Last night, for the first time in more months than I care to count, I went out. Miss M stayed with Michael, and I headed off with James to our cousin Dan’s birthday party at a restaurant in St Kilda. We’d been expecting a big affair, with Dan’s sisters and parents, but were quite flattered to find we were two of only ten attendees. It’s funny, because we haven’t seen Dan a lot since we were kids, but have heaps in common - especially when we’re drinking alcohol.

I don’t know if it’s watching so many episodes of Sex and the City where the characters talk rapturously about New York, but as I was coming home in a cab, I was really struck by how gorgeous Melbourne is. It was drizzling, so everything was covered in a slightly misty haze, but the waterfront, the lights of the MCG, the seediness of Swan Street - it’s all beautiful. Coloured lights on the car rental place at Richmond station - gorgeous. The subtle lighting at Miss M’s school, highlighted by soft rain - spectacular.

I had the sweetest cab driver who stopped the meter at eighteen dollars. I think he felt it was more than a girl should pay for a fare, and even argued with me when I tried to give him a tip. I won in the end though.

So my evening out was over just after 10pm. Because my inner workings are tuned to nanna time, that’s pretty much perfect in my book. Sadly I have to trade Miss M for a sleep in - and as tragic as it sounds, I’d take her over sleep any day. I guess that’s why it’s months since I’ve been out …

Today I’m loving: my red trenchcoat