this suits you, then there is always a good book to read at your local library.

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I know for some grade 12 students, school formal or prom has already happened, or you have it all stitched up. But for the late comers already in grade 12, or this year’s grade 11 students, now is the time to begin planning for your formal.

There are a few tips to getting the cost of this event down to a level most parents will be happy about.

Let’s look at 5 of the big money traps.

Car hire – As with weddings, saying the words school formal, can have some of the less respectable companies adding an extra cost on top of the usual fee of renting a limo. When hiring the limo keep close watch on how things are handled, maybe even have your parents ring up after you with their own rental enquiry to make sure you’re not getting ripped off. ALSO try and get as many people into that limo as it will hold, so the cost is split amongst you all. The more the merrier.

Tux Hire versus buying a nice suit – PLEASE check with your date as to how formal he/she would like you to be, and shop around a little. Sometimes buying a nice suit you can wear more than once can be more cost effective than hiring a tux. Also check how much more is added to the rental fee if you add extras like top hats, cummerbunds and cravats.  Keep in mind it is also cheaper to borrow from a family member or a friend. Don’t forget to pay for cleaning the tux, or suit if you borrow it. It’s only fair.

Hair and makeup – Do your research girls. Know what kind of hair style you want, and perhaps bring magazine clippings or photos along to give the hairdresser a really god idea of what you would like her to do. Some hair dressers have packages on offer including hair, makeup and sometimes even nails. Some even throw in a trial. Some may even come to your home. Be sure to check and ensure these packages are cost effective, and are going to suit your budget as well as your sense of style.

Corsages and buttonholes – I am a HUGE advocate of the artificial flower movement. If you look hard enough you can find almost any type of blooms and they’re extremely realistic in appearance. Not to mention they won’t wilt or be out of season when you want them the most. As an added bonus they’re usually cheaper than the real thing. There are some brilliant tutorials on how to create your own corsages and buttonhole arrangements on youtube. Here’s a simple but beautiful one by Waterdeep2012:

Now onto the big cost… The dress. There are many ways to save money on the dress.

Ebay. I think you would be taking the biggest gamble with buying your dresses from ebay. Not only could they be late on arrival, but they are not always of the best quality or exactly as they are depicted in the photos. However the prices are AMAZING if you’re lucky enough to get a good ebay seller.

Second hand stores or factory seconds. Op shops can sometimes be a mine of hidden treasures when it comes to formal wear. Factory seconds aren’t usually dramatically flawed. Sometimes it’s just a makeup stain or a slight discolouration in the fabric. These can be covered with beading, a strategically placed corsage or dry cleaning, even re dying the fabric.

Have your dress made by a dress maker. Those huge pattern books in spotlight are a brilliant source for formal wear patterns. You can usually pick one up for under $20 and if you supply your own fabric as well, this will keep the cost down even further with the dress maker. (Just be sure to get the recommended fabric type as stated on the back of the pattern) The added bonus here is, you probably won’t have anyone turn up with the same dress as you’re in, and, it will fit you far better than those you would be getting off the rack. If your budget allows, and your dress maker offers it, you could also add beading and other individual touches to really set yourself up as the best dressed lady in the room.

Have fun everyone!

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Welcome to another Life with Lisa!!!

Even though I haven’t been busy, life itself has been pretty crazy! I would say I can’t believe I’m already a senior in high school, but I’m not, because I can believe it! Don’t get me wrong, I love going to school, I love high school, I enjoy learning, meeting new people, going to sports and other school events. But on the other hand, I want to get out in the world, and do something productive. I’m tired of sitting in classrooms for eight hours, five days out of seven, and waiting around for someone to teach me something I don’t already know.

So for the question, “Am I excited to become a senior?” Yes and no.

Yes because…

..I decided to do an entire wardrobe change. I felt that since I’m turning 18 soon, I should be dressing more mature. Instead of just throwing on something in the morning when I’m half asleep and not even sure if whatever I’m wearing matches, I should pack my school bag, and layout the clothes I plan on wearing the night before.

..I purchased my own agenda, to keep myself organized. My school actually hands them out for free on the first day of school, but usually their too small, and I just tend give up in squeezing my homework for eight classes in a two by four inch square.

..Instead of taking a lot of Advance Placement classes, I’m only taking one, and taking more educational but fun classes, such as Astronomy, Marine Biology, Creative Writing and Writing for College!

..New classes means meeting new people, and I love doing that!

..I enjoy going to school events, and cheering on my friends.

No because…

… I’m retaking both the SAT and ACT, just to see if I could get higher scores, which means study study study!

… I need to finally decide on what I want to do later in life, and I don’t really know yet! (I was thinking elementary school math teacher?)

… Projects!!

Even though I’m not as excited as many of my fellow classmates, I can’t wait to see what good times, and challenges senior year will bring me!

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The gift of gifting

It’s the father’s day – birthday lead up into Christmas for my family which means one thing… gifts.

*If you’re family, reading this, and you get any of these gifts, do me a favour and act surprised. Okay?*

The one thing I always try to keep in mind when buying or making gifts for the people I love is the one question you all should ask yourselves when procuring gifts. ‘Would I like to receive this?’ If the answer is no, you’re either not thinking hard enough, or would rather not be buying a gift for this person… in that case, gift vouchers are the way to go.

ANYWAY!

The easiest place to start is to think of the things the person/ people like.

Couples quite often have a common favourite movie. The gifts I am really wishing someone would buy my hubby and I, are matching Princess Bride t-shirts. One says “Get Back Witch!”, while the other says “I’m Not a Witch, I’m your Wife!” See? Classic.

For the wordy types you can’t go past a great blank journal and a pen. Café Press is brilliant for most print based products.

For the coffee or tea addict (there’s more than one in every family) You could try Zazzle. This link happens to take you to a familiar design. *wink*

If you’re not into online purchasing and have a teeny budget (like me), you can look to $2 shops and craft stores to create some fabulous personalized gifts. I have 2 tutorials on making nice hair combs that are really budget friendly and easy to make on Marianne’s YouTube channel.

Another idea is also taking a simple hessian or calico bag, decorating it with things that speak volumes about the person you’re making it for.

For a book worm, you could use an iron on transfer and a printer to put the cover of their favourite book on the side of the bag. Or for angst filled cousins you could try to find punk themed badges and use different coloured sharpies to graffiti over the fabric.

If you do happen to go the gift voucher route, you can try jazzing up the gift giving process by making a groovy card. I hope to make more card tutorials in the future.

However you want to cut it, gift giving doesn’t have to be a pain in the butt, you just need to plan ahead a little.

My fail safe gift, no matter what, if I am truly stuck, is a calendar. 2013 calendars are starting to trickle in already. For a nice touch try personalizing it at your local photo printing kiosk.

Instead of pulling your hair out, keep in mind… Today is a gift, enjoy it!

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