Cute When Frustrated

Melbourne Bayside, 7pm

2012-02-01T16:38:00.000+11:00

Let’s talk about grief. It’s a hell of a sentiment: all-consuming, unpredictable, distracting and downright exhausting. It’s never the same. It can set in early or late, be felt all the time or ebb and flow, it can be a gentle sadness or a violent despair.

You find yourself coming up out of it sometimes and look to do something fun and familiar (like take a photo and blog about it), and then grief pops up and you feel like maybe it’s not yet the right time to be frivolous.

The truth is there is no right time – maybe now is the right time because I’m here writing this, but who knows if I’ll be back tomorrow? (I hope so.)

Happy new blah...

2012-01-12T16:07:00.000+11:00

Well, my new year was ushered in with the very bad news that one of my uncles had passed away so it was definitely Happy New Blah for me.

He introduced me to Led Zeppelin and I still have his vinyl collection of their records, even though I haven't had a turntable for almost 15 years. For some reason, I never gave them back and now I know why.

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.
And she's buying the stairway to heaven.

Led Zeppelin, 'Stairway to Heaven', Led Zeppelin IV 1971

Christmas baking 2011

2011-12-22T17:08:00.000+11:00

In what is no doubt welcome news for my friends, my Christmas-related baking endeavours this year were much more successful (i.e. less salty) than last year.

First up were the Martha Stewart chocolate sugar cookies, which were easy to make except for the part where I decided to use a reindeer cookie cutter that is possibly the most intricate cookie cutter on the face of the earth. Also not helping the situation was the fact that I waited for a hot day to make cookies that are essentially 50% butter, so I could scarcely get three freaking reindeers out of a piece of dough before it was so soft it clogged the cutter. They're cute but fussy and not the most practical Christmas undertaking when you live in the southern hemisphere.

Can you see my iPad on my kitchen bench? It's one of the best kitchen accessories ever, especially when combined with the Paprika recipe app. It's exactly like my old folder full of magazine recipe tear outs, except for the folder...and the tear outs... Oh well, it's ace anyway.

After the reindeers, I needed a drink so I had some of the apple cider that was sitting in my fridge waiting for me to try making some caramels - consequently, only a small batch got made. The process certainly wasn't quick, but it was easy and all the boiling of substances on the stove top helped increase the temperature of my house even further because the cookie baking didn't make it hot enough.

Black Hole Sun

2011-12-22T09:35:00.001+11:00

Wow, there are two days until Christmas and I'm looking everywhere to see where the year went.

This was one hell of a year for me, sort of dyslexic...mixed up, although as I sit here on 22 December I'm happy - and a little glad - to say there were more ups than downs. With the very welcome exception of my health, every part of me was tested this year. I think much of 2012 might pass before I can clearly look back on 2011 and understand it completely although ultimately it feels like it was all for a good reason, which is all we can ask of life really, isn't it?

Unless something supernatural happens this afternoon, this will be my last bird's-eye-view-of-Melbourne photo for the year and isn't it glorious?

I chose the title 'Black Hole Sun' for this post not just because it matches the picture so well but also because I took it on the day I bought tickets to a very special concert that will take place next year.

About 15 years years ago, I went to see Soundgarden in concert in Sydney and although it was unknown to everyone at the time, the band broke up soon after and that was it. No more. The concert still rates in my Top 5: it was hot, it was heavy and it was so loud that I credit some of my present day tinnitus to that very night.

Thanks to whatever forces brought them back together, Soundgarden is playing together in Melbourne next year and the prospect is just as thrilling as it was back then, but I hope the hearing damage is not as severe because I don't think my 15-years-older ears can take the abuse any more.

In my shoes,
a walking sleep.
And my youth
I pray to keep.
Heaven send Hell away,
no one
sings like you anymore.
Black hole sun,
won't you come,
and wash away the rain?

Soundgarden, 'Black Hole Sun', Superunknown, 1994

Sartorial speechlessness

2011-12-07T11:20:00.001+11:00

I'll keep this post short.

Oh my goodness, why am I not wearing this outfit right now?

Source: www.vogue.it

These bloomin' flowers are under my skin

2011-12-04T21:49:00.001+11:00

The previous owner of my house loved hydrangeas; she was an old lady so it goes without saying, they were everywhere.

For some reason, I gave my husband the task of removing them all as one of the first orders of business in the garden. They're too bushy; too purple; too old; too cliched, I said. I was clearly out of my mind because five years later I absolutely love them and have only one bush that somehow survived the great cull of 2006.

Having now made peace with this wonderful flower, my only problem now is that just as they start their gorgeous blooming season, I usually take off to Sydney for Christmas and the entire bush gets destroyed by the overbearing Aussie December sun.

About this time last year, I had a bumper harvest that I promptly used to fill my vases. This year I've decided to start early and get a few weeks in before I have to leave them to meet their fate in the elements.

More Mexico: I left my heart in Loreto

2011-12-03T15:36:00.001+11:00

Here are some more photos from my recent Mexico trip. These were taken in Loreto, on the south east coast of the Baja peninsula. It's a small, beachside town with only two sets of traffic lights and the oldest mission in the land.

At lunchtime and in the early afternoon, it's overrun with children and adolescents out of school, buying ice cream, snacks and filling the streets with noise and cheer. People say hello to you and you could stay here two weeks and not eat or drink at the same place twice.

I spent my birthday in Loreto and felt like the luckiest girl in the world. On the horizon the sun sets over red rocks at the end of a blue sea; it's surreal, utterly beautiful and worth every hour of travel to get there.

Writing the story of your life

2011-12-01T15:44:00.001+11:00

It’s an unfortunate part of growing up that we tend to lose the carefree confidence we once had as youngsters and even young adults.

In my early twenties, I was offered a job with massive responsibility – I accepted without hesitation.

Fast forward many years and I’m in a similar situation (almost identical actually) and I have spent weeks deliberating what to do. Will I be good at this job? Will my team hate me? What if I fail?

At 23, I asked myself none of those questions yet today, with all the experience, confidence and self awareness that comes with the passing of time, my ability to doubt myself is unsettling.

So, remembering that many years ago I would not have thought twice about this I decided to leave the questions behind and just jump into it. All the bad things might happen, but then there’s a chance that many, many great things will happen too, even if it’s only teaching my spirit to turn back time.

From the deck: Time unknown

2011-11-24T08:48:00.000+11:00

This is what happens when I take a wonderful photo one morning and don't post it up straight away; I forget when I took it (surely the iPhone can tell me but I haven't figured that out yet), how I was feeling, and what song was going through my mind.

So to keep with the timeless approach, I'm going to share with you lyrics to a timeless song I heard this morning by the lovely Nick Cave.

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history, baby
Every time you come around
Come loose your dogs upon me
And let your hair hang down
You are a little mystery to me
Every time you come around

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, 'The Ship Song', The Good Son 1990

A slightly different view for you

2011-11-21T15:08:00.001+11:00

You may have notice a little change around here.

Over the past couple of weekends I've been researching many, many lovely blogs and drawing inspiration from people that just do this caper so well. The result was threefold:

I realised that I neither do this well nor regularly, so it's a C-minus for me on that and a "must try harder" note from teacher.
Looking at all those lovely blogs made mine seem very flat and one dimensional - so I added pages to group some of the topic I write about regularly.
I came across a new manicure courtesy of Emily at cupcakes and cashmere (obviously, I get easily distracted so this is not blog related but it's so cute!)

In addition to trying out new nail colours, I will continue to make small changes to the site in the coming days just to keep it looking as fresh as my manicure.

Red dress, pink pants, what next?

2011-11-14T16:18:00.001+11:00

Well, no one can accuse me of taking things lightly because if the question is how to get more colour in a mostly black wardrobe, my answer is bright pink pants and an even brighter red dress.

These are my latest two purchases that arrived in the post today and while I still let out a little breath of relief when an online order fits well and is at the top range of my expectations, it certainly seems that Asos and I have found a successful 'groove'.

The most difficult decision I'm looking forward to make tomorrow is which one to wear!

8pm, Loreto, Baja California Sur

2011-11-09T11:08:00.000+11:00

And he still gets his love he just gives it away.
The love he receives is the love that is saved.
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky.
A human being that was given to fly.

Pearl Jam, 'Given to Fly', Yield 1998

This Peal Jam song is as breathtaking as this picture and was going through my mind as I stood on a Mexican pier watching the sea birds dive for their dinner. As nice as the photo is, it turns out the sunset was too beautiful for any camera to do it justice.

Action dog in four frames

2011-11-08T15:22:00.001+11:00

This series of photos has been sitting in my drafts folder for a while and I finally decided to publish them.

They were taken as a test of a new digital camera and the moment I snapped the first shot, Peanut decided to get all exhibitionist on himself and started throwing his toy around. Such a show off.

Signs from the Southwest

2011-11-08T13:39:00.002+11:00

Road trips would have to be my favourite way to travel and most of my vacations involve a road trip of some sort, even if it's only for a couple of days. My latest vacation through the Mexican Baja Peninsula and Southwest USA was one big road trip facilitated by a couple of connecting flights.

The best part about a road trip is the ability to experience many different places in a short period of time and the small towns in southern Arizona and New Mexico were certainly a highlight. The new and old signs and building decorations really fascinated me and I took lots of photos along the way.

Yoghurt Pecan Smoothie

2011-11-07T12:32:00.003+11:00

It may not be readily apparent from the photo but what you see here is a recipe for extreme deliciousness in a glass.

One of the first things I do when I arrive in a foreign land (makes me sound so exotic...) is to go check out the local supermarket or food store. Among the many surprising discoveries I made while in Mexico was that they are a people who are obsessed with yoghurt. Obsessed!

The variety of flavours, textures and consistencies available in even the smallest supermarket is mind boggling and Mexico went straight to the top of my list of 'Best Yoghurt Nation', easily surpassing the USA and Portugal. Within the wider yoghurt category, they go nuts on drinking yoghurt with TV commercials, billboards and seemingly countless choices - it's a happening 'scene' over there.

Anyway, my favourite of the lot was from a brand called Lala and it was basically a vanilla yoghurt smoothie with pecans and cereal. Sweet, nutty, tangy all at once. Get. Out. Of. Town.

So now that I'm back in the land of reverse plenty (seriously Australia, we need to talk...choice is not a dirty word) I'm trying my best to replicate the same pecan smoothie nirvana to somewhat pleasing results.

Yoghurt Pecan Smoothie
Equal parts vanilla yoghurt and your favourite milk
Handful of pecans
Handful of oat bran or wheat bran
Squeeze of honey
Dash of vanilla extract if using natural yoghurt

Blend for a minute or so until the nuts are totally incorporated.

Salud!

Lady Liberty in the house

2011-11-04T15:33:00.001+11:00

Make room for the newest and largest lady in town. She has taken up residence in my dining room and is fitting in quite nicely, thank you very much.

The picture almost doesn't do it justice as it looks a bit small but really is not.

Liberty was painted by an Australian artist called Shane Bowden and it was love at first sight. The original plan was to hang her over our front door, so every time you leave she reinforces your impending freedom. Clever huh? Unfortunately, she is a few centimetres wider than the hallway so she will live in the dining room, with this gorgeous, large wall to herself.

Honestly I'm just glad it arrived safely and undamaged. I'd been told at time of purchase that shipping it some 2000 kilometres south would take a while because they had to sent it to a specialist packer, then to a shipping company, blah blah blah bullshit.

It turned up leaning against one of the truck walls, unwrapped. No cardboard, blankets, bubble wrap, nothing; it was a small miracle it didn't show up with a great rip down the canvas.

Anyway, all's well that ends well as they say...

Come on out and dance...

2011-11-04T15:24:00.001+11:00

OK yay, I'm back from what was an amazing trip. Once again, I left a little of my heart in America, this time in Arizona and New Mexico. The skies down south just go forever...such a spectacle.

More photos and stories to come very soon.

When you see the lights
and we hear the fights,
it's gonna be a stunner.
I've got something here,
if you give me one more beer.
I'm gonna call a runner.

I don't wanna say, what I have to say.
Babe, I'm a kickin' off now.
If you wanna go, I'm gonna go
I'm going back down south now.

Kings of Leon, 'Back Down South', Come Around Sundown 2010

You can't touch this

2011-08-18T09:15:00.001+10:00

This little graphic was sent to me yesterday. It made me laugh.

The irrational traveller

2011-08-16T16:25:00.001+10:00

If there's one thing that's certain in this world, it's that I turn into a completely different person when I'm about to go on holidays. For some reason, in the lead up to a holiday, I start imagining what I will need to pack and how I will dress once at my destination.

The problem is that my wonderings rarely match up with who I am, what looks good on me, what is practical for the trip, and what is in my closet. Then when I finally get to my holiday destination having not morphed into a complete stranger, the contents of my suitcase are often not what I actually want to wear on holidays.

Here's a real time example: in a couple of months I take off for a quick trip to Mexico and the United States and, of course, I'm already thinking about what to pack. The following is a list of the things that first came to my mind when I pondered a holiday in Mexico:

A caftan, crochet top, large floppy hat, floral maxi dress, palazzo pants, and a playsuit.

Seriously, not one of these things exists in my closet today so why would I want to wear them on a trip? I'm going to Mexico, a place with questionable public toilets, where a playsuit could possibly be the least appropriate and functional choice. And that hat! How on earth would I get that thing on the plane?

What is wrong with me?

8am Melbourne CBD

2011-08-12T12:01:00.001+10:00

She never mentions the word addiction
in certain company.
Yes, she'll tell you she's an orphan,
after you meet her family.

She paints her eyes as black as night now,
pulls those shades down tight.
Yes, she gives a smile when the pain comes,
the pain's gonna make everything alright.

Says, she talks to angels,
they call her out by her name.
Oh yeah, she talks to angels,
says they call her out by her name.

She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket,
she wears a cross around her neck.
Yes, the hair is from a little boy,
and the cross is someone she has not met, not yet.

She don't know no lover,
none that I ever seen;
and to her that ain't nothing
but to me, it means, means everything.

The Black Crowes, 'She Talks to Angels', Shake Your Money Maker 1990

I don't normally post so much of a song's lyrics but this one deserves an exception. Yes, it's dark, somewhat depressing and a bit confronting, but it's beautiful - a dark kind of beautiful.

It's not indicative of anything other than being one of my favourite songs of all time; one that I have been listening to for 21 years (my goodness, that number just made my head spin, surely I'm not old enough to have had favourite music for 21 years?)

As with most of my favourite songs it has a story. My best friend and I went to see the Black Crowes in concert many years ago. We got there early and were right in front of the stage, which was awesome, and hot, and sweaty. Unfortunately, the night ended with my friend being dragged out by security when she was at risk of passing out from being pressed against a metal barrier for two hours. I wore my hair long and curly at the time and after the concert, as I walked around the venue looking for my friend, I realised my full head of hair was turned into a single, fat dreadlock from the friction of the people pressing up against my back.

In the end no one got hurt, the dreadlock washed out in the shower and I have a fond memory, fun story and lifelong love affair with this song as a result.

7:20am Melbourne CBD

2011-08-09T08:05:00.001+10:00

Do you remember the time I knew a girl from Mars,
I don't know if you knew that.
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards, Henri Winterman cigars.
Though she never told me her name,
I still love you, the girl from Mars.

Ash, 'Girl from Mars', 1977 1995

This image is from one of those free postcards that are often seen in coffee shops around town. It reminded me of this song, which I hardly ever listen to but like a lot.

Image: 'Blue Girl' by Tessa Rose

From the deck: Lazy Sunday morning

2011-08-08T16:46:00.000+10:00

The first couple of hours of my weekend mornings are usually spent sitting in bed drinking freshly ground and brewed espresso, reading the papers, or a book, or my iPad, and chatting with my other half about how awesome weekend mornings really are.

Yesterday, as I drew the curtains above the bed I saw a glorious sunrise through the trees and rushed to the deck to snap a shot of it. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out as spectacular as I expected so - like any other person obsessed with iPhone photography apps - I slapped a filter on it.

The filter I used is called 'Plastic' and is in the CameraBag app.

11am, Green Island Beach, Queensland

2011-08-04T14:21:00.000+10:00

I can see you,
your brown skin shining in the sun.
You got your hair combed back and your
sunglasses on baby.
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong,
after the boys of summer have gone.

Don Henley, 'Boys of Summer', Building the Perfect Beast 1984

In search of a restorative mid-winter break

2011-08-04T09:32:00.000+10:00

Having just about had enough with Melbourne's bone-chilling winter, a mid-winter break in warm and sunny Palm Cove, Queensland beckoned. While the warm and sunny aspects of the trip rarely materialised, it still proved to be memorable as I marked three firsts, all watersports-related: snorkelling, white water rafting and sea kayaking. Wow right?

Here are some shots and possibly the world's shortest travel story.

The Reef House resort was gorgeous and full of history although the pools were too cold for anyone over the age of eight.

The township of Palm Cove was just as gorgeous as the resort. I kayaked a return trip to the island in the photo above left and walked almost the complete length of the beach in the photo above right. Phew!

The reason people head to Palm Cove and Cairns is to see the Great Barrier Reef. Lucky for me, the wind that prevented me from seeing this beautiful coral while snorkelling died down just as I headed to the boat for my return to the mainland and I was able to see the reef for two minutes.

And speaking of wind...I spent five days alternating between holding on to my hat and chasing it down the beach.

The most important thing, above all, was that massive fun was had and life experiences amassed - couldn't ask for more.

From the deck: 5:30pm, Bayside Melbourne

2011-08-03T09:06:00.001+10:00

Everybody says this place is beautiful,
and you'd be so crazy to say goodbye.
But everything's the same, this town is pitiful,
and I'll be gettin' out as soon as I can fly.

Kings of Leon, 'Talihina Sky', Youth and Young Manhood 2003

It's no secret that I heart the Kings of Leon big time - big, big time - so the news that they're seemingly on the brink of self implosion is a little worrying.

Like most other creatives forces theirs exists on a delicate balance, most recently shown in a documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Here's hoping for many more years and much more wonderful music from these guys.

The Light in Winter installation

2011-07-25T10:28:00.001+10:00

Almost year to the day, I blogged about The Light in Winter art installation at Federation Square here in Melbourne that totally amazed me.

It was back again this year and was just as amazing. With the slimmest of odds, if you're reading this blog (and you're not my mum), and you're in Melbourne, and you think you might head down and see it, don't bother because I've been late (again...) in uploading these photos and the event is now over unfortunately.

It was amazing though, you would have loved it.

By the way if you're reading this blog and you're in Melbourne or anywhere else in this world, thank you. And thanks to my mum too - she's a regular.

Everything looks better with a filter

2011-07-25T09:59:00.003+10:00

Obviously, the novelty of owning an iPhone and buying camera apps is not lost on me. It's been two years and I still take pictures of myself just to play around with the filters. Oh well.

The first on the left is the original and the other two are filtered with the free Instagram app. So cool and so much fun.

Good morning Melbourne

2011-07-15T09:13:00.002+10:00

I mean seriously, how gorgeous is the fog in Melbourne this morning. Gives me the perfect excuse to have my head in the clouds.

3pm, Melbourne CBD

2011-07-14T16:19:00.000+10:00

I'm only here because
I want to twist the structure of my average day.
We feel nothing so jump into the fog.
You know that we hit the ground upright.

Wombats, 'Jump into the Fog', This Modern Glitch 2010

Every sole needs a little love

2011-07-14T09:57:00.000+10:00

My shoe budget might not be the biggest and no museums have come calling for my collection, but it's rare that you'll find me walking around without a heel cap, with busted straps or scuffed leather.

As a shoe enthusiast (I could say, lover, but that would be too dramatic) I like to take care of my shoes and keep them looking decent, which is why I enjoyed reading this NY Times piece with tips from a legendary New York shoe repair, Leather Spa.

One of my go to tips is to line a rubber sole over the leather of my brand new ballet flats and the folks at Leather Spa certainly endorse this. I buy my ballerinas from Country Road (not Louboutin unfortunately) and at $90 they're all leather - sole, lining and outer. That's great value though given they're so comfortable, I find they can wear through the sole in just six months if I've only got one pair on rotation. A $20 rubber sole will guarantee you a couple of years if you're kind to the leather on top and you'll get better traction too. It's a win-win.

Anyway, often it's the simplest tips and smallest efforts that contribute to an overall look so here's to shiny shoes and sturdy soles.

Red pant update

2011-07-08T09:03:00.000+10:00

Earlier this year, during a long awaited visit to the new Zara store in Sydney, a pair of red pants caught my eye but they didn't have them in my size. Never mind, I thought at the time, I'll get a pair once Zara opens its Melbourne store. Right?

Wrong. They no longer stock the cigarette pants in this lovely skinny red. Boo.

But they do stock them in this super cute, turned up hem, just the way I like it, green. And I'm rocking them today with black suede booties and a plain wool sweater (because it's like 10 degrees outside).

My delightful prime sartorialist consultant-slash-husband thought I'd started buying my Christmas outfit until he realised it's only July and I'm never that organised so they must be for real.

7:45am, Melbourne CBD

2011-07-08T08:49:00.000+10:00

I feel terrible that my activity on this blog is like personal publishing ADD what with the fits and spurts with which I post. There are stacks of stories in my mind and photos on my desktop that have amassed in the past couple of weeks while I was working so much that the least appealing thing for me at the end of the day was to look at another screen and ramble. In a way, I may have done whoever reads this a favour in saving them from tired, half-assed musings.

Anyway, it's blisteringly cold in Melbourne at the moment yet every now and then we still manage to get a breathtaking sunrise reflecting off the city. So pretty.

One time a thing occured to me:
what's real, and what's for sale?
Blew a kiss and tried to take it home.

Stone Temple Pilots, 'Vasoline', Thank You 2003

Rock'n'roll postcard from Edinburgh

2011-06-27T07:52:00.004+10:00

I mean really...some people just get all the kicks, right?

If you had asked me what's the best way to start a Monday morning - one where you have to get up before the sun, in the middle of winter, when the thermometer can't even give you a half dozen degrees - I wouldn't nominate having a friend send me a photo of the Kings of Leon concert happening right now in Scotland.

Beep beep...I'm rocking out at Murrayfields Stadium in Edinburgh
Beep beep...I'm watching KOL
Beep beep...Drinking gin and tonics
Beep beep...oh and it's 9:30pm and still daylight
Beep beep...What's work?

Cheers you to RocketDogBulldozer man, enjoy every second. I'm listening to them on my iPod to compensate.

It's in the water...
It's in the story
It's where you came from
The sons and daughters
In all their glory
It's gonna shape them
And when they clash
And come together
And start rising
Just drink the water
Where you came from...

Kings of Leon, 'Radioactive', Come Around Sundown 2010

1pm, Melbourne CBD

2011-06-08T20:21:00.001+10:00

Can you imagine a time when the truth ran free.
The birth of a song and the death of a dream,
closer to the edge.
This never ending story,
paid for with pride and fate.
We all fall short of glory,
lost in our fate.

30 Seconds to Mars, 'Closer to the Edge', This is War 2010

3:15pm, Melbourne CBD

2011-06-07T17:23:00.000+10:00

It seems autumn decided to skip Melbourne this year and instead the city plunged straight into winter with some bone-chillingly cold, wintry days. We're seven days into winter and you can definitely tell because today we'll be lucky to spend a couple of hours in double digit temperatures.

Of course, this means knitted beanies, woolen pants and roll neck sweaters, the comfort food of clothing as far as I'm concerned. To balance out the obligatory 'Melbourne black' wardrobe, I'm using bright orange nail polish and some eye catching silver jewellery.

I'm not totally sold on the chain over a turtleneck, but never mind, that's the point of fashion, you can choose whomever you want to be. If it doesn't work you can always change.

6:30am Melbourne CBD

2011-05-19T19:16:00.000+10:00

In the cold light of morning while everyone is yawning,
you’re high.
In the cold light of morning the party gets boring,
you're high.
As your skin starts a scratchin', wave yesterday's actions goodbye.

Placebo, 'In the Cold Light of Morning', Meds, 2006

Winter style; cold ankles

2011-05-19T08:34:00.002+10:00

My ankles are in for a rough trot this winter. I know this because my last three trouser purchases are hemmed above the ankle.

I have long been against capri pants and I still am; they do no one any favours unless you consider it a good thing when pants make you look stumpy. Mine fall more at a 7/8th length, which actually helps thin your ankles and stays out of the way of your pretty shoes.

I blame Balmain.

And Isabel Marant.

How cute are the pants on the left with the sweater? My version involves a non-sequinned pair of grey pants (such a shame I work in an office) with a boxy navy sweater and a pair of red sling back heels with pointy toes.

Also, I've found that after a while your ankles don't feel the cold anymore. Lower leg hypothermia anyone? Totally worth it.

Via Style.com

Red pant alert

2011-05-18T14:33:00.000+10:00

A couple of weeks ago I found myself in Sydney for a quick two day visit and did what any other woman-with-a-pulse would do: I went to Zara.

Even before I set foot in the store - hell, even before I left Melbourne - I knew exactly what I wanted to try on for size. Most of the things on my list were sold out but the main purpose of my visit, a pair of bright red cigarette pants, were still available. Heartbreakingly, they didn't have my size so the hunt continues for a perfect pair of red pants for some Sartorialist-inspired style.

How cool do they look?

Via The Sartorialist

From the deck: It's back too.

2011-05-16T09:21:00.000+10:00

Took this gorgeous shot one morning before Easter and before my trip to the Northern Territory. It was a cold morning so it was taken rather hastily as I had just jumped out of a toasty bed and I'm surprised it came out as pretty as this, what with the sunburst and all.

When something's dark, let me shed a little light on it
When something's cold, let me put a little fire on it
If something's old, I wanna put a bit of shine on it
When something's gone, I wanna fight to get it back again

Pearl Jam, 'The Fixer', Backspacer 2009

I'm back, I'm back!

2011-05-16T08:50:00.001+10:00

Holy Moly, I've had almost a month away without blogging, that's crazy stuff.

I have a great reason though, I was travelling through the wilds of the Northern Territory fishing and hunting crocodiles. Just kidding, although I did see a couple of crocs and ate lots of yummy fish - Barramundi to be precise. The heat was oppressive at times and I often felt like I would fry to a cinder if I stood in the sun for any length of time. However, nothing could take away from the beauty of this part of the world that includes Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks and the gorgeous Katherine Gorge.

Here are some photos from the trip - proof that I haven't simply abandoned this humble project of mine - that show some of the wonders of northern Australia, including ancient Aboriginal cave paintings and breathtaking gorges. The highlights were the incredible waterfalls and that's because we swam in the waterholes at the bottom of the falls.

They say it's the experiences you have in life that carry through the years, more so than the material possessions and whoever 'they' are that said that, they're right because swimming underneath a massive waterfall is something that I'll never get over.

And finally, the sunsets - oh my goodness the sunsets. Lilac, orange, red, blue...exclamation point amazing!

7am, Melbourne CBD

2011-04-20T09:09:00.000+10:00

White knuckle tight
Through black and white
Oh, when I burn
Fuel is pumping engines
Burning hard, loose and clean
And then I burn
Turning my direction
Quench my thirst with gasoline
So gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire

Metallica, 'Fuel', ReLoad, 1997

It's a well known fact that Melbournians are seriously spoiled for choice when it comes to coffee and a new coffee shop is a beautiful thing to be explored and experienced, especially in the city. I have three places within 100 metres of my office that make seriously good coffee, no lie. And by seriously good I mean the type where you find it hard to choose where to go drop your money. When faced with choice like that my decision is made according to my mood and the type of experience I'm looking to have first thing in the morning.

The League of Honest Coffee is the newcomer. They have shiny, colourful machines, a single speed bike chained to the street sign out front and take my order on an iPad. The barista makes conversation and asks personal questions about weekends, dinners and how I'm feeling. The piles of fresh pastries beckon me from the glass counter but I manage to resist. The coffee is $3.50 and I feel a little cooler coming out than when I went in.

65 Degrees is small cramped and proud of its many awards. It arrived with a flourish and attracted much hype and many office workers - in the early days I barely needed to come into the office, everyone was there either midway through their coffee or waiting for one. Sarah, the barista, knows my name and misses me when I don't show for a couple of days. Sometimes she makes an impressive design in the foam of my latte and other times it's a face drawn on the cup's lid. She charges $3.20.

Cafe 166 doesn't have a website, is always empty early in the morning and I'm not confident the volume of clientele improves much during the day. It's a take away sandwich shop, cheap, impersonal and I'm never asked for more than my order. The barista labours over the coffee, stretching the milk and pouring it neatly into the cup. His price is $3 and I don't know his name but really enjoy his coffee.

From the deck: Another weekend sunrise

2011-04-19T09:41:00.001+10:00

With the prospect of a double storey building going up in the block next to my house, I'm trying my best not to get too attached to coming out on the deck in the morning and admiring the sunrise.

Despite my musings on losing the view, I'm actually happy the old house is being replaced. My suburb is in the midst of a generational transformation with old residents passing away and new families moving in. Over the four years I've lived here the median age has definitely come down - and we consequently see more people out on the street walking, jogging, etc. - but there are still a lot of old residents and old houses.

As a long time working class suburb, the houses are nothing to admire and are slowly being replaced with modern buildings. Thankfully, most of the new houses being built have had a bit of creativity put into the design and are rather attractive, including the proposed townhouses that will go up next door.

The moral of the story is that it's not all bad and that progress is the way of the world. In the meantime, I will cherish my sunrises and afterwards will adapt to admiring the clouds instead as they too are fairly spectacular on a nice day.

6:30pm, Petersham, Sydney

2011-04-19T08:40:00.000+10:00

And who by fire, who by water,
who in the sunshine, who in the night time,
who by high ordeal, who by common trial,
who in your merry merry month of may,
who by very slow decay,
and who shall I say is calling?

Leonard Cohen, 'Who By Fire', The Essential Leonard Cohen, 2002

The spaces between

2011-04-18T12:27:00.000+10:00

Lately I have noticed that certain things about me are changing as I grow older. To be fair, it's likely that this is attributable to general changes a person goes through over the years as opposed to the actual aging process, but it nonetheless triggered some self reflection.

For example, my range of taste has expanded considerably and I now appreciate blue cheese, anchovies, capers and plain yoghurt. There's no way that any of these foods would have crossed my plate twenty years ago but I love them all dearly now.

It's a similar story with hand holding. My view was always that it was somewhat constricting and I liked being able to swing my arms in step with my footfall, not someone else's. Even as a teenager, when hand holding is traditionally at its highest, I was never really keen on it.

Now however, it seems to be growing on me and I can see how it's a really sweet thing to do - my favourite is falling asleep while holding hands...

(Via makemestfu)

7.30am: Melbourne CBD

2011-04-15T10:32:00.000+10:00

Forget prior engagements,
cancel your plans.
Let's do something amazing,
while we still can.
I'm floating above you,
high on your kiss.
We're splashed like paint on the pavement,
a beautiful waste.

British India, 'Vanilla', Avalanche 2010

Peanut: The action shots

2011-04-14T15:25:00.000+10:00

Much as I don't want to be 'that' kind of dog owner who goes all goo-goo and ga-ga over her pooch, I came across this series of photos of Peanut taken recently. I was trialling a digital SLR and for some reason he got quite excited at the noises and flash of the new camera and started throwing a toy around.

Is there such a thing as a healthy cookie?

2011-04-07T16:20:00.002+10:00

I am a fiend for sweet baked goods - it's ridiculous how much I love the stuff. Luckily, my willpower is relatively strong most of the time but I am always on the lookout for a cookie, cake or dessert recipe that doesn't take too much fat or sugar. (The sugar I can handle because it metabolises quickly so I can account for it with some exercise but the fat is another thing so I have to watch out for that.)

Amaretti are one of my go-to cookies. They're super quick to make, quick to cook and have no fat, thereby making them quick to eat too!

I use a recipe by Donna Hay although I replaced the almond meal with hazelnut meal. They turn out a bit darker and nuttier than the almond version.

Amaretti
200g almond or hazenut meal
1 cup caster (superfine) sugar
1/4 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Add the hazelnut meal, flour, egg whites and vanilla and min until combined.

Roll teaspoonfuls of the mixture into balls, place on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper and flatten slightly.

Bake for 13 minutes or until lightly golden.

Serve with coffee or just devour them on their own.

From the deck: Good bye sunrise, I will miss you

2011-04-07T11:24:00.002+10:00

A few posts ago, I used a photograph taken of the sunrise from my back deck one Saturday morning. Today I took another of the dawn sky in all its violet glory. This amazing sight take place over my next door neighbour's yard and I can see it only from the very corner of my deck.

But this will soon end because in the last couple of days I received notice my neighbour is replacing her old cottage with two modern, double storey townhouses. This will cover my view of the beautiful sunrises so I have to make the most of them while I still can.

7am, South Yarra, Melbourne

2011-04-07T08:14:00.000+10:00

Alright, already the show goes on all night,
till the morning we dream so long;
anybody ever wonder,
when they would see the sun up,
just remember when you come up,
the show goes on.

Lupe Fiasco, 'The Show Goes On', Lasers 2011

You know it's a beautiful morning in Melbourne when the hot air balloons are out over the city. To me they always look like alien space ships hovering above the traffic, joggers, walkers and commuters. I especially like when they float low so you can almost see the faces of the people travelling in the basket.

I'm not one for heights and I prefer the security of complicated technology keeping me in the air when I fly, so ballooning is not for me, although I can imagine how amazing an experience it must be. It would feel terrific to lift off and float above the world you normally inhabit, seeing everyone else go about their rush hour commute while you gracefully let the wind take you where it wants.

While I'm on the point of having the wind as your navigator I will add that one morning at my desk there was much commotion at the window when a bright red swathe of silk was seen floating in Port Phillip Bay after one of these balloons made an unexpected water landing. Evidently the baskets float and everyone was unharmed - not only did they get a city flyover that morning, they also enjoyed a nice sail in the bay. Bonus!

7:30pm, Albert Park Lake, Melbourne

2011-04-05T08:25:00.000+10:00

Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags goes up,
Churning and burning, they yern for the cup.

They deftly manouver and muscle for rank,
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank,
Wreckless and wild they pour thru the turns,
Their prowless is podent and secretly stern.

Cake, 'The Distance', Fashion Nugget 1997

This was the sunset over Melbourne's Albert Park lake two Sundays ago. It's taken six floors up but the perspective looks much higher for some reason.

Some 30 minutes before this photo was taken, the air was filled will the piercing blasts of Formula 1 engines changing gears. This is one of the prettiest race tracks on the F1 circuit. The cars race around a lake and you can walk into the city, head to the beach or pop over to bustling St Kilda in less than 30 minutes.

For four days in March, echoes of engines drift across Melbourne and you know you're not in a regular city, you're in one of the few towns that has the privilege to host one of these races. And it is a privilege.

The Melbourne Grand Prix has always been controversial. If it's not the residents of Albert Park complaining about road closures and the noise, it's a general outcry about the profitability of the race. There's even opposition from the northern hemisphere against our time zones because people don't like getting up early to watch our race.

Personally I think we lose sight of the bigger picture; the spectacle of the sport. It is steeped in history, difficult to get and even harder to hold. Why would you want to give away something that puts the eyes of the world on your beautiful city? It makes no sense to me but what I do know is that as long as it's on I will continue to appreciate and support it any way I can.

Custom made coat rack

2011-04-04T15:57:00.000+10:00

A couple of new additions were made to my hallway in the past week as I slowly but surely hang pictures, mirrors and other things on my hereto pristine walls. It's now two years since the house was finished and I would have expected my aversion to putting holes in the plaster to have abated but that doesn't seem to be the case as I winced while the two pieces above were installed.

The beautiful things about this mirror and the coat rack is that they're custom made by my clever husband (he also built the house - I know, it's awesome). The coat rack is made of left over pieces of the hardwood we used for our floors, which makes for a nice complimentary effect with the long stretch of hallway. Over the years he has made variety of pieces that we have carried from home to home and we have managed to make it fit the different spaces; for example, the mirror has been with us in six different houses so far and it's looked amazing in every one.

Anyway, no sooner was the rack hung than the baseball cap rivalry resumed - Yankees versus Cubs, always.

7pm, somewhere in Melbourne

2011-03-25T16:20:00.000+11:00

I was born to the city,

but I longed to roam free.
Got a screaming horse in my belly;
scar on my heart.
I live outside of convention,
you know the people who stare.
I'm just a breed of society,
I'm pushin' hard and I'm stealin' free,
Don't try to lay no trip on me.

The Cult, 'Wild Hearted Son', Ceremony, 1991

From the deck: 8:30am, Bayside Melbourne

2011-03-24T16:02:00.001+11:00

Last night what we talked about,
it made so much sense.
But now the haze has ascended,
it don't make no sense anymore.

Arctic Monkeys, 'From the Ritz to the Rubble', Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not, 2005

These lyrics are a good example of bad grammar but in their own way, they perfectly illustrate their artist's music and personality.

By the way, this picture was taken on my back deck, looking East as the sun rose on a lazy Saturday morning - it was as blissful as it looks.

Art Express 2011: Celebrating young artists

2011-03-23T17:24:00.000+11:00

In one of my first years in high school, I made a ceramic cookie jar in the shape of an owl. My memories of those art classes are still very vivid, mostly because I was so very bad at it.

The pinnacle of achievement for high school art students in New South Wales, Australia is to have your final year's major work accepted for exhibition in Art Express. I was such a bad artist that I didn't even know the competition existed, let alone harboured any unrealistic expectations in its regard.

My lack of artistic ability only fuels my appreciation of the talent of others and while in Sydney recently, I went to see this year's crop of graduating artists. Following are photos I took of my favourites and I've linked their title and artist to a description of the work in the exhibition's website.

They're absolutely fantastic and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Entropy Suite

Annette Wilson

Things seen are temporal, things unseen eternal

Thomas Robertson

We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full

Finlay Robinson

Insomnia Series

Natasha Pappalardo

Short story: The biker and the gazelle

2011-03-23T16:23:00.000+11:00

This is a short story in two parts. Rather, they are two short narratives about the same subject: a food place in inner city Melbourne. The place is called Piadina Slow Foods.

The Biker by Anonymous

It’s real name is Piadina Slow Food but I like to refer to it as my pantry at the top of the steps.

On reflection, it’s an odd assessment. I haven’t actually ever been there. I like the way it looks - it has that old world fresh deli type of thing going with the untreated timber surfaces that dull over time with a build up of routinely passing over them with a damp sponge. Probably for cleaning, though this is a personal speculation. And a trivial one at that.

It’s a bit like a backyard migrant kitchen inside. Something you would see in many Asian villages, or Mexican ones for that matter. I think anybody with a memory of an extended family, grandparents “back home” who blaze away in a big cook-up of all leftovers on any Wednesday in winter will be comfortable at the pantry at the top of the steps. You know, like the Euros do.

Has a real nostalgic air to it. Shame not to have been there.

He stood astride his air cooled machine, open helmet left to hang from the custom bars; deliberate and long slow strides up the steps to the pantry door. He forked his gloved fingers through the waved mop, still crushed from the helmet and cropped at the sides. While studying the menu, his black boots flatly purchasing the ground, his dashing reflection was revealing several days whiskers and a handsome set of friendly tanned features.

French toast. Can add a extra slice for only $1.20 too.

They do all the eggs you could ever want. And have a daily special omelette, to which one can add one of those endangered pleasures called bacon. The real stuff that contradicts today’s conventions and has fat on the end of it. Wise people these pantry keepers.

But obviously, all good stories come to an end.

He exhaled patiently, and dug his hands into his moto jacket pocket. Deep, searching the pockets for reassurance. Blinking twice, now thrice. Denying himself that this pantry at the top of the step was all that, or for that matter anything at all.

Cash Only.

===========================

The Gazelle by PJ

Aah Piadina, I know it well but not so that I would greet it on the street or present it with the double cheek air kiss that is no doubt the custom for individuals of that provenance. No, I would probably say, “Hi” and walk on. Or maybe just smile.

It’s like a hearth, warm and inviting. The type of kitchen everyone would have, if they could, but very few do.

A girl I once knew would go there semi-regularly. She never really got past the awkwardness of navigating the steps down from the entrance with her heels and felt rather like the uncoordinated gazelle, dreading the day a heel would catch the door frame and spectacularly announce her arrival.

She would head over for coffee, but her resolve usually caved and she’d succumb to the sweet and spicy milkiness of their Chai lattes, “with chilli please,” she'd order. It’s been years since such an order was placed but the memories of that Chai are still a yardstick against which all others are measured.

There were no eggs on the menu in those days, just piadinas of various descriptions and a couple of slow cooked meals, all of a country heartiness that helped put some warmth into the Melbourne winter.

The slow food movement was hot back then and the place’s popularity grew such that the girl no longer fit in. She didn’t smoke so couldn’t sit outside with those that like their paprika infused with a hint of nicotine (or vice versa), and the tiny store became so crowded she had to stand in the rainy wind waiting for her meal, coming to an uncomfortable realisation that slow food is only great when you don’t have to wait for it.

And so it became that this little portal to rural Italy, or perhaps even a Spanish backstreet, was no longer a destination but a sight to admire on the way to somewhere else. Yes, that would be a nice kitchen to have...

===========================

Photo courtesy Eat and Be Merry for Tomorrow We Die(t)

Three Peaks Challenge 2011: A mountain too far

2011-03-22T15:17:00.002+11:00

Following up on my post last week, I wanted to share a few more photos from my weekend supporting a rider in this year's Three Peaks Challenge organised by Bicycle Victoria.

They're deliberately impersonal to maintain his privacy but that's not the point of this post, which is to express my awe at the incredible strength of mind required to undertake and complete this ride. It's 230 kilometres non stop in alpine territory and it's as hard as it gets around here.

If you're good, you finish it in under nine hours but the bulk of riders crossed the line well into the double digits. You end up being on a bike from before the sun rises until sunset. No one can turn the pedals except for the rider so the journey turns into a solitary affair with a seemingly endless road ahead of you and precious few downhills.

The challenge is almost as taxing on the support crews with narrow mountain passes, driving rain, slippery roads and closed-in fog patches all part of the job. However the hardest part by far is passing your rider on the road, by himself, and leaving him behind. Each time I did, my heart cast out a little tow rope to help him on his way.

Noon, Melbourne CBD

2011-03-22T12:17:00.000+11:00

Well she's walking through the clouds,
with a circus mind that's running round.
Butterflies and zebras
and moonbeams and fairy tales.
That's all she ever thinks about,
riding with the wind.

When I'm sad, she comes to me
with a thousand smiles, she gives to me free.
It's alright, she says, it's alright.
Take anything you want from me,
anything.

Jimi Hendrix Experience, 'Little Wing', Axis: Bold as Love, 1967

This is a hands down, beautiful, sweet, wonderful song. The lyrics above are all there is to the song as the rest is left up to Jimi's guitar. It's psychedelic and very 1967. I don't quite know why but hearing this song makes me want to dance in circles and get drowsy in a sunshine-filled field much like the one in this photo.

You can experience Little Wing in two ways: you can listen to Jimi's original and enjoy the amazing guitar solo, or you can listen to a cover of it by Skid Row's Sebastian Bach and hear a voice that will blow your mind. My favourite is the latter and here's a video to support my opinion.

P.S. - This is the first video I've ever featured in this blog and those close to me would not be surprised that it's something featuring Sebastian Bach. It's seriously an effort for me to stop being so praiseworthy of this man.

7pm, Falls Creek, Victorian Alps

2011-03-18T10:20:00.000+11:00

I'm gonna fight 'em off
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
And I'm talkin' to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message comin' from my eyes says leave it alone...

White Stripes, 'Seven Nation Army', Elephant, 2003

For me, this will stand as one of the great rock songs of all time and it's always struck me as telling a story of a person facing a seemingly insurmountable situation. It's a song of willpower and the fine line between fighting and giving up.

This song is a great accompaniment to the photo above it, which was taken the night before the person in the photo cycled up three mountains in less than 12 hours. At the same time last year, the challenge had broken him and he spent 12 months figuratively talking to himself at night, ignoring his instincts to leave it alone.

He faced the army of alps and won. Accomplishment and serenity ensued.

The bold shall inherit the earth

2011-03-10T10:38:00.000+11:00

Yeah, hi.

Look, I know this is your couch and that society has evolved in a way where humans normally sit on couches but I'm different OK? My body likes the comfort of well upholstered leather and I like how this arm has been engineered to provide a perfect pitch for my neck. It's comfortable, what more can I say? Whaddaya want from me?

Have I told you how hard I've worked? They don't call it a dog's life for nothing - it's hard work. It takes a lot of energy to eat your shoes, poop all over your yard and trample the plants you spent the weekend planting. The worst part is how you expect me to do this on only one meal a day. It's hard work. Capital H. Capital W. So excuse me while I rest my tired bones on your precious couch.

What? You're talking to me and while I hear you clearly and understand you want me to get down it's just not gonna happen alright? The sooner we can all get used to this situation the quicker I can get back to sleep.

OK? Thanks. Bye.

3pm, Bayside Melbourne

2011-03-09T16:12:00.000+11:00

There are reports this afternoon that the original bassist of the band Alice In Chains, Mike Starr, passed away today. Although it's unconfirmed, he struggled greatly with addiction and it is likely that's what took him.

Memories of much of my early adulthood could be cast to an Alice In Chains soundtrack. Even if I never really assimilated with their musical tales of heavy drug use and addiction, they had a darkness and melancholy that spoke to me.

While others had Nirvana (and don't get me wrong, I heart Nirvana in a major way), I had Alice In Chains. When they toured Australia I bought tickets to both of their shows but unfortunately saw neither because their frontman, Layne Staley, was so wasted he couldn't remember the words to his own songs. It still is one of the saddest sights I've ever seen. Layne also passed away a few years ago.

Anyway, rest in peace Mike Starr and thanks for the tunes.

Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way

Am I wrong?
Have I run to far to get home?
Have I gone?
And left you here alone?
Am I wrong?
Have I run to far to get home?
Have I gone?
And left you here alone?

If I would, could you?

Alice In Chains, 'Would', Dirt, 1993

Pile 'em on baby

2011-03-08T16:25:00.000+11:00

If you were to canvass my family and those close to me and asked them to describe my fingers, they would invariably use words like 'short' and 'stumpy'. Yes, charming aren't they?

Just as I've always wanted to exchange my curly hair for straight, my ability to write for the gift of drawing, and my joy for cooking for a joy of running, my eye has always been drawn to long, slender fingers.

Let's throw caution to the wind and let me fill my fingers, base to middle knuckle with silver, gold, gems and shiny things. Chunky rings and stacks of metal for me, thank you.

Clockwise from top left
Mixed Silver Hammered Stacking Rings by Esoterica Bazaar
Going in Circles Sterling Stacking Ring by Hannah Naomi
Sterling Gem Stack by Metalicious
Luminous Stacking Rings Sterling Silver Gemstone by Kirra Ferrer

7:15am, Melbourne CBD

2011-03-08T08:03:00.008+11:00

It's true that I tend to post a lot of sunrise photos, all taken somewhere between 7 and 9am. It's also true that a lot of them have a similar perspective, from way up on high. The reason for this is that I am unbelievably lucky to work very high up in a very tall building overlooking what I consider to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Melbourne. The only way I could be more blessed is if I were doing this from a 39th floor window somewhere in Manhattan but don't get me started.

Today's lyric is from the Foo Fighters in anticipation of their new album that is expected to drop very soon. It's produced by Butch Vig - the first time he and Dave Grohl have worked together since Nirvana (swoon) - and from what I've heard so far, it's awesome.

Breathe out
So I could breathe you in
Hold you in

And now
I know you've always been
Out of your head, out of my head I sang

And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again

The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

Foo Fighters, 'Everlong', The Colour and the Shape, 1997

Happy Valentine's Day (evening really)

2011-02-14T23:16:00.001+11:00

Sometimes, in the midst of the plastic, manufactured glitz of Valentine's Day, pictures of the plants flowering at the home where you're not are the sweetest thing. Ever.

There are no unlockable doors.
There are no unwinnable wars.
There are no unrightable wrongs or unsingable songs.
There are no unbeatable odds.
There are no believable Gods.
There re no unnameable names,
Shall I say it again?
There are no impossible dreams.
There are no invisible seams.
Each night when the day is through,
I don't ask much;
I just want you.

Ozzy Osbourne, 'I Just Want You', The Essential Ozzy Osbourne, 2003

5pm, Sydney CBD

2011-02-10T17:20:00.000+11:00

In the midway of this our mortal life,
I found me in a gloomy wood, astray.

Dante Aligheri, 'Canto 1', Dante's Inferno

Yes, this is slightly depressing but it's also fascinating - it's Dante after all. I would like to add it is not representative of my complete frame of mind at the moment, things aren't that dire. Perhaps I should have started with the Purgatory section.

11pm, suburban Sydney

2011-02-03T12:56:00.000+11:00

You had me holding on,
all of the time in place.
Ride out the wave.
Bury yourself away;
the one and only face.
Ride out the wave.

King of Leon, 'The Face', Come Around Sundown, 2011

OK, so what I hope to do with these posts is to share some of my favourite music and perhaps introduce you to artists you may not have heard before. The Kings of Leon don't really count as their music plays everywhere, but this is also about sharing some beautiful lyrics.

It's also about sentiments as I have long used music as therapy and am relying heavily on it at the moment to get me through some tough times. This song is pertinent as it's about a girl, two cities and an ultimatum - oh how I would love to be offered Tennessee right now...

So life, what's up with that?

2011-01-28T08:22:00.001+11:00

For all the momentum that accompanied the start of my year, all the plans and determination, life has delivered me an uppercut and I'm trying to get myself off the ropes. I'm not sure how this will affect my blogging but if the last week is anything to go by, then it's likely that I may not post much for an extended period.

I will try at least to upload a photo every now and again with the lyrics of whatever song is soothing my ills.

8am, Melbourne CBD

2011-01-28T08:15:00.000+11:00

I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees.
I'll never marry but Ohio don't remember me.
I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe.
I never thought about love when I thought about home.
I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe.
The floors are falling out from everybody I know.
I'm on a blood buzz,
Yes I am.
I'm on a blood buzz.

The National, 'Bloodbuzz Ohio', High Violet, 2010

Look to the sky and tell me how it is

2011-01-17T16:07:00.000+11:00

Astrology is not really my strong point; I'm enough of a dreamer as it is so having someone tell me what's going to happen only serves to get my mind wandering. I'm sure it's the same for all star signs but for all the lovely traits Librans apparently possess - romantic, charming, diplomatic and graceful - there are some bad ones to balance it out - indecisive, gullible and self indulgent. Ugh.

All this blabbing is bringing me to the point of this post, which is the lovely jewellery sold by Julie Nolan on Etsy. My favourite pieces are below and they include a gorgeous pendant depicting the Libra constellation. My gullible nature could easily have me converting to the stars if I got to wear this necklace.

Constellation Pendant Necklace - Libra

39 Gold Beads

Vintage Bird and Whistle Necklace

This last one is a set of two necklaces, one with a bird and the other with a whistle. It's too cute.

(Via Creature Comforts)

The great landscaping project

2011-01-17T13:48:00.002+11:00

For the past two weekends, I have been up to my elbows in dirt, rocks and concrete - I can't remember a time I've been more dirty, I looked like a chimney sweep after a particularly grueling day shoveling dirt.

After getting through a project as big as demolishing a whole house and building another from scratch, you could forgive me for procrastinating on the landscaping. We moved in more than a year ago and now it's time to get back into it and finish it off. Tidying up the garage side of the house was the first step and it's coming up well.

Some pots still need to be filled and I'm eternally grateful for my the styling eye of my chief landscaper, aka my husband. I would have lined up the pots in a single file, evenly spaced to satisfy my obsessive compulsive tendencies; he bunched them up into little vignettes that are much more appealing.

This is why I don't garden. Well, that and the bugs...

The waiting game

2011-01-12T16:31:00.001+11:00

She's waiting.
For time to pass, for things to change.
For the tides to come in and abate over and again,
enough to make it right.
Tolerable.
She stands, sits, leans and lies.
Waiting.
For a day when it feels, sounds and moves right.
She's not too sure what it is,
but thinks she'll know when it's here.
Maybe the sky will change,
or the heart will beat differently.
Then it can finally all start.
Again.

Just put fingers to keyboard and start dammit!

2011-01-12T11:23:00.000+11:00

Last night, this was going to be a post about randomly coming across something on the internet that changes the course of a person's efforts and interests.

You know how it can happen, one moment you're reading the news online when a picture of a shiny macaron takes your fancy and next thing you know egg yolks are the devil's food, the kitchen counters are covered in icing sugar and you're having trouble fitting into your jeans because you can't just let good food go to waste, right?

This blog post on Etsy really caught my interest and underlined some ideas I've been brewing for this year. Yet just as I was reading about the different forms of fear that stifle creativity, I carried out the most stupendous example of fear and apathy towards my ideas and saved this as a draft for later use. So let me go ahead now and embrace some of this advice and get my creative year under way.

After some time away from my blog in 2009, I decided that in 2010 I would explore newer and more positive ways of blogging. I made an effort to seek out beauty in the world around me, hence the many photographs and lyrics of my favourite songs. While that's something that brings me joy and I will no doubt keep doing, I've been toying with the idea of writing some posts that are short form fiction, as opposed to what's going on with my life. My inspiration is the America in Short blog, which honestly took my breath away months ago.

Well that's it, I've put it out there and now it's time to practice and deliver. Publish or be damned.

11pm, The Palace, Melbourne CBD

2011-01-10T09:11:00.002+11:00

I have seven faces,
thought I knew which one to wear.
But I'm sick of spending these lonely nights,
training myself not to care.
The subway is a porno.
The pavements they are a mess.
I know you've supported me for a long time;
somehow I'm not impressed.

Interpol, 'NYC', Turn On the Bright Lights 2002

2011: Hello friend, what have you in store for me?

2011-01-05T08:49:00.003+11:00

Having finally logged in for the first time this year, I feel somewhat obliged to publish a new year post. My good friend Delamare was quick to it and now it's my turn.

Dear 2010, you weren't as much of a bitch as your haggard older sister, 2009, but you could have tried harder.

Dear 2011, there's still hope for you. Go easy on me OK?

The start of a new year always seems to put so much pressure on people to make a new start, wipe the slate clean and make the next year bigger, better, more fun. The idea of rebirth is so tempting that it's easy to think that just because your calendar shows a shiny new Day 1 on Month 1 you will be a new person.

History has taught me that I have about a 50:50 success rate with new year resolutions so I made none for this year. That's not to say there's nothing I want to achieve, just that I'm not pegging my accomplishments on our culture's need for transformation at this time.

My new year began with great friends, good music and a lot of hope and I would love nothing more than for it to continue that way.

True crime - the garden edition

2010-12-20T14:54:00.000+11:00

The culprit: a hydrangea bush in my backyard

The crime: eye catching perfect blooms

The punishment: week long confinement in these vessels

The judgement: guilty as charged

Christmas baking 2010

2010-12-20T08:43:00.000+11:00

The great Christmas bake off is done and dusted for 2010 and I have not come out of it entirely unscathed. You see, I tried to get somewhat fancy on myself this year and try my hand at something I'd never attempted before.

Looking for inspiration, I delved into the online temple of home economics, the Martha Stewart website. That site is a true nightmare for a person with a candy thermometer and a desire to experiment - if sugar was my crack then Martha is my pusher. With her I experienced amazing highs and a terrible low.

Let me take you through my creations in descending order of success, starting with the Chocolate-Espresso Snowcaps. They're sugar-coated, gooey cookies rich in chocolate with a coffee undertone that breaks up the sweetness very nicely indeed. I used granulated coffee instead of powder and as you chew the cookies, you come across pockets of strong coffee flavour, which I really enjoy.

Next came the obligatory Gingerbread, using a recipe by Donna Hay. I made three batches and it comes out perfect every time. At the weekend I contemplated making a gingerbread house with the same recipe but wisely decided to quit while I was ahead. Maybe next year.

And now for the disaster. The sight of Martha Stewart's Candy Cane Marshmallows was too good to ignore and so I bestowed upon it the distinction of being my Christmas Cooking Challenge of 2010. Such a disaster. There's really no way to explain it but somewhere between baking it and cutting it two days later the mix turned salty and it was a hideous-tasting concoction I will never try again - no seriously, never again. The real salt in the wound (pun intended) is that it looks so pretty and yummy. Beware of the pretty confectionery.

7pm, Bayside Melbourne

2010-12-14T08:23:00.000+11:00

We ain't going to the town
We're going to the city
Gonna track this shit around
And make this place a heart
To be a part of
Again

Interpol, 'Next Exit', Antics 2004

2010-12-10T12:39:00.000+11:00

Much as I admire people that can walk into a vintage clothing shop and come out looking fabulous, it's not for me - for some reason, I can't see past the fact that it's used clothing. I think about other people's armpits, skin cells, body hair on the garment and am quickly turned off and headed to the nearest exit.

That's not to say I'm against vintage altogether. For instance, I like vintage glass a great deal and will often visit the crockery section of goodwill stores looking for some precious finds.

Having recently undertaken my first and very successful foray into Etsy, I am all over it for vintage glass. Have a look at these lovely finds.

Clockwise from top left:
Vintage Indiana Milk Glass Serving Bowl with Wild Rose Leaf Pattern
Vintage Milk Glass Square Pedestal Compote
Vintage Milk Glass Vases
Westmoreland Milk Glass Lotus Bowl

There's something so delicate and luminous about milk glass that really catches my eye. It's a shame that milk glass has become somewhat of a decorating cliche lately, along with wallpaper and geometric cushions because I do like it so much. Decisions, decisions...

Hello Melbourne

2010-12-09T16:32:00.000+11:00

Has anyone told you lately how gorgeous you are?

7:45am, Melbourne CBD

2010-12-09T08:00:00.000+11:00

Life is cheap, bittersweet,
But it tastes good to me.
Take my turn, crash and burn,
That's how it's supposed to be.
So don’t rain on my parade.
Life’s too short to waste one day.
I’m gonna risk it all, the freedom to fall,
Yes it sure looks good to me.

Alicia Keys, 'Sure Looks Good to Me', As I Am, 2007

This little piggy

2010-12-07T10:07:00.000+11:00

Last week I was lucky enough to receive a brand spanking new iPhone 4 and while I was re-loading my many camera and photo effect applications - it's a shameless addiction - I found a new one called Sketch. Instead of taking a picture, it makes a sketch of what's in your viewfinder.

The only downside to having a new iPhone 4 is having to give up my gorgeous iPhone 3GS but it can now go and make somebody else deliriously happy, which is all a proud owner could ask for.

9am, Melbourne CBD

2010-12-07T09:11:00.000+11:00

Beneath the dance hall lights,
You seem a girl so sound,
Lights up the ground,
If you give up New York,
I'll give you Tennessee,
The only place to be.

Kings of Leon, 'The Face', Come Around Sundown, 2010

The Kings of Leon are one of my all time favourite bands and they will be touring Australia in 2011. Tickets for their concerts went on sale yesterday morning and I didn't buy any.

As a music lover, not attending the concert of a band I seriously enjoy is a decision not taken lightly. Unfortunately, I don't want to see Kings of Leon, the stadium band who announces multiple dates at a massive venue.

My favourite things: hair

2010-12-06T10:58:00.001+11:00

Since I was a little girl, my life's pretty much been ruled by my hair. When I was nine years old, my mum would blow dry it smooth. By the time I was 15 and wanted a shiny bob, puberty had set it and turned my head into a curly mess. In my early 20s my best friend and I died a section of our hair purple: hers was straight and flowed like a ribbon, mine was a frizzy purple haze.

Mercifully, I am more comfortable with my hair today than I've ever been and it's thanks not only to a terrific hairdresser, but to some incredible products.

On the left is the Kerastase Oleo-Relax Slim Masque. I use it as a conditioner and once a week as a treatment - you only need a small amount as it's very rich (it's also the most $$ of the lot so it's good to go easy on how much you use.) Next is the Kerastase Nectar Thermique. It's a leave in conditioner and styling agent with heat protection and is perfect as a blow dry aid. Finally there is Moroccanoil (the name of which I find quite annoying; it wouldn't have killed them to use a space.) My hair is quite thin and I originally thought this would leave it oily and greasy but no, it absorbs really well and it can either encourage a nice curl or help keep the moisture out of a blow dry, whichever way you're inclined.

I used to find it preposterous that a tub of conditioner could cost upwards of $50 although after making the investment once and seeing the results, I'll recommend it to anyone looking for a product that works. I still buy my shampoo at a supermarket but when it comes to conditioning, I've found you really do get what you pay for.

7.30am, Melbourne CBD

2010-12-06T09:04:00.000+11:00

At least there's pretty lights
And though there's little variation
It nullifies the night from overkill
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day

Men at Work, 'Overkill', Cargo, 1983

My favourite things: face

2010-11-26T16:35:00.001+11:00

Perhaps it's because I am rarely short of an opinion, but I love finding out people's favourite things. From food, to lipstick, restaurants and even music, it's great to get different perspectives on life and I often end up being exposed to something I wouldn't otherwise try.

So I'm going to share with you some of my favourite things, starting with my face.

Starting from the left is the amazing MAC Cleanse Off Oil, which removes every last stubborn trace of make up, including the waterproof stuff). Then there's a MAC eyeshadow in a colour called 'Humid' that looks amazing as a shadow or a wet liner. And finally is an incredible almost-fluorescent matte lipstick called 'Lady Danger' that not only has an awesome name, it smells of coconut. It is an extremely strong colour and you need a brave heart and light hand in applying it. Personally, I would steer clear of using the lipstick along with the shadow, unless you moonlight at the circus in which case you'll fit right in!

Everything he does is cute

2010-11-25T15:43:00.000+11:00

Peanut is especially cute when he's asleep and not raising havoc barking, wrestling with his pillow or staring incessantly at the cupboard where his food is stored.

A penny for a peony...I wish

2010-11-23T11:54:00.000+11:00

Flowers and foliage have never been my strong point. Although I admire them greatly (and, if my budget allowed, would have my house permanently filled with cut flowers and healthy plants), I am terrible at arranging cut flowers and I also must emanate noxious vibes that kill plants in the shortest possibly time frame.

During a visit to the most amazing flower shop in Melbourne, I salivated over the peonies that apparently are in season*. I immediately thought of my dear friend, Delamare who loves loves loves peonies.

*You see how terrible I am? I love peonies but have no idea when they're in season. Actually, I just found out this morning they're not even roses! Crazy.

Spring has indeed sprung

2010-11-21T22:12:00.003+11:00

Inspired by the recent post on fall colour in Wit and Whistle's neck of the woods (literally), I finally remembered to take my favorite camera - also known as my iPhone - on my daily dog walk with Peamut and capture some of the amazing trees doing their spring thing around my neighborhood.

Drink more water

2010-11-19T16:26:00.000+11:00

My pretty Evian water bottle is not only pretty to look at with its Christian Lacroix lace design, it also casts lovely reflections across my desk as the sun rises every morning.

Worry wart

2010-11-17T09:37:00.000+11:00

Work has been a challenge for the past couple of days and it's been one of the few times this quote hasn't really worked out for me.

Yes, I worried about today yesterday...and I'm still worrying about it today.

7am, Melbourne CBD

2010-11-17T09:32:00.001+11:00

I want to sit in the clouds, she said.
Somewhere up on high where people look like ants and the streets stretch forever.
A place to see the sun escape the horizon each day,
to see the storms roll in and shadows lengthen across the city.
Her place with the birds was gifted.
Spectacular.
Let height be a beauty filter;
everything (everyone) looks better at a distance.

You're the cream in my caramel

2010-11-16T10:31:00.001+11:00

My mum makes the best creme caramel in the world. Hands down. No challengers should attempt to better it.

In the absence of her and her amazing recipe at my home this weekend, I attempted it for the first time. I used a Donna Hay recipe which, in true Donna Hay style, was dependable on two fronts: it turned out exactly as the recipe said; and it was delicious because of its copious amounts of sugar and fat.

Faced with external competition, mum became somewhat skeptical of this unknown challenger.

Me: "I made creme caramel for dessert...in ceramic ramekins that I will turn out onto a plate to serve."

Mum: "Oh, I guess if they don't turn out you can eat them out of the pots with spoons."

Me: "Yeah, I guess..." (Crosses fingers, hopes for the best and takes plenty of pictures when they turn out beautifully.)

Welcome random flowers of spring

2010-11-11T16:00:00.001+11:00

As a result of the extensive house renovations of 18 months ago, the garden hasn't yet completely recovered. Some of the plants in the backyard managed to survive relatively unscathed and the ratio of lawn to weeds in the back is still in the favour of grass so that's a plus. I won't go into the state of the front yard, there's no point even talking about it.

So, while standing on my back deck last night, enjoying the warm afternoon and chatting to mum on the phone I noticed two gorgeous (tiny) flowers growing out of pots that I thought were empty. Needless to say they were promptly harvested, mid sentence, and put in a (tiny) glass jar for the side table in my lounge.

I love that they look like some clever person took to them with a pink marker and I especially love that they were a huge (tiny) surprise in my miraculous-in-its-neglect backyard.

2pm, Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne

2010-11-03T09:39:00.000+11:00

If there's a God up in the air
Someone looking over everyone
At least you got something to fall back on
And what are people really for?
Does anybody even care?
I'll bet you get a lot of compliments down there.

Band of Horses, 'Dilly', Infinite Arms, 2010

A beach-combing holiday in Western Australia

2010-10-29T15:23:00.000+11:00

This time last week I was out exploring a new city - Perth - on the penultimate day of a week long holiday. It was the third week-long holiday of the year and it was fantastic as south western Western Australia turned out to be quite a relaxed place with some amazing beaches.

Living in Melbourne, one quickly become accustomed to great coffee, well dressed people and bad weather. I was warned to expect Perth and WA to be the opposite of this and while I was looking forward to good weather, the coffee was surprisingly good - and smiley.

Coffee in Perth CBD

Sunset on the first night made the perfect setting for a dinner of grilled
fish, coleslaw and some amazing chili mussels at Cicerello's in Mandurah.

Feeling like a snail with my home on my back.

The amazing building of the Margaret River Chocolate Company...

...and the breathtaking flowering kangaroo paws lining the path to chocolate wonderland.

Margaret River Providore - don't get me started
on the delicious jams and relishes. Yum!

And the sun soaked views from the Providore's cafe.

The trees in the Valley of the Giants count their age in centuries and have to be seen to be believed.
The 40-metre-high Tree Top Walk is terrifying but breathtaking, in a good way.

Turns out there is a river called Margaret that
runs through Margaret River. Fancy that!

And it was while in that charming township that a giant cocoa meringue was enjoyed
at the very bohemian and sweet Margaret River bakery.

Street art in Perth's Northbridge precinct.

Tweet tweet: My first Etsy purchase

2010-10-28T10:56:00.003+11:00

Finally popped my Etsy cherry today.

Sometimes it felt as if I was the last person in the world over 30 to never have purchased anything from Etsy and I don't know why today was different from my other sojourns into the online marketplace, but it happened and I can't wait until my three prints arrive. They will likely end up in one of the guest bedrooms and will be fabulous!

I didn't actually set out to buy bird prints, you see, my original search word was skulls because I have a fascination with them. Yes, it's odd and more than a little creepy but I like the architectural nature of skulls, don't know why, I just do.

So my search led me to this seller, Black Baroque that prints designs on pages of old books. I wanted one of the skull prints (below) but ended up with the three birdy ones instead, just to ease me into it.

7.30am, Melbourne CBD

2010-10-27T07:56:00.000+11:00

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach the highest ground

Stevie Wonder, 'Higher Ground', Innvervisions, 1973
Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Higher Ground', Mothers Milk, 1989

Watercolour magic

2010-10-25T16:03:00.004+11:00

If there is one thing I have always wished I could do, it's draw. Sadly, no matter the amount of doodling, scratching, sketching and painting, I am as a good an artist as I am a singer (my dog runs from the room every time I start to sing - I'm that good).

Watercolours are a medium I've been trying lately with extremely, and not surprisingly, limited success. Wish I could do watercolours like these by Angela Vandenbogaard, they're seriously gorgeous.

Via ish & chi.

11am, Melbourne CBD

2010-10-15T13:51:00.000+11:00

Feeling a bit cranky today.

Fat drops of frigid, wind driven rain are snaking their way down the window,

adding a soggy filter to a grey cityscape that never really stood a chance today.

My mind is full of woollen socks, warm baked muffins,

hot soup and stinging whisky to heat the lungs.

Pack your sunglasses away people; save your sunscreen for another day.

Unwrap your winter clothes.

Ha ha, we got you.

We lured you with sunshine to punish you with sleet.

Celebrate it.

Rejoice.

We need the rain.*

Wankers.

* Australia has suffered greatly at the hands of a bastardly drought over the past few years. That drought has more or less broken in most of the country but the sense of it is still carried by many people who frequently proclaim "we need the rain". Melbourne has had one of its wettest winters ever and we're in the midst of a wretchedly wet and cold spring. We've had the rain. Let's stop wishing for it and glossing over its inconvenience with trite assertions that "we need the rain". I could frankly do without it for a couple of months.

Happy birthday to me

2010-10-14T08:48:00.001+11:00

In my house, a birthday is not celebrated until a sunset is witnessed and I was lucky enough to have a spectacular one happening in full view of the restaurant where I was eating birthday cake.

As far as birthdays go it was a fairly relaxed and laid back affair enjoyed in the company of close family. Sometimes things are best kept low key.

6.50am, Bayside Melbourne

2010-10-06T14:42:00.003+11:00

Love is all good people need
Music sets the sick ones free
Without love no one ever grows, nothing ever sings
This is Shangrila
Get me to the stage - it brings me home again
This is Shangrila

Mother Love Bone, 'This is Shangrila', Apple, 1990