About Me

Hi there!!!

Thank you so much for visiting my page!! 

I hope that by the time you scroll through my webpage you at least have had a smile on your face from something in this crazy blog life of mine! I am literally winging it so wish me luck!! 

So where to begin.... Oh! You are probably wondering who the hell I am right?! Natural question! So let me introduce myself.... My name is Mandy (aka Koukla, Mum, Mandz, ShitLips and Yineka)!!

I am 51 years of age (how the hell did that happen?!) living in Adelaide, South Australia, married to my Greek (Aussie born - but Greek nonetheless if you know what I mean) hubby, Ange (18 years married, 20 together), and we have three gorgeous children, aged 30, 18 and 16. I am also a pet Mum to my two little shadows... Sphynx cats (aged 5) - Minnie and Maisy. You know the naked ones with no hair! Very cool!!! Our 18 year old is also autistic so life throws a lot of curve balls but it is our "norm",

I work full-time in the field of law and have done so pretty much for the entire time since I first started working in a law firm when I was 16. I have also had a Virtual Assistant business specialising in medical and legal transcription services which I undertook for 10 years. But I am now working as a Paralegal exclusively in Family Law which is where my heart lies as I can help people in difficult and stressful situations and feel as though I am contributing something good in the world. 

Currently, hubby and I are building our first home together - something we never thought possible, but here we are waiting, waiting and waiting. There are loads of delays currently in the construction industry and all you can do is wait. But I cannot wait to share our journey with you around this too as time goes on. A good excuse for a bit of retail therapy I think to get the house looking smick!! I mean let's face it, retail therapy is good for the soul right?! haha <looks at hubby>

Anyway, this blog came about because it has always been my dream for as long as I can remember to write a novel, but well life got in the way so the next best thing is to BLOG my life away!!!  I still honestly cannot believe I am doing this... I am actually quite shy when it comes to videos and it is actually quite rare that you will even see me in a pic!!! (seriously!). But I am leaving all that behind and embracing all my insecurities HEAD ON.... <gulp>

I have been fortunate to travel a lot in my lifetime, cherish all those around me, love with all heart and wear it on my sleeve (sometimes to my own detriment!) and feel that I have a lot to share. I am no expert in ANY field - that's my subtle disclaimer btw!! haha. If you don't like what I write, that is totally okay... just quietly scroll on by ♡♡ 

Some topics that may come up during the course of "my blog" include (and in no particular order): Mum life, frugal living, travel, cooking, cruising, reading, music, kids, Sphynx cats, living with autism in the family, photography, building a new home (learning patience here!) and living authentically (one of my core principles) - basically anything goes!! ♡  I have also been told I am the "Queen of bulk cooking on a budget", and can whip up a 3 course meal in the space of less than an hour... true story - ask my hubby!! So watch this space!!! 

So how did I come up with the name "Live. Love. Travel. Dream.". So glad you asked! It is the principles that I try and encompass. I want to LIVE my life as authentically as possible and somehow make a difference, I LOVE with all my heart and my heart lives on my sleeve. TRAVEL is my passion not only to meet amazing people but also embrace and learn all cultures. I am a big DREAMer and always try to work hard to make those dreams become a reality (seriously!). 

My favourite saying of all time is... "In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities", and for me this is what I aspire to in all aspects of my life where permitted. 

Thank you so much for being part of this journey. There are plenty of ways that I hope you can become involved and over time I will evolve this blog too, particularly given I am learning everything - like how to do a video that is worth watching on this platform (and other platforms!! haha - my age is showing!!!!). Your input is ALWAYS welcome and I encourage you to make friends, spread love and just be your authentic self ♡♡

Anyway, you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest - although I confess that I am still learning these platforms too - everything is a Work-In-Progress, but that's kind of what life is like right?! 

Wherever you are reading this from, stay safe, Live, Love, Travel and Dream whenever and wherever you can. 

Love to you all ♡♡

Mandy