Happy New Year from Sydney!

Happy New Year from Sydney!


I’m starting 2018 in Australia, having brunch at the Sydney Tower after watching the amazing fireworks over the harbour last night. The place is symbolic, as Aussies are internationally known for their relaxed vibe and this is exactly what I need the coming year to provide. I enjoyed every minute of my hard-core working life in 2017, but there are limits and these limits have been reached.

So I plan to ensure that this year will continue as it started, with good food, reading, moving my body, talking to people I like and enjoying music and art (we’re going to Sydney Opera later today). And blogging! I’ve missed blogging properly and am sincerely looking forward to doing it more regularly and more often in 2018.

Before I tackle the topics I have lined up for the new year, there are still a couple of “Best of 2017” posts I want to tick off. I managed to get the reading wrap-up done, but the skincare top definitely needs to be written (lots to share there) and another one on beauty, style and perfume.

If there’s anything you want me to cover (“best of” or otherwise), feel free to let me know in the comments. You have no idea how much I appreciate you sticking around, despite my infrequent appearances in the last months. So this is the only New Year’s resolution I’m going to make this time: to write more. And in general, to do more of everything I love.

Thank you and see you soon.

7 Comments

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  1. 1
    Tess

    Happy new year! 🙂 I’ve been following your trip to Sydney with interest (it seems likely that we are moving there in a few months and I’ve been keen to see your recommendations) and I hadn’t realised that you’d be seeing the Sydney NYE fireworks! It’s always been on my bucket list to do. Being nosy here, but may I ask what your thoughts about Australia so far have been? I’m always interested in how we live up to international expectations – in my experience, many people think Australia is quite different to how it is and are quite surprised, both in good and bad ways. Enjoy the Opera House and I hope 2018 is off to a good start! 🙂

    • 2
      Ykkinna

      Happy New Year! And apologies for the late response, I just wanted to make sure I have formed a “final” opinion (just got back today). I could have easily replied after the first day in Sydney, though: really liked it then, really liked it when leaving. Maybe because it was holiday season, but it felt very relaxed and chill, as I expected. I found the people to be very friendly and approachable – also something I expected, but not quite to this extent, especially in Sydney. I loved how the sea and the beaches were an integral part of the city and people’s lives. I was of course intellectually aware of the fact, it’s just a different matter to experience it first hand. Another thing I didn’t entirely appreciate before visiting is the size of the country. Again, of course I knew Australia was big, it’s just difficult to imagine in Estonia or Belgium. I also realise I only spent time in one city, but the scale is somehow always present.

  2. 3
    Frances

    Welcome to Downunder! Hope you find the looooooooonnnnnnggggg flights are worth it.

    I always enjoy your posts on all topics, and I haven’t forgotten that at some point last year (I don’t think you were so busy at the time), you offered a tour of your wardrobe. If you have the time and inclination, I’d love you to follow that up. For the rest, though, whatever takes your very eclectic fancy is good with me. It always makes an excellent read, no matter what the topic.

    • 4
      Ykkinna

      Thank you! The flights have definitely been worth it, Australia is exactly what I needed – warm, relaxed, fun. And I haven’t forgotten my promise regarding the wardrobe post, I will do it, but I need to take a good look at it first – I haven’t had time to organise it for months. Happy New Year!

  3. 5
    Eliza

    Happy New Year dear Annikky! I know you didn’t give many details about your job last year, but I found the glimpses of it very interesting, plus I LOVED your recent all-red outfit with European flags for accessories 🙂 I find it very hard to imagine being willing or able to live such an all-absorbing work-life, for various reasons, so it has been interesting to reflect upon that in relation to my own job – perhaps I could be more engaged and ambitious this year. Now, to blogging: I second the request for a tour of your wardrobe (and your bookshelves, and perfume drawer, and concert halls) but what about coats or boots as a life-in-a-cold-climate outerwear post? They are necessary workhorses but necessity can dull inspiration in terms of shape or colour. There was a particular pair of musketeer boots on your instagram page a while ago that I have been hoping for more details of…

    • 6
      Ykkinna

      Dear Eliza, all carefully noted. I’ll see, I might reflect on work at some point, although it’s a bit trickier than other topics. Also, thank you so much for the lovely package! I will write a proper e-mail, but wanted to thank you publicly as well 🙂

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