Saturday, January 28, 2012

Summer vs Snow.


I've popped home to the farm for the weekend and it's a green paradise.   As I write the mower is my soundtrack and the birds are in choir.   

And, on the other side of the world, it's snowing at Trina's.

Isn't life grand?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Matt Corby.


"Brother" by the magical Matt Corby, filmed for Balcony TV late last year. Darn good song, loves.  xo

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Almost weekend.


Lovers.

Ok.  I feel as though I have so much to say.  In Australia we celebrate 'Australia Day' tomorrow.  For our Indigenous peoples however it's often also referred to as Invasion Day.  From a stereotypical viewpoint it's usually a day that is full of Aussie flags, beer, BBQs and listening to our national youth radio network, Triple J, count down its top 100 songs of the year.

And, to be clear, I'm not dissing those things, far from it.  I love many of the above things but for me, it's actually more exciting that it's just a simple public holiday!

In anticipation of the clear day I've driven out into the mountains near Melbourne to visit Little One + Jamie to stay the night and have lunch tomorrow. 

We've had champagne, beautiful baked potatoes, and, as I write, I'm sipping a G&T.  Tomorrow we'll be joined by some of my favourite people.  Thoughtful, big-hearted people with lots to say.  

So, it's a semi-weekend.  YAY!  And, I'm heading back to the farm on Friday night to see the folks, pick up some homemade preserves and rummage through a deserted house for my antiques shop.  Hurrah! 

Life is good, loves.  We just need a little reminding sometimes.  Life is good. 

Monday, January 23, 2012

Rustic Pantry.








I love wholefoods houses.  Wandering among the pulses and teas and spices and herbs.  I absolutely adore it.  During my recent beach holiday I stumbled into Rustic Pantry in the neighbouring town of Moruya.

It is one of the best of its kind that I've visited, a rare treat for many regional centres around Australia.  I picked up some local garlic, beeswax candles and a beautiful dukkah mix.

It's well worth a visit.  Yum.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Saturday wine n music.


When you live in the city it's easy for Saturday nights to become drinks at a local bar or a standard dinner party.  Activities which are both super-fun and things I love to do, but last night we mixed things up a bit.  

My darling friend Chellis and I hit the road and drove an hour and a half south of Melbourne to the wine region on the Peninsula.  At T'Gallant winery we feasted on so much delicious Italian food while we watched the unbelievable classical/latin guitarist Sergio Ercole perform with some special guests.    

As we were leaving the stars were beaming, reminding us to leave the city's familiar surrounds for more new adventures.  And I need to enrol in some kid of latin dance class, the music is still doing a loop in my head! 

It was just bliss my loves, absolute bliss.  So, here's to exciting new Saturday nights and beautiful relaxing Sundays.  Ok, off to brunch!

(pic via My Food Trail)

Saturday, January 21, 2012

RIP, Ms. James.


The indefinable Etta James is no longer living among us.  It is a sad day.  What a voice.

"I wanted to be rare, I wanted to be noticed, I wanted to be exotic as a Cotton Club chorus girl, and I wanted to be obvious as the most flamboyant hooker on the street.  I just wanted to be." - Etta James.

Rest in peace. 

Friday, January 20, 2012

Bon Iver sings a murder ballad.


Ok, let's break this down.  It's Friday.  Already a good start.  Little One is coming to the city for a ladypad sleepover.  And we will probably drink gin and eat cheese.  I would have been more than stoked if that was all this Friday brought me.

But I've just discovered that Bon Iver has recorded a murder ballad with The Chieftans for their upcoming album, Voices of Ages, which will be out next month.   Ok. Things are a little bit out-of-control. 

Weddings.


My darling friend Chellis's wedding is featured on everyone's favourite wedding blog Snippet and Ink today.  SO much drool worthy styling and design on there...well worth a look!

(pic by Love Katie & Sarah)

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Song for the day.


Yes, I know this song doesn't really fit my normal style of music posts but we all have random songs that hold meaning don't we?

It suits today, for me.  Kiss. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Elephant Ceramics.





With Sydney's Samantha Robinson and Portland's Pigeon Toe Ceramics already so deeply loved in my wee heart I wasn't sure there was much space for another ceramicist to nestle in...but, oh how I was wrong.

Drumrooooooll please...introducing Elephant Ceramics.

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.  The (clearly divine) designer Michele Michael is really doing amazing things with texture and colour and shape...I want all of it.

Can one just create a life gift registry?  My little finger is going to be hovering over the mouse the second her next range is up for sale online.

(photos by Philip Ficks, thanks to my dear designer friend Chellis for introducing me!)

Little thoughts.


Sleep isn't coming easily tonight loves.  I hope you're all slumbering peacefully and snoring softly.  But, alas, my mind won't quieten down.  What about this?  Oooo have you thought about that?  You totally forgot to do that didn't you?

Ah, it's great to feel alive, to have responsibilities and dreams and passions and thoughts and ideas.  But sometimes it's also good to just, you know, sleep. 

So I'm going to visualise my thoughts as little sticks, all lined up like small soldiers, ready to be dealt with one-by-one and not a moment before I'm ready.  And, definitely not until morning.

Time to try again. 

Sweet dreams. 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Cruisin'.





Ahoy m'loves! 

Recently I went to Canberra for my darling aunt Tamara's 50th birthday party - where we cruised around Lake Burley Griffin.  It was the most beautifully still evening and as night fell the colours, scenery and company just kept improving. 

Monday, January 16, 2012

Oh Ira.


Tonight I went to see Ira Glass talk to an adorable Melbourne crowd (well sans boyfriend behind me who ignored the ssssshs to get off his phone call that was drowning out the introduction).  Ok, I promise I'm over it.  

Anyhow, there was magic in the air.  It was a balmy summer's eve, I'd had a spectacular day (unusual for a Monday in my world) and I was wearing my special Romance was Born birthday-present scarf from my darling friend (and half of RWB) Anna. 

What a ridiculously perfect evening to hear a ridiculously perfect man talk.  

Off to download more podcasts.  Toodlepip! 

Present.


It's such an overwhelming feeling to realise that you're exactly where you should be, which is also exactly where you want to be. 

(pic by Canadian photographer Irene Suchocki

Sunday, January 15, 2012

It was a typewriter!






I spent this afternoon with one of my most treasured people in this vast, strange world.  As I mentioned this morning it was my dear, dear friend Sarah's birthday today and her incredible mama made her a Women's Weekly birthday cake.

For those of you not inhabiting our great Southern land, the Australian Women's Weekly is our grandmother of magazines and during the 70s and 80s the Weekly cake book was a staple in kitchens around the country.

The cakes were ridiculous (ly amazing) and were requested by kids all over the country.  Even my wholemeal flour/carob/no preservatives loving mother allowed us a couple over the years.

And so, today, in her 30s, a certain big-little-girl relived glorious moments many moons ago (see first pic) and scored herself a typewriter.  All the more poignant given that said super-talented girl is a ridiculously talented (and published) writer.  Yes, it was as deliciously sugary as you would expect.  Yummmmy!!  

Happy birthday darling unicorn Sarah.  Thankyou for babysitting my plants, buying me countless trinkets I don't need but have to have, loving hydrangeas, adoring craziness, adopting my parents, being the best wingwoman a gal can have, holding the tissues, keeping my secrets, sitting in the passenger seat and, most of all, for coming home. 

And here's to 2006.  Of all of the publishing houses in all of the world you had to walk into mine.

Another birthday.


Last weekend I spent part of my birthday driving from Australia's capital city, Canberra, to my folks' place via Victoria's High Country.  We stopped briefly at the Tumut Dam where I snapped this quick pic.

So, as I celebrate one week of being 29 my darling friend Sarah is celebrating her own birthday today. 

We're going to have an afternoon tea with a special Women's Weekly birthday cake cooked by her mama. Oh my goodness. What do you think it could be? A typewriter? A castle?  Perhaps the classic caterpillar. I'm forecasting a sugar coma.

Happy Sunday! 

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Tomato = Brekkie.



Howdy rockers.

So. I ate Neil for breakfast this morning.  

Neil was my baby tomato.  The first thing I have successfully grown all by myself.  

I dressed him up in some salt and pepper and his old friend Basil from the ladypad balcony also came along. 

It was a *moment*.  The little tacker was delicious. 

Happy Saturday friends. xo

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Holiday Hiking.







One day during my recent blissful beach holiday my camping comrades and I escaped the tents, donned boots, buckled up and went exploring.  

We went four-wheel driving and hiked a little way up to the summit of Gulaga - Mount Dromedary.  As we wandered, my cousin Moo and I were like competing paparazzi, snapping here and there at all of the beautiful highlights of nature.

Under all of the tree cover we stumbled through moss covered twigs and trunks and my cousin J and I pondered our futures and talked about hopes and dreams.  

Bliss. 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Tilbas.







I've been going on Christmas beach holidays with my extended family for over 20 years.  And, every year, we visit the nearby National Trust registered towns of Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba.  

These are two gorgeous little tourist spots.  My favourite little shop is Vintage Poppy down at Tilba Tilba.  And I SO want to hold a party in the beautiful hall in Central Tilba.  Doesn't it look so amazing?   The cheese factory also offers free tastings of it's yummy products.

So if you're ever roadtripping on the NSW South Coast it's definitely worth a quick detour. 

Oh, and p.s. that spunky, green stepladder is now joining me in the ladypad.  Hurrah!

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Iron Lady.


I'm going to see The Iron Lady tonight.  Have you seen it yet?

We're going to have spicy Tom Yum soup with noodles beforehand at a thai cart on the side of the road that makes the BEST Thai food...yummmmmmm.

I cannot wait.  Have an amazing night my sweets. 

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Full circles.


I started this blog one year ago today (well really tomorrow because of time differences!)

It was my birthday and I was living in Los Angeles eating cupcakes and being thoroughly spoilt.  Well, today it's again my birthday and I'm now living back in Australia.  I have again been thoroughly spoilt but in very different ways. 

A lot can happen in a year.  A lot has happened in the past year.  Good, bad but thankfully not much ugly. 

I'm dubbing 2012 the Year of the Love.  Not romantic love (although who ever says no to that?), but just love in general.  Passion, inspiration, friends, family, dream-chasing, creating, relaxing, enjoying, revelling, exploring, adventuring.  Love. 

Happy wishes to my birthday brothers too: Elvis and Bowie.  Doesn't get much better does it?

p.s. Yes, that's me (or Ownself....) giving a random birthday lecture circa 1985/6.