Hello and Welcome to Part 8 of News, Views, and Useful Shenanigans, a journal type post in true blue blogging tradition. Each week I hope you’ll enjoy a slice of WA life, fabulous new products, and a little fashion inspiration.
This Month’s Shenanigans
Easter’s come and gone, so too Anzac Day in Australia, and now I’m in England it’s the May long weekend here. Ah, solemnity and joy, along with thanks and remembrance have been my overarching thoughts over the last few weeks on my morning walks.
I hope you all enjoyed an Easter break with family and loved ones and feel renewed for the remainder of the year. Gosh, Christmas will be upon us all soon.
Outfit of The Day #OOTD
We spent a morning in beautiful Geographe Bay taking photos for today’s Outfit of The Day. I like to think this look is ‘travel weekend’ goes a little upmarket. Black can be so classy. You might like to add a cream or ivory scarf to this get up, or add a sparkly necklace and this look would take you through a day of sightseeing, to a restaurant dinner.
- The slinky top with sparkly detail is by Yesadress * I’m wearing a Size 10.
- The Bengaline Pants* are a staple in my wardrobe this year and I have them in black, white and navy blue. I’m wearing Size 10.
- Ankle Boots * by FRANKiE4 are always in my suitcase or on my feet.
- Christin Crossbody * bag in charcoal by Travel & Living Collection is soft, luxe and practical too..
New season styles from Vivid International are full of warm autumn colours, along with a gorgeous shade of blue and some mottled grey too. As usual I’m loving the mix ‘n match garments, and if you’re a woman over the age of 50 I think you will particularly enjoy wearing these easy styles too.
The Bircher Bar
I love love love a healthy breakfast. to tell you the truth I’m normally a porridge girl, but I do enjoy a good muesli.
The Bircher Bar is crunchy, fresh and wholesome and is better than anything you could make at home, and far less time consuming.
Inspired by a passion to create delicious, healthy & unique products from all-natural ingredients, The Bircher Bar was first launched in 2014 as a market stall in the Northern Rivers of NSW.
The Bircher Bar is actually the brainchild of Darcy & Scotty. Two guys passionate about amazing food, great people and good times!
They produce a scrummy range of All-Natural, Hand-Made and Small-Batch Artisan Breakfast Blends *
My fave is the rich and earthy blend called the Energy Mix. It’s also suitable for gluten-free, low-sugar & paleo eating. With a select blend of spices, seeds, nuts & dates I love it.
Hand-packaged in sustainable satchels, the Bircher Bar mueslis are all-natural, low sugar, fibre-rich & nutrient dense. Pretty perfect way to start your morning!
Check out and buy online their specialty Latte brands too : Spiced Beetroot, Golden Latte, Spiced Matcha Mix and Chai Latte to name a few. And also their great recipes on The Bircher Bar website.
Extreme Exmouth
As most of you know I’m always banging on about getting out and about, being active and discovering new places – your backyard included. It’s something we love to do, and a recent trip to Exmouth in Western Australia ticked all the boxes – discovery, adventure and getting out in the open.
Close to Exmouth is Australia’s lesser known reef – Ningaloo – most people have heard of The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, but in WA we have a huge reef just off the mid-north west coast, where in some places you can swim straight off the beach and snorkel over healthy coral to your heart’s content.
Of course it’s the whale sharks that are the main attraction (in season). Our grown up kids really did have a whale of a time swimming and snorkelling with them.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this gallery of photos showing a little insight into the beautiful scenes around Western Australia.
The best photos were taken by my talented photographer son, Sam Castro. (You’ll soon see which ones I mean!) Check out Sam’s site, and his reasonable packages, especially if you need a wedding videographer or drone photography for your next project. Sam Castro Media.
Yay to Sunsets! Wearing a simple Portobello sundress by Vivid Internationl * 
I adore this Sequins & Sand
swimsuit * with full length sleeves and a zip up front
If you’re looking for a great swimsuit and need one for a beach holiday – check out this post: The Best Swimsuits for older women.
Photo by Sam Castro Media of lovely Casey at Sunset, Turqoise Bay.
That’s all the news, views and useful shenanigans for this week. I hope you’ve found something interesting to inspire you. Perhaps I’ll find you one day wearing Vivid International clothes, eating Bircher Bar muesli, on a beautiful beach near Exmouth! Who knows!
Until next time – Cheers!
And Big Hugs,
Disclaimer : Products marked with an * were gifted.
Arcopedico and Outfit of The Day. Happy Walking!
What GORGEOUS photos! And I love the black outfit … you just can’t go wrong with it, ever. And it’s the perfect outfit to dress up or down with a quick change of accessories.
BTW … Was that your husband perched on the rock? SO scary!!!
Hi Camille, thank you 🙂 Yep, that was he himself and I was actually yelling at him to get off get off as I snapped the photo!
I love Sam’s Turqoise Bay photos. It’s lovely seeing our kids grow up and achieve excellence isn’t it?
Thanks Jan, yes it is such a pleasure and honour watching what paths they take and then excel in the things they choose to do.
Always love seeing what you’re up to Jo! Nice suggestions and great photography!! Hope all is well in UK. #mlstl
Hi Debbie, Thank you so much 🙂 Yes, as well as can be expected 🙂
Hi Jo you are looking great and so fit. Love the photo of you at Cape Range National Park. I’m also a huge fan of Bircher Muesli and it is one of my favourite breakfasts. The sunsets in WA are stunning and I would love to visit the West one day – it’s on my list! Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL and have a lovely week. xx
Thanks Sue 🙂 The walk in the Cape Range National Park was quite a trek in the end – but such a beautiful and extraordinary walk. There I was thinking Bircher Muesli had been discovered by me! (Joking!) Isn’t it delish? I’m hooked. Yep, our sunsets are stunning, so too most of our amazing state. I hope we can lure you over one of these days. Have lovely week too.
You’re looking so trim and terrific Jo! Love the black outfit and the others as well. Fantastic photography by your son (really love the drone shot) and by yourself as well! That shot of your husband precariously perched on the edge of a cliff makes me so nervous! Aagh!
Hi Min, Thank you so much 🙂 Yes some proud Mumma moments with Sam’s photography, and I know – naughty Dave. I couldn’t get him off that rock quick enough!
Wonderful photos Jo – you’ve certainly covered some ground in the last month or so! I hope England is going well and I’m glad you have lovely weather (and a new Royal baby) to enjoy. Now I’m not working we should catch up for a coffee when you return x
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Hi Leanne, thank you. Yes England is going as well as can be expected – happy, sad, confusing, beautiful, and today overcast and rainy! Let’s catch up soon when I’m back x
Hi, Jo – I second Theresa’s comment about your gorgeous photos. Richard and I will be in England (and Italy) next month and will hike from Lucca to Rome. So, I especially enjoyed your “out and about” section of this post. I love following your adventures. Wishing you a wonderful time in England. #MLSTL
Hi Donna, thank you 🙂 Oh how gorgeous to be hiking from Lucca to Rome. I would love to see more of Italy too. I hope you and Richard have a wonderful holiday and enjoy England and Italy.
Jo, your photos are truly stunning. I’m fascinated with Australia, and it’s amazing the different terrains you have showcased! Looks like you are enjoying life!
Hi Theresa, Thank you! I think the ‘truly stunning’ photos were probably taken by my much more talented son 😉 Yes, absolutely enjoying life, and I hope you are too x