Lowdown

I've come to rely so heavily on these lists as a record of my daily affirmations and to chart what really matters. It's fair to say that even when I've prioritised other activities or writing, I know that this will be an accurate insight into the bits and pieces that make up the bigger picture. It's the closest thing that I have to a journal and it's also my own 'lowdown' of pure joy.

One, these gulls, and how they merely shuffled out of the way as I ran through their prim group.

Two, we're onto BIRD collective nouns! At the moment, I really like a wake of vultures and a storytelling of crows. More here.

Three, my travel containers of almonds and green tea.

Four, chronologically organising my Frankie magazine stash.

Five, whipping out my new pizza stone for incredible pizza, ready in ten minutes. Try the Arriva-inspired: gorgonzola, Italian sausage, sundried tomato and mozzarella.

Six, drafting our Brisbane Bucket List over morning coffee.

Seven, temperatures that encourage an afternoon siesta.

Eight, holiday countdowns.

Nine, reading through blog archives. A Beautiful Mess is giving me great ideas for Christmas DIYs like this.

Ten, writing letters and cards to say, I love you.

 What's on your happy list? Tell me all about your weekend! 

Hometown Flora

When I think of my hometown, it's nothing about the town and more about the landscape and people. My parents chose to bring my brothers and I up in a valley on the New South Wales' mid-north coast. In between fields and fields of evergreen trees, saltwater pools, donkeys and goats, we grew up outside with an intimate knowledge of our childhood territory. Not only am I so lucky to have always known such visual diversity but it always makes me want to explore every place I visit. Despite how infrequently I manage a run when I travel, it's always a treat to fit one in and discover my surroundings. Even though the neighbourhoods were familiar and the sights don't scream adventure, I can tell you that at 5pm on a Wednesday evening in Grafton, you will see lush gardens and a wise old river* that will impress you with their universal beauty. Oh, and spring! It's definitely sprung.

*The Clarence River features heavily in local Indigenous Dreamtime oral tradition.

...

Post title inspired by Adele's Hometown Glory.

I love that her hometown inspired her so.

Photos by me with Instagram filters.

I'm evawithanf, if you care to see

all the food I make and/or eat..  

   

Bloom

This new Beach House album has caught up and grown exponentially on me since the first few listens. Their third offering retains the ethereal styling of their previous releases while conjuring up an even more atmospheric rhythm romance. Rather fittingly, I always look this up in my iTunes as 'Swoon', somehow mistaken by the effect or rhyme I've associated with it. Even better, with the announcement of their Falls Festival sideshows, it's become a glorious reality that I'll be experiencing just this live in 2013. The prospect of hearing this album in the lush surrounds of The Tivoli further heightens my anticipation and gets me excited for their live interpretation. In the past, I found that their artistry came together onstage in a breathtaking execution. In between uniting the dips and swirls in sound, their instrumentation and vocalisation was exquisitely dreamy. I may misremember the name of this offering from time to time, but it's fair to say that this swoon-worthy act will be unmissable, yet again. And if in doubt, they're just right for any time of day or venture afield, too.

Try New Year for its haunting, somewhat celestial opening and reminder that the best is yet to come: wherever you are or however many times you've listened to the track.

...

Image via

Weekend Enumeration

Nearly every day since August, I've repeated to myself a phrase that has helped make sense out of things that don't yet have quite enough positive upsides. This phrase, "never doubt in the darkness what you know to be true in the light.", seems to have been both a guide and direction. As you can see, I've been putting glass dishes of plain and vanilla-scented tea light candles on any available surface in our home, somehow trying to up the warmth factor when things are so decidedly frozen in time. Despite the fact that we seem to be emerging from the worst of it, these are two habits I want to keep up. In both creating extra light and remembering the truth in those words, I'm remembering to be patient and hopeful. Finding that one beacon of certainty is a comfort that I'm so glad to share.    

Some other things that 'warm the cockles'..
1, showers by candlelight. Again with the candles.
2, plotting movie dates. I can't hype this and this forthcoming release enough*.
3, refining our plans for when we have a car. Aldi and Bunnings lead alphabetically/are an unashamed primary priority.
4, an update on our current word of guaranteed hilarity.
5, frangipani buds. They started out Alien-esque, but have since brought through yellow-cream-white ombre goodness that stretches sunwards.
6, the combination of dumplings and Tokay.
7, album launch parties. After all the hard work, the shared smiles said it all.
8, this recipe. Thyme! Sun-dried tomato! Brie!
9, animal collective nouns. Particularly, a llovely of llamas.
10, dreaming of making this necklace and otherwise admiring rose prints everywhere I see them.

*obsessive trailer love strikes again!

...

Links:

8, via Sterling Style

10, via Cheetah Is The New Black

Green Up

Our recent adventures in more holistic medicine have led us down the garden green path of giving up coffee. Or more honestly, giving up coffee on most days. Irrespective of the immediate daily benefits I feel, such as the unexpected increase in energy and mental acuity,  I'm equally driven to stick with this with all of the health evidence I've delved into. This article in particular has given me additional willpower to focus on this previously unthinkable challenge during these first few weeks. Not only am I inspired by Dr. Joseph Maroon's passion and lifestyle, but the logic as well as simplicity of his theory are uncomplicated adjustments to make. While I'll never be able to give up coffee altogether, I'm staying strong and have adopted Dr. Maroon's 3 cup-a-day habit, as well as buying green tea in bulk.

Funnily enough in this case, I've found that change is not only a constant but it's such a remarkable refreshment. Swapping my bean habit with tea bags has been cheaper, and it also means that any time I've had a cappuccino since I've been much more appreciative of the flavour. And, in fairness, I really enjoy that (forbidden) chocolate topping, too. Since reacquainting ourselves with the teapot, I've been reaching for these two Dilmah Jasmine varieties, one and two, and my preferred afternoon indulgence is their Moroccan Mint blend of green. That said, as I continue with this I'm looking to explore new flavours, so please if you know of any other types or brands that make lovely tea of any kind, I'm open to any sort you suggest!

And a final side note, it's probably not allowed but I would definitely recommend trying green tea gelato. The semi-sweet flavour is so good and you'll still be turning over that new leaf. I'm sure that pun is definitely what the Doctor ordered, too. And while I think of it, I love Sonya's post on healthy changes; it's a treasure trove of uplifting ideas.

...

Images via

1 and 2

Colour Wheel

I adore reading about other people's lives, getting a little peek in through photographs, or handbags, or playlists, or maybe even grocery lists and tea selections. Personality quirks are the sort of characteristics that can define you to other people, all told in someone's own personal language. For some reason my curiosity to know this other side of people, the person that they know themselves to be. For the longest time, I would ask my parents and brothers questions around the dinner table. Questions about their spirit animals, the places they wanted to visit, the magic power they wished they had, the habits that they couldn't break. I really wanted to know those facts that were close to them and defined their true selves.

Somehow as I've gotten older I make lists of these things. Just as those likes, dislikes, and dreams were fascinating, I'll keep coming back to them because they're a record of whichever penchant was closest to me at the time I was holding the pen or typing away. Those pocket moments that capture my imagination so much that I mentally snapshot and scrapbook them. For timely posterity, know that right now, my umbrella of likes and dislikes fall comfortably as a solid rainbow of hues Suddenly, I'm trying to saturate each part of my life in a glorious sun shower of these shades with inspiration fading and stretching bright and dark. Strangely, this spectrum of colour has been rejuvenating and everything feels more straightforward yet fully alive. It's even more meaningful as I've been trying to reintroduce simplicity to my daily life, and all these colour moments are for me an evolutionary way to be creatively fulfilled. Somehow colour is futuristic to me and with the sun-drenched months ahead, I'm sure that things will be everything except dull. And happily, working with colour requires discipline as well as free fall, which are two things I'm always trying to find a balance between in my life.

This current inventory of my colour wheel shows that: my lip colour is a vibrant splash of red or fuschia, accessories are indigo or pastels, any food must use the greenest of spring herbs, cinema and music are original '60s or replicas, décor is Orient inspired (paper cranes are unpictured). Oh, and to convey just how kaleidoscopic things have become, I'm longing to get the new collection of Sharpies I saw in store recently. I'm sure I'll still be colouring my world next time we speak.

...

Images

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 

Confession

Where have I been? I keep undertaking immense and passionate plans to write here every day, yet my everyday life somehow picks up and I get consumed by those things instead. In the last couple of weeks I have had a lot on my plate in the way of family commitments and work training, and as disappointing as it is to admit, I've barely had the time or resources* to write. Regardless, these have truly been the best of times. Moments that I will always cherish, that I will look back upon and remember, all while working towards some of the best months of the year. There is more to come on this site -- more words, images, ideas and words to share -- but until then, I'd love for you to enjoy these shots my mum sent me recently. When I was home last week we spent nearly every moment on the back deck, soaking up the sun and delving into their vast library. I don't think it's possible to find a place anywhere near as relaxing in the world.  

Public Bar

This is a post about Public, a divine new bar I visited last week. In a series of fortunate rather than unfortunate events, Miranda and I unexpectedly made our nightcap destination. For some reason,      last Thursday evening was one of those otherworldly nights I've rarely enjoyed in Brisbane, let alone in the CBD. Despite how much I keep harping on about the change of seasons, I can honestly say that this spring the city seems rejuvenated. Not only that, all of the new places that have opened up are revitalising my wanderlust hungry spirit, too. Brisbane is truly becoming a world city. 

But back to how we came to visit Public. After pasta in an alleyway, Miranda and I ventured down to Burnett Lane to check out some of the newer bars that have opened up there. We were lucky enough to stumble in on a cosy little scene at Super Whatnot. I wasn't prepared for how small the space is, yet we were both curious and lined up for drinks. Having already imbibed a flask of house red over dinner we were a bit disappointed with the selection of by the glass vinos (read not ready to pay $12), and decided to wander further afield. For some reason I was convinced that Public was in the vicinity, but the map said otherwise so we started walking up George Street. After some time, the only sign of life that far away from Queen Street was a topless bar, but we persevered and above our heads, Public appeared.

After catching the escalator upstairs, we were greeted by front of house staff and seated at the bar. Amidst a mixed crowd, we were able to see both bar and kitchen, as well as a street view that added to the already glamorous space. With a twist on modern luxury, Public is a bar that in decor alone feels like the Hogwarts library with masculine sophistication. Needless to say, we were both charmed by the surrounds and found it difficult to choose wines from the leatherbound menu. Fourtunately, our bartender was relaxed in his approach and our eventual choice of Bordeaux Burgundy was poured expertly into their namesake glasses. Such a purposeful yet seamless experience  more than secured the bar in our opinion. The additional bird and swivel chair elements were moody and comforting; I'll let you guess which elicited which response. In three words, Public is chic, understated and luxurious. Plus, candleabras are a touch I always love. Can't wait to go back for the epic promise of Kentucky Fried Duck. Thanks for the new memories, Public.

I very happily noted that there is $10 Happy Hour on selected cocktails, Monday to Thursday, 4pm-6pm.

I've also heard that you can book a table.