Montezuma

So now I am older,
Than my mother and father,
When they had their daughter,
Now what does that say about me.
Oh how could I dream of,
Such a selfless and true love,
Could I wash my hands of?
Just lookin out for me

...

Since reading through Elizabeth's archives on Delightfully Tacky, I've been inspired to listen to Fleet Foxes again. Elizabeth was married last year, and looking at her wedding photos was such a delicious treat. She walked down the aisle to Montezuma (from Helplessness Blues) and it's an incredible song. The lyricism is exceptional and when I read them (it always seems to be a different experience to hearing the song), I felt that I could understand love better than before. Going forth to give oneself to others is a selfless act when done purely of heart. Looking at my own pictures here, I know the luck I have to have a partner in my life whom I share my life and home with. More than ever before, I appreciate that luck brought him to me, but it's my actions that can help keep our love strong. As they say, you stay in love by choice.   

Ps, I just wanted to mention how much I admire Elizabeth and her blog work. What an inspiring woman, and so beautiful inside and out! 

Gone To Look For America

This might be February blues, as the year feels a little bit long already, but I'm in need of a little holiday. A proper break. Requirements include making a new playlist for the road, individual chocolates (somehow more expensive than a block of chocolate but also far tastier..I'm thinking Baci) from a box for breakfast, staying up late only to sleep in, walks to any place that might be waiting to be discovered, dancing in the kitchen of our temporary home (a self-contained place is a must, so my love can make coffee), reading on the verandah, waiting for the moonrise, giggling at ridiculous things we do that make it clear we're barely the adults we pretend to be.

I feel more relaxed already. I might even go for a staycation tonight. Curry, a movie and the return of the rain will do the trick. We don't even need to leave the house.

...

Where I go for peace in my head.

The other place is with my man's family

- the sunsets out there are incomparable.
Image via 
     

Red Roses

"I love the red roses," said Leslie. "Anne likes the pink ones best, and

Gilbert likes the white. But I want the crimson ones. They satisfy some

craving in me as no other flower does."

"These roses are very late -- they bloom after all the others have gone

-- and they hold all the warmth and soul of the summer come to fruition,"

said Owen, plucking some of the glowing, half-opened buds. "The rose

is the flower of love -- the world has acclaimed it so for centuries. The

pink roses are love hopeful and expectant -- the white roses are love dead

or forsaken -- but the red roses -- ah, Leslie, what are the red roses?"

"Love triumphant," said Leslie in a low voice. 



-- excerpt from L. M. Montgomery's 'Anne's House of Dreams'
..I had a conversation with a florist about this passage last week.
How beautiful it is that the language of flowers is still
used to communicate emotion today.

...
Images via 

Collegiate

While it's been a little bit hectic - I disappeared again, deep into intern land - I can now say that I'm a graduate! These Journalism and Arts feathers have been a long time coming, and while I thought it would be a walk in the park or an easy program to complete, the extra time and numerous sleepless nights and tear-filled days make today worth it. Though I won't don cap and gown until July, the affirmation and knowledge that I've achieved this now means just as much. I'm actually far more excited about the new phase, and I'm glad I took the long way round to properly situate and understand all that I've learnt. It feels like those daisies - clean and fresh.

...

Daisies from my mama,

Image via instagram - 

I don't know that it quite

captured the cheeriness.

Be Prepared

What's in my bag? What's not in my bag?

...

Left to right, top to bottom, pretty much prepared for everything!

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - I wear too much mascara, every single day. Nearly always waterproof, but always blackest black. Great Lash is what I use the most, but I've used pretty much every brand. Definitely a basic, well-shaped brush.

Ray-Ban Tortoiseshell Wayfarers - I've worn this shape since I was a first-year, but this is my first pair of Wayfarers. They're weighted in a way that is both comfortable and sturdy. Plus, a proper pair of lenses is so much better for your eyes.

Wet Ones Minis - My boyfriend got me these as gift, with a bag of Pink Lady apples. I eat a lot of fruit on the run..

Glo-Mesh Beige purse - a Christmas gift, three years ago. My mama manages to find me a new one every time I wear my old one out. She says they're usually in mint condition in the Op-Shop because they were previously only used on special occasions. This one came in its original box!

Kiehl's moisturiser tester - a just in case throw in for travelling. I can't stand my face being dry. The Kiehl's lady was sweet enough to throw this in when I bought my Amber Essential Oil.

Keys - You can't see it, but I have an Aldi shopping cart token (ignore the Vintage Cellars one..).

Nivea Honey and Milk lip balm - smells like a shower and seals my lips off. A tube doesn't get my fingers mucky.

Berocca tube and Jupiter Bar - two of my favourites. Both so delicious. Plus, it's Original Berocca, apparently the only flavour to have. I can't comment.

Work Receipt and Black Sheep coffee card - the receipt reflects my continual list-making and the card is a memento from a recent trip to the Farmer's Markets with my parents.

iPhone headphones (and iPhone not pictured) - I love having my favourite playlists on my phone in case we go to parties and headphones are always handy for zoning out on noisy buses.

L'Oréal True Match Mineral Foundation - amazing. Best mineral foundation ever, without the remotest hint of sparkle. Doubles as powder and concealer too.

Sharpie and random pen - Sharpie is always handy for last minute gigs. I learnt my lesson when I was without one once.

Rimmel Shocking Pink, Revlon Really Red, Covergirl Darling lipsticks - various shades for whatever mood. The first two shades are a bit more bam, yet perfectly matte, and solidly pigmented. The Darling is moisturising and doubles as a natural blush.

Penguin Book Bag - not quite pictured, but my old-time love. Fits everything and matches everything.

It suddenly seems that I'm not quite as prepared as I could be, I'd really like to start carrying my phone charger and I usually have a scarf and notebook in there too. Nevertheless!

..so, what's in your bag? I'm snoopy and I'd love to know. It's just one of those fascinating things..

...

Image via instagram  

Extra-Curricular

For the first time in a long time, I have an utterly free Friday night. It's also our 'number' day today, plus my birthday tomorrow, so today is a good day. We've been trying to figure out what to do with ourselves to celebrate, and I've managed to narrow it down to two options.

Option One, Midnight In Paris at the Moonlight Cinema.

It's been raining all day, so I don't think this is going to happen. But, I have a post devoted to it coming soon, so that's ok to postpone. I could talk about that gem of a film all day.

Option Two, Sam Amidon at Matisse Up Late at GOMA.

I saw Sam when he supported Beth Orton at the Old Museum a couple of weeks ago. Not only is he a gifted musician and storyteller, but his banter between songs was witty and I relished each moment of his set. If you have the time, the video above is of the song I loved most from his set. As it's virtually the same, I can assure you that we also had the pleasure of the sing-along at the show I saw. I've had the lyrics running through my head ever since so I definitely wouldn't mind seeing him again. I've also found that back to back gigs before a festival can be a good way to warm up before a full day of music. Laneway! Tomorrow!

Plus, I'm dying to see the Matisse exhibition at GOMA. I could insert another Midnight In Paris quote here, but I'll hold back..

What are you doing tonight? Indulging in yummy food? I'm also considering making and/or going out for a curry or pie. Or a curry pie. Any of those options would be rad.

Have an incredible weekend!

...

Plus, post title inspired by the greatest weekend

song ever, The Darkness' Friday Night 

Backyard Love

Today we..

..slept late, swam in the pool, jumped on the trampoline, slid around on the grass, jumped on the trampoline into the pool, danced barefoot, hugged many times, engaged in group love, drank from wizard wands, had bbq, wore coral lipstick, got stitches, walked and talked in the rain, took many photos, sang our hearts out, got muddy clothes, finished with falafel..

Happy love day! Because it's a chance just to celebrate our loves and the incredible lives we share!

More photos to come!

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Instagram by me, polas via Picasa

Warm Glimpse

While I was in Copenhagen and Reykjavik, the majority of the homes that I wandered past had candles or fake light "candles" in their windows. With that soft glow carrying to the street outside, the homes all looked incredibly cosy, lived in, and secure. Somehow, even from where I stood in the cold, they seemed private and removed. That sense of seclusion was interesting to me as I've always felt the greatest sense of privacy when away from the street. I particularly feel this when surrounded by trees. Since I've lived in the city, it's been an even greater priority. I don't even know if it's that Australian houses are super airy and built exposed to the elements so as to capture any cooling air in summer (we have some mild winters), but it still feels like I spend most of my time trying to shut out noise of some sort. With all the rain in the last few days, there's finally been some peace without outside interference. While this weather isn't going to last, I'm going to work on that warmth factor. Lighting candles in the early evening or burning them throughout grey days immediately changes the feel of our small space. It makes our place such a soothing, more charming and inviting place to be. What's more, it makes a home of our rented house..

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Image via